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September Goals // Pugs & Pearls Blog

August Report
Drink More Water. Over all, I did accomplish this. I'm still not getting my full 8 glasses a day, but I have significantly increased how much I was drinking. I found out that my corkcicle cup is just less than 3 full glasses, so that really helped me physcologically. If I refill it once, I'm getting 6 cups of water fairly easily. 

I also bought these cute little hydration stickers for my planner to help encourage the habit. So, all in all, still working on this one, but I'm definitely more conscious of it. 

Personalized Corkcicles // Pugs & Pearls Blog

Make DIY Laundry Detergent. Done and done! I shared the recipe a few weeks ago if you'd like to give it a go. It works great, and I can't believe how long these batches last. 


Trim Hedges. I'm so excited to say that we have definitely made progress on our landscaping! Blake and I cut down the most out of control section of our hedges. I cannot believe the light that is coming into our living room and kitchen now that they are gone! We've got a professional lined up to help us take out the stumps and the remaining hedges. Plus he is going to trim up our 2 oak trees. The ultimate goal is to have a very minimalistic yard that is easier to care for but still looks nice. 

Here is a progress picture:


Since then we've pressure washed and cleaned this area up quite a bit. I will share an 'after' picture once we get everything taken out permanently and sod gets put down where the bushes are. 

Finish All The Light We Cannot See. Finally! Yes! I finished this book. I shared my review in this post. Spoiler alert, didn't love it. I've been doing so much more reading thanks to the Overdrive app, so you will be seeing a lot more book reviews here. 

Add Additional Day of Exercise. My first fail. I didn't manage to do this. I've got a solid 2 days of intense Orange Theory workouts each week, but I would really like to have an additional day of exercise in there. I'm going to roll this goal over! 

September Goals
Add Additional Day of Exercise. I have seen such an improvement since starting Orange Theory. I can run so much faster and I really do feel stronger. I know adding in one more harder workout each week would help me so much with my fitness goals. 

Use Myfitnesspal Consistently. Last month I started using Myfitnesspal again, and I think it's making a big difference! My goal is to write down everything I'm eating into my log every single day in September. I think this will also motivate me to exercise because it is really hard to stay under my calorie goal without having extra exercise calories to use. 

Have Someone Over. We had a really good thing going in 2017 and early 2018 where we were having someone new over each month. We love doing this because there is just something so intimate about having people into your home and sharing a meal with them. I think it can take you from acquaintances to real friends! This habit kinda fizzled early in the summer because things got a little hectic. And, it's easier to invite your close friends over all the time. Making it a priority again this month and inviting someone new over! 

Save a Certain Amount of Money. I'm calling September our new fiscal year! I have in mind a certain dollar amount I'd like to save this month. While I've been talking about budgeting a lot here lately, I'm still a bit wary about sharing specifics. Accountability being what it is though, I want to share that I have this goal. 

Do 1 Social Media Free Weekend This Month. I've talked a little bit about how I want to quit checking my phone so much in this post. To work towards that I want to dedicate one weekend this month to being just a bit more in the moment and not check social media for the whole weekend. I have not chosen the weekend yet, but I will let you know how it goes!

Happy September everyone! Make sure you leave a comment below with your goals for this month and let me know how your August went!

This post contains affiliate links!

September Goals

Friday, August 31, 2018

A huge thank you to the Happiness Boutique who sent me this gorgeous statement necklace! They are offering you 10% off your order with the code: pugsandpearls 
Happiness Boutique offers free shipping and they have a customer reward program. Although I'm wearing a statement necklace, they have tons of minimal jewelry to choose from as well! I'm really loving that trend.


