LIFE LATELY: FARMERS MARKETS + PINA COLADA STARBURST

 Howwww is Monday here already? 

If I could take just 1 more day and get a few solid naps in that would be great. By the way, isn't one of the best things about being a grownup taking names on the weekend? I can't believe I ever fought them as a kid, seriously.

Here's what's good lately:

#1: Ooooh it is prime Farmer's Market season, my friends. Michael and I wandered around the Square and picked up so many great things- including these currants (which will be featured in a recipe post soon!):

 #2: Other than all the produce we bought (like zucchinis the size of a toddler), we also got some gorgeous flowers. How perfect are these?

#3: If there's a candy out there, I'll put it in rainbow order. I recently found out there are pina colada Starburst. 

My first question is: WHY!?!

My second questions is: Does anyone actually like them!?

Because..EW. 

 #4: This week's recipe is a treat, my friends. If you like grapefruit, this is SO for you!

Okay, I care about your weekend and all, but I REALLY want to know if anyone out there actually likes pina colada Starburst...

FESS UP, PEOPLE.

xo, lp

For more of a look into the weekend, go HERE!

BEACH (or pool) DAY MUST-HAVES

One of the great things about living in our apartment is that there's a pool for us to use that we don't have to maintain. It's magical. And since it's only warm enough to use it for about 2 months a year here in Wisconsin, we're sure to get down there plenty. We also visit the beach at a local state park a few times a year, and these are a few of the things I'm always sure to have around.

Some things are obvious (like these towels)  but some might not already be on your list (seriously if you don't have an Instax- get one!):

#1: A (big) TOWEL: No one likes small skimpy towels...amiright? I love this super colorful one from SunnyLife, kind of has an #everythinginrainboworder vibe to it.

#2: AN (easy to carry) COOLER: Okay, if you driving up in a car with some friends, I get that you'd have a big cooler- but if it's just one or two of you, why lug a big plastic one around? I love the size and shape of this Sunnylife one with a carrying strap!

#3: SUNGLASSES (duh): Too much sun in the eyes=headaches. These Le Specs are SO cool!

#4: A BAG (to fit all your crap): I bring the biggest beach bag possible so I can shove everything it in...and this Lolo one with clear sides makes it easy to find anything.

#5: AN INSTAX (sooo hip) CAMERA: If you don't have an Instax yet, boo to you. I've had mine for almost 2 years and it captures memories in such a cool, vintage looking way.

#6: A (ridiculous) FLOATY: Okay. These floaties are everywhere. Bloggers have them. Taylor Swift has them. Everyone. Has. Them. This donut one is colorful & actually looks comfy!

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Beacause I'm a beach towel hoarder, here are some of my faves: 

What are you beach/pool day must-haves?

Anyone have one of those fun floaties?

xo, lp

for all you people with summer pinterest boards like me....

LIFE LATELY: SELFIE STICKS AND SUMMER WHITE LEGGINGS

It happened this weekend. We went to wedding #4 of the summer...and this one was so. so. good. 

It was way up in northern Minnesota- so Michael and I broke up the drive with a day trip to Duluth before heading up to the wedding site.  We ate, drank, and were extra merry celebrating his cousin & his new wife! 

Other than that, life has been pretty calm. Work is good, Michael is super busy with school, and the humidity is just rising daily! 

As you'll see below, selfie sticks (like this) are my new shameful favorite thing, I'm on the hunt for some comfy summer white leggings (like these ones), and Rocksbox keeeeps killin' it.

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Here's what's good lately:

#1: Loren Hope necklaces just feel like they were MADE for me. Coral + Gingham = Summer, right?

(free month of jewelry by going to rocksbox.com and using code "beautyandbeardxoxo") 

#2: Errrrything white for summer. I love me some black & navy- but I'm currently trying to stock up on summer whites. Right now looking for the best ivory pants and white leggings (like these options) to round out my assortment. And no, the white leggings would be like comfy sleep-leggings. I'm not about that leggings-as-pants thing, especially if they're white!

