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I'm Shay! I’m a cookbook author, lifestyle blogger, travel agency owner, wife and mama who loves making every day special for my family.

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Mix & Match Mama

Friday Favorites, Shay ·

Friday Favorites


Okay, some Fridays, I sprint there…and some Fridays, I limp.  This week…I limped.  No worries though because it’s going to be a GREAT weekend!  Andrew has more rat traps out (holla!), the weather will be gorgeous and everyone is healthy (no more tonsillitis here!).  Really, what more can you ask for? Happy Friday friends!  Make sure you check out my friends Narci, Andrea and Erika’s blogs too today…they host this little link-up every week and do a mighty fine job if I don’t say so myself.
Here are my favorite things from this week…rat traps not included in this list…but most definitely a favorite ;).

I adore binge watching.  It’s one of my favorite guilty pleasures and right now…I’m in between shows, so I went back to my Binge Watching blog post to read your suggestions and…
…you all said I should be watching Downton Abbey.  So, I started last week (on Amazon Prime!) and friends, I’M HOOKED!  Eeks!  In fact, I really should wrap this post up now so that I can watch another episode before my kids wake up.  #cantstopwontstop   
I’m always to last to watch a great show (Gilmore Girls, Breaking Bad, Friday Night Lights)…so, here I am again.  All alone.  The only person left on Earth who hasn’t watched Downton Abbey.  I might be alone, but I’m loving every little minute of it.  Great recommendation!

We’re sailing on through our Every Day in May challenge.  Each day, I’m posting a “do something good for YOU” idea and I hope you’re loving them as much as I am!  Here’s what we have so far this month:
May 1: No caffeine for the day
May 2: Write down 3 things you’re grateful for that day
May 3: Read instead of watching TV after dinner
May 4: Schedule your annual skin check/OB appointment/dental cleaning (whatever you’ve been putting off!)
May 5: Drink 6 to 8 (8 oz) glasses of water today
May 6: Pay it forward! (Hold open a door, buy someone a drink at Starbucks…whatever you can do to pay it forward)
May 7: Be intentional with the people you’re with today
May 8: Tell a mom that you know that she’s doing a great job
May 9: Go to bed earlier than normal
May 10: Wake up earlier than normal
May 11: No social media after 6:00 PM
May 12: Walk the extra mile (park further away, take the stairs instead of the elevator…just go a little further today)
May 13: Write 3 cards and send them to 3 different people
May 14: Clean out a junk drawer
May 15: Stretch or do yoga
May 16: Meatless Monday!  Go vegetarian for the day!
May 17: Have a quiet time
May 18: Walk one mile after dinner
May 19: No sugar for the day!  No candy, sweets, treats and other sugary items (like bread!).  Can we zero sugar it today?
May 20: Pick one at home fitness item off of my fitness board (or another one you love) and do that today
You can see my board here:

Follow me on Facebook to see my Every Day in May challenges each day (plus, I share a bunch of other random stuff too!).
Have you seen this yet?!?!  I’m FREAKING OUT!
EEEEEEEEKKKKKSSSS!  So, you all know by now that Bridge Jones is my favorite movie and book.  She’s a lovable mess that I just adore.  So now, a whopping 12 years after the sequel came out, this third installment is about to hit theaters.  #ohmarkdarcy  You can watch the trailer here.  I’ve watched it about 20 200 times.

I’m in love with all of this:
My new flamingo tank will just make any summer night a little more fun (with my favorite black jeans!) AND look at my new espadrille wedges!  I LOVE!  They’re even comfy!  That’s the beauty of a wedge…they’re typically comfy.  Hurry, they’re running out of sizes as we speak.  I ordered true to size.

I just heart this flamingo tank :).

A better view of my new wedges.  So cute, right?!

