I’m so happy it’s summer! How about you? I thought it’d be fun to share a (very) random list of what I’m enjoying and looking forward to this summer. And then … see what you’re up to this summer. Leave me a comment with your plans for summer fun.
Here’s mine:
The circus. An annual tradition. The kids love this circus. This one is a small, old-style circus under the big top. And what ‘s up with people riding a bicycle on a tightrope? That’s not right. And even more alarming: two trapeze riding cyclists with a lady lady sitting on a chair on a tight rope pole thingy that is between their two shoulders. (For obvious reasons … no cameras allowed in the big top tent.) But hellooo. That’s simply nuts. As Kailea said (in her most contemplative six year old voice) it was the most impressive act of all. It’s a great show. Super fun. So … if you happen to be in St. Louis or Nantucket this summer … you should check it out.
Eating dinner on the deck…practically every single night. Love that!
Grilling…shrimp, chicken, burgers, veggies. Yum. (Except the gritty grilled Zucchini. Not sure what happened there.)
Crafting on the deck by candlelight … super fun but a bit hard to see. 😉
Catching fire flies.
Going to the pool. (And I’m not even going to tell you about the 30% off pool stuff I got at Target earlier this week. Nope. Not even going to mention it.)
Going to the Cardinal’s game this Monday! Go Cards!
Going to my little baseball player’s games on Friday nights and Saturdays.
Running in this race on Saturday. Great cause. Love being in places where everyone is working together towards a common goal. LOVE it. First time to run in the race. I can’t wait!
Scrapbooking. Finishing up a mini-album for Jay for our ten year anniversary inpsired by this great special issue.
Going on vacation … a real vacation with my Mom to Washington. Super excited about this. Just me and my Mom and we’re meeting up with my sister and her hubby for a part of the trip. So … if you know of any Seattle shopping hot spots, let me know. I’m looking for some places with fun, vintage stuff. Home decor types of things. Vintage containers. Any ideas?
Flip flops and cotton skirts.
Organizing my closet. I think I purged a bit too deep last Friday night. Very rewarding to send nine bags of clothes to Good Will. But now, what to wear? Getting rid of stuff is never the problem. It’s figuring out what to put in it! Hoping this blog will help me. Anyone know any good books or magazines on building a real-world wardrobe? (Like, stuff that normal people with normal lives and normal bodies wear?) Of the hundreds and hundreds (and hundreds) of magazines in my home…I don’t think there’s a single one on fashion. So…any advice? I’m placing an Amazon order today … will await your fashion book advice!
Ice-cream cones. No need to say more.
Summer CHA…are you going?
And last but not least … this new book will be out by the end of the summer! I’m about to pop with excitement!
I hope you’re having a great summer, too! Remember to share with me … what’s on your summer to-enjoy list? (And don’t forget the fashion book advice!)
My daughter is going to walk in the race for the cure tomorrow too. She has her t-shirt and is ready to go. She went with her aunt last year also. I love the cardinals too I must say I love yadier his smile and personality just seem so genuine.
Originally from Seattle, now living in Spokane. I know the cool places to shop! Just went last weekend – went to IKEA, Packaging Specialties and Impress Rubber Stamps. Another cool place is City People’s (like a modern old time hardware store mixed with cool home decor). I think the only City People’s is on Sandpoint Way – which is near University Village, a day of shopping fun!
The Lucky Shopping Manual is a great fashion book – tons of tips on what to wear for your body type, what to wear with specific items (and what NOT to wear). It’s great – definitely check that one out!
Good luck in the run, Aby, that’s wonderful!!! Well I just reached my second goal from Goals 101, so I have to develop more goals. Here’s what I’m looking forward to this summer:
1) Going back to work…o.k. so I’m not really looking forward to this. It’s not easy going back after being away for a year on maternity leave. But it will be nice to see everyone and have adult conversations again.
2) Take my kids swimming
3) My birthday, my husband’s birthday and my youngest son’s birthday are all in July, so lots of parties at our house.
4) BBQ – we use the BBQ all the time. Have to start using the patio table and chairs though.
5) Go to the beach since it’s only 10 minutes away.
Try this website
http://www.missussmartypants.com/
for fashion tips. You do have to subscribe but it is not too expensive. I love this site… and it has helped me so much.
love your blog!
Michelle B
The book looks wonderful…can’t wait to pick up a copy!!!
Happy summer!! My plan mostly involves going to Chicago for CHA. It’s my own personal mommy vacation before my hubby deploys again. I’m going early and staying late so I can have my own me time. I’m going all by myself so I’m looking forward to getting to know some fellow crafters and having some fun!!
