1. I LOVE my new running tights* that I picked up (on sale!) at Old Navy. A lot of my workout clothes come from places like Old Navy, because they’re affordable and hold up pretty well (in my experience so far). And IMHO, pretty workout clothes are huge motivation boosters. Am I right?

2. Someone on Twitter recently asked about affordable, all-rounder make-up options and I have been pretty happy with the Covergirl + Olay Simply Ageless Foundation with SPF 28*. I originally bought it for travel (because it’s a compact foundation and not liquid – although they do have a liquid make-up option for this!) and I loved it. I’d say it’s medium coverage, but holds up well throughout the day.

3. If you’re looking for an app where you can search exercises by muscle group (with a short instructional video), the JeFit App* is a great resource. It’s been super-easy to use if you want to switch up your strength training routine with new exercises.

4. I don’t eat them very often, but we picked up some fresh (Poppyseed for me, cheese-jalapeño for Jon) bagels at the store twice this month (for lunch) and they were delicious. 

5. Are you picky about your pens? Do you have a favorite? I keep coming back to Pentel R.S.V.P. Fine* ball point pens. 

6. I’ve been on the hunt for a protein shake or powder that I can use as a quick refuel option after harder workouts. It’s been surprisingly hard to find something that tastes good AND has low sugar content AND has a pronounceable ingredient list without artificial ingredients. I’ve landed on Vega Protein Made Simple Powder* (Vega sells different kinds of protein powders, so you have to pay attention!) because this one has only 5 ingredients and no artificial sweeteners. Plus, it actually tastes like chocolate milk.

7. I can’t believe I am saying this, but I am warming up to Trader Joe’s (Crunchy No-Salt) Peanut Butter* (I like creamy, too). I didn’t grow up with Peanut Butter and for the longest time, didn’t really care for it (especially not as a spread on bread), but I think almond butter has helped me transition to liking peanut butter as well. Do you like peanut butter? Crunchy or creamy?

What was one of your favorite things this month?

* #notanad, This is not a sponsored post. I have not been compensated by the brand or anyone else for linking the websites.

1. My sister sent me a hand-sewn heating pad for Christmas (I love that she’s also crafty when she has the time!) and it’s been my best friend for the last few weeks. We like to keep our home on the cooler side, so I heat this up at night and take it with me when I go to bed and it’s wonderful. 

2. I was introduced to the deliciousness of Cotswold Double Gloucester Cheese* this month. TBH, there aren’t many cheese that I don’t like, but I also usually have my go-to cheeses and rarely branch out. I am glad that I was able to try this cheese (as I don’t know if I would have picked it up at the store by myself), because it’s DELICIOUS. Go buy some at Trader Joe’s.

3. I probably mentioned before that I love puzzles but rarely do any. Over the long MLK weekend, I got to do some puzzles with some friends and it was so much fun that it’s making my favorites list. I think I’d like to get some more puzzles. 

4. Do you like Kiwi? I always forget how much I like Kiwi*. I rarely buy it and I don’t really know why (maybe I don’t like to peel it? Maybe I just forget how good it is?), but I am trying to remember that I actually enjoy the taste very much.

5. I’ve been using The Ordinary “Buffet” Peptide Serum* on and off for a while and I really like it. It can be a little ‘sticky’ used by itself, but I use in at night before I put on moisturizer and it’s a nice combination to hydrate my skin while I sleep.

6. I was never a big fan of green tea*, but for some reason, I’ve recently taken a liking to it. Maybe it’s because I’ve set this goal to properly “hydrate” during the day and I can better reach my goal if I add more (decaf) tea to my hydrating options.

7. I’ve been a little bit obsessed with My Fitness Pal* this month. I’ve been “loosely” tracking my food and water intake for well over a year, more out of curiosity than anything else, but I’ve committed this month to really be diligent about tracking food and especially water (because I have a hydration goal, see above) and pay attention to the macros a bit. 

What was one of your favorite things this month?

#notanad, This is not a sponsored post. I have not been compensated by the brand or anyone else for linking the websites.

1. When I visited my family in May, my sister passed on this Naketano Long Hoodie to me. Naketano was a popular German clothing brand (which sadly has been discontinued) and I was trying to get my hands on one of their awesome, cozy sweaters. I bought one online (from leftover stock) and my sister had this one and decided to pass it on to me. I love it. It’s so comfortable and cozy. Plus, it reminds me of my sister every time I wear it.

2. As you might remember, the Revlon Hair Dryer and Volumizer* was on my Christmas wishlist and someone snagged it for me from my Amazon Wishlist. I can already attest to the positive reviews I’ve read from others. 

