GRAB LIFE BY THE HANDFUL

Grab life by the handful! Every day we should try to do this. Often on trips I have snacks, well I always have snacks, but sometimes Mr. Nine will say “just give me a handful.” And isn’t a handful enough? Shouldn’t any little bit of something be enough? We always want more and more but a handful is really all we need! This is a motto of a fabulous company called Handful that first developed the amazing Original Handful Bra in 2006! Their athletic wear is some of the most comfortable I’ve ever owned! It’s so functional too! 


High 5 for new athletic wear that makes you feel great! 

I love their commitment to the F’s! Those being:

Fashion - Function - Feel - Fun - Fight



I do not hide the fact that I would give anything to have a boob job! Not necessarily to make them bigger, they are already a handful, but just to make them look better and not so asymmetrical, LOL! However, no need to worry about that with handful Bra or with their mission of fighting breast cancer! I’m lucky to be healthy with healthy breasts so why want more? I'm lucky to survive skin cancer and have family who have fought cancer and won. And while we have lost some to the horrible "C" word, I'd like to think they grabbed life by the handful while they were here on Earth with us.


This BRA is not only comfortable, but oh so beautiful! 


Look at this gorgeous teal color with the mint accents. They have the prettiest colors and new patterns just for you!

And I love it when it work out leggings have a little inside pocket but I’m even more overjoyed when they have outside packets and this pair has two of them!
The Leggings are made with fabric technology and actively regulate your body temp to keep you comfy!

And of course my Earrings have to match too, lol!!

 The drapey back of this Tank just makes me swoon! 

Thank You Handful for being true to you and bringing us quality products that mean something!!
BRA HERE // TANK HERE // LEGGINGS HERE

Remember, not only is a handful enough, but YOU are enough! Happy week ahead babes!

Linking Up With Oh Hey Girl  // Visible Monday // THT  // Fashion Friday  // Trend Spin // Fab Favorites // Confident Twosday //I will wear what I like //Fancy Friday  // Fashion Frenzy // Straight A Style // Metamorphosis Monday // On the Edge // Hello Monday // Inspire Me Tuesday // Creative Monday's // Creative Muster Party // Metamorphosis Monday

xoxo


FRIDAY FAVORITES...POLKA DOT EDITION

I don’t want July to go! This past week has been picture perfect weather in our neck of the woods and I want it to hang around! Usually around now, my mind kind of starts to wonder to Fall but I’m really enjoying soaking up the summer! I got to experience one of my favorite things of summer this week which was the heirloom tomato bruschetta at a local Italian joint called Venturi. I had missed out on it last year, so it was worth the two-year wait! 

1. Polka Dot Wedges
The polka dot shoes in the title picture up there are a huge re-pin on Pinterest. So, I thought it be fun to find a few more pairs and I am in love! They are all so stinking cute and many of them are on sale for half off this time of year! With lots of summer yet to go, this is a good time to buy sandals!
BUY Black Polka Dot Wedges HERE

BUY Red Polka Dot Wedges HERE 




BUY Black/White Polka Dot Sandals HERE 



2. BESIDES The BLANKETS....BOOTS
How much did y'all love the BLANKETS I shared last week? Still on Sale for $25.90!
OK, OK, I admit in my top paragraph, I did mention that I didn’t really have Fall on the brain yet but because of Blogger peer pressure, I did succumb to the Nordstrom sale by buying two different boots that I think are winners! I had to share them as I think you’ll see similar styles to both a lot this season. I’ve also linked up some other options and some less expensive options. I love the pointed toe of the tall suede ones and I’m so excited to pair the snakeskin ones with lots of blush pink!
BUY HERE

BUY SIMILAR HERE and HERE

3. WEEK'S ATTIRE
Sandals HERE


Top HERE // Earrings HERE // Sandals HERE // Jeans HERE


Shorts Under $15 HERE // Tee Under $10 HERE

4. POLKA DOT RUFFLE SHORTS
How cute are these polka dot shorts? Throw in a ruffle hem and pockets, and I’m totally sold! I just love the bowtie waist as well! Easy to dress up or down, I chose a simple black tee and some heels for one of our dinners on vacation! They look super cute with flats too.

