What I Have Been Reading

It's the last day in August and that is crazy!  It has been a while since I have shared what I have been reading, I finished four books since my last share.  Check out my review and let me know your opinions:

Habits of the House by Fay Weldon:  I had high hopes for this book, it had Downton Abbey vibes.  It started out interesting, following the house of Lord Dilberne and his family you learn they are having financial trouble and are in search of a wife for their son Arthur in hopes that her dowry will save them.  You get insight from all the characters as well as servants, it just got a little boring, predictable and the characters weren't developed well. 

Little Bitty Lies by Mary Kay Andrews: I am a fan of Mary Kay Andrews, for a light quick chick lit read she is pretty good.  This one was interesting, a woman's husband leaves her and takes all her money (surprise), she then tells a little lie and things spin crazily out of control with all the other lies.  Yes it was predictable and silly but for a light summer read it did the trick. 

Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler: The most serious book I read this time, it dealt with race, love, friendship and choices made.  Eighty-nine year old Isabelle asks her hairdresser Dorrie to drive her from Texas to Ohio for a funeral.  Along the way Dorrie learns about Isabelle's history and learns about herself.  The story was well written and gave me vibes of The Help. 

Silver Linings by Debbie Macomber: I have been watching Cedar Cove on Netflix and since this book was set there I thought I would give it a go.  Very light read but it was interesting.  It followed three women, one who owns a bed and breakfast in Cedar Cove the other two are coming back for a high school reunion.  They all are figuring out their love lives.  It was a sweet story and if you are a fan of Cedar Cove it is worth a read. 

What have you been reading lately? 

Thrift Haul: Vintage Finds, Shoes, and Books

Another week, another thrift haul!  

I am fan of vintage plates, especially these state landmark ones.  I saw this Kentucky one and knew I had to have it.  My family and I took a vacation to a few of those places.

I picked up these Ann Taylor crocodile black heels for $1, you can't beat that.

These Durango boots were also $1!!  Y'all boots for $1 is crazy talk.

I think this bag was $2, I thought it would be really cute with a monogram.  I can't decide if I want to keep it or give it as a gift.

6 books for 60 cents.  My thrift store book prices are awesome, they are changing and going up soon so I have to take advantage while I can!

Have you thrifted anything lately?  Let me know your finds in the comments below!

Instagram Roundup

Hope y'all all had a great weekend, not much going on here.  Caught up on laundry, cleaned the house and got ready for the week.  Trying to talk my husband into some fun trips in the future ;)

Layering is my favorite but is hard to do in the summer heat, kimonos have become one of my favorites.  They are light and still give the ability to layer.  This one is my favorite from Good Twice (my bag is from there too).  If you haven't checked them out give them a look and see what you find!

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My favorite breakfast right now are these greek yogurt bagels.  They are crazy easy and so so delicious...they only have two ingredients!!  Check out my post here.

Good reminder that the maker of heaven and earth also reaches down to comfort, love and care for me.  Lord you are enough for me!

Easy outfit, t-shirt and jeans.  Still loving this crossbody bag from DSW!!

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Walking on the wild side...

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A few of my favorites in this pic: peplum denim jacket from Madison and Mallory and joyful necklace from Jenica Designs.

 Hope y'all have a great week!  If you aren't following me on instagram, check me out here.

Two Ingredient Greek Yogurt Bagels

Ask me what I want to eat for breakfast and my answer will always be carbs.  I love carbs in the morning: bagels, muffins, doughnuts I'm all about the carbs, tell me I'm not the only one.  Obviously they aren't the healthiest choice.  I recently found a recipe for greek yogurt bagels and had to give them a try.  Guys they are the easiest things and we are obsessed with them!

