Best Online Reads

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

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

1. All 44 beaches in New Jersey ranked worst to best (my fave is #3!!!) via NJ.com.

2. Life lessons we can learn from pets via Darling,.

3. How to stop obsessing over your mistakes via Harvard Business Review.
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Is Becoming a Family Caregiver Right for You?

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

In a recent poll, 90% of seniors said they wanted to remain in their homes and communities for life. Seniors dislike the idea of spending their last days in nursing homes or hospitals, which they consider impersonal. In addition, those who remain in their homes tend to enjoy better overall health. Unfortunately, many cannot afford professional at-home care so adult children often become their caregivers.

My husband's cousin is slowly recovering from Pacemaker surgery and is in the early stages of dementia. Since my husband is the family member who is the most local to his cousin (his 4 children live out of state, and one of them is all the way in San Francisco), some of the care has fallen on my husband although they do have in-home care for him.

Yesterday the Hubs' cousin's daughter-in-law was in town for a quick visit. We made plans to catch up with each other at the beach. We only had about two hours to chat, and much of our conversation revolved around care for her father-in-law and how it's been a struggle for his children to agree on the best course of action. She is a nurse and brought up a few excellent points that I thought I'd share since many of us are getting to the age where we are caring for aging parents.
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What We're Reading

Monday, July 29, 2019

I am almost half way to my my 2019 Goodreads reading challenge goal of 35 books. I am finishing up book number 17 this week and am deciding on book 18. I like to move right to the next book without missing a beat so I keep my momentum going. I'll be choosing a book from my summer reading list. If there's a book on here that you'd recommend, please leave a comment to let me know which one. Thanks! xx

Here are the books we are currently enjoying:
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Best Online Reads

Thursday, July 25, 2019

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

1. How to change a bad habit via Huffington Post.

2. The secret language of airline pilots via Time.

3. When Harry Met Sally almost had a very different ending via Harper's Bazaar.
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Weekend Dispatch

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Last weekend was a scorcher here on the east coast. With temperatures in the high 90s but feeling like 110 degrees in some areas, it was difficult to find relief. We headed for the beach where it wasn't necessarily cooler, but at least it was more fun than staying cooped up inside in the air conditioning. All the time on the beach allowed me to start and finish a book, get me steps in (I had to park so far away), and to enjoy some time in the ocean with my girls.

Here's how I spent the weekend and what I am up to this week:

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Playing Favorites

Monday, July 22, 2019
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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Tips For Maintaining Your Carpets At Home

Saturday, July 20, 2019
A carpet in the home is by far the most popular choice for most homeowners. Our entire house has hardwood floors. I love the way hardwoods look and the fact that they are low maintenance (until they need to be refinished!). But they don’t help much in the way of comfort or energy saving. Carpets are comfortable underneath bare feet, and they trap a lot of heat. They also trap dirt, debris and bacteria, which hardwood floors don't. Each style of flooring does have its advantages and disadvantages. When it comes to looking after a hardwood flooring, it's not that difficult to know the basics. Hardwood floors can be mopped, little bits of wood that have been chipped off can be glued back on, and if the floor loses its finish, you can always varnish or buffer it. However for carpets it's a lot more difficult. Whether you are dealing with area carpets, throw rugs, or wall to wall carpeting, there is a process that you must adhere to, to get the best kind of maintenance you can.
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8 Interesting and Unique Gift Ideas Your Daughter Will Cherish Forever

Friday, July 19, 2019

When you give your daughter a gift, you want it to be something special, something that will bring a smile to her face. You want it to be an interesting and unique gift that she will cherish forever. There are all kinds of wonderful presents that you can choose from. Hopefully, this guide can help you sift through all of the many choices so that you can get something that your little girl (who may not be such a little girl anymore) will love.

When choosing a gift, it's important to consider your daughter’s interests and hobbies. The last thing you want to get for the woman who loves to fly is a bus ticket. She would much rather get a flight lesson or maybe even a skydiving adventure. If your fear is that you won’t pick something that is perfect for her, do a little research. You don’t have to be super stealthy about it either. Just have a conversation with her. Ask a few questions and really listen to the answers. Go to her house or to her room and look around. Ask questions about what you see and think about ways you can complement what she already has or further her dreams and goals.
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Best Online Reads

Thursday, July 18, 2019

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

1. One hundred things you can get for free this summer via The Girlfriend.

2. What you should know before joining in on the FaceApp craze via Bustle.

3. The best tips for air-drying your hair this summer via Marie Claire.
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10 Things To Buy at J.Crew Factory Right Now

Wednesday, July 17, 2019
featured:

While everyone seems to be focused on the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, I'm over here gobbling up all the deals elsewhere on the web. The Nordstrom sale isn't the only game in town, although you'd think it is with all the influencers promoting it like crazy. I'm not going to lie. It's a good sale, but personally, I can't even think about buying knee high boots or a turtleneck sweater when it's 90+ degrees outside. I might regret it when October rolls around, but for now, I'm scooping up all the warm weather clothes at bargain basement prices.

