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!

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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?

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: