Lately

I made it back on Monday evening! I was away for 3 full weeks, which is possibly the longest I've ever been away from home as an adult. It felt so good to be away in Florida, but I am also glad to be back in my own bed and back to routine. Though I definitely could have stayed another week in Florida. It was truly bliss. 

I was sooooo pleased to see the snow entirely gone, and it's been warm for the last few days. It's getting colder now, but I (knock on wood) think we made it through winter 2026. It still snows in March, yes, but I think we made it through the worst. YIPPEE!

I have several trips and events on the calendar to look forward to for the next several months! Are you all doing anything fun for St. Patrick's Day? My mom always makes corned beef and cabbage, so we will go over to my parents' for dinner and enjoy that. Corned beef and cabbage is one of my favorite meals! 

This weekend will be spent doing lots of catch-up. I am proud of myself because I fully unpacked and did all of my laundry within 24 hours of getting home. I was even able to clean out my car. My car was a bit dirty, but given that I spent a total of 32 hours in the car on the way down and back, it wasn't that bad! It was 9 hours to the lake and then 7 hours from the lake to Florida. A lot of driving, but it was SO worth it to have Buddy and Henry come with us. Henry lived his best life. He loved sunbathing, tons of walks, and the 30a area was so dog-friendly that we were actually able to bring him to several restaurants. Core memories were definitely made. 

Dress (portion benefits Dress for Success!)

Hat// Dress

Jacket (very Samantha Stevens!)

lightweight pullover// shorts

Wearing: Warm enough to wear a lightweight pullover and shorts this week for a walk! 

You can find me on ShopMy, where I link all of my outfits, favorite finds, home decor, beauty, and more! I am constantly updating it with the latest! You can also follow me on the LTK app. Plus, you are able to access all of my posts, here, on my website! 

Drinking: I love a pina colada. We tried this drink called a Tradewind at Kickstand bar in 30a, and it was SO good. It is basically a more tart version of a pina colada due to the fresh lemon juice! Such a treat! 

Sale: Today is the last day for the Dermstore sale! Lots of skincare, beauty, and haircare are up to 20% off! These are my top picks on sale! 

Watching: Are you all watching The Pitt? It is a medical drama set in Pittsburgh, and it's on season 2. I am loving it, though I'm squemish with blood, so I have to look away often as it is pretty graphic! I'm loving Summer House and Southern Charm. I don't watch a ton of Bravo, but those are my two go-to shows. I want to watch the new season of Bridgerton. Now that I am home and have more time, I will get to that! I started Paradise, but haven't had time to watch past the second episode. I also haven't started Love Story, so I still need to start that! 

Listening: Henry is afraid of loud noises like thunder, and we had a big storm yesterday. It reminded me to share this calming dog jazz playlist. We play it for him, but it's also lovely to listen to for us, too! 

Lip Color in Pink Poppy// Collared Sweater on Sale

Loving: Newly wearing this fabulous Lip Color in Pink Poppy. It's a punchy pink shade and so perfect heading into spring! 

Wanting: This adorable 100% cotton quilted jacket is only $30! Love this pink-and-green lounge set. I really want these pants, but they feel wildly expensive for a very casual pair of pants. It's no surprise I like this blue and white striped tee. This is such a cool belt. I just ordered these flats in the 'saddle' color. I am not into the whole mesh shoe trend, but I feel like these shoes feel current and mesh adjacent, but still somewhat classic. I really want to try this new face mist. I've been very into mists lately because they make skincare so quick and easy, plus you can mist them over your makeup. This white dress is gorgeous, but unfortunately, I think it would be way too short on me! Someone shorter should order, though, it's perfect! Such a fun party/wedding guest dress. The cutest striped cardigan. A square neckline is my preference when it comes to swimsuits! Do you all remember wearing cotton terry cardigans as children? They were like sweatshirt material but had snap buttons like a cardigan? Anyway, this cardigan reminds me of that, in a good way! This eyelet set is SO cute, especially if you have a warm weather vacation planned! Such a lovely silk scarf. This dress is such a gorgeous saturated, punchy hue, and I love the beaded open neckline. This is a very cool handbag that looks designer, but thankfully, the price tag is not. The most fun, vintage-looking cocktail shaker. The description is calling this a 'lapel' pin, but I would put it on my mini L.L. Bean boat tote or on the pocket of my Barbour jacket. SO cute. This is such a pretty swimsuit cover-up. Is anyone lucky enough to be heading to the Masters? This hat is perfect for the occasion! This sweater is too fun! If Christopher Cross's 'Sailing' were a shirt, this would be it. It's weird, but that's the first thing I thought of when I saw this shirt, ha! With all of the CBK attention online because of the 'Love Story' show, Calvin Klein is also having a moment. I really love these sandals. If you use Google Trends, you can see the uptick in Calvin Klein and CBK searches since mid-February! Love these classic sneakers. This cocktail dress is a stunner. A fabulous sun hat! I have this shirt in white, but I just found it in navy and love it just as much! 

