Friday Favorites


Date Night Dessert from Pie Junkie: Drunken Turtle & Peanut Butter Pie


The highly requested #SquatYourDogChallenge video. See it on @Chloe_and_Kylo's Instagram. 


Our favorite way to spend a Sunday afternoon: snacks and craft beer at Oak & Ore


Spending the weekend in Dallas at my cousin's wedding. See full outfit post here. 


Coming home from Dallas to discover that the Pride Parade was a street over from our house. 
Who knew? 


Finally getting our back yard in order - a fire pit, patio dining table and bistro lights. 
Now we just need to throw a dinner party! 


Happy Friday + Happy 4th Weekend!! How many of you are taking like 5 days off to celebrate America? If you are, I hate you.

Kidding.

Mostly.

I have to work on Monday, so this is just a normal weekend for me with a random day off work in the middle of the week. I mean....obviously I'll take it, but it could be better. #firstworldprobs. Since everyone and their dog are out of town this weekend, I plan to spend it doing yard work in my American flag bikini with a beer in hand. What could be more American than that?

I can't believe it's been a whole month since my last Friday Favorites post, all the way from Belize, so I figured it was time to do it again. I was actually planning on doing a 4th of July sales post but, life got the best of me and this is all I had time for! Speaking of time.....ya'll, it seriously flies....like, how is it already less than six months till Christmas?!! I am trying to live more 'in the moment' but man, I'm really excited for the next few months and what they hold.

How are you celebrating the 4th? Please tell me so I can live vicariously through you as I dig up old flower beds and put new mulch down. Whatever it is, stay safe and have a blast! (no pun intended)



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Just Call Me Sporty Spice

Top (runs large) | Similar Sports Bra | Leggings (on sale!) | Similar LeggingsShoes | No Show Socks
There's not much I love more than sleeping in on weekend mornings and laying around in PJs all day, but sometimes a girl's got a to-do list to get done. You know, nails, coffee and shopping ;) kidding! More like errands, laundry, cleaning, gym and yard work.

But in all seriousness, sometimes I hate having to put on real clothes to go out in public. Luckily, the athleisure trend is all.the.rage right now and I am all for it! It's a major life goal of mine to be able to wear Lulu 24/7....that and use a real coffee mug every day instead of a travel tumbler. Girl's gotta dream, ya know? In the mean time, I'll settle for dressing all sporty spice two days out of the week. All the stylish workout clothes on the market right now make it so easy to go from the gym to the store - or even to brunch! Or to just wear around the house - I won't judge.

Speaking of the gym, am I the only one who despises working out on weekends? I would love to be the type of person who wakes up early and gets a run in before breakfast, but that's just not me (and probably never will be). I workout super hard Monday - Friday but I prefer not to step foot in the gym on my days off of work! That being said, I do try to get in some active recovery (like a bike ride with C) or a short workout that I can do at home to balance out any cheat meals or alcohol. I did the following workout last week and it was just the right amount of difficult. I also mixed in some tabata abs at the end - check this post for ideas!

1/2 Mile Run

5 Rounds of:
20 Walking Lunges (weighted, if possible - 10 per leg)
20 Bent Over Rows (10 per arm)
20 Dumbell Curls (10 per arm)
1 Minute Rest (or no rest, your call!)

Finish with another 1/2 Mile Run









I bought these leggings from Anchored Hope Boutique, the cutest online store based out of Tulsa. They are currently a part of a flash sale and are only $18! I absolutely adore the marble print and mesh (anything marble gives me all the feels). Heads up, though, they are definitely more athleisure-only wear than actual gym wear because they are slightly see through when you squat or bend over. Disclaimer: all you ladies with skinny legs would probably be a-ok....but fellow quadzillas, beware! I linked a few similar options in the widget below.

I also want to give a shoutout to my Nike Juvenates. They've stuck by my side through many-a-vacay and never given me a single blister. I'll most definitely be purchasing a second pair soon! They are not made for high intensity workouts or running, but they're a great casual shoe and are so supportive when you're doing lots of walking. They do make your feet smell if you go sockless (ew), but these socks will save the day.

What do you think of the athleisure trend? And what is your favorite comfy walking shoe? I need a few good pairs with some variety to take with me on my big trip abroad later this year and would love some recommendations!


Shop The Post



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Morning Lavender

Tank (currently 40% off) | Skirt (sold out, similar here) | Similar Shoes | Monogram Necklace | Screw Bar Bracelet | Beaded Bracelet | Arrow Ring
Happy Monday! How was everyone's weekend? I spent mine in Dallas - my cousin, who's really more like my big brother, got married! It was such a beautifully perfect wedding and everyone in attendance had an absolute blast. They gave out glow sticks during the reception which I thought was so fun and I danced my booty off all night long......it's been quite a few years since I danced that hard and whew! I wore myself out!

I don't know about you, but whenever I get invited to a wedding I literally spend months stressing out about what to wear. I love an excuse to get dolled up but it's important to dress appropriately for the type of wedding (ex: barn wedding vs. country club wedding) and the season. I knew going into this event that I wanted a full statement skirt and when I discovered this one from Morning Lavender, I knew right then and there it was the one!

