Darrian's Favorite Things - Blogger Monthly Favorites - August 2018

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Another month has come and gone and it is THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR. I'm talking Fall, Y'all! While it's still in the 90s here in Georgia, seeing the stores bursting at the seams with Fall decor has me THRILLED if you can't tell by how many times I've written something in all caps during this intro. #SorryNotSorry. I think I'm mostly just excited for Fall decorations because I have a place that I actually love love love decorating now. Anyways, before we get way too excited about Fall, it's time to recap everything I was loving during August! AKA Darrian's Favorite Things, AKA Blogger Monthly Favorites. 

1. Coffee Break 

ICYMI: Coffee Break is the official newsletter of the AM Coffee Collective and it is the bomb dot com. Seriously, Issue #1 went out on August 1st and y'all went nuts over it! Basically, Coffee Break is a monthly newsletter curated by yours truly (and even the help from you guys if you send in article submissions!). There's a little bit of everything from a letter from me, blog posts from AM Coffee Collective members, interesting articles about current events, and even journal prompts! Plus, Coffee Break members get exclusive access to monthly downloadable iPhone backgrounds! How cool is that? If you missed Issue #1, you can check it out by visiting the archive here. And, if you're sold and are like "Heck yeah! Get me on that list!" you can sign up here!

2. My Library Card

Earlier this month, I went to the local public library and got my first library card since I was in high school! How crazy is that? I had a reading goal of reading 12 books this year, one per month and not only have I already met that goal but I actually read 5 books this month! WHAT. It has been so rewarding to finish that many books in one month and I already have a list started for September. GET EXCITED because not only will I be sharing what I'm reading in September with you guys but we will also officially be launching the AM Coffee Collective book club this fall so stay tuned for that announcement coming soon! If you're an avid reader like I am, I highly encourage you to check out your local public library. They are such a resource for the community and I can't wait to see how I can get more involved with the libraries here. Not to mention all of the amazing books I'm going to read! PS: you can follow me on GoodReads if you're into that.

3. The Lying Game by Ruth Ware

Speaking of books, The Lying Game was definitely one of my favorite reads this month. I picked up both The Lying Game and The Woman in Cabin 10 after recommendations from friends. I will say that I wish I had read The Lying Game first because I wasn't impressed with The Woman in Cabin 10. It was good but it wasn't THAT good like I expected it to be based on what everyone else was saying. THE LYING GAME THOUGH HAD ME SHOOK. It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading it. There were parts when I was convinced that I was going to end up hating the book, convinced I knew what was going on with the plot and I was wrong on both parts. That's a good book in my book. 

4. Polaroids 

I've had an Instax Mini for a while now but I haven't actually used it that much over the years. If you couldn't tell from the post I did on our unplugged date, I've been OBSESSED with using our Mini to take pictures of the adventures we've been going on. I love having physical copies of pictures and what better way to have them than instantly? I've been eyeing this Polaroid camera at Target though and I think it would be the perfect upgrade. 

5. Yasso Frozen Greek Yogurt Bars

File this under: things I've purchased because of a blogger. Brighton Keller has been one of my favorite bloggers for years and she is obsessed with these things. I knew I had to try them. So we picked up a few flavors and man, THEY ARE SO GOOD. They're the perfect blend of sweet and creamy without being too indulgent like ice cream can be. I love how refreshing they are after a long hot day and they come in so many different flavors! Plus, you can find them at Target which always makes something better in my book. Definitely try these babies out if you haven't had them yet!

6. Spindrift

Sticking to the food and drink train, I have been obsessed with Spindrift Sparkling Water since I tried it at Panera earlier this month. I tried La Croix back in college and found it absolutely disgusting so I have been wary of trying another sparkling water brand since then but Spindrift has definitely won my heart. We currently have three different flavors in the refridgerator right now. Spindrift is made with real fruit juice so you get all of the flavor without any of the sugar and nasty artificual taste of other sparkling waters. I'll be drinking this forever, thanks.