Pittsburgh: I am SO excited about Isaly's opening in the Strip! There is nothing I love more than Isaly's chipped ham... ham salad, ham bbq... I'm counting down the days! 

Amazon Rec: Have you all seen this new cooling device? It's brand new, so there aren't many reviews out. It's a 3-in-one portable fan. It's quite pricey considering you can get a mini fan for like $20, but this is supposed to be much more effective. I'm intrigued, as I do not like the summer heat. I got an inexpensive mini fan last year and actually love it, so I'll be curious to see more reviews of this! 

You can find more of my Amazon favorites, here on my Amazon page where I am constantly updating it with all of my finds and top picks from home, beauty, fashion, and more!

Traveling: I'm heading to Naples, Florida, with my mom soon to stay with our family friend who invited us down to their condo! I'm so excited! Our family friend has planned so many great things and even a Google doc of lots to do, shop, eat, etc., but if you have any great Naples recs, please let me know! 

Quoting: 'You don't learn to swim by reading about water.' // See more of my favorites, here.

This content may contain affiliate links; when you click the link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission (at no cost to you). 

The Cutest Shoes for the Pool and Beach

I can’t believe we are nearing spring break season. Are any of you headed anywhere fun? I’m actually headed back to Florida again at the end of the month, and I am so looking forward to it.

When we went to Florida in late February and early March, I was expecting it to be warm, but not beach warm. I imagined maybe walking along the beach or catching a sunset in regular clothes, not spending full days outside in swimsuits. We were in the 30A area on the Florida panhandle, where winter weather is typically pretty mild.

The first few days after we arrived were chilly. We needed fleeces, pants, and even light jackets in the evening. But as the week went on, we lucked out with the most incredible weather that, at times, felt like summer.

Which is when I realized how wildly underpacked I was!  I should have brought more swimsuits and all that comes with them. I didn’t pack a single cover-up. I forgot a sun hat. And most importantly, I didn’t bring any pool or beach shoes. I was the definition of ill-prepared.

I ended up buying a pair while we were there on 30A, and it reminded me how useful these kinds of shoes actually are. They’re one of those things you don’t think about until you need them, and then suddenly you realize how essential they are for beach days, pool decks, sandy walks, and even quick errands nearby.

The good news is that there are so many great options now. Many are made from rubber or waterproof materials, so you can literally just hose them off after the beach or pool. And surprisingly, a lot of them are incredibly comfortable... much more supportive than the flimsy flip-flops many of us grew up wearing.

What I especially love is that they’re not just vacation shoes. Once I’m back home, they become my go-to for quick tasks around the house: watering plants in the garden, taking Henry for a quick walk around the block, grabbing the mail, or running outside when the ground is wet.

They’re practical, easy, and versatile, which is why I always have a pair on hand before summer arrives rather than scrambling to find them once I’m already on vacation. Trust me, scrambling to find a pair in a beach town when you realize you forgot them isn’t ideal (speaking from experience!). Below are a few styles I love that are comfortable, practical, and cute enough that you’ll reach for them even after vacation ends.

Sandals

I landed on these sandals that I picked up in a surf-style shop on 30a. They would not have been my first choice, though, after wearing them, I love them a lot more than I originally thought I would. First and foremost, they are incredibly comfortable, with ample support in the footbed. They are not as chunky/clunky as some Birkenstocks can be. They are slimmer and feel more feminine. They're simple, neutral, and can be rinsed off! Honestly, no complaints! These will sit by my back door for the next many months and become my go-to throw-on shoes! 

Sandals

These are the most fashionable out of the bunch! They come in 8 colors. I like them with beach/pool outfits, but they can also pair with casual spring/summer outfits, as they don't scream 'beach sandals'. What I particularly love about these is that the sole is comfortable but very flexible. The Birkenstocks above have a stiffer feel, albeit comfortable, but the way these bend makes them incredibly comfortable. 

