What's up Wednesday

Happy Wednesday to you! Today I’m sharing a hodge podge post covering things from what I’ve been reminiscing about lately, to what I’ve been loving. It’s going to be extra long because I didn’t get to do one of these posts last month since I was on vacation. Here we go!

what I'm eating...

Is there anything better than beer & pizza?!

If you follow me on Instagram then you’ve probably seen me share about Verb bars before & I don’t really know why I haven’t talked about them on here yet. Verb bars are little organically caffeinated bars that have the equivalent to a shot of espresso! They are 90 calories & come in tons of flavor options. My two favorite bar flavors are cookie butter & lemon raspberry. I was super excited when I heard that they were coming out with an energy drink mix! They sent me a raspberry lemon flavor in the drink mix to try & I was pleasantly surprised! They’ve come out with some other flavor options as well (cherry lime & mango tangerine), but I really like this one. My only complaint is that it didn’t mix up very quickly with my water & was somewhat chunky unless I mixed it in really really well. You can order a starter kit & get $10 off using my code which I’ll link for ya here!

During the school year, my mornings can get a bit rushed & I often neglect breakfast. In the summertime, I’m able to slow down & enjoy it a bit more, especially when it tastes this good! Revive Super Foods offers prepackaged smoothie mixes that you just add water / almond milk to, blend, & bam! You have a delicious smoothie for breakfast! They also have overnight oat & soup mixes as well! Having everything you need in one little container that you store in your freezer is SO nice & efficient for someone as on-the-go as I am! So far my fav smoothie mix is liquid gold! So delicious & refreshing for summer.

The best part of this whole thing? They gave me a discount code (rsf55simplysmalltownblog) for all to get 55% off your first box!!! No joke! I’ll link to their site here where my discount code will be automatically applied!

My mom hosted lunch one Sunday & she made this delicious lemon cake from Trader Joe’s that we all loved! She & my dad cleaned out their pantry when we all got back from vacation & this was one of their finds. Since it’s one of their seasonal items, she must’ve picked it up sometime & totally forgotten about it. We all loved it!!

I also shared one of my families favorite summer desserts — mini fruit pizzas! They’re super easy + delicious & are always a fan favorite at my house. You can view that post by clicking here.

We ate at Torchy’s Tacos in Wichita for lunch one Sunday after church & it was ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS! Baja shrimp on the left & green chile pork on the right.

what I’m reminiscing about...

A few weeks ago, my family went on vacation in Estes Park, Colorado. It was definitely at the top of our lists for our favorite vacation EVER! I thought it’d be fun to share (& reminisce about) all of the fun things we did! I shared a blog post this morning that basically goes through our daily itinerary & I linked to as many places as possible in case you’re interested in learning more. You can view that post by clicking here.

what I'm loving...

My younger sister is a weirdo & loves cleaning things lol. I am the total opposite & HATE cleaning! I hired her to come to my house to clean my sinks & shower & she did a phenomenal job! She uses these brush attachments that go onto a drill & they are legit life changing!!! They make cleaning so easy & effortless (I’ve been told that they work wonderfully on tile as well)! Truly the cleanest my things have ever been!

My sister has severe asthma & has quite a few items, including an inhaler & different medications, that she has to have with her at all times. She has gone through quite a few different Kavu bags, but was wanting something a little nicer to take with her to college. She bought this darling leather backpack & every time I see it I have to convince myself I don’t need one for myself! It has a ton of great pockets & compartments & holds SO MUCH! It’s super comfortable & has functional adjustable straps.

This past Christmas I got a kindle paperwhite & I’d be lying if I said I haven’t been totally & completely obsessed with this new gadget! The past two years I’ve started to rediscover my love of reading, especially fiction. But let me tell ya, reading isn’t a cheap hobby! I loved the idea of holding a physical book in my hand, so I was kind of nervous that I wasn’t going to like reading from a kindle, but I actually really do! One of the main things thatI noticed is that I easily get lost in it — in the stories & the characters. Also, I have baby hands & the kindle is WAY more comfortable & easier to hold than a physical book. Plus, since it’s so small, it fits right into my purse & I can take it with me wherever I go. Of course I had to get a cute case / cover because duh. I thought it was worth sharing again because it’s SO STINKING CUTE!!!

