Friday's Simply Smitten - Blush & Blooms

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“Youth is happy because it has the capacity to see beauty.

Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.”

-Franz Kafka

Happy Friday and happy 4th of July!! I am on my way home to Columbus for a week! I am excited to not only celebrate the 4th of July but also my cousin’s 40th birthday. We are throwing him a small party at my parents house on the 4th, which will be fun. I haven’t been to Ohio since February, it’s going to be nice to see my family and spend some time with them. I am also very much looking forward to seeing my friends since I haven’t seen them in 2 years!! So crazy to think!

Holy heatwave New York! This week was hot, hot, hot. I tried to stay inside as much as possible. It was so muggy and gross out. I believe we hit 99 degrees at one point. The city sent us all an emergency text alert asking us to reduce our electricity, aka our ac. There were some pretty funny memes on Twitter tell the city to shut down Times Square instead. One person said something along the lines of you want us to sit in the dark without ac on in the 90 degree weather so a tourist can see a billboard light up. Ha. It’s so true. Although it was fun to see everyone create funny tweets, being in a blackout during 90 degree weather is not something I ever want to do. I had my ac and a fan going, so I did my part and turned off my fan. Thank God there wasn’t a blackout and that the heat finally broke.

Beside trying not to die from heatstroke, this week was centered around getting things done before I jet off to Ohio. I had another photoshoot with Lauren down in South Street Seaport. I absolutely love it there, so darling. It does not feel like NYC and that’s why I like it. It has a charm to it with cobble stones, cute store fronts, and boardwalk filled with bars and restaurants. They did a wonderful job repairing it after Hurricane Sandy destroyed it. The Seaport was cute before, but I kind of like it better now. Although the J.Crew there was amazing– felt very nautical J.Crew circa 1990s. Anyway, I had a few collaborations that we shot which I am excited to see how the photos turned out. It ended up being a cool morning with clouds (a photographer/bloggers dream). We were originally suppose to meet Tuesday afternoon but it was so hot we rescheduled it to Thursday morning. Everything really does work out for the better in the end. If we had stuck with Tuesday I would have looked as if I jumped in the pool…. and that is not the type of aesthetics I am going for.

What I am watching: Wimbledon!! I have been glued to the tv all week watching some of my favs compete. I am happy that Murray and Federer are still in it!! Of course I also like Serena, but unfortunately she slipped and injured herself. I don’t know if it’s because it has been 2 years since the last Wimbledon tournament or if this is something new, but I feel that more players are falling this year than any other. It’s scary to watch! Anyway, I hope either Murray or Federer (or Djokovic) win the mens singles and Coco Gauff win the women’s singles.

What I bought: bala weighted bangles in the color pink. I already have ankle weights but want to workouts with both of them on. There are some really great sales happening this weekend! I may snag an item or two. I have listed some of the sales happening below for you to also shop!

This weekend I will be sporting my red, white, and blue and celebrating America! The 4th of July is always so much fun in my hometown of Upper Arlington. The day starts with a parade filled with floats, high school and middle school sports teams, class reunion floats, small businesses in UA, marching bands, and of course the big Golden Bear. My high school’s mascot is a golden bear. Every year, since the dawn of day, the civic association closes the parade by rolling this giant blow up golden bear. They spin it in circles as they walk the parade and we all cheer. The rest of the day everyone party hops from picnic to picnic, gathering with old friends and family. Then at night everyone heads to the main park where there is live entertainment and fireworks. When I was younger we would all head to the local bar that is within walking distance of the park, but now I am too old to go there. Ah the good old days.

Besides the 4th of July I will be spending time with my family. Most likely going to the pool or grilling outside on the patio. I am trying to meet up with a few friends who are in town, and have a big brunch planned for Monday with another group of friends. It gets much harder to meet up the older we get, especially those with children– which I completely understand! Although it was so much fun running around all day with my friends, and I miss it, it’s also nice to have a more of a relaxing 4th. Also this weekend I will be riding my bike with my dad and we will most likely play tennis at some point. And of course spending as much time as possible with my nieces. There is so much to look forward to!

Have a wonderful 4th of July xo

1. Inside the redesign Kensington Palace Garden where Princess Diana’s statue now stands

2. A summer dress for hot days

3. Would wear this raffia bag daily

4. Eyeing this ruffle pink top

5. Meet the USA women’s gymnastics team heading to the Olympics

6. Add these books to your July reading list

7. Summer 2021 fashion trends inspired by Princess Diana

8. Delicious 4th of July cocktail recipes

9. Who’s who of Wimbledon’s WAGS and HABS

10. 23 ways to make the most of July

Sales happening this weekend