SHORTS HERE // TOP HERE  // SHOES HERE // EARRINGS HERE

More Inspo



5. MISC. FUN
Posts of the Week Ice Cream for Lunch Gift bag
Monday ~ Antipasto Salad
Wednesday ~ Eyelet Love

I think I could have also titled this Favs "The Yellow edition" because its of Bright cheery yellow is making an appearance..so Summery! 

Ice Cream for Lunch 
I could not resist a beautiful summer day ice cream lunch! I timed my trip to the town where this fabulous ice cream shop is, one of the best in the country, right at the time they were opening, and I enjoyed every second of that lemon sugar cone! 


Pineapple Outdoor Blanket
My sweet mom brought me this darling Pineapple Blanket yesterday. I think it's only available in stores but on sale for $5!!
BUY BLANKET HERE

Gift Bag
I love wrapping gifts and precious gift bags and this one stopped me in my tracks at Target! I felt like it was my inner girl right there on the bag! I mean look at the side bun, the poms on her shirt and best of all, the pineapple sunglasses! Plus, she is sporting a killer tan! More CUTE Bags HERE and HERE!

HAPPY WEEKEND CUTIE PIES


Linking up with  Friday Favorites  // High 5 For Friday  // Fashion Friday

xoxo

EYELET LOVE

Oh, Eyelet how I love you! Especially in a crisp white! You may remember I was going to take this DRESS for a Chicago dinner, but since it was at an Italian restaurant, I thought I better not wear white! But you can bet it went on my next vacation with me. The holes at the waist or see-through but does not show too much skin. I just love the length, the sleeves. And how darling is the back?



 All about flutter sleeves this season!

I felt like this precious Summer DRESS needed some bright color to jazz it up and these new LuLu lace up sandals were perfect. Don’t you just love the color? AND the petals on the Rose of Sharon bushes matched perfectly!!


And how cute are these Statement Earrings? They are from Amazon, totally lightweight and I must’ve got a dozen compliments on these babies! And White Frame Cat Eye Sunglasses for under $10! YES!!

DRESS HERE // Similar Dresses HERE & HERE 
and HERE// 
EARRINGS HERE // SHOES HERE // SUNGLASSES HERE // BARRETTES HERE // POM CLUTCH HERE

HAVE A SUMMERY DAY!!!

Linking Up With Oh Hey Girl  // Visible Monday // Style Me Wednesday // THT  // Fashion Friday // Trend Spin // Fab Favorites // Confident Twosday //I will wear what I like // Fancy Friday  // Fashion Frenzy // Straight A Style // Metamorphosis Monday // On the Edge 

xoxo


ANTIPASTO SALAD

I don’t know about you, but especially in the summer, I like quick, easy and fresh meals! The less time I spend in the kitchen, the more time I can spend outside and in the pool! Tasty Tuesdays have been on the back burner this summer, so it was time for one of my new, favorite recipes!
This delicious antipasto salad was adapted from one of my favorite chefs: Giada De Laurentiis! One of the best Italian chefs in my mind. The dressing with the fresh basil makes this extra delicious! Prep time in only 20 minutes! I love that. It calls for strips of  meat and I wanted them a little chunky so my deli counter gal cut the salami and turkey in the perfect hunks for me to cut into strips. 



What you'll need

Antipasto Salad
INGREDIENTS 
1/2 pound fusilli pasta
1/2 pound whole wheat rotini pasta
1 bunch, fresh basil, stems removed and leaves chopped
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon minced garlic
One1 teaspoon brown mustard
1 teaspoon black pepper, divided
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1/2 pound hard salami, cut into strips
1/2 pound smoked turkey, cut into strips
6 ounces provolone cheese, cut in strips
1/4 cup shredded asiago cheese or Italian cheese blend
2/3 cup drained roasted red peppers, cut into strips

DIRECTIONS
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil add pasta and cook according to directions, probably about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain in a colander. To make the dressing, process the basil, vinegar, garlic, mustard, half teaspoon of black pepper and a half teaspoon of salt in a blender until the basil is finally chopped. Gradually add the oil in a slow steady stream while blending until smooth. In a large bowl, toss together the salami, turkey, cheeses, red bell pepper strips and the cooked pasta. Sprinkle in the remaining black pepper and salt. Drizzle with the dressing and toss to coat. This makes about 6-8 generous servings.

