July’s Top Picks: Navigating Home Mishaps, Nordstrom Sale Finds, & Exciting Travel Plans
Oh, July! This month has certainly kept us on our toes, bringing with it a dynamic mix of unexpected challenges and delightful discoveries. It all kicked off with an unwelcome surprise: a significant pipe leak in the wall of our family room. Unfortunately, this issue wasn’t immediately apparent; it was only one morning, as I walked across the floor, that I felt the unmistakable squishing sensation beneath the laminate. Within mere seconds, water began bubbling up from between the planks, triggering a moment of panic as I frantically screamed for my husband to come down before our entire house decided to stage its own indoor water feature.
My dad, always quick to action, promptly came over to assess the chaotic situation. He swiftly flagged down professional help to address the plumbing emergency and begin the necessary repairs. By the end of a long and incredibly stressful day, the leaky pipe problem was successfully resolved. However, what was left behind was an enormous, unsightly hole in the wall and a substantial pile of warped, water-damaged laminate flooring that urgently needed to be pulled up and completely replaced. This unexpected home renovation project certainly set an interesting tone for the month, reminding us that life is full of unpredictable twists and turns. Despite the initial panic and inconvenience, finding these “Friday Five” favorites offered a much-needed silver lining and a welcome distraction from the household drama.
1. Favorite Snacks This Month: Fueling Through the Unforeseen
Let’s be honest, dealing with home repairs and unexpected crises often leads to a bit of stress eating. This month was no exception, especially as my husband embarked on an extensive and somewhat frantic hunt for additional matching boards for our laminate flooring. The alternative – having to replace ALL of the flooring in the entire bottom portion of our house – was a daunting and costly prospect! Thankfully, after much effort and persistence, everything ultimately worked out in the end, and our family room is now restored to its original, cozy condition. Crisis averted, but not without some delicious, and admittedly indulgent, snacks helping us through the ordeal.
Indulgent Delights: Birthday Cake Oreos
While these Birthday Cake Oreos are by no means a new innovation in the snack world, I must confess that I hadn’t tried them until this month! I initially purchased a couple of packs with the sole purpose of testing a no-bake pie recipe that I’m thrilled to be sharing with you all very soon. However, these cookies quickly proved to be a dangerously addictive discovery. Good lord, they are utterly irresistible! The sweet, creamy birthday cake flavored filling, studded with colorful sprinkles, perfectly complements the classic chocolate wafer, creating a delightful explosion of flavor and texture. I’ve had to implement a strict “no-repurchase” rule for myself, as I found my willpower weakening far too often, leading me back to the pantry for “just one more” 70-calorie cookie. Their delightful taste makes them a perfect little pick-me-up during any busy or stressful day.
Wholesome & Satisfying: Almond Crunch Bites from Costco
During my most recent visit to Costco, I stumbled upon these fantastic Almond Crunch bites, and I was genuinely stoked! What instantly caught my attention, and frankly, brought me immense joy, was how well they fit so many different dietary restrictions. It’s a massive bonus in my book to find a snack that boasts only five ingredients, and all of them are clean, wholesome, and free from any funny or artificial additives. YAAAAAS for transparency and simplicity in our food!
Overall, these Almond Crunch bites are incredibly yummy. They’re a little sweeter than I initially expected, which was a pleasant surprise, but that sweetness is beautifully balanced by a subtle salty note, creating a truly satisfying sweet-and-salty dynamic. My husband, Anees, loved them even more than I did, which is saying something! This seal of approval means these wholesome little treats are certainly going to be a permanent and eagerly anticipated item on our regular Costco shopping list. They’re perfect for a quick energy boost, a post-workout snack, or just a guilt-free indulgence when you need something crunchy and satisfying.
2. Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Faves: Uncovering Deals for Style and Home
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is consistently one of the most anticipated shopping events of the year, renowned for offering incredible discounts on brand-new fall arrivals and timeless essentials before they ever hit full price. This year, I delved deep into the extensive offerings, unearthing some truly remarkable finds for both fashion and home. It’s an unparalleled opportunity to refresh your wardrobe, stock up on high-quality basics, or add stylish and functional touches to your living space without stretching your budget. From cozy knits and versatile outerwear to chic accessories and elegant home decor, the sale reliably delivers premium items at exceptional values, making it a perfect time to invest in pieces you’ll cherish.
