Time is a thief for real – I can still vividly remember all of the details of the evening that my first daughter was born and now, seven short years later, she has moved into her big-kid room a few weeks shy of entering the second grade! I let her take the creative director roll and she decided the color scheme and theme and it turned out better than I could have imagined….and let’s just say that I wish that I had cool parents like me when I was growing up! See her big kid room redo below!

We have a 4-bedroom home so originally she had her own nursery and toddler room, and when I was expecting my fourth baby, we purchased full-sized bunk beds from Pottery Barn Kids and moved our second daughter in with our oldest. It’s been two years of sharing a room and she’s getting more independent, so I started hinting around the idea of her having her own room again, and she was open to the idea towards the end of the school year. Then she started asking when she could move in, so I decided that my goal would be to have it completed and have her moved in before the new school year started.

I asked her to start thinking about her color scheme and that was easy – teal had become her new favorite color in the past six months replacing the longtime favorite, purple. Next, I had asked her to think about if she wanted a theme, and that was a bit trickier, but it soon came to her once we hit the stores.

First we went to At Home, and there it began! She found the perfect accent pillow to start off with…it was so soft and priced well. Then we grabbed some of the not-so-much-fun things like a mattress protector, pillows, two regular cooling sleeping pillows and two-pack pillows for the decorative sham covers.

Next we looked for bedding. Nothing really stood out until we saw the display and that was it. SOLD! Then we started to check out some of their decor, and then…the theme was born! She found a stuffed pig pillow and instantly it became a teal pig room! At first I was hesitant and couldn’t figure out how I was going to pull this one off – I even tried to talk her out of it, but she insisted, so pig it was. We headed into the wall decor isle and then we found the cutest canvas of a pig with glasses, and then I started to get excited about it all. The teal and pig pink colors could definitely work! We grabbed a couple other items and checked out.

We stopped in at a couple other stores, but didn’t really find what we were looking for. We grabbed some pink Pillowfort Sheets from Target and stopped in a Mattress Warehouse to shop for her new mattress. She got to do their bedMATCH quiz and diagnostic to match her up with the best mattress for her. She loved being able to use their system and picked out a great full-sized mattress that was easy on the pockets too! We ended up with a mattress in a box – the Simmons Blue Dream Memory Foam Mattress. The best part was they had one in stock for us to take home that day and it fit in my “mom van”!

We grabbed smoothies from our favorite smoothie place, Tropical Smoothie Cafe and headed over to Hobby Lobby – jackpot! We found all types of room decor and more, and then we came across the creme-de-la-creme of all pig decor! A huge canvas picture of the cutest pig you ever saw, and I was in love! It ended up being 75% off y’all! It was the easiest purchase of the day! We ended up with a whole cart full of items from HL and finally headed home!

Let’s start with the room re-do. First, I vacuumed and mopped the floors and baseboards and wiped down all of the dressers and windowsills. Since we had always purchased the convertible cribs for 3/4 kids, we transitioned the bed and switched out the decor, made the bed, and started transferring all of the personal items and clothing between the two rooms.

I ended up ordering ombre curtains and an accent rug off of Amazon, and I got the curtain rods from Wal-Mart. I found the vanity/desk off of Facebook Marketplace, brand-new, still in the box! It took a total of four days until we did her room reveal…she LOVED the end result. It was all smiles and she even gave it two thumbs up! If you’d like to see more of this room transformation, be sure to check out the video on Tik-Tok here!

Time is a thief for real – I can still vividly remember all of the details of the evening that my first daughter was born and now, seven short years later, she has moved into her big-kid room a few weeks shy of entering the second grade! I let her take the creative director roll and she decided the color scheme and theme and it turned out better than I could have imagined….and let’s just say that I wish that I had cool parents like me when I was growing up! See her big kid room redo below!

We have a 4-bedroom home so originally she had her own nursery and toddler room, and when I was expecting my fourth baby, we purchased full-sized bunk beds from Pottery Barn Kids and moved our second daughter in with our oldest. It’s been two years of sharing a room and she’s getting more independent, so I started hinting around the idea of her having her own room again, and she was open to the idea towards the end of the school year. Then she started asking when she could move in, so I decided that my goal would be to have it completed and have her moved in before the new school year started.

I asked her to start thinking about her color scheme and that was easy – teal had become her new favorite color in the past six months replacing the longtime favorite, purple. Next, I had asked her to think about if she wanted a theme, and that was a bit trickier, but it soon came to her once we hit the stores.

First we went to At Home, and there it began! She found the perfect accent pillow to start off with…it was so soft and priced well. Then we grabbed some of the not-so-much-fun things like a mattress protector, pillows, two regular cooling sleeping pillows and two-pack pillows for the decorative sham covers.

Next we looked for bedding. Nothing really stood out until we saw the display and that was it. SOLD! Then we started to check out some of their decor, and then…the theme was born! She found a stuffed pig pillow and instantly it became a teal pig room! At first I was hesitant and couldn’t figure out how I was going to pull this one off – I even tried to talk her out of it, but she insisted, so pig it was. We headed into the wall decor isle and then we found the cutest canvas of a pig with glasses, and then I started to get excited about it all. The teal and pig pink colors could definitely work! We grabbed a couple other items and checked out.

We stopped in at a couple other stores, but didn’t really find what we were looking for. We grabbed some pink Pillowfort Sheets from Target and stopped in a Mattress Warehouse to shop for her new mattress. She got to do their bedMATCH quiz and diagnostic to match her up with the best mattress for her. She loved being able to use their system and picked out a great full-sized mattress that was easy on the pockets too! We ended up with a mattress in a box – the Simmons Blue Dream Memory Foam Mattress. The best part was they had one in stock for us to take home that day and it fit in my “mom van”!

We grabbed smoothies from our favorite smoothie place, Tropical Smoothie Cafe and headed over to Hobby Lobby – jackpot! We found all types of room decor and more, and then we came across the creme-de-la-creme of all pig decor! A huge canvas picture of the cutest pig you ever saw, and I was in love! It ended up being 75% off y’all! It was the easiest purchase of the day! We ended up with a whole cart full of items from HL and finally headed home!

Let’s start with the room re-do. First, I vacuumed and mopped the floors and baseboards and wiped down all of the dressers and windowsills. Since we had always purchased the convertible cribs for 3/4 kids, we transitioned the bed and switched out the decor, made the bed, and started transferring all of the personal items and clothing between the two rooms.

I ended up ordering ombre curtains and an accent rug off of Amazon, and I got the curtain rods from Wal-Mart. I found the vanity/desk off of Facebook Marketplace, brand-new, still in the box! It took a total of four days until we did her room reveal…she LOVED the end result. It was all smiles and she even gave it two thumbs up! If you’d like to see more of this room transformation, be sure to check out the video on Tik-Tok here!

Many students are eagerly awaiting their teacher assignments for the upcoming school year. In my home, I don’t know who is anticipating the news more – myself or the kiddos! We already know who my youngest has and we love her, and my oldest is hoping for a particular teacher this year, and my middle daughter…well…I just don’t think that she cares very much yet! As parents are getting ready for BTS – shopping for clothes, shoes and supplies – don’t forget the teachers and school professionals! I love my kids’ school and the staff there, and since I’m a PTO board member I am very involved and get to interact with them a lot. I see a lot of what other parents don’t and these worker bees deserve it all! I am not swimming in the dough like Scrooge McDuck, but I give back to the teachers when I can. One way to show appreciation is with a back-to-school gift, and Kristy, who is also super involved at her kids’ schools, did some shopping at a few different retailers and came up with adorable and affordable teacher survival kits! See the gifts she put together below.

Temu! I’m sure you’ve heard about it and probably are hesitant like I was, but I’m telling you, it’s awesome! Just look at how adorable those canvas totes are as well as that pillowcase over the insert. These are perfect for a pre-k or kindergarten classroom.

Wood number pins can be found both at Target (usually comes out in July and can be found in their dollar bins) or on Amazon. These can be used in the classroom as decorations or a creative way to help learn math.

Both the pencil ID lanyard and mini hand sanitizers can be found at Bath & Body Works during one of their crazy sales, and they give the gift such a nice touch! Other fun lanyards can be found on Temu as well, so be sure to check them all out! Such a great add to the bags.

Who doesn’t love a good lip balm?! EOS has the best ones, keeping lips smooth and hydrated with amazing smelling, lip-smacking flavors. These are perfect little addition to a survival kit if you ask me.

I love a good planner and these planner stickers keep it fun and colorful, which can help keep you on track, especially when you’re a teacher on-the-go with a lot on your plate both in and out of the classroom.

If you’re in the Frugal and Thriving FB group, you already know about the ever-popular chenille letter bags, and of course these ones say “teach” so they’re perfect! These “Survival Kits” are so clever and definitely have the teachers in mind! Each TEACH bag is filled with:

• Planner stickers from Temu
• Wet wipes from Amazon
• Sugar-free Liquid I.V. packs from Amazon
• Lip balm from Walmart
• Kleenex tissues from Amazon
• Sharpies from Amazon
• Tylenol from Amazon
• Gum from Amazon
• Mini Tic-Tacs from Amazon

As you can see, all of the thoughtful items included set the teacher up for a successful and fun school year, and it gives them a sense of comfort and appreciation while in the classroom!

Each of the canvas totes include the filled TEACH bags with these items as well:

• Mentos fruit candy mints from Amazon
• Post-It Super Sticky note pads from Amazon
• Vinyl “school” stickers from Temu
• Welcome sign from Temu
• ID lanyard with hand sanitizers from Bath & Body Works
• Wood number pins from Target or Amazon

All of these items were from the following retailers: Amazon, Bath & Body Works, Walmart, Target and Temu! If you haven’t checked out Temu yet, I highly recommend it! They are running a massive site-wide sale and it’s definitely a one-stop shopping option. PLUS, they also offer free shipping and free 90-days returns! Use our exclusive coupon code afg61214 for an EXTRA 50% off 

Many students are eagerly awaiting their teacher assignments for the upcoming school year. In my home, I don’t know who is anticipating the news more – myself or the kiddos! We already know who my youngest has and we love her, and my oldest is hoping for a particular teacher this year, and my middle daughter…well…I just don’t think that she cares very much yet! As parents are getting ready for BTS – shopping for clothes, shoes and supplies – don’t forget the teachers and school professionals! I love my kids’ school and the staff there, and since I’m a PTO board member I am very involved and get to interact with them a lot. I see a lot of what other parents don’t and these worker bees deserve it all! I am not swimming in the dough like Scrooge McDuck, but I give back to the teachers when I can. One way to show appreciation is with a back-to-school gift, and Kristy, who is also super involved at her kids’ schools, did some shopping at a few different retailers and came up with adorable and affordable teacher survival kits! See the gifts she put together below.