Sandals

These were my first foray into 'comfort sandals' and they are still one of my favorite pairs. They are not as bulky as some, but very comfortable. I love that they are neutral, so they blend in and don't stand out. And of course, the best part is that they can just be hosed down! 

Sandals

These are the ones I had my eye on. I was hoping they would ship in time for me to wear them to the beach, but they wouldn't in this neutral color. I love that they look like regular Jack Rogers but can be hosed down and have a thicker, more comfortable sole! 

You can find me on ShopMy, where I link all of my outfits, favorite finds, home decor, beauty, and more! I am constantly updating it with the latest! You can also follow me on the LTK app. Plus, you are able to access all of my posts, here, on my website! 

This content may contain affiliate links; when you click the link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission (at no cost to you).

My Go-To Skincare Products On Sale!

One of my favorite sunscreens EVER! 

Thank you to Dermstore for sponsoring this post! All opinions are my own. 

Dermstore's Beauty Refresh sale is going on now through this Thursday, March 12th! You can save up to 20% on skincare, hair care, beauty, and more with my code SUMMERWIND. 

Shop my favorites from the Dermstore Sale:

Under Eye Patches

Lip Replenisher Balm

Sunscreen

Vitamin C Serum

Lash Growth Serum

This is my favorite time to restock anything I need because 20% off is a great savings, especially on pricier products. 

My favorite thing to do is try different brands and products. I'm very religious with my skincare routine. I don't start a new product until I've finished one. That way, I can keep track of what is working. Because I try so many products, my skincare routine changes every few months. There are a lot of great products and brands out there, and I definitely have a long list of favorites. However, I always come back to certain things. The products in today's blog post are products I have ordered many times over the years. These are tried and true. The only one missing from the list is the Irene Forte night cream, which has sadly sold out! My #1 rec is the Vitamin C Serum.

Under Eye Patches// Lip Replenisher Balm

Curling Iron

Sunscreen// Vitamin C Serum// Lash Growth Serum

Under Eye Patches// I've tried many eye patches and loved many, but when you factor in the cost, some are overpriced. I usually reserve the pricey ones for special occasions (I really love these and these) and then use these less costly patches several times per week. For the price, I think they are some of the most effective for hydrating and depuffing my under-eyes, and I truly notice a difference after using them. My under-eye area is where I notice my face aging the most, so I am always looking for things to depuff and plump my fine lines! The patches contain ingredients like caffeine, hydrolyzed collagen, and green tea extract, which help temporarily constrict blood vessels to reduce puffiness while delivering lightweight hydration and antioxidant support to the delicate under-eye area. I keep the tub in the fridge for added cooling and travel with the individually wrapped patches. I also gift them often because they tend to work well for most people and feel like a little everyday luxury. My biggest tip for these eye patches is to do your full skincare routine first, then finish it off with these, so the skincare can sit underneath the patches and be locked in. I find this method to be the most effective, but I do keep a few individually wrapped packs in my nightstand if I want to pop them on the second I wake up, too. 

Lip Replenisher Balm // This one is not on sale with my code, but you get 2x the points on this product, which is always nice. But I had to include it. It's one of the best products of all time, and I have paid full price many times for it, as it is worth it. I just traveled with this, and mid-trip, I ran out. I have felt lost without it! This is on the pricier side, and the main reason I think it is worth the cost is that the formula is very sticky and, therefore, I can go to sleep with it on, and it truly stays on my lips as I sleep. I often wake up the next morning with some left on my lips! Because it is so sticky, it takes some getting used to. The first few times I used it, I didn't like it because it's so sticky. But you get used to it, and it is totally worth it. I truly notice my lips look plumper in the morning. It's a fleeting thing, so you need to use it nightly, but with regular use, this helps my lips to stay hydrated and is truly better than many of the good lip balms I have used. 

Curling Iron// I've been a T3 gal for nearly 10 years. They make incredibly high-quality, reliable hair tools, and their curling irons are my favorite. I've used several different versions over the years, and right now I am loving the extra-long barrel. The barrel is slightly longer than a typical curling iron, which takes a little getting used to at first, but the benefit is that it allows the hair to wrap more evenly, which is especially helpful if you have longer hair, so the heat distributes more consistently from root to end. I have long, thick hair, and the longer barrel makes styling much faster because I can wrap larger sections of hair at once.