Fashion Highlights: Smart Investments for Him & Her
Among my top fashion picks this year, I made sure to include a pair of stylish men’s shoes and a classic dress shirt. These particular dress shirts are, hands down, an absolute steal during the sale. The quality is consistently superb, featuring excellent tailoring, comfortable fits, and durable fabrics that are designed to withstand regular wear and multiple washes. They are versatile enough to transition seamlessly from professional settings to smart-casual events, making them an invaluable addition to any man’s wardrobe. The men’s shoes I selected are not only on-trend but also prioritize comfort and durability, essential for long days whether in the office or out and about. Investing in these timeless pieces during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale ensures you acquire premium quality at an unbeatable price point, smart shopping at its finest.
Shop the Post: Women’s & Men’s Fashion Favorites
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Chic Additions for Your Sanctuary: Home Essentials
Beyond the realm of fashion, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale consistently features an impressive and curated selection of home goods. This year, my focus was on discovering pieces that effortlessly blend high functionality with aesthetic appeal, perfect for refreshing and enhancing our living spaces. From luxurious throw blankets that instantly add a touch of warmth and inviting texture to elegant kitchenware that makes cooking and entertaining an absolute joy, these items are designed to elevate everyday living. I particularly love discovering unique decorative accents, sophisticated bath essentials, and practical organizers that collectively bring both beauty and a sense of order to any home. The sale is an excellent, not-to-be-missed opportunity to acquire high-end home items that rarely go on discount, allowing you to create a more inviting, stylish, and comfortable environment for yourself and your loved ones.
Shop the Post: Must-Have Home Essentials
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3. Favorite Recipes of the Month: Culinary Creations for Easy Summer Living
July’s culinary adventures have been nothing short of delightful, ranging from utterly indulgent no-bake desserts to light, refreshing, and incredibly flavorful main courses. As the long, warm summer days stretch on, I consistently find myself gravitating towards recipes that are both easy to prepare and bursting with vibrant, fresh flavors. These three recipes, in particular, truly stood out this month, proving to be perfect for everything from relaxed weeknight dinners to satisfying sweet cravings without demanding extensive time or effort in the kitchen. They embody the essence of easy, delicious summer cooking.
Decadent & Effortless: No-Bake Double Chocolate Nutella Pie
No-Bake Double Chocolate Nutella Pie (coming soon!)
This highly anticipated recipe is an absolute dream come true for anyone with an insatiable sweet tooth who also deeply appreciates minimal fuss in the kitchen. Imagine a rich, sumptuously creamy, and intensely chocolatey pie, elevated by the irresistible, nutty hazelnut flavor of Nutella, all crafted without ever needing to turn on your oven. It truly is the quintessential dessert for hot summer evenings, when you crave something decadent and comforting but definitely don’t want to generate extra heat in your home. The harmonious combination of deep double chocolate and the velvety smoothness of Nutella creates a truly luxurious and memorable experience that is guaranteed to impress guests and satisfy even the most intense dessert cravings with incredible ease.
Crisp & Zesty: Crispy Chicken Salad with Sriracha Honey BBQ Dressing
Crispy Chicken Salad with Sriracha Honey BBQ Dressing
When it comes to meals that are both wonderfully refreshing yet profoundly satisfying, this crispy chicken salad undoubtedly takes center stage. It features perfectly tender, golden-crispy chicken pieces artfully nestled on a vibrant bed of fresh, crisp greens and an assortment of colorful vegetables. However, the true star of this dish, what truly sets it apart, is the ingenious sriracha honey BBQ dressing. This dressing delivers a fantastic and dynamic balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors that impeccably complement the savory chicken and crisp freshness of the vegetables. It’s an ideal recipe for a light yet fulfilling lunch or a quick, flavour-packed dinner on a balmy day, providing all the deliciousness without ever feeling heavy. The exciting interplay of textures and bold flavors makes this salad far from ordinary, ensuring every single bite is an exciting and memorable experience.
Bright & Simple: One-Bowl Lemon Olive Oil Pound Cake
One-Bowl Lemon Olive Oil Cake
For all those who adore baking but equally value supreme convenience, this one-bowl lemon olive oil pound cake is an absolute culinary gem and a must-try. The inherent beauty of a one-bowl recipe lies in its sheer simplicity, minimizing both preparation time and, crucially, cleanup, making it an ideal choice for busy individuals or anyone seeking a delicious treat with minimal fuss. This cake is wonderfully moist, boasting a tender crumb, and is exquisitely infused with the bright, vibrant, and zesty flavor of fresh lemon, perfectly balanced by the subtle, sophisticated richness of olive oil. It offers a delightful and elegant twist on a classic pound cake, resulting in a dessert that is both light in texture yet deeply satisfying in flavor. Whether gracefully served with a comforting cup of tea, as an elegant accompaniment to coffee, or as a sophisticated dessert after dinner, its remarkably fresh taste and incredibly easy preparation truly make it a standout favorite.
