Nine Favorite Things.

This summer feels like it is flying by. We’ve had a such a busy July with moving, traveling, and multiple weddings. I love it, but the business has made the month go so fast. As crazy as it may seem, our team is already looking ahead to the fall and my favorite, the holiday season. I’m excited for it all but at the same time I really want everything to slow down.

I spent a good portion of the past week in Cleveland with family. It was hard for me to go at a slower pace, but at the very same time, the time back home in Ohio with family was so nice. I feel so lucky that I was able to take that time to spend with family.

When I was leaving for New York, I felt like a kid again. Heading to the airport was harder than expected. I didn’t love leaving them all behind. But again, I am so happy I was able to get so much time with them all—Mom, Dad, Asher, Oslo, and even Creighton. It was a special time. If you are curious, I have a small recap of the weekend down a little lower.

So I spent Friday through Tuesday in Cleveland, then headed to New York Wednesday morning. As I am working on this, I’m in New York but will be back in Colorado on Sunday. I’m in the city mainly for meetings. Since I was already in the Midwest, the flight to the East Coast was easy, so I decided to be here in person versus Zoom. I’m not someone who likes doing anything on Zoom. Ask everyone on our team, they know it makes me cringe. Plus I am always excited for a trip into the city.

I’ll be home tomorrow, and then I leave Tuesday for another quick work trip that I’m excited about too. My family is in Cleveland for another week, and then we’ll all be back in Colorado. By then, I swear I will be in full-on fall preparation mode. I love fall, but I’m also not quite ready for that.

What are you all up to now that we’re halfway through summer? Traveling, gardening, entertaining, chilling? I’m curious to hear more about what your summer days are like. Paint me a picture and maybe give me some ideas for fall content too!

I think that’s it for life updates! Lots of rambling and reflecting today! Here’s another round of favorites!

1. Things i’m loving, wanting, and excited to try.

ordered…my favorite hoodie in multiple colors on Prime Day. I’ve been living in this. What did you all order on Prime? Would LOVE to hear about your purchases.

everything in my cart (low)…from H&M loving this pretty Draped One-shoulder Top, this Scoop-neck Sweater is great for summer layering and cute! And then this Tote Bag is the perfect “carry it all” bag.

Ok, J.Crew pieces, I have a few! Very much love their hand-knotted packable tote bag. I would style it with this crinkled drawstring midi skirt and/or their pull-on pant in textured satin. And then, this sheer tank top. Cute!

I’m looking for new sneaks and considering the Asics GEL-1130 Sneaker or New Balance 530 Sneakers. I plan to wear them with this Free People Movement bra and short set. Also, this Beyond Yoga tank top at Urban Outfitters.

Lastly, this COS scarf detailed lined dress is pretty.

listening to…Aly Raisman: Thirty, Single & Thriving. Looking forward to listening to this soon! I always love learning about Olympic athletes, especially gymnasts.

loving…the Coach Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 39. This is a great everyday bag at a good price point. I’ve seen so many cute looks styled with this bag recently!

shopping…summer dresses. The below are so easy and flowy to style every day.

everything in my cart (beauty)…apparently the YSL Libre Eau de Parfum is perfect for Virgos, so I’m curious to give it a try. It’s part of the Nordstrom sale!

The Handy Bristle Hair Brush from Mason Pearson is such a splurge item but one of my favorites. Another good one is the brand’s Detangler Nylon Hair Brush.

watching…the Vouge “What’s in your Bag” series with Emma Roberts. This is so cute. Emma’s bag is Filled With All Her Summer Essentials–Plus a Sweet Treat.

everything in my cart (high)…I think the Dôen Sebastian Skirt in powder from is super cute. It’s $228, but I love Dôen pieces!

following…everything Daisy Jones is doing. I’m obsessed with her looks for the press of the upcoming film Twisters.

2. Big Summer Salads: 8 favorites.

Watermelon Peach Salad

BLT Caesar Pasta Salad

Lemon Parmesan Sesame Salad

The Italian Salad Sandwich

Chicken Caesar Salad Pizza

BLT Pasta Salad

Tomato, Peach, and Burrata Salad

The Best Simple Vegan Potato Salad

3. Nordstrom Sale – favorites in home + beauty.

home

beauty

4. Let’s Catch Up! A few questions.

1. What’s the yummiest thing you’ve eaten this summer?
2. What’s the yummiest thing you’ve cooked/baked this summer?
3. What are you reading or listening to? 
4. Would you rather swim in a pool or the ocean?
5. What’s something you’re thinking about, good or bad?
6. What are you most excited for that’s coming up? Or least excited for?