Navy Midi Skirt Outfit // Pugs and Pearls Blog

Navy Midi Skirt Outfit // Pugs and Pearls Blog

Navy Midi Skirt Outfit // Pugs and Pearls Blog

Navy Midi Skirt Outfit // Pugs and Pearls Blog

Navy Midi Skirt Outfit // Pugs and Pearls Blog

Navy Midi Skirt Outfit // Pugs and Pearls Blog

Navy Midi Skirt Outfit // Pugs and Pearls Blog

Navy Midi Skirt Outfit // Pugs and Pearls Blog

Navy Midi Skirt Outfit // Pugs and Pearls Blog



I've talked quite a bit about my shopping habits here on the blog, and I wanted to continue to update you on the journey I've been taking this year. While I haven't been able to completely avoid new purchases, I have been able to make huge leaps in the acquiring less arena. 

One of the ways I really feel successful with this is by thoroughly searching for the perfect item and only buying it when I know it's exactly what I want. That was the case with this skirt from the 1901 line from Nordstrom! (I want EVERYTHING in this line!) Skirts make up a huge chunk of my weekly wardrobe, so you better believe I know exactly what I want. I've been through pencil skirt phases, but I really just love the midi silhouette. When I stumbled on this navy midi skirt with that elastic waistband I was smitten.

Usually, I'm a big bargain hunter. I shop Ebay, Poshmark, and thrift for most of my clothes. While my goal is still to find exactly what I'm looking for used, sometimes you just have to buy at full price when it's the perfect thing!

This skirt has already paid for itself! I've worn it dozens of times and the quality is so good that I know I will be wearing this skirt for years. This is something I'm really embracing: Quality clothing that is timeless and worth every penny. Plus it has pockets!

I also want to mention that these sandals were another excellent purchase! I bought them last summer and they are definitely the MVP of my wardrobe. I wear them almost every day in the summer! They are the perfect color and just the right height. Another excellent investment! It makes me feel so satisfied knowing that I spent my money wisely, and that it's not just hanging in the closet.

Okay, one more side note, I accidentally left my silicone wedding band on for this shoot. But, I'm actually glad I did because I want to tell you about it! I got it for the volunteer construction work Blake and I are doing, but it's been so useful! It's great to wear working out or doing yard work. My finger feels naked without my wedding band on it! This silicone band is so light and comfortable. Definitely a good buy! (Go with your regular ring size.)

Leave a comment below if you've noticed that pretty much all the outfits I ever share are navy blue and white! I promise I wear other colors. Do you like to wait until you find the perfect item, or do you find yourself settling for things? Are you a statement necklace person, or do you go for the minimal pieces?
This post contains affiliate links!

Another Navy & White Outfit!

Monday, August 27, 2018

Super late to the party on this guys, but did you know you can check out audiobooks from your local library through an app on your phone?! I had heard of this service before, but I could never get it to work. I was inspired to check again when my to-read list got longer and I didn't want to continue with my audible subscription. I'm so glad I did, because the app Overdrive has gotten a total makeover, and they've rolled out a new app called Libby where you can read ebooks and listen to audiobooks for free! All you need is a library card. It's just like your library and sometimes books are checked out and you have to get on the waitlist. I'm also not ashamed that I'm using my 4 year old nephew's library card because I can't find mine! Theren't aren't late fees because the book simply disappears when your time is up. 

I have a feeling that I will have more books that ever to review for you!
For now here are 4 books that I've read recently, and if I think you should read them:


Rating: 2 Stars
From Goodreads: Marie-Laure lives in Paris near the Museum of Natural History, where her father works. When she is twelve, the Nazis occupy Paris and father and daughter flee to the walled citadel of Saint-Malo, where Marie-Laure’s reclusive great uncle lives in a tall house by the sea. With them they carry what might be the museum’s most valuable and dangerous jewel.

In a mining town in Germany, Werner Pfennig, an orphan, grows up with his younger sister, enchanted by a crude radio they find that brings them news and stories from places they have never seen or imagined. Werner becomes an expert at building and fixing these crucial new instruments and is enlisted to use his talent to track down the resistance. Deftly interweaving the lives of Marie-Laure and Werner, Doerr illuminates the ways, against all odds, people try to be good to one another.


I mentioned how difficult this book was for me in my August goal post. I started it right after The Nightingale, and I thought that I couldn't get into it because it was another heavy book. I gave it my best shot, and I just disliked this book.