Y’all know how much I love my bracelets! They’re such a fun way to accessorize & express who you are. While some people say that you shouldn’t be defined by your job, my job (as a middle school counselor) 100% makes me who I am & I’m actually really thankful for that. I love this wooden “counselor” bracelet from B.A. Bracelets! I’ll link to their Instagram page here where you can DM them to order. They’re super easy to talk to & really want to make you happy with your purchase!

what I’ve been up to...

Since I last did a What’s up Wednesday post, I chopped my hair off. Here’s my before & after!

Said (a very tearful) goodbye to my sweet sis a few weeks ago (She left for college (go cats!!)
While I’m sad for myself (& my other sister, Avery lol) that she won’t be living as close, I truly couldn’t be more excited for her as she heads off to Manhappiness.. Her journey is just beginning! & what a sweet one it will be! I feel such peace knowing she’s going to a spot I love full well. K-State, you’re getting a good one!!

what I’m dreading vs. what I’m excited about...

Last week on Monday, staff reported to the school & we had kids in the building starting on Thursday. It’s been a pretty stressful week because the district was getting HVAC work done this summer & it wasn’t finished on time so the cleaning crew couldn’t get access to do their summer cleaning. I’d been dreading getting back into my room because I knew it would be really rushed & stressful, but it ended up not being bad at all. My dad came to help me for a bit & our cleaning staff did a wonderful job getting things ready as fast as they could. I got into my room on Wednesday morning for the first time & spent 10 hours getting it set up & ready for kids!

Thursday rolled around (very quickly, I might add) & I was so darn excited to welcome all of the kids into the building! It was a fantastic start to year two! :) Being back in the building with kids made me realize just how much I truly love my job!

One of my favorite parts of my office (I have many) is the DIY custom shelves my brother & dad made me. They did such a fantastic job & it was pretty stinkin’ cool to get to display not one, but two college diplomas this year (B.A. in Social Work, M.S. in School Counseling) + the beautiful picture my parents got me for a grad gift. I call this my “inspiration wall”. Never limit myself. You never know what you’re capable of. Allow yourself to dream. & dream big!

Another one of my favorite spots is the coffee bar that my dad & brother made me. This little cubby truly is my happy place in the morning!

i’m not able to get commissionable links of the following things, but figured I could link the words for you here anyway: ‘coffee’ white wooden wall decor / mug coffee hustle grind wall decor dupe

what I'm watching / reading...

All American (on Netflix) came out with season three. Sometimes the acting is subpar, but I think the message this show portrays is so important. The controversy around racism & the realness that this season brought had me in tears. I highly recommend watching this, even if you’re not a football fan, the exposure to racism & stereotypes is really important.

what I'm listening to...

Lately I’ve been OBSESSED with the Crime Junkie podcast! My dad & sisters are obsessed, too! We listened to a few episodes on our drive to Colorado for vacation. They’re so engaging & have you sitting on the edge of your seat the whole time!

what I'm wearing...

Amazon…

I’ve been wanting some gold hoops in various sizes for awhile & I finally snagged these from Amazon & they are PERFECT! The ones I’m wearing in the picture are the biggest size in this pack & I love that they’re super subtle & dainty. I wear the smallest ones almost every single day because they’re so easy! I even sleep & shower in them & haven’t noticed a change, nor have they fallen out. Love these!

Anyone else obsessed with bright & colorful bracelet stacks like I am this summer?! I always have such a hard time finding bracelets because my wrists are really small so they’re always so big & don’t fit super well, but these ones are perfect! I love how bright & vibrant they are! They are the cutest little addition to an outfit & because of all of the different colors, they'll match just about anything! The best part is that they’re $11!

I grabbed this neutral stack as well because I love the colorful one so much & these ones fit the exact same! & they’re even a bit cheaper — only $9!

