July 2017 Monthly Favorites: Discover Your Next Obsession in Beauty, Home & Food

Welcome to another exciting edition of my Monthly Favorites series! As August unfolds, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the fantastic discoveries from July 2017. This month was particularly special, as I stumbled upon a diverse array of products that have genuinely enhanced my daily routine and brought a touch of joy to my home and kitchen. From game-changing beauty essentials to delightful food finds and chic home decor, I’m thrilled to share everything that made my list.

My Monthly Favorites series is dedicated to bringing you my current obsessions across various categories. Whether it’s a revolutionary beauty product, an innovative kitchen gadget, a staple food item, or a charming piece of home decor, I’m always on the lookout for items that stand out. You can dive into my very first post in this series right here to see where it all began. I truly believe that sharing these finds helps us all discover new things that can make life a little bit better, brighter, or simply more delicious!

I absolutely adore hearing about your own recent discoveries and beloved products. If you’ve recently found something incredible that you can’t stop raving about, please don’t hesitate to share it in the comment section below! Your recommendations are always welcome, and I’d love to explore what you’re currently loving. Let’s make this a space for collective discovery and inspiration!

My Top 5 Must-Have Products from July 2017

1. DCWV Letterboard: Elevate Your Home Decor with Personalized Messages

Letterboards have undeniably taken the home decor world by storm, becoming one of the hottest trends gracing Instagram feeds and Pinterest boards. Their vintage charm combined with the ability to display customizable messages makes them incredibly appealing for adding a personal touch to any space. While authentic vintage letterboards can often come with a hefty price tag, making them inaccessible for many, I was ecstatic to discover an incredibly stylish and much more affordable alternative from the DCWV brand.

DCWV products are readily available at JoAnn’s stores, and I’ve heard whispers they’re also popping up at Target, making them convenient to find. I personally picked up a versatile 16″x16″ board in classic black and a smaller, equally chic 12″x12″ board in elegant gray. These boards are not only visually appealing but also exceptionally sturdy, designed to either stand proudly on a fireplace mantel or be securely hung on a wall, offering great flexibility in placement. The collection boasts an impressive range of sizes, ensuring there’s a perfect fit for every nook and cranny of your home.

Beyond the boards themselves, DCWV truly excels in offering a vast selection of accompanying letters and accessories. You can find letters in a rainbow of colors including crisp white, bold black, playful pink, vibrant teal, fiery red, shimmering silver, and luxurious gold. They also come in various sizes, allowing for creative typographic displays. But the customization doesn’t stop there! DCWV also offers charming cursive words and delightful signs, like a cute latte cup or an elegant wine glass, which can add a unique flair to your messages and themes. The prices for these letterboards are already about half of what you’d expect for vintage options online, but here’s a pro tip: if you apply a JoAnn coupon (they often have fantastic deals, sometimes up to 60% off a single item), you can score these decorative pieces for an unbelievably great price. This makes it incredibly easy and affordable to infuse your home with personality and on-trend style.

2. Blueberry CHEX Cereal: A Fruity Twist on a Family Favorite

Last month brought a delightful surprise to my doorstep in the form of a thoughtful package from Chex Cereal. It was a charming picnic basket, cleverly packed with a box of their brand new Blueberry Chex and all the essential ingredients needed to transform it into delectable Blueberry Lemon Muddy Buddies! What a fun and innovative way to introduce a new product. As huge fans of muddy buddies in our household, discovering this fruity version was an absolute treat, and it quickly became a new obsession.

The new Blueberry Chex cereal itself offers a wonderful balance of sweetness and natural blueberry flavor, making it a refreshing departure from traditional cereals. Its crisp, light texture makes it perfect for snacking straight from the box, but its true magic shines when incorporated into recipes. The Blueberry Lemon Muddy Buddies were a sensational hit; the combination of sweet blueberry with a zesty lemon kick was utterly irresistible. We ended up making a generously sized batch, which proved to be the perfect portable snack for our recent RV trip. Its convenience and deliciousness made it an ideal companion for our adventures on the road.

Beyond being an amazing snack, this versatile cereal has also found its way into our morning routine. My kiddos absolutely adore it mixed with yogurt for a quick, wholesome, and flavorful breakfast. The combination of creamy yogurt and crunchy, fruity cereal is a fantastic way to start their day. For those with dietary considerations, it’s also worth noting that many Chex varieties, including this one, are often gluten-free, adding to their appeal. Whether you’re looking for a delightful party snack, a convenient travel treat, or a tasty breakfast option, Blueberry Chex offers a delicious and versatile solution that the whole family will love.

3. Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub: My Holy Grail for Silky Smooth Skin

For what felt like an eternity, I had been on an endless quest to find a truly effective and enjoyable body scrub – one that would deliver on its promises without irritating my skin or breaking the bank. Finally, my search came to a triumphant end with the discovery of the Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub. I conveniently ordered mine online from Walgreens.com, which proved to be an excellent experience. I particularly appreciate their online ordering system; if my local store doesn’t carry a specific product, I can easily order it online and have it shipped to the store for free pickup at my convenience, making product acquisition incredibly hassle-free.

Tree Hut boasts an impressive and extensive line of sugar scrubs, featuring a myriad of enticing fragrances to suit every preference. Given that it was still the peak of summer, and I was completely immersed in all things tropical, I naturally gravitated towards the Hawaiian Kukui scrub. Let me tell you, the scent of this scrub is nothing short of out-of-this-world beautiful! It’s an intoxicating blend that instantly transports you to a sun-drenched beach with every use. But beyond its captivating aroma, the scrub is formulated with thoughtful, nourishing ingredients. It harnesses the gentle exfoliating power of real sugar, combined with the rich, moisturizing properties of natural Kukui nut oil and certified organic shea butter. These key ingredients work in harmony to slough away dead skin cells while deeply hydrating and conditioning the skin.