~Melissa
I will second the Lucky shopping manual recommendation, and of course I love Clinton and Stacy’s Dress Your Best, which is What Not To Wear in book form.
And thank you! I’m always happy to help!
Hi, Aby,
I didn’t want the book to sell out and have to wait to get a 2nd edition copy, so I preordered it today! And I KNOW it’s going to sell out…maybe that will make my FIRST EDITION copy a collectors item??? I can’t WAIT to get my hands on it! Two more months! And I love preordering because you forget you ordered it, and then one day there it is…HAPPY MAIL!
Happy Friday!
Lisa
I agree with the missusspartypants web site. It’s really great for figuring out what to wear for your specific body type. Very motivational, doable, and reasonably prices. Try out her free newsletter first.
Can’t wait for the book. We’re finishing our basement this summer and I get my own scraproom/studio so I think it will become my main source of inspiration! Woohoo! (Having a dedicated space for creating will cross off one of my goals from class. Double woohoo! LOL)
I’m going to CHA too. Love it. I’m local so I usually go a couple of days–one to be serious “work-like” and one just to ogle the goodies and have fun.
Good luck at the race! I did the Avon 3-Day a few years ago, it’s a wonderful experience.
The book looks awesome, can’t wait to see a copy!
My summer…
* watching my baby boy grow.
* watching his big sister love on him.
* going to the beach next week and a cruise in July for our 10th anniversary!
* going to the pool.
Oooh sounds like your summer is fun filled. Depending on how long you are in Seattle, there is lots to do. Ballard, Fremont, and West Seattle, all have cute funky little shopping areas. West Seattle also offers great views of the Seattle skyline. Pike Place Market downtown is fun, and there are lots of neighborhood farmers markets in the summer. A day trip to Langley on Whidbey Island (great ferry ride) will yield lots of treasures. I love Langley. I love La Conner too, it’s north of Seattle by 1 to 2 hours depending on traffic.
that book makes me want to drool!
here’s my list for the summer…
clean my house…really good
go swimming
grilling out as much as possible
scrapbooking
taking more pictures…that should not be a problem!
vacation
working out…which is pretty much year round !
VBS
enjoying it ALL !
fun post!
Try http://www.downeastbasics.com. It isn’t a book on how to dress, but they have some awesome (and modest!) clothing at very reasonable prices. I may be behind the times, but I just found it and received my first order last Friday. I am SO pleased. Love the fit–I was terrified because I am nowhere near the size of those models, but the dresses are flattering anyway, and my hubby (who is usually ho-hum about my new clothes) loved them!
A Seattle shopping must is Ruby Montana’s. Very kitsch – old lunch boxes, toys, books, etc. very fun to roam around. My family is heading there this summer, too. My brother (and family) live in Woodinville and we will be there for 4th of July this year.
Be sure to take some time at Pike’s Place and the 2-3 blocks surrounding it, there are lots of little hole in the wall shops. I prefer the main floor of the Market (versus the 3 lower floors) and never go without stopping in MarketSpice – they are in a corner behind the flying fish guys. They sell the most wonderful tea – MarketSpice tea. I buy 50+ bags because there is nothing else like it around so I stock up when I can.
In the surrounding area (again, 1-2 blocks to the east, north and south of the actual market) you will find a huge collection of shops. Plan to wander.
If you head up towards 5th and Pine there are lots of “regular” stores you might see anywhere. But the Nordstrom Mother Ship (haha) store is definitely worth seeing.
Have a fabulous time!
Jen
Looking forward to: ice cream(!!!) — lots of it hopefully… Spending more time outside… hopefully swimming a lot more than I usually do….maybe actually trying to eat healthy (oops, I forgot about the ice cream. Drat!!) & exercising…ooh, lots of scrapbooking (catching up!!)…. Catching up with friends…. fixing up my house — which includes organizing & home repairs….buying a new car — and jetting around town with the windows down =)
Oh, Your book looks awesome!! Can’t wait until it comes out =)
I love the Budget Fashionista. I checked it out from the library and it had “real” fashion tips in it. You should see if you can check it out from your library. Here is more info about it:
http://www.momadvice.com/blog/2007/06/check-it-out-how-to-be-budget.htm
Wow, I must have been within blocks of you this weekend. We were there for the Women of Faith conference. I have to say it was wonderful to see all those participants for such a worthy cause! My only question is…did you get a pic of the pink fountain? We were going to get a picture of it, but it was always to dark when we went by it. Enjoy your vacation!
Loved your “listy” post. VERY fun. For us summer is
Colorado trip
waterskiing trip
too many birthdays to count
new veneers for my teeth! (vanity) lol