Currently | July

Happy Wednesday! Today, I am joining Anne and Jenna in their monthly currently post. The topics this month are toasting, going, smelling, wearing, and wishlisting:

TOASTING
I don't drink, so I'm not really toasting to anything, but I do like to eat toast! Haha!

GOING
A couple of weeks ago, I went on a week-long vacation to Edisto Beach, SC. This past week, I must have really been in the shopping mood because I went to the mall twice. Also, I am going to a scenic place to take some outfit pictures for the blog.

SMELLING

Lately, I have been smelling sunscreen. Having a pool in my backyard makes it super easy to jump into the pool a few times a week. Even though I love the pool, currently, the water is over 90 degrees, so it's not that refreshing.

WEARING

Since Monday was July 4th, I was sporting some patriotic clothes, and I have been into wearing dresses and skirts since they are so cool in all of the heat. Come back on Monday to see my new favorite dress and my very first link up!

WISHLISTING

The two things that are on my wishlist are a romper and peep toe booties. See and shop some of my favorites below:

What are you currently up to?

See where I link up here.

A New Link-Up is Coming!

Happy Tuesday! I hope you had a great weekend and Independence Day! Mine was great! Today, I am sharing with y'all some more details on my new link-up:

• First off, this is not just my linkup. Mackenzie from Spreading His Grace and I are embarking on this new adventure together.
• Since we both have such different blog niches, we decided to make this link-up theme-less. You will be able to link any post that you would like as long as it is clean and appropriate. 
• We will each feature two blog posts that were linked each week.
• The link-up will go live every Monday starting on July 11th.
• One of the main reasons we wanted to host a link-up was to gain inspiration and new blog friends. We also want those who link to gain inspiration and new friends.

I hope you will come on Monday and link up some of your posts!

Linking up here.

High Five for Friday | Lots of Instagram

Happy Friday, y'all! How was your week? Keep on reading to see the five high points of my week!

1. The Five Minute Friday prompt is protect:

I was reading about love yesterday in 1st Corinthians 13. I was reminded what love is, and was caught by the part that says love always protects. 

I am now reminded of just how much Christ protects us as His children. We may never even know what could have happened to us, but didn't because God protected us from it.

Another form of protection, not just keeping us from danger, is protecting us from what we think we need. He keeps us from making mistakes and doing things that could be harmful for our future. 

I am so thankful that I serve an always-protecting God!

2. Here is what I have been posting on Instagram lately:

Also, don't forget about our link-up!

3. On Tuesday, I went to the mall to have a fun shopping day. I wasn't really looking to buy something, but I'm never one to pass on a good deal. I saw this dress at Francesca's and it ended up being on sale for under $20!!

4. I am a big screenshot-er. Meaning, when I want to remember something, I just take a screenshot on my iPhone. I have SO MANY on my phone. Here are a few that I have taken this week:

I have had my eye on these lip balms from elf. They sell three colors that change with your pH for the perfect tint.

I saw this and loved it. 

This verse is so great! 

How adorable is this?!

5. What are you doing for July 4th? I am planning to grill out, have homemade ice cream, and spend the day at the pool. Can't wait for a restful Monday!

Here are this week's posts:

2 BLACK + WHITE OUTFITS WITH A POP OF COLOR

3 PERFECTLY PRETTY PATRIOTIC OUTFITS

Have a lovely Independence Day!

Linking up here. 

3 Perfectly Pretty Patriotic Outfits

I've always loved dressing up for holiday's. For Independence Day, I love mixing red, white, and blue with my favorite basic pieces. By adding pretty feminine touches to picnic looks, 3 beautiful outfits develop.

STRIPES + TASSELS

shop this look:

Most of these pieces are basics that everyone would have in their closet. By adding a couple of fun, patriotic items, the look instantly becomes perfect for the 4th.

PATRIOTIC PATTERN MIX

shop this look:

Everyone knows that white pants are always a must for the perfect patriotic look. I included a gorgeous blue patterned top and a striped tote to spice it up. The accents of gold and brown are the perfect additions.

ROMPIN' AROUND

shop this look

I have been wanting a romper for awhile and have been looking all over the place for one. This one is so adorable and perfect for July 4th. In this outfit, I just added a red, white, and blue colored necklace to the mix of basic pieces to make it patriotic.

How would you put together a patriotic outfit?