I started following Morning Lavender on Instagram a while back and have since fallen head over heels in love with their entire store. Their pieces are on trend yet very chic - they all make a statement without being obnoxious! They have a ton of items that would be perfect for a wedding guest or a special date night, as well as pieces for everyday wear. I am obsessed with this look for the office or around town and this top embodies all the big summer trends right now. There are about a million other things I love from Morning Lavender, but I'll let you discover them on your own.








BTW, how cute is my wedding date? ;)

I hope your Monday is off to a great start! Thanks for reading, it means more than you know!







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Vacation Planning + The Perfect Beach Dress

Dress & Beaded Necklace c/o The Clothing Bar | Kendra Scott Necklace | Tory Burch Sandals
How perfect is this maxi dress for a beach vacation? I'm sooo wishing I had found it in time for our Belize trip last month. Any dress with pockets is a winner in my book, but pair it with a low back and it's love at first sight! I also appreciate the muted colors in this maxi - there are so many bright or neon dresses out there right now, which I love, but sometimes it's nice to tone it down with a more neutral/earthy color palette.

Speaking of vacations, I have a bad case of the travel bug right now! I am waist deep in planning one BIG vacation that C and I are taking later this year (!!!!) but that means we have to lay low and save up in the mean time. I am such a planner (I really need to focus more on being in the 'now' - who else can relate?), so I have been researching and making spreadsheets and itineraries like its my job. Go ahead and make fun - I know I sound so type A - but I love every bit of vacation planning!



Since I'm clearly a self-proclaimed Travel Agent, I wanted to share a few tips I've learned throughout our travels! These are definitely geared more towards big city trips like NYC, LA, etc. - if you're going to a resort at the beach, there's no need to go this in depth, ha!

1. Do Your Research
To make the most of vacation, we research things to do, sights to see and places to eat. We read blogs, ask friends, look on Pinterest, scour through Serious Eats, Thriller and Eater, and make notes of which places stick out to us the most. Then, we go to those place's websites, Instagrams and Yelp pages to see pictures and menus and to get an overall feel. We also look into the best times to visit attractions and figure out the best way to pay for tickets, whether that be ahead of time or at the door. This sounds extensive, I know, but it's worth it in the end!

2. Get On The Same Page
After doing our own individual research, C and I create a Google spreadsheet that we can both access and edit. We make lists for the 'musts' and the 'maybes' in all categories (activities, shopping and most importantly, food). We then click and drag the items into a daily itinerary that we create below the lists. It makes it easy to rearrange and see which places are leftover. I always want to find photo-ops and the best donuts in town while C wants to find a unique Asian dish..... combining our lists helps to ensure we make time for the most important things!

3. Plan Each Day Geographically 
This will allow you to best utilize your time! You won't have to waste time or money on extra transportation back and forth across town. I posted about how I use Custom Google Maps a while back - it never lets me down! I cross-reference this when I'm creating the daily itinerary I mentioned above so I can pick each day's activities to be close in vicinity to each other.

4. Always Schedule Time for a Nap
This might sound silly, but having downtime really helps you recharge. We typically take a break from sightseeing around four or five o'clock and give ourselves a few hours to rest and clean up before dinner and any nighttime activities. There was one trip where we didn't make it a priority, and we were spent...we felt physically sick from exhaustion every evening. We'll never make that mistake again!

5. Squeeze in a Healthy Meal or Two
It can be hard to make yourself eat healthy while on vacation... I mean, I get it, all you want to do is eat, drink and try everything in sight when you have the chance, but fitting in a healthy meal here and there will help tremendously! The more healthy meals you squeeze in, the more you'll enjoy devouring other meals.









WHEW! Sorry I'm such a chatter box today!

This dress is from The Clothing Bar and is not available online, but if you contact them and tell them I sent you, they'll gladly ship it your way! You can reach them at 405-488-4353 or visit their storefront in Norman. They have something for every occasion (and spoiler alert, it's all adorable). I also tagged a few similar items in the widget below!

What do you guys have going on this weekend? I'm so excited to be leaving work early today and heading to Texas for my cousin's wedding. I grew up in North Texas and it has been far too long since I've been back. I'm really looking forward to seeing some of my best friends and family members and catching up with everyone. Plus, who doesn't love weddings? Getting dressed up, champagne + cake, lots of pictures with my all-time favorite people.....sounds right up my alley! Of course I might have to swing by ShakeShack and pick up some of my all-time-favorite $4 Rosé at Trader Joe's.....when in Dallas!

Happy Friday, ya'll!


Thanks to The Clothing Bar  for collaborating with me on this post! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Photos by A.W. Photography






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All About the Abs

Lululemon Tank | Similar VS Sports Bra | Rokfit Shorts | Nike Juvenate Shoes (also love this color)
(note: I do not recommend these shoes for working out as they are not super supportive, but they are great for walking or casual wear!
My favorite Crossfit/HIIT shoes are Nike Metcons)
When you think of someone who is "fit," do you picture someone with defined abs? Because I do! When I started working out and eating healthy, having abs + feeling confident enough to work out with my shirt off were always my #1 goals. Throughout my fitness journey of different eating habits, diets and fitness regimens, my abs and come and gone a few times. However, regardless of the approach, a few things always remain the same when it comes to getting a six pack and I thought I'd share them with you today. It is bikini season, after all! My abs are currently not at their absolute best, but I know from past experiences that it's my own fault for not following my #2 and #3 tips as strictly as I should!