I don’t own very many baseball caps & that always annoys me when I don’t want to fix or wash my hair, but I need to go out in public lol. I saw another blogger share about this cute camo trucker hat & was like, yes, I need that! It’s so cute! It’s adjustable so it’ll fit any size of head. I like that it has subtle distressing & could totally be dressed up with a tee & denim shorts, or dressed down for a comfy look.

I don’t know about y’all, but I’m always on the look out for basic striped tees. I just can’t get enough of them! You can wear them like this with a pair of denim shorts to be casual, or you can dress them up more, & they just work either way. This top is a little pocket tee & I just thought it was too cute! Wanna hear something hilarious? It was listed under “maternity” when I bought it!!! It’s a little bit longer fit, but I like it. I’m wearing a small & it comes in a bunch of other colors & prints!

I’ve been on the hunt for FOREVER for some white jeans so when Abercrombie & Fitch had their last sale (I get almost all of my jeans from there because they fit so well) I snagged a pair. I love the little cutout at the front of the ankle! & then my top is a little sweater tank from Amazon! The base color of the tank is navy (it’s pretty dark in my house so it looks black int this picture). It feels like really great quality & I’m wearing a small. I love the bright stripes of color & how perfect they are for summer!

This dress is SO fun! It’s from Amazon & it’s a black & white leopard print with embroidered bright flowers on the chest. The sleeves have a subtle frill & the neckline is a tiny little v, not deep at all. I’m wearing a small & would say it fits pretty true to size, I feel like it might be a little bit wide, but not too bad & the length hits almost right below my knees. It has a lining underneath so it’s not see through at all! This dress is just really fun & unique! A bit out of my “style box”, but I’m pleasantly surprised by how much I like it!

This sweet little dress is an Amazon find. It’s a linen t-shirt dress & a very plunging v-neck. I’m wearing a small & it definitely gets wrinkly lol I was too excited to try it on so I hadn’t steamed it yet. The sleeves are pre-rolled & it has great pockets. It comes in some other color options as well which I need to check out because I love the white so much! It would be so cute for a bridal shower or bachelorette party!

This first dress is white with embroidered details of red & orange. I love how bright & simple it is for summer! I got the white because I wanted to see it if was sheer or see through & it passed the test! It has a simple v neckline which I think is always flattering. I’m wearing a small & would say that it fits a little bit big, especially in the width of the dress.

Give me all the floral print dresses! I saw this one on another blogger & immediately added it to my cart. The collar & functioning buttons is so cute & feels kind of retro to me, but the cinched waistline & functioning tie help to make it even more flattering, plus the slits on the side of the dress allow you to show of your legs — go girls!!! I’m wearing a small & would say that it fits a bit oversized, so size down if you can.

I’m kind of shocked by this dress! The material is a little bit strange, it kind of feels like a tablecloth, so when I pulled it out of the bag, I was prepared to hate it. But once I put it on, the dress redeemed itself SO quickly because it’s so cute & flattering! It is tiered & has a v neckline, but it’s not too deep, which I always appreciate. The sleeves have a tiny but of ruffle so that it’s almost a cross between a t-shirt & a cap sleeve & a tank top sleeve. I just think it’s so flattering!!! I’m wearing a small & would say it fits true to size!

All time fav dress out of today’s post (& possibly even out of all of my summer 2021 dresses)!! I’m just smitten over this dress! It is so cute & dainty & flattering! I love the red print with white polkadots, plus the functioning buttons & single tier mid-thigh. The sleeves have some movement so they’re not tight at all. Overall this dress is just super comfy! I’m wearing a small & would say it fits a tiny bit oversized. It does come in some other color options as well!

Matching lounge sets are my jam! This is a pricier set from Amazon & unfortunately the two pieces don’t come together, so you do have to buy them separately. It looked super cute online on the model, but once I put it on together, it honestly felt a bit much & I felt like I looked like a cow lol plus, the shorts are a totally different material than the crewneck — the shorts are thick & somewhat coarse, & the top is super thin & buttery soft. I’m wearing a medium in both pieces. I ended up keeping the crewneck & sending the shorts back. I knew it would be cute with black shorts & that type of outfit is much more my style!