I am hosting my first ever link-up with Mackenzie from Spreading His Grace! On July 11th, Grace + Lace link up will go live for the first time ever! This link up has no theme; you may link up whatever you'd like! A new link up will go live every Monday after the 11th. We hope you would come and add your links to gain new friends and inspiration!

Linking up here.

2 Black + White Outfits with a Pop of Color

Happy Monday! Like I mentioned here, today, I have for you an outfit post which was shot at Edisto Beach.

Outfit #1 details:

Top: (similar, similar)

Skirt: Sweetly Made by MJ

Shoes: Kohl's (exact, similar)

Earrings: Charming Charlie (very similar, similar)

Watch: Charming Charlie (similar, similar)

Scarf: (similar, similar)

Outfit #2 details:

Top: (similar, similar)

Skirt: Sweetly Made by MJ

Shoes: Kohl's (exact, similar)

Earrings: Charming Charlie (very similar, similar)

Watch: Charming Charlie (similar, similar)

Necklace: A Dip of Darling (similar, similar)

Photography by Allie D.

My favorite outfits to wear are those that are all neutral with just a little pop of color. Both of these looks fulfill that. They are so versatile. Here, I wore the same outfit, but just switched out the pop of color. And it became a totally different outfit.

This skirt is the comfiest skirt on the planet! I love it so much and would wear it literally every day. I totally recommend you buy one of them! When I got this skirt, it was a joy to work with Monique from Sweetly Made by MJ, and her products are top notch!

What are your thoughts?

Linking up here.

High Five for Friday | Movies + a Link-up!

Happy Friday! How was your week? Mine was super great!! Read on to see the five high points of my week.

1. The prompt for Five Minute Friday is rest:

I have never been a nap person. I always end up feeling worse after my nap than before my nap. But, as I have gotten busier and busier, I have learned the power of a short nap.

On my busiest days, sometimes, I take a break from my to-do list and take a power nap. Usually, they last only about 10-25 minutes. Even though they are short, they are power. After I rest for a while, I feel so much better and have the energy to tackle the rest of my to-do list. 

2. On Saturday, I got back from a week long vacation to Edisto Beach, SC. One reason why I took a break from social media last week was because of this vacation. I had such a super great time hanging at the beach with my family! Here are a few pictures:

Come back on Monday for my outfit post that was shot at the beach! 3. I have a SUPER BIG announcement!! I am starting a link-up with Mackenzie from Spreading His Grace! The link-up is called Grace + Lace. There is no theme with this link-up; we would like it to be open to any post of yours that you would like to link as long as it is appropriate. The link-up will be every Monday starting on July 11. Yay! I'm so excited!

4. On Tuesday, I went with a couple of my friends to the movies to see Finding Dory. It was so cute and a perfect sequel to Finding Nemo. I had such a great time!

5. Just in case you missed them, here are this week's posts:

Pink Eyelet + Black

6 Absolute Best Curly Hair Products

Have an amazing weekend!!

Linking here.

6 Absolute Best Curly Hair Products

Happy Wednesday! Today, I am sharing my favorite products for curly hair:

1. CLEAR Scalp & Hair Shampoo + Conditioner

This shampoo and conditioner is perfect if you have curly hair. It is gentle and sulfate free. I love that it keeps my hair hydrated and nourished while getting it super clean as well.

2. Old T-Shirt

Instead of using a towel to dry your hair- curly or not- it is so much better to use a t-shirt. When you use a towel to dry your hair, the rough terry cloth causes breakage and frizz.

3. Ouidad VitalCurl Define & Shine Styling Gel-Cream

I got a sample of this in my Birchbox {full review here}. I have loved using it! It is a great styling product that is not too heavy, but also has great hold and keeps away the frizz.

4. No-Crease Hair Ties

With curly hair, even though it's already kinky, when you use regular hair ties, a crease shows right where you had your hair up. These hair ties are crease-less, so you don't have that problem anymore.

5. TRESemme Flawless Curls Extra Hold Mousse

This is my all time favorite, holy grail mousse. It is stinking perfect! It holds curls for over 24 hours. It says 24, but I'm serious it holds longer. This mousse isn't drying and it doesn't create too much oil either. Literally, it's perfect.

6. DevaCurl Mist-er Right

I just bought this product a couple of weeks ago, but I'm already in love with it. It revitalizes curls and smells so amazing. It works well and you really don't need much.

What are your favorite hair products- curly or not?

Linking up with these lovely ladies.