Wednesday, July 30, 2014

July Recommendations

Skimmers, recommendations are in bold. Anything underlined is a link you can click on.

Aside from me, this month you get recs from my BFF Kim (Boston) and Kelli at Just Beachy blog. Kelli is one of my favorite reads. Links to her social media accounts are under her recommendations. I hope you check her out and follow her all the ways or one of the ways. Go forth and enjoy!

1. Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Shampoo/Conditioner: If you have wavy hair this shampoo and conditioner is for you. I can put my hair up in a bun at any time after using this and when I take it down loose beautiful waves happen with no effort on my part. Who doesn't want no effort hair?

2. Kong Stuffable Dog Toys - The perfect way to distract a chewing puppy, the old dog doesn't hate it either. Keeps both dogs entertained for hours and the Kong website has yummy recipes your dog will love.

3. Coppertone Oil Free Faces - Perfect for sensitive and combination skin types, doesn't clog my pores or cause the breakouts I've had with other sunscreens. It's lightweight and perfect for everyday use.

4. Sargento Tastings - If you love cheese but don't want to buy (and by that I mean eat) the entire block/wedge/wheel, these snack sized servings of some cheese favorites are a sure bet. 



I've been living in the Boston area for over ten years now and one of my favorite summer time trip planning tools is the show Chronicle.  They do different episodes that showcase places around New England to visit that are "A Tank Away" or explore "Main Streets and Back Roads." 

In New England, the choices abound to covered bridges, beaches, mountains, and the coast.  Each year, I try to add a new spot to my list and this year it'll be Lake George, NY.  Other favorites are Nantucket, MA, Newport, RI, Portsmouth, NH, and Portland, ME.  I keep meaning to get to Block Island, RI as well. Without a doubt, my favorite "Tank Away" go-to summer getaway is Martha's Vineyard, MA.

Disclaimer:  I'm that friend that doesn't really take pictures and if I do, you will never see them because I will never send them to you.  Naturally, this drives Steph crazy!  I've attached a few, but if you really want to see MV in all of its glory, you need to come to MA!

1. The Island Queen - It's a quick 35 minute ferry ride from Falmouth to Oak Bluffs and it's the only way to go.

2. The Painted Ladies -  Small Victorian Gingerbread Houses.  They are fun, festive, and historic and make my wonder why we all can't paint our houses a variety of colors.
3. Offshore Ale Co-  I love beer!  This place has a lot of it brewed locally.  My husband and I always stop her for a quick beer and mayhem ensues.  You can also eat whole peanuts to your heart's content and throw the shells on the ground.  I'd never do that because it's a big mess, but I like that I can.  Obviously, if you have a peanut allergy, this isn't the place for you.

4. Cliffs of Aquinnah - AKA Gay Head - Completely gorgeous red clay cliffs.  You can climb Gay Head Light for a bird's eye view.  It's worth the trip and you can spend the day on the beach with the cliffs towering behind you. Disclaimer:  There's a nude beach that you pass on the way to get your beautiful, tranquil cliff shots.  This makes me feel good because it reinforces that anyone can go to the nude beach.

5. Chappaquiddick Island - Besides the Ted Kennedy incident of 1969, it's a little island with great beaches that can be reached in short time with an enjoyable bike ride. Trust your instincts when you see huge black clouds looming.  I didn't and ended up crouching in terror against a random fire station door during a thunder and lightning storm.
6. Lighthouses - It's an island, so there are lighthouses everywhere, five in total.  I'm a big fan: lighthouses possess a quiet solitude, are a constant beacon, and bring people home safely. These are a few of my favorite things. I also got engaged at the Edgartown Lighthouse, so it clearly holds a special place.
1) Steve plying himself with some liquid courage before the proposal 2) Edgartown Lighthouse
What's your favorite "Tank Away" get away?


1. Books: Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt is a beautiful story full of sads and coming of age truths and I didn't want it to end. The Secret Life of Violet Grant by Beatriz Williams - I thought this was a delicious summer read, much like her other book was for me last year (A Hundred Summers).

2. Gain car deodorizer. Lord, lay me down in a field of Gain scented anything. Michelle got these for me about a year ago, and Target finally started carrying them. Hallelujah and Amen. 
3. Nordic bakewear. See this pan? It was just used. It's not new, and there are no marks anywhere. I detest cleaning baking sheets. Nordic bakewear comes clean like a dream with no elbow grease required. I always find mine at Marshalls or HomeGoods, but they're available on Amazon too. 

