Things I'm Loving For Summer

Summer is finally here! ☀️ And now that the sun is shining, I thought I'd highlight a few things that I'm loving for this season from Manuela, Brighty Brights and Leo Mazzotti. My discounts at the bottom for each. 🌞

 Tess Boho Skirt from Manuela Co

This wrap skirt is already in my closet and it's so cute. I haven't had the
chance to wear it yet but it's sheer so it will go perfectly over swimsuits this summer. 

Giselle Dress from Manuela Co

Trancoso Bathing Suit from Manuela Co

Just ordered this gorgeous one piece! 😍 Must have for this summer. 

BOHEM 5 Pcs Set from Brighty Brights

Dolce Vita Classic Coffee from Leo Mazzotti 

Dolce Vita Leather Light Blue from Leo Mazzotti

Use code "Debbie,fs30" for 30% off (+ free shipping) from Manuela Co
Use code "BESTDEBBIEEVER" for 50% off (+ free shipping) from Brighty Brights
And use code "bestdebbieever" for 10% off (+ free shipping) from Leo Mazzotti!

Happy Summer! ☀️

Food!

📷 art_vs_food

Isn't there an endless amount you could write about food? I've been a huge lover of food for most of my life, and I've had some pretty lucky experiences with trying new things. Thankfully, being from LA, I've had my share of Italian 🍕 Indian 🍸 Asian 🍣 and even Ethiopian to name a few. I can remember the first time I had sushi, I remember realizing I had a slight curry addiction (Hey, urbanmasalala) 😋 and it's a little fuddled when I was sure that Italian was my favorite (all.the.cheese.) but it is, and has been for years! (I can't believe they made PIZZA. Yum!)

My go-to meal to cook is spaghetti, and whenever someone else is making spaghetti I know I'll be glad to stay for dinner. (Can't go wrong with spaghetti and meatballs, right? 🍝) Any sort of Italian pasta dish would be my first idea for successfully cooking a meal, and my go-to dessert is brownies (from a box and made with extra love. 💗)

Food accounts I'm loving ☆
@stripedspatula
@pinkcakeplate
@the_c_edit

What's your favorite kind of food?
And what's your favorite meal to prepare? 🍳
Let me know in the comments below!

Denver Art Society

click/tap

@denverartsociety

Relationships

I don't usually get this sappy but, sharing about relationships today. 🌹

Dating is different for everyone. Maybe you’re a serial app dater or find yourself in long-distance relationships. No matter the situation, if it doesn’t work out, heartbreak hurts. The way we handle breakups is also different for everyone—for some, it calls for a solid GNO wearing a spicy new outfit followed by wine on the couch. For others, it can mean sulking while listening to a sappy playlist—whatever it takes to get your mind off of him or her, right?

With the right set of tools (and constant pep talks from your friends), the healing process can be a tad less tough. Which is why we tapped Heartbreak Coach, Claire Byrne, to shed light on a) how to tell you’re with Mr. Wrong and b) how to get over him. Editor’s note: Although this article uses male pronouns, the advice applies to all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Read it all here.

♡♡♡

Technology has had a massive effect on how we interact with each other, but when it comes to those studies that suggest technology use in the bedroom will hurt your relationship, I would have to disagree. I can't tell you how many articles I've read about how playing on your phone or tablet before bed prevents you from connecting with your partner and fostering a good and healthy relationship. They say the time before sleep is when you should be talking, cuddling and fully enjoying each other's company. They almost make you feel guilty that if you aren't staring into each other's eyes every night and asking each other 100 questions about your thoughts, feelings, and dreams, you're doomed.

But I call bullsh*t. My boyfriend and I have been living together for the past year and a half, and I don't believe us being on separate tablets every night has affected our intimacy at all. Just last night, he stayed late up on his tablet catching up on the latest season of Game of Thrones. I, on the other hand, was laying right next to him watching a documentary. We didn't talk at all, and it was awesome.

Read it all here.

♡♡♡

“Understanding is love’s other name. If you don’t understand, you can’t love.”
-Thich Nhat Hanh

One of the things I love most about the Enneagram is that it gifts humanity a common language. It’s a tool that reminds us that everyone sees and interacts with the world in different ways, and it invites us to grow as individuals while also encouraging us to better understand others.

With the Enneagram, we open ourselves up to awareness. No longer do we view the world through a narrow lens. Instead of demanding that others see and do things as we see fit, we learn to celebrate each individual number. Moreover, we gift one another permission to engage in relationships as our most authentic selves, moving beyond accusations and combative language in conflict. In doing all of this, we can experience deeper connections and thrive together.

Not sure what number you are? Start here.

Read it all here.

Make sure to listen to this week's episode of the goop podcast with Eat, Pray, Love author Elizabeth Gilbert. So good! 🎧

Happy #NationalBestfriendDay 👭

Happy #NationalBestfriendDay 🔆 

@tina.volgyi

My Favorite Harry Potter Quote ☇

Just last year I finished the Harry Potter series since stopping back in highschool after The Half Blood Prince was released, and I wrote down my favorite quote. 


