Archives for July 2013

little things.

July 15, 2013

This morning I woke up at 8:00, poured myself a mason jar of iced coffee and then I went over to my calendar to assess the situation. As it turns out I have been on summer vacation for officially three weeks. There is this part of me that gets antsy around this time every summer because as much as I want to enjoy it/make the most of it/sing to high heavens that I’m in love with it, I can always feel it slipping away at the same time, which makes me a little sad. I know this is ridiculous. I know that some people get no official vacation to speak of at all and so I tell myself to QUIT IT. Just soak it in, girl. Things are GOOD.

Here are just a few things I’ve been loving, reading, buying, seeing…

I’ve been wearing this swimsuit a ton this summer. I love the pattern {I got it in green, too!} and the fit is perfect. Usually a j.crew swim suit lover, this year I tried Boden and I love them. They have SO much cute stuff {like this and this and this and this}, I kind of want it all.

I know I’ve been instagramming and twittering the bejesus out of this book, but WILD. Seriously, wonderful. Loved the way Cheryl told her story– I thought the pacing was perfect and her writing terrific and her adventure… well, just read it. You will love it.

I’ve been making iced coffee a few days a week this summer {honestly, it’s so easy– I just brew a very strong 12 cup pot, then let it cool and pop it in the fridge. Lasts for a few days and is really nice to wake up to!}, but doesn’t this coffee smoothie recipe look amazing? I think I need to try that one out sometime this week. YUM. Plus, that Joy the Baker never let’s me down. Love her every which way.

I finally am finding time to read blogs! For awhile there I was struggling. My favorite lately is Camp Patton. Girlfriend for real cracks me up. But I feel like I need more? I feel like my feed is empty lately {probably because SUMMER, but still.} Got any favorite reads for me?

This pin board. And really, all of Kate’s pinterest boards.

This etsy shop! WANT IT ALL.

Favorite instagram feeds… one. two. three. four. five.

And last, but certainly not least: FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

YOU GUYS. This show is the absolute best. I just want to hug every single character and yell CLEAR EYES FULL HEARTS CAN’T LOSE at the top of my lungs when I get out of bed every morning. We are in the middle of season 2, and just like my angst over the end of summer, I can feel my angst over the last episode of FNL, too. I just never ever want it to end. Make it last, make it laaaaaaast.

Texas {and Tim Riggins} forever, and have a Happy Monday, y’all.

32 Comments · Filed Under: life ·

my serendipitous summer.

July 9, 2013

The last month of school this year might have been the craziest month of my adult life. I can’t be 100% sure, but I’m close to 95% at least. As much as it was wild and crazy {more on my new teaching job soon!}, it also had a sort of serendipity to it that I love.

Usually by May and most definitely by June I know my plans for summer on the job front. Since I get summers off, I usually use this time to babysit since the extra money is nice {and needed} and I have no other real commitments yet in my life. The past 2 summers I spent my days in Beacon Hill– mostly just afternoons, and it was perfect. I’d take the train into the city, hang out with Sophie for a couple of hours each day and then head back home no worse for the wear. I liked it, being able to be in Boston, and the hours were just right. But this year, Sophie has a new little sister, and so a full-time Nanny has got the job.

I knew this all year so I had plenty of time to figure out what I was going to do this summer. Except for that I didn’t. I didn’t send any emails or make any calls or give any effort towards finding a new gig. I think it was both that I didn’t have the energy to find a new family and also that I just didn’t want to. My requirements for a summer job are kind of tough… I just want to make a little money, preferably involving kids, but for a minimal number of hours and with minimal effort. But I still want “me” time, too, and a good amount of it, which is why I don’t want a full-time thing. This is my summer vacation, after all. My rest and recharge time. It’s just nice to have something to do every day, somewhere to go, someplace to be.

I thought about tutoring for a hot minute. I made a flyer and sent it to a few people I know and when I didn’t hear back from anyone I just thought, well, I guess I could just take the summer off. Not ideal for my bank account, but do-able.

And then I got a phone call that was what some people might call fate. I think I’m calling it that. {I’m a true believer in “everything happens for a reason”.} The family that I nannied for right out of college needed a last-minute sitter for the summer. Just for after camp for a few hours in the afternoons in July. Their mom had just gotten a new job that she needed to start right at the end of school and they wondered if I was free or new anyone who was.

Free? I was free as a bird.

And these kids? Well, they are my favorite.

So that’s where you’ll find me on weekday afternoons this summer. Hanging out with these two littles who I’ve literally known since they were babies. Feeling thankful that I didn’t have any other plans {be it misfortune or laziness, I still haven’t figured it out}. We’re doing a lot of reading, swimming, lemonade-standing. Also, lots of Boston things… museums and boat rides. All the best stuff.

It’s all worked out perfectly. Just the way it’s supposed to.

12 Comments · Filed Under: children, life ·

family weekend!

July 8, 2013

After the 4th of July in Boston, Zan and I headed down to Greenwich to visit my family. I know I’ve mentioned this before, but my Grandmother lives down in Connecticut and it’s the place where my mom grew up, so I’ve spent countless summers there and almost every vacation in between. The very best time to visit in the summertime because there is so much to do by the water. We spent both days at the beach… Saturday at Tod’s Point and Sunday we took the ferry to Island Beach {a classic day trip!}, both which overlook the Long Island Sound.

On Saturday we also had a second July 4th picnic complete with deviled eggs.

THANK GOODNESS.

I told my mom upon my arrival that I felt I’d been cheated of an idyllic 4th of July experience in Boston because I didn’t eat any deviled eggs. Forget the roof deck and the fireworks, deviled eggs are where it’s AT come Independence Day. No question about it. Saturday night we watched a second round of Fireworks back at the beach at Tod’s Point. They take their fireworks VERY seriously, complete with a DJ and a dance floor. Summer is in full swing and I’m glad to have spent the weekend here experiencing it.

Do you have a place that brings you back to the best days of your childhood? This place is most certainly mine. I’m thankful to have it to return to year after year and I’m thankful for my family who make each trip so special. My heart was happy the whole time this weekend. A summer trip filled with every thing I love. Sun and sand and reading and my Grammy. I loved spending time with my parents and seeing my aunt and cousins and little Hope, too!

Oh, and also those deviled eggs.

A perfectly delicious summer weekend. As it should be.

15 Comments · Filed Under: celebrations, family, life, summer ·

a book list // my favorite summer reads

July 5, 2013

Did you have a nice fourth of July? We hung around here and spent the morning out in Lincoln on the Sudbury River {beauty! and refreshing!} and then took the train into the city to watch the fireworks from a friend’s roof deck in Beacon Hill. I might be biased, but Boston’s fireworks are GLORIOUS. THEE best I’ve ever seen. And the Pop’s playing along? Well there’s nothing better than that. Something about those patriotic songs just give me the chills. Good old fashioned America. Love this land.

And now, a book list for you! Because a few friends have been asking about books lately, I thought I’d just make a summer favorites list. These are books I have read and loved and think they’d be perfect for a trip to the beach or a lounge on a hammock swing.

Tried and true, I’d recommend these to anyone. They are all terrific.