#3: Like I mentioned, Michael and I spent a little time in Duluth on Friday, and while it was HOT, it was also gorgeous! I haven't been there in ages, so it was great to explore around a little bit:

 #4: The wedding this weekend was unreal. Set at the Bride's family's property, overlooking a lake, surrounded by trees. Each detail was so thought out- like these gorgeous centerpieces:

#5: The hit of the wedding (other than the bride + groom, duh) was the SELFIE STICK. Seriously. Whenever I see people with them, I think they're ridiculous, but they were SUCH a blast. Such a great way to get a ton of people in a picture without finding someone to take it. Plus, they make everyone laugh because they're RIDICULOUS. Proof is in the picture below (of michael's family!):

So what was good with your week, my friends?

Anyone else attend an awesome wedding recently?

xo, lp

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for more images (if you're like me and loooove pictures, go HERE!)

HELLO, SUMMER!

Oh you guys. I know it's technically been summer since the end of June, but this weekend reeeeeeeally felt like summer. Lots of sun, pool time, and campfires. Everything I own now smells like bonfire smoke, but it was soooo worth it. 

Here's what's good lately:

#1: Taking Instagram snaps and turning them into summer iPhone backgrounds like it's my JOB y'all:

#2: Um, Kate Spade fruit earrings for the win (shop them here). Pineapples or Bananas?

#3: Latest Rocksbox necklace is faaaabulous. I've never been a purple person- but this one is growing on me.  (free month of rocksbox with code beautyandbeardxoxo)

#4: Let's chat about backpacks. I've wanted one of these Fjallraven backpacks for a while (this yellow one is so cute!) but I can't decide on a color. Help a girl out- which one is the best?! :

#5: This week's recipe is so dang easy, and requires less than 5 ingredients. YAS.

What summery-good things did you do this weekend?

Follow along on more summer adventures HERE!

xo, lp

THE (not surprising) SUMMER TREND: PINEAPPLES!

If you look on Instagram, pineapples are EVERYWHERE, right?

I mean, for a hot second I thought that watermelons might override as the kitschy fruit of the summer with the appearance of the shop ban.do watermelon cooler...but it seems that just might be a flash in the pan.

I mean, I'm sort of joking here..but sort of not. Yes, it's all fun and games when someone throws some sunglasses on a pineapple and Instagrams the heck out of it...but when brands like Tory Burch and Kate Spade are adding the fruit into their designs..ya kinda have to take note. (whoa. run-on sentence much?)

Anyway- here are some Instagrammers who are gettin' on board, and some products that are doing the same (shop lots of pineapple goodies here!)

instagram photo credits (in order)

@littlefixations // @rocksbox // @littlefixations  //  @baublebar

@madewell1937 // @linesacross // @zainsaraswati // @dcds

pineapple goodies (in order)

tory burch wallet // sunnylife candle // lolo pouch // kate spade phone case

tory burch tote // kate spade earrings // kate spade wallet // soludos espadrilles

Which fun pineapple item would you grab?

I think those earrings are beyond perfect for summer!

xo, lp

HI! I MISSED YOU!

 Oh how I hope the feeling is mutual!

A week break from blogging was necessary- especially with how busy work was and how crazy packing was for the new place! But more on all of that later. For this post I wanted to dedicate it fully to our latest vacation- "camping" with Michael's family! We do it annually, and I count down the days for it every year.

Here's a little snippet into what we do!

Food:

I'm convinced everything tastes better when cooked over an open flame. Mmm-mm.

We had veggies thrown over the fire in tinfoil, smores, and sweet and savory pudgy pies. 

Fun:

There is a lake at the campground and we used it daily. M's aunt and uncle bring their boat every year which means tubing and water skiing. I am the weakest human ever and my arms/shoulders were sore for 2 days from gripping those tubes so much. #wimpy. Here's Michael skiing like a pro:

 I didn't ski, but I do enjoy a good boat lounging session while watching the sun set...

 Crap... I take a lot of sunset pictures. Shoot.

Then of course there's the after-dark fun. Oh get your mind our of the gutter! Stop!

 Michael has 7 little second cousins that come camping too, so naturally we had a glowstick party. I can't say I didn't enjoy it too...

 I'll spare you the rest of the photos, but if you'd like to see the full camping adventure, you can find some of them here.

Do you have any summer traditions with family or friends?

I highly recommend adding glowsticks to whatever your tradition happens to be!

xo, lp

(find me on instagram here)

8 LOVELY LITTLE THINGS: SUMMER EDITION

I haven't done an "8 Lovely Little Things" post in a long long time, and seeing so many fun summer things in the stores made me realize it's time for a summer edition!

