Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Books and Beans~July 2019

COFFEE

Starbucks Guava White Tea with Lemonade...you will not be disappointed! If you like tea and lemonade and summer, this will be your new favorite drink.

BOOKS

During July, I finished a trilogy I started over a year ago. The first book, can be found HERE. I absolutely loved this trilogy and the strong southern female characters. Each book focuses heavily on one of the three sisters, but all of their story lines, including the mom's are woven throughout. These are the perfect books to wind down your summer with!

by: Kristy Woodson Harvey
4 out of 5 stars


by: Kristy Woodson Harvey


Happy end of summer reading!

xo,

Deanna


Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Amazon Favorites




This is still one of my favorite Pinterest pins...funny because it's true!

While I've been a long-time fan of Amazon Prime, this summer I ventured into Amazon fashion and I'm afraid I'm never coming back. I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite Amazon buys of the summer. It is a random assortment of items, but all Amazon orders are, right?!

You can click the link of each item to be taken to Amazon if you see something you can't live without as well. You pay the same either way, and I get a small kick-back as a brand partner to continue to support my Amazon love affair and have more things to recommend to you in future posts. Win/win!


These sheets! I have such a hard time finding sheets that feel good but don't break the bank. I purchased these for our room and plan to buy them for everyone else in the family after trying them. They are soft and come in a variety of colors.



Continuing my love of all things marble, I ordered this laptop sleeve for my MacBook. It has a super soft grey interior and a separate pocket on the front for chargers, etc. I love it and the price!




While I typically do not like to purchase a ton of dupes, this tote resembles one of my favorite luxury items without completely ripping it off.  I purchased it along with the matching wallet to carry as a work tote. I am extremely impressed with the quality, especially the zipper on the wallet. I find that those details are where you can judge the quality of lower priced items and these stand up to the test. I carried this tote on vacation and loved it!




I ordered this top at the beginning of summer and have worn it twice for date night! I love the sleeve detail and the quality of the fabric. It comes in a ton of colors, but I ordered the one shown. 




I bought these earrings to add to my summer outfits and you cannot beat the price! I have gotten so many compliments on them and even have a few I haven't opened yet. These are a fun, inexpensive option to add to your outfits.



While I love a great deal, I will pay more for things I absolutely love. Please don't ever tell my husband what I pay for this detergent! I first learned of this company when I was gifted a candle and it smelled amazing! I use this laundry detergent for our bedroom sheets and towels ONLY. So it does last a long time and the scent is very powerful, so you do not need to use much...I'm justifying. :)




I know I have mentioned these trays before, but they are one of my best Amazon purchases of all time. We have had ours for two years and still use them every day. If you have kids, these are perfect for serving meals on to reduce mess. Mason eats his breakfast on one of these every morning. We also do puzzles, play Play-Do and build Legos on these! 




Seven stackable bracelets for a great price? Yes please! I ordered these with very low expectations, but could not be happier with them. I have only worn three max at a time, but like the idea that I have back-ups in case they tarnish or wear out, but so far, so good!

Whew! Can you tell I love Amazon? I'd love to know what you've discovered and are loving from Amazon as well in the comments below or on Instagram. I'd love to connect with you there!

Have a great weekend!

xo,

Deanna








Monday, July 29, 2019

Nordstrom Must-Haves!

The annual Nordstrom Anniversary Sale runs until August 4th. I had early access to the sale and was also able to pre-shop in Chicago. I have finally tried everything on and returned what did not work for me. I thought it would be fun to post about the things I did keep and love so you could grab them before the sale ends!

While the Anniversary Sale is a sale, it is still a bit on the pricey side for my educator salary. Therefore, I use the sale to stock up on basics that I love or designer items that I intentionally splurge on. I will say that many of the basics I have purchased over the past years are still in my closet and holding up extremely well. I also love that Nordstrom offers free shipping on purchases and returns. Nothing can get me to empty an online cart quicker than expensive shipping costs!

If you are interested in any of the items I purchased, you can click the link and be taken straight to Nordstrom to make your purchase. As a Nordstrom brand partner, I also get a small amount if you order this way. Thank you in advance!

Tucker & Tate Boys' Jeans

These are the best kids' jeans ever and the only ones that are "Mason approved". :)
They pull on like sweat pants but look just like regular jeans. I always buy Mason a pair of these during the sale. They are comfy, well-made and a great price!