3. The Friends LEGO set* was a Christmas gift I didn’t know I wanted, but it’s giving me much joy this holiday season!

4. My friend Tanja gave me this 4Ocean bracelet* for Christmas, and not only is it pretty, it also supports a good cause. 4Oceans’ purpose is to end the ocean plastic crisis and every purchase supports the clean up of 1 pound of trash from the ocean and coastlines. They have bracelets representing different ocean inhabitants (this is the manatee bracelet).

5. It’s probably not a surprise that Trader Joe’s Organic Breakfast Blend Coffee* made my December favorites’ list, because I took a break from coffee for three weeks and couldn’t wait to get reunited. 

6. I don’t often bake cookies throughout the year (if not to say, never), but I love me some Vanillekipferl for Christmas.

7. Christmas Cards make me the happiest in December. But you already knew that.

What was one of your favorite things this month?

* #notanad, This is not a sponsored post. I have not been compensated by the brand or anyone else for linking the websites.

1. I picked up a tube of Weleda Light Skin Food* Moisturizer when I was in Germany. I had long wanted to try their stuff, as Weleda is a European Clean Beauty brand with a long-standing reputation. And I am happy to say, I really like this moisturizer. It’s soft, not too thick (there is a thicker version), absorbs quickly, and I love the citrusy smell.

2. I received an email this month saying that I was going to get a $5 start deposit if I downloaded Peet’s Peetniks Rewards App* and because I am always down for free coffee, I happily obliged. 

3. Do you like Cremini Mushrooms*  as much as I do? I could eat mushrooms with every meal, if I had to. Not surprisingly, we go through a lot of mushrooms at our house.

4. My best friend gave me these cute string lights (similar to those*) when I was in Germany and they’re my favorite thing to brighten up our living room in the evening now. 

5. I bought this Long Cardigan* before our flight to Germany, because I knew it was going to be cooler there. It’s super-cozy and it was comfortable for the plane and I am looking forward to wearing it more often this fall.

6. I picked up a couple of bags of Hustelinchen* when I was in Germany. It’s a licorice-based cough drop (which you can really have anytime, not just when you’re having a cough!). What’s not to like? 

7. I can’t wait for soup weather. This Trader Joe’s Tomato and Red Pepper Soup* is a staple in my pantry during the cooler months of the year. Add a hard-boiled egg and/or some croutons and you have a meal.

What was one of your favorite things this month?

* #notanad, This is not a sponsored post. I have not been compensated by the brand or anyone else for linking the websites.

1. This probably has popped up  in my monthly favorites before, because I continue to love Wasa Whole Grain Crispbread*. Most people think these are crackers (you can find them in the snack aisle), but no, this is considered “bread” in Germany (and other European and Scandinavian countries). It’s also one of those “healthy” breads with a very short ingredient list (Whole Grain Rye Flour, Yeast, Salt).

2. I started a new bullet journal a few weeks ago and I am using the Monbijou Bullet Journal* that a friend had sent me for my birthday. I love it.

3. If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you might have seen this recommendation around: my go-to dry shampoo for my fine, brunette hair is Batiste dry shampoo*. The problem with fine second-day hair is not just that it doesn’t have any volume, it gets greasy at the roots and even a ponytail doesn’t help with that. Anyone with the same problem? This is where dry shampoo makes a real difference (and I usually apply it at night before I go to bed). 

4. If you ever wondered which app I use for my photo collages (for my monthly recaps and currently posts), it’s the Diptic app*.

5. I don’t know if this borders on TMI, but I have to share my favorite razor in my favorites this month. I had a coupon for a different brand a while ago and so bought it and was so disappointed that I couldn’t go back to my beloved Gillette Venus smooth* razors fast enough. They just do the best job. Do you have a favorite razor?

6. J and I have been on a Pork Fried Rice kick. How many times do you think it acceptable to eat this per week? Asking for… us!

7. This item had been sitting in a box since our move but I recently got out my Mixpresso Milk frother* again and hello, where have you been all my life the last few months? I missed you.

What was one of your favorite things this month?

* #notanad, This is not a sponsored post. I have not been compensated by the brand or anyone else for linking the websites.

At the end of each month, I share things that have made me happy, new discoveries, or recommendations that I find worthwhile. Enjoy.

1. I’ve been living in – not the exact ones, but similar – Jeans Bermudas by Refuge for the last month. I am so glad I can wear casual wear to work! Shorts and Birks is where it’s at, my friends.

2. I picked up a Ripple Protein Shake*  at the SF Marathon Expo a few weeks ago and I am always a little wary of bottled protein shakes, but it was actually really good. I liked it so much that I actually picked up a four-pack at the store.  

3. I had a Fleet Feet monetary reward sitting in my account that was about to expire, so I picked up some new Balega Silver Running Socks*. I have quite a few Balega socks and they never disappoint.