Apparently, I am going to humble myself weekly for you friends.  Let’s recap:
First:
…my new favorite face mask.
Then:
…the most amazing dry shampoo EVER!
And now…
…my favorite sunless tanner :).
Remember a few weeks ago when Nordstrom helped us with our Mother’s Day giveaway and one day during the giveaway, we talked about tanner?  Well, I was telling you ladies how this stuff is my favorite and that every time you ask me how I’m so tan, the answer is always this.  BUT…I thought I’d go ahead and do a demonstration.  
On the left, my legs on Tuesday afternoon…and on the right, my legs on Wednesday morning.  Crazy, right?  I tried to take both pics in natural light so you could really see the color.  One tanning wipe covered my whole body.  I’ve been using the face tanner wipes for years (I use them at least once a week year around!)…but now, I’m obsessed with the body wipes too.  
Here are my tips:
1. I always use one wipe for my entire body right out of the shower (dry off really well first!).
2. Do not apply any lotion after.  Wipe the towelette all over your body and wait about 3 minutes for it to dry.  Then, put on your pajamas and go to sleep.  The next morning (I feel both the body and face wipes need about 6 hours to fully take!), you’ll wake up tan.
3. I start with my legs, go up and do my upper body and then finish with my feet and hands (if you do them first, they will streak).
4. Wipe yourself all over or else the next morning, you will have obvious spots of where you’ve missed.  If that happens, then later that night, repeat with a second towel on your spots.  Once you do it a time or two, you’ll never have spots.
5. I do not think this gets on my clothes, furniture and/or sheets.
Summer beauty at its best.  A tan with no sun.  Thank you Nordstrom for having these because I can just throw them in my cart when I’m ordering other things 🙂
Here are a few of my other favorite beauty items…
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And if you’re like me, you just can’t have too many easy summer dessert recipes for patio entertaining.  Here’s one for your repertoire…
…my Lemon Raspberry Pie.  The crust is out of this world!
Happy Friday friends!  Cheers to the BEST weekend!
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Comments

  1. Crystal Williamson says

    Good Morning! 🙂 I hope this isn't a silly question but how do you apply the wipe to your back? I'm thinking about getting them and thought I might need the hubby's help with that side..lol

  2. The Cold Coffee Blog says

    Happy Friday Friend! I might have to grab some of that sunless tanner… and maybe that dry shampoo too. You are going to have me looking good. Have a great weekend Shay!

  3. Kate Tobin says

    I haven't seen Downton Abbey yet and my mother is currently watching and is obsessed. I think I am going to start that today! Have a wonderful weekend. Red Sox baby and I are off to New York for some family time.

  5. Jamie Allen says

    i was the absolute person on the downton abbey train as well. once i hopped on i just never stopped. i think about the characters often and miss them. that's when you know you have a fantastic show.

    can i say i've never watched bridgette jones' diary {there are two movies?}. i feel a sudden urgency to watch them so i can dash to the theater when it comes out.

    have a glorious weekend. the sun is finally going to shine and bring some warmth here in michigan {for more than one day}.

  8. Narci says

    The month of May is always crazy! I feel you there!! Also, so glad that you are watching Downton Abbey!! It is so good, right?!!!

  13. Valerie says

    Thanks for the tips on applying the tanner. I used mine for the first time a week ago, and I did like I always did when using Jergen's sunless tanner, I started with my feet. To say I had some seriously dark and funky streaked feet is an understatement. My kids and I got a good laugh out of it, though.

  14. kelly says

    I can't believe how even the tan looks!! I'm curious about the scent of the tanning wipes also, but I guess I'll find out when I try them. Thanks for the tip! Your legs look great.

  15. karate nurse says

    Ohhhh that tanner looks amazing and sounds so easy! (Just ordered the tanner.) I am totally making that pie tonight to take to my in-laws. Looks so yummy! Annnnnd I have never watched Downton Abbey. #whatamiwaitingfor Have a great weekend!

  16. steph says

    Thanks for the great product tips! Can you please tell me what style your pink Nike sneakers are? I'm looking for a new pair. Also this may be a strange ? but are they lightweight? I have health issues with my legs that keep me from wearing heavy shoes.

  17. Andrea K says

    I just bought the lancome juicy shakers & love them! Piece of cake is my fav for spring/summer. I may have to try those tanning wipes. Its been a long, pale winter in NY & I need color asap.

  18. Mandy Dunn says

    So I realized how pale my legs are when I was at the gym this week and I looked back on your blog to see what self tanner you use…I ended up ordering both the body and face wipes a couple nights ago! I know you are loyal to Nordstrom, but I ended up finding the wipes cheaper at Overstock.com, just FYI! Excited to try them out…thanks as always for your tips!!

  20. mommyto3 says

    My two oldest kids and I are working our way through Gilmore Girls right now! I am in love with that show! I seriously want to move to Stars Hollow!

  21. Lara D says

    I bought the tanning wipes for face and body but haven't tried them out yet. Do you usually use the face or the body wipe for your neck and blending up under your jaw? I wasn't sure if the body one was too concentrated/dark for those spots and the face version may be better? Maybe an in-depth tutorial of exactly how you apply could make a great post (based on all the questions I'm seeing here!). Thanks, Shay!