Take J.Crew Factory, for example. The Clear the Clearance sale is happening right now, and you save an additional 60% off your clearance purchase with code CLEAROUT.

Here are a few of my faves...these are items that I've purchased recently or are in my cart currently.
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The Books I Read In June

Monday, July 15, 2019

I have a lot of ground to make up this summer if I plan to meet my goal of 35 books in 2019. I'm currently at 14 books and almost finished with the 15th book. But it's more than half way through the year, and I am just short of my half way goal. So, I've got to kick it up a notch. June was not a productive month as far as reading went. The end of the school year will do that to you. Anyway, here's to hoping I can get through at least three books this month!

Here are the books I read in June:
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3 Repairs To Make For A Safer and More Valuable Home

Sunday, July 14, 2019
photo via
It’s no surprise that everyone wants to have a safe home. After all, being able to feel safe in your home is one of the most essential and basic aspects of daily life. But getting your home to be as safe as possible can take some time, even if many of the things that you need to do along the way are actually very simple and straightforward. Keep it simple by focusing on just a few of the most important repairs that you should make to keep your home safe.
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Best Online Reads

Thursday, July 11, 2019

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

1. The 32 bands that performed at Woodstock via How Stuff Works.

2. Ten words you need to stop misspelling via The Oatmeal.

3. What high heels looked like the year you were born via Harper's Bazaar.
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Weekend Dispatch

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Last weekend I was sidelined with an upper respiratory infection and a sinus infection. I felt absolutely awful but managed to rally for some 4th of July festivities. By the time Saturday morning rolled around, I was pretty much exhausted and in need of some downtime. I caught up on Big Little Lies (this season is sooooo good!), finally finished a book that seemed to take forever to read, and fell way behind on laundry.

This weekend my sister and my great nephew are coming from Pennsylvania to visit, so we'll spend time at the beach and hitting up our favorite shops and restaurants.

But for now, I'll be catching up and trying to get ahead. In between, here are a few of the things I'll be up to.

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How To Shop The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

Tuesday, July 9, 2019
It's here! It's that time of year! The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is coming (and we're doing our happy dance)!! 💃 It's the biggest and best sale of the year with the hottest trends and favorite brands on sale for a limited time.


WHAT: The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

WHEN: Sale begins on July 12th at 12:30 ET for Nordstrom cardholders. Sale opens to public on July 19th.

Sooner beats later, so get the Nordstrom card now so you get first dibs on the best selection! Apply here!
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Rest. Recharge. Repeat.

Monday, July 8, 2019

In the weeks leading up to the fourth of July holiday, I went back and forth with myself over taking the week off. I rarely take a break from the blog. Even when I'm on vacation, I work hard to get content written and scheduled before I leave so that the blog isn't stagnant for a week. But since we were sticking around here last week, I decided that I'd go about the blog business as usual. I had planned to write the posts a day ahead of time and publish them the next morning. Except that didn't exactly happen.

Last Monday's post was written and posted, and then I randomly and unexpectedly decided to just unplug. It also helped that I woke to a bout of sinusitis on Wednesday morning that had me down for the count until Saturday afternoon when I sort of starting coming to life again. I didn't force blog posts. I did fulfill obligations for a client, but other than that, I didn't devote a whole lot of time to the blog or to social media.
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Happy July ~ Letter From The Editor

Monday, July 1, 2019

Here at the Jersey shore, everyone loves to say that the summer flies by after the fourth of July holiday. I certainly hope not being that summer has really just started now that school has ended. But I have to say, there is some truth in that statement. My favorite season really does seem to go faster and faster each year. And it never fails that the more plans we have and the more we try to pack in to our summer, the faster it goes. So, here's to slowing it down and enjoying every moment of it.

This month on the blog, I'll be sharing my nightly skincare routine since many have asked me for it. It's fairly simple and doesn't include a ton of expensive products. So, be on the lookout for that. I'll also be sharing what's in my beach/pool bag including my favorite towel and sun protection products (for body, face, and lips) as well as what I'm reading. There will be a post tomorrow on festive cocktails to serve on July 4th as well as all summer long.
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