Five on Friday - May 30, 2025

Happy Friday! We’re in full wedding mode this week, getting ready for our biggest celebration yet this Saturday. I can’t wait to share some special moments from the big day with you! But first, let’s jump into this week’s Five on Friday ~

1. The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club

Look at what came out this week - The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club book by Martha Hall Kelly!  I can't wait to add it to my summer reading list.  This author wrote another book I loved, titled The Lilac Girls, so I'm excited to read this one.  Here's the summary ~

2016: Thirty-four-year-old Mari Starwood is still grieving after her mother’s death as she travels to the storied island of Martha’s Vineyard, off the coast of Massachusetts. She’s come all the way from California with nothing but a name on a piece of paper: Elizabeth Devereaux, the famous but reclusive Vineyard painter. When Mari makes it to Mrs. Devereaux’s stunning waterfront farm under the guise of taking a painting class with her, Mrs. Devereaux begins to tell her the story of the Smith sisters, who once lived there. As the tale unfolds, Mari is shocked to learn that her relationship to this island runs deeper than she ever thought possible.
1942: The Smith girls—nineteen-year-old aspiring writer Cadence and sixteen-year-old war-obsessed Briar—are faced with the impossible task of holding their failing family farm together during World War II as the U.S. Army arrives on Martha’s Vineyard. When Briar spots German U-boats lurking off the island’s shores, and Cadence falls into an unlikely romance with a sworn enemy, their quiet lives are officially upended. In an attempt at normalcy, Cadence and her best friend, Bess, start a book club, which grows both in members and influence as they connect with a fabulous New York publisher who could make all of Cadence’s dreams come true. But all that is put at risk by a mysterious man who washes ashore—and whispers of a spy in their midst. Who in their tight-knit island community can they trust? Could this little book club change the course of the war . . . before it’s too late?

Available HERE

2.  And Just Like That - Season 3

The first episode of Season 3 of And Just Like That... dropped yesterday on Max, and I couldn’t wait to dive back into the world of Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda, and all the new faces we've come to know. That said, I have to admit I was a little disappointed that the full season wasn’t released all at once. I was hoping for a good binge session, but instead, we’ll be getting one new episode every Thursday. The 12-episode season will unfold week by week, leading up to the finale on August 14. So, if you're watching along, get ready to pace yourself—plenty of drama, fashion, and surprises still to come!

3.  Work Out Top

I’m heading out on vacation Sunday morning, and with how packed this week has been, I decided to make things easy and grab a couple of new tops to toss in my suitcase. I was honestly surprised by how much I ended up loving them! The fit is just right, the fabric is lightweight, and it's incredibly soft. We’ll be spending a couple of days at Dollywood, and this top is perfect—it's made with UPF 50+ fabric to help protect against harmful UVA and UVB rays.  I'm so happy with this Amazon purchase! 

Available HERE

4.  Lumineux Whitening Strips

I had to restock my whitening strips this week, so I figured it was the perfect time to share just how much I love the Lumineux ones. I’ve tried several different brands over the years, and most of them left my teeth and gums feeling super sensitive—sometimes even after just one use. But these are completely different. They’re gentle, yet still really effective, and I’ve had zero issues with sensitivity. I love that they use a more natural approach to whitening without compromising on results. If you’ve struggled with sensitivity like I have, these might be a total game-changer for you too!

Available HERE

5.  I can relate...

Okay guys, I'm back to working on wedding stuff.  My friend TW is here helping and I honestly don't know what I'd do without him!  See you next week.