1. One huge misconception is that doing ab exercises is the best way to get abs. Yes, ab exercises work your core, but you have to combine that with a whole lotta cardio in order to trim down any fat around your midsection and really reveal the abs that are underneath it. Burn it off first, then tone it up.

2. Abs are most certainly made in the kitchen. You can workout every single day but if you aren't eating right, your abs won't be nearly as lean or defined as the have the potential to be. This is definitely my biggest struggle.....I mean, have you tasted donuts?

3. Sugar is the devil! Your body digests sugar as a carb, meaning it uses it for quick energy and stores the leftovers as fat. There is added sugar in nearly every item in the grocery store, so even when you're eating crackers or granola, you're eating sugar, too. Even some "healthy" foods like fruits or organic honey are full of sugar and your body digests it just like it would a bag of Sour Patch Kids. I *try* to track my food intake and keep my sugar below 50g a day as a rough guideline.





As I mentioned above, it's so important to pair your ab exercises with other movements to really get your blood pumping and burn some calories and fat. If you're a crossfitter like me, the below exercises are going to be old news, but they are staples in my routine and great basics for a beginner.

"Annie" has been one of my go-to workouts in our garage gym because I can do it easily with a torn labrum in my shoulder and I don't have to scale anything (!!). Also, it's relatively quick and easy to do by myself/without competition. I try to do it every weekend! I normally start out with a warm up and some heavy squats and then move into the WOD.





Annie: 50-40-30-20-10, Double Unders and Sit Ups. 

So that's 50 double unders, 50 sit ups, then 40 double unders, 40 sit ups, etc. If you can't do double unders, do double the amount of singles (100-80-60-40-20). Make sure to touch your toes on the sit ups!

Whenever there is extra time after a crossfit class, we often do "Tabata Abs." I like to do this as a finisher when I workout at home, too, because its quick but it brings the pain! Tabata is a HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) type workout where you work hard for twenty seconds and then rest for ten seconds. It typically lasts for four minutes, but you can go as long as you please!




Tabata Abs: Choose an ab movement (example: flutter kicks) and complete as many reps as possible for twenty seconds, then rest for ten seconds. Switch movements every round, or as needed. Some options are: flutter kicks, plank, russian twists, sit-ups, crunches, bicycle, v-ups, boat hold, mountain climbers, leg hold or leg raise, etc.! 

I hope that gave you some insight and ideas for summertime ab workouts. If you have any questions on movements or standards, shoot me an email or leave a comment below. If you have any killer ab movements I should try, please send 'em my way! Remember, your diet affects your body more than anything.


I am not a personal trainer or dietician, I just really love working out and staying fit! These tips are solely based on things I've learned from my own personal experiences. I recommend MyoBrain for nutrition and training!

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Lovely Lemons

Top, Shoes & Necklace c/o The Clothing BarJean Shorts | Similar Sunnies for $12

We all know by now that off-the-shoulder tops are ALL THE RAGE this summer....you don't need me to tell you that! But have you noticed lemons popping up everywhere you look, too? Because they are! I love the bright pops of yellow. Lemons give me such a fun and refreshing summery feeling, like lemonade on a hot day.

Speaking of lemonade, my adorable neighbor girls had a lemonade stand the other day! I've never actually seen one in person before and it completely melted my heart. I got a pink lemonade and a bag of cookies for $1 - best purchase ever! 

This top is almost as good of a purchase ;) it is from The Clothing Bar in Norman, Okla. I've been following them on Instagram since they first opened but never made the drive down because...well...we're OSU people and we bleed orange, ha! BUT, now I know that I've totally been missing out! They have the cutest clothes and accessories that fit my style to a T. 

I originally planned on pairing this lemon top with white skinnies for a dressier look, but the pair I picked up from The Clothing Bar didn't quite fit. #quadzilla probs. So, I decided to go the distressed jean short route and I ended up loving it! I think the chiffon-like texture of the top balances out the casual cut-offs so well. It's super versatile and would be perfect for a backyard bbq, a date night, brunch with the girls or anything in-between. Also, can we talk about these shoes? I'm normally a flats kinda gal, but these heeled sandals were so comfy! Plus they literally match 89% of the things in my closet. Can't go wrong with that! 







The Clothing Bar doesn't have a website at this time, but if you call them (405-488-4353) and tell them I sent you, they will ship goodies your way! You can also visit their boutique at 2001 West Main Street in Norman. I'll be sharing another look from them on Friday, so stay tuned. 

I hope your week is off to a wonderful start! Thanks for reading, loves.


Thanks to The Clothing Bar  for collaborating with me on this post! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Photos by A.W. Photography

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