The two stories were painfully slow, and I felt like when they finally converged maybe the book would get going. Nope. It was a slow build up to nothing. I suppose it's more realistic of a story that way, but I felt very let down. I really don't see what everyone else did in this book. 


Rating: 4 Stars
From Goodreads: The success stories speak for themselves in this book from money maestro Dave Ramsey. Instead of promising the normal dose of quick fixes, Ramsey offers a bold, no-nonsense approach to money matters, providing not only the how-to but also a grounded and uplifting hope for getting out of debt and achieving total financial health.

Ramsey debunks the many myths of money (exposing the dangers of cash advance, rent-to-own, debt consolidation) and attacks the illusions and downright deceptions of the American dream, which encourages nothing but overspending and massive amounts of debt. "Don't even consider keeping up with the Joneses," Ramsey declares in his typically candid style. "They're broke!"

The Total Money Makeover isn't theory. It works every single time. It works because it is simple. It works because it gets to the heart of the money problems: you.

I've been researching different ways of budgeting, and Dave Ramsey is a big name in finances. Lots of people swear by his methods! This was an interesting book. What I didn't like was the for the first few chapters I felt like I was at a sales pitch. I kept thinking, "Dude, I already bought your book, just tell me what you have to say already." There are some really inspiring stories, and very practical tips in this book and I intend on employing several. If you listen to the audiobook, be prepared to be yelled at a lot. 


An American Marriage
Rating: 3 Stars
From Goodreads: Newlyweds Celestial and Roy are the embodiment of both the American Dream and the New South. He is a young executive, and she is an artist on the brink of an exciting career. But as they settle into the routine of their life together, they are ripped apart by circumstances neither could have imagined. Roy is arrested and sentenced to twelve years for a crime Celestial knows he didn’t commit. Though fiercely independent, Celestial finds herself bereft and unmoored, taking comfort in Andre, her childhood friend, and best man at their wedding. As Roy’s time in prison passes, she is unable to hold on to the love that has been her center. After five years, Roy’s conviction is suddenly overturned, and he returns to Atlanta ready to resume their life together.

This book had a big buzz because it was Oprah's book club recommendation. Overall this was a super interesting premise, and I really sympathized with Roy in being the wrong place at the wrong time. The letters he and Celestial exchanged while in prison were my favorite part of the book and they were written so well. I could really see the change in their relationship as time went on. My problem with this story is that I had a hard time connecting with these characters, and I have a really hard time reading about messed up marriages. Fair warning, there are some racey bits in this book.

Rating: 3.5 Stars
From Goodreads: Single mum Robin Wilde adores her six-year-old daughter and loves her job as a makeup artist's assistant. She has a wonderful best friend and an auntie who is bonkers, yes, but loves her to the moon and back. 
But Robin has a secret. Behind the mask she carefully applies everyday, things just feel ... grey. And lonely. She struggles to fit in with the school mum crew. Online dating is totally despair-inducing, and she worries every day about raising her little girl with self-confidence, courage and joy.
What Robin longs for is someone (over the age of six) to share with - someone who's always on her team. 
After 4 years (2 months, and 15 days!) of single-mum-dom, it's time for Robin Wilde to Change. Her. Life. 
Exciting new opportunities are about to come Robin's way ... Perhaps a man, perhaps the chance of a lifetime ...
What will Robin do with the possibilities she creates for herself? And what potential will she unlock if she takes the leap?


I watch the Louise Pentland from time to time on Youtube, and when I saw she had written a book I was curious! This is definitely a quick book to read on a beach that will read like a romantic comedy. I really wish I had read this without the image of Louise in my head. I know she isn't the main character but I couldn't help but picture her. 

Robin is a frustrating person, but likeable nonetheless. I did not appreciate all the F words, but I think that's a British thing?? And a few extra descriptions of behavior I didn't care to read about. Overall this is a cute story that has good reminders that a little confidence goes a long way and that no one is perfect despite appearances. 