Here are some summer necessities I have on my list:

1. I'm a farmer's market regular, and always make sure to have a reuseable shopping bag on hand to carry home all the goodies. This Weirdo tote from ASOS is perfect to have with me when I'm walking next to Michael...

2. Along with paper straws- patterned wooden spoons are the newest fun food accessory. I LOVE these cheerful colored ones from C.Wonder to add a little color to an ice cream bowl.

3. What's more fitting for a summer accessory than a nautical bracelet? This charm one from C.Wonder spells out "I love you" in sailling flags. Ummm, need. Now.

4. When I found these pineapple drink stirrers I was pretty sure there weren't another set of stirrers more perfect for a summer soiree. And they're gold? Yes.

5. This pouch has a scene on it that looks like what's usually on my screensaver at work. Beach heaven.

6. I've been collecting different glasses in the anticipation of having fun summer cocktail parties once we move into our new (bigger) apartment. These yellow cane pattern guys are only $8! Sold.

7. St. Tropez is hands down the only self tanner I'll use. You end up perfectly tan (not orange) quickly and easily without gross stickiness or smells. My favorite is the mousse, but I hear the gel is kick butt too!

8. Later in the summer we spend every Wednesday night having picnics on the capitol square, and I love this striped oversized towel throw from Serena & Lily.

What are some of your summer essentials?

If you haven't tried St. Tropez- you must!

xo, lp

Orange Strawberry Fizz Popsicles. Yum.

I don't know about you, but we made popsicles as kids all the time. It wasn't much more than pouring pre-made juice into molds, but it made us feel like we were making something special. Now, these were the days before the amazing Zoku Quick Pop makers mind you, so we actually had to be patient and wait half a day for them to freeze. 

Sorry, enough nostalgia. I saw this cheap set of ice pop molds at Rite Aid and knew I needed them- and my first popsicle was this orange-strawberry beaut:

Clearly making popsicles isn't rocket science, but I'll throw the recipe your way just in case you decide you'd like to give these a try:

What you'll need to make it happen (serves 4):

- 1 medium-large orange

- 6 medium strawberries

- 2 tablespoons lemon juice

- 1-2 ounces Sprite 

- 1 teaspoon sugar

How to make it happen:

Step 1: Squeeze your orange juice into a bowl and add your sugar and lemon juice.

Step 2: Cut your strawberries into quarters and mash until in fairly small pieces, adding half to the juice mixture.

Step 3: Fill your ice molds about 1 inch from the top, and add your remaining mashed berries. Top off with Sprite.

Step 4: Freeze 'em, duh.

Step 5: Enjoy these sweet & sour fruity pops!

 As you can see, the bits of strawberries stay mainly in the middle/bottom of the pop. To have them equally spread out, skip the Sprite and stick with sliced berries instead of mashed!

Needless to say, these babies went FAST in the VA heat. 

They're still packed away from the move, but I can't wait to try more flavors, especially with all the Pinterest inspiration out there!

Anyone have recipes they'd like to share?

....or a Zoku? Do they really work?

xo, lp

psssssst: looking for more fun recipes? click here!

Summer so far.

So...summer has hit Richmond.

It's hot (shocking, I know).

We're finally getting accustomed to summers in the South:

1. Michael and I had our first apartment cockroach run-in. I freaked. Michael crushed the hell out of it. #win.

2. We went to Comfort Saturday night in honor of my college friend Teresa being in town and only ordered sides. I'm not kidding. We felt so Southern. Fried green tomatoes, cheddar grits, okra, beans, snap peas, mac & cheese: it was your every day carbo load heaven. 

3. It's freaking hot here, and rather than hide from the sun yesterday we got out and enjoyed every sweaty sunbeating minute of Richmond. The crazy thing was people were doing a TRIATHALON in the heat down by the canal walk. I got heat stroke just watching them. 

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I haven't done an Instagram round up in a while, so here are a few summer shots of late...

(find me! : @lpodlich)

Summer necessities:

1: rainbow icee pops

2: water pitchers at The Village Cafe

3: margaritas with the Beard

Summer sights:

4: fountains by the James river

5: ocean at Virginia Beach

6: double rainbow after RVA rain

Summer wears:

7: floral, teal, skinnies

8: bright dress, wedges, turquoise

9: [work] bright blue poplin, coral pops

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What are your summer necessities/sights/wears?

See the rest of mine on Instagram: @lpodlich !

xo,lp