Hello, Monday.

Hello, September!

I hope you’ve all had a nice relaxing long weekend. I feel like I was super productive the last two days- cleaning things, clearing things out, organizing and setting up new house goodies, but somehow my house looks more of a disaster for it. Sigh, we do our best.

I can’t believe we’re into fall. September is most decidedly fall!  I look back at summer and it wasn’t bad, but I feel like it wasn’t great? I know I’m not the only one sharing this sentiment when I talk to those closest to me.  Still, I do love a new season and all the possibilities that it brings. I’ll be on the road quite a bit this fall so need to make sure that I do my best to recharge when I can. An impossible task when fall is the best season ever.

Anyway, here’s September!

wishing: the days stayed longer for just a little bit longer.

hoping:  these ninety degree days go bye-bye with the season.

thinking: of how to organize my life, always.

praying: all my travel doesn’t cause crawley cat too much stress.

planning: london/paris shenanigans

dreaming: of crisp fall days and cozy fall nights. enough with the 80 degrees!

wearing: puffy vests!

reading: the bone hacker.

watching: heartstopper, happiness for beginners, college football.

eating: baked apples!

drinking: apple cider iced tea

going: first, to alaska

Have a great month!

Gah, I love me a sandwich. And this Vietnamese Steak Sandwich HITS perfectly.

(more…)

Hello, Sunday.

I feel like August hit and my friends and I FINALLY got our act together with summer. Yesterday I discovered a most glorious public pool in town, with wide open swim lanes and shady cabanas and I’m wondering where this has been the last five summers of my life.  Today I’m hitting the bike trails and the pool again, and we are all determined to make the most of the next month before the days get shorter and the temperatures slightly cooler. And fall travel pics up, which it is going to do with a vengence.

Tomorrow’s my birthday and I took the day off for a massage, lunch with mom and maaaybe a trip to Ikea if it times out well. I will get on my soapbox to say that I think everyone should get their birthday off work- it’s the most non-discriminatory free day that any employer can give. Literally everyone has a birthday, amiright?

Anyhoo, here’s what struck me this week:

Related to my birthday: should ice cream cake have actual cake in it? That’s a big fat NO for me. As a Carvel die-hard, I’m solidly in the ice cream-on-ice cream camp.

Related: Mom’s Treasure Island ice cream cake.

I’ve jumped on the pickleball wagon, and my friends and I have been going out weekly, followed by dinner and/or drinks somewhere after. It reminds me of when I used to play beach volleyball every Tuesday for almost 7 years when I was in Chicago and I am happy to have a weekly mini-break back into my routine.

My friend has been doing a National Park tour the last few years (hi Val!) and after driving through nearly every state, she contends that Michigan is one of the prettiest. Being from California herself, this is high praise and as a Michigander, I can’t disagree. CN seems to agree with one thing, our state parks are the S*&T and if you happen upon my neck of the woods, here are some to check out (including this one and this one that you’ve seen before!).

Cotton-Eyed Joe made a strong and unexpected comeback this weekend.

If you know me, you know I love a good coat and despite my brother’s protestations this summer of “Are you wearing a JEAN JACKET?!?!” (yes, I was), they do seem to be back in (were they out?).

Before we step into fall, here’s what to wear to keep you cool when it’s hella hot out.

Speaking of summer clothes, if you’re like me, your white sneaks need a refresh. Here’s how to clean them.

After mulling it over, I had decided this week that I regretted not going to see Taylor Swift when she was in Detroit a month ago. D felt the same about Chicago and after an offhand comment to her, 24 hours later, we had tickets in hand to the Era’s show in Hamburg, Germany for next summer.  Guten Tag. 

If you’re going and want in on some friendship bracelets, D is selling!

That’s it! Have a great week.