Friday's Simply Smitten - Blush & Blooms

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“Trust the wait. Embrace the uncertainty. Enjoy the beauty of becoming.

When nothing is certain, anything is possible.”

Happy Friday! I am still in Ohio for one more day. I was supposed to fly out yesterday early evening, but my flight was canceled due to the storm that was hitting NYC. My flight was delayed 2 hours before they canceled it. They put me on a flight for earlier this morning, but it was a connecting flight so I rescheduled it for Saturday. I figured why not stay an extra day, give people who have to be in NYC today a chance to get a flight (most, if not all, were booked). This way I get to spend a little more time with my family. Although I want to get back to the city and back to my routine, I am happy to spend an extra day with my family.

This past week, being home in Ohio, has been lovely! I took a little time off from the blog to spend as much time as possible with my family and friends. I flew in last Friday and spent the weekend at home with my parents, playing with my nieces, and just relaxing before the 4th of July celebrations began. For the 4th I went early in the morning to the parade with my family. We have sat in the same area on the parade route since my mom was little. It’s a tradition in my hometown to stake out a section days before the 4th. You can drive down Northwest Blvd days, even a week, before the 4th and see lawn chairs, rope between trees, and benches lined up. Anyway, after the parade I went to my friend Lindsay house for a cookout. I had a great time catching up with old friends and enjoying the beautiful weather we were having. Later that day my parents held a cookout that was also a birthday party for my cousin who turned 40. It was the first time my entire family has gathered together in a year and a half. It was so nice to be all together again! We had so much fun! I did not go to the park to watch the fireworks because I was tired. I keep joking that I am like a little kid who is over-stimulated by activities, but it’s true. I live alone in New York and haven’t socialized this much since before the pandemic. I am tired– but it is a good kind of tired.

Other than celebrating America’s birthday, I met up with friends for brunch at First Watch in Arlington. Of course I love spending time with my family, but what I was looking forward to the most was being with my friends. I haven’t seen some of them in 2-3 years. It was so nice to catch up. I am happy to see all my friends happy, being great mothers, and succeeding in their careers!

Another thing I was very much looking forward to doing this past week was going to the pool. We have pools in New York, but I hardly ever go to them. They are usually located in hotels or clubs that I do not belong to. In the summer when I am in Ohio I always make it a point to go to the pool. I love to swim. I went to the pool with my parents and my 4 year old niece who also loves to swim and be outside. I think we get it from my dad who was a swimmer in high school. Anyway, being at the pool with my niece was a lot of fun. She is actually a pretty good swimmer– we are teaching her to use her legs and also the different strokes. It’s so cute to see her try to imitate my dad doing the freestyle. I also went to the pool with my friend Lindsay. It was nice to be just the two of us chatting.

Other than being poolside for most of the week, I really just spent time at home with my family and my nieces. I love them so much! My nieces really are the joys of my life. I can’t wait to have kids someday and to feel overwhelmed with love for them as I do my nieces. And speaking of family, I got to spend time with my grandmother a lot this week. She is 98 years old– turning 99 in December! I have decided we are going to have a roaring 20’s theme party for her 100th. Everyone can dress up in flapper costumes, boas, top hats, basically Great Gatsby style. I want to hire a 1920’s style jazz band or we can just play records– my parents do have a victrola. Also this past week I got to on ride bikes with my dad. We didn’t get to play tennis, but maybe when I am back in August we will.

What I am watching: Wimbledon!! I have been watching the famous tennis tournament all week cheering on some of my favorites! I am SO sad that Murray and Federer are out of the tournament. I think Djokovic will win it all, but it would be cool to see an underdog/first-timer win. For the girls I have no one left to cheer for. I was really rooting for Emma Raducanu to win, but she unfortunately had to retire during a match due to exhaustion. She was a fighter though! I was impressed by how she kept fighting through until she could no longer muster the energy. I am looking forward to watching the finals, hoping both the men and women’s matches are exciting!

What I bought: I wasn’t really shopping that this week but I did buy this ruffle top. The website suggest to go up a size so I bought a size 4. I haven’t received it yet, so am not sure if the 4 will work or if I should go up another size to a 6. I have my eyes on these wicker coasters that are just darling. It’s only $14 for a set of 2. I may be purchasing them soon!

This weekend I am going to take it easy. I am feeling happy and refreshed after a week home with family. It was just what I needed. Since I am flying back to New York tomorrow, my weekend will be about getting settled; grocery store, cleaning, unpacking, etc. I will go for a run on Sunday, hopefully finish my book, and watch the Wimbledon finals. Looking forward to a relaxing weekend.

Have a wonderful weekend xo

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