Temu! I’m sure you’ve heard about it and probably are hesitant like I was, but I’m telling you, it’s awesome! Just look at how adorable those canvas totes are as well as that pillowcase over the insert. These are perfect for a pre-k or kindergarten classroom.

Wood number pins can be found both at Target (usually comes out in July and can be found in their dollar bins) or on Amazon. These can be used in the classroom as decorations or a creative way to help learn math.

Both the pencil ID lanyard and mini hand sanitizers can be found at Bath & Body Works during one of their crazy sales, and they give the gift such a nice touch! Other fun lanyards can be found on Temu as well, so be sure to check them all out! Such a great add to the bags.

Who doesn’t love a good lip balm?! EOS has the best ones, keeping lips smooth and hydrated with amazing smelling, lip-smacking flavors. These are perfect little addition to a survival kit if you ask me.

I love a good planner and these planner stickers keep it fun and colorful, which can help keep you on track, especially when you’re a teacher on-the-go with a lot on your plate both in and out of the classroom.

If you’re in the Frugal and Thriving FB group, you already know about the ever-popular chenille letter bags, and of course these ones say “teach” so they’re perfect! These “Survival Kits” are so clever and definitely have the teachers in mind! Each TEACH bag is filled with:

• Planner stickers from Temu
• Wet wipes from Amazon
• Sugar-free Liquid I.V. packs from Amazon
• Lip balm from Walmart
• Kleenex tissues from Amazon
• Sharpies from Amazon
• Tylenol from Amazon
• Gum from Amazon
• Mini Tic-Tacs from Amazon

As you can see, all of the thoughtful items included set the teacher up for a successful and fun school year, and it gives them a sense of comfort and appreciation while in the classroom!

Each of the canvas totes include the filled TEACH bags with these items as well:

• Mentos fruit candy mints from Amazon
• Post-It Super Sticky note pads from Amazon
• Vinyl “school” stickers from Temu
• Welcome sign from Temu
• ID lanyard with hand sanitizers from Bath & Body Works
• Wood number pins from Target or Amazon

All of these items were from the following retailers: Amazon, Bath & Body Works, Walmart, Target and Temu! If you haven’t checked out Temu yet, I highly recommend it! They are running a massive site-wide sale and it’s definitely a one-stop shopping option. PLUS, they also offer free shipping and free 90-days returns! Use our exclusive coupon code afg61214 for an EXTRA 50% off 

Do you have a personal book reading challenge that you’ve set for yourself for the year? I personally used to be such a bookworm! My all-time favorite author is James Patterson, and I used to collect all of his hardback and paperback books, but I haven’t read him in probably over a decade now. Writing this post makes me want to carve out time to start picking up his books again, though! The last book that I read was Cat & Nats’ Mom Truths. Krista is the group’s bookworm, and last year she started a personal book reading challenge for herself which carried into this year! See Krista’s top 20 reads for adults this summer, six of which are Kindle Unlimited options, below!

Krista says, “I love reading…it gets me out of my head, and sometimes I feel like my brain is actually working versus sitting and watching a TV show – though I do love to binge-watch a good show! When I left my office job and started working fulltime for Frugal and Thriving, I told myself that since I was going to be home a lot more, I will not be sitting and watching TV on my down time – I will pick up a book a read! Last year I was able to read 31 books, and this year my new challenge was to read 35 books. As of today, I’ve read 30! I love to keep track of my books on the GoodReads app, where I can mark off the books I’ve read and rate them. I can also see what my friends are reading, and that’s where I keep track of my challenge for the year!”

These are her personal book reviews on her favorite 20 so far!

1. It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover – This was the first book I read this year, and I’m not going to lie, I did not have high hopes as It Ends with Us (the prequel) is one of my top 5 books. I loved every word of that book and recommend it to everyone, but I’m not a fan of sequels. Let’s be honest – most of the time they aren’t as good as the first one. With that said, I actually thoroughly enjoyed this book. If you read It Ends with Us and enjoyed it, I would say give this book a shot because it wraps the story up for all the characters and lets you know how they are doing. It begins right where the story left off and I wish that I read it sooner, but I should’ve known I wouldn’t be disappointed with anything by Colleen Hoover. I gave this book a 4/5

2. Meet Me at the Lake by Carly Fortune – I went into this book thinking it was going to be like Every Summer After (Carly’s other book), and while the writing is still great, the story was completely different and I really loved this book! Just like Every Summer After, this book switched between the present and past, but this time it was only one day in the past. The book is set in a place that reminded me of Dirty Dancing, and I just loved the story line. I recommend this book if you’re looking for an easy read but with a fun location, tension-worthy romance, and that past and present buildup! I gave this book a 4/5

3. Happy Place by Emily Henry – I’ve only ever read one other book by Emily Henry and to be honest it wasn’t my favorite, but this one was recommended to me, and I am glad that I gave it a chance! It’s the perfect read to get you out of a slump or a book hangover…it got me out of my hangover from the Court series. It has relatable characters, fun writing, and keeps you intrigued the whole time! It would be a great vacation read! This book will be your new ‘Happy Place’ – see what I did there! I gave this book a 5/5

4. Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez – This book was all over TikTok, and it has been on hold for weeks at the library, so I decided to splurge and buy it. I rarely do this, but I am so glad I did! If you have ever suffered with anxiety, you can relate to this book, and it was written so beautifully. Told from the point of view of the leading male and female, I literally fell in love with them both. I never thought anxiety could make me laugh but it truly did! I loved every word of this book and I didn’t want it to end. I found out it was the second in a series and I can tell you from experience, you don’t need to read book #1. I didn’t even realize it until I went to rate it on Goodreads! This book is so uplifting, truthful, and funny! This book should be added to your must-read pile! I gave this book a 5/5

5. Beartown by Fredrick Backman – I found this book when a friend had recommended another book by this author, and I was intrigued when I came across it. When I first started it, I wasn’t sure I was going to like it – the writing style was very different and it took me some time to really get into but once I did, it turned out to be a great book. There is no comedy or romance, so it’s not my typical read, but I am so glad I went for it. It’s an eye-opening book, and while it’s fiction, I know stories like this happen all over in the real world. I just discovered as I was getting the link for this book that there is another in the series, and honestly, I may even read it just to see what happens! I gave this book a 4.5/5

6. Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan – This book has it all – past/present storytelling, a run-in with the ex, celebrity romance, comedy, and the beach as a backdrop! The writing was easy to follow, and it takes place in the perfect beach town (I never knew Long Island had beach towns)! If you loved Every Summer After and The Summer I Turned Pretty, then you will fall head over heels for this book! I gave this book a 4/5

7. True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren – Well this book broke all my rules – I usually dislike sequels very much because they never live up to the first ones and I am always left disappointed, but man I was WRONG. This book is the second to Soulmate Equation and I was so nervous reading because I LOVED Soulmate, but man oh man this book was EVERYTHING! I laughed the whole time, I cried, I fell in love, I was angry, and did I mention I laughed because I really did the whole time! True Love is about the best friend from Soulmate, and I thought I loved her then, but this book being about her made me want to be her! It seriously has everything from a dating show trope and forbidden love to a strong female character, relatable male character, and so much comedy. If you love a rom-com then I highly recommend True Love Experiment! I gave this book a 6/5 (really 5/5 but If I could do 6/5 I would!)

8. Something Wilder by Christina Lauren – I will start out by saying Christina Lauren is one of my favorite authors and I read the majority of her books and always give her books over 4 stars, but it pains me to say this book is my lowest rated on this list (but I am including it because I will always support Christina Lauren!) I wanted to like this book so much more than I did. It has the great romance and great writing that all her books have, but it has this crazy treasure hunt in it and a Wild West thing (which I thought I would like but honestly hated). The characters were a bit much too, but if you like treasure hunts, the Wild West, and crazy characters, go for it! For me though, I’ll stick with Christina’s other books! I gave this book a 3/5

9. The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren – I debated not adding this book on here because I read it for the first time last year (I rented it through my library), but I LOVED this book and decided to purchase it and reread it this year because it is one of my favorite books! It is one of the best rom-coms, and of course has my favorite kind of character…the grumpy hot guy! This book has so much to it and to me, the story is really different from any others I’ve read! This book had me falling in love – and it was the book that made me fall in love with Christina Lauren. I gave this book a 5/5

10-14. Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, A Court of Wings and Ruin, A Court of Frost and Starlight, A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Mass – I am not the biggest sci-fi reader. While I am a huge fan of Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and the Divergent series, that’s about as far as I’ve ventured into the sci-fi world. TikTok (my main source of book recommendations) was constantly telling me to read this series though, and man oh man was I blown away! It took me about halfway through the first book to really be hooked, but once I got there, WOW – I could not stop! It is about fairies (this is my first fairy book), and the majority of my January and February were wrapped up in this series. Every character is amazing, there is the best romance, lots of thrills, and even comedy plus hot fairy men. Sarah J. Mass is an amazing writer! I am telling you, I literally completed the series and immediately went back and re-read books 2, 3, and 4. I would be torn to say book 2 or 3 is my favorite, but this series is up there with Harry Potter for me. If you feel like you can handle some sci-fi- in your life, I say give this series a try – just get through book 1 and it is SO worth it. I gave every book in this series a 5/5

Summer Reads for Adults

I do have a subscription to Kindle Unlimited, and I do read a lot of my books from there, so I am including these because I know as an avid Kindle Unlimited reader, I am always looking for more good books!

1. Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score – I was so late to the reading game on this book. I am not going to lie, I started this book once before and just could not get into it, but I needed something to read and didn’t want to spend the money, so Kindle Unlimited to the rescue! I was pleasantly surprised by this book and it has fun characters (um, hello grumpy hot guy?!)! I was not such a fan of the ending (without giving too much away it got into more of a mob boss deal that was a little much for me), but overall, for a Kindle Unlimited book, it is totally worth the read! There are 2 more books within this series, but I have not read them yet and I’m not sure I will (I am not the biggest fan of sequels). I gave this book a 4/5

2. Inmate by Freida McFadden – I have to be in the mood to read a thriller and I picked this one off of KU because I liked Freida’s other book The Housemaid. Any time I pick up a thriller, about halfway through I lose patience and read a spoiler, but this time I did not and I am glad I didn’t because I might’ve easily guessed who the killer was…I did not guess the twist in the end! To me, if you can’t guess the twist that’s a sign of a good thriller, and this one is definitely worth the read! I gave this book a 4/5

3. Six Summers to Fall by CW Farnsworth – I read another book by this same author this year, but I enjoyed this one more, so I decided to feature this one! The title alone led me to believe that this book would have an Every Summer After feel, but I was totally wrong! I love a good book that has a celebrity/normal person romance PLUS a fake relationship (my two favorite book tropes)! If you are looking for a fun, easy read, I’d say go for this one! I gave this book a 4/5

4. Simple Wild by K.A Tucker – My friend was reading this book and she said I need to give it a try, and I am glad I did. Set in Alaska, the writing made me feel like I was there! Between the landscape, the romance, and the fact that the main character was a social media influencer (her blog was not much different than Frugal and Thriving), I fell for this book hard! Now keeping that in mind, this book is book 1 of 4, and I’m not sure I will read the others because I enjoyed this one and am fearful it would ruin it reading more of them! I gave this book a 4/5

5. A Flicker in the Dark by Stacey Willingham – This is a thriller that was recommended by TikTok. This book was set in Baton Rouge (I love a book set in Louisiana!) and has a Girl on the Train vibe. There are several times I changed my mind about who the killer really was, and in the end I was pleasantly surprised, though I did read a spoiler on this one LOL. If you enjoyed Girl on the Train and have Kindle Unlimited, I say give this book a go — BUT I’m not sure If I would spend money on this one! I gave this book a 3.5/5

6. Rock Bottom Girl by Lucy Score – After I read Lucy Score’s Things We Never Got Over, I wanted to try another one of Lucy’s books (that wasn’t in the series). This one was also a KU, and I really enjoyed it! The main character is hilarious, the supporting characters are memorable, and it even has some soccer in it! I love a good redemption romance story and this one definitely hits the ball through the net! If you’re in the mood for some fun, sporty romance and hot guys, give this book a try! I gave this book a 4/5

Summer Reads for Adults – Kindle Unlimited

If you really love the frugal life, you can get digital credits to use towards Amazon purchases of e-books, movies, and music! The next time you go to place an Amazon order, check out your delivery date options – you’ll see there if you have the opportunity to select a later delivery date for those digital credits. This is especially awesome if you read off a Kindle (or the Kindle app on your phone or tablet) – you can use those credits towards your next book download! 

Do you have a personal book reading challenge that you’ve set for yourself for the year? I personally used to be such a bookworm! My all-time favorite author is James Patterson, and I used to collect all of his hardback and paperback books, but I haven’t read him in probably over a decade now. Writing this post makes me want to carve out time to start picking up his books again, though! The last book that I read was Cat & Nats’ Mom Truths. Krista is the group’s bookworm, and last year she started a personal book reading challenge for herself which carried into this year! See Krista’s top 20 reads for adults this summer, six of which are Kindle Unlimited options, below!

Krista says, “I love reading…it gets me out of my head, and sometimes I feel like my brain is actually working versus sitting and watching a TV show – though I do love to binge-watch a good show! When I left my office job and started working fulltime for Frugal and Thriving, I told myself that since I was going to be home a lot more, I will not be sitting and watching TV on my down time – I will pick up a book a read! Last year I was able to read 31 books, and this year my new challenge was to read 35 books. As of today, I’ve read 30! I love to keep track of my books on the GoodReads app, where I can mark off the books I’ve read and rate them. I can also see what my friends are reading, and that’s where I keep track of my challenge for the year!”

These are her personal book reviews on her favorite 20 so far!

1. It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover – This was the first book I read this year, and I’m not going to lie, I did not have high hopes as It Ends with Us (the prequel) is one of my top 5 books. I loved every word of that book and recommend it to everyone, but I’m not a fan of sequels. Let’s be honest – most of the time they aren’t as good as the first one. With that said, I actually thoroughly enjoyed this book. If you read It Ends with Us and enjoyed it, I would say give this book a shot because it wraps the story up for all the characters and lets you know how they are doing. It begins right where the story left off and I wish that I read it sooner, but I should’ve known I wouldn’t be disappointed with anything by Colleen Hoover. I gave this book a 4/5

2. Meet Me at the Lake by Carly Fortune – I went into this book thinking it was going to be like Every Summer After (Carly’s other book), and while the writing is still great, the story was completely different and I really loved this book! Just like Every Summer After, this book switched between the present and past, but this time it was only one day in the past. The book is set in a place that reminded me of Dirty Dancing, and I just loved the story line. I recommend this book if you’re looking for an easy read but with a fun location, tension-worthy romance, and that past and present buildup! I gave this book a 4/5

3. Happy Place by Emily Henry – I’ve only ever read one other book by Emily Henry and to be honest it wasn’t my favorite, but this one was recommended to me, and I am glad that I gave it a chance! It’s the perfect read to get you out of a slump or a book hangover…it got me out of my hangover from the Court series. It has relatable characters, fun writing, and keeps you intrigued the whole time! It would be a great vacation read! This book will be your new ‘Happy Place’ – see what I did there! I gave this book a 5/5

4. Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez – This book was all over TikTok, and it has been on hold for weeks at the library, so I decided to splurge and buy it. I rarely do this, but I am so glad I did! If you have ever suffered with anxiety, you can relate to this book, and it was written so beautifully. Told from the point of view of the leading male and female, I literally fell in love with them both. I never thought anxiety could make me laugh but it truly did! I loved every word of this book and I didn’t want it to end. I found out it was the second in a series and I can tell you from experience, you don’t need to read book #1. I didn’t even realize it until I went to rate it on Goodreads! This book is so uplifting, truthful, and funny! This book should be added to your must-read pile! I gave this book a 5/5

5. Beartown by Fredrick Backman – I found this book when a friend had recommended another book by this author, and I was intrigued when I came across it. When I first started it, I wasn’t sure I was going to like it – the writing style was very different and it took me some time to really get into but once I did, it turned out to be a great book. There is no comedy or romance, so it’s not my typical read, but I am so glad I went for it. It’s an eye-opening book, and while it’s fiction, I know stories like this happen all over in the real world. I just discovered as I was getting the link for this book that there is another in the series, and honestly, I may even read it just to see what happens! I gave this book a 4.5/5

6. Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan – This book has it all – past/present storytelling, a run-in with the ex, celebrity romance, comedy, and the beach as a backdrop! The writing was easy to follow, and it takes place in the perfect beach town (I never knew Long Island had beach towns)! If you loved Every Summer After and The Summer I Turned Pretty, then you will fall head over heels for this book! I gave this book a 4/5

7. True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren – Well this book broke all my rules – I usually dislike sequels very much because they never live up to the first ones and I am always left disappointed, but man I was WRONG. This book is the second to Soulmate Equation and I was so nervous reading because I LOVED Soulmate, but man oh man this book was EVERYTHING! I laughed the whole time, I cried, I fell in love, I was angry, and did I mention I laughed because I really did the whole time! True Love is about the best friend from Soulmate, and I thought I loved her then, but this book being about her made me want to be her! It seriously has everything from a dating show trope and forbidden love to a strong female character, relatable male character, and so much comedy. If you love a rom-com then I highly recommend True Love Experiment! I gave this book a 6/5 (really 5/5 but If I could do 6/5 I would!)

8. Something Wilder by Christina Lauren – I will start out by saying Christina Lauren is one of my favorite authors and I read the majority of her books and always give her books over 4 stars, but it pains me to say this book is my lowest rated on this list (but I am including it because I will always support Christina Lauren!) I wanted to like this book so much more than I did. It has the great romance and great writing that all her books have, but it has this crazy treasure hunt in it and a Wild West thing (which I thought I would like but honestly hated). The characters were a bit much too, but if you like treasure hunts, the Wild West, and crazy characters, go for it! For me though, I’ll stick with Christina’s other books! I gave this book a 3/5

9. The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren – I debated not adding this book on here because I read it for the first time last year (I rented it through my library), but I LOVED this book and decided to purchase it and reread it this year because it is one of my favorite books! It is one of the best rom-coms, and of course has my favorite kind of character…the grumpy hot guy! This book has so much to it and to me, the story is really different from any others I’ve read! This book had me falling in love – and it was the book that made me fall in love with Christina Lauren. I gave this book a 5/5

10-14. Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, A Court of Wings and Ruin, A Court of Frost and Starlight, A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Mass – I am not the biggest sci-fi reader. While I am a huge fan of Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and the Divergent series, that’s about as far as I’ve ventured into the sci-fi world. TikTok (my main source of book recommendations) was constantly telling me to read this series though, and man oh man was I blown away! It took me about halfway through the first book to really be hooked, but once I got there, WOW – I could not stop! It is about fairies (this is my first fairy book), and the majority of my January and February were wrapped up in this series. Every character is amazing, there is the best romance, lots of thrills, and even comedy plus hot fairy men. Sarah J. Mass is an amazing writer! I am telling you, I literally completed the series and immediately went back and re-read books 2, 3, and 4. I would be torn to say book 2 or 3 is my favorite, but this series is up there with Harry Potter for me. If you feel like you can handle some sci-fi- in your life, I say give this series a try – just get through book 1 and it is SO worth it. I gave every book in this series a 5/5

Summer Reads for Adults

I do have a subscription to Kindle Unlimited, and I do read a lot of my books from there, so I am including these because I know as an avid Kindle Unlimited reader, I am always looking for more good books!

1. Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score – I was so late to the reading game on this book. I am not going to lie, I started this book once before and just could not get into it, but I needed something to read and didn’t want to spend the money, so Kindle Unlimited to the rescue! I was pleasantly surprised by this book and it has fun characters (um, hello grumpy hot guy?!)! I was not such a fan of the ending (without giving too much away it got into more of a mob boss deal that was a little much for me), but overall, for a Kindle Unlimited book, it is totally worth the read! There are 2 more books within this series, but I have not read them yet and I’m not sure I will (I am not the biggest fan of sequels). I gave this book a 4/5

2. Inmate by Freida McFadden – I have to be in the mood to read a thriller and I picked this one off of KU because I liked Freida’s other book The Housemaid. Any time I pick up a thriller, about halfway through I lose patience and read a spoiler, but this time I did not and I am glad I didn’t because I might’ve easily guessed who the killer was…I did not guess the twist in the end! To me, if you can’t guess the twist that’s a sign of a good thriller, and this one is definitely worth the read! I gave this book a 4/5

3. Six Summers to Fall by CW Farnsworth – I read another book by this same author this year, but I enjoyed this one more, so I decided to feature this one! The title alone led me to believe that this book would have an Every Summer After feel, but I was totally wrong! I love a good book that has a celebrity/normal person romance PLUS a fake relationship (my two favorite book tropes)! If you are looking for a fun, easy read, I’d say go for this one! I gave this book a 4/5

4. Simple Wild by K.A Tucker – My friend was reading this book and she said I need to give it a try, and I am glad I did. Set in Alaska, the writing made me feel like I was there! Between the landscape, the romance, and the fact that the main character was a social media influencer (her blog was not much different than Frugal and Thriving), I fell for this book hard! Now keeping that in mind, this book is book 1 of 4, and I’m not sure I will read the others because I enjoyed this one and am fearful it would ruin it reading more of them! I gave this book a 4/5

5. A Flicker in the Dark by Stacey Willingham – This is a thriller that was recommended by TikTok. This book was set in Baton Rouge (I love a book set in Louisiana!) and has a Girl on the Train vibe. There are several times I changed my mind about who the killer really was, and in the end I was pleasantly surprised, though I did read a spoiler on this one LOL. If you enjoyed Girl on the Train and have Kindle Unlimited, I say give this book a go — BUT I’m not sure If I would spend money on this one! I gave this book a 3.5/5

6. Rock Bottom Girl by Lucy Score – After I read Lucy Score’s Things We Never Got Over, I wanted to try another one of Lucy’s books (that wasn’t in the series). This one was also a KU, and I really enjoyed it! The main character is hilarious, the supporting characters are memorable, and it even has some soccer in it! I love a good redemption romance story and this one definitely hits the ball through the net! If you’re in the mood for some fun, sporty romance and hot guys, give this book a try! I gave this book a 4/5

Summer Reads for Adults – Kindle Unlimited

If you really love the frugal life, you can get digital credits to use towards Amazon purchases of e-books, movies, and music! The next time you go to place an Amazon order, check out your delivery date options – you’ll see there if you have the opportunity to select a later delivery date for those digital credits. This is especially awesome if you read off a Kindle (or the Kindle app on your phone or tablet) – you can use those credits towards your next book download! 

It’s that time of year again…the summer is coming to a close and another school year approaches. What an array of mixed emotions that emerges from both and parents and students – you know what time it is…back-to-school shopping! We’ve done most of our BTS clothes shopping already and we thought that we would share the best deals that we found along the way!

Target

Target offers a variety of great options for back-to-school shopping when it comes to their clothes and shoes. Target’s Cat & Jack line has been one of my go-to’s for years, and you can’t beat the $5 deals on leggings and tees. The leggings with the durable knees are offered in so many colors and patterns, so mixing and matching outfits is always fun. There is always a great selection for both boys’ and girls’ styles and often doesn’t disappoint. Don’t forget to shop the $7.99+ backpack deal too!

• Jeans for everyone
• Girls’ Tops
• Boys’ Tops
• Dresses
• Girls’ Activewear
• Boys’ Activewear
• Girls’ Bottoms
• Boys’ Bottoms
• Girls’ Shoes
• Boy’s Shoes

Old Navy

Old Navy – Tee’s and leggings, polos and graphics, shorts, dress and active-wear, Old Navy has got it all for BTS clothes shopping, starting at just $5! Right now, shop 50% off back-to-school essentials for girls and boys!!

• Girls’ Back-to-School Sale
• Boys’ Back to School Sale

Under Armour

Under Armour – Oh.Em.Gee…so Kristy was doing her BTS shopping with her family and she texted me to let me know that she had walked out of UA with a haul (pictured above) of a pair of shoes, a hoodie, two shirts, and two pair of joggers and only spent a total of $80!!!! I couldn’t believe it – I asked if she could go back and grab my size! They are currently offering 25% off on school gear and backpacks at the time of this post.

• Boys’ Tops
• Boys’ Bottoms
• Boys’ Shoes
• Girls’ Tops
• Girls’ Bottoms
• Girls’ Shoes

Carter’s

Carter’s – If graphics are your kids’ jam, then Carters is the place to shop! No matter what theme your kid is into, Carter’s has it covered, from Mario and Hot Wheels to Spiderman and everything else. From plaids and florals to solids and other whimsical prints, Carter’s can be your one-stop-shop for your preschoolers and kindergartners. Right now, shop up to 50% off activewear, dresses and more during the Rule the School sale!

• Girls’ Tops
• Girls’ Bottoms
• Girls’ Sets
• Boys’ Tops
• Boys’ Bottoms
• Boys’ Sets

The Children’s Place

The Children’s Place – Fellicia’s kids wear uniforms at their schools, and she found the best deals at the Children’s Place for her elementary-aged students. She was able to find options for both the end-of-summer and spring months as well as the upcoming fall and winter months. The entire site is up to 75% off + grab an extra 20% off at checkout with code GIMME20

• Girls’ Uniforms
• Boys’ Uniforms

Kohl’s

Kohl’s – There was a lot to unpack when shopping at Kohl’s this past weekend. I have 4 kids that I am shopping for and the choices that were available were borderline overwhelming! For the boys, the Adidas section was so stocked with lots of goodies; tops, sweatshirts, matching outfits…even their accessories were impressive too. For my daughters, it felt like the options were endless and we found so many great deals on their Jumping Beans and SO brands! Grab 20% off backpacks and lunch bags and check out the clearance rack with up to 85% off deals!

• Girls’ Back to School
• Boys’ Back to School

Walmart

Walmart – I have to say that Walmart impressed me with all of their BTS clothing options! They have a lot of basics to mix and match and their Garanimals line is so nice for the younger crowd. I happened to stumble upon their Free Assembly line and I was so impressed with the options to choose from! My daughter received a hoodie from the Justice line for her birthday, so I had to check out their back-to-school options and they did not disappoint! The price point starting from $3.98 and new styles are hard to beat this year!

• Girls’ Clothes
• Justice
• Boys’ Clothes
• Free Assembly

It’s that time of year again…the summer is coming to a close and another school year approaches. What an array of mixed emotions that emerges from both and parents and students – you know what time it is…back-to-school shopping! We’ve done most of our BTS clothes shopping already and we thought that we would share the best deals that we found along the way!

Target

Target offers a variety of great options for back-to-school shopping when it comes to their clothes and shoes. Target’s Cat & Jack line has been one of my go-to’s for years, and you can’t beat the $5 deals on leggings and tees. The leggings with the durable knees are offered in so many colors and patterns, so mixing and matching outfits is always fun. There is always a great selection for both boys’ and girls’ styles and often doesn’t disappoint. Don’t forget to shop the $7.99+ backpack deal too!

• Jeans for everyone
• Girls’ Tops
• Boys’ Tops
• Dresses
• Girls’ Activewear
• Boys’ Activewear
• Girls’ Bottoms
• Boys’ Bottoms
• Girls’ Shoes
• Boy’s Shoes

Old Navy

Old Navy – Tee’s and leggings, polos and graphics, shorts, dress and active-wear, Old Navy has got it all for BTS clothes shopping, starting at just $5! Right now, shop 50% off back-to-school essentials for girls and boys!!

• Girls’ Back-to-School Sale
• Boys’ Back to School Sale

Under Armour

Under Armour – Oh.Em.Gee…so Kristy was doing her BTS shopping with her family and she texted me to let me know that she had walked out of UA with a haul (pictured above) of a pair of shoes, a hoodie, two shirts, and two pair of joggers and only spent a total of $80!!!! I couldn’t believe it – I asked if she could go back and grab my size! They are currently offering 25% off on school gear and backpacks at the time of this post.

• Boys’ Tops
• Boys’ Bottoms
• Boys’ Shoes
• Girls’ Tops
• Girls’ Bottoms
• Girls’ Shoes

Carter’s

Carter’s – If graphics are your kids’ jam, then Carters is the place to shop! No matter what theme your kid is into, Carter’s has it covered, from Mario and Hot Wheels to Spiderman and everything else. From plaids and florals to solids and other whimsical prints, Carter’s can be your one-stop-shop for your preschoolers and kindergartners. Right now, shop up to 50% off activewear, dresses and more during the Rule the School sale!

• Girls’ Tops
• Girls’ Bottoms
• Girls’ Sets
• Boys’ Tops
• Boys’ Bottoms
• Boys’ Sets

The Children’s Place

The Children’s Place – Fellicia’s kids wear uniforms at their schools, and she found the best deals at the Children’s Place for her elementary-aged students. She was able to find options for both the end-of-summer and spring months as well as the upcoming fall and winter months. The entire site is up to 75% off + grab an extra 20% off at checkout with code GIMME20

• Girls’ Uniforms
• Boys’ Uniforms

Kohl’s

Kohl’s – There was a lot to unpack when shopping at Kohl’s this past weekend. I have 4 kids that I am shopping for and the choices that were available were borderline overwhelming! For the boys, the Adidas section was so stocked with lots of goodies; tops, sweatshirts, matching outfits…even their accessories were impressive too. For my daughters, it felt like the options were endless and we found so many great deals on their Jumping Beans and SO brands! Grab 20% off backpacks and lunch bags and check out the clearance rack with up to 85% off deals!

• Girls’ Back to School
• Boys’ Back to School

Walmart

Walmart – I have to say that Walmart impressed me with all of their BTS clothing options! They have a lot of basics to mix and match and their Garanimals line is so nice for the younger crowd. I happened to stumble upon their Free Assembly line and I was so impressed with the options to choose from! My daughter received a hoodie from the Justice line for her birthday, so I had to check out their back-to-school options and they did not disappoint! The price point starting from $3.98 and new styles are hard to beat this year!

• Girls’ Clothes
• Justice
• Boys’ Clothes
• Free Assembly

Have you ever heard of quip toothbrushes?! I personally have not, but now I am intrigued! There are many products to choose from including brushes, floss picks, water flossers, mouthwash, toothpaste and even gum! There is a cool quiz that you can take that will help you figure out what the best oral care routine is for your mouth…I just did mine and Wow is all that I can say! Christmas will soon be approaching and the suggested products from my quiz will certainly be on my list for Santa!

Quip’s journey began in a small neighborhood dental office in New York where they wanted to bridge the patient to their dentist in a modern way. The idea was to create a brand that put focus back on the basics: not brushing well, not brushing twice a day, and not replacing worn heads. With a dentist insight, a user-focused design, and a digital connection, quip was born!

Kristy had learned of quip and uses their products – this is what she had to say about them!

