As we wind down the month of July this week and prepare to step into August (which is shaping up to be a very busy month for me with all sorts of end-of-Summer events, get-togethers and both local and cross-country travel!) I wanted to first take the opportunity to share some of the purchases, gifts, finds and the odds & ends that I have been especially loving over these past few weeks of intense heat, humidity and haziness as all the Summer days and nights blend together.
Oh yeah – you all know it’s time for another monthly installment of my “Favorite Things!” – and you also know that I’ll be starting this post with the items I could capture photos of before I get into the more miscellaneous things, oddities, and/or experiences.
And there’s quite a few this month! So without any further delay, let’s get right into the goods!
I love a good decorative trinket dish, and am known to swap around seasonal ones when decorating around my apartment. I also love coastal and beachy vibes in my personal space during the Summer, so I appreciate when my friends and family understand the assignment when it comes to gifting me things this time of year!
The little fish dish (which is very fun to say, by the way!) came courtesy of my mother this month after I had mentioned I was coveting any and all things sardine, lobster, or crab-printed or shaped. She spotted this little guy while out shopping and picked him up for me to use as a place to put my rings, or bar soap, etc.
And the hand-painted seashell was a gift from Dan after he’d returned from an extended stay in Maine a couple of weeks ago! This one is being used strictly for decoration since I couldn’t bear the thought of putting anything in it and potentially scratching the lobster detailed on the inside. It’s just so cute!
In keeping up with my love of sardine-printed/shaped anything this season, and also being one to appreciate a good tomato red or seashell accessory, I stumbled on and subsequently fell in love with this gold-chained charm necklace earlier this month – and have been wearing it non-stop since!
Featuring charms shaped and painted like shells, fish and prawns, tomatoes, hot peppers and olives – and with an adjustable clasp – this has been my go-to necklace at work, when out with friends, running errands, etc. It’s so fun and I’ve been absolutely obsessed with it this month.
Finally, some of you may remember the campfire marshmallows plushie my mother had gifted me earlier this year since she knew I’d think it would be too adorable to not keep out at all times at my place. Well, I’m happy to report that for only $5 – I found a companion for them in the form of this little bean bag s’mores plushie!
There were a bunch of different Summer-inspired ones to choose from – including a rocket pop, hamburger, or bottles of ketchup and relish – but we know how much I love a good s’more this time of year, and I couldn’t resist snatching this one up. I love being a responsible adult, after all.
And while that just about does it for the favorites I could capture with my camera – a few other things made this month’s list, too!
– Movies/Music/Television –
“I Know What You Did Last Summer” – I’m always a little skeptical when beloved horror franchises get the reboot or refresh treatment (looking at you, ‘Halloween’ and ‘Scream’) but I was pleasantly surprised with this new installment of the IKWYDLS series – which paid tribute to the originals and included long-time favorite characters in new and unexpected ways. It’s definitely worth a watch if you like a good, Summertime scary flick to watch with your friends!
“The Fantastic Four: First Steps” – I fell off the Marvel train when their movies, churned out at an alarming rate, started requiring me to watch TV shows or limited edition series on various streaming platforms to understand what was happening and why. It all became too convoluted and time-consuming, and I admittedly gave up with the hopes that I could catch up at a later time. However, I loved the cast for the new Fantastic Four when first announced and opted to give it a chance this past weekend when it officially opened in theaters.
And it was great! A true return to form for Marvel movies, and I’m excited to try and stay on-board for this next phase this time around in the hopes Marvel starts listening to what the audience wants in terms of quality over quantity. Everyone in this is so, so good!
– MISCELLANEOUS –
Sabrina Carpenter’s “Strawberry Daydream Refresher” – I love Sabrina Carpenter, and semi-love Dunkin Donuts, but their recent collaboration in the form of a delicious and creamy strawberry beverage with vanilla cold foam on top has consumed my afternoons after I leave the office.
This one is so tasty, so smooth, and so addictive – that it almost makes up for all the times Dunkin have given me some of the worst-tasting coffee imaginable.
DermaSound Facials – I have to credit my esthetician for encouraging me to live my best “Real Housewives”, bougie lifestyle and try this intense, but non-invasive skin treatment this month. Within an hour of blissful relaxation – my pores were cleared out, any dark marks or hyperpigmentation were gone, and I was left smooth and glowing for days afterwards.
This facial was worth every single penny – and I can’t wait to go back for another one next month!
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And that just about does it for this month’s collection of favorites! If you’d like to share some of your own, please feel free to reach out or leave a comment (maybe I’ll check them out and include them in my next round-up in August!)
In a couple of days, I’m going to have my full recap of July in all it’s glory – but for now – I’m going to enjoy these final days of it!
’til then!
xo
Coffee & Chiffon 