Sunscreen// There are so many amazing sunscreens on the market that it can be hard to know which to pick! The good thing is that it's much harder to 'go wrong' these days and end up with a dud. This sunscreen is what I love for my body. I've been using it a lot the past few weeks as we have been down in Florida. It is not only effective, but what sets it apart from all other body sunscreens is that this one smells SO good. It's one of the best things I've ever smelled, and they really are using scent to their advantage here because it truly smells nostalgic, which is what draws me in. It smells like a pina colada in the best way, and the brand is aptly named Vacation because it all smells like you are on a tropical getaway. I use both the 'classic' lotion and spray. Both are fantastic and have the same scent. They sink in quickly and never leave a white cast. While I love this for my body, I prefer other sunscreens on my face! 

Vitamin C Serum// I am a broken record with this serum as I have been using it for nearly 10 years. In general, I find that my skin responds so well to Vitamin C. There are quite a few amazing serums out there, but this is my top favorite. Many of you ask how it compares to Skinceuticals, because that is another popular serum. For me, this gets a 10/10, and Skinceuticals gets a 9.9/10. So not a big difference, but to me, this feels ever so slightly stronger. I notice that, with regular use, my skintone looks more even. My pores look less noticeable, and it helps keep my acne away. I love that this is not drying, but instead hydrating. There are different strengths, so you can start low and work your way up. I always use 15 or 20% as my skin handles it well. When selecting a vitamin C serum, 'stability' is one of the most important factors to consider, as vitamin C is notoriously fragile. The most effective form, L-ascorbic acid, oxidizes quickly when exposed to air, light, or heat, which can cause the serum to lose potency before you even finish the bottle. A stable formula is typically packaged in dark, airtight bottles to protect the ingredient from degradation. This is why well-formulated serums, like Obagi, tend to be more expensive: they are engineered to keep vitamin C active and effective long enough to deliver results. 

Lash Growth Serum// This is one I don't talk about enough. Years ago, I used a lash growth serum and experienced one of the common side effects. With that serum, right above my lash line on my eyelid, my skin turned reddish brown. It gave me a more tired appearance. This was not particularly noticeable; in fact, many may never have noticed. I eventually did and put two and two together. This is a common side effect of any lash growth product containing the active ingredient prostaglandin. There is a lot of info to delve into with that, but I encourage you to look it all up yourself and decide what you want to use! Anyway, this is a lash growth serum I now depend on, as I never have a reaction to it. It keeps my lashes long and full, and I use it a few times a week! They have a brow serum, too. Another brand I love for this is Obagi! 

Don’t forget you can save up to 20% with code SUMMERWIND through March 12th during Dermstore's Beauty Refresh sale.

You can find me on ShopMy, where I link all of my outfits, favorite finds, home decor, beauty, and more! I am constantly updating it with the latest! You can also follow me on the LTK app. Plus, you are able to access all of my posts, here, on my website! 

This content may contain affiliate links; when you click the link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission (at no cost to you).

Weekend Wish List

Votive Holder// Silk Bandana Scarf// Lace Dress

Gingham Trench// Linen Dress// Raffia Handbag

Wicker Bag// Gold Flat Sandals// Ballet Flats// Orange Earrings

Some items of note... 

- The prettiest Votive Holder that comes in many colors. They would be so pretty on an Easter table. The color options feel very 'spring'. 

- I never knew I wanted Orange Earrings until I saw these. 

- The *most* perfect Wicker Bag ever!

- The bandana trend is still haunting me. I love it, and this Silk Bandana Scarf is catching my eye because of the perfect pink shade. 

- These Ballet Flats look like AS but cost much less! 

Blue and White Skirt// SPF 40 Tinted Lip Balm//  Embroidered Cocktail Napkin// Leggings

Leather Handbag// Black Dress

Embroidered Sweater// Runner Rug

Some items of note... 

- I have a million and one lip balms and glosses, but being down in Florida, it made me realize that I have only a few SPF lip products, and of course, I have none of them with me. I'm ordering this SPF 40 Tinted Lip Balm with my own code, SUMMERWIND, because it is on sale and I love the color! 

- Now this Emrboidered Sweater is my speed for St. Patrick's Day. I would pair it with cream jeans, ballet flats, and add some fun-themed jewelry! 

- Love the stripe down these Leggings. They're still simple, but just a little different. 

See last week's Weekend Wish List, here!

For your weekend reading, here are blog posts you may have missed from this week:

- Recent Outfits

- Chartreuse Green

- Lately

You can find me on ShopMy, where I link all of my outfits, favorite finds, home decor, beauty, and more! I am constantly updating it with the latest! You can also follow me on the LTK app. Plus, you are able to access all of my posts, here, on my website! 

This content may contain affiliate links; when you click the link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission (at no cost to you).