Friday Favorites: My Current Top Five Favorites

Summer is here and I’m definitely feeling the summer heat here in Florida. However, life is no where close to being back to normal here. With our state starting to slowly re-open, over the past several weeks there has been a surge of COVID-19 cases. So it’s safe to say there have been no brunch dates or mindless shopping trips here for me. I made a few trips here and there when things first started to open up BUT I was SUPER cautious. My husband has a pre-existing heart condition so I’m very careful about where I go. In the last four months, my husband has been to the grocery store ONCE. I’m definitely missing a date night out but our health and safety comes first.

With that being said, spending a lot of time at home has made me reconnect to other aspects of my life that I’ve let slip. I do tend to read a bit more during the summer since I’m not teaching but with really being stuck inside I’ve been doing WAY more reading. I’ve been focusing more on my skincare as well since I have the extra time to pamper myself.

I wanted to share my current top 5 favorites I’ve been enjoying so far for summer! It’s a mix of different things from beauty to books….

Current Read: Crave by Tracy Wolff

Okay, okay so I know this isn’t a novel that’s going to win any intellectual prizes or make you rethink your life. BUT it’s a book for some good fun and escaping into the paranormal world of vampires, witches and other things that go bump in the night. I am a fan of YA novels because they’re just easy, light reads  and during the summer I just want to escape into the mindless world of YA novels. Crave by Tracy Wolff takes us to that imaginative world of vampires but with a bit more of a darker, moody and a little bit more….sexy(?) vibe. The make out scenes are a little bit more evaluated from what you’d read in Twilight. I gobbled it up in about two days. I don’t want to give too much away but if you’d like a book review, let me know.

I can either do a quick post or talk about it on my IG stories.

 

Quarantine Habit: Taking care of my hair

I’ll be the first one to admit that I can be a bit lazy when it comes to my hair. I want my hair to look amazing without having to do a lot of work. I have long, thick hair and often it can be a hassle to manage. But when it’s tamed, girrrrrl she looks good! I’ve been playing around with hair products and trying to find out what works best for my hair. Besides my hair being thick it tends to be on the oilier side with the ends being dry. There are three products that I’ve been loving recently which are the OGX Protecting + Silk Blowout Thermal Spray, the Kristin Ess Reconstructive Moisture Mask and the Daily Dose Leave In-Conditioner Spray.

I’ve really been utilizing my Revlon One-Step Volumizer Hair Dryer so making sure my hair is protected has been crucial. The OGX thermal spray has been the best heat protectant spray I’ve come across so far.

At least twice a week I do a hair mask and I’ve been reaching for this Kristin Ess one. I spray my hair with water to get it wet and apply the mask, concentrating on my ends. I put my hair up in a shower cap and leave it in for around 30-40 minutes. My hair ends up being so soft and silky, it’s AMAZING.

And lastly I’ve been reaching for my Daily Dose Leave In-Conditioner Spray. This has been wonderful in keeping my hair shiny and looking/feeling healthy. I don’t spray it directly into my hair, instead I spray into my hands and work through my hair. I distribute the product by combing it through my hair with my fingers.

Energy Clearing: Weekly Clearing Ritual

Since I’m spending more time at home, I want to make sure my space is clear of negative energy and negative VIBES. Yes, I’m into all the woo-woo spiritual stuff. I start my week by clearing my home with Palo Santo. I make sure I buy Palo Santo that is sustainably sourced. I buy mine from a local shop but there are many other sources you can buy from. I also love burning this Bijou candle, Willow. It smells great and really freshens up the space.

Currently Binging: Guardian: The Lonely and Great God

I’ve had this on my watch list for what seems like awhile now and I’ve finally started watching it. It’s one of the highest rated shows in Korea and I can understand why. There are a lot of supernatural, fantasy elements to this series which I love. The first episode is bloody, emotional and has good backstory so I was instantly drawn in.

Current Snack: Trader Joe’s Truffle Marcona Almonds

So, are these for everyone? Probably not. Do I love them? Absolutely yes. If you’re a fan of the truffle flavor, you will for sure love these. They are the perfect salty snack for me. My husband isn’t the biggest truffle fan so one smell of the bag and he turned his nose away. So, they aren’t for everyone. I’m obsessed and they are one of my TJ staples.

The wrap up

Soooo, what have been some things you’ve been loving? What are your current must haves for the seasons? Was there anything from my list you like or anything you want to try? Let me know in the comments below.

Like always, I love hearing from you guys so check me out on Instagram, @brunchandgloss, and drop a line.

Until next time,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disclaimer: This post is NOT sponsored. The Daily Dose spray was sent to me for review, however I do love the product. Everything I share is my honest opinion and I value your trust in me. Everything else was purchased with my own money. This post does contain affiliate links, meaning I receive a small commission from purchases made from those links. Your support means the world to me and I can’t think you enough.