I love this monthly post. Probably because I love sharing what I love. Okay, now I’ll stop using the word love and just get on with sharing my favorite products from May. Oh, and Happy Friday! Have a great one friends!… and to all those fathers in your lives Happy Father’s Day (you can check out my tribute to my dad here).

Health + Food

1. Purely Elizabeth Quick Oats: I love these oats as an on-the-go option, or for a morning when I just don’t want to dirty any dishes (except a spoon). They don’t have any sugars, which makes them far healthier than most pre-packaged oatmeal. I love her line of granola, and these did not disappoint. I top mine with a few pieces of The Perfect Bar, some banana slices, and a drizzle of honey.

2. Califia Farms Matcha Almond Milk: I fell in love with matcha lattes on a recent trip to one of my favorite breakfast (and lunch) spots. When I saw this option available at Whole Foods I decided to give it a try. It wasn’t as sweet as the one at the restaurant, but I still enjoyed it. Thoroughly. Plus, there aren’t any odd sweeteners in it, which I tend to prefer.

3. Matcha Love Organic Iced Tea: If you’re looking for a good iced version, I really enjoyed this one.

4. Square Bar: Chocolate Almond Spice:  All the square bars are pretty DG, but this particular one is my favorite. I’ve seen a lot of people top them with peanut butter… and I haven’t been as bold to try that out yet… but I’m sure it would be amazing. I love when I find delicious, and healthy, bars to just toss in my bag for an afternoon snack.

5. Jillian Michaels Yoga Inferno: Ok, so I know that I’ve mentioned this several times (most recently here), but I was so entrenched in BBG that I forgot about my love of yoga (well, more of the power yoga practice). I started doing this video again two weeks ago and remembered how much I liked it… and how sore it made my arms and glutes… which means it has to be good (or, that I’m not as in shape as I’d like to think… I prefer the former).

Baby Products

1. Ju-Ju-Be Diaper Backpack: (c/o) When I picked out this backpack I knew I’d use it a lot. What I didn’t know though, is that TJ would like it just as much (he prefers to think of it as black +white and not a floral print). It’s the perfect option for taking on a hike (as it can double as a diaper bag and hold some water and snacks) as one person can wear it while the other wears the baby carrier. We took it to Hawaii, as it was easy to take through the airport, easily fit underneath the seat, and was durable enough for the pool and beach. It’s definitely an excellent option if you’re looking for a diaper bag that’s functional and fashionable.

2. Banana Chew Toy:  Little miss loves this thing. Literally. The head is like a toothbrush (but not really) so she loves rubbing it on her gums and sucking on it.

3.Bumbo Floor Seat: I love this seat. I recently started introducing food to Harper and I’ve been using this instead of a high chair (I will likely switch to a high chair next week). I also love it as an option to place Harper in when I am getting ready, or as a way to have her work on sitting up. Easy to clean too (which, I am realizing is going to be so important as we introduce foods….).

4. Pool Raft: We took this raft to Hawaii and I think it is so cute. It provides shade from the sun, and allows her little legs to hang through into the water (she loves splashing in the water). It was a tad too big, but I’m imagining that by now it should be just right. If you have any pool time on the calendar this summer, I recommend it.

5. comotomo bottle: These. Are. Amazing. Why? Because it is the only dang bottle she will remotely tolerate. I think it’s because the entire bottle feels like a boob. Literally. She holds this bottle in her hands and actually sucks from it. She’s not taking a full 5-6 ounces out of it yet… but this momma will take what she can get! Anyway, can you tell I love these bottles?

6. Nursing Cover: I get a lot of questions about nursing in public and how I wear some of the clothing options I do…. and it’s because I use this nursing cover from Itsy Ritzy. Since I’m a little over 5 months into this nursing game, I’ve decided that functional clothing is just not cutting it anymore. I want to wear what I want… so thank goodness for nursing covers.

7. Flamingo Print Two Piece: One of my mom’s friend’s bought this for Harper I think it is just the cutest. I love that it’s like a rash guard, so it provides a little more coverage than those adorable little bikinis.

8. Floppy Sun Hat:  Momma + daughter matching floppy straw hats? Sold. She wore this option all during our trip to Hawaii and it’s still intact. So… she will continue to wear it throughout the summer, I’ll continue to wear mine, and we’ll continue to match (it’s kind of fun.).

