Better slightly late than never with July favorite finds!
After the fun and festivities of the 4th, the rest of July seemed to sail right on by. We celebrated Gwen’s 3rd birthday, Lincoln’s 8th birthday (how + hold me) and enjoyed a bunch of fun evenings with friends in between, which really filled my bucket!
Lastly, we have been consuming all things Olympics over the past week – WOO!! I adore the summer Olympics and start to get wistful about them ending shortly after opening ceremony. The athletes are so inspiring, and it’s been fun watching with Lincoln, especially. I think we may have a future track and field enthusiast on our hands, which excites me to no end. I’d love to have a running buddy some day!
Speaking of, big guy will be starting school in just a few weeks (!!) and the little kids will be returning to pre-school shortly too. All kinds of emotions about this, as we kept the little kids home and Lincoln attended virtual school this past school year. They’re all ready and excited to go in person but, doggone it, we assumed they’d be heading back under better circumstances. That said, we will be masking up and praying for the best. It’s crazy that summer is winding down so quickly.
That said, let’s get to July’s Favorites before it’s September. ;) From fashion to food and everything in between, I hope you find something new to love in this month’s Favorite Finds!
Past Favorite Finds
AE Dream Denim Shorts
Bringing these babies straight to the top because they are just. so. good. American Eagle’s Dream Denim Shorts live up to their name – they fit like a DREAM. I went on a shorts shopping spree last month because none of mine fit and these (plus these) were the only ones that made it home. I wear them every single day. High rise, not too short (the model has super long legs so they look a little short on her), stretchy but don’t lose their shape – again, they’re an absolute dream. Run, don’t walk, to get a pair before sizes run out!
The Wine Tote
If you’re a long time IGE reader, you may remember me sharing this gorgeous Vintage Tote Bag from WP Standard years ago. It’s still my go to tote bag all these years later because again, it’s totally gorgeous, and big enough to hold my laptop, chargers, and a notebook with room to spare. The leather has only gotten more beautiful, too. Well WP Standard just came out with this Wine Tote that is speaking to my wine and leather-loving soul. I recently sent one to a friend who had a big business win (just typed wine), and I know she’ll love it. It’s the perfect mix of simple and elegant. #chefskiss This would be a fabulous holiday gift for the wine lover in your life (ahem, even it its you!)
Instant Pot Thai Peanut Chicken Ramen
We recently had a moment thinking our stove/oven was broken. Long story short — it wasn’t — but it caused me to get out the Instant Pot that’d been sitting sealed in its box for the past two years in my pantry! I bought it during the initial IP craze of 2019 but the pressure release valve scared me and so it stayed in the box. ANYWAY, I read and re-read (and re-read) the instructions and it turns out this thing is not only super easy to use, but makes the best food with hardly any fuss – big fan!
So far I’ve made Instant Chicken and Rice, Instant Pot Ribs (kinda winged them but used Erin’s recipe as a starting point and they turned out super tender,) and Instant Pot Goulash. (Plus Jambalaya but we won’t discuss how that turned out.) My favorite IP recipe so far has been Thai Peanut Chicken Ramen. INCREDIBLE! Personally I recommend cooking the noodles in water separately then adding to the broth, as the gluten free ramen noodles I use take longer to cook than instant ramen noodles. So, so good though – still thinking about it days afterwards.
What’s your favorite instant pot recipe?
Rothy’s The Sneaker
I’m trying to convince myself that I don’t need Rothy’s The Sneaker in green camo, but they’re so darn cute. I’ve never owned a pair before but I know Rothy’s has a super loyal following based on how comfortable their shoes are, the fact that they can be machine washed, and that they’re made from recycled plastic. I can totally see these as my school drop off / running a million errands this fall-shoes!
The Secret
Ben and Lincoln had an overnight camp out for scouts a few weeks ago so I got the little kids in bed and was fully prepared to have a Mom’s night in with a glass(es) of wine and Outer Banks on Netflix. Seven minutes later my wine and new show were forgotten, and I found myself taking notes in my iPhone, glued to the screen watching The Secret instead. Have you seen this documentary? The “acting” outside of the interviews is a little hoky, but the message has really changed my life in just a few short weeks. Learning about the Law of Attraction and Manifestation has been really, really cool and I felt the effects of putting these practices into place almost immediately. A bigger conversation for another time, but check it out if you are interested in these topics! (I also bought the book but am tragically behind in my reading and am working my way towards it.)
Still haven’t seen Outer Banks yet!
Sleeveless Dress
I impulse purchased this Universal Thread Sleeveless Dress as a swimsuit coverup during my last Target run, and it is SO cute on. So much more than a coverup (which I don’t even think it’s supposed to be – it was just hanging with the swim suits, so I assumed?!) super comfortable, and not too long. It’d also be great for those first few months of pregnancy when you’re not quite big enough for maternity waistbands and/or don’t like the feeling. It’s versatile is what I’m trying to say. ;)
ZipZicle Popsicles
If you have ANY MORE room in your life for popsicles yet this summer, these ZipZicles are so fun!! I originally bought them to make cocktail-based popsicles but my children saw them and their destiny was forever changed. That is to say, we’ve been filling them with leftover juice, smoothies, etc., and they’re a hit. AND recyclable!
