July Favorites

August starts tomorrow and it is time to say goodbye to July. I'm going to try something new and make a compilation of some of my favorite things from this past month. A lot of bloggers and vloggers have started making favorites posts and I wanted to get in on the action.

The Beach Box from Lush. I got this went to Atlanta and it's been perfect for summer. Everything in the box smells like the ocean. The sales associates that talked me into buying this really knew what they were talking about. The box is full of some great products and I haven't been able to get enough of it. The only thing in the box I haven't tried is the shampoo bar; honestly I just keep forgetting about it since it's still in the box.

Another beauty favorite has been Rimmel London's Show Off Lip Lacquer in Stellar. I bought two of these earlier in the month and love them both. Luna is more everyday, but I love wearing Stellar as a pick-me-up pop of color. It's great for going out or on those days you just need a bit extra to brighten your day.

This black button down from Express paired with my favorite blue shorts from American Eagle. I love cobalt blue and the shorts are a fun pop of color to a dressed up warm weather outfit with the top.

My favorite book this month was The Art of Racing in the Rain, which I reviewed last week. I absolutely loved this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves dogs, although as a fair warning it gets a little Marley & Me.

Although a lot of good things happened this month, my favorite thing was seeing The Avett Brothers in concert with my family. I could not have asked for a better birthday present. The night was perfect, it will be hard to top this favorite in August or ever.

What are your favorites this month?


-S

The Greatest Olympic Athlete of all Time

The Olympics is always about witnessing history, and Michael Phelps has certainly made his mark in history. The man is an inspiration to people everywhere. Four Olympics, 22 medals, all those broken records and he's only 27.

This picture is currently my computer background (I had to switch out Lochte for Phelps under these circumstances) 

I can't imagine a summer Olympics without Michael Phelps. All of my good vivid Olympic memories have included his presence and things just won't be the same without him there in the future. My cousin and I were talking about it last night and about the first time we noticed Phelps. He was probably the reason I started paying attention to the Olympics. I watched the 2000 and the 2004 Olympics at my cousins and it was there we began joking about "that one swimmer with the butt crack pants." 

I'm pretty sure these were the pants I'm talking about

In 2008, I was stuck in the U of M hospital due the infection from my surgery for most of the Olympics, and Michael Phelps (and Ryan Lochte) was the person who kept me going in there. Almost two week was a long time stuck in a hospital bed, but Phelps gave me something to get excited about and distract me. If he could manage to win 8 gold medals, I could survive being poked and prodded. I felt connected to be in a town where he spent so much time, and to watch him achieve a goal he had obviously worked so hard for. I remember my parents always telling me I needed to sleep, but I wouldn't let myself miss any of his races.

He always seems to be smiling

Phelps and Lochte always talk about the importance of setting goals. I've always tried to make lists and set goals for my life, big or small. Even if the goals seem way out in left field I think it's important to have something to work towards. If you don't have goals what drives you to live and become better? To me Michael Phelps isn't someone to look up to strictly for his swimming but for the way he seems to be as a person. It'll be interesting to see what he sets his sights on next.

4x100 medley relay (his 22nd medal)

Congratulations Michael Phelps! You're an awesome human!

"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." - Dr. Seuss

- Phelps Phan Phorever!!!!

Olympics, Summer School, and Insanity

I've been kind of MIA in blog world lately but it's been for good reasons. I had two more exams this week for my summer classes (which by the way are even harder to study for when the Olympics are on.) My Survey of Behavior Analysis Research class has proven to be a test, and after huge doubt in my ability to pass the class, I managed to pull off a B on my 3rd exam on Wednesday! I don't think I've ever been so happy for a B before. Two more weeks to go and I'll be done with classes and getting to head home for a bit. Three weeks or so until the big bike trip (more about that later). About Four weeks before Fall classes begin... time flies!

This past week was full of fun roommate moments. In a few weeks my roommate Amanda is moving into a two bedroom in the same apartment complex and my roommate Nikki is moving to East Lansing. I'm gonna miss having these girls so close, but Amanda and I already have study dates and Insanity nights planned. The three of us started the Insanity workouts almost two weeks ago now. After experiencing the pain of Insanity last summer (and the payoffs) I was nervous but excited to get back into the routine and try to finally finish all 63 days of the workout. I'll have to take a few days for long bike rides and ultimately the bike trip but they'll be totally worth it.

The Insanity Countdown Calendar. Almost two weeks down! Jeah!

Lastly a few words (and pictures) about the Olympics. From gymnastics, to beach volleyball, to diving, to swimming I love the summer Olympics! It's always exciting to watch people's dreams come true and to band together as a country. For me, swimming is probably my favorite event. Lochte, Phelps, Berens, Adrian, Soni, Franklin... I could keep going because the whole USA team this year is awesome!

Jones, Adrian, Lochte, and Hansen

It's no question Ryan is my favorite

Nathan Adrian is like a hot teddy bear. He's just adorable. And that smile!

I think I might be heading to Dunham's this weekend to purchase a one piece swim suite in order to start working out in the pool. My roommate used to be a swimmer and I'm hoping she can teach me a few moves and we can push each other even harder. I just keep imagining what my body will look like after all this Insanity, biking, and swimming. Rock hard hopefully. 

Gonna get my Missy on!!!!!!