I’ve actually been using quip toothbrushes since before they became super popular – I tried them out about 3 years ago and loved it. My dentist has always recommended an electric toothbrush for me, and having one that was lightweight and easy to take on-the-go was such a plus! This was my very first quip brush (pictured above). You have the option to sign up for automatic refills every 3 months (which I opted to do, because, well, I’m forgetful haha), and the new toothbrush head and battery are sent right on time every time, and I know when to change it without ever having to do anything. 

Recently, I’ve upgraded to the smart rechargeable electric toothbrush and boy that sleek black is eye-catching! When you charge your brush, the charge can hold up to 3 months! Connect the brush to your Bluetooth and track your brushing habits! This helps keep you on track and you can earn rewards for your progress! It’s very motivating, which ultimately makes for one happy mouth, and you can connect more than one brush to the app so it’ll be fun for the whole family. I also love that the toothbrush travel holder doubles as a mirror mount and that there’s a built in two-minute timer to ensure you’re brushing for the proper amount of time! I would always just use my phone for a timer, and I use kids’ songs for my kids, so not having to listen to nursery songs anymore is great!

The refresh silicone traveling bag keeps everything together, and I love that you can collapse it flat so if you’re an over-packer like me, it’ll fit with no problems. It’s perfect for on-the-go, weekend getaways, or extended vacations.

Lastly, I also have the cordless rechargeable water flosser! This bad boy is my favorite! It comes with two pressure modes, and the magnetic floss tip can rotate 360° so you can get those tough areas easier. The battery can last up to 8 weeks after charging (that’s if you use it every day) – and the large water reservoir is really big, so you’re not refilling a bunch of times before you’re done. 

Have you ever heard of quip toothbrushes?! I personally have not, but now I am intrigued! There are many products to choose from including brushes, floss picks, water flossers, mouthwash, toothpaste and even gum! There is a cool quiz that you can take that will help you figure out what the best oral care routine is for your mouth…I just did mine and Wow is all that I can say! Christmas will soon be approaching and the suggested products from my quiz will certainly be on my list for Santa!

Quip’s journey began in a small neighborhood dental office in New York where they wanted to bridge the patient to their dentist in a modern way. The idea was to create a brand that put focus back on the basics: not brushing well, not brushing twice a day, and not replacing worn heads. With a dentist insight, a user-focused design, and a digital connection, quip was born!

Kristy had learned of quip and uses their products – this is what she had to say about them!

I’ve actually been using quip toothbrushes since before they became super popular – I tried them out about 3 years ago and loved it. My dentist has always recommended an electric toothbrush for me, and having one that was lightweight and easy to take on-the-go was such a plus! This was my very first quip brush (pictured above). You have the option to sign up for automatic refills every 3 months (which I opted to do, because, well, I’m forgetful haha), and the new toothbrush head and battery are sent right on time every time, and I know when to change it without ever having to do anything. 

Recently, I’ve upgraded to the smart rechargeable electric toothbrush and boy that sleek black is eye-catching! When you charge your brush, the charge can hold up to 3 months! Connect the brush to your Bluetooth and track your brushing habits! This helps keep you on track and you can earn rewards for your progress! It’s very motivating, which ultimately makes for one happy mouth, and you can connect more than one brush to the app so it’ll be fun for the whole family. I also love that the toothbrush travel holder doubles as a mirror mount and that there’s a built in two-minute timer to ensure you’re brushing for the proper amount of time! I would always just use my phone for a timer, and I use kids’ songs for my kids, so not having to listen to nursery songs anymore is great!

The refresh silicone traveling bag keeps everything together, and I love that you can collapse it flat so if you’re an over-packer like me, it’ll fit with no problems. It’s perfect for on-the-go, weekend getaways, or extended vacations.

Lastly, I also have the cordless rechargeable water flosser! This bad boy is my favorite! It comes with two pressure modes, and the magnetic floss tip can rotate 360° so you can get those tough areas easier. The battery can last up to 8 weeks after charging (that’s if you use it every day) – and the large water reservoir is really big, so you’re not refilling a bunch of times before you’re done. 

Some schools may have already returned, but most schools have a September start date, and we love to support our teachers! Classroom budgets get tighter each year, and most educators spend far too much from their own pockets to get their classrooms together to help our kids learn each year. We started a ‘Teacher Wish List‘ on our group page for teachers to be able to post their wish lists for their classrooms in hopes that parents, grandparents or anyone really would ‘adopt’ a teacher by purchasing items off of their lists! Here are the most popular items that teachers are looking for this school year!

Teacher Supplies

Teacher Needs always come last it seems, so any help they can get is so appreciated. Here are the main needs:

Shop Teacher Supplies

Classroom Supplies

Classroom Supplies are always needed, and not necessarily the fun supplies to get, but definitely still essential. Here’s what is most needed according to the wish lists teachers submitted:

Shop Classroom Supplies

Fun Supplies

Fun Supplies to keep the classroom exciting throughout the school year when celebrating birthdays, incentives for good behavior, and task completion. These were the most requested items from teachers:

Shop Fun Supplies

Student Supplies

Student Supplies are always a concern at the beginning of a school year – supplies are not always available or in budget, or parents aren’t able to provide supplies for their students. These are the most requested items:

Shop Student Supplies

Learning Resources

Learning Resources provide educational games and products that cater to social and emotional learning, and are geared toward math and science skill-building…an all-around good resource for all elementary and middle school grade classrooms. Here are the most requested items:

Shop Learning Resources

Melissa & Doug Products

Melissa & Doug products are built specifically imaginative play and invoke creativity which is perfect for Preschool and Kindergarten Elementary Classrooms and these were the most requested items :

Shop Melissa & Doug Products

Classroom Furniture & Decor

Classroom Furniture/Decor for both students and teachers that are often needed for extra comfort, style, and inspiration in the classroom. This would include a desk chair for the teachers and/or paras, and additional seating other than desk chairs for students, plus inspirational decor. These were the most requested items:

Shop Classroom Furniture & Decor

Classroom Snacks

Snacks/Candy for classroom snacks and treats for special occasions, those ‘hangry‘ episodes, or a job well done! These options were the most requested:

Shop Classroom Snacks

Gift Cards

Amazon gift cards in any denomination were on many lists, an easy way to participate without feeling overwhelmed from all of the choices, and the teacher can pick out their most wanted or needed items!

Some schools may have already returned, but most schools have a September start date, and we love to support our teachers! Classroom budgets get tighter each year, and most educators spend far too much from their own pockets to get their classrooms together to help our kids learn each year. We started a ‘Teacher Wish List‘ on our group page for teachers to be able to post their wish lists for their classrooms in hopes that parents, grandparents or anyone really would ‘adopt’ a teacher by purchasing items off of their lists! Here are the most popular items that teachers are looking for this school year!

Teacher Supplies

Teacher Needs always come last it seems, so any help they can get is so appreciated. Here are the main needs:

Shop Teacher Supplies

Classroom Supplies

Classroom Supplies are always needed, and not necessarily the fun supplies to get, but definitely still essential. Here’s what is most needed according to the wish lists teachers submitted:

Shop Classroom Supplies

Fun Supplies

Fun Supplies to keep the classroom exciting throughout the school year when celebrating birthdays, incentives for good behavior, and task completion. These were the most requested items from teachers:

Shop Fun Supplies

Student Supplies

Student Supplies are always a concern at the beginning of a school year – supplies are not always available or in budget, or parents aren’t able to provide supplies for their students. These are the most requested items:

Shop Student Supplies

Learning Resources

Learning Resources provide educational games and products that cater to social and emotional learning, and are geared toward math and science skill-building…an all-around good resource for all elementary and middle school grade classrooms. Here are the most requested items:

Shop Learning Resources

Melissa & Doug Products

Melissa & Doug products are built specifically imaginative play and invoke creativity which is perfect for Preschool and Kindergarten Elementary Classrooms and these were the most requested items :

Shop Melissa & Doug Products

Classroom Furniture & Decor

Classroom Furniture/Decor for both students and teachers that are often needed for extra comfort, style, and inspiration in the classroom. This would include a desk chair for the teachers and/or paras, and additional seating other than desk chairs for students, plus inspirational decor. These were the most requested items:

Shop Classroom Furniture & Decor

Classroom Snacks

Snacks/Candy for classroom snacks and treats for special occasions, those ‘hangry‘ episodes, or a job well done! These options were the most requested:

Shop Classroom Snacks

Gift Cards

Amazon gift cards in any denomination were on many lists, an easy way to participate without feeling overwhelmed from all of the choices, and the teacher can pick out their most wanted or needed items!

There’s a few more weeks of summer here and then it’s back to school, and that means shopping for new school supplies, clothes and shoes! Target has a great selection of trendy styles for the kids to choose from this year and a lot of great clothing deals going on too for end of summer! See kids’ styles from Target below.

I love the Cat & Jack brand and luckily my kids haven’t complained at all either, so that’s a win-win for me! There is always a great selection to choose from whether it’s their clothing or footwear! Even though we’re shopping for school, they still have great deals on summer sandals and slip-ons. My girls especially will try to wear their sandals and open-toed footwear as long as possible…like, until it snows!

This toddler boys end-of-summer gear is so cute! I prefer simplicity over graphics and patterns, so the henley t-shirt and pull-on shorts for my son are right up my alley, and those shoes are so stinking cute! They are good for play and all things toddler.

For the older boys, there is a new selection of styles to choose from. If you haven’t seen the quick dry cargo shorts, they have a flexible drawstring and are lightweight and soft. All in Motion has a great selection including graphic tees, athletic wear and jackets. The new woven shirts give me island vibes and now I have Kokomo on the brain!

The nice thing about these shirts is that they transition from summer to fall nicely, as September is still mostly warm here, so the short-sleeved styles work with almost all types of bottoms. The longer sleeved shirts are still light enough and work well with a nice pair of jeans, jeggings, or leggings.

Cat & Jack leggings are the best! They have the best prints and I particularly love the durable knee. The leggings hold up so well that I personally am able to recycle them through all three of my daughters! I usually always have to remind my husband when back-to-school shopping that we are getting good bang for our buck since they get triple the wear!

My girls are definitely girly girls and if they could wear dresses or skirts every day, they most definitely would. I love the style of dresses and skirts at Target – they are so trendy and often give the opportunity to layer and accessorize depending on the season. The perfect first-day-of-school outfit or opportunity for a sharp fall picture day look!