Underwood Rosé Bubbles
I ended June’s Favorite Finds post with a Rosé, and am closing July’s with one too. You’re welcome. ;) I have been looooving Underwood Rosé Bubbles this month. Love the fact that they come in cans so you don’t have to open an entire bottle if you don’t want to, love that it’s not too sweet, LOVE THE BUBBLES!! I find these at Costco and Super Target – so refreshing for this super hot time of the year.
What are some of your recent favorite finds?
You must try Rothy’s sneakers. Once I tried them I got rid of most of the shoes in my closet and pretty much only wear Rothy’s now. They are so comfortable and come in the cutest patterns.
Check out this IP recipe for buffalo chicken tacos. Super simple and delicious! I usually turn it into a taco bowl instead with brown rice, shredded cabbage, avocado and the homemade ranch with xtra Frank’s. So good!!! Meat freezes well too and I’ll typically double the batch. Enjoy! And thanks for all your great recipes and tips over the years. Yours is one of the few recipe blogs I read and pin frequently. Love what you do. Cheers! https://pinchofyum.com/instant-pot-buffalo-chicken-tacos
YUM! Thank you so much for the recommendation, and kind note – I so appreciate it, Cinnamon!!
I need those Rose bubbles! That’s a great find. Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure – they are delicious!!
I just had to comment on The Secret. Years ago my close cousin had told me how fascinated she was with it… But I didn’t buy into it. Slowly, as I got older, and looked more at laws of attraction, manifesting that which we want into our lives etc., I thought what can it hurt!? So, with my goal of retiring at 55, and we worked toward that financially, and I used that thought in passwords, when I journaled, etc. On my 55th birthday last year, I was able to accept an offer my company provided and I retired. This sounds wacky, I know, but we talk about bringing things into existence… Good luck.
I am all for positive thinking and even looked at The Secret years ago. The troubling part of it and the manifesting good things movement is what message does it send to people who have bad things happen to them. Poverty, serious illness are not caused my non-positive thoughts and people cannot just think positively to get themselves out of them.
This is a concept I struggle with also, and am actively learning more about. From my research, “The Secret” (law of attraction, specifically) says that possibly some in a state of poverty can’t even imagine a life that’s not filled with debt (or worse), homelessness, inequality, injustice, and instability, and so the cycle continues. I am no expert, and this is definitely something I continue to want to learn more about. And then I think, again from my initial learning, practicing the LOA doesn’t prevent bad things from happening to people (getting sick, losing their job, etc) it more teaches them how to handle those situations.
All that said, I have experienced some incredible things in my own (admittedly privileged) life over the past few weeks after practicing the LOA and manifestation.
That is INCREDIBLE, Bonnie!! What an inspiring story – thank you for sharing!!
I use my Instant Pot for cooking eggs, more than anything else. I RARELY get one that doesn’t peel in two pieces, and I was failing at boiling eggs before that. Also great for steaming artichokes, and there are several chicken and pork recipes. Also soups! Mushroom and wild rice, carrot, cauliflower, so good for soups!
Nice!! I’ve heard the same about eggs peeling easily after being IP’d. I’ll have to try that.
Also, bring on ALL the fall soups!
Love your “month” Favorites!! Whenever I see it come out, I run and get my wallet cause I know there’s something in there I will want to buy. :)
HA!! I love to hear that we love the same things!
I was at a school tour with my entering middle school kiddo last night. 10 kids/ parents, and THREE were wearing that dress. Different body types, and it was adorable on all of them. Also, I’m in minority it seems, but I find Rothy’s sooo uncomfortable.
Yes! So cute and comfortable! Wish I’d bought in a couple different colors.
Can we all sign a pact that high-wasted denim is for life now please?!
I’m a Rothy enthusiast ( I have a pair of the flats, the sneakers and the Chelsea) and I cannot get enough of them!! They are definitely an investment but I have had my first pair going on 4+ years now and they still look new.
So glad to hear you like your Rothy’s!! And you can add my signature to that pact! ;)
If you like Indian food, this cookbook is great! We especially love the chicken korma-I even like it more than our local restaurant’s! They’re a bit time consuming as instant pot recipes go, but the meat becomes so tender. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1939754542/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_imm_F9VJ98A5RS1PDYEZPJR2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Amazing! Thanks Lindsey!
Please don’t hesitate for one more second on the Rothy’s sneaker. You will not regret. I have 3 pairs of Rothy’s—the sneaker, the flat, and the flip flops. I adore the sneakers and they are my favorite pair of flip flops I have ever owned. I also have a handbag. Love that everything is so comfortable and machine washable.
Thank you so much for the vote of confidence, Beth! I think I’ll spring for a pair. :)