Happy August, Friends!
Well, it’s August… and I really can’t believe it! We’ve had SO many hot days here in St. Louis, and I am more than ready for some cooler weather and LESS humidity!
Recently, Willow & Hive gifted me their beautiful Marble Grove Personalized Charcuterie Board, and as soon as it arrived, I knew a charcuterie date night was in order! I picked up a lemon blueberry wine from a local winery, an assortment of cheeses, and all of our favorite charcuterie board must-haves. My husband and I enjoyed a little date night at home and some much-needed time to ourselves amidst a busy summer. It was such a simple, fun way to slow down and enjoy an evening together! If you visit the Willow & Hive website, you’ll find personalized and engraved gifts (custom charcuterie boards, cutting boards, keepsake photo gifts) for weddings, housewarmings and family occasions.
One – My Birthday Celebrations
I’m always excited when August rolls around because it’s my birthday month, but this year it freaked me out a little because I am officially just ONE year away from 50… 49! There is something about getting close to one of those big milestone birthdays that really makes you pause and reflect on everything you’ve done and experienced during this decade of life.
And if turning 49 wasn’t enough to rock my world a little, Autumn, my youngest, started her SENIOR year the very same week as my birthday! Man, talk about feeling ALL the emotions. ALL of them! Between being one year away from 50 and realizing this is my last year with a child in high school, August has definitely felt a little more emotional than usual!
Thankfully, we also did a lot of fun things to celebrate my birthday! For the past three years, we’ve gone to the Teleo Birthday Market, which has become such a fun little birthday tradition. Last year, it actually fell on my birthday, which made it extra special, and this year it was the Sunday after.
Teleo is one of my favorite St. Louis coffee houses, and they go all out for their Birthday Market with special drinks, food, sweet treats and merchandise. Of course, I had to try their Birthday Cake Latte, made with their housemade birthday cake syrup and topped with buttercream sweet cream and colorful sprinkles. It was SO good and basically the perfect birthday drink!
They also open up their parking lot to local vendors, and I always love browsing all of the booths and picking up a few things while supporting local businesses. It’s such a fun event and one I look forward to every August!
Brian surprised me with the most BEAUTIFUL bouquet of roses from Rudy’s Flower Truck for my birthday! And instead of a traditional birthday cake, I celebrated with homemade Hostess Cupcakes from Cake House Design Bakery. They were every bit as delicious as they look! Rudy’s Flower Truck and The Cake House are both local businesses that I absolutely love, so it made my birthday treats feel even more special!
We also celebrated my brother’s birthday and mine with a delicious dinner at Annie Gunn’s! The food was AMAZING, and it was so nice to spend the evening together, catch up and celebrate both of our birthdays!
We also celebrated with a birthday dinner at Napoli Bros. with just Brian and the kids. They are known for their coal-fired pizza, and oh my goodness… it was SO dang good!
The entire area where the restaurant is located is such a neat venue, too. It used to be an old outlet mall, but it has been completely transformed with a concert venue, a huge outdoor dining area, a spot for frozen alcoholic drinks, plus several other fun restaurants and shops. There was so much going on, and it had such a fun atmosphere! I definitely want to go back again soon and explore more of the area!
Two – Birthday Goodies!
I was definitely spoiled by some sweet friends for my birthday this year! Lauren from Mom Home Guide surprised me with this adorable marble shelf from Target that I’d had my eye on for a while. I’m SO glad she snagged it for me because it was almost sold out! I’ve been wanting a little shelf for my SMEG toaster, and it fits perfectly. I styled it with this cute pasta book underneath, and I just love how it turned out!
Ashley from Make Life Marvelous also spoiled me with two goodies from one of my favorite shops, Shop the Mint! She sent me the cutest pair of neutral woven sneakers that will go with SO many outfits, along with a pretty white and gold bow bracelet. Such fun gifts, and I can’t wait to wear them both!
My running friend Michelle also surprised me with some Built Puff protein bars in a flavor that was new to me. I always love trying new protein bar flavors, so this was such a thoughtful little surprise!
Three – Autumn’s SENIOR Year!!
Autumn’s senior year has officially begun, and honestly, it still feels a little unreal. I’ve watched her grow and blossom through all of these years, and I knew this day was coming… but somehow, I can’t believe we’re actually here.
