Target – The Salty Exchange

Shari’s Summer Essentials

June 25, 2021by thesaltyexchangeLeave a Comment

Summer has officially hit the Pacific Northwest with a vengeance! As I write this, it is 84 degrees outside; which feels very unusual for the end of June in Washington! This weather is more like the end of July heat wave we are used to getting. I am not complaining though- I love that the heat is warming up the local lakes so we can go swimming soon! Speaking of swimming and summer, I have a few summer essentials that are perfect for going to the lake or the beach… you’re welcome in advance 🙂

Swimwear:

Hallelujah, a cute Romper Swimsuit from Target that looks classy and flattering on all body types. This is going to be a summer staple for me. I can wear it to a BBQ at the lake as my outfit and also jump in the water to swim if I want to. I was skeptical at first because rompers and I typically don’t go together well but I was pleasantly surprised at the fit and the cuteness factor! Speaking of the fit… they have extended sizing which is awesome and it comes in a variety of colors. I went for the classic black and it is amazing!

Footwear:

OluKai ‘Ohana Sandals are the best sandals since Superfeet stopped making their footwear. If you know me, you know I used to work for the insole company, Superfeet, and I am super picky about what goes on or under my feet. Superfeet stopped making their footwear in 2019 which means my favorite sandals were discontinued and I finally wore out my black pair completely and needed a new pair that was comparable… insert OluKai ‘Ohana Sandals which are comfortable, similar looking, and the perfect summer sandal. I bought mine at a physical REI store so that I could try them on and I can confidently say they run true to size.

Summer Accessories:

I linked my exact Hydroflask water bottle which is currently (June 2021) discounted at Dick’s Sporting Goods. I grabbed the Hibiscus color and my husband got the Spearmint. We brought these Hydroflasks to San Diego with us last month and they were slim enough to take everywhere and they were the perfect size. I am not exaggerating when I say I have EVERY size water bottle you can think of so the fact that I like this water bottle so much means it is worth taking into consideration (and running to go buy yourself one).

This Roll-up Travel Hat which is technically called a “large brim visor”. This hat is perfect to throw in your beach bag and take with you anywhere. I bought mine in Palm Springs last year and found almost the exact same one on the San Diego Hat Company’s website. Trust me this is a summer must-have quite simply for protecting your face from the sun and the ease of traveling with it! I have used it so many times and I love that I can throw my hair up into a bun and keep it off my neck on hot summer days.

There you go! These are just a few of my summer must-haves! Quite literally from head to toe this is what you will see me wearing on repeat Summer 2021. Let me know below if you end up trying any of the above items. Happy Solstice, my friends!

Kendall: Wardrobe? What Wardrobe?

March 11, 2021by thesaltyexchangeLeave a Comment

So, I don’t know about you but I can (with confidence) count on one hand the number of times I have worn jeans in the past 10 months. Three. Three times. Leggings have become my life. I say that with pride and with practicality. My 22 year old self would be cringing in horror right now.

In 2016, I moved to Spain with my husband and was a stay at home partner. Gone were the days of getting dressed up for work and doing my hair and make up. It was hard at first to get used to my face without makeup. I was almost ashamed of what I looked like in my natural state. It took months getting used to wearing less makeup and letting my hair air dry. It’s not that I “let myself go.” It was just a new chapter of my life that meant I didn’t need new makeup every 3 months or stopping into Nordstrom for a new item every week or so. I was in a place where I just could “be.” Sure, I still dressed nicely when we went out and did my make up every once in a while (not in the summer though- the Mediterranean heat would just melt it off). My shopping needs changed. In Spain I wore dresses in the summer with a swimsuit underneath since I was always jumping in our pool. In the Spanish winters I wore leggings or jeans with a light sweater and flats. I stopped shopping so often (hello, saving money) and instead shopped every few months and usually at places like Mango and Zara (which are actually affordable in Spain but overpriced here in the US). God, I miss you, Zara.