The realization of what would happen next settled gradually over Harry in the long minutes, like softly falling snow.
 "I've got to go back, haven't I?"
 "That is up to you."
 "I've got a choice?"
 "Oh yes." Dumbledore smiled at him. "We are in King's Cross, you say? I think that if you decided not to go back, you would be able to... let's say... board a train."
 "And where would it take me?"
 "On," said Dumbledore simply.


What's your favorite Harry Potter series quote? 
Share in the comments below and I'll share more of my favorites. ⚡

Standing Up for Standing Out

I found this adorable article recently about standing out on Psychology Today (That has a pretty awesome looking book linked as well). Very worth the read. 🌿

"I believe that we were created the way that we are for important reasons. We probably will never fully understand those reasons during this lifetime, but I feel that you can learn important things from your differences. In fact, being different can make all the difference in your life. It did for me.

The challenges that I faced from being so physically different from others instilled a strong compassion in me for others who didn’t fit in. I gained a keen desire to understand others and to do anything I could to help alleviate the suffering of people in situations similar to mine."

Read it all + see the book here. 🔆

My Relationship With Coffee + When I Switched To Tea

  Coffee, coffee, coffee. The beloved and ever-changing morning, midday and evening ritual that even got a branch's start right in my hometown (Hey, Starbucks 👋) It's been present in my life somewhere pretty much my whole life. If it wasn't me drinking it, someone was. But I've had my own relationship with java since I was younger than 8. On a work trip traveling with my parents, my brother and I spent our time with our dad's coworker's kids, with the son saying one day, 'I love coffee.' My brother and I were totally floored, we didn't know kids our age were allowed coffee!

  I thought he was lying. 'Yeah, I love coffee. I have it every morning.' I didn't push the subject any further, because there was just no way that a kid of all of 6-7 years knew so much about the grown-up drink. Over the years until my first cup I was only familiar with the smell. It reminded me of all my school teachers and Monday mornings. Into my teens I took on the Starbucks iced coffee craze with everyone else in Los Angeles, and ignored a slight upset in my stomach the whole time. Being only a teen in sun shiny L.A., there couldn't be a problem with me and something like coffee right?

  I came back to java in my early twenties, and bought my first big mug at @thebourgeoispigla (seen above). It was cool to get the designs in your foam, so I took that for a spin. And before then, I'd found an alternative that didn't so much give me the bubble guts. The cold, flavored Frappuccino drinks by Starbucks that came in small, glass bottles. Those seemed to go down just fine. I used to grab vanilla or another light flavor to take it down easier. (I just recently bought one all these years later since my teens, and the same outcome!) No tummy ache.

  It's been quite a complicated relationship, but I still enjoy the acquired taste. Because in my opinion, it's very much acquired. Being that my stomach is so sensitive to the stuff I don't like to talk about it that much. How weird that my stomach reacts that way, right? I hope to meet someone else with the same story one day. But yep, instant stomach ache, to the bathroom, and even headache sometimes for half of my day if I have it in the morning. Poor weirdo me. (My mornings aren't totally empty. I switched to having a cup of tea in the morning just a few years ago, and it's like I've found a long lost love. 💗)

  And I've even grown up with a step mother in the house who had a cup religiously every morning. Sometimes I'd even smell coffee brewing at night. I spoke to my doctor on my visit before last about it, and she informed me that I have sensitive stomach lining which is causing the pain being that coffee has such strong components to it. Far out there. ☕ But nice to know.

  So it looks like I can only drink my cold frap drinks from Starbucks in the glass bottles. Slowly. 😅 Gone are the days of a mug here and there, just to fit in with all of the cool people. Since I've changed that much since my teens, might I change again by the time I'm say, 50? ☕



Quick add-on: I've just remembered that I have tried one other brand of coffee, a newer brand, that didn't give me those usual after effects! LaColombe did me well but it's a strong one. I drank it in little sips at a time but so good. ⛾ Found it while passing through the airport and remembered reading great things about it on goop. Anyone know what this all means?

To Shop

I think everyone has a few Wish List brands/items that they have saved in their bookmark section (or Wish List section on Instagram). Those items that you're just waiting to be able to gift yourself, those items that give back. I have quite a few! A variety (and only a few) of the items/brands that I have on my personal 'To Shop' list that I hope you'll find cool. 🛍

Jersey Sheet Set from Bhumi 

$259

Jersey Pillow Cases (pair) from Bhumi

$69

My Everything Floral Maxi Dress from lace+charm

$119

The Original TCB Authentic Coin Necklace from The Crystal Boutique

$88

Scrunched Bottom Pants in Olive Green (Green) from PI

$44

Pi Yoga Pants proudly donate 10% of net profits 

toward sea turtle conservation! 🐢

Arizona Eau de Parfum from Proenza Schouler

$100

Slate Mescla Bra in Agate/Black & 

Marble High Rise Infinity Legging in Black/Agate from koral

$80 & $115

June 5th New Arrivals from Bellefleur Lingerie

I've had my eyes on this brand for lingerie for some time now. They're from Seattle! Thank you goop for the find 😚

Pillows from The Citizenry

$125, $165, $145

Mini Bar from Lola James

$550

Lina Ring from Helana McKenzie

$155

Three Sapphire Stone Earring from Bayou with Love  

$225

Exfoliating Instant Facial from goop

$125

I hear so many great things! It works. 😉

Presley from Gal Meets Glam

$198 $99!

