-
WHAT A WEEKEND! Soaking in all that was. It was fun, joyful, relaxing, hot, humid and sunshiny! Hoping you and yours had a lovely 4th and are recovering well from it all. I am going to take off this week and will be back with a full ON THE BLOG next week! Enjoy this second week of July and I will see you here bright, bold and colorfully next week!
-
-
Summer is for sure in full swing here in Columbus! My favorite season for many reasons…but WOW is it hot and humid! I seriously don’t want to complain as I was wishing for this all winter long. We have hit a huge temp spike, like heat advisories on the daily.
Running and tennis early mornings to beat the heat as much as I can…waking up in the 70s/80s there really is no beating the heat. Hydrating, hydrating, hydrating and finding all the ways to stay cool and comfortable. This may for sure be the season of the sundress for me.
Welcoming the sunshine, blue skies, and green grass. I hope we cool off just a bit so patio days and nights can become a regular everyday event.
RACE RECAP
FIRST EVER-9.71k THE RACE
LOVE that M3SSPORTS continues creating new events and partnering with Columbus favs.
This was a super fun expereince with 97.1 THE FAN! Best part-seeing my favorite humans…seriously the best part of every race! Loved the location and the fun START and FINISH atmosphere.
The course was great with some shade, which was a gift! Temps were high, like really high. Made for a hot and humid run-welcome summer!
I felt strong for the first half of 6.02ish and then the heat hIt. Holy Moly! Listened to my body-fueled and slowed accordingly.
I had no expectations for this race and even with the crazy heat I finished happy! The whole point, right? I GET TO DO THIS!
The FINISH LINE of course offered chilled bottled water, bagels and the BEST PART-COLD WET TOWELS!!
What a fun and successful FIRST 9.71k THE RACE! EXCITED FOR NEXT YEAR!
TO REGISTER FOR THESE EVENTS CLICK HERE
SQWINCHER SQWEEZE FREEZE POPS-Summer training GAME CHANGER!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these! They are special-freeze pops with ELECTROLYTES! Perfect refuel/cool down after a hot, steamy workout. There are a ton of flavors and all of them are super yummy! I buy them in bulk from AMAZON, I think last time I ordered a box of 50. They were a huge hit when Marin was in high school after tennis practice. I have also taken them to MIT for a post long run treat.
NEURO ENERGY AND FOCUS GUM-I can’t take credit for finding this fav. Marc found it and suggested we order it. BEST suggestion! It is amazing and super helpful when I need an extra energy boost as well as extra focus. It also helps with anxiety. The benefits are great. I have used it a few times during races. I have noticed a difference in pre-race anxiety. My energy during the race has increased. Flavor lasts a while too!
With this early summer heatwave I have been looking for light and easy dinner ideas. Usually a protein with a light veggie side or salad. Found this light and fresh salad that the kids really enjoyed as did I! We use a ton of recipes from SKINNYTASTE and this one is chefs kiss!
Framed photos are my thing. They have been my thing since I was young. My bedroom, always covered in them. Placed in a visually pleasing way.
When Marc and I were married I made it tradition that we have family photos taken yearly. My parents were divorced when I was very young. Growing up, we had a few formal photos of my Mom, sister, and myself. However, I don’t think we had any of my Dad, Stepmom, and sister taken. I have memories of going to friends homes and seeing walls covered in formal family photos and always admired them. In the 80’s, not many families experienced divorce. Seeing those photos, and not seeing them in my home, touched me.
I knew as Marc and I built our life, our family together. I wanted those photos. I wanted that wall. I wanted to see our story in our home and have our children understand the importance of it.
This photo gallery has moved from wall to wall to wall. We have grown and changed as has our home decor. Here it is as it is right now. There are more photos to add, more story to tell. I am very proud of us, of the FAB FOUR we are. I love being able to see our story every time I enter and exit our home. Marc and I have built something special. Together, we created our family. These photos are the heart of our life and our home.
