Hey Friends! Welcome to What I’m Digging Wednesday The Best Of Summer Edition!
I know it’s been a hot minute since I’ve done a Wednesday list, with my summer hiatus and all, so I figured the best way to jump back into the swing of things was to share a big list of all of the things I have been storing up on my handy dandy (and very disorganized) WIDW Google Doc to share when I made my return to the world of the interweb.
So that’s where this fun list comes in. It’s all the things I fell in love with over the summer, with the added addition of some oldie but goodies that I used on repeat as well. There’s something for everyone on this list so check it out and grab your best of summer piece before the days get shorter and the air gets cooler.
Yes, dear God, please make the air cooler soon.
What I’m Digging Wednesday The Best Of Summer Edition
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Kristin Esse Air Dry Cream: If you follow me on Insta, you know that I have adopted a summer air-dry look hairstyle that borders on beach waves/stuck my fingers in a socket, depending on the day. I achieve this look by taking wet from the shower hair and twisting it back in pigtails, pseudo-French Braid style (but with just two sections), tying them together in the back. Typically I wear it back for a day and sleep on it that night, taking it out in the morning to beachy waves or some close proximity. I am so in love with the no-dry thing there is a strong chance this style will continue into the fall. However, the game changer of this look is using the right air dry cream to keep frizzies at bay and help my hair maintain shine and body. This Kristin Esse Air Dry Cream is the perfect styling product for not just this particular air-dry style but ALL Air Dry styles. I love how soft and shiny it makes my hair without weighing it down with excess oil. It’s light and silky and has been a summer hair game changer. I highly recommend it. Grab yours HERE.
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The Boho Hanging Chair: In early July while Jeff and Connor were on their European adventure and the rest of us were stuck back in sweaty ole’ Texas, I decided to make myself happy by doing a tiny little patio redo. It wasn’t anything enormous or structural, just a quick update of some furniture, some twinkle lights that will never stop making me happy, and some hanging planters. Just enough to life my spirits while they were gone. The best addition to the patio, by far, is this hanging chair. While not quite as cute as the wicker options, this chair is 10000 times more comfortable. I take my morning coffee in this chair almost every day. I swing in it when I need a mental break from my workday. And I generally just think it’s the best and most unique way to add extra seating to our patio. I LOVE it and am plotting a way to rearrange my furniture so I can get another. Either way, if you’ve got patio space or a teen girl’s room that needs a cocoon-like chair, this is the one you need. You will love it too. I promise. Get it HERE.
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Fridge Bins: The other, much less pleasant task I tackled while the boys were away was a thorough fridge overhaul of both the kitchen and laundry room fridge. Both were in desperate need of a clean-out, wipe-down, and organization redo and I went to town with a little help from my trust Amazon account. The most useful find of my organizing haul was this set of multi-size bins perfect for putting all the fridge things in their rightful place. I got one for each fridge and used them to organize produce, condiments, my sparkling water, milk, juice, ALL THE THINGS. I love how clean and tidy they not only made my fridge but keep my fridge. A bonus addition if you’re really into keeping things nice in your icebox are these washable shelf liners. So much easier to take off and wipe down than trying to squeeze your arm into a dark corner to clean up that suspect spill. The combo of the two of these made my fridge feel like new, and I highly recommend them both.
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HOKA Running Shoes: After nearly a 10-year hiatus, I decided to take up running again this summer. I don’t really know what possessed me to do so because I’m a terrible runner. But I did it anyway, and have slowly (and I mean slowly) been running the neighborhood at least two mornings a week, sometimes more. The first thing I did before I started, though, was get fitted for new running shoes. These old bones need extra support and I have the wonkiest arch known to man, so I can’t just wear any old sneaker if I’m going to be logging miles. I went to our local running store, The Frisco Running Company, and was fitted for these Hoka One One Low Top sneakers. And let me tell y’all, these shoes are like running on clouds. Really, really supportive clouds. But clouds nonetheless. They’re perfect for my slower than a turtle’s crawl pace through the streets of my hood and work really well during easy walks with the dog as well. I love them. They’re not necessarily a “fashion” sneaker and I definitely feel mildly lunch lady-ish when I wear them, but vanity is not as important as being able to walk the next day, so these are winners in my book. If you are interested in taking up running, I suggest getting professionally fitted, but if you know your feet and need extra arch support, these might be a good place to start if you’re going it solo. Get yours HERE.
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High Hill Farm: By the end of the summer, I was in desperate need of a change of scenery. Between carpooling all over town for the kids’ sports, which do not rest over the summer, COVID, and the unbearable heat we endured in Texas, I was about to lose my mind if I didn’t have something to look forward to before we started it all up again with the different brand of crazy the school year brings. I did a little research, made a few phone calls, and found the perfect relaxing getaway in East Texas, High Hill Farm. Jeff and I spent two glorious days at this luxurious retreat and it was just what the doctor ordered to get me in the right frame of mind after a tough few months. We lavished in the gorgeous scenery, amazing food, and wonderful service at this incredible retreat. I wrote about the entire experience HERE, so I don’t want to bore you with the full details, I just knew it would be impossible to do a best of summer edition without mentioning this beautiful spot again. So go check it out and keep your eyes open because I’m tossing around the idea of doing a women’s retreat there sometime in the coming year. My plan is to have it filled with relaxation, yoga, books, and community. Sound good? Drop me a DM if you’d be interested!
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Large Canvas Weekender Bag: When I was packing for our weekend at High Hill Farm, I realized that the only suitcases I own are either a large(ish) carry-on that can easily fit at least 5 days worth of clothes and shoes or a giant family-sized suitcase which can easily fit two small humans. Neither one seemed like a good option for a day and a half away, so after an exhaustive (read: short Amazon scroll) search, I ordered this Weekender bag with great reviews and high hopes. Well, the reviews were right and my hopes were confirmed, this bag is the best weekender bag. It looks much more expensive than it is, and it holds a ton of stuff without bulk. The bottom zippered compartment easily fits three pairs of shoes (including the bulky-ish HOKA sneakers) and the main compartment packed everything nicely for the trip–dresses, swimsuits, shorts, tops, jammies, the whole nine yards. It also comes with a matching toiletry bag, which is a nice touch. If you’re like me and don’t have a weekend bag but are tired of lugging around a suitcase, grab this affordable option and travel away. I promise you’ll love it. Get yours HERE.
Thank you so much for checking back in this week for our first WIDW in a long time. I’m so excited to be back and have so many more things to share with you as we move on into fall. It’s going to be a fun few months filled with lots of NEW, so stay tuned, and thank you as always for being the most loyal community I could ever ask for.
Peace, love, and Wednesdays,
Meg
Welcome to BurntToast! My name is Meaghan, and this is my safe space, a place where we can share stories, share recipes and share life. It’s my dream that you can come here, kick your shoes off and pour yourself a glass of wine while you read, laugh, and maybe even hop into the kitchen. This is my heart, for all of you to see. And ALL are welcome here.