5 Fab Finds Under $50

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rattan earrings | striped t-shirt dress | sandals | overnight bag | phone case

On a budget but still want to look great? Here are 5 fab finds under $50 that won't break the bank but will keep you looking stylish and chic. Some items are even under $25!

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Best Online Reads

The ten stories from around the web that I am loving this week:

1. Ten things hotel maids wish they could tell you but can't via Business Insider.

2. The 100 most photogenic places in Los Angeles via LA Magazine.

3. The pleasure of sitting out a trend via The Cut.

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Weekend Dispatch

We couldn't have asked for a better Memorial Day weekend. The weather was gorgeous, and the beaches were packed. That's the way we like to kick off summer around here. I did venture to the Manasquan Beach on Sunday to buy beach badges, but I didn't stick around to hit the beach. Emma and Harper stayed and said it was "popping". I take it that's a good thing.

Here's what I'm up to this weekend:

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Slither Into Summer In A Snakeskin Print Dress

Every summer I seem to lean in to a particular trend or item of clothing. One summer I wore shorts non-stop. The next summer I couldn't get enough of wearing cute, flirty skirts. The summer after that I bought all the shorts, literally every embroidered, denim, distressed, scalloped, and tie-waisted pair I could find.

This summer, I am declaring it the summer of dresses. I've already bought at least 10 dresses that will be on repeat all summer long. I'll be sharing more pictures of those as the summer goes by, but today, I am teaming up with my my blogging friend extraordinaire, Deborah from Fabulous After 40, to share one of our favorite summer dresses. This snakeskin print, keyhole dress is, by far, my favorite.

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10 Fab Finds Under $50 From The Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale

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1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

The Nordstrom Half-Yearly sale started yesterday and continues through June 2nd. This sale is your chance to save up to 50% on spring and summer merchandise as well as some leftovers from fall and winter. I've rounded up ten items under $50 that are definitely worth checking out in this sale.

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Little Things That Are Often Overlooked When Moving

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So you've found a new home and moving day is fast approaching. You are starting to feel as though you're well on your way to being ready for the big move but something is still nagging at you. There are a few things that often get forgotten when people move. This list will help you with the often overlooked tasks.

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Best Online Reads

1. The best way to recharge according to your zodiac sign via PureWow.

2. Eight reasons first-class airfare is so expensive via Business Insider.

3. Why you should always fly with a tennis ball via Travel & Leisure.

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The Best Farmers' Market Totes

I love farmers' markets. Not only do they have the best and freshest selection of produce, but they are also a chance to support local farmers and small businesses. Here at the Jersey shore, there's practically a farmers' market everyday in a different town. So, if you miss your favorite market on Saturday, chances are you can find an equally good one on Sunday or any other day of the week.

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Weekend Dispatch

We FINALLY had a weekend with gorgeous weather. It really was glorious. I spent the better part of Sunday afternoon cleaning our deck and getting it ready for the unofficial start of summer this weekend. I bought a new outdoor carpet and a new umbrella, but we still need new furniture. I've seen a sectional that I like, but if you have outdoor furniture that you love, let me know what you have and why you love it. I can't believe this weekend is Memorial Day weekend. We have a low key weekend planned with a few barbecues and parties. Otherwise, here's what I'm up to this week:

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Trend To Try: Snakeskin Print

The snakeskin trend is slithering into closets this spring and summer, and it's nothing to be afraid of. It's showing up on bags, sneakers, heels, flats, dresses, tops, and even jeans. Whether you choose to wear it head to toe or just sprinkle it into your overall look, you'll be chic and stylish.

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Best Online Reads

The ten stories from around the web that I am loving this week:

1. How to gracefully decline an invitation via My Domaine.

2. The most persuasive phrase in the human language via Business Insider.

3. The smartest people are born during this month via Marie Claire.

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Spurge vs. Save: Raffia Clutches

Girls' night out or casual lunch al fresco, a raffia clutch is a fabulous way to accessorize your outfit. The big question is how much do you want to spend on this trendy item? Here are two very similar clutches with very different price points.

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Weekend Dispatch

Last weekend didn't leave much time for relaxing between Emma's birthday and Mother's Day, but since Mother's Day was wet and rainy, leaving us no option but to stay in where it was warm and dry, I made the best of it. I watched a movie everyone was raving about, downloaded and started listening to an audio book, and mixed up a really fun and tasty cocktail that you're going to want to make over and over again this summer.