4. Summer Travel Accessories: Your Ultimate Packing Guide for European Adventures
With an incredibly exciting trip to Europe looming large on the horizon, I’ve been diligently and meticulously planning, curating, and compiling my ultimate list of summer travel accessories. A long journey, especially one involving multiple cities, diverse cultural experiences, and various forms of transport, absolutely demands smart packing and reliable gear. This thoughtfully assembled collection of 13 essential items is specifically designed to enhance comfort, maximize convenience, and provide invaluable peace of mind, ensuring your adventures are as seamless, stress-free, and enjoyable as humanly possible. From keeping your precious belongings secure to staying perfectly hydrated and ensuring all your devices remain powered up, these items are truly indispensable for any savvy and well-prepared traveler embarking on their next great journey.
My Top 13 Must-Have Travel Essentials: Elevate Your Journey
- Straw Hat: No summer travel ensemble is truly complete without a chic, wide-brimmed, and highly functional straw hat. I just acquired this beautiful one and am eagerly looking forward to wearing it on my upcoming vacation to Italy. It’s not merely a stylish accessory; it provides essential sun protection for your face and neck, keeping you cool and comfortable under the strong summer sun while adding a touch of effortless, resort-ready elegance to any outfit.
- Minnie Travel Flats: These are, without a shadow of a doubt, my absolute favorite pair of flats for travel. Their ingenious design allows them to fold up incredibly compactly, meaning you can effortlessly tuck them into even the smallest of handbags or carry-ons. They offer unparalleled comfort for exploring new, charming cobblestone streets and bustling cities on foot, providing a stylish and versatile alternative to sneakers without sacrificing an ounce of ease or portability.
- Hanging Toiletry Bag: This cleverly designed tote is an absolute game-changer for organizing all your personal care essentials while on the go. It boasts an impressively generous amount of space, easily accommodating all your makeup, various hair products, and shower accessories with room to spare. The brilliant ability to hang it up in any bathroom, regardless of the limited counter space, makes it incredibly convenient and keeps everything neatly visible and accessible, transforming your packing and unpacking routine.
- Water Bottle: Staying consistently hydrated is paramount, especially during active summer travels under the sun. This particular water bottle is a true standout because it keeps water refreshingly cold for an astonishing duration of up to 24 hours, making it utterly perfect for long, adventurous days of sightseeing and exploration. Plus, opting for a reusable bottle is a simple yet powerful way to minimize plastic waste, which is a significant win for both me and our precious environment.
- Travel Pillow: Our upcoming journey to Europe means mentally preparing for a very, very long plane ride. This comfortable and supportive travel pillow is definitely coming with me for guaranteed comfort and a chance at quality rest during those extended hours in the air. I also fully intend to get plenty of practical use out of it when we’re traveling by scenic train from one charming city to the next, ensuring restful naps and a more pleasant, restorative journey overall.
- Glasses Case: Whether you rely on reading glasses for navigating guidebooks, sport fashionable sunglasses for sunny days, or wear your everyday prescription glasses, a quirky-cute and protective case is an absolute must-have. This particular case is not only aesthetically pleasing but also robustly constructed, perfectly safeguarding your valuable eyewear from accidental scratches, dust, and potential damage while adding a touch of personal flair and personality to your travel essentials.
- Passport Holder: Travel in impeccable style and keep your single most important document—your passport—secure, pristine, and easily identifiable with this adorable and practical passport holder. It’s not just about sophisticated aesthetics; a good passport holder actively protects your passport from wear and tear, bends, and spills, and helps you quickly locate it when navigating through bustling airports and intricate immigration checkpoints, saving valuable time and stress.
- Luggage Lock: Ensuring the security of your belongings is absolutely non-negotiable when traveling. This TSA-approved lock provides invaluable peace of mind, allowing airport security personnel to open your bags for inspection with a universal master key if needed, without causing any damage to your lock or your luggage. It’s incredibly useful and conveniently comes in versatile packs of 1, 3, or 5, so you can effectively secure all your checked and carry-on bags.