I will say this is supposed to be the first in a series, but I don't feel compelled to pick up the next one.

Leave a comment below with your book recommendations! Are you familiar with the Overdrive app? How often do you check out books at the library? Are there any books out there that you didn't like but everyone else seemed to?
This post contains affiliate links!

4 Recent Book Reviews

Monday, August 20, 2018

DIY Powdered Laundry Detergent Recipe

I first shared this recipe almost 5 years ago when I first started blogging, on a different blog. I had to go back through the archives to find it and that was a blast from the past! It's really cool to see how much my blogging style has changed. 

Anyway! This summer I really started reexamining our budget and looking for ways to cut back here and there. It dawned on me that I used to make my own laundry soap years ago and I can't believe I stopped. I think it was a combination of convenience and missing a stronger scent in my laundry. (I've fixed that though!) 

I whipped up a fresh batch, and thought I'd share the recipe with you today. It's really simple to do and I've been loving my updated recipe. I'm also loving the savings! For the past year or so I've consistently bought Method's Ginger Mango liquid detergent. It's $14.99 on Grove and each bottle does 66 loads, which lasts me about 6 weeks. (11 loads a week! I was thinking that sounds kinda high, but we do at least 4 loads of clothes, we change our sheets once a week so that's 2-3 loads of linens, and towels, throw blankets, dog beds, cleaning towels...it adds up!) 

This DIY powdered detergent cost me $26.73 and it will last me over a year! I was able to find all of my ingredients at Walmart, but I will link some sources as well. Amazon's prices on this stuff is crazy, so definitely shop local first! 

DIY Powder Laundry Detergent Recipe

Here is what you do:
Mix the following together:
1 4 lb box Borax ($4.47 at my Walmart)
1 3.7 lb box Washing Soda  ($3.97 at my Walmart)
2 bars Fels-Naptha or Zote Soap, grated (I bought already grated Zote from my Walmart for $2.38)
1 3 lb tub Oxiclean (Optional) ($6.92 from my Walmart)
Scent Booster (Optional) ($8.99 from my Publix)
Use 1-2 tablespoons per load!
Printer Friendly 

DIY Powder Laundry Detergent Recipe

I ended up using the same Method scent in this recipe and it was the perfect compromise! It still smells great, but it's much more affordable.

A few tips:
- I suggest mixing the ingredients in a trash bag, shaking well to combine and then pouring it into your desired container. 
- Alternatively you can layer the ingredients and mix as you go. 
- I bought a glass container similar to this one at Walmart. I believe it was $17. 
- I have a HE high capacity washer without an agitator. I use 2 tablespoons per load because I can fit a lot in one load. For smaller loads of just a few things I use 1 tablespoon. If you have a smaller capacity washer 1 tablespoon should suffice. 
- Keep in mind that the Oxiclean is optional. The rest of the ingredients will still get your clothes clean, but I like the boost in whitening. 
- The scent is also optional. Without it, your clothes will just smell clean. Not including the scent will make this ideal for people with fragrance sensitivity. 

Okay, guys, leave me a comment below! Are you going to try it out?! Have you made your own detergent? Leave any tips you have! How do you feel about doing laundry? Is it your favorite or least favorite chore?

DIY Powdered Laundry Detergent Recipe

Monday, August 13, 2018

Admittedly, my husband Blake has been handling our budget and bills for the majority of our marriage. It kind of started out that way because I moved into his home and I had almost zero bills to add to the pile. (Live at home as long as you can kids!) Recently, though, I've involved myself. For multiple reasons really, but mainly because I realized that I'm in a position to help take some things off of his plate and I create half the expenses-so I should be a little more proactive in our finances. 

We've got some big goals coming up! For example, our ten year wedding anniversary is in the beginning of 2020 and I'd really like to take a big trip, possibly overseas. And a few house projects are always on the list too. 