Fashion: 

1. Denim Jacket: I was in the market for a light wash denim jacket for a while. I wanted one that looked a little distressed, but I didn’t want to pay an exorbitant amount. When I found this option, I was sold. I love the frayed crop look and the wash is the exact color I was looking for (I mean, I didn’t need a complete 80’s throwback here…). I love it over a dress for cooler mornings and evenings, and have loved wearing it with an all white ensemble (jeans + tank)… and then tying it around my waist when it gets warm in the afternoons. I sized up one for a baggier fit (purchased a size S)

2. White Bag: I mentioned in one of my weekend recaps that I was on the hunt for a great white bag. I found it. I love this one. Love it. As in, I can’t stop wearing it. It reminds me of an Hermes bag with its shape and studs, but at a fraction of the price. The white is a perfect color for summer, and it’s roomy enough to hold a bigger wallet, a sunglass case, a make-up pouch, and my cellphone… and there is still room left over. It comes in so many different colors, and I love the camel color option too.

3. Summer Hat: I splurged on this one. I couldn’t help it. I’ve always splurged on my fall felt hats (I prefer the structure that they have to them) and wear them all the time. Yet, as we come into the summer months, I figured it was time to retire them until next Fall. I have a few straw hats that are cheaper and definitely beach friendly, but I was looking for an option I could wear out… to lunch or brunch… and I settled on this one. I also bought this black one last Friday (loved that when they rang it up it was on major sale) and haven’t stopped wearing it either (as in, I had them remove the tags at the store so I could wear it out to lunch).

4. White Bodycon Dress: Another perfect piece for a blank canvas, and I love the fit of this option. I pair it with a denim jacket, or an oversized cardigan for a casual look. If you’re not into the tightness, simply size up one (that’s what I did). I also love white dresses period. Especially for summer, so I snagged this  lace one , which is currently on sale. I love that it can be worn with sandals, and think it would be adorable with sneakers as well. My other favorite white dress can be seen here.

5. Cat Eye Sunglasses: Kind of like the denim jacket, I’d been in the market for a new pair of sunglasses for a while. I just didn’t want to pay the designer price tag right now (because, I spent that on the hat right??). So, when I came across the brand Le Specs, I was sold on these. I love the shape and they fit comfortably on my face. I actually like a lot of the brand’s options, and all of them are well below $100 (if you like the ever so popular Dior pair, check out this option from the line). Good quality + great price. A+ in my book.

6. Summer Pajamas: Last weekend, I decided my pajama pants needed to be retired… and that I wanted a cute pair for the summer. These are über comfortable, as are most items from the Splendid line. After Harper goes down for the night on Friday’s, they’re the perfect option to slip into to sip a glass of wine.

7. Swing Tank:  I recently bought this tank and love the cute back. I bought it in the basic grey, but check out the other color options. I think it’s a perfect simple tank for the summer months, but with the cute back, it’s anything but basic. I wear it with this little décolletage .

8. Gold Slides: Every summer I buy a new pair of gold sandals… and it’s not because I collect them. It’s because I wore the pair from last year into the ground (as in, the strap snapped). This summer I opted for this pair. I love the simplicity of them and they go with everything. I bought them in silver last year.

Beauty:

1. Alterna Dry Oil Mist: My hair is naturally a wave-curl-frizz mess. I recently discovered this oil mist, and it really does tame those flyaway and make my hair look so much better. I recently got a keratin treatment, and when I spritz just a touch of this on my hands and rub on the top of my hair it makes my hair look freshly washed (even if it’s been a few days… or 5).

2. Mario Badescu: Another product line I was recently introduced to. I started using the Vitamin C Serum  two times a week and have really noticed the brightening affect it claims to have. I also love the way the Seaweed Night Cream feels on my face. It’s a thicker consistency, but I love how super soft my face feels after I apply it. Both products are pretty amazing in my opinion.

3. Bobbie Brown Illuminating Powder: I wrote about this product here, but it’s one I’ve had for a while, used religiously, retired during the winter, and rediscovered a few weeks ago. If you’re looking for a sun kissed glow, this one is for you .

4. OPI Alpine Snow: My favorite white nail polish.

5. Hawaiian Tropics Silk Hydration: I love the smell of Hawaiian Tropics sunscreen, and this one has the smell without the heavy sunscreen feel. It’s lightweight, but still provided me with he protection I needed throughout our trip to Hawaii… and I just bought a new bottle for our upcoming trip to Palm Springs.