Summer Reads, Summer Flings. 5 Books That Will Make You Fall In Love This Summer

June 2019

It’s officially hot and sticky here in Austin, which means cool, delicious cocktails, late afternoon dips in Barton Springs, and light summer reads to keep you company! My reading habits throughout the year have so much to do with the seasons. That may sound weird, but as soon as winter hits I gravitate toward darker stories set in snowy towns or, if I’m being completely honest, yet another reread of Harry Potter. But the summer makes me crave escape in the opposite direction: I want heat, romance, comfort, and light! I want to laugh and fall in love with a fictional character, is that too much to ask? I don’t think so.

So whether you’re beachside, poolside, or hiding inside your favorite coffee shop, these are some of my favorite books to dive into this summer! Lots of laughs and deep, dramatic sighs guaranteed.

Shop These Summer Reads!

Red, White & Royal Blue / Normal People / You Always Change the Love of Your Life (for Another Love or Another Life) / The Wedding Date / When Katie Met Cassidy

Ohh The Power Of Shaving Your Legs

June 2019

Among about 1000 other things I took for granted before becoming a mom (…like leisurely eating lunch, finishing an entire episode of anything, singing at the top of my lungs in the car, sleeping through the night, finishing my coffee while it’s still hot…fellow mamas, ya feel me?), the one thing that might just top this list is…drumroll…shaving my legs! Not going to lie, on the days when I have enough extra minutes to shave, it’s a VERY big deal and I’ve basically conquered the world. I feel like a new woman when I step out of the shower with silky smooth legs…even if those legs are going right back into activewear as I walk my little man to sleep around the house, ha! (But hey, successfully getting Jude to nap is a major WIN in my day!). When it comes to spending time on myself and going the extra “self care” mile, there’s one razor and shaving cream brand I’m reaching for…
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A big thank you to Walmart for sponsoring this post! All opinions are my own.

Where To Grab A Drink In Austin

June 2019

By Jessica Lee

It’s summertime in Austin, and while, yes, it does get incredibly hot with the mercury rising above 100 degrees more days than not, it’s also one of the best places to be this time of year. Why? Because we’ve got a ton of great watering holes – and by watering holes I mean both lakes/pools and bars!

So to celebrate the return of summer, I’ve rounded up the best spots to grab a drink in Austin. I know I missed some (there are so many!), so leave a comment with your faves!

Mescal Margarita

May 2019

By Jessica Lee

I don’t want to jump the gun, but I can just feel Summer fast approaching in the air. Those warm days spent by the pool are calling my name. I can’t wait to throw on a bathing suit, slather myself in sunscreen, grab a beach read and just ~c h i l l~

Who’s with me?

Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos

April 2019

By Jessica Lee

When I’m in a dinner rut, one of my favorite foods to fall back on is tacos. I make them all the time (remember these breakfast tacos?) because you can throw just about anything into a corn tortilla and call it a taco.

My latest favorite combo? Sweet potato and black beans. Add an avocado crema and you’re good to go! You can mix up the combos depending on what you have on hand. Swap butternut squash for sweet potato or pinto beans for black beans. Not a fan of feta cheese? Queso fresco would be a great alternative. The choices are endless!

Our 10 Favorite Baby Items

April 2019

I’ll admit, before having Jude, we got a LOT of “stuff” for the baby. After having Jude, Blake and I quickly realized you really don’t need all the gadgets that the Internet tells you to buy. In fact, you don’t really need that much “stuff” in general to have a happy, well taken care of baby. My mom went with me to do my baby registry and she was pretty adamant about what we’d actually use vs. what is more of a trend (…and a waste of money…). I sort of feel like the baby industry is very much like the wedding industry…you prep and purchase “all the things” because you think you need them, but then once you have the baby or finish the wedding day, you figure out very fast what is necessary and what’s not. So! These are the 10 things we swear by for Jude. Every baby is different and what works for us may be entirely different from what works for others…but here are our top 10 favorite baby items…

Life Update: Six Weeks Postpartum

April 2019

Hello from one proud (and tired) mama! I decided to take February and March off for maternity leave (…as you may have noticed it’s been quiet around here lately), so personal posts like this one and Jude’s birth story have been really fun to write without any work projects weighing on me. I have been so lucky to devote 100% of myself to caring for Jude and soaking up every fleeting moment…and suddenly, here we are at SIX weeks old! I intended to write a “one month update” but ya know, I’ve learned motherhood (especially for a new mom) is all-consuming and when I do find an hour to myself here and there, I choose a bubble bath or a walk around the block instead of time on my computer. Oh right, and sleep, too. Sleep comes before everything these days, ha!

Lemony Spring Pasta

March 2019

By Jessica Lee

I’m the type of person that brings a list to the grocery store. I plan out my week of meals and buy exactly the ingredients needed. I feel anxious if I don’t have a list. What if I forget something? The last thing I want to do is go to the store again.

But I am open to adjusting my list if something catches my eye at the store. I wasn’t planning on buying asparagus, but it just looked so good, and it was on sale, so how could I not? Anyone else ever feel this way? Just me?

So plans changed, and when I thought of what to make with the asparagus my mind immediately landed on pasta. I love the versatility of pasta because you don’t need a ton of ingredients, usually just a veggie or two, the pasta (of course) and maybe a cheese or some herbs (or both!)…

Jude’s Birth Story

March 2019

I have gotten out my computer countless times to write this post…but I always get too emotional to actually complete it. After three weeks with our precious Jude (…and as he is sound asleep beside me), I’m excited to write out all the details of this insanely wild, beautiful, otherworldly experience. At five days over my due date, Jude Patrick made his debut on Sunday, February 17th at 4:09am. I get chills and tear up just thinking about the moment we finally got to meet the little guy who’d been growing inside my belly…what a little personality was already formed and we didn’t even know it! I had read books, watched videos, listened to friends and family share their own birth stories…but nothing could have prepared me for such a life changing moment.

Valentine’s Day Cocktail Idea

February 2019

By Jessica Lee

Valentine’s Day is almost here, and while everyone else is celebrating with chocolate and sweets, I’m much more inclined to toast to love with a festive red Negroni cocktail.

I was first introduced to the concoction of gin, Campari and sweet vermouth when I was living in New York City and helping recipe test a cocktail book. It didn’t take long for it to become my go-to cocktail of choice. Not only is it super easy to make, but it also just looks so classy. Win win!

Lifestyle