Hi summer (and hi cancer season 🦀💫🙋🏻‍♀️), I’m so glad you’re here!

I spent last weekend in Madison and unfortunately I wasn’t feeling the greatest while I was there. I tried to do as much as I could, but by Saturday night I was bedbound. One of you reached out on Instagram asking if I could do a blog post on what to do in Madison this summer, but honestly, I don’t feel like I have enough for that so I thought I’d share what I did get to enjoy here! First, grab a coffee at Bradbury’s and then spend a morning at the Farmer’s Market surrounding the state Capitol building – they call it “the Square!” If you get there early enough, Graze has a pastry counter with great croissants, but the line forms fast and things sell out quickly, so make it your first stop! After that, spend an afternoon on the Terrace at the Union. If you’re with a group, split a pitcher of Spotted Cow Beer (unpopular opinion that might get me in trouble, but it wasn’t my favorite 🙈. I was told you can’t get it anywhere else so I had to try!) and if you’re up for it, get out on the water for activities or walk the trail. Stop by Cafe Domestique for a cute coffee shop experience or grab a fresh juice at Saints, visit Batch Bakehouse for one of the best chocolate chip cookies or if ice cream is more your thing, get a scoop (or three!) at Chocolate Shoppe, and add Working Draft Beer Company for an afternoon of beer and table games. I didn’t make it to yoga while I was there, but The Studio came highly recommended by my friend Maya and she would know!

This week was pretty normal up until I woke up Thursday morning on what felt like my deathbed. I had a slight fever, aches, chills, pretty much the same thing I came down with this time last year (I don’t know what it is!) and I couldn’t believe I was sick again. Maybe I just never really got over what I had in Madison? I’m not sure. My sister sent me bagels and Gatorade from 500 miles away via Postmates and that just further solidified that one of my love languages is food haha. I’m so grateful I feel a million times better now!

I think we’re going to end up with some summer-like weather today and I’m up for taking full advantage! Can’t wait to get out for a bike ride along the lake with my friend Stephanie and hope to spend some time on my yoga mat tomorrow.

Next Saturday I’m going to be hosting a charity class at Shred415 in Old Town at 1:30pm. My friend Ovi is going to be leading us through a 45-minute class and I’m excited to sweat with some of you! We’re asking that you make a minimum $10 donation, which will go to Off the Street Club. They’re one of my favorite organizations and help keep kids off the streets during the summer months when gun violence spikes in their neighborhood. To sign up, please email me and I’ll get you added to the list!

I hope you enjoy what I’ve rounded up for you!

Journaling prompt: What would you never want to change about yourself? I’ll go first. I would never want to change my persistence. When I decide I want something, I’ll do everything in my power to make it happen. That and my hazel eyes.

Song of the week: Fade Out – Seeb, Olivia O’Brien & Space Primates. Turn it up and listen as you browse. 🙂

LINKS I’VE LOVED LATELY:

• Remember when I said I don’t google people before a date? People rarely believe me when I tell them that, but it’s true. Clara wrote a great piece on why you should stop if this is a habit you’ve found yourself in!
• On the topic of dating, I answered some of your questions last week!
• Want to see a crazy before and after of my brows? Scroll to the bottom of this page! And then make an appointment to see Cheryl. 😉 She’s the absolute best at what she does and if you mention my name, you can get 10% off your first service.
• 11 ways to feel like you have your shit together – yes to 1, 2, 3, 4…6…all of them, really.
• Has there ever been a more relatable tweet?
• My navy polka dot mini dress is now on Shopbop (which means you can use your Amazon Prime account for shipping!). It would make for a cute option for 4th of July, but fingers crossed it’s warm enough for me to pull out this weekend! And my leopard print mini dress was restocked in size small (I went with that), but it will go fast and I haven’t been able to find it anywhere else, so if you want it, don’t wait. 🙂
• I’ve been turning to this round-up of the best yoga poses to help you sleep in an effort to wind myself down at night. Supported child’s pose is one of my absolute favorites (I just do it on my bed) and I also like to prop my legs straight up against my bed or a wall and just hang there while I do breathing exercises for a bit.
• I really love my clear crossbody bag and have been carrying it non-stop since I got it. On a recent trip to Clare V. I discovered her bag straps, which are beautiful, and would instantly elevate an otherwise trendy plastic handbag.
• My IG friend Mix & Measure shared this photo and was nice enough to pass along the chocolate chip cookie recipe she used and I can’t wait to make them for myself!
• Grace shared a link for 30 days of free access to Tracey Anderson’s workouts. Thinking I’m going to take my workouts lakeside when I can!
• The perfect pair of cutoff jean shorts does exist and they’re the Levi’s wedgie shorts.
• This workout tank is my new go-to and it’s reasonably priced! I only wish it came in more colors (black, specifically lol).
• This colorful striped tank sold out on the J. Crew site and they aren’t planning to restock, but I tracked it down at Nordstrom and it’s available in most sizes there! Such a fun top for summer.
• My down comforter is on sale right now if you’re in the market!
• If you follow along on Instagram stories, you saw I spent some time at Trunk Club recently and found so many great things! More to come on my experience next week, but I got a lot of questions about this little black dress and wanted to let you know you can reach out to Mary Clare directly (she’s my stylist and new friend!) and she can make sure to pull it in your size for your first styling session at the Clubhouse (or she’ll make sure it shows up in your first trunk if you aren’t in Chicago) if you’re interested in trying out their services!
• I also found this super similar (more affordable) option!

SHOP THE POST:

Alright, that’s all I have for now! Whatever you’re up to this weekend, I hope it’s the absolute best! I’ll be sharing in real-time over on Instagram stories, so be sure to follow along there.