Currently Crushing On.

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. I am just getting settled into our beach vacation. This weekend was spent packing up and then unpacking everything again at our beach cottage. My parents, Joe and I spent Sunday enjoying the beach, taking the pups on the beach and long bike rides. Where we are staying dogs are allowed on the beach as long as they are on a leash. Charlie (our  pup) and Chloe (parent's pup) had a blast running and chasing seagulls yesterday. 

Alright, let's get to today's post.  I'm sharing a few of my favorite finds from around the web.  You have to check out those delicious ice cream sandwiches. I hope you enjoy!

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Drool Worthy Ice Cream Recipes

Ice Cream Cupcakes- Cupcakes with a little surprise inside. Yum!

Oatmeal Creme Pie Ice Cream- Two of my childhood favorites combined.

Best New Ice Cream Flavors - I have had my eye on Klondike Cookie Dough Swirl

Ginger Ice Cream w/ Chocolate Bits- I'm dreaming of pairing this with a ginger beer for an adult ice cream float.

Healthy Living Inspiration

12 Netflix documentaries that will inspire you to get healthy- I truly enjoyed Forks over Knives

Resistance Band Exercises- Perfect for travel or at-home workouts. You bet I am doing these while I'm on vacation.

12 Minute Ab Workout- Greatist is quickly becoming by go to for quick workouts.

Stylish Favorites 

Swing Dress- Love the colorful sleeves on this Anthro dress.

Elle Earrings- Love these Kendra Scott baubles. Think I may need to get a pair as a birthday present to myself.

Vineyard Vines Dresses- These two are my favorite. Love the classic casual feel of the Vineyard Vines line.

What are you loving on this Monday? I would love for you to share in the comments.

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Friday Five: Beach Vacation

The best thing about Fridays is knowing the weekend is right around the corner. Today is extra exciting as we are headed on vacation for two weeks. Blog posts may be a bit sporadic over the next two weeks as we never have great internet connection on the island. I am all packed for vacation and ready to hit the road to the beach tonight! For today's post I thought I would share a few of my beach trip essentials. 

{Topsail Beach}

One. Coverup w/ sun protection. Over the past few years, I have become more cautious of sun damage. Having a coverup that doubles as an extra layer of sun protection is a must. I snagged this columbia fishing shirt and love it. The material of this shirt is very light which prevents me from getting overheated while on the water. I love the idea of getting it monogrammed adding a preppy touch. 

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Two. Sun Hat. A straw hat is essential to keep highlights covered while protecting your face. I love to rock it off the beach as well. It is perfect for a day at the park or for strolling the boardwalk. 

{JCrew}

Three. Sunscreen. If you have sensitive skin or breakout easily I highly recommend using baby sunscreen which is formulated for kid's sensitive skin. Another perk of this sunscreen is that it is 97% natural while having a great clean smell. 

Four. Beach Drinks. Much to my husband's chagrin I am not a beer drinker. When we head to the beach I always make sure to pack a few beach friendly adult beverages. This wine is one of my favorites the can is the perfect size so I can enjoy 2 -3 without feeling like a lush. 

Five. Aftersun Care. This lotion is perfect after spending a long day at the beach. It is thick without being greasy and does not leave a noticeable smell once it dries. I have never been a fan of lotion (Really). Partially because I already have oily skin and I hate the way it feels on my skin once it dries. I have many unused bottles of lotion in my cabinet from trying to find one I love. However, I know I will be using this one all summer!

Other things I always pack in my favorite scout bag are a good book, polarized sunglasses, lip balm & my favorite swimsuit. 

Do you have any fun vacations planned for the summer? What is the one thing that you always have in your beach bag? 

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Linking up with Tiff, Clare, Karli, Amanda & April .

Simple Summer Staple - Infused Detox Water

This week I have been pretty busy which I love. Being off work during the summer months while Joe and other friends are still working can make for boring days at times. After two days of binging on TV, I reach my limit and start to crave structure and activities. This week has ben filled with packing for our big move, visiting with friends and packing for vacation next week! I am thrilled to be spending two weeks at the beach with my family. I am also squeezing in a bachelorette party over the weekend of July 4th.

