sunshine stowaways

May 21, 2015

memorial day weekend

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I hope you all have an incredible long weekend and honor those that we are remembering this day.

Here's to making Summer 2015 the best summer yet and living it with balance!

In conjunction with eating healthier thanks to I Quit Sugar, I am trying to be more consistent with working out. I bought Kayla Itsine's Bikini Body Guide and am now on week 5 of the program. The guides are easy to follow and each circuit workout only lasts about 30 minutes. They are quick enough to squeeze into any busy day plus I get the added convenience of working out at home. If you haven't checked out Kayla's Instagram, you have to! The transformation photos she has posted were the reason I bought the guide.

Naturally, with my new workout regime comes the desire for new workout clothes.

1. Strut This Mesh High Neck Bra
2. Athleta Anorak
3. L'urv Palm Paradise Crop Bra
4. Without Walls Dri-Release Long Tee
5. Lululemon Inspire Crop Pants
6. Nike Free Sneakers
7. Primsport Bra
8. Under Armour Boho Headband
9. Athleta Mesh Energize Tank
10. Varley Compression Leggings

As you can tell, I tend to gravitate towards neutral colored workout clothes. I find them more flattering on myself. Regardless of the color, I can sense a more intense workout for myself if I was wearing some of these items. When you feel more confident, you can definitely kill a workout!

summer wardrobe refresh

This weekend is Memorial Day, which means that summer is essentially here. New season = new wardrobe. I love the causal style of summer, especially the bohemian, hippy vibe, and find it necessary to spice up the options I have in my closet. I have tried to keep from shopping too much lately, but the warm weather looks I am seeing are making me want to break out my wallet and sprint to the nearest store.

1. Zara Embroidered Top
2. Michael Stars Dress
3. Sabo Skirt Jaded Shorts
4. Bulan Cutwork Mesh Tank
5. Aritzia Marmontel Blouse
6. Aritzia Montrogue Shorts
7. Tracy Reese Horizontal Lines Blouse
8. Carlyn Mid Gladiator Sandals
9. Zara Metallic Cap Toe Espadrilles
10. Zara Low Backed Top

My favorite is the Zara Embroidered Top and the Aritzia Montrogue Shorts. Which is your favorite?!

currently loving

Currently, I am loving...

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1. This dress. I am so obsessed with it. It would be my go to dress for weddings, nice dinners, and basically any occasion I can think of.

2. Birkenstock's. I need a pair for summer. I haven't quite decided on the color yet, but I believe this is them.

3. This shark tooth ring from Bella Beach Jewels. The perfect summer accessory.

4. This Triangl bikini. I am so surprised how reasonably priced these swimsuits are. I have this one and love it.

5. The fact that summer is basically here and I feel the beach calling my name.

stowaways: grand cayman islands

Back in March, my family and I went on an amazing vacation to the Grand Cayman Islands. It was one of the best trips I have ever been on. The weather was perfect, the water warm, and the margaritas delicious. We swam with stingrays and sea turtles, went snorkeling, paddle boarding, and kayaking, and floated around in the ocean. I don't think it gets much better than laying on the beach with a drink in hand staring out into the ocean.

I didn't take a ton of pictures on my camera, so I am trying to get some photos from my parent's camera to post. They have photos of the excursions as well as up close and personal photos of us holding stingrays. That was such a cool experience! March in DC is brutal and this trip was much needed!

stowaways: catch-up

Wow, hello there! It sure has been awhile. I cannot believe the last time I posted was in February. I was dreaming about vacation and warm weather and here we are a few days away from Memorial Day weekend... the unofficial start of summer!

Let's see, what has happened in the last 3+ months... I have started cooking so much more, which you have probably noticed if you follow me on Instagram. Before I used to order take-out and it became quite costly and pretty unhealthy. I joined the I Quit Sugar 8 Week Plan and while I didn't stick with it completely, I tried so many recipes and found a new love for cooking. Whenever I want to whip something up, I tend to turn to my 8 Week Plan book or search the IQS archive for a healthy recipe. Honestly, learning from I Quit Sugar has made me appreciate more and more what I put into my body and the effects it has on me. Check out my Instagram to see my attempts at cooking. Have you tried any of the recipes? What looks the most tasty?!

My precious pup, Reagan, turned 2 (see her 1st birthday post here) on April Fool's Day. I made her a carrot, peanut butter cake, which she devoured. It honestly smelled so good that I almost wanted to dive in! She is truly a gem.

I went to many DC sporting events and toured wine country Virginia. I had never been to a winery and the experience was incredible.

The weather is now warm and I could not be more excited. I love summer clothes and hanging poolside or at the beach. I have so many grand ideas for this summer like going to the jazz concert in the park that they have in DC, going to outdoor country concerts, road tripping to the beach, and taking an extended weekend and traveling somewhere extra warm and sunny.

Here's to Summer 2015!