Maintaining a budget is incredibly challenging, and actually a little complicated. It seems like there are always things coming up, like repairs or parties that take a chunk out of your extra cash. Although our budget is still a work in progress, I thought I'd share a few things we have been doing to save a little extra lately.

10 Easy Ways to SAVE MONEY // Pugs & Pearls Blog

Meal Planning
As much as I love to cook, eating out is still a huge set back in our monthly budget. While it's inevitable that sometimes we will need to grab lunch out or won't have time to make dinner, we've ramped up our meal planning! I shared a few tips for meal planning a few months ago, but I have been experimenting with a new system. 

Sometimes it's really hard to be creative when it comes to picking out meals for the week! We decided to make a huge list of our favorite meals and create a meal plan for 30 days. It was very easy to name 20 meals that we knew and loved, and then it took a little brainstorming to come up with additional meals. We divided up that list into 4 weeks and made sure we weren't having the same genre of food multiple nights per week. I plan on leftovers at least one night, which also gives us some flexibility if we want to do a date night or go out with friends. To make it even easier on us, we made up grocery lists for each week. This has been such a huge stress reliever and there are no "what's for dinner?" questions. 

10 Easy Ways to SAVE MONEY // Pugs & Pearls Blog

Shopping at Walmart
Gah, I have a love/hate relationship with Walmart. Their prices are so much better than Publix. For example, a can of black beans at our Publix is something like 89 cents, but at walmart it's 50 cents. Obviously, a difference of 30 cents isn't going to move mountains, but that savings across the board has saved us quite a bit of money over time. 

I've learned to go late at night, or early on Sunday mornings and not a soul is in there. It's really the people that normally lurk in Walmarts that drive me crazy, so if I can go at a slower time, I'm happy! 

Overall, I've tried to just be more diligent at the grocery store. Sticking to my list, paying attention to sales, and not buying single serve items has helped me shave $30-40 off each grocery trip for the past month. 

*I also found that Brandless was a really great way to shop for grocery basics! I shared what we ordered from them recently, and we found that most everything was really great quality and only $3!

Ibotta
I started using Ibotta last year, I think, and I would save a dollar here and there. I started seriously using it a few months ago and I have noticed a huge increase in my cash back! Ibotta is an app that allows you to find rebates on things you are already buying. You just select your store, and unlock offers that that store carries. When you shop, you upload a copy of your receipt and get cash back on those items. You can cash out at $20. Using Ibotta at Walmart is SO easy! All you have to do is scan the QR code at the bottom of your receipt. It's painless! 

You can also get a certain percent cash back on several online stores. If I buy anything through Groupon or Poshmark, I always shop with Ibotta and get a little bit back from those purchases. My mom even let me scan her World Market receipt when she stocked up on wine, and at the time they were offering 4% cash back on any in-store purchase. Thanks momma! 


Ebates
Ebates has been around for years, but I only signed up recently. I don't know why, because it's SO useful! I installed the chrome extension, and Ebates lets me know when there is a cash back rebate on any website. I've ordered a few things recently from Etsy, Ebags and Hobby Lobby and there were rebates for those sites. EASY MONEY! This was stuff I was already going to buy, so it's really nice to get rewarded for things like that. 

From what I understand, they send out a check each quarter with all of your rebates. I've already gotten a check! 

Unsubscribing From Emails
I sort of started this last year, mainly to get rid of clutter in my inbox. One side effect of that being I am not being tempted with sales for my favorite stores! If I was notified everytime J Crew Factory was having a sale I would literally be broke. Instead, I only shop when I need something, and if they are having a sale, great. 

Sort of along these lines, I'm not clicking on other blogger's posts regarding sales or wishlists. I find it too tempting to look at and all too easy to click over to store's websites. 

Not Buying A New Car
This has been truly challenging! Blake and I both currently own both of our vehicles. Blake has had his Civic since 2005. It's still in immaculate condition, just a little older. As much as he would love a new car, we are really trying to be content with what we have. He drives his car to work and back, and we use my CRV for everything else. It's really saving us a large monthly bill by sticking with what we have. Contentment is not commonplace and we are really going against the grain. 