I’m hoping this year moves in slow motion because I really want to soak up every single moment and all of the special memories that come with her senior year. I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a little sadness mixed in with all of the excitement, but I’m trying my best to focus on HER and this exciting season ahead. I just couldn’t be more proud of the young woman she’s become, and I feel so lucky to be her momma!
I had to go back and look at her kindergarten picture and WOW does that bring up some memories!
And just like that… her LAST school photo! I have a frame from Pottery Barn that I’ve added a new school picture to every single year, and this year I’ll be filling that final spot. How is that even possible?! It’s going to be so bittersweet to see the whole frame complete after all these years. CRAZY how fast time flies!
Four – Latest Movie & Books
I wanted a nice, relaxing evening at home on my birthday, so I decided a movie night was in order! I saw that People We Meet on Vacation, a book I read and really enjoyed years ago, had recently been made into a movie, so of course I had to watch it. I was so excited to see the story come to life! I thought the movie was pretty good and definitely enjoyed it, but it wasn’t AMAZING. This was one of those times when the book was definitely better!
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It took me a little while to get into this one, but once I did, I couldn’t put it down. It’s about a one-night stand on a houseboat that drifts out to sea with no radio, no cell signal, and no way to steer the boat. Lexie and Zeke have to figure out how to survive while being stuck in close quarters with someone they barely know. I really enjoyed both of their characters and loved watching their relationship develop. It was such an easy, enjoyable read while we were in Europe, and it felt like the perfect summer book.
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Ahhh… this was SUCH a good summer read! I didn’t realize until I was midway through it that it’s connected to Every Summer After, which I absolutely loved (and I really want to watch the Amazon series of it SOON!). While the first book focuses on Sam, this one brings us back to the lake and focuses on his brother, Charlie.
The main character is Alice, a photographer who is feeling a little burned out with her career. After her grandma, Nan, has a fall, the two of them spend the summer at the old lake house Alice visited when she was 17. Alice makes a list of things she wants to accomplish that summer, and of course, Charlie becomes a big part of her time at the lake.
This really is such a great summer read! It checks all the feel-good boxes with Alice finding community, support, friendship and even love during her summer on the lake. Her grandma is such a fun sidekick, and I loved her character as well! I listened to this one on audio and really enjoyed it.
Five – Latest Finds
Of course, I had to pick up my Sephora birthday gift! I didn’t feel like there were a ton of exciting options to choose from this year, but I ended up going with this set from a brand that’s new to me. I’m always up for trying some new beauty products, so I’m excited to give everything a try!
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This may be a little random, but I really enjoy taking care of my teeth! I always floss before bed, and recently Autumn told me about expanding floss, which I’d never tried before. Of course, I had to give it a try, and I have to say… it really works! The floss expands as you use it, which makes it feel like it’s getting between and around your teeth really well. I’m officially a fan!
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I’ve definitely been in my sourdough era this summer, but one thing I’ve quickly realized is that slicing a loaf by hand is NOT fun! Brian got me this sourdough bread slicer from Amazon, and I am seriously impressed. It has great reviews, and now I understand why… IT IS SO EASY TO USE!
My favorite part is that I can adjust the thickness of the slices, so every piece comes out the same size. No more wonky, uneven sourdough slices! If you’re into making homemade sourdough, I would definitely consider this a MUST-have item!
I got my bimonthly running subscription box from Fuel Goods and it was another GREAT box! It is so fun to try new products and this is a great way to do it. Get $10 off your first box HERE.
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I tried out this Gatorade Gx Sweat Patch on one of my runs recently, and it was SO interesting! You wear the patch while you exercise, and afterward it gives you information about your sweat rate, fluid loss and sodium loss. Apparently, I am quite the sweaty sweater… ha! I already knew I sweat a lot while running, especially in the summer, but it was really neat to actually see the results and learn a little more about my hydration needs.
I received a little beauty mail from Maybelline recently! They sent over their new Sculpting Stix Eyeliners in three shades, along with their Lash Sensational Body Mascara in Very Black and Blackest Black. I even gave one of the mascaras to Autumn, and she said all of her friends have been asking what mascara she’s using… so I’d say that’s a pretty good sign! We are both loving it!
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I also received the prettiest beauty mail from Pixi Beauty! They sent me their new LiquidGlow Blush, a lightweight serum blush that can actually be used on both your cheeks AND lips. I love that the color is buildable and gives you that pretty, fresh dewy glow. Plus, it comes in six gorgeous shades!
Hope you all have a great weekend!
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