I bought a pair of Vince Camuto black pants two years ago during the sale and they are still on heavy rotation for wearing to work. So this year, I tried these seamed back leggings. They are fabulous! The seam makes them a little dressier than a regular legging without losing any of the comfort. I bought these to wear with a long sweater and boots this fall and winter!



Bp. is one of my favorite Nordstrom brands, and one of the best priced as well. I absolutely love this purple sweater I added to my closet this year. It is light enough to wear as a transition piece between seasons and adds a great pop of color.



I don't like to play favorites, but this might be my favorite purchase of the sale this year. I cannot wait to wear this piece in the fall with the new olive Michael Kors jeans I picked up at Marshall's last week. This jacket has a cinch waist option that I love and is just the perfect shade of camo. I love it!



Everything is turning up animal print for the fall and I love this piece for incorporating the trend in an understated way for work. This blouse is flowy yet flattering. I especially like the sleeves; they are slightly belled at the bottom making it comfortable and visually interesting. I splurge a bit on this top but I do not regret it one bit. I also like the black and white version as well.

I wear my real diamond earrings every day in my second piercing. I added these to wear in my first hole because they are just a *bit* larger than my real ones. :) I am so pleased with this purchase! They look great and I haven't taken them off since they arrived. I also have not had any sensitivity to these either which is a definite plus!

The following two items were not included in this year's sale, but I bought them anyway! One is a tried and true favorite of mine and one is just too cute not to own. #worthit


This tinted moisturizer and sunscreen in one is a staple in my summer makeup routine. It wears well under my other makeup and keeps my face protected from the sun. If I'm hanging out at home, I will just wear this on my face with a bit of mascara. 

I like to buy a new tote and a new backpack for the beginning of each school year. I absolutely love my backpack this year! This picture does not show it, but there are also three small black stripes on the sides that only up the cuteness factor. It is also functional with plenty of pockets and a place for my laptop. This almost makes me ready to return to work!

I hope you found some goodies you cannot live without. Let me know what you bought or if I missed anything that I need to get before the sale ends. 

Have a great week!

xo,

Deanna


Friday, July 26, 2019

Books and Beans~June 2019

I read five books in June; three non-fiction and two fiction. The non-fiction books were good and the fiction books were both in my top books of all time. Add them to your list!!

COFFEE

June was all about iced coffee and iced chai tea lattes!

BOOKS

by: Gretchen Rubin
4 out of 5 stars


I always begin summer by reading some sort of organization or productivity book. #nerd It motivates me to pare down and reset before the new school year. I loved this book by Gretchen Rubin, who is also the author of The Happiness Project. I truly believe that our environment impacts our quality of life and Rubin does an excellent job of giving examples and motivating us to find calm by getting rid of our chaos.

by: Lori Gottlieb
4 out of 5 stars


As a counselor, I adored this candid look at the inner thoughts of a therapist in session with her clients and as a client herself. This book would be good for anyone who has struggled making sense of life at one point or another...which is every human on Earth! Gottlieb allows us to gain insight into ourselves by bravely sharing herself.

by: Jordan Lee Dooley
4 out of 5 stars


I picked up this book after seeing it on an Instagram feed and liked it more than I expected to! I wish I would have been able to read this book in my late 20s. This book would be an excellent college graduation gift or for anyone who is a self-help junkie like me!

by: Delia Owens
5 out of 5 stars


I'm having a hard time putting into words why I loved this book. It is one of my favorite books of all time. Besides being beautifully written, a love story, a coming of age story and a mystery all wrapped into one, the main character will stay with you long after the last page. This book is hauntingly beautiful and a must read.

by: Heather Morris
5 out of 5 stars


I also loved this book of fiction set during the Holocaust but based on a true love story during that time. While definitely not a light read, this book deserves to be on your must read list as well. Ultimately, it is a book that celebrates the power of the human spirit, kindness and love.

Enjoy adding these fabulous books to your list! Remember that you can click on the title or photo of the book to be taken to Amazon where you can purchase them. Amazon shares a few pennies with me if you do that so I can buy more books!

xo,

Deanna

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Books and Beans~April & May 2019

I am *just a bit* behind on my monthly book reviews, so you will get three posts this week to make up for it! It has been a wonderful summer of relaxing, spending time with family, traveling and reading!

COFFEE

Iced white chocolate lavender lattes...it's what to drink during the spring and summer!

