{"id":5076,"date":"2022-07-05T10:31:07","date_gmt":"2022-07-05T10:31:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/?p=5076"},"modified":"2022-07-05T10:58:27","modified_gmt":"2022-07-05T10:58:27","slug":"things-im-loving-lately-summer-edition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/everything-else\/things-im-loving-lately-summer-edition\/","title":{"rendered":"Things I\u2019m loving lately (summer edition)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sharing a recap of some of the thing\u2019s I\u2019m loving lately – summer edition! Here are some of the items we\u2019ve bought lately and I find myself using them all time time, and constantly recommending to friends.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Hi friends! Hope you had a wonderful weekend and that you had a safe and happy 4th! We\u2019re back from an incredible weekend in Vegas – I\u2019ll share a recap soon – and while I\u2019m a total zombie this week, it was 100% worth it. We had such a great time and it was a huge treat to spend some time together as a couple and also with our friends Betsy and Jeremy.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m slowwwwllyy making my way back into real life (and getting ready for a fun visit from the Pilot\u2019s side of the fam this weekend!), studying for IHP and getting the finishing touches on Summer Shape Up.<\/a> If you\u2019re not signed up already, grab your spot here!<\/a>! It\u2019s free and we start on Monday!<\/p>\n

For today\u2019s post, I\u2019m sharing a list of some of my very favorite things for summer, along with some of your top recs and fave purchases.<\/p>\n

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Things I’m loving lately (summer edition)<\/h2>\n

1) This backless strapless bra<\/a><\/h3>\n

Friends, I have worn this sticky bra<\/a> SO many times with all of the strapless, off-shoulder, and tank tops this summer. The only downside is taking it off, which is borderline painful lol, but it keeps things covered and in place without wires (THE WORST) or straps. I just wash it with hand soap and water and let it air dry, and it\u2019s remained perfectly sticky. The funny thing is that I originally bought it for an event,<\/a> thinking I\u2019d never wear it again. Who knew it would be such a staple?! It\u2019s 14000x better than strapless bras.<\/p>\n

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2) These Madewell earrings<\/a><\/h3>\n

My friend Nicole<\/a> has these earrings<\/a> and I automatically thought they\u2019d be super pricey because they\u2019re structured so beautifully. Found out they were $28 and bought them that day! I wear them constantly with cute tanks and dresses, and always get compliments on them.<\/p>\n

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3) Our Traeger grill!<\/a><\/h3>\n

YOU GUYYYYYSSSSS. This may be my favorite thing of the summer! Technically it was a gift for the Pilot for Father\u2019s Day and in the end, it was a gift to us all. We\u2019ve done whole chicken, a brisket, chicken breasts, and everything has been amazing. The best part is that it\u2019s completely foolproof. I\u2019ve always been a little intimated by grilling, but the app walks you through the entire process and tells you when the meat is finished. After a lot of research, this is the model<\/a> we ended up getting.
\n\"\"(Wearing the jean shorts below, and hoops and sticky bra all in this pic)<\/p>\n

4) The most perfect jean shorts<\/a><\/h3>\n

I\u2019m pretty picky about jean shorts, and because I\u2019m not very tall, sometimes they\u2019ll fit weird. I don\u2019t want them to be too stretchy – otherwise they lose their shape by the end of the day and look baggy – and I have to watch the rise because if it\u2019s too high, it goes up to my boobs lol. The AGOLDE shorts are a little too baggy on me (I think I\u2019m right in between sizes), and these have a lower price point<\/a> and awesome quality. They\u2019re also on sale<\/a> right now!<\/p>\n

5) A giant Croc-ish beach bag<\/a><\/h3>\n

I\u2019ve seen so many people post about these bags<\/a>, and despite the fact that they\u2019re not very fashionable, we\u2019re all about function in this situation. I\u2019ve ruined so many cute Apolis totes with wet mermaid Barbies and soggy towels. This one can get wet and then dry without becoming mildew-y. You can hose it off, and if you get sand in it, it\u2019s easy to get out. They\u2019re kind of hard to find but in the end, I ordered from this shop<\/a>, which is totally legit.<\/p>\n

6) LMNT electrolytes<\/h3>\n

These save me everyday,<\/a> but especially during the summer. It\u2019s so hot here, and if you add in a workout, it\u2019s an easy way to sweat out minerals and deplete electrolytes. The LMNT flavors are amazing, and I especially love the watermelon salt and the chocolate salt. I asked them for a discount code and was denied, so unfortunately I don\u2019t have a code to share with you, but find the cost to be worth it.<\/p>\n

7) This cute belt bag!<\/a><\/h3>\n

They\u2019re currently sold out<\/a> but will restock sporadically. This is perfect for quick errands and walks outside, as it holds a small wallet, my phone, and keys. I also heard that you can throw it in the washer if it gets dirty, but haven\u2019t had to deal with that yet. Highly recommend it!<\/p>\n

