My Monthly Edit

MAKING
I don’t know about you, but when the weather starts to warm up, I’m pretty much only interested in meals that don’t require turning on the oven.  Now that I’ve taken over the cooking for all 6 of us, I’ve been experimenting with new healthy recipes that fit within my dad’s anti-cancer diet & I’ve definitely found some gems.  I’ve been focusing on salads because they’re easy to throw together + they’re perfect on a hot summer day.  This chopped Thai salad is so good for lunch or dinner (add chicken or tofu for extra protein); this summer nectarine salad is such a great combination of flavors (I omitted the tomatoes and it was still delicious) and this spinach salad with warm bacon dressing was a big hit too!

BUYING
Because of the chaos of our move, I haven’t been doing a lot of shopping lately – but, now that we’re mostly settled and getting back into a regular routine, I’ve been spending more time browsing online and have come across a few pieces that I couldn’t resist adding to my cart!  I never thought I’d buy a white swimsuit, but this one-piece is so comfortable & flattering – when worn with a midi or maxi skirt, it almost looks like a bodysuit!  These rattan hoops are so fun for summer & the neutral shade will go with everything.  You can’t beat the price on this speckled sweatshirt – I’ve been using it to layer over workout clothes & to lounge around the house in.  This dainty ring is perfect to wear alone or stack with other favorites.  This basic crewneck tee (in Tierra Red) will be so chic with white shorts or jeans & some gold jewelry – I’ll knot it at the waist or add a printed scarf like this one.

LOVING
It’s officially straw bag season!  Time to pack away those dark leather bags in favor of something lighter & more festive for summer.  Thankfully, you don’t have to spend a fortune to add a couple to your collection because there are so many budget-friendly styles to choose from!  Options under $50 that I’m loving include this basic tote (great for the beach), this structured bag (love the attached inner lining), this fringe-accented tote, this belt bag, this fan tote & this bucket bag (the bamboo handle makes it so chic).

USING
As we were packing up for our move, I noticed that most of our sunscreens had expired so I immediately ordered more as soon as we arrived in Oregon.  This brand has been one of my favorites for the last couple years because it’s clean & it works well for our family.  I picked up this bronzing body oil that has built-in SPF & I love the subtle glow it gives to my skin.  I also bought this spray-on sunscreen for my kids & this hydrating spray gel to use after long days by the pool (keep it in the fridge to make it even more refreshing!).  Right now you can get a $5 gift card when you buy 3 sun care items at Target (in stores & online).

WEARING
I’ve been on the hunt for some comfy non-denim shorts & am learning that it’s very hard to find styles that are flattering & also not too short.  I’ll be posting a more comprehensive round-up of summer shorts later this month, but wanted to share the ones I’ve purchased with you today.  I love the rust hue of these 100% cotton shorts (they also come in white & olive green).  These button-front shorts have a slightly dressier feel to them, but you can easily wear them with a basic tee or fitted tank.  And these belted shorts come in several different color & print options (I bought the green/white floral).

CRAVING
These studded sandals have been all over social media for the last few months & they’ve been so popular that they’ve sold out multiple times.  So I was thrilled to find them fully re-stocked & on sale (with free shipping!) – just use code FRIEND to get an extra 30% off at checkout.  Looking for more classic summer footwear options?  These cognac slide sandals are under $30 (also in black & white); these wedge espadrilles are currently 40% off and these block heel sandals are less than $35!