rom com summer | FULL speed dating debrief

walking in with zero expectations, Jess and I were ready for laughs, chaos, and had a codeword ready to ball 🤣

after we checked in, we grabbed some rosé and sat at a table with Jenga. very soon a gentleman came over and asked to join us, we said yes and got to playing the most awkward game of Jenga ever. some of the blocks has icebreakers on them (which I’m stealing and doing myself!), but as we played we all loosened up. a woman asked to join us and soon there were 6 of us at our table. we had a good time getting to know one another and shaking out the nerves. 

from there, it was a small comedy show with 2 very funny comedians that really helped shift the energy. then it was time for the main event…speed dating. I’ve never been to speed dating, but knew the typical strategy was women stay seated, men move about. WELLLL not here, lol. everyone had an app and each round it refreshed to tell you what table and who you were meeting with. from there you had 5 minutes to catch a vibe. at the end of the 5 mins, you could either heart or X via the app, if you both gave a heart, then you’d get each others info after the event. 

as the dates went on, it was very clear my romcom leading man was not in the room, but it was a lot of fun talking to guys I would typically not chat with. 

from N who assured me he was no longer in college and was working as a camp counselor this summer in between gigs to G who asked me “what turns you on?” to M who I’m still unsure how he was a potential match for me and acted out a scene he played as an extra in a movie…it was just chaos and fun. 

every date was SO different and that made it really funny. chatting baseball with one, talking foods we cook best with another, to me asking my signature question of the night "is a hotdog a sandwich?" (which no, it's a hotdog!) I really had a perfect Thursday night!

after Jess and I grabbed pizza, dip, and drinks and a bunch of the guys came over to join us! we played put a finger down and literally were all cry laughing by the end. 

the absolute highlight for me tho, was my new friend Logan who is Bodhi’s music teacher!!! we bonded over our love of his favorite student and the light of my life. 

all in all, speed dating was a success & I just may do it again 💋✨💘

xx,

rom com summer | intro

 

With no trips planned, I’ve decided to embrace what I’m calling a Rom Com Summer. Think: main character energy, spontaneous adventures, flirty coffee shop moments, long walks with the perfect playlist, and a whole lot of heart. It’s about romanticizing the everyday; turning the ordinary into the cinematic. I want this summer to feel like a montage of laughter with friends, sundresses and sunsets, meet-cutes (or at least the potential for them), and rediscovering joy in the little things. No flights booked, but I’m all in on falling a little in love—with life, with myself, and maybe even with someone else.

stay tuned to here and IG as episodes are dropping weekly :)

xx,

beauty | all of the deets on dry brushing

 

Ecotools Dry Brush

Dry Brushing…what is it? Why should we do it? what do you do? Hopefully this blog post will answer all of your questions 

What it is? Dry brushing is described as a daily body massage using a stiff bristled brush dry. 

The benefits? It’s said to help get rid of dry, flaky skin, increase circulation, help digestion, detoxify, and help improve the appearance of cellulite. 

How to do it? In long, fluid upward strokes towards the heart. You can do circular motions on your torso and back. 

my legs freshly shaven...yikes!

My thoughts: I have been dry brushing for only a few days, and I have plenty of thoughts. So, I watched a few tiktoks and then just gave it a go. My first thought was “ouch, this is weird and it doesn’t feel good” which quickly changed to “wait, I kinda like it…” to “my leg is tingly, and I want to do it again”. The first tiktok I watched (see here) said to do each body part for 30 seconds each, either breaking down your legs and arms into two parts (lower & upper)-which is the route I went. The first time I dry brushed, I went ahead and did a pass on my lower leg, upper leg; both sides and then went to my arms. On my arms, it hurt more then on my legs. Last I did my stomach in upward motions moving towards the heart. I skip my chest and neck area as that’s more sensitive skin or thinner skin.

The first passes I could see dry skin on my legs coming off/coming to the surface which made me excited that it was working! Nothing really came off on my arms or stomach, but my legs are the driest spot. 

I have done it every single day since I started, and each day try to aim to do it longer and make more passes. Pain wise, I think it’s good pain, like it hurts, but almost feels good after? Is that weird? 

My biggest complaint is that you must shower after to rinse off which is a bummer if I wanted to do it before bed. And I think it will be hard to incorporate every day, I know it seems like it’s quick (& it is!), but maybe I could just do a few quick passes on days I’m running late (insert every day here!).

Do I think it really works? Idk yet, still too soon to tell, but what I do know is seeing that skin flake off my legs is enough for me to continue this journey!

TL/DR; Dry brushing is weird, but I think it’s something to try!

what's something you want me to try? leave it in the comments, xo

life | where have I been & what's next?

 

woahhhh, it's been a minute! but I am back :) here is a post I wrote in my notes app on 2.22 (I knowww that was a while ago!)

pics with the dining room behind me-open floor plan between the dining & living room areas

well if you haven’t been following me on IG or TikTok, then you haven’t been in the loop! I moved! Same city, new zip code. Now instead of a 8 minute commute to the office, it’s 7, haha. I’ve been hard at work; cleaning, packing, unpacking, decorating-you name it, I’ve done it. 

While we’re almost fully moved in, there is decorating to still be done. The living room is set up and so cozy. Kitchen is done and organized, same with the bathroom. But my room is a work in progress…! I’ve been really struggling with a design concept outside of all white. I found some great Taylor prints to hang, but that’s really it! I’m in the market for a big standing mirror and a fun chair-send your recs please! 

