My Monthly Edit

LOVING
One of the biggest handbag trends for spring/summer is styles that are made from natural materials like straw, raffia & bamboo.  Thankfully, these are typically more affordable than their leather counterparts and they come in a wide range of shapes & sizes to suit any lifestyle.  Some of my favorites include this basket bag, this large tote (40% off with code FRIEND), this bamboo bag, this round straw bag, this pom pom clutch & this bucket bag.  There are also tons of great vintage options on Etsy like this, this & this.

TRYING
Ever since being diagnosed with Lupus & learning (the hard way) how my body reacts to sun exposure, I’ve had to become vigilant about protecting myself during the warm weather months.  Even though I may be stuck in the shade, I decided this was the year I wanted to try out self-tanners for the first time.  I’m in the process of testing several different formulas to find one that works best and, so far, this mousse is a front-runner.  I was so pleased with how easy it was to apply evenly (I used this applicator mitt) & the end result was a realistic sun-kissed glow.  Next up, I’m testing out options for the face including this drugstore brand & this cult classic.  If you have one that you swear by, please share in the comments below!

MAKING
Having a limited diet means that I can easily get stuck in a rut of eating the same foods over and over again.  Lately, I’ve been a bit lax with my meal prepping, mainly because I’ve felt so bored & uninspired by the dishes that I used to love.  So, in an effort to change that, at the beginning of March, I decided to make it a priority to try at least one new meal a week.  Not only has this been a welcome change to my routine, but I’ve also found combinations that I absolutely love like this spaghetti squash pad thai (Paleo & Whole30 compliant).  Other new favorites include these bang bang shrimp tacos, this buffalo chicken pizza & this egg roll in a bowl.

CRAVING
When it comes to spring wardrobe updates, I’m trying to stay focused on versatile styles that I can wear year after year.  This cropped trench is currently at the top of my wish list – I love the classic details & I think the shorter length will actually make it more wearable with casual styles than a traditional knee-length version.  Other items I’ve got my eye on include this chambray blazer (40% off with code NEWNOW), these block heel sandals (40% off with code FRIENDS40) & this floral print dress (now 50% off!).

READING
My friend Alyson deserves the credit for introducing me to Rachel Hollis over a year ago.  Ever since then, I’ve been a faithful follower and couldn’t wait for the release of her latest book.  It is gut-wrenchingly honest and inspirational all at the same time – like having one of your best friends give you a much-needed pep talk (brutally honest but sprinkled with love).  One of my favorite lines: “Embracing chaos might be the journey we take to finding peace.”  Strongly recommend reading with highlighter in hand!

USING
Sometimes Instagram can be a dangerous place.  A few weeks ago, I discovered The Home Edit & instantly felt compelled to reorganize our laundry room & pantry (follow at your own risk).  For the laundry room, I bought this cute sign and these baskets for holding detergent & supplies.  And for the pantry, I purchased these food storage containers to organize all our dry goods & snacks (more affordable option here).  Admittedly, these were a bit of an investment, but it’s so worth it for me to be able to see exactly where everything is and to quickly know at a glance when it’s time to restock.