Email theblondeprep@gmail.com with questions, comments, or concerns. Powered by Blogger.

Recent Reads: Summer 2020


Wow, I can't believe it's been over two months since I last shared what I've recently read! I was on a total kick at the beginning of quarantine but then stopped reading consistently in July and August. I know for a fact it's because I've been spending way too much time on my phone and messing around on my computer. My goal for September alone is to read four books!

This Week's Top 10


1. Hi! I haven't posted in two weeks, which is crazy because I was on such a consistent kick for the last few months. A quick recap: my 22nd birthday was on the 20th, and then I got my wisdom teeth out this Tuesday. I am so fortunate that my wisdom teeth recovery hasn't been too painful or uncomfortable (so far)... I definitely heard a few horror stories from my friends and was very nervous going into it!


2. The devastating Jacob Blake shooting this week is beyond unacceptable and heartbreaking. And, the fact that it happened right here in Wisconsin is, even more, saddening to me. Here are ways we can help.


3. VOGUE shared many leader's insights into the state of hope, and I found them really interesting and profound.

This Week's Top 10: Heading Up North

 

1. Did this week fly by for anyone else? I got drinks with two of my high school girlfriends on Wednesday and ordered an Aperol Spritz, which I hadn't had since Mexico last year. Um, I forgot how fabulous these are! They are officially going to be my thing for the rest of the summer. I ordered another one yesterday at a happy hour with my mom, and I've secured the ingredients to remake them this weekend-- I'm heading up north to Celia's cabin with my friend group! (photo above from her cabin last year; see this blog post for last year's up north recap!)


2. Yesterday, I popped into H&M to return something, and I picked up this bikini to bring up north this weekend. They have some great swimsuits right now at wonderful prices. I've been needing a new swimsuit, and I wanted to bring one this weekend that isn't super nice because we will be in a lake vs. a pool. It's really flattering and comfy! I also love this suit from H&M but didn't see it in my store.


3. Thank you to everyone who voted in the phone case IG poll this week! I am getting a new phone next week (iPhone 11 probably! V excited to see what the face unlock and dual-camera are all about) and have decided on this phone case with the color combo "X".

The Best Dorm/Apartment purchases I Made in College...

It's crazy to me that I'm not heading back to school in a couple of weeks! Although I can't move at the end of this month as planned, I am still looking forward to the day I finally get to decorate my apartment. However, until I am able to sign a lease, I have no idea how much stuff I'll actually need for my new space, or the vibe I'll want to go for! So, today I thought it would be kind of fun to share the best purchases I made for my dorm and apartments in college for anyone heading back to school this season!

Nordstrom Sale Faves: Clothing, Beauty + Home

I haven't done a post dedicated to the Nordstrom Sale since 2016, but since I am actually planning to shop it this year, I wanted to share my faves from the preview. You guys know I love a sale moment, and I was surprised by how many things I genuinely loved in this year's sale. If you don't care about the sale then just ignore this -- I get it, that's been me for the last few years, too!

This Week's Top 10

1. This weekend I'm heading to St. Louis to visit my grandparents. I haven't seen them since March and I'm looking forward to spending time with them! I am going alone and they've been completely quarantined, so I think we are both excited to switch things up and hang out!

2. Kendall Jenner’s house tour with Architectural Digest (pictured above) is absolutely fabulous.

3. My reusable face masks arrived this week and I loooove them. They are so comfortable and cute, and the best deal I've seen -- 2 for $12! It looks like they've just added some new color combos too.

My Favorite SPF Products for Face


I posted on IG stories last week asking if you'd like me to review some of my go-to face products with SPF, and I was shocked at how many of you said yes! I know for me, SPF has been extra important lately, but I sort of thought I was late to the game and everyone else had already figured out their favorite products... guess not, lol! I am so excited to share these with you. They are summer game-changers for me!

Rosé Picnic: 9 Rosé Reviews + Recommendations


A week ago today, a few of my high school girlfriends and I decided to have a little picnic in the park and try a few different bottles of rosé! I've written a mini-review of each of them below, along with reviews of a handful of other rosés I've tried this summer! I have no expertise in wine reviews, so please take all of these with a grain of salt... haha. I simply based my thoughts on how much I enjoyed each bottle.

August Moodboard (Desktop Wallpaper)


August is such a bittersweet month for me every year. I love it because it's my birthday month and I love the weather and the vibes... as the mood board depicts, August makes me think of champagne (it's my birthday month!), sunsets and the beach, crisp white outfits, iced coffee, and time outside. But it's also the last month of summer and I usually have things looming over my head as it goes on... 

July Favorites

fran acciardo july favorites natural blonde green dress

July was a good month. I celebrated the Fourth of July in the Hamptons, celebrated my boyfriend's birthday in Madison, moved out of my college apartment officially, and went up to EJ's lakehouse this past weekend. I also ran 60 miles, which was my most yet of any month in 2020! Here were my favorite things from July: