SO in the KNOW | What I’m Learning and Loving This Month

Summer is officially here, and I know I’m not alone in saying that summer travel is on my mind! I love the warmth and sunshine of summer—it puts me in a good mood! My favorite summer activities have to be dining al fresco, traveling, and spending time outdoors, of course! You’ll especially see my love for travel reflected in today’s post! (Did you catch my recent post on my Amazon Travel Must-Haves?)

In fact, as I type this, Bob and I are on a Mexican Riviera cruise with Virgin Voyages! I hope you’re following me on Instagram and Facebook so you catch all of the behind-the-scenes fun! If you like what you see, know that Virgin Voyages has extended a special offer exclusively for ENB followers! Get $100 of onboard credit for voyages in 2024 when you book! (That’s on top of their current offer on the market, which is 70% off the second sailor + a balcony upgrade.) Use your onboard credit for anything from Shore Excursions to spa treatments, and lots in between! Click HERE to learn more!

As empty nesters, we love to keep learning and growing, and that’s why I love sharing my favorite discoveries with you every month. Sometimes, it’s an interesting health tidbit or a product that I just found, and sometimes, it’s a long-time favorite product that I feel like I need to share in order to be a good gal pal!

As always, click the pink text links or any image (including the collages above or below) for more information.

What I’m Learning

Best Protein Supplement? Whey? No, Whey!

Once we hit middle age, we have trouble turning the protein we eat into muscle. According to Harvard Medical School, adults who don’t engage in regular strength training can lose 4-6 pounds of muscle a decade. But if you exercise regularly and boost your protein intake throughout the day, you can slow and even reverse this process!

Most older adults consume 50-70 grams of protein a day. They need 90 grams. The easiest way to bridge the gap? Supplement with whey protein isolate powder. Derived from milk, it’s the protein that appears to be best at stimulating muscle growth in older adults. Better than either plant proteins or casein, another mild-based product.

Whey isolate has been stripped of the milk’s lactose and fat, so it’s up to 95% pure protein, and it is best if you’re lactose intolerant (like me). It has fewer calories than whey concentrate. Whey concentrate is best if you’re trying to keep or put weight because it’s more calorie-dense and also contains carbohydrates and fat. It’s a much healthier solution than those meal replacement shakes, which are typically ultra-processed and have water as the number one ingredient! (Number two is usually maltodextrin, which is a highly processed starchy powder.) Here’s the one I use.

New Uses for Chat GPT

Did you know you can use chatbots to role-play difficult conversations before having them with real, live humans? Just open an AI application like ChatGPT and stat the “Conversation Chat” mode with one of its conversational prompts. Try these:

• I’m having a dilemma, and I’m wondering if you can help.
• I need advice on a conversation I’m dreading. Can you help me prepare for it by asking me a few questions and then role-playing it with me?
• I’m thinking about ___________. Can you poke a few holes in my thought process?
• I don’t know why someone said___________. Can you help me understand their perspective?

You talk with the chatbot like you would with a friend. Feel free to redirect it, or interrupt, or give it more context. You can also ask it to interview you to get the context it needs: “Ask me a few questions about this situation if you need more info before you give any advice.” The more you push and pull and probe, as you would with a human, the better outcome you’ll achieve!

Secret Use for Silica Gel

Ya know those little packets labeled “DO NOT EAT” that come in everything from clothing to electronics? Inside the packets is silica gel, a drying agent that often comes in the form of small, clear beads. The packets are often packaged with commercial products to prevent damage caused by moisture. Although, non-toxic, the packets are labeled with “Do not eat” because of the risk of choking. 

Since the packets absorb moisture, adding them to your jewelry box or placing them where you store your silver serving pieces can help absorb moisture in the air and prevent tarnishing. Humidity and moisture are one of the main causes of this issue.

What I’m Loving

1. Oversized Straw Beach Tote

I finally woke up to the fact that if I spent so much time and attention on selecting the right swimsuit and coverup, I needed to complete my look with a darling straw tote that I really loved and that would last. I felt hard for this one, and I thought the price was so good for a high-quality bag! It comes in pink, navy, or yellow, and the monogram is optional (and a little extra).

Palermo Straw Beach Tote (The one I bought in the end!)

Andddd, true confessions! I added it to my cart (in pink, of course) and added a monogram (again, of course). But then I saw THIS ONE ⬆️ and swapped them out at the last minute! 😯 😁 It’s a little more expensive, but I prefer a more structured bag, and I fell hard for the cute detachable card case on the front!

2. Flyhugz Travel Neck Pillow

I’m one of those people who gets on a plane and is immediately sleepy! (It’s something about the white noise of the engine, I think!✈️😴😂) If you’re like that, and you’ve been searching for the perfect travel/neck pillow, you can stop your search! The Flyhugz Travel Neck Pillow has an ergonomic design that combines 360° memory foam neck and chin support and a 100% cotton cover that can be removed for washing. The tightness can be adjusted, and it comes with a carrying case so you can easily attach it to your carry-on bag.

3. Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream, Gelato & Sorbet Maker

Shhhh…🤫 I’m getting Bob this ice cream maker for his Birthday! This genius little gadget can turn almost anything into ice cream! All it takes is a solid frozen base, and it can transform it into ice cream, sorbets, milkshakes, and more with the touch of a button in minutes! It’s available at Kohl’s, Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and more, but the best price was at Walmart. Click HERE to learn more!

4. Rolex Dupe Apple Watch Band

Beth found this classy Rolex-inspired Apple Watch band when we were putting together our recent Apple Watch Band post! As I said in the post, I love to change my watch band to match my outfit. (I just think of it as another accessory, because changing the band is so quick and easy.) I bought this one to wear for every day. So pretty, right?

5. My Favorite Self-Tanning Drops

I share these fantastic CLEAN beauty tanning drops for face and body every year about this time! You add a drop or two to your everyday lotion (or, if you’re like me, to your favorite sunscreen), and they produce a natural, healthy-looking glow (with no smell)! They’re supercharged with skincare ingredients like Vitamin C, DHA, and avocado, to visibly even your skin’s tone and brighten dull skin. They come in light, medium, or dark, but TRUST ME, you want to use light. If you want a darker tan, just mix a few more drops into your lotion.

6. Great Read!

If you’re a new empty nester or you’re still struggling to find your footing in this season of life, this book by Empty Nester Coach Allie Hill is the book for you! With sound advice that’s delivered like it’s coming from your BFF, Allie advocates for simple shifts and realistic approaches to help you approach the empty nest years. I love her commitment to living with purpose, energy, and enthusiasm in this season of life!

7. Burt’s Bees Nourishing Cleansing Oil

This cleanser, formulated with a blend of natural moisturizers, is one I love. It won’t leave your skin oily—just nourished and soft. It gently removes makeup (even eye makeup) and has a slight herbal scent. I pair it with the reusable makeup remover pads below for gentle exfoliation.

8. Eyebrow Tinting Kit

Seeing those gray hairs working their way into your brows? You’re not alone! This brow tinting kit has plant-based ingredients—and no ammonia or lead. It’s fade-resistant and comes in 26 shades. I’m not quite at the point where I need to use it, but will probably need to start in a year or so. When I do, this is the one I’m going to use. The Amazon ratings are through the roof!

9. Acrylic Cane Clutch

I love it when I find something on Amazon that legitimately looks exactly like one from somewhere expensive! This cane acrylic clutch is $128 at Ann Taylor and $169 at Mark & Graham, but just $32.99 at Amazon! It’s super classy and perfect for a summer wedding or event, but it could also go casual for vacay! YAY!

10. Fly Fan

Bob and I love to entertain outdoors in the summer, but sometimes the flies can be a big pain🪰! Enter these retractable, rechargeable fly fans. Not only does the movement of the fans deter flys, but the fan blades have reflective holographic patterns that cause the insects to steer clear. The blades are soft plastic, and they stop automatically when a foreign object—like a fork or a hand—touches them.

Bob and I keep one in the car and take it with us when we dine al fresco. People constantly ask us about them! I think they’d be great for campers, too! I’m linking the set of two that we own, but you can get a set of six HERE. They even have some that look like flower pots🌻!

11. Best Hat Magnet

Magnetic Hat Clip | Straw Beach Tote | My Hat | Briggs & Riley Luggage

Have you ever arrived at your destination to find your supposedly “packable” hat misshapen and bent? 😩 My friend swears by a hat magnet and, after trying several, says that this one is the best. You simply clip the magnetic holder to your hat and attach it to your bag with the metal loop. It comes in brown, white, or black. As you can see, I ordered the white one to take on our cruise!

12. Reuseable Makeup Removers

When I wash my face at night, I want to make sure all of my makeup is off and my skin is totally clean and ready to receive my nighttime skincare products. These makeup remover cloths supposedly work with just water, but I typically soap up with my favorite cleanser (see number 7 above!) and use these damp to gently remove the makeup and grime. They also provide a gentle exfoliation. After using, just pop them in the wash. I even use them with micellar water to double cleanse sometimes.

13. Elbow-Length Sleeve Split-Neck Tee

If there’s one big fashion request I get from ENB followers repeatedly, it’s for tees, tops, and dresses with elbow-length sleeves. I get it! Those pesky upper arm areas are nobody’s favorite! I’m always on the lookout for good ones to share, so when I stumbled upon these on the Lands’ End website recently, I knew I had to share them with you! they come in nine colors, and the universally flattering split neck is a great bonus detail.

Looking for something a little dressier? How about this darling chambray button-up, this Johnny Collar Pullover, this v-neck floral tee, or this ribbed top?

I hope you feel SO in the KNOW! Got a product you’re dying to share with me, or some scoop I need to know? Leave me a comment below or email me!