5 Favorite Things - July 2018
one // two // three // four // five
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This month is all things travel, celebrations, comfort, and relaxing by the pool. Let's dive into my 5 Favorite Things - July 2018.
one: Charles Martin Books
I have been all about easy, suck you in, you can't put it down reads this summer. I joined a new gym last month that brilliantly has outdoor pools included in its membership and I had no idea until the day I signed up! DAY WAS MADE! Especially since I haven't been able to use my kiddie pool this past 8 weeks due to our backyard being a construction zone. Anyways, needless to say, I have been trying to squeeze in any pool time that I can every week, and an easy read is a must in the pool bag. Our sweet friends TJ & Stephany told me about one of their favorite authors, Charles Martin and how much they love all of his books. I thought I would give it a shot and man have I been obsessed ever since. Like I stay up for 3 more hours once I should be sleeping to finish the book good. Like I have read them in 2 days because I can't put them down good. The stories suck you in and pull at your heartstrings and they all have had happy endings! BLESS! I just finished my 4th book of his (The Mountain Between Us, Long Way Gone, Chasing Fireflies and When Crickets Cry) and I am headed to the library to pick up another one tonight on my way to train.
two: blink Tears Eyedrops
So I did a big scary thing this month. I got Lasik! I have always thought about this but never thought I would really do it or be able to. Let me just tell you right here that it is AWESOME!! I mean, if you wear glasses or contacts than you can fully understand, and if you have had Lasik then you can relate. It is the weirdest, coolest, blow your mind experience. I have been wearing glasses for 21 years and contacts for 18 and not having to take them out at night anymore is like training myself not to brush my teeth at night. I mean it, that is the only way I can explain how not having to do a habit you have been doing practically all your life anymore. They gave me these drops at my appointment and they have been the best as my eyes have healed. I have used them less and less every week but man that first day to week these offered a level of relief that I can't even describe. YAY FOR BEING ABLE TO SEE ON MY OWN!!
Shout out to Joffee Medi Center in Louisville, KY for making be able to see 20/15 on my own!
three: Clinique Moisture Surge
Well, since having Lasik I have hardly worn any makeup for almost 3 weeks (and actually it's been quite nice). I don't wear a ton during the week anyways when I am at the gym, however my #1 item if I were to get stranded on an island and I must have this is mascara....annnnndddd......well you can't wear that for a while. Really they just don't want you rubbing your eyes for at least a week (and hello how do you get mascara off without rubbing your eyes?!) and I have played it safe and extended it a bit longer. We had a wedding to go to that Justin performed a week later and I just decided to embrace the naked mole rat look without any mascara lol. But lotion is still a go and this is by far my favorite moisturizer this summer. I want to take a bath in it. It is light and not greasy and makes my face feel so soft. I have been a Clinique lover since high school and this has to be one of my most favorite products from them.
four: Burrata Cheese
OK, it is clearly obvious that I have a mild obsession with burrata cheese this month. Seeing as that 2 of my recipes this month have included it (Peach & Tomato Caprese Salad with Crispy Prosciutto and Peach, Prosciutto & Burrata Flatbread). I can't get enough of it and I have tried to incorporate it into any dish, appetizer, food item I can. I am actually quite upset that I haven't known about this until this month....how have I been missing out in life?! If you like fresh mozzarella then you will like burrata. It is a fresh mozzarella ball that has this ultra creamy center than just melts when you break it apart. I have found mine at Trader Joe's and Kroger and thankfully it is becoming more and more popular so it is easier to find. These 2 recipes have been my favorites too that I have practically lived off of in July so you have to try them before peaches and tomatoes are out of season!
five: Chicago (anniversary trip)
Justin and I celebrated our 6-year wedding anniversary on July 7th and we snuck away for a couple days to Chicago. I have never been and we have been talking about going for years. So we finally made it happen and took 2 days off work and had THE BEST time! I can't wait to go back and loved it even more than I thought. The weather was perfect and we walked miles every day just soaking up all the sweetness of the weekend. Some of our favorite spots we visited were Eatly Chicago, Bongiornos Pizza, shopping throughout Michigan Avenue, seeing the Bean finally, eating at Bandera listening to live music, Andy's Jazz Club with friends we randomly bumped into their, visiting the Field Museum and celebrating our anniversary dinner sitting outside at Quartino Ristorante (where I had my first canoli....yum!). I could go on and on about everything, it was just the best trip and we cannot wait to go back. And of course, we stayed at our most favorite hotel, Embassy Suites, which was literally the most perfect location to everything!
What were some of your favorite this month? Your favorite books? Favorite places in Chicago you love? I want to hear it all!
If you want things to be different, DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY! -Alison Faulkner
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