- Camera: After years of dutifully lugging around my bulky DSLR camera, I finally made the conscious decision to invest in something significantly smaller and far more travel-friendly for my adventures. This new compact camera delivers excellent photo quality, comparable to its larger counterpart, while being wonderfully light and small enough to fit comfortably into my everyday crossbody bag. Its sheer convenience means I’m much more inclined to capture spontaneous, beautiful moments without the hassle of a heavy, cumbersome setup.
- Travel Charger: This portable power bank is nothing short of an absolute powerhouse – literally. It boasts an incredible capacity, capable of charging my phone at least six full times before needing a recharge itself, and it will reliably power pretty much anything that has a USB port! It’s an absolute lifesaver for long travel days, ensuring all your essential devices stay fully charged and you remain connected, never worrying about a dead battery again.
- World Adapter: For any international travel, a truly universal world adapter is an utterly indispensable item. This single, clever adapter is compatible with electrical outlets in virtually every country worldwide, completely eliminating the need to carry a messy assortment of multiple converters. It dramatically simplifies the process of charging all your electronics, no matter where your global adventures may lead you, making it an absolute essential for any well-planned international itinerary.
- Travel Bag Scale: Take it from someone who has been caught in a difficult pickle with unexpected overweight baggage fees more than a few times: a compact travel bag scale is one thing you absolutely MUST keep on you during all your travels! This small, handy device allows you to accurately weigh your luggage before you even leave your accommodation or head to the airport, effectively saving you from last-minute repacking stress and potentially costly airline surprises.
- Luggage Organizer Cubes: These revolutionary luggage packing organizer cubes are truly transformative for maintaining impeccable organization inside your suitcase. This comprehensive set typically comes with various sized cubes, allowing you to keep your clothes, toiletries, and even shoes neatly separated, compressed, and easily identifiable, thereby maximizing valuable space and making unpacking a complete breeze. The thoughtful inclusion of a separate laundry bag, toiletry bag, and shoe bag is an extra touch of genius for keeping dirty items separated from clean ones.
5. Italy: Finalizing Our Dream European Escape
The anticipation for our long-awaited trip to Italy at the very end of August is reaching fever pitch, and I’m currently deep in the exciting, albeit sometimes overwhelming, throes of planning every single detail! This promises to be an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime adventure, and I’m beyond eager to soak in all the breathtaking beauty, profound history, and unparalleled culinary delights that Italy has to offer. We’re particularly looking forward to exploring iconic and romantic cities like Venice with its enchanting canals, and absolutely soaking up the breathtaking coastal views and vibrant culture of places like Positano on the legendary Amalfi Coast. Beyond these well-known, postcard-perfect destinations, we’re also hoping to uncover some charming hidden gems and truly immerse ourselves in the authentic local culture and everyday Italian life.
Image via Pinterest
Image via Pinterest
Image via Pinterest
I would absolutely and genuinely love to hear from anyone who has had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Italy before! If you possess any invaluable recommendations for must-see historical sights, unforgettable authentic dining experiences, charming and unique accommodations, or specific activities and hidden gems that truly capture the essence of Italy, please feel free to generously share them by leaving a comment below or by sending me an email. Your personal insights, practical tips, and secret discoveries would be incredibly valuable as we meticulously finalize our itinerary to ensure this trip is truly unforgettable and filled with cherished memories.
Moving along from our exciting travel plans, I’m also starting the creative process of mapping out new and inspiring recipes for the remainder of the year. Your feedback is always so incredibly helpful and deeply appreciated, so I’d genuinely love to hear what kind of culinary content you’re hoping to see more of on the blog! Are you currently craving more quick, efficient, and delicious one-skillet or sheet-pan dinners for those perpetually busy weeknights? Perhaps you’re yearning for some simple yet satisfying desserts to whip up without a fuss? Or maybe, just maybe, you’re feeling a bit tired of salads and looking for something entirely fresh and new to excite your palate? And speaking of comforting, soul-warming meals, how soon do you think is too soon to start sharing hearty and delicious soup recipes? Because personally, I absolutely dig a warm, flavorful, and comforting bowl of soup, even if summer isn’t quite over yet!
P.S. I’m still a little shocked and truly amazed that we’re already halfway through this eventful year. Time truly flies when you’re busy navigating home projects, meticulously planning exciting travels, and enjoying delicious food!
And that’s a comprehensive wrap for this month’s Friday Faves! It’s been a whirlwind of a month, but one that was ultimately filled with valuable lessons, delightful discoveries, and exciting plans for the future.
Alright, have a greattttt weekend, everyone!