Sequins! My middle daughter has a couple of the sequin tees and she really enjoys wearing and showing them off. There are the sequin flip tees for back to school, and the flip tank tops to finish out the summer in. Either way they are a win-win with all of the patterns and colors. TBH they actually hold up better than I originally thought they would, as the quality is durable going through wear and tear and the washer.

Let us know in the comments if you’re still shopping summer or back-to-school styles!

There’s a few more weeks of summer here and then it’s back to school, and that means shopping for new school supplies, clothes and shoes! Target has a great selection of trendy styles for the kids to choose from this year and a lot of great clothing deals going on too for end of summer! See kids’ styles from Target below.

I love the Cat & Jack brand and luckily my kids haven’t complained at all either, so that’s a win-win for me! There is always a great selection to choose from whether it’s their clothing or footwear! Even though we’re shopping for school, they still have great deals on summer sandals and slip-ons. My girls especially will try to wear their sandals and open-toed footwear as long as possible…like, until it snows!

This toddler boys end-of-summer gear is so cute! I prefer simplicity over graphics and patterns, so the henley t-shirt and pull-on shorts for my son are right up my alley, and those shoes are so stinking cute! They are good for play and all things toddler.

For the older boys, there is a new selection of styles to choose from. If you haven’t seen the quick dry cargo shorts, they have a flexible drawstring and are lightweight and soft. All in Motion has a great selection including graphic tees, athletic wear and jackets. The new woven shirts give me island vibes and now I have Kokomo on the brain!

The nice thing about these shirts is that they transition from summer to fall nicely, as September is still mostly warm here, so the short-sleeved styles work with almost all types of bottoms. The longer sleeved shirts are still light enough and work well with a nice pair of jeans, jeggings, or leggings.

Cat & Jack leggings are the best! They have the best prints and I particularly love the durable knee. The leggings hold up so well that I personally am able to recycle them through all three of my daughters! I usually always have to remind my husband when back-to-school shopping that we are getting good bang for our buck since they get triple the wear!

My girls are definitely girly girls and if they could wear dresses or skirts every day, they most definitely would. I love the style of dresses and skirts at Target – they are so trendy and often give the opportunity to layer and accessorize depending on the season. The perfect first-day-of-school outfit or opportunity for a sharp fall picture day look!

Sequins! My middle daughter has a couple of the sequin tees and she really enjoys wearing and showing them off. There are the sequin flip tees for back to school, and the flip tank tops to finish out the summer in. Either way they are a win-win with all of the patterns and colors. TBH they actually hold up better than I originally thought they would, as the quality is durable going through wear and tear and the washer.

Let us know in the comments if you’re still shopping summer or back-to-school styles!

“I’m bored in the house i’m in the house bored”… Oh sorry, nothing to see here! For my house, I fortunately haven’t had to hear those dreaded two little words. Last summer was my first full summer with kids who weren’t doing some kind of summer camp and were literally on summer break from school. I ended up logging all of our daily activities on my Facebook page and it really was wild how busy I was able to keep them! It’s pretty much the same song and dance this summer break and I’ve got some great boredom busters for you to try!

This current summer isn’t much different than last year, other than one of my kids is attending a four week summer intervention program. This is a three hour long, three days a week, for four weeks program. She loves going to school so this is something that she looks forward too!

Pool – We have an above ground pool so a lot of time we don’t have to leave the house, my kids are fish and can literally swim around for most of the day. We have a ton of floats, diving toys, the watermelon ball and goggles, all you need to add is a friend or two sometimes and that’s a wrap!

Library Events – We have an amazing library in our town that offers a summer reading program for the kids, coordinated story times and crafts, demonstrations, classes and special events to attend. Our events are well known and loved so you often times have to be quick to sign up or you’ll be placed on a waiting list! Check your local library for summer hours and events, I was surprised at how often we go there during summer break. This summer they are also doing a scavenger hunt including other local businesses in town.

$2 Kid Movies at Regal Theaters – My kids love these, even if it’s a movie they’ve seen before, there’s nothing like seeing it on the big screen! Our theater has the nice reclining seats, so we bring blankets to get cozy, even my two year old son sits through a whole movie! On Tuesday showings, if your a rewards member the popcorn is half off so all five of us can see a movie and eat the oh so buttery popcorn for under $15! We sign up for all the movies we want from the end of June through August and if something comes up and we can make it, you have the option to release your seats and get a refund, I love the no pressure aspect of it.

Kids’ Bowl FREE! – This is a good activity on a rainy day! We have a few bowling alley’s around us that participate in the Kid’s Bowl FREE program where kids can bowl two FREE games of bowling each day during the Spring and Summer months. Sometimes we’ll go just us or we will make plans with friends to meet up and let the kids all bowl together and grab some lunch while we’re there! It is super easy to sign up too; you just find a participating center in your community by inputting your zip code, register your kids and go bowling! Two games is just enough time until they are ready to head back home!

Zoo/Aquarium Membership – We have a membership to our local zoo and when it’s not too hot, we’ll make a day of it getting our steps in and seeing all of the animals we can get to, along with some of the activities that they have, such as a train-ride, feeding the giraffes, and more. The more the merrier, with our guest passes we can bring some friends to join in on the fun too!

VBS – Vacation Bible School! VBS happens all throughout the end of June, July and beginning of August. We attended and I was a group leader for our home church VBS program. We also VBS – hop around to experience our friends church programs! They are usually 5 days long for 2-3 hours – either in the morning or at night. There’s a theme and so many activities, no two do it the same, and my kids thoroughly enjoy them, they just finished one where they got to see a live helicopter land, do a demonstration and take off!

County Programs – The county where I live has an events calendar every summer, they include family friendly shows located at different locations, the latest one we attended was a pirate magic show and movies in the park, so 1-2 times per week a movie will be projected onto an inflatable screen and the public can come out with their entire family and watch! We like to pack up our lawn chairs, blankets, bug spray, lantern, lots of snacks and popcorn and head on our way to catch an outdoor movie with friends or just us! All of our county programs are FREE to the public! They even offer summer concerts, pickle ball, guided trail walks and other special events.

Let us know in the comments what type of boredom busters you do with the littles to keep them busy!

“I’m bored in the house i’m in the house bored”… Oh sorry, nothing to see here! For my house, I fortunately haven’t had to hear those dreaded two little words. Last summer was my first full summer with kids who weren’t doing some kind of summer camp and were literally on summer break from school. I ended up logging all of our daily activities on my Facebook page and it really was wild how busy I was able to keep them! It’s pretty much the same song and dance this summer break and I’ve got some great boredom busters for you to try!

This current summer isn’t much different than last year, other than one of my kids is attending a four week summer intervention program. This is a three hour long, three days a week, for four weeks program. She loves going to school so this is something that she looks forward too!

Pool – We have an above ground pool so a lot of time we don’t have to leave the house, my kids are fish and can literally swim around for most of the day. We have a ton of floats, diving toys, the watermelon ball and goggles, all you need to add is a friend or two sometimes and that’s a wrap!

Library Events – We have an amazing library in our town that offers a summer reading program for the kids, coordinated story times and crafts, demonstrations, classes and special events to attend. Our events are well known and loved so you often times have to be quick to sign up or you’ll be placed on a waiting list! Check your local library for summer hours and events, I was surprised at how often we go there during summer break. This summer they are also doing a scavenger hunt including other local businesses in town.

$2 Kid Movies at Regal Theaters – My kids love these, even if it’s a movie they’ve seen before, there’s nothing like seeing it on the big screen! Our theater has the nice reclining seats, so we bring blankets to get cozy, even my two year old son sits through a whole movie! On Tuesday showings, if your a rewards member the popcorn is half off so all five of us can see a movie and eat the oh so buttery popcorn for under $15! We sign up for all the movies we want from the end of June through August and if something comes up and we can make it, you have the option to release your seats and get a refund, I love the no pressure aspect of it.

Kids’ Bowl FREE! – This is a good activity on a rainy day! We have a few bowling alley’s around us that participate in the Kid’s Bowl FREE program where kids can bowl two FREE games of bowling each day during the Spring and Summer months. Sometimes we’ll go just us or we will make plans with friends to meet up and let the kids all bowl together and grab some lunch while we’re there! It is super easy to sign up too; you just find a participating center in your community by inputting your zip code, register your kids and go bowling! Two games is just enough time until they are ready to head back home!

Zoo/Aquarium Membership – We have a membership to our local zoo and when it’s not too hot, we’ll make a day of it getting our steps in and seeing all of the animals we can get to, along with some of the activities that they have, such as a train-ride, feeding the giraffes, and more. The more the merrier, with our guest passes we can bring some friends to join in on the fun too!

VBS – Vacation Bible School! VBS happens all throughout the end of June, July and beginning of August. We attended and I was a group leader for our home church VBS program. We also VBS – hop around to experience our friends church programs! They are usually 5 days long for 2-3 hours – either in the morning or at night. There’s a theme and so many activities, no two do it the same, and my kids thoroughly enjoy them, they just finished one where they got to see a live helicopter land, do a demonstration and take off!

County Programs – The county where I live has an events calendar every summer, they include family friendly shows located at different locations, the latest one we attended was a pirate magic show and movies in the park, so 1-2 times per week a movie will be projected onto an inflatable screen and the public can come out with their entire family and watch! We like to pack up our lawn chairs, blankets, bug spray, lantern, lots of snacks and popcorn and head on our way to catch an outdoor movie with friends or just us! All of our county programs are FREE to the public! They even offer summer concerts, pickle ball, guided trail walks and other special events.

Let us know in the comments what type of boredom busters you do with the littles to keep them busy!

Phew! Prime Day 2023 was crazy y’all! I’ve participated in past Prime Days solely as a customer of course, but this was my first experience as an F&T team member posting the deals, and it was on-another-level exciting! I found so many great deals for everyone else…and for myself *gasp*…so much so that my hubby said that I’m not allowed to work Prime Day next year…he’s so funny! Our whole F&T gang grabbed some great deals and we thought we would share them with you!

Faith – Ninja Coffee Maker – I had been looking for a new coffee maker for a while. I had my old one for about three years and while it always got the job done, I really wanted a machine I could program to ‘delay brew‘ so my coffee was ready and waiting the moment I wake up. I’m one of those people that needs caffeine to survive – it’s not a “don’t talk to me until I’ve had my coffee” it’s more like “I’m not a human until I’ve had my coffee.” When I saw this Ninja coffee maker on deal for Prime Day I had to grab it…the gorgeous copper and black match a lot of my other kitchen accessories and I couldn’t pass it up!! I’m really impressed with the quality of this coffee maker and the delicious coffee it brews for me. I highly recommend! French Press – I wasn’t kidding about the caffeine thing. I’ve never had a french press coffee maker before but it always seemed so fun and fancy to me! Since I was already buying a new coffee machine, I figured why not go all out and complete the collection with this adorable little guy! I wasn’t sure how I’d like using this since it’s a more intricate brewing process, but my goodness do I love it!! The coffee is outstanding and taking the time to brew the perfect cup really helps me slow down and appreciate the process! I love using this as a special treat on the weekends or even for an afternoon pick-me-up!