Think of your delivery people, your landscapers etc this summer. Offer them water and even snacks to help keep them cool and hydrated as they work. Something not required but appreciated. Care for them as they are caring for you. Super simple, right? Usually it’s the simple things that mean the most.
With the 4th of July a week away it is time to start planning!! RED, WHITE AND BLUE-tried and true! What are your plans? Parade watching and BBQ-ing are always top on our list!
Since childhood this day has been as big as Christmas. Parade watchers placing their chairs on the route days even weeks before. Outfits for the day created weeks ahead so we are all STARS AND STRIPES. Planning our morning breakfast that would fit in our red wagon for safe travel down to the parade. BBQ and sides post parade lunch which always flowed into dinner. Gathering Firework watching essentials-blankets, glow bracelets/necklaces etc and heading to find our just right spot.
I absolutely LOVE it all-excited for this year. Celebrating our freedom is a special kind of celebration. HAPPY 4TH ALL!!
-
ON THE BLOG is taking this week off. During this summer, I may take a week or two off of writing. I want to focus on summer fun with family. There are also house projects that need my attention. I love writing and sharing this colorful and bright world with you! Also, looking forward to expanding beyond this space…will be taking time to work on what that will look like too!
See you here next week!
-
26 years ago Marc and I celebrated our wedding day. 6/5/99. A day that was simply magical. A day we had planned for and patiently waited for, for two years. It was everything we wished for, my Mom made it all happen for us. For that, I am forever grateful for the fairy tale gift.
That day ran just as it should have, everything was just as we planned…until a guest hugged me at the reception. It was after dinner, during dancing. Holding a glass of wine, the guest hugged me. The bottom of her glass hit my shoulder. With an instant I felt the wine drip onto my hand. I knew it was on my dress. I did not react, as I knew that would be the story of the day. I went to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. A stream of red wine was literally down the side of my dress.
In that moment I had two choices. I could cry and be upset about it. Alternatively, I could head out to the dance floor and live out my best wedding life with my new husband. I chose to dance. At that point all the wedding things had been done, who cares what my dress looked like? I didn’t, which honestly at that point in my life was totally surprising. I will never forget dancing my heart out in the sculpture garden at the Columbus Museum of Art that early summer evening. The live band and vocalist were on fire, our guests were celebrating, glasses clinking, late evening snacks were being eaten…that moment in time is what sticks in my memory. I can transport myself back to that night with all my senses. The wine on my gown-a story but not what plays out in my head. To this day, the guest that hugged me has no idea the spill even happened. That is the way I wanted it then and now.
A lesson from my red wine experience. You can cry or you can dance. It is your choice.
What is your WHY? Do you have a WHY? What makes you get up and get moving? My movement routine has become apart of my everyday world. I get up, get ready, fuel and head out to the gym, the road or the tennis courts. I really don’t even think about it much anymore. It is just what I do. Are there days I skip? Yep. When life feels full and my head knows starting with the hard things first would serve my anxiety better-I skip. Are there days that I don’t want to get up early? Yep. That is when I dig deep and pull myself out of bed. I know I need movement the most in those moments.
My WHY is layered.
1. ME-this movement is for ME. In order to fill others buckets my bucket needs to fill first.
2. MODELING-this movement models healthy behaviors to my children. Just talking about healthy living isn’t good enough. Following through with my actions is what makes what I say have weight. It builds trust. It creates a path to follow.
3. TRAINING – I focus on keeping my body at a level where the athlete in me can continue to compete. This allows me to compete in whatever way I want. In whatever way I want. Keeping injuries at bay and giving my body movement life as I age.
Your WHY the most important part of consistency and growth. Of pushing through when the excuses come, your WHY is your base. Know your WHY and come back to it as much as you need to.