Making Reusable Swaps
One day, I'd love to say that we are a 'Zero Waste' family. It's been really bothering me lately with how 'throw away' our culture has become. Not only does it make me feel good to produce less waste, but swapping items out for their reusable counterparts has saved us money. For example, I no longer use ziplock bags. We swapped them for these reusable bags from Grove. Instead of dryer sheets, I use these wool dryer balls with a few drops of essential oils (See photo below). I also traded out our swiffer mop pads and dusting pads for these microfiber ones on Etsy. (Please note that those are 100% made in China and not a homemade item. They are great though.) Using my water bottles, insulated cups and reusable straws as often as possible helps me avoid buying drinks when I'm out and about. 

10 Easy Ways to SAVE MONEY // Pugs & Pearls Blog          10 Easy Ways to SAVE MONEY // Pugs & Pearls Blog

Acknowledging My Purchases
I've got a nifty little budget recording dashboard for the back of my planner, and it has forced me to acknowledge what I'm spending money on. It's easy to say you are only going to spend $100 on eating out in a month-but to see what it actually totals up to has kept me on track. It's also satisfying to see those totals decreasing month to month as I try to make changes. 

10 Easy Ways to SAVE MONEY // Pugs & Pearls Blog

Diligent Coupon Searching
Finding a coupon is sort of an obvious way to save money, but I thought I'd mention it anyway. It's always good to do a quick search for a coupon. You never know what's available! Last week, when I went into Michael's, I quickly checked their website and found a 40% off coupon that my purchase qualified for. One other suggestion: Etsy sellers almost always have an Instagram account for their shop and more times than not they include a coupon code in their bio. It takes just a minute, but it can save you a couple of bucks! 

Revisiting DIY Cleaners
One thing I've realized as I've compiled this list, is that most of these strategies are things I used to do, but just slipped out of the habit of. Making my own DIY cleaners is one of those things. At one point, all of my household cleaners were homemade (except for Clorox). Whether it was boredom or something else, I started buying a few cleaners again. In an effort to simplify and tighten my budget, I've revisited my DIY cleaners. One thing became very evident-I don't even need that many cleaners to begin with! A lot of jobs can be done with the same cleaners and the ingredients cost pennies.

10 Easy Ways to SAVE MONEY // Pugs & Pearls Blog

I've got a brand new recipe for an all-purpose Thieves cleaner which I am currently testing. Spoiler alert: I really love it already! I plan to dedicate an entire post to that recipe soon. I'm hoping to diminish my cleaning supply stash and not replace those items. Additionally, once I run out of my laundry detergent, I will be doing a DIY batch again. Last time I made our own laundry detergent it lasted well over a year!

Bonus: Do Things Yourself
Obviously, sometimes you need professional help. And then there are other times you can get away with doing things yourself. Whether that's home repairs, yard work, or chores around the house. I can think of two big examples that we've employed this strategy.

One is with my blog! There are beautiful, custom and expensive blog designs out there. Trust me, there have been many times when I've been tempted to hire out a redesign of my blog since I started in 2014! Instead I've tried to keep it simple with using a free platform, and choosing a highly customizable template from Etsy. Canva has been a huge resource for me in designing graphics and my logo. If something doesn't look quite right or I want to do further customization usually a quick search or Youtube video can help me figure it out on my own. 

Another example, is grooming my pugs! Bathing three dogs is probably the last thing I feel like doing, but it's too easy not to do it myself. When we only had Delly, we would take her in to get her nails trimmed each month. It cost about $15 to do it at our vet. Now that we have 3 dogs, we started trimming their nails ourselves, saving $45 a month. We use these clippers. Trimming their nails is an olympic event, but saving that money is definitely worth it. Vet bills are annoying enough! 

Leave me some feedback below! Who handles the budgeting in your family? Is it a team effort? What are your favorite suggestions for saving money? Let me know if any of these ideas inspired you!
This blog post contains affiliate and referral links! Thank you for your support!