Jes – I’ll tell you that I did not have a wish list going into Prime Day – I was consumed with the excitement of finding and posting the deals and somehow I got wrapped up in a whirlwind of adding things to my own cart. By the end, I couldn’t even tell you what I had ordered, and it was like a surprise every time a package arrived haha! I ended up shopping for our pool, the house, the kids and a dash for myself! The snorkel googles were a must – my girls love swimming under water now, and they prefer the mask type over the regular one that just cover the eyes. The Aqua Water Hammock was for me and my hubby. The kids pretty much take over everything, so I wanted something for us to lounge on, and I love how many ways it can be used! The collapsible buckets have been sitting in my ‘save for later’ part of my Amazon cart for a looooong time, and I finally got a deal on Prime Day that I couldn’t pass up on. We will use them on our family vacay at the end of the month and I love the space saving feature! I had been posting all types of electric spin scrubbers, debating with myself and just going back and forth, so of course I couldn’t fight it anymore and snagged a great deal on one! Cupshe had a great Prime Deal on bathing suits, and I am always a solid black or black/white bathing suit gal, and I thought “let me add a bit of color this season.” They’ve always had great reviews so I finally snagged a one piece with tummy control suit and will debut it during vacay! Ohh…the favorite chenille style bags! I finally caved…I had intentions of grabbing all the options, but I was a bit late and most were out of stock, but I was able to snag two of them and can’t wait to utilize them on vacay and other outings! Sun Bum Kids products also had great deals, so I grabbed a couple things I knew we could use for the kiddos on our pool and beach days. Kristy’s photo of her eyelashes using the essence false lash effect mascara sold me, so I grabbed that, the primer, eye-makeup remover and two other water-proof mascaras as they are in my top 3 go-to beauty must-haves! Lastly, I am constantly doing the kids hair, and with three daughters, it’s never-ending! Kristy had raved about Hoyols elastic hair bands so I grabbed both the clear and colorful ones which will come in handy for all of the theme-days their school has all year! *Not pictured because they haven’t arrived yet are the Goli Apple Cider Vinegar Gummy Vitamins that I’ve been wanting to try out and mesh bags that we needed for our pool accessories and other things.

Krista – Nintendo Switch accessories were on her radar…additional controllers were needed so that they could play together as a family. Krista is old school and needed to feel the controller like back in the day iykyk, so she snagged a deal on holder cases for the switch controllers too. A good quality carpet cleaner was on her wish list too, and there was a Prime deal that she couldn’t resist. She is impressed with this particular one – she says that “it has a brain of its own and heats up and goes more powerful when it reads a dirty spot.” Last but not least, it’s the famous Essence Mascara again! Krista said, “Kristy’s pics made me want to try it and I like it!”

Kristy – I’ve had my eye on this ottoman for some time now and wanted a space I could kick my feet up or set down my laptop while I’m working in my planner. It’s perfect and both my kids fit on it! This diamond painting kit was the #1 purchase of Prime Day! I had grabbed it to take time out of my day to relax my mind away from social media! I’m told this was going to be an addiction! Lip sleep masks are a true obsession of mine – I cannot go to bed or wake up without throwing it on, especially after exfoliating. It’s a summer routine must have! I’ve been using this brow pencil for over 7 years now! I ran out and was fortunate enough to have this on Prime deal! If you’ve been in our group for a while, then you know my obsession with charcuterie boards – I’m ready to take my game to the next level with this charcuterie board styling book. The donation/gift closet is starting to load up! I always like having extra gifts for those pop-up birthday invites too! I snagged this Lite Brite set, Mickey game, and playfoam. Games and books are a must in my home! I always stock up during the Prime deals on these! Sorry and Clue were added to our collection of games. I’m still waiting for this self-esteem book and Christmas book to arrive. I still write in script, so my daughter always asks what I’m writing and was interested to learn herself – I couldn’t add this cursive activity book to my cart quick enough! My son is so into learning about everything, and I’m hoping these Smithsonian, DK, and National Geographic encyclopedias help! I have no idea what I’ll use this Elmer’s squishies activity kit for…maybe a party activity, rainy day activity, or the donation closet – I’m sure it’ll come in use though. My daughter is obsessed with Squishmallows and I was surprised to see they were featured this year on Prime Day! Her birthday and Christmas are coming up, so into the gift closet it goes. So many people that I’ve spoken to about these tonies have raved about them, so this was a no-brainer for my son for the Christmas closet stash! 

Fellicia – Not only did Fellicia have a wish list put together, but so did her hubby! He has his “man-cave” in mind, and she was able to snag a great deal on this JBL speaker for him. Awe! Such a nice wife isn’t she?!

Phew! Prime Day 2023 was crazy y’all! I’ve participated in past Prime Days solely as a customer of course, but this was my first experience as an F&T team member posting the deals, and it was on-another-level exciting! I found so many great deals for everyone else…and for myself *gasp*…so much so that my hubby said that I’m not allowed to work Prime Day next year…he’s so funny! Our whole F&T gang grabbed some great deals and we thought we would share them with you!

Faith – Ninja Coffee Maker – I had been looking for a new coffee maker for a while. I had my old one for about three years and while it always got the job done, I really wanted a machine I could program to ‘delay brew‘ so my coffee was ready and waiting the moment I wake up. I’m one of those people that needs caffeine to survive – it’s not a “don’t talk to me until I’ve had my coffee” it’s more like “I’m not a human until I’ve had my coffee.” When I saw this Ninja coffee maker on deal for Prime Day I had to grab it…the gorgeous copper and black match a lot of my other kitchen accessories and I couldn’t pass it up!! I’m really impressed with the quality of this coffee maker and the delicious coffee it brews for me. I highly recommend! French Press – I wasn’t kidding about the caffeine thing. I’ve never had a french press coffee maker before but it always seemed so fun and fancy to me! Since I was already buying a new coffee machine, I figured why not go all out and complete the collection with this adorable little guy! I wasn’t sure how I’d like using this since it’s a more intricate brewing process, but my goodness do I love it!! The coffee is outstanding and taking the time to brew the perfect cup really helps me slow down and appreciate the process! I love using this as a special treat on the weekends or even for an afternoon pick-me-up!

Jes – I’ll tell you that I did not have a wish list going into Prime Day – I was consumed with the excitement of finding and posting the deals and somehow I got wrapped up in a whirlwind of adding things to my own cart. By the end, I couldn’t even tell you what I had ordered, and it was like a surprise every time a package arrived haha! I ended up shopping for our pool, the house, the kids and a dash for myself! The snorkel googles were a must – my girls love swimming under water now, and they prefer the mask type over the regular one that just cover the eyes. The Aqua Water Hammock was for me and my hubby. The kids pretty much take over everything, so I wanted something for us to lounge on, and I love how many ways it can be used! The collapsible buckets have been sitting in my ‘save for later’ part of my Amazon cart for a looooong time, and I finally got a deal on Prime Day that I couldn’t pass up on. We will use them on our family vacay at the end of the month and I love the space saving feature! I had been posting all types of electric spin scrubbers, debating with myself and just going back and forth, so of course I couldn’t fight it anymore and snagged a great deal on one! Cupshe had a great Prime Deal on bathing suits, and I am always a solid black or black/white bathing suit gal, and I thought “let me add a bit of color this season.” They’ve always had great reviews so I finally snagged a one piece with tummy control suit and will debut it during vacay! Ohh…the favorite chenille style bags! I finally caved…I had intentions of grabbing all the options, but I was a bit late and most were out of stock, but I was able to snag two of them and can’t wait to utilize them on vacay and other outings! Sun Bum Kids products also had great deals, so I grabbed a couple things I knew we could use for the kiddos on our pool and beach days. Kristy’s photo of her eyelashes using the essence false lash effect mascara sold me, so I grabbed that, the primer, eye-makeup remover and two other water-proof mascaras as they are in my top 3 go-to beauty must-haves! Lastly, I am constantly doing the kids hair, and with three daughters, it’s never-ending! Kristy had raved about Hoyols elastic hair bands so I grabbed both the clear and colorful ones which will come in handy for all of the theme-days their school has all year! *Not pictured because they haven’t arrived yet are the Goli Apple Cider Vinegar Gummy Vitamins that I’ve been wanting to try out and mesh bags that we needed for our pool accessories and other things.

Krista – Nintendo Switch accessories were on her radar…additional controllers were needed so that they could play together as a family. Krista is old school and needed to feel the controller like back in the day iykyk, so she snagged a deal on holder cases for the switch controllers too. A good quality carpet cleaner was on her wish list too, and there was a Prime deal that she couldn’t resist. She is impressed with this particular one – she says that “it has a brain of its own and heats up and goes more powerful when it reads a dirty spot.” Last but not least, it’s the famous Essence Mascara again! Krista said, “Kristy’s pics made me want to try it and I like it!”

Kristy – I’ve had my eye on this ottoman for some time now and wanted a space I could kick my feet up or set down my laptop while I’m working in my planner. It’s perfect and both my kids fit on it! This diamond painting kit was the #1 purchase of Prime Day! I had grabbed it to take time out of my day to relax my mind away from social media! I’m told this was going to be an addiction! Lip sleep masks are a true obsession of mine – I cannot go to bed or wake up without throwing it on, especially after exfoliating. It’s a summer routine must have! I’ve been using this brow pencil for over 7 years now! I ran out and was fortunate enough to have this on Prime deal! If you’ve been in our group for a while, then you know my obsession with charcuterie boards – I’m ready to take my game to the next level with this charcuterie board styling book. The donation/gift closet is starting to load up! I always like having extra gifts for those pop-up birthday invites too! I snagged this Lite Brite set, Mickey game, and playfoam. Games and books are a must in my home! I always stock up during the Prime deals on these! Sorry and Clue were added to our collection of games. I’m still waiting for this self-esteem book and Christmas book to arrive. I still write in script, so my daughter always asks what I’m writing and was interested to learn herself – I couldn’t add this cursive activity book to my cart quick enough! My son is so into learning about everything, and I’m hoping these Smithsonian, DK, and National Geographic encyclopedias help! I have no idea what I’ll use this Elmer’s squishies activity kit for…maybe a party activity, rainy day activity, or the donation closet – I’m sure it’ll come in use though. My daughter is obsessed with Squishmallows and I was surprised to see they were featured this year on Prime Day! Her birthday and Christmas are coming up, so into the gift closet it goes. So many people that I’ve spoken to about these tonies have raved about them, so this was a no-brainer for my son for the Christmas closet stash! 

