It feels like I was only just getting ready to kick off the month of May yesterday – but here we are in the final stretch before June begins this coming weekend! Time really does fly when you’re having the time of your life! While I’ll have the full recap of these past few weeks up on ‘Coffee & Chiffon‘ this coming Friday, it’s about that time for me to share a few of the finds, buys, products and gifts that made May even more memorable than it already was – which I didn’t even think was possible!
It goes without saying that a lot of this month’s assortment of items were things that I had picked up prior to my recent trip out of the country, but a few of them were purchases I’d made and gifts that I’d received while vacationing around Lake Garda, so they’re a little extra special.
As always. I’ll have the photogenic favorites first before I share a few miscellaneous odds and ends that also made this month’s list. Let’s go!
A recommendation that was made to me before I traveled was to invest in a decent cross-body bag to carry around my essentials instead of my regular handbag. The reasoning was that it would be more difficult for anyone prowling the airport or any other high volume, high stress areas to rummage through it while I was distracted or pull it from me without some level of difficulty.
I found this brown, faux-leather snap & buckle bag on Amazon for $34 that had just enough room to hold my wallet/passport, some lip products, and my phone snugly and securely – and since I had significantly downsized what I carried with me every day to avoid being weighed down while I was out and about – it worked out perfectly!
The cross-body strap can be removed, as well, if you’re looking for a cute and small purse to carry with you to any special events.
I only carried two lip products with me while I was in Italy. The first was this long-lasting lip tint from WONDERSKIN in the shade “Whimsical” (a rosy/neutral color.) While the product goes on as a thick, purple goop when first applied that might be a little intimidating – it dries and flakes off after a few minutes – leaving behind a beautiful hue that stays in place all day. I would put this on in the morning, and by dinnertime, my lips still looked fresh and plump. Constant lipstick reapplications weren’t a problem on this trip!
I also topped the tint with this hydrating SPF30 lip oil from Vacation (one of my favorite brands!) While the oil is called “Chardonnay”, the product itself smells and tastes like vanilla cake – and it gave my pout full protection during the change in climates along my travels and the amount of sun I faced during any of my extensive hikes throughout Northern Italy!
I genuinely feel like I knocked it out of the park with the gifts I picked up for friends/family from my vacation, and the responses to what I brought home so far have been an overwhelming success. Frankly, I was shocked Customs didn’t take any issue with the amount of alcohol and olive oil I’d packed in my bag for my return flight home.
A couple of gifts I’d picked up for myself – other than the million photos I’d taken – were this bottle of limoncello cream and magnet (as is millennial tradition!) from Limone sul Garda, which was one of the most beautiful and picturesque locations we’d visited during our stay, The limoncello cream is delicious – rich and full of flavor – and I made sure to grab some extra bottles to give as presents, too!
While exploring one of the smaller villages in the region where we’d been staying, Troy and I met Fabrizia – who now runs her father’s restaurant since his passing and whom is also a very talented artist and sculptor. Fabrizia and I bonded over her father’s love of John Wayne (who I’ve previously mentioned is my cousin via my paternal grandmother) and she was kind enough to invite us to dine at her establishment – which is where I had the greatest carbonara of my life.
I purchased this bowl from Fabrizia’s sculpture selection, and have been using it to store the smooth stones and sea glass I’ve picked up from recent adventures – including a dip in Lake Garda itself. She chose such beautiful colors for the exterior and interior, and it looks gorgeous in my apartment.
I’m going to treasure this one forever!
Before my trip, I wanted to grab some inexpensive and neutral-toned sunglasses to pack in my bag to not only match the wardrobe I’d put together, but which also wouldn’t stress me out too much if I lost or misplaced them in transit, opting to leave my more expensive shades at home for safekeeping.
I grabbed these tan, blue-blocking sunglasses from SOJOS for only $15. The cat-eye shape was flattering for my face, they were comfortable and didn’t slip off with any of the strenuous hiking or climbing that I did, and they made looking at my phone when I had to take photos or check directions a little less harsh on my eyes throughout the days/nights – so I’m very pleased with this purchase! I’ll be wearing these a lot more throughout the Summer.
Finally, I wanted to pick up a new swimsuit that stood out for my trip since the hotel Troy and I were staying at had quite an impressive pool and sauna area. This black and white one-piece from FLAXMAKER (via Amazon) fit the bill, mainly because of the big, adorable bow that went over the chest.
Yes, the suit itself is comfortable and gives decent coverage – but I am absolutely obsessed with the bow. It commands attention, which means that no one will ever notice my poor swimming technique while I’m wearing it.
I’ll probably be wearing this one again for an upcoming “OOTD” post this Summer!
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And while that may do it for the photo-ready favorites, something else made the cut this past month!
– MUSIC/MOVIES/TELEVISION –
“Who’s The B*tch?” – I’m a big fan of ‘Last Podcast on The Left’ and most of the LPN shows. This newer addition, a female-fronted advice podcast, allows listeners to call or e-mail the hosts, Jackie & Kara, with their predicaments to determine who the bitch is in the scenario. It’s similar to the popular Reddit “AITA?” posts, but I find that Jackie and Kara give such great, nuanced perspective and advice, peppered with humor, on to how to handle the bitchier people in our lives (or how to stop facilitating bitch-like behavior if we’re guilty of it ourselves.)
New episodes and occasional live-streams occur every Wednesday – and I never miss it – even when traveling abroad!
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And that just about it does it for this month’s installment! As always, I welcome anyone to share their own May favorites or recommendations by leaving a comment or dropping me a line at any time. Who knows? Maybe one of those recommendations will make the list when it comes time for me to prepare my “Favorite Things” round-up for June.
See you all on Friday!
xo
Coffee & Chiffon 