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Playing Favorites

Playing Favorites is a monthly series where I share my latest obsessions, favorite finds, and any kind of entertainment (books, movies, TV, podcasts, and magazines) that I am loving. Here's what I am loving this month.

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5 Fab Finds Under $50

featured:

sweater | dress | straw tote | earrings | sandals

On a budget but still want to look great? Here are 5 fab finds under $50 that won't break the bank but will keep you (or your home) looking cute. Bonus: most have a nautical spin for summer chic!

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Best Online Reads

The ten stories from around the web that I am loving this week:

1. Ten things you should never put in the microwave via Real Simple.

2. The coolest ways to use Cool Whip via Taste of Home.

3. How to cure the Sunday scaries via Fast Company.

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Trend To Try: Tie-Dye

Tie-dye has endured the fashion scene for decades. But how do you wear the trend in an updated way so that you don't look like you're stuck in the hippie movement of the 1960s? Worn by free-spirits, musicians, and teens alike, tie-dye has now become mainstream. Everyone is suddenly wearing this versatile print. If you want to get in on the action, here are a few ways to wear the trend.

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Weekend Dispatch

Friday night's prom activities (and the final preparations last week) left me exhausted for the weekend. After staying up late on Friday night for Emma to return from the after party, I was completely wiped out on Saturday. Needless to say, I didn't do too much in the way of being productive, but I did catch up on reading, listening, and binge-watching some faves.

Here's how I spent my weekend:

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The Books I Read In April

This month didn't leave much time for reading. Between prepping and packing for our spring break trip and then being away for 5 days with little to no time to read, I only made it through two books this month. The first one was a quick read. The second one was a book that I anticipated to be a quick read since it was the final installment in a series that I love, but it was slightly slow and disappointing.

Here are the two books I read in April:

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Everyday Confidence with Poise® Active Collection™

This post has been sponsored by Poise®. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

 At 51, I've registered for my first 5K run. The thought of running my first 5k during midlife is incredibly exciting. However, I do have some reservations and concerns with running. And unfortunately, none of them involve my stamina or ability to run the distance. My concerns stem from my issues with light bladder leakage (LBL). We can't always know when light bladder leakage will strike, but I'm almost certain it will while I am running. Luckily, I'll be prepared with the Poise® Active Collection™ of ultra thin yet absorbent pads.

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How to Manage Your Pregnancy Like a Pro

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This week Emma turns 17. I've been doing a lot of reflecting on how quickly the years have passed since her birth and thinking about what was going on with me during my pregnancy. There's a lot that I forget, but there's so much that you remember about being pregnant, especially the conflicting feelings of excitement and trepidation.

It's got me thinking of all the ways I managed my pregnancy and prepared for a life that would never be the same (in a good way, of course!) To make the most out of your time being pregnant and preparing for your baby, you will have to start looking after number one. That would be YOU! Getting regular health checks, making sure that you get all the extra vitamins and minerals your body needs to support the growing life, and managing your hormonal balance and mental health are essentials to your well being during pregnancy. Here are a few other ways I handled the physical and mental changes of preparing for a new baby.

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Best Online Reads

The ten stories from around the web that I am loving this week:

1. Wedding guest etiquette rules that should never be broken via Real Simple.

2. This is the germiest place in your bathroom via Time.

3. Five critical life skills everyone should have via Big Think.

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How To Buy Clothes That Actually Fit

I know the pain, you know the pain, we all know the pain that comes when you can’t find clothes that fit. You think you know your size, but the clothes end up being too tight in one place or too loose in another. In the end, you’re left wearing things that don’t fit properly, which make you feel very self-conscious not to mention that they do nothing to flatter your body.

It’s an issue that’s relevant to every item of clothing you buy although some may find that specific items are more difficult to buy than others. So, how do you find clothes that actually fit you? Here are a few tips for getting a more accurate fit:

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Happy May ~ Letter From The Editor

Where did the month of April go? Can someone tell me? I blinked, and it was over. And now, here we are, sliding into the home stretch of the school year and gearing up for summer. This month, particularly this week, is a busy one. Emma's junior prom is Friday, and in typical Emma fashion, she's procrastinated and now we are scurrying to tie up loose ends. She's super excited for the prom and her 17th birthday on May 11th and her driving test a few days later.

We returned from San Diego a few days ago, and it was a whirlwind but wonderful trip. We covered a lot of ground, including a day trip to Santa Monica. We are already planning a girls' trip to return!

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