My Monthly Edit

PLANNING
Our Michigan trip has been so incredible already & I’m definitely not feeling ready to come back home next week.  Thankfully, we have two more big camping trips planned for later this summer that we can look forward to.  I’m stocking up on this organic insect repellant, this anti-itch cream (just in case!), water shoes for the family (this brand is worth every penny, but if your kids’ feet are still growing, I’d go with these).  And last month, I also picked up this baseball hat, this graphic tee, these denim shorts (perfect fit & length) & this rain jacket (too cute to pass up!)

TRYING
I’ve been on the aluminum-free deodorant bandwagon for a while and was previously using a paste version that I loved, but hated how mess it was to apply.  This coconut oil formula has a nice scent & goes on clear and smooth without leaving a residue.  Unlike antiperspirants, you will still sweat throughout the day when using this…but it only took about a week for my body to adjust.  And I’ve found that the longer I’ve used it, the better it works, so I don’t have to worry about my sweat smelling bad.

READING
I remember hearing about this book when it first came out four years ago.  But, for some reason, I wasn’t compelled to purchase & read it until recently.  It’s completely changed the way I view material possessions & our so-called “need” for more things.  In addition to cleaning out my closet & beginning my summer shopping freeze, I’ve also been focused on decluttering our house (we have a huge section of the basement that’s now full of items for our garage sale).  After reading this book, I shared with my kids about the concepts in it so they could “say goodbye” to some of the toys & things they’ve outgrown but were still holding on to.  One of my favorite quotes: “The process of assessing how you feel about the things you own, identifying those that have fulfilled their purpose, expressing your gratitude, and bidding them farewell, is really about examining your inner self.”

USING
On my last trip to Ulta to pick up more shampoo, I came across this hair brush & thought it might work well for my daughter.  So, I bought it & ended up loving it so much that I kept it for myself!  It’s infused with Keratin & Argan oil so it’s like having a mini shine treatment every time you brush.  I love that I can use it in the shower on my wet hair or on the go when we’re traveling.  It works like magic to detangle my strands and leave them feeling soft & conditioned.  In short, it’s a miracle worker & I don’t know how I ever got by without it.  There’s also a coconut oil version here that looks equally as good!

LOVING
Abercrombie & Fitch has had a major resurgence in the retail space lately.  In all honesty, I never shopped there in high school because it was out of our budget & I avoided it for several years due to some unsavory comments the former owner made.  But, I rediscovered the brand last fall and have been so impressed with everything I’ve purchased so far.  This little wrap skirt would be so cute with a gray tank & denim jacket (it also comes in black, chambray, olive, gingham & pink).  Their denim gets great reviews & all of their jeans come in short, regular & tall lengths.  Other items I’m loving: this knot-front dress, this scalloped swimsuit, this popover shirt, this lace top & this striped sweatshirt.  If you’re a mom, they also have a great kids’ clothing line with pretty regular sales!

CRAVING
Straw, rattan & wicker bags have been everywhere this season and now we’re starting to see that trend shifting to footwear.  These types of natural textiles feel timeless and, thanks to the organic materials, they go with everything!  These raffia sandals are the perfect neutral slide that you could wear with sundresses or to the beach (they also come in black & yellow).  Other options to try: these fringe slides, this tasseled pair, these block heel sandals, this metallic pair & these textured heels.