We're Going to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo

Just a few snaps from the North Carolina Zoo.

We weren't there for that long, as we were eager to make our way home.

(We stopped at the zoo on our way back home from Atlanta)

It was really hot and sunny at 4pm. We were exhausted.

Not a great combination.

We were fortunate to see some awesome animals close up in the short time we were there.

A lot of the animals were trying to beat the heat,

Like the ostrich was super close laying in the shade.

I love the zoo! What about you? What are your favorite zoo animals? I love the animals pictured above, and all bears - polar bears, black bears, panda bears. I also love the chimpanzees- they're so playful and smart!

Thankful for... Kids

I'm always around kids, #summercamplife, and it's amazing. Kids are honestly my favorite people in the world. Being around children all day is the best. They're honest, kind, genuine, fun and love being around you. It's amazing to have 16 friends constantly looking up to you and telling you excitedly interesting, random stories and facts about their lives. (#ReasonsWhyIHaveTheBestJobEver #SorryForTheLongHashtags #AmISorry? #AmI?)

Things that are pretty awesome...

• Teaching kids something new and having them teach/show others excitedly.
• Singing and dancing with kids.
• Being silly with them. Is there anything funnier than kids making up jokes to excitedly tell you? What about 10 kids trying to tell you the Knock-Knock jokes they just made up?
• When kids thank you.
• When kids tell you that they love you. You know they mean it.
• Hugs and kids sitting in your lap.
• Reading books to kids.
• Playing in a kids museum with kids. They're so creative and their imaginations are amazing!
• Helping kids make/build something and they proudly show their finished piece.
• Hearing their stories!
• When kids ask to hold your hand or sit in your lap.
• Watching a kid excitedly talk to you about something he/she's passionate about.
• Hearing kids tell them that they've had the best day ever. Probably the best complement ever.

I love my job, I love summer camp and I love kids. They're the coolest kids in the world. So thankful to be able to work and be around kids often.

Summer Sales

Summer sales are hard to beat. There are so many! My closet is appreciative, my wallet not so much. Here are some of my favorite current sales.

Kate Spade Extra 25% Off Sale Items: (Ends tonight at 11:59pm!)

Holly Street Rubie

Cary Cardigan

Jitney Pouches Gia 

Kick Up Your Heels Hinged Idiom Bangle

Villa Flats

Veranda Place Patent Nisha

Get Out of Town Dot Bag

Henri Bendel Summer Sale:

Socialite Bracelet

Waldorf Delicate Choker

Society Round Sunglasses

New York Minute Mug

Waldorf Skinny Cuff

The No. 7 Petite Cuff

J.Crew Extra 40% Off Final Sale Styles, With Some at 50% Off: (Use code SHOPMORE, ends July 8)

Field Boots

Printed Silk Snood

Stretch Matchstick Jean in Dark Luella Wash

Silk Dash-Dot Blouse

Callie Sandals

3" Chino Short

Vachetta Leather Canvas Wedges

Crinkle Gauze Boy Shirt

Kiki Ballet Flats

Lace-Stripe Skirt

Brooks Brother Summer Clearance:

Floral Shorts

Gingham Dress Shirt

Enamel Knot Link Bracelet

Wedge Espadrilles

Eyelet A-Line Skirt

Sailing Flags and Knots Silk Square

Vineyard Vines: Extra 30% Off Sale Items! (Promo code: SUMMER3014)

Embroidered Cap Sleeve Top

Riptide Cable Sweater

Big Gingham Shirt Dress

Embroidered Sleeveless Dress

Yay for shopping sales! Enjoy!

Five on Friday: July 4th Edition!

Happy Independence Day! I'm so happy to be living in America, or as all my Twitter followers are saying 'Merica or 'Murica.

It's been a busy week! I was in (surprise- I went on a trip!) Canada and got back this morning at 1:30am. Yay for being back home on July 4th!

1. Brooks: I'm converted. After walking all around Canada with my CityPass (more on that to come!), I have realized the only running shoes for me are Brooks. They're so comfortable and I'm in love. I wish I could elaborate, but they are the perfect running shoes. I have the PureCadence 2, and currently out are the PureCadence 3. I love my Brooks!