Thanks to Kelli & Kim for sharing your musts of the month! 

What about you? What do you recommend this month?

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Not Linking up with Kathy for Humpday Confessions but you should.

 Linking up with Shanna for Random Wednesday













Linking up with Liz for Fitness Blondie's Blog Hop:
The Hump Day Blog Hop

23 comments:

  1. soooooo.....i tried reading tell the wolves i'm home and had to stop. it was so depressing :(

    finished And the Mountains Echoed and omfg loved it. then i tried to read Dr. Sleep (sequel to The Shining) and had to stop because apparently, i'm a huge pussy and got too scared to continue.

    thanks for linking up!
    -kathy
    Vodka and Soda

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  2. This was such a great post idea!! Those kong toys saved our lives back in the days of a chewing puppy for sure!! I also love the herbal essence brand (the tousle me softly really does work) but I also use the volumizing one once a week to remove any build up!

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  3. I have to try the Herbal essence since my hair is hating me lately with the humidity. Love Kim's recommendations since I live in Mass and haven't really been to any of those places. The Gain deodorizers are the best, I spend so much time in my car and it makes it smell so good.

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  4. I am in desperate need of new bakeware. I have to look into this!

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  5. I've been wondering what else to put in the Kong so I may have to look into the recipes... good to know. And I hate the way cookie sheets look after a use or two. Had no idea ones like this existed.

    (also, someone has been playing with Canva! Is it easy? I created an account but it wasn't what I needed or wanted for that post so I went back to PIcmonkey but I love the things you can do!)

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  6. Oooh nordic bake wear looks amazing!

    Lake George, NY.... OH girlllll........... I live like 2 hours from there! It's SO WONDERFUL!!!!

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  7. Intrigued by the Nordic ware. I need to get new baking pans.Darn Teddy Kennedy and that accident. Remember it like it was yesterday. Lighthouses are comforting. We are all lighthouses for someone(s)! Lovely seeing all of these recommendations !
    Enjoying this pleasant weather! I know you are. too.
    Love your MOMMA

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  8. I am writing down that shampoo recommendation, that is exactly what I need! I love the sightseeing recs- i need a vacation from my vacation.

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  9. I need that air freshner for my car.... with 3 boys its pretty awful!

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  10. Kim is my picture soul sister. I suck at taking them (unless they are of my kid and my dogs) and can't remember the last time I took one with anything other than my iPhone.

    I just got the Vacationers from the library and it is starting out really slow to me. Have you read it? I got the new Emily Giffin and Jennifer Weiner books too...both were on the "recently returned" shelf which was a huge score. I maybe get a little too excited when new stuff is available without 872 holds on it. Now let's see if I can get through them before they were due.

    Gain is amazing, but so damn expensive.

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  11. Loving that baking sheet!! Thanks for the rec! oxox, Amanda

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  12. I didn't realize that Kong had a recipe list on their site? My dogs shall be so pleased! I need to get another Kong anyways, we only have one and you know how it is..they always want what the other has!

    Mmmm the smell of Gain is wonderful!

    I saw the Sargento tastings at Target last week finally. I had a coupon but didn't have it with me so I am going to go back this week and get it and save money. BOOM!

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  13. Perfect timing! My car air freshener is almost out so I need a new one!

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  14. Nice I'm going to look out for the Gain car-freshener. I have a Yankee candle one now that works okay but I love the smell of gain.

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  15. I always thought the Painted Ladies were only in San Fran. Didn't realize many cute, colored homes were referred to that way. I'm now on the lookout for sargento tastings! And the gain car air freshener. Great recommendations!

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  16. Evidently I need to go to Boston! The houses look pretty cool - we have a historic distric in AZ with some really awesome houses as well. Buuuuut, no beaches which look quite lovely!

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    Replies
    1. Martha's Vineyard is definitely on my list of places to visit!

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  17. Kim thank you for reminding me again why I love the New England states. Laughed at the huddling up to a old fire house door and not going to the place that you can throw your peanut shells on the floor if you have a food allergy. Great blog.

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  18. I might have to check out this Nordic bakeware. I love Kim's MV recs. Someday...

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  19. I am all about Coppertone Oil Free Faces this summer! I hate the sunscreen feel, but need it all day, every day. It's so light and perfect! Two people in the past week have recommended Tell the Wolves I'm Home to me. I better get it on my list!

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  20. Ahh a pan that looks clean after use?? Sign me up. I dont love cooking but I actually enjoy baking stuff!

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