What makes this scrub even more remarkable is its inclusion of other beneficial natural oils, such as almond, avocado, and orange oil, each contributing to a more nourished and radiant complexion. The almond oil helps to soften and smooth, avocado oil provides deep moisture, and orange oil offers an invigorating touch and can contribute to skin brightening. Furthermore, for the ethically conscious consumer, Tree Hut proudly states that this product is not tested on animals, and it is meticulously made right here in the USA. Using this scrub leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft, smooth, and wonderfully scented, making it a luxurious yet affordable treat for my self-care routine. You can explore the full range of different Tree Hut scrubs and find your perfect scent on Amazon, HERE.

4. L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara: The Hype is Real!

Another incredible item that arrived with my Walgreens online order was the much-talked-about L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara. I had been eagerly anticipating getting my hands on this product, driven by the intense buzz it generated across the beauty community. Countless beauty YouTubers were raving about it, and it seemed to be constantly featured in “holy grail” product lists. As soon as I received it, I shared my excitement on my Instagram Stories, and a flood of messages from my followers confirmed their love for it as well!

You guys, let me tell you, this mascara is beyond good – it’s crazy good! I am absolutely obsessed. As a long-time, loyal fan of the original L’Oreal Voluminous mascara, I naturally had very high hopes for Lash Paradise, expecting it to at least be on par. To my delight, it not only met but exceeded my expectations! The very first time I applied it, my husband genuinely asked if I was wearing falsies! That, my friends, is a true testament to its power and a definite score in my book. While my natural lashes already have a decent length, what truly blew me away was how this mascara effortlessly curls them up and, crucially, holds that beautiful curl throughout the entire day without flaking or smudging.

The formula is a dream to apply, gliding on smoothly without clumps, building dramatic length and incredible volume with just a few strokes. It creates a lush, full, and fanned-out look that mimics the effect of false eyelashes but with the comfort and ease of mascara. It’s truly a standout product in the drugstore beauty aisle, offering high-end results at an accessible price. If you’re searching for a mascara that delivers on both length and volume, making your eyes pop with definition and drama, look no further. This mascara has earned its permanent spot in my makeup bag. You can easily order the L’Oreal Lash Paradise Mascara on Amazon, HERE, and experience the hype for yourself.

5. BurgaBox: Gourmet Burgers and Sides Delivered to Your Door

Last month, my husband and I had the exciting opportunity to try out BurgaBox, a meal kit service that was completely new to us. This isn’t just any meal kit; BurgaBox comes from the esteemed co-founder of Boston Burger Company, a name that carries significant credibility and has garnered considerable press attention. This immediately piqued our interest, suggesting a gourmet experience beyond the usual home-cooked fare. BurgaBox offers an impressive selection of 12 distinct “feast boxes” to choose from, catering to various tastes and occasions. They even have party packs with appetizers, a “BurgaBox of the month” club for regular indulgences, and thoughtful gluten-free options, showcasing their commitment to diverse customer needs.

My husband and I, with our shared love for smoky flavors, decided to dive into the Texan Feast Kit, primarily drawn to its enticing BBQ flair. The ordering process was seamless, and we were pleasantly surprised when the box arrived within just two days. All the ingredients were impeccably packed in a cooler, ensuring everything remained fresh and in perfect condition. The kit provided a complete gourmet burger meal for two, meticulously including everything needed to craft the burgers themselves, along with delectable sides that were either ready to eat or required minimal heating (with the exception of the coleslaw, which was fresh and crisp).

The burgers were, without a doubt, very good – high-quality patties with fresh toppings that made for a satisfying main course. However, the absolute star of the show, the item that truly stole our hearts and taste buds, was the pulled pork mac and cheese. It was beyond incredible! This culinary masterpiece arrived in a ready-to-bake container, and after just 30 minutes in the oven, it emerged sizzling, gloriously cheesy, and absolutely fantastic. The rich, tender pulled pork combined with perfectly cooked pasta and gooey cheese created an unforgettable symphony of flavors and textures. The entire meal, from presentation to taste, genuinely resembled a gourmet burger restaurant order, transforming our home dining into a true feast.

One aspect I do need to address, however, is the price point. BurgaBox is definitely on the higher end of the meal kit spectrum. The box designed to feed two people costs $69, which translates to $34.50 per person. While you might expect to pay a similar amount for a gourmet burger meal at a high-end restaurant in a city like Boston, the fact that you’re still responsible for cooking the burgers, heating the sides, plating, serving, and then washing the dishes does make it feel quite pricey for a “DIY” experience. Nevertheless, for busy parents who cherish cooking at home and occasionally desire a special, high-quality, stay-at-home date night without the extensive planning and grocery shopping, BurgaBox offers a compelling option worth exploring. It could also make a truly fantastic and unique gift for newlyweds or any food enthusiast who appreciates gourmet convenience.

If you’re intrigued and would like to experience the BurgaBox for yourself, I have a special offer for you! You can get $10 off your order by clicking here to apply the coupon.

Your Turn: Share Your July Favorites!

And there you have it – all the products that profoundly impressed me and earned a spot on my July Favorites list. I sincerely hope you’ve discovered some new and exciting items that you’re eager to try out. If any of these piqued your interest, or if you end up giving them a go, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below! I always love hearing your feedback and personal experiences.

Now, I turn the question over to you: What are you obsessing over this month? Whether it’s a beauty gem, a home essential, a delicious food item, or anything in between, share your current favorites! Let’s continue to inspire each other with fantastic finds and make every month a month of wonderful discoveries.

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