   

   My Brooks in the corner.

2. Harry Potter: I was am a huge fan of Harry Potter. I started reading the books in 3rd grade when my BFFSK (BFF since Kindergarten- still true to this day), MNR could not stop talking about how amazing the series was. I was a huge fan throughout elementary school and middle school. I read all the books and saw all the movies, I remember getting the 7th book early because I took science classes outside of school and the lady who taught the classes knew a book publisher! It was insanely awesome. Now that my little brothers are starting to get into the Harry Potter series (I couldn't be more happy about that), we are rewatching the Harry Potter movies. I haven't seen them in forever, but we watched the first three movies during the car ride home from Canada, and I rediscovered the magic and love for Harry Potter. It's truly an amazing series, J.K Rowling is amazing! I'm now planning on rereading all the books over the next few weeks, when I'm not doing summer assignments, watching Netflix, at work, or online.
   
3. Alone Time: Love family vacations, but sometimes alone time is just what the doctor ordered. I need some peace and quiet aka online shopping and Indie Spotify Radio.
4. Reunions: There's nothing better than catching up with people you haven't seen in a long time. It's crazy how time flies and how kids grow up so fast! 
5. Sparkler Photos: There's nothing cooler than July 4th sparkler photos- for real. I finally got one! We went to a family friend's house; he is an awesome photographer, and he has a nice camera. Aka sparkler photo time! 

   

   Happy Fourth!
   (I'm on the left) J.Crew tee (similar), J.Crew chinos, Tory Burch sandals

Hope everyone had a great week! Time for some OITNB before some much needed sleep.

Atlanta Haul

This is a very late shopping haul post from the time I was in Atlanta!

Land's End sale... select items were $5!
There were some dresses, and I wish I had found some I liked for $5!
What a bargain. Am I right?
(In stores only - Sears)

Another steal from the Land's End sale

Nordstrom Rack is my new BFF.
I love this new Topshop sweater!
I got it for around $30.
It's so cozy and I love the patterns!

This American Eagle shirt for $5!
They were having a 70% off clearance sale at the time,
I haven't shopped there in a while, but I was hooked!
It looks weird on the hanger, but great on person!

Lucky Brand was having a 30% off sale.
I got this shirt for $14 and it's my new favorite shirt!
Again, it looks better on, and it's a bit big.

Chino shorts are my favorite!!
Got 2 more pairs during a J.Crew 40% off sale.
They were around $18 each.
A girl can't have too many chino shorts.

Probably the best deal of the day.
(And there were A LOT of good deals!)
American Eagle's 70% off clearance sale = $9 jeans!
American Eagle jeans fit me perfectly because I'm short,
so this was an awesome deal!

Yay for great deals! Yay for shopping hauls!

Deliciousness: Summer Salad

As I talked about in my latest Recap post, I love salad! Something about the summer makes me want salad even more than usual. I made a delicious salad the other day filled with colorful ingredients and I had to share! Hopefully, I'll be sharing more salad recipes throughout the summer. Here's to good eating!

Sorry I only took one photo.

Ingredients: two cups of baby spring mix, five cherry tomatoes, 1/2 can of clementine oranges (I saw Trader Joe's with light syrup), five mini balls of fresh mozzarella (we get ours from Trader Joe's), small handful of croutons of your choice, two tablespoons of balsamic vinegar, two tablespoons of olive oil

1. Pour syrup out of clementines.
2. Cut tomatoes and mozzarella in half.
3. Put the two cups of baby spring mix on plate. 
4. Add the tomatoes, mozzarella, and clementines.
5. In a separate bowl, combine balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
6. Drizzle mixture of balsamic and olive oil onto salad.
7. Add croutons. Enjoy!

Balsamic vinegar and olive oil with clementines is surprisingly amazing! I (for real) prefer eating clementines with it. Tell me what you think! The combination may sound strange, but it is delicious!!