I’ll be posting a lot of design content on IG & TikTok, so stay tuned! Also I’ve been on my Pinterest game lately, so check out my boards below…

https://www.pinterest.com/thelayzblonde

Until next time, xo

and that all still applies, but here is what is next for this space. I'm going to get back into blogging once/twice a week and stick to it. I got a walking pad/standing desk and get so much done on there while getting my steps in. outside of this post, I'll be back later in the week with my dry skin journey-shoutout #dryskinclub from my IG stories (that's what I'm calling us moving fwd!!)

leave me post ideas, things you want to see in try it Tuesdays, etc in the comments, XOXO

THE FIVE | no to little cost things to do this holiday season

 

I know it’s been all gift guides and presents lately, but I wanted to put together a list of 5 inexpensive things you can do to bring magic into the season

1-marathon movie night: classics, hallmark, lifetime, new-they’ll all bring the feels and magic 

2-hot chocolate bar & a Christmas playlist; fun mugs, different toppings, make the cocoa in the crockpot, perfect playlist 

3-decorate stockings; I’m into an aesthetics, but a holiday craft is the best

4- donut decorate off; who remembers when Jen & I did this for Halloween?

5-bake some cookies & head out to look at the lights

what are somethings you do at little cost during the holidays? xx,

gift guide 22 | for the traveler

 

jet setters need a little love, too! every day there is something new that pops up to make travel more easy...here are some of the ones I think would make a good gift!

travel mirror with light | amazon

hanging toiletry bag | amazon

travel pillow/blanket | amazon

ice roller | amazon

beauty blender case | amazon

8 piece packing cube set | amazon

do you have a must have when you travel? spill the tea, sis

ps. lil kick back to me from these links, xo

gift guide 22 | for the littles

 

I'm basically buying or have bought all of these ;) being Aunt Kiki is the best!

small sqishmallows | amazon

dino bath bombs | amazon

scribble scubbies | target

babi 3 piece set | target

letter bracelet maker | amazon

ice cream shop | target

what's on the little ones in your life's list?

ps. I get a little back from these links, lymi 

gift guide 22 | for the hostess

holiday season normally means parties...parties means hosting...hosting means gifts! don't forget to grab something for the hosts/hostess in your life!

 

fancy olive oil | nordstrom

stemless glasses | amazon

stemless champs | amazon

I should have known that | amazon

carpi blue candle | anthropologie 

chenille throw | target

do you have a go to hostess gift? share with the class!

ps. smalll $$ coming my way from these links, x

THE FIVE | thanksgiving edition

 

in case you haven't had your menu planned for weeks like me or you just got invited to a Friendsgiving...here is a roundup of some delish tgiving dishes.

1. I'm making this dump cake for dessert | https://thenovicechefblog.com/caramel-apple-dump-cake/

2. mix your bag stuffing in to this sheet pan dish | https://www.eatwell101.com/sheet-pan-sausage-veggies-recipe

3. you need a bevvie | https://www.recipegirl.com/apple-cider-sangria/—

4. BIG YES | https://thefoodcharlatan.com/creamed-corn-casserole/

5. yummy, a classic | https://sweetandsavorymeals.com/sweet-potato-casserole-recipe/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_campaign=tailwind_tribes&utm_content=tribes&utm_term=479639802_16889162_380679

clearly, I take thanksgiving seriously, what's on your menu? 

gift guide 22 | impossible to shop for

 

we all have that person in our life that we love to give to, but they are impossible to shop for. they either have it all or just don't give you ideas (I'm really talking about my dad here, lol!)

personalized clock; can add scores for your fave team, weather, train times | tidbyt

cheese board set | amazon

iced coffee/beverage chiller | amazon

cocktail smoker | etsy

host your own murder mystery | anthropologie

vintage shelf board games | mystery date | monopoly | scrabble | anthropologie

popcorn season set | nordstrom

ice roller | nordstrom

what do you get the impossible to buy for person? let me know, xo

ps. links = small commission for ya girl, so I can go see TS <3

THE FIVE | gift sets I wouldn't pass on

 

even if you keep these for yourself, these are must sets! & I'll never tell if you keep or separate them up ;)

1. Charlotte Tilbury wand set | Sephora

2. Olaplex 3, 4, 5 set | Sephora

3. 10 claw clip set | amazon

4. 10 knotted headbands | amazon

5. diptyque mini set | nordstrom

gift sets are the best way to try something new OR stock up!

ps. little kickback using these links, ty! <3

gift guide 22 | it girl inspired by tiktok

 

for the girlies who love the it girl vibe or just tiktok!

60 pack of earrings | amazon

belt bag | Lululemon | amazon

mini uggs | Ugg | nordstrom

apple pro max headphones | amazon

Stanley tumbler | dick's sporting goods

Swiss miss bomb dotcom | glossier

my signature scent-glossier you | glossier

straightening brush | Sephora

muted highlighters | amazon

not gonna lie, I want most of these-esp the mini uggs and headphones!

who are you shopping for? let me know so I can throw a GG together for you, 

ps. small commission for me from some of these links, <3333

THE FIVE | must haves for the kitchen

 

babes, the best food holiday is only a few weeks away! I figured we'd take the five into the kitchen today to make sure you are all set with the essentials I can't live without. 

1. 2-pack of a spoon & spatula | amazon

2. garlic press | amazon

3. hot plates | amazon

4. crockpot | 6QT | 8QT | Walmart

5. egg holder | amazon

do you do the cooking for turkey day? I do and honestly it's the best! I could eat thanksgiving food every week to be honest!

ps. I'll get a smallllish commish from these links, love you!