Happy Friday! I'm linking up with Andrea and Erika to share some of my favorites that have helped me get through summer so far! When e-readers came out, I fought and fought against one. Everyone who knows me knows how much I love reading and my dad insisted on getting me one for every holiday but I kept saying no. It wasn't until I traveled abroad and had limited space in my luggage that I gave in and tried one. I haven't looked back once! Ten years later and I got a new Kindle....the Paperwhite . The balcony at my apartment is finally finished and decorated so I've been sitting out on it more and knew I had a couple of beach trips planned and reading on the Kindle Fire is difficult with the glare from the sun. The Paperwhite makes reading outside so easy and the battery lasts forever! I didn't have to charge it once when I was in Mexico! I discovered this sunscreen last year and am OBSESSED! I've always known Trader Joe's was great for food but who knew ...

I thought June was a good month for books, but somehow July was even better! This month saw seven books including a memoir, a YA series, some historical fiction, a beach read and suspense novel. Grab a glass of iced tea and open up your Goodreads account so you can add some of these books to your TBR list! My first read of the month was Over the Top  by Jonathan Van Ness from Queer Eye.  I was at the library looking for a different book when I saw this one and picked it up on a whim. I love the show and listened to Tan France's audiobook last year so I was excited to learn more about JVN and get some inside scoop on the show. That being said, I wasn't that impressed with the book. It mostly talks about his wild days and I do appreciate his vulnerability speaking out about mental health issues and how left untreated, it wasn't healthy -- or safe. I think I just went into the book with different expectations but that being said, I'm glad I read it. Next up was Not a Happ...

Welcome back! Grab your tea -- or mimosa if you're like me and pretending you're still in Mexico -- and settle in to see the rest of our trip! Be sure to check out days 1&2 from yesterday if you haven't yet! Breakfast with a view! Also, please note all of our "breakfast appetizers" of pastries. After breakfast, we walked the famed 5th Avenue and saw this cute mall.   We also wandered down some of the side streets to see the little shops and restaurants. We got back from walking around and I had a tour scheduled of the property and was so tickled when I saw my logo up on the board at the front desk. The resort has a made-to-order bar where you tell the bartender what you like and they'll make a drink specific to you! It was such a cool little gem! Once my tour ended, we found ourselves poolside again just in time for the Tribal party. Complete with more acrobatics! Different day, different book, same view. Living my best life! I didn't know for the lon...

  I'm back in New Jersey after spending 5 days in Mexico and it's somehow hotter in NJ than it was in Mexico. Hello 101 degrees temperature! Whew, take me back to Mexico so I can have a break from the heat! Last week, Stephen and I packed our bags and made a run for the border! As a graduation gift to me, Stephen told me he wanted to take me on a trip so last Monday we headed to Playa del Carmen in Mexico! Up and ready to catch our flight to Cancun! This was Stephen's first trip out of the country and he was ready to get his first stamp in his passport. He got his first passport late last year and since he's a huge Cowboys fan, I got him a personalized passport cover for Christmas. Stephen was so excited to get a window seat...until we got to our seat. He was seriously the only "window" seat without a window. I blame the Krutz Kurse. We decided to stay at the Hilton Playa del Carmen and it's smack in the middle of town but also a beachfront property.  Afte...