I’m an introvert, like to an extreme. Since I have the summers off from school & only work at my parent’s sno cone shack a few days a week, sometimes I have to remind myself to leave my house lol I’m not even kidding! That’s a #homebody on another level, which is why this crewneck was calling my name! I grabbed it in the purple color & I’m wearing a medium — it fits true to size! It’s not like a sweatshirt material, it’s almost like a thin nice t-shirt material, so it’s pretty perfect for summer & the upcoming fall. Where are my other homebodies at?!

Amazon lounge wear comin’ atcha! These biker shorts are not athletic material, instead, they’re a super soft ribbed material which is perfect for hanging out in. They’re the most comfortable biker shorts I’ve ever tried on! I got a medium in the shorts as well as the tank so that it would be long enough to cover my bottom. The tank comes in a pack of two so I got a black one as well!

I don’t own anything from lululemon, but I’ve heard from other bloggers that this zip up jacket is a dupe for one of their pieces. I absolutely love the lavender color & how sleek & flattering this jacket is. I got a medium so that it covers my bottom in biker shorts or leggings, but I could’ve done a small because it’s pretty loose in my arms & I had to roll the sleeves a bunch. It comes in a ton of other color options as well & I think the black one is calling my name!

Is this not the cutest little comfy summer outfit you’ve ever seen!? I finally found a pair of athletic biker shorts that I love & I’ve become obsessed with them & pairing them with a bunch of oversized tees, including this one. The little strawberries are jus too cute & are so fun & summery. This is a men’s size small & I would say it fits true to size in that category. It’s actually really soft & not stiff at all which I appreciate! I’ve seen some other people pair it with pink linen pants or even jeans & a pink cardigan or headband & it’s too cute!!

This comfy pants romper gives me all the comfy boujee vibes & I’m so here for it! The spaghetti straps are adjustable which is so nice because I was able to tighten them up to make it fit even better. I paired it with a white t-shirt bodysuit underneath, but it would look darling with a strapless bra as well! It’s super flowy & stretchy & has great deep pockets. It’ll be so cute with a denim jacket as fall rolls around, too!

I absolutely love the fit & print of this Amazon dress! It has tons of different colors in it so it opens up a lot of options for how to style it. It is a high low fit & I love the high neckline. I’m wearing a small & would say it’s oversized — the cinched waistline doesn’t really stay up on me, so I’d recommend sizing down. Such a fun & different piece!

Another pretty Amazon dress! The chest is ruched while the sleeves are the same silky material as the body of the dress. I’m just under 5 feet tall & it drags on the ground for me, even in heels, so it is a little bit of a longer fit. I’m wearing my normal size small! This baby blue dress would be precious for a baby shower or even a baby boy’s baptism!!

I tried to go out of my “fashion comfort zone” on my last order so I decided to snag these linen shorts overalls. I honestly feel like I look like a little kid dressed up. I feel like it could be really cute, but I just can’t quite pull it off. It feels like great quality! I’m wearing a medium & would say it fits true to size.

I’m totally in love with this dress & the print & the fit of it! The chest area is smocked & the neckline & sleeves have a really subtle frill which is so cute & feminine. You can wear the sleeves off the shoulder or on the shoulder, which I love because it makes it so versatile. There’s a subtle slit on the left side as well which is really cute! I’m wearing a small & it stops just below my ankle (I’m just under five feet tall).

This just might be my favorite dress that I’ve found from Amazon EVER! It’s the prettiest seafoam green color with white polkadots — it’s actually called “leopard”. The sleeves are just a little bit more sheer than the rest of the dress & they’re super flowy & pretty. It has a clasp near your bust & a slip throughout the body of the dress, so nothing’s going to accidentally fall out or show! The cinched waistline is so flattering as well. It is so incredibly comfortable & I’m in love with this color, even though it does come in other color options as well.

This floral dress is incredibly flattering & I honestly feel like it could work for any body type! The chest is a smocked material & it has really dainty puff sleeves which you can wear on or off your shoulders. The colors are so beautiful & vibrant! I’m wearing a small & it hits just below my ankle with heels on. I love how flowy & pretty it is! It comes in other colors & prints as well.

