Summer Lovin'

RA Training officially begins today! When RA Training begins it is usually a sign that Summer has come to an end. Although it is bittersweet, I love starting a new school year! However, I couldn't end summer without sharing with you all some of my favorite things about this past Summer!

To start... Ocean City, MD is probably one of my favorite summer destinations! I've been going to OCMD every summer for SO MANY years. This past summer I got to go with Josh and his family, which was wonderful. I officially entered into the Fractured Prune club -- meaning I bought a $18 t-shirt and get 1 free donut per location per day so long as I wear my shirt! Fractured Prune is a donut shop (see above) that makes specialty donuts. They are a franchised company and have slowly made their way onto the "OCMD Must Do List"! The two above are called Blueberry Hill and Strawberry Shortcake. As I'm writing this post I am practically drooling for one (however, I'm settling for a Coconut Cream Pie larabar). While at the beach, we saw the sunrise and the sunset and spent as much time at the beach as possible! We even road bikes on the boardwalk - which has basically become one of my favorite traditions. 

Another thing I loved about this past summer was buying the cute suit that you see below! American Eagle currently doesn't sell the one I got -- but they have a similar style for $19.00 on their web now! I kept referring to this bathing suit as my "scandalous" bathing suit -- partly because it was so low cut; but also because this was the first summer in awhile were I felt comfortable with my body. I've lost a lot of weight and more importantly built a lot of muscle the last three months (which I'm sure I'll write about at some point).  

No summer would be complete without the annual July Reunion with all of my college friends (plus Lindsey). It rained this year (pretty much the entire afternoon) but we were able to get some sun time in the beginning. My summer weekends are a bit more free than my academic semester weekends, so I was pleased with all of the friendship overload this summer!

I don't know about you but I love SUMMER SALADS. Or basically anything with strawberries. My favorite summer salad included: spinach, raw red onions, feta cheese, bacon, strawberries, walnuts, with a balsamic dressing overtop! I'm currently doing a Whole30 before the school year begins so I probably won't be eating this again until next Summer. BUT, if you have all of these ingredients in your kitchen right now - I kindly request that you make this!

A dream summer bucket list item of mine was to go to a Drive In movie theatre! I'm so grateful that I live in PA and there are a plethora of drive in's for me to go to! A few weeks back, Josh and I went to see a double feature of Despicable Me 3 and Spider-Man. I absolutely loved setting up his Escape for the drive in and watching the movies while laying in the trunk. I would highly recommend going to a Drive In at least one time in your life... they are great for families and there is nothing nicer than listening to the old time music before the movies begin!

My final summer love is sand and toe nail polish! I don't usually get my toes painted (maybe two-three times a year) but when I do you can bet I get a polish that I have never seen before! Absolutely loved OPI's Rich Girls & Po-Boys! I'm normally a navy blue fan, but this this color really called out on the shelf.

For any of you who are not in Res Life (or academia in general) I hope you enjoy the rest of your summers! Say hi to the beach for me...