This week marks the end of our self-quarantine. Thankfully, my mother-in-law never actually got sick and no one who was exposed ever saw symptoms. My father-in-law got tested - negative. So after Tuesday, we'll be back to normal, or what passes as normal these days. Not that I've got anywhere to go. I guess it's more about knowing that I have the option.

In other news, I'm easing myself back into exercise. It's kind of scary how quickly I get winded these days and how almost any level of activity has the capability of leaving me sore the next day. So far, I'm only walking (a half mile once a day) and doing low-impact stretching and light yoga, but I am definitely feeling the burn.

After a less-than-mediocre summer in regards to the magazine, things may actually be looking up. When all this started, things stayed the same for the first two months. Then month three took a huge hit, followed by a slight increase in month four and again in month five, the July and August issues. So I'm cautiously hopeful that we'll survive the pandemic, provided that our community doesn't take another economic hit.

We found out late last week that our school start date has been pushed back to after Labor Day, which doesn't bother me honestly. I don't really like the modified year-round school year. However, Alexis has now been out of school for what roughly equates to a full school year. I'm terrified of what this isolation will mean for her developing social skills, and I worry about the backwards slide I'm already seeing in her speech, something we worked on really hard during the last school year but that I can't maintain without a teacher's help.

So we've got another month of summer left to get through before school starts back in some form, and I thought it would be fun to share five things that I've been loving the past few months.

1. Knotted Headbands - I've shared about these headbands before, but I really do love them. They come in a variety of colors and patterns. I use them to keep my hair off my face or to make my messy hair seem a little more deliberate (hint: curly/wavy hair + ridiculous humidity = absolutely no control).

2. Bralettes - Seriously, it's way too hot for bras, but I'm not always comfortable going without, despite the fact I'm not big up top at all. These bralettes fit like a sports bra but they're much cuter and more comfortable. I have the black, white, and nude.

3. Acne Tool Kit - All the extra time I've been spending outside means more sweat and blocked pores. These tools have helped me keep my nose and chin clear from blackheads, as well as getting rid of sweat-caused acne without tearing up my skin too badly.

4. Skintimate 2-in-1 Shave Cream & Skin Conditioner - I hate shaving. With my overly sensitive skin, I almost never avoid some kind of rash in the days following. But then I discovered this beautiful product. Seriously, shave bumps have been a thing of the past since I started using it. I cannot recommend it enough.

5. ConAir 2-in-1 Stainless Styler - To be fair, I haven't had this very long, but it is the perfect mash-up of a straightener, curling iron, and curling wand. I may have naturally curly/wavy hair, but some days I like a more deliberate style. This tool can do pretty much everything I would ever want to do with my hair.