With lots of beach time my future, my goal is always to eat clean to avoid bloat. Another easy tip I always do to keep slim is stay hydrated! I find that I drink 2x more in the summer as an attempt to beat the summer heat. Staying hydrated actually can help reduce bloat. I love sipping on flavored water instead of plain water to help file soda cravings as well. An added benefit besides flavor is the detox qualities of many fruits.  Today I am sharing some of my favorite flavor combos. Adding ingredients such as raspberries, cucumber and mint create a detox powerhouse in your water. Hence the term Detox Water! Detox water is great for helping remove bloat while hydrating your body. Right now I am loving pineapple and mint. All I do to prepare it is place a few slices of each in a bottle right when I get up in the morning. I let it sit in the fridge and then 2 hour later I have delicious cool water!

Juice Infuser/ Sport Water Bottle/ Double Walled Bottle/ Flip Top Bottle 

 Here is the low down on some key ingredients. Red Raspberries and Strawberries contain strong antioxidants including Vitamin C as well as anti-inflammatory properties. Red raspberry ketones have also been used as a weight loss supplement for years.  Lemon improves digestive function, strengthens the immune system and can help curb appetite. Cucumber promotes hydration and has anti-inflammatory properties.

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Weekend Snaps

I hope everyone has a restful weekend and got the chance to celebrate the dad in your life. I am thankful that we live so close to our parents and can visit easily on special weekends. This morning I am sharing the picture highlight of our weekend. If you follow me on instagram or snapchat (anm0616) you may have seen a few of these already.

Friday
Friday night Joe and I headed to Wilmington to celebrate our three year wedding anniversary. Wilmington holds a special spot in my heart as it is where Joe and I met, graduated from college, had our first real jobs and bought our first home together as newlyweds. We had dinner at one of the most unsung restaurants in the area, 22 North. 22 North is most known from the beach bar scene at Wrightsville Beach. However, it is also an amazing farm to table restaurant featuring blackboard specials that change daily. The restaurant is situated just steps away from Wrightsville beach which is where Joe asked me to marry him almost 5 years ago! We enjoyed a delicious low key dinner with fresh seafood and the best shrimp and grits.

Saturday
We spent Saturday with my parents celebrating an early Fathers Day. Visited the Blueberry Festival in downtown Burgaw that morning to beat the heat and the crowds. Once it got too hot to stand we headed into Wilmington for a late lunch at Hops Co..  We spent the rest of the day riding bikes and hanging out. It was so nice to have a relaxing day catching up on their recent trip to Alaska.

Sunday
Sunday's weather was perfect to spend the day on the water. We spent the day cruising the local islands and through the intercostal. These are my favorite days. I love being out on the water. Mom and I packed a picnic lunch to enjoy while on the water. The pups also had a blast in the salt air.

We got back to Cary late Sunday night pure exhausted but filled to the brim with great memories.

How was your weekend?

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Friday Five

One. Cool Drinks. Y'all the heat is not joke in NC this week. I am thankful that Joe and I both have jobs indoors and can keep cool. I stumped upon these cute watermelon ice cubes on Pinterest which are perfect for keeping cool.

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Two. Favorite Flowers. Love, love fresh peonies. One goal for our new house is to build a flower garden filled with peonies and hydrangeas. BHG has a great tutorial on how to grow peonies.

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Three. Peach Season. This is my favorite time of the year for many reasons. One being the variety of fruit that you can find at the farmers market. Peaches, watermelon, strawberries and blueberries! I shared on snapchat () my delicious Peach Milkshake from Chick-fil-a. It is by far my favorite flavor they make. Holy yum! Love the idea that you can make one at home using this copycat recipe. 

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Four. Beat the Heat. Notice a trend here? This article is filled with simple tips using things you already have on hand to keep cool. It's a must read. 