5. A trip Home to Cleveland, then NYC.

Even though Colorado is home after 17 years of living there, I still consider Cleveland, home home. It’s not a place I’d likely live again, but I grew up there. I have so many memories there, and all of our extended family lives there. Even though I only visit once, maybe twice a year, I remember it all like the back of my hand, and it still feels like home.

My point is that I enjoy our summer trips back to the Midwest. And this trip was special. We had my cousin’s wedding, but that was the only event we had planned. The rest of our time there was up to us to decide what to do. With life and work being almost consistently busy, I don’t get to spend much time one-on-one with my family like that. I LOVED my walks with my mom, loved when my dad joined us, and even loved the day Creighton tagged along too. I love that my family is really the people I want to talk to the most.

And then my time with Asher. We didn’t end up doing a full-on girls’ day because I’m antsy, and when the sun is out I want to be outside. But Mom, Asher, and I did do a spa trip late afternoon on my final night which was fun. But even more than that, I just enjoyed chit-chatting away with my little sister. She is such a teen, but think of her as 15 going on 26. The most mature, kind teenager you’ll ever meet.

Of course, it was awesome to see my grandpa, my aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews and celebrate my cousin Freddy’s wedding. We had dinner with someone different every night, so it was the perfect family catch-up!

One of the nights, we all went to Little Italy in Cleveland with my uncle Matt. We sat outside at the cutest little restaurant called Dolce Vita. Food-wise, that was definitely the best meal of my trip. We ordered a lot: everything from stuffed peppers to pasta, meatballs, chicken parmesan, and even a whole pizza (this was Oslo’s, but everyone ate it). It was all delicious—like DELICIOUS. Creighton was in his zone.

Then we walked to Mitchell’s to get Oslo his favorite – ice cream. He requested a scoop of vanilla and a scoop of chocolate and ate every bite.

It was great, and even though I had my moments of feeling like “I need to be working,” I did my best to embrace and use the time I had. And it all turned out great!

I’m looking forward to heading back for some book signings once the new cookbook is launched on November 19th. We’re planning all the tour stops now! Wahoo!

From Cleveland, it was on to New York City, where things couldn’t be more different. I stopped in the city for a day of meetings simply because I was already on this side of the US. I love any excuse to come to the city, and it was well worth the effort.

We have so much coming up in the next few months ahead of the cookbook launch. I CAN’T wait to share details soon. And beyond the cookbook, we have a handful of very exciting conversations happening too. I’m feeling so much excitement! I’m not ready to leave the city, to be honest, the energy here is always infectious.

We had a full day of meetings and then a fun birthday celebration to end the night. It couldn’t have been a better trip into the city. It was short and sweet and perfect.

6. The Hamptons – This Week!

And then some very fun news! I am back in New York next week, this time in the Hamptons! I’m hosting an event with Wölffer Estate Vineyard on Wednesday, July 24th, for anyone in the Hamptons. This event is ticketed, and the tickets are very limited, but if you’re in town, you can grab a ticket here.

And then, I am so excited about a book signing on Thursday, July 24th, at The Hamptons Bookstore at 1 p.m. Come, chat, grab a book or a photo, and spend the afternoon with me! It’s been a while since we have had a signing, so I’m really looking forward to this. Details are below! Please come out if you are in The Hamptons!

Lastly, if you’re not in the Hamptons, which I realize is most of you, don’t worry. We have a lot of events coming up in many different cities this fall. More to come!

7. Favorite links i’m loving.

Shop Like a Pro—What to Buy at Costco That Actually Saves You Money

The New Anti-Aging Necessity? Core Strength

Acne Isn’t Just a Skin Issue, It’s a Mental Health Issue Too

Meet the New Wave of Pastry Chefs Revolutionizing Paris’s Bakeries

15 Simple Habits That Will Change Your Life

12 Staycation Ideas

7 Rug Layering Ideas We Love

These Are the Best Books of 2024 So Far

13 Nostalgic Summer Movies That Will Make You Feel Like a Kid Again

The Best Olympic Uniforms to Look For at the Summer 2024 Games

I Took My Daughter to See the Eras Tour in Ireland

8. Everything from the Nordstrom Sale.

fashion

accessories

bags

shoes

9. This week’s dinners + favorite weekend eats.

Monday: Thai Turkey Meatballs

Tuesday: Tomato Cheddar Chicken and Rice Bake

Wednesday: 20 minute Crispy Garlic Chicken Noodles

Thursday: Eggplant Zucchini Pesto Involtini

Friday: Skillet Garlic Butter Chicken and Zucchini Orzo

Saturday: Summer Bellinis 3 Ways

Sunday: Swirled Blackberry Lavender Sheet Cake