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8) A hat that\u2019s made for high buns<\/a><\/h3>\n

This is perfect for when we\u2019re at the pool and I don\u2019t want to smash my hair with a baseball hat. I can still protect my face and rock my high, messy bun. This ha<\/a>t is a bit ridiculous, and I absolutely love it. You can also roll it up into your suitcase or pool bag.<\/p>\n

9) Summersalt swimsuits<\/a><\/h3>\n

I\u2019ve tried a LOT of swimsuits lately (with no luck\u2026 I\u2019m sorry but I just don\u2019t want my buttcheeks out when I\u2019m at the pool with the kids), and Summersalt has been a consistent win<\/a>. I have the ruched one-shoulder, the triangle bikini, ruffle oasis one-piece, and the ruffle bikini top and mid-rise bottoms. The suits are high quality with a super flattering fit. They\u2019re still currently 20% off sitewide, too!!<\/p>\n

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10) Moroccan oil hair mask<\/a><\/h3>\n

If your hair also gets dry during the summer, this mask is a game changer.<\/a> Even better: get the single pack<\/a>s\u00a0(I usually get two masks out of each one) and stash them in your pool bag and travel bag.<\/p>\n

Reader friend faves<\/h3>\n

When I put the call out for things you\u2019ve bought this summer and love, here are some of the things that you shared on Instagram<\/a> and here on the blog! Thank you so much for those of you who chimed in; you introduced me to so many amazing new things!!<\/p>\n

A rechargeable USB lighter<\/a><\/p>\n

I got all my friends one of these for Christmas and people are obsessed! Sleek, compact and never runs out of juice.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Dazzledry nail polish<\/a><\/p>\n

I\u2019m a busy mom of 2 with my own business, I have zero time to commit to getting my nails done. Actually; I never really was one to get my nails done professionally anyways\u2026:? But since having my kids I have needed a little pick me up here and there that can be done without making an appointment. Dazzledry is awesome! It\u2019s a nice looking manicure that lasts about a week. People have actually thought it was professionally done. It\u2019s been my top things I say helped me adjust to mom life and not feel so \u201cI got hit by a bus\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Madewell jeans<\/a><\/p>\n

This is a little silly (especially given the heat) but I recently bought a pair of Madewell jeans that fit like an exquisite, beautiful glove. They were on sale at the time, but I didn\u2019t realize I couldn\u2019t stack my teacher discount on top of the sale price.\u00a0As soon as I got home from the mall with them, I immediately felt weird about spending 3 figures on a pair of damn jeans and vowed to return them, but when I went back to the mall a few days later, the Madewell store was closed indefinitely for renovations. I\u2019ve worn these god-forsaken jeans 3 times since then despite the surface-of-the-sun level temperatures in Nashville this month, and every time I wear them I think \u2018dammit these are good jeans.\u2019 So yea, any Madewell denim, depending on your style preference and body type for your desired fit \u2013 highly recommend. The quality is top notch.<\/em><\/p>\n

Beautycounter Countersun Daily Sheer Defense for Face<\/a> (the best daily sunscreen!)<\/p>\n

Trtinoin cream from the dematologist<\/p>\n

The Talkspace App<\/a><\/p>\n

Diva laundry detergent<\/a><\/p>\n

The rocking folding chairs at Costco! Perfect for watching my son\u2019s football practice<\/p>\n

Pregnancy must: Reflux Gourmet natural supplement<\/a> stops reflux and tastes like caramel<\/p>\n

The Air Fryer!<\/a><\/p>\n

Kitchen Air Sno Cone attachment<\/a> (I didn\u2019t even know this was a thing!!!)<\/p>\n

Stanley mug<\/a> keeps water so cold and encourages me to drink more water<\/p>\n

Salux Japanese body scrubbers<\/a><\/p>\n

Full star brand chopper on Amazon<\/a>. Makes chopped salads so simple!<\/p>\n

Latisse<\/p>\n

Frownies<\/a> (I\u2019m still obsessed with Frownies!)<\/p>\n

Handheld frother<\/a><\/p>\n

Tovala oven and meals<\/a><\/p>\n

Might patch pimple patches<\/a><\/p>\n

JBL GO3 waterproof portable speaker<\/a><\/p>\n

Rio Deo aluminum free deodorant<\/a><\/p>\n

Indie Lee brightening cleanser<\/a><\/p>\n

Miller cloud sandals<\/a><\/p>\n

Saie beauty products<\/a><\/p>\n

Clip-on silicone pot strainer!<\/a> It fits every pot size and so much easier than a regular strainer<\/p>\n

So, tell me, friends: what are you LOVING this summer? What\u2019s something you\u2019ve purchased recently and find yourself using all the time?<\/p>\n

xoxo<\/p>\n

Gina<\/p>\n