While normally we’re celebrating the start of the weekend, adding a tally to another week of homeschool under my belt and discussing the uncertainty of life during a pandemic. This week was different. So many heavy hearts and minds, but while the world has been hurting, it has also begun healing. I didn’t know if I was going to post this week, but I decided I still wanted to share what was on my heart, so I decided The Friday Five was the place to do it.
You can get caught up on The Friday Five series here!
ONE || MY HEART THIS WEEK
The world has been hurting this week, but I also feel that the world has already taken the first steps to making a change. My heart has felt so incredibly heavy and like many others, I took some time to reflect and learn how I can be a better ally to our black community.
I don’t have all the answers, but I can tell you my heart and ears are open. As a parent to young children, I wholeheartedly believe that the love, compassion and unity of the human race starts at home. Not only do I want my boys to accept and love people of all colors, races and religions, but I also want them to seek to understand the differences and celebrate everyone’s unique and diverse qualities, traditions and history.
This week has been a wake-up call to so many, myself included. We can all do better and we can do better together each day moving forward. My hope is that more love, peace and understanding comes out of this than what was there to begin with.
Hugs to all!
If you’re following me on Instagram, I shared my friend Carli from Made By Carli‘s home yesterday and plan to share many other of my favorite black blogger, creatives, designers and content creator’s accounts this week and beyond.
Her home is beautiful and I’ve pulled inspiration from her cozy, neutral palette and gorgeous interior styling game for years!
TWO || LAST DAY OF SCHOOL & GOOD-BYE PARADE
We cried tears of happiness and sadness when our school year came to an end on Wednesday. The rollercoaster ride that was school since the middle of March is hard to put into words, but any parents out there who were also thrown into the role as home-school teacher to one or many kids knows exactly what I’m talking about!
We learned to be patient with one another and also made sure to take lots of breaks for fun [and deep breaths for me ha!]
I will absolutely cherish the time we had together as a family, even though some “school days” pushed us all over the edge a bit! I’m so very proud of the boys and their hard work [and patience with me!].
The boys’ school held a drive-by parade where the teachers and staff all lined up on the perimeter of the building & parking lot with signs, posters, balloons and their arms waving! It was the perfect send-off to Summer and one we will never forget!
THREE || UPCOMING AMAZON HAUL
I know how much you guys have enjoyed my various Amazon posts over the years, but I’ve decided to start another new Amazon series and am working on it now! While I love sharing an Amazon find in The Friday Five or in other random posts, I’m going to start sharing my full hauls! I’ll be trying everything on and sharing the winners and hidden gems in a Monthly Amazon Haul post!
Don’t worry I’ll still share my various seasonal Amazon round-ups and others like My Favorite Amazon Purchases, Amazon Organizing Essentials, Amazon Vacation Finds, Amazon Fitness Finds, etc. so stay tuned. I’m looking forward to this!
If you have any requests for items you’d like me to hunt down, try and report on, please let me know!!
FOUR || IN FULL BLOOM
Our flowering bushes were put to use last week when I grabbed my scissors and headed outside to clip! If you missed my Summer Mantel on Tuesday, I shared how I put together a fresh Summer Mantel for FREE! And all I did was cut some flowers and shop my house!
I didn’t even realize we had the small Weigela bush at the back corner of the house! They must have a pretty short window where the pink flowers blossom, but they are so pretty! I also clipped some white ones from my neighbors yard with her permission of course.
Next up, the hydrangeas, roses and peonies!
A few of the peonies have bloomed in back, but they roses and hydrangeas still have a little ways to go. I’ll be sharing some more outdoor posts in the coming weeks, so you’ll get to see some of them as well as my planters. And of course, I’ll be clipping away, so you’ll see all the flower-filled vases in the house here soon, too!
Are any of your flowers blooming yet?
FIVE || UNDER $5 POOL SLIDES
While on the hunt for swim trunks for the boys, I stumbled upon the cutest pool slides. And with the 20% off code “SWEET”, I snagged these leopard ones and these taupe glitter ones for $4.80 each!
They only come in whole sizes, so ordered a 7 and an 8 and plan to return whichever ones don’t fit! I don’t have crazy high expectations for these shoes, but they are adorable. And I’ve never seen a lower price tag for a pair of sandals.
I’ll be sure to keep you posted!!
They also have 3 other color options available and the American flag ones would be so cute for the 4th of July!
That’s it for today, friends. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
Stay well and safe! xxoo
In case you’ve missed any of The Friday Five series, you can get caught up here!
OUTFIT DETAILS: rust tee shirt | white jeans | straw bag | leopard sandals | pearl pendant
BRACELET STACK: gold beaded | heart lock | hammered bangle | dottie bangle