Walmart…

Absolutely love Walmart lounge sets! These two pieces are sold separately, but match perfectly & come in a bunch of other color options as well. I’m wearing a medium in the shorts & they fit pretty true to size, if anything they run a little small. They have a raw seam & a functional drawstring. I’m wearing a small in the crewneck & it’s WAAAY oversized so I’d recommend sizing down 1-2 sizes. Both are incredibly soft & super comfy! The material is kind of like sweats material with fleece on the inside — so cozy!

This outfit is a mix of Walmart (the top) & Amazon (the shorts). I’ve been looking for some outfits that could either be worn super casual or a little dressed up & this one is perfect! I didn’t even fix my hair, I just added some fun bright jewelry & wedges & it dresses it up just a bit. The little frill along them hemline of the shorts is just darling!! I got a medium because that’s what I usually get, but these are MASSIVE! Like I rolled them three times for this pic, & unrolled, they went down to almost my knees!!! Plus, they’re pretty roomy so my bum almost shows by the split hem on the side lol HIGHLY RECOMMEND SIZING DOWN! I got a small in the tee & it is also super oversized! I honestly feel like it fits more like a large or an oversized medium. I love how bright & vibrant the colors are & how much the blue in the tee matches my blue shorts, they seriously match perfectly!

These are some mom jeans from Walmart & they’re so incredibly stretchy that I think I could’ve sized down one instead of getting my regular size. The waistline is that really cute paperbag style all the way around so it’ll be super cute with things tucked in. & the hemline at the bottom is raw but not too distressed which I love! But seriously they’re soo stretchy & soft & comfortable — truly the comfiest jeans I’ve tried on in a long time!

For all of my workin’ ladies out there, this outfit is for you! I always love wearing pixie pants to school & really only wear the pairs that I have from Old Navy so I wanted to branch out. This whole outfit (minus the shoes) is from Walmart! These pants are called the “kick flare” pants — they’re not straight leg or skinny, they just have a little bit of a flare at the bottom. I got my normal size in the pants & they fit great! They’re super stretchy & comfortable & very high rise with a zipper on the left side. This button-up top is definitely oversized — I’m wearing a small & it’s pretty long & wide — but I love that it covers my bottom!

This lounge set is fun & a little different than what I usually go for! The two pieces come together which is always nice — I’m wearing a medium in both. This is a perfect transition lounge set because the shorts are bermuda-style & the material of both pieces is super thin & light so you’re not going to get overheated while it’s still toasty outside. The top is cute enough to be worn on its own, maybe with jeans or even leggings.

This little beauty was my first day of school outfit! This sweet little number is from Walmart & I honestly don’t even know where to start with it. It’s so flattering & gives a great shape to your body. The sleeves have the tiniest bit of ruffle on them which is very slimming — I’ve noticed I love almost every top / dress I’ve tried on that has this detail. I think this dress will be super cute in the fall with booties & a denim jacket or cardigan! Such a great staple piece to add to my wardrobe!

I’ve been on a bit of a skirt kick lately because they’re so comfy & look darling at the same time. I found this floral wrap skirt from Walmart & it’s stinkin’ adorable & great quality! There’s no slip underneath, but some spanks do the trick just fine. I’m wearing a medium but totally could’ve done a small because you tie it so you get to decide how tight it is! $9 y’all!!!

Would you believe me if I told you this is a men’s crewneck from Walmart? Well believe it, sis!! I have been in love with this seafoam green color lately & this is just too cute. The seamlines have an open-seam look which makes it look kind of distressed & like you’re not all put together. I’m wearing a small & it fits a little bit oversized, but is probably accurate for a men’s size small.

Next up is this light grey camo lounge set from Walmart! The two pieces come together — I’m wearing a medium in both. The crew has a very wide neckline & I would say it fits pretty oversized. The pants have a cinched waistline & are a jogger fit which I really like. I like the material & love love love this light grey camo print!

