Q: What’s better than the first day of a new month being a Monday?!
A: A lot of things, obviously. But for goal-setting and motivational purposes you can’t get much better than this.
I’ve said it a few times but July was a rollercoaster of a month. It tested my patience and faith a few good times, but just like there’s always a new day, there’s always a new month. Even though it’s still the dead heat of summer, I’ll take you, August!
Instead of skipping over a monthly recap I’m looking at the GOOD. Not a monumental post with crazy stuff but still nice to reflect on favorite products and happenings. And yes I’m using the same main photo as last Thursday’s post…I can only take so many good ones ;)
July Favorites
D.C.
An obvious highlight of my month was visiting family in D.C.! I recapped my trip in this post. It left me wanting to travel more…always seems to be the case with trips.
The Conventions
This is what happens to me when there is no sports on TV! But really, between the convention “scandals” and the Taylor Swift-Kim Kardashian feud I sure got my fill of drama for the month.
This is the extent I’ll talk about politics, but I did enjoy watching both the Republican and Democratic conventions. I stayed up way past my bedtime to listen to the speeches (major eye roll for starting at 10 p.m.) but it was worth it for me. Entertaining, informative, historic, whatever you call it, it was good TV. Did you watch?
Products
A few favorite non-food products from the month:
Essie Gel Couture
Major first world problem: I love having my nails done but hate when they chip. Duh, doesn’t everyone? I’ve had a gel manicure before but it ruined my nails so this new Essie Gel Couture is hopefully the miracle I’ve been waiting for. Miracle, yes, I said that. You just apply it like regular nail polish and it’s supposed to last for 14 days. No UV rays needed, like typical gel manicures. It costs $12 at Target and they had most of the 42 colors available. I bought “Sheer Fantasy” and it is a little too light for my liking but still a pretty shade. It’s only been 4 days so I’m shooting for 10 to make it worth the purchase.
Ray-Bans
Random side story: I have a weird shaped nose/face. I’m not sure which one directly causes it but sunglass DO NOT stay on my face. Even with a nose piece they will slide off in a few minutes. I’m used to it at this point.
I’ve had the same pair of sunglasses for almost five years and they finally reached their breaking point. Sometime before the Anniversary Sale, Nordstrom had a “10x bonus point day” (my mom’s favorite holiday) so I was inclined to search for some new glasses. I ended up with the “Original Aviators” and I love them. Minimal sliding off!
I kept my old pair to wear during times when the glasses could get ruined…you know like when I almost got eaten by a shark while kayaking. Slight exaggeration.
Kale Snob Tote
My sister gave this to me for Christmas but I’ve used it so much within the last month that I want a new one (just because…). I get some funny comments! I don’t know if this is where she got it, but here’s a similar link.
Pretending to be a model
Posts
From my blog:
What I’ve Learned From a Health Flare-Up
Peach and Balsamic Grilled Chicken Skewers
How to Use Intimidating Gym Equipment
From other blogs:
Why You Should Stop Comparing Yourself to Others– via RunWiki (this was published in May but I read it this month. Needed it)
Is the Boutique Fitness Scene Too Obsessed with Intensity?– via Well + Good
Social Media Doesn’t Tell The Whole Story– via Picky Runner (a new round of “Behind the Instagram” coming next week)
The 3 Lessons that 23 Taught Me– via In It For the Long Run
Favorite Tweets/Graphics/Funny Things I Just Have to Share
As political as I’ll get
Or was it just the kids in New Jersey?!
Speaking of the Taylor Swift drama…I’ve already used this line in conversation.
Florida.
Did anyone else watch the marathon last Saturday?
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Here’s to a great August and enjoying all this season has to offer! Plus, the Olympics start this week. That’s a definite bonus.
Apparently they are coming up with a Harry Potter Go? Now, THAT I would be down for!
I know July was a bit rough for you, it was for me as well. Let’s think of it as the peak of the mountain, and now we are just going down the other side. K?