"The" Series from Hark+Hammer

$98-$300

Hark+Hammer's line is made with minimal environmental impact 🌍

I of course have a ton of new stuff on the way to share with you all from the beautiful brands I've joined recently (so excited!) But these are just a few of those pricier items that you just can't wait to treat yourself to. Hope you're loving them as much as I do! 

Social Media

Sometimes I like to stop and think what social media means to me. I’ve been using it since I was 13 or 14, starting with AOL Instant Messenger (Anyone else learn to type there? 🙋‍♀️) I remember typing endless paragraphs, and basically having phone conversations on the computer. And just a year before that, it was writing actual letters (with your favorite girly perfume in them) to each other. Seems like ages ago now. This is where it all started, and sometimes I think I haven’t quite “kept up” with what’s going on now. There are so many features, and even using the minimum, I wrack my brain to make sure that I post in a timely, complete and attractive way. Just trying to keep up with everyone else, right?

Can you believe I do all of this on my own?

I’d say that I do okay. I even look back on my Instagram stories when I first started them just months ago, and they’ve improved. (Go me!) But I do try to make things look attractive, while also letting the ideas just flow. Ya know what I mean. It may not always turn out that way, but I do try! I don’t get many suggestions to improve, but still here bringing it all to you. 😇 

My social media goals right now: I look forward to promoting the 22 amazing brands that I’ve recently committed to representing and showing you all the pieces that I chose from each! There are quite a few items that I’ll be so glad to share because they’re just that awesome and unique. Lots of new ideas coming. 😎 and of course tons of discounts! So be on the lookout for that. 


What are your social media goals at the moment? Let me know in the comments below.


🎥 Social Notes with Latasha James
⬆️ Great person to follow! ⬆️

The Weather

  Here in Denver lately, it’s been storming every day for a few hours. Usually in the afternoon, but each day for the past week I’d say there’s been an hour long or so storm. Not sure what much else there is to say, but my dog has gotten into the habit of missing her afternoon walk. It seems really unexplainable, but still here I am writing down a bit about it. It just perplexes me, really. Summer starts around the 20th, and I’m wondering when the weather is somewhat going to reflect that? Will the summer be cold? Rainy? Growing up, I thought the rainy summer day only happened in freakish Seattle. (Kidding, Seattle 💧) But now it’s looking more like the norm. I guess we'll just have to wait until the end of the month to have an idea of what summer is going to look like.


Some great organizations that are doing a lot for the weather:

° yearsofliving
° putapriceonit
° leonardodicaprio.com

° Climate Reality Project

° Union of Concerned Scientists

Summer

📷: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Bachelorette/Bachelor Living In 2019

  Here I am to blog about the single life in 2019. When I decided to write this blog, I really had no idea what I was going to say. I opened trusty Microsoft Word to get started, and hoped for the best when it came to ideas flowing. While my Pomeranian mix was literally just sitting right beside me staring. Being a bachelorette before and in 2019 for me has consisted of three things mainly: family, traveling and staying in Airbnbs and self care. There’s a lot of photo documentation, hit-or-miss flirting and speaking your mind on all issues, too. Sounds like paradise, right? I think it’s so great that there are so many people who are still bachelorettes/bachelors in this year. People in their early twenties, late twenties (me) or even into their 30s.

  Being a bachelorette or bachelor in this advanced year is by no means super easy, but when there are others setting the example along with you it makes your status all the more special to you and unique. There are always the select favorite Instagram followers of yours that you can count on two hands, that set the bar beautifully high for the single lifestyle. You see colorful travel photos from all over the world, food, exploring, career passion, entrepreneurial businesses, shopping, blogging, advocacy for issues and the list goes on and on. As a woman, there’s sometimes literally a little shame shadow that creeps up from time to time, making me feel bad about not having kids yet. As if one woman not having a kid or kids by my age is a huge issue. Do that many people see me and think, I think I’ll wait, too? I have no way of knowing.

  I do know that nearly all of my siblings live the same lifestyle, with one of my two older sisters being the only exception. Erin has two sons and is married. While me, Nero, Eric and Stefani are all single and career/school (for me) oriented. This has been the norm and the example for me, so I’ve gladly settled right in through the years and thought nothing of it.  I can’t say I don’t revel in it, either. A lot of the things that I’ve done so far I wouldn’t have been able to do. That’s pretty much the bottom line, so I’m a very grateful 2019 bachelorette. 👯‍♀️ I hope to spend the rest of this year growing even more, exploring the world around me and exploring myself. Giving back, which is very important to me, is more at the forefront of my radar now too. I hope to keep learning more and more new ways to do so.

  But in the mean time I’ll be feeling gratitude for all of my blessings, for the lesser amount of stress that I’ve been allotted, and for the time to just be with me. Because there are really no words great enough to blog, write or describe that. 🔆