Hey there – happy July! Summer is in full force here in Texas (though June was a lot more pleasant than usual) and it has me craving light, airy neutral pieces. And since I can't seem to quit the trend, I threw in a still-neutral Tie Dye T-Shirt I'm eyeing. See those and everything else I'm into this month above.
If you missed June's Mood Board, you can see that here. I hope you have a great month!
xx Ashley ...
Sunglasses are a great place to save money (especially if you have a curious toddler always trying to grab at them, ha). In my search for quality sunglasses that don't break the bank, I've found a few that I am actually really impressed with.
I've been testing out budget-friendly styles and honestly, can't believe all of these are under $25. If you're also a big fan of owning sunglasses you don't have to stress about, check out this list. ...
If you can't tell from my rotating bike shorts outfits, I'm very much into the trend. It's basically the summer legging and at this point, I'm more than happy to grab a pair of bike shorts, an oversized t-shirt, and call it a day. Since I know the trend can be intimidating and a bit tricky to navigate, I wanted to find the absolute best options. Depending on if you're pregnant and want something comfy, aren't looking to spend much, or want a top-rated flattering pick, there should be a good option here. ...
Austin and I love a good margarita moment. And if it's spicy, that's even better in our book. This spicy marg recipe has been a nice treat during these summer months. I actually made these for our friends and they couldn't believe they were sugar-free.
Usually, I am not a fan of mixers. I find them overly sweet and typically they taste really "artificial". But a TTD reader told me about Swoon mixers (zero sugar zero cals) and encouraged me to order the Margarita mixer.
For a low-carb and zero sugar drink, we were impressed. It's made from Monk Fruit (a melon native to Southeast Asia that has natural sweetness) and has zero calories and carbs. We've been cooking with Monk Fruit for a while since starting F Factor, and it's the closest thing to sugar that we've tasted (unlike Splenda or Stevia). It took Austin a minute to get used to it, but I liked it right away. I've already bought a few bottles to share with the family over 4th of July weekend. ...
If we are going to wear a face mask, might as well make it chic. Rounding up some of my favorite non-medical options below! From repurposed designer dust bags to tie-dye (a crowd favorite), there's something for everyone. These sell out fast, so if you see one you like, you may want to grab it. ...
If you guys can't tell, I'm still on the longer-hem denim shorts kick. They're seriously the shorts I've been waiting for my entire life (dramatic, but you know what I mean) and they're versatile which I love. I ordered these black Paige shorts (budget style here and here) when researching for this post and I've been obsessed. They are definitely longer than my usual shorts but again, I love the style and that they provide more coverage while still feeling on-trend. I've thrown them on for walks with George, for coffee runs with Austin, and even for a couple of work meetings where I needed to look pulled together. ...
One of the most important things I've learned in the last week is how important it is to talk to our children about race, and not just diversity but what racism means and looks like. Specifically what it means to be anti-racist, privileged and what implicit biases are. Those might seem like adult concepts, but as studies have shown, it's never too early to start talking to your kids about them.
For anyone looking to get started doing this along with Austin and I, I've compiled some amazing resources and books. From black voices and leaders on Instagram to children's books and helpful articles, everything below should help you start having these necessary conversations in your home. ...
As you probably have noticed, tie-dye is a trend we are seeing everywhere. It has completely taken over my Instagram feed and honestly, I'm loving it. I typically stick to a neutral color palette in my wardrobe but lately, I've been loving the pastel colors. It all started with me buying this nude lounge set at the beginning of COVID and now I'm afraid to admit my collection has grown. From oversized hoodies to lounge sets, I've listed my top picks for tie-dye below. ...
There's one question I see and hear women asking beauty bloggers, estheticians, dermatologists and the like over and over again: should I be using retinol? I honestly get this question so frequently that I thought I'd finally put down some thoughts about it because, in my experience, the answer usually isn't one size fits all. ...
If you're like me, iced coffee is a must this time of year. I could honestly drink it year-round, but during the summer it's truly the best treat.
I have 3 recipes that I have been rotating each week. Whether you like to go to Starbucks or make something at home, I have a recipe below that is ideal for iced coffee lovers. ...
