At the start of a new season, I love refreshing our front porch with potted seasonal flowers and a new doormat. This little ritual welcomes the next season and is a warm welcome home to family and friends. On a recent Target run,  I discovered the perfect summer doormat; it’s bright, cheerful, and only $13!

 

 

If you’re in the market for Adirondack chairs for your front porch, outdoor entertaining area, or around your fire pit, you might want to check out hOmeHua.  We bought these ones last summer, and I love them.  They are super comfortable, durable, and look terrific!  The armrests are wide and comfy, too.  The color option says “black,” but they are actually dark charcoal grey. Available at Amazon.com for $139.95

Up until a few years ago, I hadn’t thought much about the ingredients in my skincare, but then I learned that the chemicals used in sunscreen could be detected in the bloodstream after just one use and can linger for days, not to mention these chemicals can disrupt hormone levels; that’s when I started rethinking my sunscreen.  I like SuperGoop not only because it doesn’t have toxic ingredients, but it contains vitamin C to boot!  I never seem to remember to put it on before I leave the house, so I keep it in the car, that way it's handy whenever I need it. $15-$21

 

 

I’ve been a fan of the French brand Petit Bateau for years. All their clothes are 100% Cotton and of terrific quality.  Their t-shirts are part of my “work uniform”; they’re easy to wear, comfortable, and look polished. But for summer, I love their strappy black dress. It can be dressed up with espadrilles or dressed down with white tennis shoes. It looks great with a jean jacket or a sweater tied over your shoulders.  The best part is it’s great for travel; it folds so small that it takes up practically no space; this dress is a travel must!  $61.99 (for U.S. purchases, Petit Bateau is only available on Amazon.com)

Speaking of work uniforms…I love my Spanx jeans! So much so that I have a few pairs.  I must admit, I didn’t thoroughly read the description before I purchased my first pair; if I had realized they were pull-on, I honestly wouldn’t have bought them.  When they arrived, my husband insisted I at least try them on before I returned them; begrudgingly, I did… and I was in love. The four-way stretch is awesome; they’re super comfortable, keep their shape and look great on!  I have a busy schedule, so the last thing I want to do is go to a dressing room at a department store and try on jeans in unflattering lighting, and now I don’t have to! I recommend trying the white jeans because, at least for me, white jeans are the hardest to get right, plus these are double-lined. $128

1 – 16 oz bag of Trader Joe’s Frozen Pitted Dark Sweet Cherries

1/3 C Trader Joe’s Coconut Cream

½ TSP Pink Himalayan Sea Salt

1 ½ TSP Cook’s Cookie Vanilla Extract, this is the most amazing vanilla ever!  {It is a bit of a splurge but it really makes a difference in recipes.} Or try Trader Joe’s Bourbon Vanilla Extract.

¼ C Trader Joe’s Coconut Milk

Optional: To make this a blended cocktail or if you’ll be storing it in the freezer, add 4-5 TBS Vodka, this will keep the ice cream a bit soft and easier to scoop, for blended drinks add more to taste 😉.  {Trader Joe’s now sells vodka made from grapes, perfect for those with a corn or grain intolerance.}

No, this isn’t an ad for Trader Joe’s, they just happen to have all the ingredients, and so far, I like their frozen cherries the best!