Goodbye, July and Hello, August!  I like to kick off the beginning of a new month with my monthly favorites mini series on TBBB, starting with my Miscellaneous Monthlies where I share some of my favorite things from the past month with you.

Clothes & Accessories

✻ Azure Lace Dress – I hauled this dress from Anthropologie last month and was excited to have an occasion to wear it recently.  It is such a classic piece and I absolutely love the cut and color.  I look forward to wearing this timeless beauty again and again over the years!  Anthropologie, $188

✻ Merona Women’s Slub Tank – Last month I shared my love for the blue sailboats tank.  This month it’s all about the pineapple print!  I love my Target tanks!  Target, $10

✻ Skagen Ceramic Watch – This is one of my all time favorite watches and a beautiful summer accessory.  It is light and dainty and goes with just about everything!  Amazon, $172

✻ Alex & Ani Rose of the Blessed Mother Beaded Bracelet – Don bought this for me when we were in Southampton, Long Island earlier last month for a family reunion.  This beautiful bracelet has a meaningful symbolism behind it as well: “Embrace the divine vibrations of the Rose of the Blessed Mother Charm to attain sacred guidance and enlightenment.”  I basically haven’t taken it off all month! I like to pair it with a Mae Movement bracelet for a pop of color and sparkle.  Alex & Ani, $98

✻ Kate Spade Cobbie Hill Little Curtis – I am still using and loving this perfect summer sidekick!  I get so many compliments on this bag wherever I go!  I put up a Bag Buzz dedicated to this bag, which you can check out here if you’re interested in a closer look. Kate Spade, $278 $194! 

✻ Hello Sunshine iPhone Case – If you haven’t already been able to tell, I like to swap out my phone case on a monthly basis for something that coordinates with the season.  This bright and cheery phone case by Rifle Paper Co. is super cute!  I appreciate the rubber tracking around the edges for an easy grip. Anthropologie, $38

Home Goods

✻ Bird of Paradise Candle – I had never heard of Circle E Candles until I received this beautiful gift from a viewer.  This candle not only looks lovely in its substantial square glass jar, but also has the most delicious scent that really fills up our family room where we like to burn it.  It reminds me of cake baking in the oven without being overpoweringly sweet.  Yum!  It burns evenly with a nice throw.  Circle E Candles, $21.50 $16

✻ Reisenthel Market Basket – This is not just a July favorite, but an all-months-of-the-year favorite of mine.  Since posting a picture on Instagram of it a couple of weeks ago, I’ve received some questions, so I thought I would share it here.  I love these soft-sided baskets!  I actually own several which I use in different areas of my house.  The one shown here is my “main” basket in which I keep my planners, journals, books, knitting, and whatever else I like to carry around the house with me on a daily basis.  It starts the day in the kitchen with me for breakfast and then I carry it up to my office for the remainder of the day until it rests in its final spot next to my bedside table until morning.  It’s so convenient to be able to toss in extra things that need to go up or down the stairs as well and the padded handle makes it very comfortable to carry.  The Container Store, $39.99 $29.99

Multi-Media

✻ Belong To Me by Marisa de los Santos – I’ve had this book on my shelf for awhile now and I decided on a whim to start reading it.  It’s an interesting story about individuals and community dynamic that is easy to get into.  I haven’t quite finished it yet and sadly, didn’t make time to read anything else this month.  I hope to change that next month!

✻ Spirit by Jewel – My car randomly started playing a song from this album one day and I decided to listen to the entire album again.  After that I was hooked and listened to it on repeat (which I tend to do whenever I get into music).  There are so many Jewel classics on this 1998 record, including “Hands” and “Life Uncommon.”  One of my personal favorites is the hauntingly beautiful melody of “Absence of Fear.”  Jewel’s music never fails to soothe my soul!

✻ Shine On by Sarah McLachlan – Sarah McLachlan is another female artist that I enjoy listening to when I’m in the mood for something mellow.  Her latest album stays true to her style.  My favorite song on the album at the moment is “Flesh and Blood.”

✻ Ally McBeal Season 4 – Don and I own the box set with all of the Ally McBeal seasons.  We watched the first three last winter and have returned to watching Season 4 this past month.  We really love the show, which is funny but also dives into deeper emotions with its quirky cast of characters.

✻ Claire Marshall – I thought I’d start including my current favorite YouTuber as I am often asked who I like to watch.  I recently discovered Hey Claire through another favorite, Essie Button.  I really like Claire’s video style and variety on her channel between vlogs, cooking, beauty, and more.  She seems like a very down to earth, relatable person.  She also has a great sense of humor, which really comes across in her editing style.  I always enjoy seeing what’s new on her channel!

Tasty Treats

✻ Homemade Baked Fruit & Granola – I have a major sweet tooth and absolutely love enjoying dessert.  In an effort to cut back on my refined sugar intake, I decided to try making simple baked fruit as a healthier dessert option.  I first tried this with a couple of overripe plums I had on hand.  I simply cut them up, drizzled with a bit of honey, sprinkled generously with cinnamon, then baked at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.  They all but liquified so I decided to add in a handful of Udi’s Gluten Free (and refined sugar free!) Vanilla Granola.  The result?  A super tasty, slightly gooey, warm, tart but naturally sweet treat.  Yum!  I’ve made this a few times with berries instead with great results.  Now I add the granola in for the last five minutes of baking to enhance the the flavor.  

I’m always interested in healthy dessert and snack options.  Please feel free to share some of your favorite guilt-free treats with me in the comments!

If you’d like to hear more about my thoughts about my July favorites, check out this video:

I would love to know what some of your July favorites were so if you care to share, please do!  I hope you’re having a wonderful sunshiny day, wherever you are! :o)

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