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Five. Weekend Plans. Headed home this weekend for Fathers Day and to enjoy my hometown's biggest event of the year the North Carolina Blueberry Festival. Our small town brings out all the stops by selling tons of food and blueberries in just about everything (think blueberry lemonade and blueberry wine). Of course you can purchase flats of fresh blueberries that were grown right now the road! My favorite is the live country bands and beach music being played on the street. 

What are your plans this weekend?

Does your hometown have a unique festival?

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Linking up with Tiff, Clare, Karli, Amanda & April .

Summer Workouts- Tips to Beat the Heat

Good morning! I am just getting back from an early run this morning. I am enjoying every second of summer break. There is lots of packing and cleaning happening to prepare for our move. Of course I am making time for time by the pool as well! I thought it would be a great time to share some warm weather running tips.

Each year as summer rolls around and the weather heats up I find myself changing my running routine to help beat the summer heat. My number one tip is to listen to your body. With the warmer weather and humidity, it takes more effort to exercise at your normal level. When temperatures go from 75 to 90 degrees, heart rate can increase by 10 to 20 beats per minute, which will make your perceived effort much greater. (Competior.com) What that means is come fall running outside will feel much easier!

1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. I always carry a handheld water bottle with me in the summer. Taking a sip every few minutes helps keep my body them down. It is also nice to dump over your head when you get too hot. 

2. Avoid Chafing. If you have ever gone on a run in a tank top you know what I am referring to. I get lovely chafing under my arms almost every run. This makes for a miserable time in tanks or swimsuits due to the burn it leaves. Body Glide under my arms before every run helps me avoid that. 

3. Shade your Face. I always seek out the most shaded route. Wearing a hat or visor also helps tremendously. I don't wear sunglasses when I run so the visor helps to keep me from squinting the entire run.

4. Protection. Something you never think about is the amount of sun you can get on your skin while on a 30- 45 minute run. I am trying to prevent more sunspots appearing on my face so I always swipe sport sunscreen on my face and chest before heading out. I love the sunscreen that comes in stick form as it is so easy to apply.

5. Proper Apparel. Everyone knows to make sure you wear sweat wicking clothes. What many people look over is proper socks. Regular socks that you might wear to the gym will cause blisters.

How do you change your routine in the summer?
What is your favorite summer workout?
Do you love or hate running in the summer?

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Three Years

Today marks three years since Joe and I exchanged vows. These past three years have been amazing. We have experinced quite a few curve balls but together have conquered each with stride. I am ever thankful that God has given me such a rock as my better half.  Looking forward to many more years together. 

{Our Wedding} 

{First Anniversary} 

{Second Anniversary Cruise} 

Cheers to many more beautiful sunsets together. 

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Weekend Snaps

Friday
It was our last teacher workday for the school year. So after closing out everything for the year I headed to lunch with a few friends from work and then enjoyed the afternoon by the pool. Friday evening Joe and I attended a going away cookout for our young adult leaders. I am ever thankful for them and the small group at our church as hey have truly made the triangle start to feel like home.

Saturday
Enjoyed a great early morning run to start out the day. Then Joe and I headed out to complete a few errands and grab lunch. The afternoon was spent escaping the heat while watching the Jurassic Park series. Yep. All three! Just trying to get prepared for Jurassic World.

Sunday
Another early morning run plus a long walk with the pup. There is a litter of bunnies by our house that we always spot in the morning. They are not scared at all and will let us sneak up pretty close. The day was spent packing odd and ends for our move. Doing a bit at a time makes it feel less overwhelming. Joe and I enjoyed an afternoon showing of Jurassic World followed by dinner at Bad Daddy's. I always sneak a few of Joe's tater tots as they are the best! Sunday wrapping up was not as much as a drag as it usually is since I am off work for the next 5 weeks!

How was your weekend? Did anyone else brave the crowds to see Jurassic World? I thought it was pretty good for an action movie. However, it was very graphic for young kids!

Linking up today with Ashley, Bianna, 

Bella & Meghan

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Weekly Meal Plan

Summer break means more time to plan and create delicious weeknight dinners. I am looking forward to branching out and trying new-to-me recipes. The shrimp tortilla soup sounds interesting and I can't wait to try it!

