Good tidings and back to school greetings to you all! We hope all of your routine-setting and lunch making is going as smoothly as our 0.38 pen writes. 

Here are some of our end of summer faves!

Mabby:
It’s been the summer of games in the LaVoy house this year. The two top picks on repeat are this game Tapple - which is a racing game so it gets quite loud - and this game Rummikub where my littlest all the way up to my teens all enjoy to play together! A dream!

For the end of summer, I also found a new favorite dress (I know, I know, I have many…) that can be dressed up or down! I think it's perfect to transition into cooler weather (if it ever comes).

Lastly, a favorite of mine for the past couple of months is this purple shampoo + conditioner set. Since I’ve embraced my grays now for years, I want to make them enhanced and pop! We will see how this goes (and hopefully I don’t turn them purple)!

Jenn:
I’m hard on my nails and have practically given up on nail polish because it always chips within two days. I even gave gel and acrylics a shot, but they weren’t for me. Enter Olive & June. After two years of their ads popping up everywhere, they’re having a sale on their mani system, and I thought, why not give it a go? I was ready to be disappointed because I’ve tried every brand out there. Y’all, I’m genuinely amazed! I’m now on week TWO wearing a white opaque polish (I really put this to the test, ha!), and it’s only just starting to chip at the edges. I put my nails through a lot, especially with my side business where I make wood crafts, constantly getting glue and soot on my nails. I’m so happy that my nails finally look pretty and I’m actually looking forward to doing my nails at home now!

Aline:
It’s Summer 2024 and WE KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS. I'm still riding the Olympics high and getting ready for the Paralympics to start soon! I look forward to it all for so long, and now that I’m very eager to pass that enthusiasm onto my kids, I’m just trying to outdo myself in how hype I get. Will you see me in LA for the 2028 Olympics…I mean I’m planning on being there. To further express my devotion to the Games, I’ve been looking for cute and not cringey t-shirts. A fine line for sports. But LOOK how fun these old graphic tee remakes are from Abercrombie! I immediately added to my wishlist. Here's one of my fave ladies Shawn Johnson wearing one as well - I mean, it sells itself. 

I like to spoil myself just a little during pregnancy with small things that are good for me and my body but also I normally wouldn’t splurge on. These aren’t the wildest of splurges for sure, but this Honest Vitamin C Moisturizer and Deep Hydration Face Cream have had me more looking forward to getting up in the morning and getting ready for bed at night. A huge plus when I’m for sure more sluggish these days. They smell so clean and refreshing and literally go on like butter. I feel so fancy every time!

Nancy:
Consider this an endorsement to purchase the Peacock streaming service for one month so you can watch the entirety of the Olympic artistic swimming competition (replays are still up!). It’s basically gymnastics + dance + swimming combined. These ladies can do it all. Harrowing acrobatics? Check. Impeccable and precise choreography? Check. Sparkley costumes and fun hairstyles? Check and check. Also, the fact that they’re treading water the ENTIRE time, AND sometimes doing tricks while upside down in the water?? This isn’t your grandmas synchronized swimming!!

Lolly:
I admit that I have a new fitness obsession, like, every few months. I know. It’s true. But, my dopamine hits and I just can’t help themselves, y’all. And so I am here to tell you that my newest love is the one peloton app and my girl Heidi Neil’s IG channel. Y’all. Both of these resources are exactly what my cortisol levels need right now and I’m so grateful for such approachable and thorough exercises!

On days that I’ve needed to work, I’ve bought my littlest some crafting kits to keep her busy. Does she watch endless television while doing these crafts? Yes, yes she does. But at least there’s a little creativity and brain power working in as well? These have been the favorites for her: Pom Poms Purse | Fashion Designer Kit (okay, this one she definitely needed my help with, but we had a blast with it and even bought velcro strips so that she could actually use them on her Barbies!) | Flower Craft Kit | Diamond Painting Coasters (full disclosure: I got these for her, but I played with them and now I’m a Girl Who Diamond Paints While She Watches Documentaries on Television).

I like my coffee really hot in the mornings, but I take forever drinking it and so it never quite works out. I’ve long thought about getting one of those Ember mug things, but I’ve never loved how they look. I want to be ARTSY and have my hot coffee, gosh darned it! Imagine my joy when I stumbled upon these Ohom beauties. I am oh so very obessed. Worth all of the pennies for me since my first cup of coffee in the morning is basically a spiritual experience?

We'll catch you next month! Until then, may your pencils be sharp and your alarm clocks operate like they should (you probably still used an alarm clock over the summer, but I for sure didn't).

xo, Team LD

**some of these links might be affiliate links. probably the amazon ones? but not all of them. and we don't share them unless we truly have tried and love them.