Greek Yogurt Bagels

Ingredients:

1 Cup Self Rising Flour

1 Cup Greek Yogurt 

(Optional: 1 egg for egg wash, seasonings/add ins of choice)

Directions:

Mix flour and yogurt together.  When adding in the yogurt make sure that you strain the liquid as much as possible, you don't want soupy bagels.  When it looks like dough sprinkle flour and take out dough and start to knead.  Don't stress about kneading right or a lot, I just knead it enough to move around.  If you knead it too much it will get sticky and hard to work with.  Once kneaded pull off pieces and form into bagel shapes.  (Sometimes I get lazy and just make them into bagel sticks.)  Place them on your baking sheet.  This is optional but I like to mix an egg and brush over the bagels, you can also sprinkle with seasonings of your choice).  Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.    

Tips:

- If you don't have self rising flour, make your own with 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt

- seasonings I am excited to try: everything, cinnamon sugar and sesame seed

Let me know if you try them and what you think!  Also if you have any ideas for add ins or seasonings I would love to hear! 

What I Bought Recently (Poshmark, Dollar Tree and Aeropostale)

Fall is calling my name and I am so ready for it.  I love fall fashion, the textures the layers give me all of it!  I have been looking for some new pieces for my fall wardrobe and also just shopping the sales (you know me).  Here are a few things I have picked up recently:

I have been wanting a fringe jacket for a while now and this one is perfect for fall.  It is subtle western chic and I can't wait to style it.  I picked this one up off of poshmark for around $12.

If you aren't checking out Dollar Tree's books you need to go look the next time you are in the store.  I have found such great BRAND NEW books that are actually good.  I get books for gifts there a lot and also just pick some up for myself.  New books for $1 you really can't beat it.  I picked up these three books last time I was in the store, pretty good picks.

I haven't shopped Aeropostale in years but they sent an email and for some reason I decided to jump on and see what they had.  I actually placed an order and found a few things I love.  It is hard to tell from this picture but this sweatshirt has little lightening bolts, clouds and stars all over it.  It is the prettiest lavender mauve and so crazy soft.  I know I will be living in this for fall and winter.  This one was less than $10!

I also picked up these two striped peplum tanks.  I have been loving tanks lately for layering under a cardigan, jacket or kimono and these are so cute and flirty.  They were less than $5.  These are still available and you can get them here.

Have you found any good deals lately?

Instagram Roundup

My husband starts school next week and y'all August is pretty much over.  I know I sound like a broken record in saying that this year is flying bye but it really is.  Nothing crazy going on this week, work and getting ready for all the students to get back in town and make traffic crazy.  The weather has been hot still and I am so ready for fall, I want my house to be cozy and I'm craving fall fashion.  I'm trying to add a few fall touches in my wardrobe without overheating...

Starting off another week with my Instagram roundup:

These wooden beach earrings are the perfect simplistic piece of jewelry.  They are crazy lightweight and gorgeous!

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Such a comfy maxi from JaeLynn Boutique.  I love the maxi cut and how it is modest but still stylish.

If you have been following along for a while you know I am partial to a little western style.  This cuff from The Jewelry Junkie is one of my favorites!

I had seen these cutout tuxedo shoes around everywhere and decided on a whim to pick some up.  I really wanted a neutral light color and these are perfect.  I wasn't sure how much wear I would get out of them but I have been wearing them at least once a week and I'm a fan.  I love the understated chic touch they add to an outfit.

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This kimono was a thrift store find for $3 and I love it.  I have been really into adding kimonos over a tee or tank and jeans to update an outfit and still be really comfy.

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Have you tried the cold foam drinks at Starbucks yet??  Check out my blog post to see what I thought of them.

If you aren't following me on instagram yet, check me out here.  Hope y'all have a great week, let me know what you have going on.  We will be battling the influx of traffic and students taking over the town...oh college town life.  

Starbucks Cold Foam Cascara Cold Brew Review

I had heard and seen so many people talk about the new cold foam drinks at Starbucks and figured I would give it a go.  Honestly, I didn't have high expectations.  I felt like it was gimicky and was going to be weird...I was so wrong!

I got the Cold Foam Cascara Cold Brew Iced Coffee and it was delicious!!

Starbucks describes it as: "Sweetened cold foam flavored with Cascara syrup (subtle notes of dark brown sugar and luscious maple) atop our bold, smooth Starbucks Cold Brew, and finished with just a hint of vanilla syrup."