Ways We've Been Saving Money

Monday, August 6, 2018


July Report
Choose a new Bible reading schedule and start it. Check! I decided on a chronological schedule. I think this will be really cool, especially when I get to reading about David's activities, and then flipping over to the Psalms where he writes his feelings about those different situations. 

I am using this schedule, but tailored it to me. That schedule is meant to be done in a year, which is not something I'm planning on doing. In the past when I tried to read the Bible in a year, I was flying through things just to get it done. I wrote down a copy of the order in the back of my planner and I'm highlighting them as I go. 



Run 25 miles this month. Check! I think. I did a bad job of recording this, but I'm fairly confident I did it. This was the first month I've done Orangetheory and there is a ton of running in those classes as well, so I think I'm covered.

Sell bag of gently used clothing. Working on it! I took a large box of clothing to Sandy's in Gainesville-which is my favorite consignment shop! They took pretty much everything. I listed the rest of the clothes on Poshmark, and I gave some things away. You can check out my closet here, and if you are a new member you can use my invite code: KESWOOLSEY to get a $5 coupon to use. Be careful! Poshmark is addictive. 

Start recording gratitude list. Check! I love this so much, and I'm so glad I started doing it. I just write a few words or a short sentence about something good that happened that day or something I'm feeling particularly grateful for.


Call Mindy. Check! I spent a solid two hours on the phone with her earlier in the month. I ended up calling her on my way home and she was at a cleaning job so I talked to her on speaker phone. She had to mute the phone while she vacuumed, but I kept talking, haha. That's exactly what I meant about being busy-we had to literally make it happen! But it was such a refreshing conversation and we always end up building each other up. Friendships in different time zones are so hard! I miss her so much. 

Not a bad July! I really loved sharing these goals because it made me feel like I really had to get this list done. 

August Goals
Drink More Water. The amount of water I actually drink is probably shameful. I do drink a lot of unsweetened tea, which makes me feel like at least I'm hydrating a little bit. My goal for this month is just to increase my daily water intake. I doubt it'll be my full 8 glasses, but I have got to improve on this! One way I plan on doing this is by only ordering water at restaurants. 

Make DIY Laundry Detergent. I've been working on our budget a lot in the last month, and I'm looking for ways to cut back here and there. I used to faithfully make our own laundry detergent, but I got out of the habit. It worked well, and it lasted for well over a year! I'm currently using up the last of my Method detergent-which is about $12.99 with my Grove shipment. Making my own detergent will save us well over $100 a year. Look for the recipe coming soon!

Trim Bushes. Our yard is currently a jungle. Not only are we having to cut the grass every week right now, but our hedges are growing at an astonishing rate! I've got a request in with a friend of ours to have them removed permanently, but he has a lot of work. In the meantime, our hedge trimmer motor broke-and we have been having an interesting time with the warranty. Somehow someway, I'm going to get those things taken care of this month. 

Finish All The Light We Cannot See. Have you ever read a book that everyone else liked, but you just cannot get into? That's me with All The Light We Cannot See. I started it right after The Nightingale, so I thought it was just too heavy of a book after that. I put it down for a while, and then tried to get into it again. It's not working. But, it kills me to have paid for a book that I didn't give my all and finish. I am determined to get this book read in August! (Follow me on Goodreads!)

Add An Additional Day of Exercise. I'm loving Orangetheory right now! My membership has me at 2 classes per week, and I would really like to add an additional day of something else besides running. (It's just too hot to run. The Florida humidity will slow you down like no other.) 

Leave a comment below with what you are going to work on in August! How'd you do with your goals in July? Let me know if you have any good tips for drinking more water! I'd also love to know how often you give up on a book, or if you make yourself finish it.

August Goals

Wednesday, August 1, 2018


Hello!

Hi friends! I'm Kristen, and this is the Life and Style of an early 30's Floridian living the Best Life Ever, with her husband and three pugs. Runner | Avid Reader | Small Shop Owner

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