It’s time for another “Friday Five“! Along with my latest book recommendations, I’m sharing a t-shirt tying hack that you won’t want to miss out on and more!
Pineapple Home Apothocary
Earlier this year, a friend gave me a bar of soap from one of her favorite local businesses, Pineapple Home Apothecary. The scent (Rosemary Mint) is absolutely divine! Very clean and not at all artificial or perfume-y. I wanted to learn more about the company and discovered that:
- The company’s products are all created by an art historian who combines historic inspiration with cutting-edge advancements in skincare.
- The products are all-natural, sustainable, and feature results-oriented ingredients. No fillers or chemicals are used.
- Not only are the ingredients planet-friendly and good for the body, but all packaging is recyclable or reusable. Customers are encouraged to save and return their bottles/glass canisters where they can be sterilized and refilled again.
- Beyond bath, body, and skincare products, the company also offers an assortment of spectacularly scented candles and jewelry items.
Based in Hinckley, Ohio, you can shop Pineapple Home Apothecary online as well as follow them on Instagram and Facebook.
Twist-Tee Knot
Knotted and cinched t-shirts and skirts have been a trend for a while now and with good reason! They define your waist and allow you to style individual pieces in a variety of ways. The drawback is, that all that pulling and twisting on delicate fabric can ruin a favorite piece.
Enter the Twist-Tee Knot! This handy tool lets you easily create perfect knots or gathers in tees without destroying your garment in the process. Their handy, online videos walk you through the process step-by-step. You can even convert a scarf into a shawl for use on a chilly night. I’ve purchased the double-pack and have been using them on repeat ever since.
Best Ever Books
Still looking for your summer beach read? I’ve found it for you. It’s Shipped, the debut novel by Northeast Ohioan and fellow CWRU alum, Angie Hockman. Shipped has everything you’d want in a beach read, an exotic, warm-weather destination, a smoldering love story and a humor-tinged look at the realities of being a woman working in a man’s world. Just get it and thank me later!
I’ve been on a real hot streak with books this year so if lighthearted romances aren’t your deal, let me see if I can temp you with a few other good finds:
- Hamnet. This is a fictionalized account about the death of William Shakespeare’s young son Hamlet, a topic about which very little is known. Well done, compelling read.
- Circe. Revisit your Greek mythology as you learn more about the background of Circe, the fabled sorceress, and daughter of Helios.
- A Pure Heart. This book tells the story of two Egyptian sisters that chose very different lives. One a devout Muslim, the other a more Westernized lifestyle with her spouse in the United States. It brought back nice memories of our trip to Egypt.
- Indistractable. Choose where you place your attention and choose your life. For the non-fiction/personal development fan. I found it to have quite a few good, actionable tips for finding focus in a chaotic world.
- Skyscraper of a Man. Beautifully written coming of age story about 4 friends that meet in college during the 70’s and how their lives merge and diverge over the next couple of decades.
- In an Instant. A super-haunting novel about how the true colors of a person emerge when placed in desperate and stressful situations.
Sowing Spuds
I am so excited to be growing potatoes for the first time this year! We’ve attempted a garden in the past but the reality is, our backyard just does not get enough sun to support most vegetables. So we took out our little garden plot and decided to try container gardening instead. I received two potato pots as a gift this year and can’t wait to see what they end up yielding!
Theoretically, containers should do much better as we can move them to the side of the house or to areas that get more sun. This spring was fraught with distractions so we were only able to get the potatoes planted. However, if they do well, I’d love to add a tomato container and perhaps a tower planter for lettuces next year.
Under the Influence
Curious about how influencing got to be a thing? This podcast answers a lot of those questions. Journalist and mom Jo Piazza takes a look at the industry from its infancy and also delves into the dirty underside and the unforeseen ramifications that come from putting your (and your family’s) life on display. Adding this to your podcast playlist is a no-brainer for anyone who has stuck a toe into the social media/influencing waters!
Do you have an idea for something that should be included in a future Friday Five? If so, let me know in the comments. And as always, thanks so much for your support, shares, likes and follows. Have a great weekend!