BOOKS

by: Susan Mallery
4 out of 5 stars


This book was perfect for kicking off my summer reads. Three sisters are all dumped by their significant others in the same week. They come together to help each other recover and move on. This book was easy to read chick lit. I enjoy Susan Mallery for fun characters and a relaxing read.

by: Heather Dubrow and Terry Dubrow M.D.
4 out of 5 stars


This book introduced me to interval eating, of which I am now a fan. While I do not follow diet plans, this book does contain some good information to include in your daily eating routine. I highly recommend their podcast as well!

by: Nikki Boyd
4 out of 5 stars


It is no secret that I love to read design books and books on organizing. This book beautifully marries the two. The photography is gorgeous and inspiring. The entire book offers organizing ideas with a glamorous twist.

by: Erin Gates
4 out of 5 stars


I loved Erin Gates' first book, Elements of Style. Her second book is good, but I like the first one better. This design book offers ideas for living with children and still having nice things, but it is a little to traditional or stuffy for my liking. The photography is gorgeous, however, and there are definitely inspiring ideas.

by: Taylor Jenkins Reid
3 out of 5 stars


I could not wait to get my hands on this highly anticipated book. I mean, when Reece Witherspoon tells me to read a book, I listen! It is set in the 70's and follows a band through their rise to fame. The book is unique in that it is told in interview style (like someone from a magazine is covering their entire story). As interesting as the format is and as much as I love this author, this was a bit of a slow read for me.

by: Sally Hepworth
4 out of 5 stars


My final book in May was definitely worth the wait! I enjoyed this book so much and especially the twists that kept me guessing. When Lucy marries her man, she gets more than she bargained for with her new mother-in-law Diana. Then Diana is found dead and everyone is a suspect. What follows is a bit of a "who-done-it" with lots of family secrets revealed. This book was very entertaining!

Stay tuned for two more book related posts this week...and thank you for letting me make up for lost time! :)

xo,

Deanna

Monday, July 1, 2019

Book and Beans~March 2019

I cannot believe how behind I got with blogging! I am catching up this week and am finally ready to publish my March picks. Thanks for participating in this hobby of mine even when I am inconsistent.  No coffee to share for March, so let's get straight to the books!

BOOKS

The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own
by: Joshua Becker
3 out of 5 stars


You know I'm a sucker for a good organizing book. This one focuses more on paring down your possessions to the essential which I do feel is the best way to begin an organizing project. While I could never be a full fledged minimalist, I have reduced the number of items I own over the last few years and it is very freeing. This book was pretty good, but I did not find that any of the information was groundbreaking.

by: Gay Hendricks
4 out of 5 stars


Self-help/motivational books are also on my list of favorite things and I really liked this book and the concept it is built around. Basically, the author shows how people have a set point for success and it is difficult to go beyond that point without it feeling scary. Therefore, people self-sabotage to get back to the point where they can remain in their comfort zone. So much of this book rang true for me and the author does an excellent job of breaking down how to get out of your own way. If you need a super dose of motivation in any area of your life, this is a good read for you.

by: Greer Hendricks
4 out of 5 stars


This psychological thriller was so good! It all begins when the main character poses as someone else to earn money from a psychology experiment. What unfolds is an entanglement with the psychologist in charge of the study. This book is suspenseful, creepy and kept me on the edge of my seat to the very end!

by: Lisa Jewell
3 out of 5 stars


Another psychological thriller that I enjoyed. If I hadn't read An Anonymous Girl before this book, I would have probably given it four stars. It was good, but just not as fast-paced in the beginning. There are also some distracting plot lines that are meant to be red herrings, but I thought they were just distracting. I'm not sure if that makes sense! A good book that surprised me in the end!

by: Joshua Becker
3 out of 5 stars


I figured I would give Joshua Becker another go with his next book and it was good as well. Again, if you are intentional about reducing the amount of items you own, this book walks you through each area of your home and encourages you to get rid of the excess. I have already gone through this process in my house (cheers to Marie Kondo) so this book was review for me. Good to add to your list if you want a room-by-room way to minimize your belongings.

by: Christina Lauren
5 out of 5 stars


So good. You know it is very rare for me to give five stars to a work of fiction, but this one did it for me. I loved the plot line, the love story and the way the characters were presented and developed. This book follows a boy and a girl who meet when they are young and the way their relationship evolves throughout out the years. It is endearing and sentimental.  Throw in a conflict or two and it makes for one of the best books I've read this year. This is one of those books where I missed the characters when it was over. Tell me I'm not the only one who does this?

I'd love to know what you are reading! Thank you for continuing to read my little blog and interact with me on social media. I love this little corner of the internet so much!

xo,

Deanna