FRIDAY FAVORITES....LIVING SUMMER EDITION

This had been of week of pool hair, frizzy hair, hair all up! My Lawrd, it’s HOT!!!! It’s been either all pool or all AC but we did have a mother son day. We're all Just over here Living Summer to the fullest!

1. LAVENDER & FERNWOOD
You may have read from my post on Wednesday, that the lavender fields last Friday were a bust. It was from that darn polar vortex colder than the North Pole temps this past January. However, we landed at the Fernwood Botanical Gardens and it was a beautiful summer day pre this heat wave. My favorite things were the giant Katsura Tree with a swing inside and the electric train set up. Sooo cute! 
 How cute is mom? We did not even plan to both wear jumpsuits and our hair in side braids..and we matched. We always do that. Great tastes run in the family. And Our sunglasses matched because I had bought us both a pair, lol.
 

Look how darling her hat is!

Weeping Katsura tree...so big and inside there is a swinging bench


So cool, and the little covered bridge was just darling!

 

2. CHIA SEED PUDDING
 I am so thrilled with this new healthy recipe; I cannot even tell you! I love it Warm in the morning with a little bit of cinnamon and natural sweetener on top. It is absolutely delicious! Chia Seeds are soooo good for you and known as a Superfood. Excited to share this recipe with you and it is so easy!


What you'll Need
Chia Seed Pudding
INGREDIENTS 
1 can unsweetened coconut milk
1/2 cup chia seeds
1 1/2 cups hot water
1/3 cup sugar substitute like Swerve
2 teaspoons vanilla 

DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, stir the chia seeds in the hot water. Add rest of ingredients and divide into 6 small bowls and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Enjoy cold or warmed with cinnamon and more swerve on top. 

SWERVE
This is my new favorite all natural sweetener and I cannot wait to use it in baking! I have always been a huge proponent of Stevia sweetener‘s but this one is the closest to granulated. I often sprinkle a little extra of this on top the Chia Seed Pudding

3. WEEK'S ATTIRE
Including The Pineapple Top...


Similar HERE Similar Top in Red HERE // Earrings HERE // Necklace HERE

Eek, here’s the pineapple tee I wore on vacay. I love it, it’s burn-out material and the pineapple is little bling discs. So cute!


Pineapple Top HERE // Earrings HERE

4. HALTER DRESS
It must be the week of the halters and boy do I love them! This is the easiest little dress to throw on. AND IT'S UNDER $13 right now!! I cannot stop with the red, white and blue, despite the holiday being over. It is just such a preppy look and the Dress, which I got at Kohl’s, totally reminds me of Tommy Hilfiger or Nautica.

DRESS HERE // EARRINGS HERE

More Inspo


5. MISC. FUN


Blankets 
I am very hot blooded but oh how I love to be cozied up on the couch with a super soft blanket! In my opinion, you can never have too many blankets! So, while I didn’t buy much from the Nordstrom sale, like I told you last Friday, my Barefoot Dreams blanket has been my favorite purchase ever. This year, Even though it's Hot summertime, I bought a couple of much more inexpensive blankets but equally as soft fringe blankets and they are amazing! They will make super gifts and are under $26! Tons of colors too! 

 BUY BLANKETS HERE
GREAT LUXURIOUS GIFTS for $25 bucks!

Geraniums
Usually, when it’s this hot, my flowers suffer but I have watered like a boss and the geraniums, unlike my hair, seem to be loving the humidity. I have two of these pots and a window-box with this variety and they are thriving!

Stay COOL my friends!


Linking up with  Friday Favorites  // High 5 For Friday  // Fashion Friday

xoxo

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