Samantha K Schmidt

Summer break for teachers means getting to read books for fun instead of for work. I've been carefully curating this list since Christmas, and I think I've narrowed it down to four books that are certain to inspire. The Magnolia Story // Chip and Joanna Gaines are the "it" couple right now, and I'm definitely a follower. I've been a fan for a while, but after watching their I Am Second story I truly fell in love with these two remarkable people. My husband and I have a very similar story to Chip and Joanna. Like her, I was the quiet reserved type, but my husband brought out a brighter more outgoing person. I could go on and on about how much they've inspired me, but I think I need to read the book first. The Handmaid's Tale // If you haven't heard about The Handmaid's Tale yet, you've been living under a rock. It's the newest hit series on Hulu which I'm now going to have to subscribe to. I've admittedly already read ...

Summer is a great time to go the beach and catch some rays, but after a day of body surfing (or real surfing if you're cooler than me) your skin and hair can be in a state of chaos. Here are a few things that I keep in my beach cosmetic bag to help me freshen up after a day in the sun. 1. Deodorant It's an obvious choice at the start of your day, but you may forget to bring it to the beach. It's likely that your newly tanned skin is dry and in need of some perspiration control. I love this fresh cucumber scent by Dove. 2. Dry Shampoo or Shine Spray I love the texture of my hair after being in the ocean, but the salty sea can leave your hair feeling dry or oily depending on your hair type. For oily hair, spray a bit of dry shampoo at your roots to freshen up. Batiste has a variety of scents and colors to choose from, so you don't have to worry about dusty gray roots. Dry hair needs a douse of moisture. This shine spray from Moroccan Oil is great becau...

Welcome to another Friday. I know you are probably just as excited as I am. Summer is in full swing and I'm ready for a beach day. This week's pins were inspired by that feeling, as well as some amazing rustic home decor I've been loving. Summer Sun Warby Parker Simple Design More than a bookcase Summer Yum Overnight Oats Rustic DIY Mason Jar DIY

Lately, I've been pinning a ton of summer fashion and beauty trends. I've highlighted just a few here. You'll definitely want to check out my Pinterest for more great ideas. Be Catty Summer 'Do Play Hostess Snack Sassy

Hello Luxers! Welcome to my Summer Lovin' series. You saw the first entry yesterday about my first ever cruise experience. This series is going to continue through the summer with tips and tricks as well as my personal summer experiences. 

This weekend I went on my first ever cruise! I was a little anxious about the trip because I have pretty severe motion sickness, but overall it went really well. Here are some of the highlights.

Summer is a great time to relax with a good book (for me it's the only time!). I've been holding onto some great books, and I'd love to share with you what is on my summer reading list.

Shirt and Shorts - Marshalls Shoes - Toms Bow - Forever 21

1. Neon - Have fun with this trend by using multiple neons. 2. Ombre  - The colors of the sunset give this look a summer flair. 3. Nautical - No need for special skills. This red, white, and blue theme is easy to create. 4. Tribal  - This one might take a bit of practice. Luckily there are a ton of tutorials online. 5. Gold Touch - A little shimmer makes this mani perfect for summer.

My naturally wavy hair inspired this outfit of the day. I decided to use the inspiration to go with a bit of a summer grunge look. In fact my original intention was too call this post Summer Grunge, but after looking at the pictures yesterday I became distracted by something.  I started to analyze myself. Should I really be wearing this? My thighs look kind of big and the shirt is really tight. I know I'm not fat, but does this make me look fat? All of these thoughts were circling in my head, but I stopped and remembered how I felt when I first put the outfit on. I felt natural. Sometimes the camera or even the mirror can distort how we see ourselves. It's important to remember that the natural you, is the best you. So I rocked this outfit to breakfast and even got a compliment by an older gentleman that I had a pretty face. (I tried to overanalyze that too, but in the end took the compliment graciously.) So to all my girls out there I tell you, be natural. It's ...

I know you Luxers aren't one to fit into the crowd. This years swim trends are bound to help you stand out. Corset Tops This longer top is perfect for a smaller bust. Corset Swim Tops by samantha-k89 featuring bikini bathing suits High Waists This retro look is perfect for accentuating those curves. High Waist Swimsuits by samantha-k89 featuring bikini bathing suits One Piece The one piece has made a comeback. You can be sexy or subtle in a variety of designs. One Piece Swimsuits by samantha-k89 featuring a swimsuits two piece Which style is your favorite?

It's been a while since I've done a Pins of the Week. Let's face it Fridays are for Netflix marathons. Plus, there hasn't been much pinworthy lately. However, this week I found some summer inspirations I thought I would share. Favorite DIY I don't know that I'm crafty enough to pull this off, but I love the idea of turning storage boxes into statement pieces. Favorite Fashion If you follow me on Pinterest you know I've been a little swimsuit crazy lately. I'm loving this years trends. Stay tuned for a post about this year's hottest suits. Favorite Summer Nail Again, no way I could pull this off but I'm loving the summer pineapples. Favorite Drinkable Sangria is the perfect spirit for summer. Add a pinch of patriotism and you have this delicious beverage. Favorite Party Scene Summer is the perfect time for backyard gatherings. This set up is cute and functional. Check out all this week's pins on the...