4. I mentioned this a few times before, I don’t watch much TV at all, but I am obsessed with the 90 day fiancé* Reality TV show on TLC. It’s just so damn entertaining. 

5. When I got my ends trimmed (a while ago), I asked my hairdresser what I could use to keep my ends hydrated and healthy (because they tend to dry out first) and she recommended Marrakesh Oil Hair Styling Elixir*. I have to be careful with any kind of oil that I put on my fine hair because products weigh it down so quickly, but this oil really works great for my ends. 

6. I am usually not much of a wedge sandals-kinda girl, but I somehow fell in love with these: Blowfish Malibu Hapuku Wedge Sandals*. They’re super-lightweight and very comfortable. Only criticism: the velcro closure. It’s not a problem for me (they fit well), but I’d have preferred an adjustable buckle.

7. I’ve been eating Milk rice like it’s my job.  (Are you tired of hearing about this? Oh well, wait for September. It’s almost here.)

What was one of your favorite things this month?

* #notanad, This is not a sponsored post. I have not been compensated by the brand or anyone else for linking the websites.

At the end of each month, I share things that have made me happy, new discoveries, or recommendations that I find worthwhile. Enjoy.

1. As  previously mentioned in another blog post, I recently invested in a pair of Lululemon Speed Up Shorts* (partly paid for by a gift card, mind you) and I  am so, so happy with them. They’re  so light,  moisture-wicking and all-around comfortable.

2. I love a lot of vegetables, but I think if I had to pick one vegetable as my favorite, it  would  be tomatoes. They’re so versatile and so flavorful and  I could just eat them all summer long (and every other season for that matter, but they’re most delicious in the summer).

3. I go through phases with which mug I prefer for my coffee, and right now I am using our giraffe mug (that I originally bought for J at World Market a few years ago, but he doesn’t mind sharing it with me). Might or might not be related to my recent visit with my giraffe friends when I ran by the zoo.

4. It’s summer and it’s hot and it’s time for Outshine Fruit Bars* (Lemon). So refreshing!

5. Have you ever looked for an image online and wished there was no annoying background (like the images I need to put this post together)? Or have you spent oodles of time removing backgrounds from images? Then you should check out Remove.bg* because it’ll make your life a whole lot easier. 

6. We bought these String lights* for our backyard. They’re solar-powered and look so pretty and they have really transformed our outdoor space into a space where I want to hang out. 

7. I had wanted an armchair for our living room for a long time (because tbh, I slouch when I knit on the couch and it makes my neck hurt). I had been  eyeing the Storsele Rattan Armchair* for a while and when it recently went on sale (are they discontinuing it?),  I had to seize the moment. I love the design, it’s very comfortable (with a cushion of course) and it gets extra points for making me sit up straight.

What was one of your favorite things this month?

* #notanad, This is not a sponsored post. I have not been compensated by the brand or anyone else for linking the websites.

At the end of each month, I share things that have made me happy, new discoveries, or recommendations that I find worthwhile. Enjoy.

1. I broke one of our white ramekins (which are so handy for dipping sauces, butter, etc.) and we were only left with one, so I picked  up these textured ramekins from World Market* a couple of weeks ago. I think they’re so pretty (and might I add, affordable!).

2. I rekindled my love for crocheting this month. For a while there, all I wanted to do is knit and not have anything to do with my crochet hook, but now I am back to doing both. 

3. I was pretty happy with the soy milk I was getting at TJ’s, but to be honest, the Silk Unsweet Soy Milk* is even better (if you’re looking for a creamy real milk substitute!).

4. Have you heard of Plant Snap*? You snap a picture of a plant, the app will identify it for you and tell you more about its characteristics. This app came in so handy when I was trying to figure out what kind of plants were growing in our backyard (and how to care for them). 

5. This is my second pair of Blowfish Malibu Bungalow Sandals*(I also got them in tan) and I just love the style and comfortability.

6. I bought one pouch of this Vega Essentials Chocolate Shake* on a whim because I wanted to see how I like it. I am usually not a huge fan of pre-packaged protein shakes, but I was hoping that this one would taste like chocolate milk (and it kinda does!). I probably will buy this again.

7. In an effort to use all the makeup I have (which honestly is not that much, but still), I found the Revlon Colorstay Foundation* (in nude) that bought a while back and then didn’t like that much. I tried it again (and applied it with a sponge) and what can I say? Now, I love it all of a sudden. Maybe because it’s summer and this is a lighter foundation and all I need right now.

What was one of your favorite things this month?

* #notanad, This is not a sponsored post. I have not been compensated by the brand or anyone else for linking the websites.