Fast forward to Vermont life in the thick of a pandemic. Yeah, my wardrobe has changed. I have a healthy supply of Zella leggings and t-shirts from Target and Madewell. And sadly (or luckily from a fiscal POV), that has become my year round “look.” Being home for most of the past year has made my nicer pieces of clothes last longer from lack of use but has also made me truly aware of what I need. I need underwear, a wireless bra, leggings, and a comfy shirt. Throw in a variety of casual and comfy sweaters or longer button ups and there you go. That’s me. Guess what? I am totally ok with it. I love being comfortable. I love the functionality of my wardrobe. I love saving money! I also love that when we do eventually get to go out again and do things, I can still wear my leggings and throw on a pair of cute flats or heels and one of my nice sweaters. Jeans, I have learned, are overrated for my lifestyle. As summer approaches, I know that I will once again be in casual summer dresses with a swimsuit underneath. I will be ready to jump into the pool with my daughter at any time.

If you get dressed up every day- that is freaking awesome. Good for you! Part of me misses that. If you are home and sitting in your underwear during the pandemic, good for you. Embrace that. But then, eventually put some pants on.

I have actually been thinking a lot about robes lately. I want a few robe options. I am ok with being a robe person. I don’t judge myself for that. Robes… and maybe a caftan or two. Because why the heck not?

Shari’s Essential Household Items

September 4, 2020by thesaltyexchangeLeave a Comment

Okay y’all, bare with me for a few minutes as I give you my household essentials list. I decided to give you one recommended item for each room in the house. They may seem random but hear me out- I have my reasoning for picking each of them…

Kitchen: Salad Spinner

Who knew I would love a salad spinner so much?! There are so many ‘pros’ but the number one is that it keeps salad clean and crisp for an extended amount of time. I leave the lettuce in the spinner for weeks (I am not kidding) and my life is forever changed. I have crisp, fresh, amazing salad any day of the week now. The only ‘con’ is that it can take up a lot of space in the fridge.

Living room: Cozy Knit Blanket

I am a big fan of fuzzy fleece blankets but for our wedding a family friend knit a neutral colored blanket for us and I LOVE cuddling up with it. I have recently been obsessed with searching knit blankets and maybe learning how to make them on my own. Oh hey, new quarantine hobby, amiright?!

Bathroom: Quip Electric Toothbrush

Okay this one was a hard one to choose because I really love my face wash and moisturizer but I will talk about them more in another post. I’d have to say my favorite item in the bathroom is my Quip Electric Toothbrush. I love the subscription aspect which takes the thinking out of replacing the toothbrush head. I love the color (I have gold), the quality, and the ability for it to travel with me (keep the plastic tube it comes in for easy travel).

Bedroom: Casper Original Pillow

Obviously every bedroom should have a pillow but, to be honest, it has been hard to find a pillow I really like; not too soft, not too firm, will cover my ears if I want it to, etc. This pillow is the perfect mix of comfy and cushy but also holds your head up and allows you to sink in. I am not quite sure how to explain it but Alex and I got them as wedding gifts and they are a favorite of ours now.

Spare Room: Rubbermaid FastTracks Hang Rail

This item is ideally used in a garage but we live in an apartment so I had to make due with what I’ve got. I was inspired after seeing a friend hang up his outdoor gear on the wall. It looked organized and useful. I thought about all the gear I have and decided I wanted to hang it up rather than store in several rubber tote bins. The “Gear Wall” was born after several trips to Home Depot and hours of rearranging. Now I am a huge fan of hanging up your stuff and making it look organized on the wall. Our Gear Wall includes our hiking and backpacking gear, workout gear, sports gear, and more. We absolutely love it!

*Kendall joked about wanting to see my list because she is going on a target run next week. Here you go Kendall and friends, I have linked all these items (except the last one) at Target 🙂 You’re welcome!