TO REGISTER FOR THESE EVENTS CLICK HERE
I bought this clutch for Marin’s high school graduation two years ago. Milestone moments always bring out the super sentimental side to me. I plan what I am wearing to an event head to toe with true intention. For graduation, I wanted our loved ones who couldn’t be there represented. Sharing in Marin’s accomplishment. Accessories seem to be the spot where I carry out this intention with detail. I wore jewelry my Mom gave me, as well as my Aunt and Uncle. I wanted my bag, what I carried to represent Marin. Yep, this bag was simply perfect, a tennis racket on the front, how fitting! Have been using it every spring/summer since. It also has a gold chain strap which is great for cross body wear. I have received many compliments when I carry it. LISI LERCH offers so many super cute handbags. They are perfect for this summer season and beyond! Looking for my next bag as we speak!
ALL THE DRESSES AND MORE! This online shop has been a fav of mine for years! I have so many dresses from this spot, as well as sweaters etc. Super affordable, ships quickly and for me sizing has been pretty spot on. Quality is great and style is chefs kiss! I am still a lover of the typical preppy brands but this shop is a go to…there is always a piece that catches my eye!
This brand is our fam fav! Costco usually sells it in bulk which is amazing! Also, love the stick option they have…I struggle with sunscreening my face when running/tennis. With spray and even sometimes with cream, sweat drips from my forehead. Then the sunscreen ends up in my eyes, which totally sucks. This brand is a winner, in all the ways.
Dipping my toe back into meal planning and cooking dinner this week. Hopped onto my foodnetwrok.com account and found a recipe I saved that looked yummy and easy to make.
SHRIMP SCAMPI WITH LINGUINI BY TYLER FLORENCE
Prepping the recipe was easy with minimal ingredients. We had a bag of frozen shrimp which I took into consideration when planning this meal. I paired the linguini with steamed French cut green beans. Light and fresh.
This recipe made a large amount-perfect for leftovers! This dinner was a hit, loved by all. Will be for sure making it again!
Now that the painting in the living room is complete the fun truly begins! Accessorizing a space is my fav! It is where my conceptual and creative genius thrives. I love building looks on bookcases that have feeling, that are textured and have depth. Many times the space is a moving work in progress. The first time I style, it probably will not be the last. My eyes see it differently a day later. I may find something else I didn’t think of the first time. I will change the look around a bit. I use items that have great meaning to me and my family-things that have been passed down to me. Will then mix them with new things, inexpensive things. My style is never one or the other-I create feeling with blending it all.
Skipping back to the NAPKIN from the May 15 blog. I forgot one little detail that I learned from Aunt Peg. Where do you place your napkin when you have to get up from the table? Have you ever really thought about this? I don’t think many people do…I think it is a quick and non thought about action. Well…per Aunt Peg etiquette there is a just right way to do it. When you leave the table, place your napkin on your chair. Weird, right? I don’t really remember the reason. My guess is it’s right there for you to place back into your lap when you return. When you are completely finished with your meal, place your napkin on the table. It should be next to your plate for the server to clear.
Celebrating this summer season can be so simple and easy! Especially with kiddos! I remember so many summer days spent outside in our backyard. We did many outings to the pool, to parks, movies, the zoo etc. However, some of the best days were celebrated in our yard. I have several fun and easy ideas that I created and used when the kiddos were little. Will be sharing them here over the next few weeks.
When Marin and Tucker were little, we had the best neighbors. They also had kiddos the same ages. Our backyards flowed into each other which lent for a huge play space for all four kids. We purchased big blow up pools and filled them up. Brought out all all kinds of toys, the kids had a ball. Beach towels were laid out in the shade for them to rest and hang. Meanwhile, the parents sat in chairs and enjoyed each other’s company. As I can remember there was always an adult cocktail of the day as well as fashion mags to read…snacks were plentiful for all.
I loved this summer celebration-so simple and fun. Hours and hours of fun! Think big in your memory making this summer. However, don’t forget about the small events that make just as much impact.