The flavor was delicious, not too sweet but with a deep rich flavor.  The foam was a really good addition.  The only problem was that the foam sits on the top and you end up with a cup full of foam at the end.  It might help to mix it when you are close to the bottom so you don't end up with only foam.  

Overall I am definitely a fan and will be trying it again!

Have you tried the new cold foam drinks?  What did you think?

Thredup Haul and money off your next order!!

Another Thredup haul, while I didn't do quite as well as I did last time with the deals I still managed to pick up some goodies.

I am still loving velvet and that kimono is gorgeous!!  Add in some leopard, faux fur, and a classic quilted jacket for less than $12 and you can't beat it.  Can you tell I am so ready for fall weather???

Broken record but if you haven't checked out Thredup, use my link for $10 off your order!

Comment below what goodies you find, I love hearing about good thrift finds!!

Instagram Roundup

I skipped out on blogging last week (traveling made things crazy) so this week is a catch up...here's a chunk of instagram pictures from last week and the week before:

I'm still loving my Oventure key ring, I get so many questions about that thing.

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One of my new favorite mugs from My Mugs and Kisses on etsy!

Loving these earrings from Jenica Jewelry on etsy, they are less than $20 and look gorgeous!!

My husband and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary at the beginning of this month, I am so blessed to have him as a husband, partner and best friend.

I am in love with this peplum denim jacket...seriously how cute??  I got mine from Madison and Mallory and have been planning outfits so I can wear it!

I picked up these sister bracelets from aliexpress and on our last trip to NC my sisters and I all put them on together.  I love the simple design and the idea that we all have them and will remember that connection when we see them.

I randomly found this mug at the thrift store for $1 and knew I had to have it.  I love Downton Abbey and definitely miss watching it.  I love drinking my coffee out of this and feeling just a little extra fancy.

This top was a hand me down from my sister, last time I was home I went through bags and bags of clothes and found some gems.

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I had the chance to travel to the Atlanta Market this past week, lots of clothes, food and fun.  We ended the week on a crazy high note with Madison and Mallory winning the Global Boutique Award along with Alabama and Online!  So happy to see the hard work paying off and excited to see where it goes in the future.

If you  haven't checked out Madison and Mallory, go!

That's a wrap for this week, getting back in the blog schedule.  If you aren't following me on instagram, check me out here.

Things I Bought Recently (Zulilly, Walmart, Target, DSW, and more!)

I am always on the search for a good deal and I have found some gems.  Here are some things I have picked up recently and things I am obsessed with!

I have been on the search for a good pair of snake slip on sneakers for so long and these are perfect!!  I found them on Zulily for less than $15 and y'all the quality is awesome!

I think I have talked about this before but I am obsessed with this pink tumbler!!  If you haven't jumped on the Ozark Trail wagon yet you definitely need to, they are amazing!

The normal tumblers come with a lid but it doesn't have a closure, Walmart now has extra lids you can get that have a closure.  Makes these cups even better.  I think they were around $3.

Ok so this guy wasn't on a deal or anything and it is definitely a splurge.  I have been wanting a robo vaccuum for a while now and I had the the opportunity to test a BobSweep.  We got the PetHair Plus version and have been super happy with him.  It takes some figuring out on how to set him up and make sure everything is situated but I haven't had the actually run the vacuum over the whole house since we got him.  I still run it over places that are hard for him to get to or rooms that I block off because I'm afraid he will get lost but we love Bob.  Yes we call him Bob and we talk to him like a person sometimes.  If you are looking for a robo vaccuum BobSweep is one to check out.  Also customer service is awesome.

You may have seen these on my instagram but I picked these up at the Banana Republic Outlets on a trip with my husband for less than $10.  They are so chic and I love the oversized fit.

I love the classic look of Adidas shoes and also I love how wearing comfy shoes is on trend.  I picked up this gray pair from DSW for less than $20 and I'm obsessed with them!  They are super comfy and look really chic.  They have so many colors!

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