Monday: Lemon Chicken Teriyaki Rice Bowl 

Tuesday: Date Night

Wednesday: Shrimp and Broccoli Stir- Fry

Thursday: Spicy Tortilla Soup

Friday: Pizza Night 

What's on your menu this week? 

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Friday Five

One. Mumford and Sons. Last night Joe and I went with a group of friends to see Mumford and Sons at Walnut Creek Amphitheater. It was a great night and so much fun listening to them live. We hardly ever go to music concerts and want to start trying more.

 

Two. DIY Coasters. I stumbled across these on Facebook (a Buzzfeed article surprisingly!) and became immediately obsessed.  These are pennies compared to buying a set from a store like Anthropologie. The stones are $5 apiece compared to almost $100 for a set of four. I know what I am doing my first week off of work! I've listed out everything you need: tutorial , stones, felt and gilding liquid.

Three. Dutch Crown Braid. I tried this out yesterday to keep my hair off my neck during the concert. This tutorial was a huge help. I still need to practice a bit more but loving it as an alternative to a messy bun. 

Four. Moving... Soon! We are currently at the end of due diligence for our new home in Raleigh. We will not be moving until mid-July. But I am excited to close the apartment chapter in our lives and start a new one in our forever home! 

Five. Summer Break.  Today is our last workday and then I'm off work for the summer. I am looking forward to sleeping in and mid-day runs. 

What are your plans this weekend? Any concert favorites I should add to my list? 

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Linking up with Tiff, Clare, Karli, Amanda & April .

Summer Goals

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My aim for this year was to make monthly goals over new years resolutions. Procrastination is my biggest enemy and having a time frame helps. May resolutions were completely overlooked due to craziness with work and weekend commitments. I had a blast completing my goals for April and look forward to accomplishing much more this summer!

Try new restaurants. We will be moving (more to come on that...) mid July and really want to make our new area feel like home. My goal is for us to try at least five new restaurants this summer.

Complete 3 craft projects. Crafting is not my thing at all. To save money I know I should DIY a few home projects. I am thinking easy crafts like a new wreath, decorative frames and coasters.

Workout 5x week. Even though I am off work this summer, these next two months are packed with travel and moving. I really want to feel my best this summer and know that regular exercise is key.

Streamline my wardrobe. I only wear 1/2 of the clothes I own. I have been holding onto a lot of items in hopes that I may fit into them again or due to sentimental value. I refuse to move clothes *again* that I may never wear. Love the idea of a minimalist wardrobe. My goal for this summer is to clean out and add a few staple items.

What are your goals for this summer?

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Weekly Roundup

A long while back I shared some favorite reads and recipes I stumbled upon. I truly enjoy finding a few good things to read without having to search all over the internet for articles and tips. So I wanted to keep this feature up to share with yall! It's quite a variety spanning from recipes to workouts and a few shopping favs. Let me know what you would like to see more of each week!

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Drool Worthy Recipes

Super Detox Salad- This salad is packed with detoxing ingredients including kale, cherries, walnuts and lemon.
Shrimp w/ Avocado Mango Salsa- I have been loving boiled shrimp lately either in salads or alone. This recipe is so simple and would be perfect on a hot summer day.
Copycat Chick-fil-a Grilled Chicken Sandwich- My go to order is with extra pickles.

Healthy Living Inspiration

Letter from Lauren- Lauren Conrad's effort to stop body shaming.
Protein Guide- I enjoy the grab n go portability of protein shakes but am aware many are full of chemicals that I know nothing about. This guide helps break it down.
Meal Prep Tips- Great ideas on how to pack salads so they stay fresh all week. I always put my dressing on the bottom.

Stylish Favorites 

J Crew Sleeveless Embroidered Dress- I just about live in dresses in the summer. This one is timeless.
Backless Dress- I have been searching for a fun dress to wear to a bachelorette party this July. This is perfect.
Foldover Crossbody Bag- This bag is the perfect neutral for summer.


What about you guys? Anything you are loving lately? I would love for you to share in the comments.

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