-
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.
-
Hello June!! A new month with new possibilities! This is one of my favorite months as summer starts, my favorite season! So ready for all that this season brings, feels like this winter/spring lasted a long time!
Last week was busy! Workouts, tennis, Memorial Tournament, oh and painting!! I am happy to be back this week and not on a ladder painting a high wall. Loved the project and the result but this one was a big project! I loved having a break in it all. Hopping over to Murfield for the Memorial Pro Am last Wednesday was a perfect pause in the painting. Went out with Mari, Tuck and Tuck’s best friend David. We had a blast! Loved seeing the celebrity golfers but really loved seeing my favorite pros out there doing their thing. One aspect of golf I love is the up close view. You get to see the players and their play intimately. This day is now becoming an annual tradition with the kids. I am totally here for it. Memory making at its best.
Race Recap: FORE! MILER-The unofficial kick off to the Memorial Tournament this race never disappoints. I have run it for years and every year it just gets better. This is an evening race, not my fav but I love it none the less. The weather was great, with a little rain as I finished. I ran happy and felt strong for all four miles. The finish was parallel to the 18th green, headed right over to it for some pics after receiving my medal. Oh, and one of the SAWG perks from registering for. this race, a free practice round pass to the tournament!! Seriously, if you love golf, make sure to get moving and put this race on your calendar for next year!
TO REGISTER FOR ANY OF THESE AMAZING M3SSPORTS EVENTS CLICK HERE
BANANA BOAT SUMMER COLOR SELF-TANNING LOTION-I have tried several different kinds of self tanner and this one is my fav! Easy to apply, smells amazing, lasts and is under $10!! Easy order on Amazon, click on the link above to check it out.
KIT SCH STRENGTHENING RICE WATER SOLID SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER-So these are brand new to me. I do a lot of blonde highlighting to my hair and heat styling. As a result, it has become brittle. I have experienced a major breakage. Like major. Top of my head, a section seriously is missing. I have no idea when it broke off but it did. So now I am repairing the damage as well as working on regrowth. My stylist is working with me. I have a regimen of hair masks and heat styling spray. I also take biotin supplements and powder collagen. I, of course saw these bars on an IG ad and wondered enough about them I ordered them. LOVE them! They are literally soap bars, easy to use. No clogged bottle top, no missing out on the last little bit left. It’s hard to tell if they are making a difference in terms of growth yet. However, the texture has changed for the better! Again an easy order on Amazon! Click on the link above if you are curious.
Now that our house is in full summer mode we are meal prepping!!! Tuck, Mari and I are working hard to prepare our lunches. Having meals ready to go will make this season flow with ease. Eating healthy, and planning ahead gives us the ability too fuel in the best way possible. One thing needed for meal prep are containers. We have been through several versions of meal prep containers, like several. I think we have finally landed on a version that will work for us this summer. The containers are reusable plastic that can be microwaved and washed in the dishwasher. We were struggling to identify each other’s lunches. As I searched for containers, we found some with different colored bottoms. That was the solution. We each picked a color we liked. Now, once they are created and placed in the fridge for the week, we know who’s is who’s. Easy peasy…I love it when things are color coded and organized especially in the kitchen!
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CONTAINERS WE PURCHASED
THE PROJECT: PAINT THE LIVING ROOM-It has been 13 years since this space received love. Oh my goodness it really needed it! A process this was for sure. Starting with patching ALL the holes, every wall had ton! I let the patching dry for 24 hours, then went back in to sand it out. There was dust everywhere! Painting started, took my time with each wall, baseboard and trim for the first coat. Over the next few days I applied 4 coats! Seriously, four coats! Going from a dark tan to white I expected a few but not four. To be honest, I could probably do a fifth coat in a few spots.
I had some leftover navy blue paint. I used it to paint the outside of the front and back doors a while ago. Used that to make a statement space in our entryway. It is bold, sleek and a great contrast to the white. Also very east coastal, which is the vibe I am going for.
I planned my supplies just right, with rollers, brushes, painter tape and paint. Super proud of myself for that. Had enough white left to paint switch covers and shelves in an antique hutch we have.
The space feels bright, airy and open now, in contrast with the dark “den” like feel of the dark tan. I am using the navy, neutral tans and some gold as accent colors in accessories.
This of course has sparked more projects as our home is a cape cod ranch. One room flows very much into another. First piece to finish in turning the mantel, inside front door and back door from black to navy. This is in process. The hallway off of the entryway will be next. It is brown and cream striped (which I love). I will be keeping the stripes, but they will be going navy and white. The kids bathroom will go from tan and red to some form of the white and navy. And then the kitchen, that will be another big project. Excited for the work to come, but taking a moment to love on the work I have already put in.
With so many celebratory events happening this time of year, gifting is at a high. And with gifting comes the thanking. Showing gratitude to someone for their thoughtfulness is the upmost importance.
My Great Aunt Peg was a stickler for a well written THANK YOU NOTE. There were rules to how it was to be written. There were also rules on the timing of sending the note. You must include a kind first greeting sentence. Then, follow with a thank you. Specifically, describe the gift and how you will use it. Then close with a thoughtful salutation. The timing of the note, the THANK YOU must be written and sent within one week of receiving the gift. She was very serious about that part, very.
Well, times have changed haven’t they? The art of the handwritten note is becoming extinct. I loved using the beautiful stationery. My Mom always had some sort of Crane note cards/paper in her office. I enjoyed using a great pen and writing in my notorious script handwriting.
To be honest, I haven’t written a thank you note on that pretty stationary in ages. My THANK YOUS have come in forms of texts, emails and even dms on social media. I think this is becoming more main stay. I am ok with it. I should be, as I am guilty of it myself. As long as a THANK YOU is said, in no matter the form that is what is important. My Aunt Peg would be in a total tizzy right now if she were reading this, I just know it. It is the thought and the gesture that matters, not the form it is sent in.
Celebrating life’s small things, the glimmers. SUNRISES and SUNSETS. In the summer these everyday occurrences become special events. Waking early, coffee in hand to catch the beauty before the day starts. Making a point to find the sunset, with friends, family and community. Grabbing a blanket to sit on, snacks and even a cocktail to toast the end of a lovely day. In the summer it becomes a place of coming together. You will start to realize these sweet, small and short celebrations will become something you cherish and look forward to. SUNRISES and SUNSETS will become some of your greatest core memories.
