subscribe to receive my posts, special offers, recipes, and workouts.
≡ Menu

Your Best Summer Ever

In case you’ve missed it any of the last six summers since I’ve been writing this blog…summertime is my favorite time of the year. I love everything about it from the long days to the warm weather to the delicious food to the abundant social events. When I was growing up I lived for summer because it meant tons of time at the pool (I can close my eyes and picture jumping off the diving board right now), summer camp, weeks spent at my grandparent’s house and our annual family beach trip.

Just last week my fiance and I were chatting about putting together a bucket list of things we want to do this summer and about creating our own summer traditions. Some of the items on the list included wine and a picnic at Symphony in the Park, taking the girls swimming (Zoey’s never been!), having friends over for a cook out, grilling every Sunday night, a day trip to the mountains, visiting local breweries, summer concerts and so much more.

Babbleboxx

Last week I received a box full of things to get me feeling ready for summer from Babbleboxx.

2 (X)IST Square-Cut Tank & Ombre Leggings

2 (x)IST OmbreLeggings

The first thing I pulled out of the box was this awesome outfit from 2 (X)IST. I live in clothes like this and I love the ombre pants for a pop of color. The tank is a great everyday layering piece that has a nice slim fit. I feel like I can never have enough black tanks and the square-cut helps add a little interest to it.

2 (X)IST Ombre Leggings and Square-Cut Tank

The leggings are so soft and the wide waistband is very comfortable and doesn’t cut into me at all. They’re made of a moisture wicking fabric and have hidden zip pockets for keys and cards. I predict these will get a lot of wear this summer!

Vichy LiftActiv Serum 10 Supreme

Vichy Liftactiv Serum 10 Supreme

I love the sun and I still love my summer beach trips and days at the pool but as I’ve entered my 30s I have become militant about sunscreen every single day and using a strong product regimen at night. This Liftactiv Serum 10 Supreme from Vichy is wonderful for the summer. It’s light-weight and formulated to fight wrinkles and hydrate. It features Rhamnose and Fragmented Hyaluronic Acid to visibly reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Rhamnose is a good alternative to Retinol for those with sensitive skin.

In just 10 minutes your skin will look illuminated and plumped, in 10 days aging signs look visibly improved and in one month you skin will feel firmer and more lifted. I’ve used this for the past few days and it goes on really well. No greasiness or heaviness and my skin does feel very hydrated and glowing after use.

VitaCoco Coconut Oil

Vita Coco Coconut Oil

The Vita Coco label says “eat it, wear it, swear by it” and I couldn’t have summed it up better myself. I use coconut oil for everything! Cooking, baking, deep conditioning my hair, taking off makeup, moisturizing my face and body and much more.

Village Naturals Therapy & Tree Hut Shave Prep

Village Naturals

I have shared about Village Naturals products a couple of times before on my blog and I always keep them stocked in my bathroom for bath soaks. They’re so much more than basic Epsom salts thanks to the powerful blend of sea salt, menthol, Epsom Salt, essential oils and extracts. They help me recover from workouts, reduce stress, relax and also soften my skin.

And finally, let’s talk about the Tree Hut Shave Prep Body Scrub. I am one of those people who has to shave every single day (dark, thick hair) but it’s not always kind on my skin. This exfoliating scrub has ingredients like Oat Kernal Oil to relieve skin irritation and avocado oil to keep skin moisturized. The scrub helps prep skin for a smooth, close shave, without ingrown hairs and red bumps.

What’s on your bucket list this summer? 

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of Single Edition Media.

{ 11 comments }

Recent Posts…

Life Lately: Summer So Far

Life Lately: Summer So Far

I want to bottle up this summer and make it last forever (well, maybe minus the wildly hot and humid weather that makes running a big thumbs down). I mentioned this in my last post…but I am really enjoying the slower pace and the days that feel like they have more space. While I’m trying [...]

{ 6 comments }
So Many Dinner Ideas

So Many Dinner Ideas

Happy Friday! I hope this post finds you well and enjoying the summer. We are in the dog days of it over here in Charlotte – the heat and humidity is off the charts – but it’s something I’ll embrace because I deeply appreciate the massive slow down that summer has brought. A lot of [...]

{ 4 comments }
Big Bear Peaks + Pines Race Recap (3-Day Stage Race, My First 50k)

Big Bear Peaks + Pines Race Recap (3-Day Stage Race, My First 50k)

I recently traveled to Big Bear Lake, California for the inaugural Big Bear Peaks + Pines three-day stage race hosted by TransRockies Running. This was my third TransRockies event in 12 months (see also Colorado + Moab) and I’m here to tell you that they can do no wrong when it comes to race organization [...]

{ 4 comments }
Reading, Watching, Listening (Spring 2026 Edition)

Reading, Watching, Listening (Spring 2026 Edition)

Happy weekend! Another week in the books! I got three runs in (6.5 miles, 5.5 miles, 5.5 miles) and I have a trail run planned for tomorrow. Total weekly mileage will end up around 30-35 miles depending on if I go for 13 or 17 tomorrow! I’m 16 weeks out from the Golden Ultra so [...]

{ 7 comments }
Life Lately: 8 Years Old, A New Piercing, Trail Training and More

Life Lately: 8 Years Old, A New Piercing, Trail Training and More

Happy Memorial Day Weekend. It’s a very rainy one here in Charlotte and while I am a little bummed not to be spending the weekend in Florida with the fam or by the pool at our swim club (just opened for the season!), I’m also welcoming a slower pace and time at home. It’s been [...]

{ 2 comments }
24 Things I’ve Made for Lunch Recently

24 Things I’ve Made for Lunch Recently

Hi and happy May! As we roll into the first full week of a new month, I have almost a month’s worth of lunch ideas for you. It’s a great mix of sandwiches, bowls, salads and wraps. I hope you enjoy and find some inspiration for your midday meal! Open-faced chickpea salad sandwich on toasted [...]

{ 4 comments }
Charlotte Racefest Half Marathon (Race Recap + First Time Pacing + Update On My Hip)

Charlotte Racefest Half Marathon (Race Recap + First Time Pacing + Update On My Hip)

I ran the Charlotte Racefest Half Marathon on April 18 to pace a longtime client and friend in her first half marathon and had the best day out there! 2026 CHARLOTTE RACEFEST HALF MARATHON This was half marathon number 12 for me and a really fun, enjoyable and rewarding one! I started training my friend [...]

{ 1 comment }