Now, go listen to the song “Ray Bans” with your Ray Bans on. I promise you will feel better :D
Susie @ Suzlyfe recently posted…First We Eat : mfk Restaurant Review and Family Weekend
No way?! I’m already attached to my phone so that might be bad for my sanity. Wait, I don’t know that song. Will listen now!
July wasn’t a great month with my goals, either. Whoops! We’ll get back at it this month. I didn’t watch any of the convention. Well, I did watch some on vaca but didn’t pay attention to it too much. I caught the major points on the news the next morning ;) I also have a weird nose and sunglasses always look crooked on my face, lol. But sadly, I somehow lost 5 pairs (that I’ve had for years!) in the last like 2 months. So I need new ones! Love those!! Highlight from my month was vaca and nope, not a HP fan! I know, so weird.
heather @Lunging Through Life recently posted…Too Fast of a Weekend: Work Visit, Annabelle’s Dedication, & Boating
I’m seriously shocked that my glasses lasted as long as they did…and that I didn’t lose them! Your vacation sounded like a blast! A is getting cuter by the day.
I LOVE the Harry Potter books! I haven’t seen the movies though…My little sister for her 30th birthday went with her girlfriends to Harry Potter land…LOL! Oh and I am checking out that Essie polish on Amazon right now…Do you really recommend it because my nails needs some LOVE!!!
ACKTIVE LIFE recently posted…16 Getting To Know Me Things
No movies?! I love the books but haven’t read them since the last one came out in ’07.
As for the polish, I really like it so far! It’s only $12 so not a huge commitment. It comes out harder and shiner than regular polish. I’ve been swimming twice and no signs.
I know I am in the minority in here but I have never seen or read any Harry Potter… which I know is crazy. I d id watch the 3rd movie in German class in high school, but it was in German so I really did not pick up on most of it haha. I could just never get into it it seems. YAY for the Olympics this month! I feel like that is going to be the highlight of August for me :)
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie recently posted…SterlingFast 5k Race Recap
Haha wait that’s so funny that you watched it in German. It’s tough to follow in the first place let alone in another language!
Those photos at the end…lmao each one was so funny! Great way to start my morning :-D I didn’t watch any of the conventions..I’m pretty sick of this election and it’s feeling more like a reality show than..you know..our country’s future on the line. I don’t think the founding fathers were thinking of a huge concert with Katy Perry headlining to announce a democratic candidate….aahhh sorry rant over :)
Have a great week!! Happy August! :)
Gretchen recently posted…Seawheeze Half Marathon Training : Week 8
No, I totally feel you. Part of me finds it entertaining but then I’m like “wait, this is REAL. This is our country!”
I had lots of travelling in July which was fun yet exhausting. I slept in today and my body reallyyyyy needed it. Interested to hear how that gel polish works out for you. I like the sally hansen gel stuff, even without the gel topcoat it lasts longer than regular polish, buttttt nothing has been as great as an actual gel manicure.
Lauren recently posted…Matcha Green Tea Protein Smoothie {with Bob’s Red Mill Nutritional Boosters}
I’ve seen you all over the place in the last month! Must have felt like a treat to sleep in. Good for you!
So far the polish feels much different than the regular kind. Harder and shinier. We’ll see if it holds up!
Every time I travel, I am always itching to do more of it too! Love that kale snob bag, and I neeeed to get that essie nail polish!
Alyssa recently posted…MHM 8/1/16: Low calorie ≠healthy
As if you need another thing to get at Target, right?! But go and look at the colors :)
Ha! Yes, we spent a ridiculous amount of time playing the recorder in fourth grade, too. I’ll never understand why… I would have gone home with a major headache every day if I’d been our music teacher!
A highlight of my month was taking a weeklong vacation to our family cottage! I hadn’t taken a summer vacation in four years, so it was awesome.
Claire @ My Pink & Green Life recently posted…Life Lately: July 2016
Seriously! I have a headache thinking about how awful we must have sounded.
That vacation sounds awesome and well-deserved :)
I LOVE when a new month starts on a Monday! All is right with the world!
