What I’m Loving Lately

It’s not quite time for a what I learned in April post yet– but here’s a little bit of what I’m loving lately. The new, the old, and the noteworthy:

The Ben Rector Brand New Album. We have over-played this album since it’s release. It’s fun, bright, and real. His ability to look at normal everyday life with authentic poetry is what makes him a favorite in our house.

The Hiding Place, which I just finished reading this week. If you’ve never read this account of bravery and love amidst the backdrop of the atrocities of the German Concentration Camps, you must put it on the list. I’ve read it with my 8th grade students this semester, and I appreciate that though the themes are horrible and grisly– there was not an abundance of gratuitous detail which would make it too much for a young student. No feeling or honesty was lacking, but it was done with respect to the victims within the account. Ok. I promise not to talk about this book any more for awhile. (but you should read it!)

My new grown up perfume. I’ve worn the same scent for maybe 13 years and I still like it, but I haven’t been able to smell it for ages. On a recent trip, Lance helped me choose something new– (definitely needed his input, since he will be smelling it!) I chose a little bottle of Tocca by Stella — It’s the perfect blend of floral and citrus with a little hint of something else. It’s fun and freeing to change up things you’ve been doing the same way forever.

This recipe for Baked Chicken Breasts from Gimme Some Oven has been a bit of a game changer. We like grilled-esque chicken but don’t always take the time to grill. This recipe involves just a couple extra steps that produces flavorful chicken that is not at all dry. (Don’t skip the 15 minutes of brining!) We’ve made it several times, for chipotle style salad bowls and just to eat with roasted vegetables for a quick, healthy meal. I am so happy to have found a baked chicken that doesn’t taste like rubber.

Rodan & Fields Redefine Scrub/ Mask. I’ve tried Rodan & Fields skin care before but only in small samples and I’ve always wanted to use it for an extended period of time. My friend Lindsey graciously sent me a tube of this Redefine Mask so that I could really see for myself. Now that I have been using it for an entire month, I can say that my skin care routine was definitely missing a good scrub. My skin tends to be fairly low-maintenance, as long as I keep it that way. I use an eye makeup remover, but other than that– I usually wash my face with only warm water and a cloth. (I know. You 3-step skincare girls out there are horrified. Sorry!) However, after using this as both a mask and a scrub (on different days,) I can definitely see why so many love it. My skin is smoother in texture and appearance, and a few of those pesky mid-thirties lines are already less visible.  If you would like to explore Rodan & Fields for yourself, you can contact my friend Lindsey– she is super sweet and would be happy to be your skincare girl. Email skincarebylindseyisham@ gmail dot com.

Herb & Irma Candles. I happily discovered these soy candles recently– the Coconut & Cilantro smells just like everything summery and the Lemon & Olive Leaf makes our kitchen smell heavenly. Get thee to Target and smell all the candles!

 

Well, that’s about it! What’s on your loving lately list?

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