Mooore camo! Do you guys remember those crewnecks from Walmart that have been pretty much famous for the past couple of years? Well they’re back & better than ever & in a bunch of new patterns & colors! I am OBSESSED with this muted green camo print!!! Same fit & detailing as all of the other crews — thick seams & cute side slit. I get a small in these crews & would say they fit a little bit oversized (I usually get a medium in most crewnecks). I have noticed that they shrink a tiny bit, but it’s not enough to make me want to get a bigger size. Literally $12, y’all! This is not a drill!!

Y’all know how much I’ve been loving skirts lately! This super cute crinkle skirt is from Walmart! I’ve seen tons of dupes & lookalikes from Amazon, but this one is so much cheaper that I wanted to try it first. I’m just under five feet tall & it hits my lower shin. I went with a safe choice & got a medium because I don’t like when the waistband is tight. I paired it with my white Amazon t-shirt bodysuit. I think when you’re trying to dress up a skirt, it looks best paired with something more fitted on top. It’s super flowy & comfortable & feels like great quality.

It looks stinkin’ cute dressed down with a gameday tee & some sneakers as well!

Don’t be afraid to mix in some different patterns as well! I think polkadots are so versatile & especially when they’re in a neutral print like this one. Three totally different outfits — one darling skirt!

Can it be sixty degrees out & the leaves be changing right now, please!!!??? I want to wear this outfit so dang bad, but I sweat my butt of just trying it on! This oversized cardigan is from Walmart & when I say oversized, I mean oversized — this is a small! The buttons are functional, but I thought this was a super cute way to style it. I love buttoning up my cardigans when I can! The sleeves almost look like a balloon sleeve because of the cuffs which I love. Comes in other colors as well!

All of these sweaters are so dang tempting to me & I’m so mad I can’t wear them yet!!! This sweater is the same brand as the cardigan that I shared above, so similarly, it is very oversized (I had to roll the sleeves three times). I love the pocket on the right side & how dang soft it is! This sweater would be super cute untucked with faux leather leggings & mules as well!

Target…

Sharing some super comfy Target mom jeans today! This is pair number one. They have minimal distressing compared to the second pair (which is right after these)! They’re high rise & I’m wearing my normal size — they are a bit long on me, but I’m okay with it because I trim a lot of my jeans & like a raw hem. & my tee is from Amazon! I love the vibrant colors, the quote, the design, & how soft it is. This tee is so stinkin’ cute & as a small town Kansas girl, I just love it! Such a cute & casual outfit.

These are the more distressed pair! They’re incredibly stretchy & comfy & again, I’m wearing my regular size. I honestly probably could’ve sized down one size because they’re so stretchy & roomy. These are almost an identical fit to the pair from above!

Another Target find! The straps are the cutest little tie so you can really make it your own & fit you exactly how you like. I think the straps are just precious! It’s a really soft almost linen material. I’m wearing a small & it fits incredibly oversized — I could’ve sized down one or two sizes, honestly. It comes in other colors & prints, but they were sold out when I was ordering. I’m not mad about it because you can never go wrong with a black dress! & the best part is that it’s $20! This is one I think you can transition to fall with a cute cardigan or denim jacket as well!

This whole outfit is from Target! These pants are a comfier version of linen pants & are sooo soft & cozy. I got a medium in the shorts & t-shirt — I could’ve sized down in the pants, but the t-shirt is the perfect fit for me. I love the bright yellow color & the deep pockets & the fact that they’re $20! The tee is $12! Such a steal for both!

If this outfit doesn’t give you all the fall vibes, then you’re wrong, sis. ;) Both the dress & my booties are from Target! My booties are from last season, so these exact ones are no longer in stock, but I linked to some similar options below. This dress is super similar to some others that I’ve tried on this summer as far as the floral print & the tiered levels with bell sleeves. The colors in this one are so perfect for fall! I’m wearing a small & would say it fits oversized — I could’ve sized down one or two sizes.

Next up is a shacket from Target! I personally think it’s way thicker than the other shackets I’ve tried. This one is lined & is so much warmer so I’d wear it as a coat instead. I’m wearing a small & it’s very roomy — size down one or two depending on how you’d like it to fit. It comes in another color option, but I love this purple & pink print! It’s $50 which seems like a lot for a shacket, but is probably reasonably priced as a coat.