Yay DC
Yay politics <3 I'm so fired up!
I love your Ray-Bans!! I live in mine! Favorite and best sunglasses!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…Rhubarb Orange Quick Bread
They are such good quality! Love the color of the lenses too. A change from my typical dark shade.
Thanks for the link love!!! You totally look like a model in that kale bag picture! I love those Ray Bans. Tim gave me a pair that didn’t fit his face right a couple years ago and I”m just obsessed with them. Until that point, I exclusively wore Smith sunglasses, but I’ve officially converted.
Sarah @pickyrunner recently posted…Workouts 7/25-7/31
Love sarah’s post!!
Also have to say I’m obsessed with gel nail polish but it adds up so I might have to give this type a shot!
Kaitlin @ California Endless Summer recently posted…Alaska Travels Part 1: Denali
So far I really love it! It feels different than regular polish.
I can really only wear aviators with my face so I’m surprised I waited this long to get Ray Bans!
Such a big Harry Potter nerd it isn’t even funny. Are you going to read the cursed child script?
Most likely, yes! I’m still in the middle of two books so I’ll wait until I finish those.
Way too in love with Harry Potter, and I have been since first grade. I listen to the audiobooks as I fall asleep pretty much every night. And I have all the movies, but still insist on watching them whenever they’re on TV and filled with commercials, which my dad never fails to point out makes no sense. Whatever.
All those pictures at the end made me smile. Here’s to a better August!
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday recently posted…Five Friday Favorites 07/29/16
Twins in so many ways :)
I’m a huge harry potter fan! I downloaded the new book but need to start, summer is getting the best of my reading schedule.
Kristin recently posted…Summer Running Clothes That I Can’t Stop Drooling Over
You’re one step ahead of me! I have two other books started so I think I’ll finish those first.
Whattt, the recorder is awesome! Playing hot cross buns was the culmination of my musical career. This election is disturbing. I’m usually really into politics but I can’t handle this one. I’ve never been a huge Harry Potter fan. I read the first one back in…middle school? But I could never get into it after that. Whenever anyone talks about it I just kind of pretend I know what’s going on…
Mollie Sweet recently posted…Pregnancy Workouts and Miles-20 Weeks
Haha I think I could still play “hot cross buns” if you gave me a recorder now!
I love that nail polish color! And I’m also SUPER pumped for the Olympics to start. I cannot wait! Hmmm.. highlight of July. Probably a little weekend getaway trip to a condo on a lake in Wisconsin. Also yeah, how is it August?!
Amanda @ ExploringLifeAndThings recently posted…17 getting to know me fun things
So excited for the opening ceremonies! I rarely watch the closing ceremonies because I’m depressed it’s over haha
I feel your struggle with the sunglasses slipping down. I ordered my glasses online so they weren’t exactly a perfect fit for my face and they constantly slide down my nose! Such a pain.
Highlight of July was going home for a break. Because home is where the heart (dog) is.
Your last sentence. YES.
That Taylor Swift reference had me laugh out loud. And I’m from Connecticut so I’m starting to believe that every child in America was taught to play the recorder in 4th grade. Gel manicures will be the death of me… I love them so much but my nails grow out so fast that they burn a hole in my wallet every 2 weeks. Maybe I’ll give the Essie a try. Their regular colors chip on me after like 2 hours though… not cool!
Danielle @ afloat on a full sea
What part of CT? I used to live there too!
I really love the Essie polish! Still looks good going on day 5.
I live in central CT, in the Hartford area! Love connecting with another native CT-er :)
I had to laugh at that ‘which party are you voting for?’ I listened to some of the DNC and RNC, and it was so crazy. :D It was pretty informative too. I totally love how you re-use photos too; I do that. :)
Emily recently posted…Recovery: The Battle for the Mind
Always in the camp of “Aaron’s party!”
And yes, might as well get good use out of photos, right?!
I have a friend who has a weird nose shape and he only wears Ray-Bans sunglasses. What a coincidence! It’s so surprising that you can keep your old ones for almost five years, hard to believe!