Currently | August 2018 - A Utah Lifestyle Blog
I’ve got a lot of helpful content lined up for the next couple weeks, so I decided it’d be fun to do a little personal life-update in the form of a currently post. As much as I love putting together lists and writing thorough reviews about makeup and clothes, I also don’t want to lose grasp of the fun posts that made blogging enjoyable to start. After all, it’s important to me to share the little things about life because that’s what makes life the most vibrant!
Dress: Stitch Fix (Click here to try it out) | Jean Jacket: Old Navy | Shoes: c/o Hotter | Sunglasses: Steve Madden via Burlington
WEARING - All the summer dresses. I am so, SO excited for fall to get here and for all the leggings and sweaters and comfty cozies, but my summer dress collection did expand significantly this summer, so I want to make sure I get the most out of them as possible while the sun is still shining.
LISTENING TO - My For Fall Playlist, because you know, fall. It’s filled with moody acoustic and indie tracks that just make you want to gaze out of a window and stare at the leaves falling from trees. Anyone else feel like Fall is the best time for a fresh start? For me, Autumn feels more like a fresh start over the New Year. Something about the temperature changing and the way the air feels…and I have to say, I curated the perfect playlist for those slightly gloomy days. I’m ready, Mother Nature. GIVE ME FALL!
EXCITED FOR - Well, Autumn. Obviously. But ALSO some big changes coming up for my little family in the next few months. Sorry to be vague, but I’ll share when everything is nailed down. Oh, and also BEACH WEEK! We leave SO SOON for the East coast, where we will spend a few blissful days ocean-side at my grandparents’ beach cottage. It’s exactly what we need to recover from a whirlwind of a summer.
SCHEDULING - MOAB JEEP TRIP! October is going to be here before we know it, and October is when it’s finally cool enough to take the Jeep back down to Moab for a long weekend of crawling and exploring. I’m really hoping I can convince Dustin to let us spend a night or two at the Under the Canvas resort because it looks like something out of a dream. We’re planning on running Poison Spider this time around (the name of a tougher trail in Moab) and we’ve got a few more projects to finish on Dinah girl before we go, so we’ll be busy in the garage in September.
ADDING TO CART - The Jaclyn Hill Vault Collection. When she first announced it, I initially was planning on passing and not ordering it, but the longer I looked at it, the more I wanted it. Three out of the 4 palettes are color stories I don’t own, and true, I don’t need another eyeshadow palette for the rest of my life, but that Bling Boss one is calling my name. (Spoiler alert. I did buy this. Couldn’t help myself. Each palette reminded me of a Hogwarts house and I once I saw that, I couldn’t stop!)
IGNORING - The dishes, the shoe storage situation going on in my closet (hint: I have too many and Dustin won’t share his side of the shoe rack, even though he has 3 pairs) and breaking down all the boxes I have in my office to put in recycling. You know. The typical.
WATCHING - Project Runway reruns. I somehow didn’t see seasons 14, 15, or 16, so I’m slowly making my way through them. OH and also, Bachelor in Paradise. Because even though it’s a trainwreck, I CANNOT look away. Anyone else rooting for Grocery Store Joe to find the love of his life? P.S. I also watched Meet the Parents for the first time on Monday night and it was so hysterical, I thought I was going to pee myself. 10/10 would recommend that one if you need a pickmeup - it’s on Netflix!
WISHING - That we get an affordable quote for central air conditioning. We’ve been surviving on a window unit in our bedroom and a swamp cooler for the rest of the house and honestly, things were tolerable. But then, the fires started getting really bad. Like, REALLLLLLLY bad. The air quality have been in red zones all across the SLC valley and the swamp cooler has been sucking in the smokey air and making our house smell like burning trees and covering everything with dust. I’m over it. As long as we get a quote under a certain amount, we’re going to do everything we can to make it fit the budget because this is seriously no way to live.
DREAMING ABOUT - The Oregon Coast. We were going to try to make a trip out there this October, but with Moab on the calendar, it’s looking like it’s not going to happen. I’m bummed out because the Oregon Coast is my favorite place in the entire country. I’m hoping we can get out there next year because I’d love to follow up to my Travel Oregon post with more tips and tricks about exploring the Pacific Northwest.
PLANNING - My countdown to fall makeup challenge!! Last year, I decided I wanted to do a fall-inspired look starting on September 1st and share a new one every day until the first day of fall. I GROSSLY underestimated how hard that was going to be, and only completed about 7 looks before I fell behind and gave up. I’m already shooting looks this coming week so I can be ahead and prepared because fall inspired makeup is the best makeup. OH, AND…the challenge starts on September the 1st…AKA the day the Hogwarts train departs from Platform 9 and 3/4 and term starts at Hogwarts Castle. SO….there may be some Harry Potter inspired makeup looks to kick us off…and I am SO excited.
GRATEFUL FOR - The amazing friends I’ve made in Utah through blogging. I haven’t had friends like this since college (and was pretty heartbroken when I realized that those friendships were fading away) and it’s been so nice to feel wanted and loved and appreciated. So, shout out to Sadie, Karli, Keara, and Evi. You girls are the best and I am so excited for all the things we’re going to do this fall.
EATING - ALL the Trader Joe’s snacks, but mainly their Parsnip Chips and Hummus Dip and their dark chocolate peanut butter cups. Holy. Heaven. Those are not meant for this world. They truly taste like the food of the Gods. 10/10 would recommend. (Do you want to see a post of all my favorite Trader Joe’s buys?)
INSPIRED BY: The Alison Show - I went to Alison’s Build an Awesome Brand workshop at the end of June and it was life-changing. I’m going to be sharing more about what I learned and the clarification I received while working through the exercises there in the next week or two, because I want you to know exactly why I’m doing what I’m doing. Also, HUGE shoutout to her podcast, Awesome with Alison, because it’s one of the best Podcasts I’ve ever listened to and her episode with Rachel Hollis was EVERYTHING.
LOVING THESE BLOG POSTS:
Before your Instagram was Pretty - “There isn’t a right or wrong way to document what you love” - Stripes in Bloom
How to Beat the Comparison Game and Connect with YOU - “Everyone brings something special and amazing to the table, no matter what table that is. Your friend group, your job, your marriage. It’s all the same. The only person you should be comparing yourself to is the person you were yesterday.” - Blonde & Ambitious
14 Important Lessons I Learned in my 20’s - “By being yourself, you’re going to naturally repel the people who shouldn’t be in your life anyway, and attract the ones who are the best fit for you–creating much stronger, meaningful relationships and resulting in an extremely fulfilled life filled with people who really get you, mean something to you, and love and appreciate you for who you are.” -The Golden Girl (can I get an amen amen amen?!)
Let me know what you’re currently watching, reading, eating, and planning in the comments below!