  24. Molly Middleton says

    You look so cute all the time! Now you're going to have a glowing face, clean hair, and a bronze tan with little work. 🙂 also, yesterday I blogged and asked questions about link ups…favorite ones you host and participate in to add to a final list. I'd love your thoughts!

  25. Aubrey says

    When I read "rat traps," I almost hurled. We're limping into Friday too, but at least we don't have rats. It's the little things. :p

  26. Lauren says

    I love those sunless tanning wipes! I use the same kind. What do you do so that you don't get it on the palms of your hands?

  27. Susie Harrold says

    How long do the tanning wipes last? I also wanted to ask about gloves when applying it – I saw that someone else did also. Look forward to getting that info – I'm interested in ordering them. Thanks!

  29. Teresa Thomas says

    Hi! Love your blog! You might add a disclaimer about the language in the movie trailer. I clicked on the link while sitting next to my five year old. We got to have a teachable moment. I guess I'm not very familiar with Bridget Jones…

  30. Stacey Robinson says

    Great post, as usual! Thank you for sharing all of your favorites! Because of you and Shaeffer I have A LOT of new favs lately!
    What size did you order in the adorable flamingo tank?

  33. Genevieve Hughes Graham says

    those wipes are incredible! how do you get ur back?? Also, I love Downton Abbey and could watch it over and over again. Keep us updated on your progress of the show because it is so much fun to cry, laugh, be shocked- with others:)

  34. Jenny says

    I've been using the tanning wipes for the last couple of years, after you first blogged about them, and I love them! Also, I just got the dry shampoo you recommended, and am loving it so far. I've used it on myself and my 13 year old, and so far so good. Thanks for sharing your good finds with us. 🙂

  37. A. Nugent says

    If you like Downton Abbey (one of my personal faves!) then you will also LOVE "Call the Midwife" which I believe is on Netflix. Sooooo good! And Poldark (on AmazonPrime). These British dramas are sooo good. Like fancy soap operas! Haha.

  39. Unknown says

    I am dying to try the tanning wipes, but unsure how to use them on your feet and hands without it looking like you have sunless tanner on them. Any tips on how to get it evenly on your hands and feet?

  40. Patty says

    I have been wanting to try the sunless tanner but am hesitant because I am not sure how to apply them to your hands and feet without it looking like you have sunless tanner on them. Any tips on that?

  42. Mely H says

    Girl you are not the last one, I still haven't watched because I'm scared I'll be hooked. I do have Prime so maybe I will check it out when I'm on maternity leave!
    By the way, just wanted to let you know you were SO right. I reached out to you when I was having a miscarriage in December and you reminded me God had a plan for me. I found out we were pregnant again in March and now I am 15 weeks and things are going great, I trusted God's will and everything ended up falling into place! XOXO

  44. Jennifer Jackson says

    Downton Abbey is soooo amazing. I couldn't stop watching either and I was so sad to see it come to an end. I also cannot urge you enough to watch The Parenthood. I just finished the last episode tonight and it's just the absolute best show-I've laughed, I've cried, it's like I know them! Love your posts and I'm so glad you're enjoying Downton…its just gets better and better!

  45. Janet says

    I haven't watched Downton Abbey and have no plans to. I don't need something else to be "hooked on!" I have signed up for your FB page, but, don't receive notifications ever. I have checked to make sure I have signed up for that, but, no luck. Any suggestions?

  47. Farryn says

    How do the tanning wipes work on the knees and elbows ? Also… Have you ever had issues with the facial tanning wipes causing break outs ?

  48. A Wedding Story says

    I echo another commenter on the British shows. Call the Midwide, Poldark, and Doc Martin are absolute MUST SEES. We are so sad our Doc Martin binge is over…such a fantastic quirky British show. And these shows are so much better than American tv, and less crude. We had to stop watching several series because they were hyper sexual and crude.

  50. Your Older Selves says

    AH self tanner wipes are backordered for a month at Nordstrom! But, I found them on sephora + free 2 day shipping for memorial day weekend 🙂

  53. Lauren says

    Shay- I've been using these towels and love them! But I can't figure out how to get my feet and hands right. My ankles get pretty dark but my feet look like I literally didn't put anything on them- so white! And with the towel, it's hard to not get it in the palms of your hands. Any tips or suggestions would be very appreciated! Thanks!