Fellicia – Not only did Fellicia have a wish list put together, but so did her hubby! He has his “man-cave” in mind, and she was able to snag a great deal on this JBL speaker for him. Awe! Such a nice wife isn’t she?!

We are in the thick of summer and that means you’ve probably already switched out your spring beauty products for your summer ones. Whether you are a minimalist like me and keep it simple with a skin care routine and a dash of make-up, or you’re a full-blown beauty mogul, here are all of the trending and my favorite summer beauty product must-haves!

Cleanser – A good cleanser like Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser melts away dirt, oil and makeup. It tones and lightly hydrates in one simple step for skin that feels clean and comfortably balanced. Don’t forget to leave your cleanser on for a decent amount of time before rinsing off, at least 60 seconds.

Moisturizer – One should use a moisturizer year-round, but with the increased amount of sun exposure, summer calls for extra moisturizer hydration! Elemis Superfood is a good product to use and mixes well with Drunk Elephant sunshine drops for a healthy glow, even if you’re not using any make-up. If there’s one thing I wish I started sooner in life, it would be moisturizing my face and neck areas.

Exfoliate – This has to be my favorite part of my beauty routine! I love the feeling of a good exfoliation happening on my skin. Knowing that I am getting all of the dead cells off, especially after a full day of summer sun… ahhhhh I can feel the feeling now! Tree Hut hydrating sugar face scrub has a great line of products and oooohhhh those summer scents!

Serum – Good Molecules daily brightening serum helps to maintain a bright, even-toned complexion with the ingredients working to gently brighten skin and promote a healthy, youthful complexion. I use my serum post shower, exfoliation, and cleansing.

Under-Eye Mask – This is one of my top five favorite type of beauty products. I have 4 young kids, and I am a migraine sufferer…so these give me life! I love using them the morning after a migraine attack because they have caffeine in them, and it just makes my under-eye area not look like I just went through it the night before. Good Molecules caffeine energizing hydro-gel eye patches are where it’s at!

Lip Exfoliation – I literally just learned about lip exfoliation this year – I never knew there was such a thing but I am on board and LOVE it! Your lips need just as much love as your facial skin, and it makes sense as your lips can dry out and crack just like your skin! FLOWER Beauty by Drew petal pout lip scrub is the first ticket to a perfect pout!

Lip Mask – Right after exfoliating my lippies, I reach for my overnight lip mask, and I am obsessed! Lip masks are super rehydrating and leave lips feeling smoother and just nicer overall. I will even put it on before leaving the house as a nice little pop of gloss, and mine smells divine! FLOWER Beauty by Drew petal pout lip mask again for the win.

Concealer – NARS radiant creamy concealer corrects, contours, highlights, and lasts up to 16 hours…I would give it a good 8 hours in the summer months. Use it for under your eyes and above the gap between your eyebrows. It’s creamy and blends very nice.

Foundation – 24 hour coverage L’Oreal infallible fresh wear with built in sunscreen gives just enough matte, which is a summer 2023 look vs the old shine look, but not too dewy and stays intact without getting that glare look at the end of the day.

Bronzer – Tower 28 Beauty Bronzino Illuminating Cream Bronzer adds instant warmth and a subtle shimmer and Tower 28 Beauty Sculptino Soft Matte Cream Contour + Bronzer can shape and sculpt your face with a blendable texture and neutral undertones – use one for day and one for night!

Highlighter – Tower 28 Beauty SuperDew shimmer-free balm is a highlighter that gives a bit of a wet look with a natural glow, but without the glitter. Blend on the bridge of the nose and a dash above the brows.

Setting Spray – E.L.F Dewy Coconut setting mist first off just smells like summer – got me wanting a pina-colada – and secondly, it helps give your makeup lasting power for those long summer days and nights.

Mascara – Does anyone else feel naked without mascara on?! During the summer months a waterproof mascara is clutch, and this L’Oreal Telescopic original waterproof mascara enhances your lashes with length and definition all while keeping it lightweight.

Blush – Pink and peach color tones, cream or powder, it doesn’t matter…they are all in for the summer months. The matte look is preferred again with the beauty product, so this Charlotte Tilbury Matte Beauty Blush Wand is what you’re looking for…just dot and blend.

Self-Tanner – Grab your trusty mitten and also a foundation brush for your elbows, wrists, ankles and knees to buff out and give you more control – it helps with product buildup in those particularly dryer areas. If you’re looking for a bronzed bod before vacay or prefer to not to lay out, this St. Tropez self-tan kit is your ticket to a beautiful, sun-kissed look.

Tinted Moisturizer – I LOVE a tinted moisturizer, it’s definitely my go-to! IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Oil-Free Matte with SPF 40 offers coverage, hydration and SPF protection with a nice matte finish. Sometimes all I need is this, mascara and out the door I go!

Lip Stain – Glossy to be exact! Fenty Beauty by Rhianna poutsicle hydrating lip stain is long-lasting and hydrating and a perfect way to finish off a look.

Summer Scent – Valentino Donna Born in Roma Coral Fantasy is this summer’s scent, with a fruity floral scent of orange, jasmine and rose; pairs nicely with a summer cocktail or mocktail if you will.

We are in the thick of summer and that means you’ve probably already switched out your spring beauty products for your summer ones. Whether you are a minimalist like me and keep it simple with a skin care routine and a dash of make-up, or you’re a full-blown beauty mogul, here are all of the trending and my favorite summer beauty product must-haves!

Cleanser – A good cleanser like Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser melts away dirt, oil and makeup. It tones and lightly hydrates in one simple step for skin that feels clean and comfortably balanced. Don’t forget to leave your cleanser on for a decent amount of time before rinsing off, at least 60 seconds.

Moisturizer – One should use a moisturizer year-round, but with the increased amount of sun exposure, summer calls for extra moisturizer hydration! Elemis Superfood is a good product to use and mixes well with Drunk Elephant sunshine drops for a healthy glow, even if you’re not using any make-up. If there’s one thing I wish I started sooner in life, it would be moisturizing my face and neck areas.

Exfoliate – This has to be my favorite part of my beauty routine! I love the feeling of a good exfoliation happening on my skin. Knowing that I am getting all of the dead cells off, especially after a full day of summer sun… ahhhhh I can feel the feeling now! Tree Hut hydrating sugar face scrub has a great line of products and oooohhhh those summer scents!

Serum – Good Molecules daily brightening serum helps to maintain a bright, even-toned complexion with the ingredients working to gently brighten skin and promote a healthy, youthful complexion. I use my serum post shower, exfoliation, and cleansing.

Under-Eye Mask – This is one of my top five favorite type of beauty products. I have 4 young kids, and I am a migraine sufferer…so these give me life! I love using them the morning after a migraine attack because they have caffeine in them, and it just makes my under-eye area not look like I just went through it the night before. Good Molecules caffeine energizing hydro-gel eye patches are where it’s at!

Lip Exfoliation – I literally just learned about lip exfoliation this year – I never knew there was such a thing but I am on board and LOVE it! Your lips need just as much love as your facial skin, and it makes sense as your lips can dry out and crack just like your skin! FLOWER Beauty by Drew petal pout lip scrub is the first ticket to a perfect pout!

Lip Mask – Right after exfoliating my lippies, I reach for my overnight lip mask, and I am obsessed! Lip masks are super rehydrating and leave lips feeling smoother and just nicer overall. I will even put it on before leaving the house as a nice little pop of gloss, and mine smells divine! FLOWER Beauty by Drew petal pout lip mask again for the win.

Concealer – NARS radiant creamy concealer corrects, contours, highlights, and lasts up to 16 hours…I would give it a good 8 hours in the summer months. Use it for under your eyes and above the gap between your eyebrows. It’s creamy and blends very nice.

Foundation – 24 hour coverage L’Oreal infallible fresh wear with built in sunscreen gives just enough matte, which is a summer 2023 look vs the old shine look, but not too dewy and stays intact without getting that glare look at the end of the day.

Bronzer – Tower 28 Beauty Bronzino Illuminating Cream Bronzer adds instant warmth and a subtle shimmer and Tower 28 Beauty Sculptino Soft Matte Cream Contour + Bronzer can shape and sculpt your face with a blendable texture and neutral undertones – use one for day and one for night!

Highlighter – Tower 28 Beauty SuperDew shimmer-free balm is a highlighter that gives a bit of a wet look with a natural glow, but without the glitter. Blend on the bridge of the nose and a dash above the brows.

Setting Spray – E.L.F Dewy Coconut setting mist first off just smells like summer – got me wanting a pina-colada – and secondly, it helps give your makeup lasting power for those long summer days and nights.

Mascara – Does anyone else feel naked without mascara on?! During the summer months a waterproof mascara is clutch, and this L’Oreal Telescopic original waterproof mascara enhances your lashes with length and definition all while keeping it lightweight.

Blush – Pink and peach color tones, cream or powder, it doesn’t matter…they are all in for the summer months. The matte look is preferred again with the beauty product, so this Charlotte Tilbury Matte Beauty Blush Wand is what you’re looking for…just dot and blend.

Self-Tanner – Grab your trusty mitten and also a foundation brush for your elbows, wrists, ankles and knees to buff out and give you more control – it helps with product buildup in those particularly dryer areas. If you’re looking for a bronzed bod before vacay or prefer to not to lay out, this St. Tropez self-tan kit is your ticket to a beautiful, sun-kissed look.

Tinted Moisturizer – I LOVE a tinted moisturizer, it’s definitely my go-to! IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Oil-Free Matte with SPF 40 offers coverage, hydration and SPF protection with a nice matte finish. Sometimes all I need is this, mascara and out the door I go!

Lip Stain – Glossy to be exact! Fenty Beauty by Rhianna poutsicle hydrating lip stain is long-lasting and hydrating and a perfect way to finish off a look.

Summer Scent – Valentino Donna Born in Roma Coral Fantasy is this summer’s scent, with a fruity floral scent of orange, jasmine and rose; pairs nicely with a summer cocktail or mocktail if you will.