{Sweet Summertime}

Hello, lovies! It has been a semi-busy week getting back into work mode after a nice, long weekend at the beach...it just doesn't feel like summer until you spend time in the sun & sand! Of course, none of us remembered to take pictures to capture the delish homemade meals, adult concoctions or fun on the shore, but it was quite a relaxing weekend. A few of us even tried paddle boarding; a lot of fun but quite difficult when going against the tide & wind!

A little exercise while getting your tan on...

...I think I'll wait for this kind of water next time!

How cute!

Of course, being in the sun for several days (despite a lot of sunscreen) often leaves my skin dry and, recently, with a few darker skin spots. I blogged here about my experience with tanning and the effects from unprotected sun exposure. Recently, one of those effects is darker spots that seem to surface during the prime summer months. Some sources say cocoa butter or lemon juice help lighten the skin, but I am debating whether or not to try out this recommended product:

Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector

If you have any other suggestions, let me know! It is hard to stay out of the sun, as there is so much to do outdoors! I am pretty much always in let's-go-on-vacation mode due to the fact I am permanently infected with the travel bug, but it has become increasingly difficult to plan for a getaway with a summer filled with all kinds of events! That's okay though, because the longer I wait to book a trip, the more vacation days I accrue...which means more time to do this:

Wine touring in Napa Valley, CA

Waterfall jumping in the Dominican Republic

Visiting Machu Picchu in Peru

Walking the Great Wall of China

Snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef

So many fun possibilities to look forward to!

Images via Google