Friday's Simply Smitten - Blush & Blooms

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“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances”

-Thessalonians 5:16- 18 NLT

Happy Friday!! Staying up to watch the Olympics and cheering on the athletes should be an Olympic sport, it’s exhausting. I, like most of you, have been staying up way past my bedtime to watch Ledecky dominate the pool and Suni Lee win her first (gold) medal. I can nap when the games are over. Nevertheless it’s been a fun week!

Besides pretending I know what it’s like to be an Olympic athlete, I’ve been doing my own marathon. Marathon of dancing. Wednesday morning I was fortunate to be invited to Day Breaker. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Day Breaker, it’s a workout/dance party. From 6- 7am you do some sort of workout like yoga or pilates. Then from 7-9am it’s a dance party. A sober dance party, no alcohol permitted. It’s like going to a morning rave. There is a DJ, an MC, live musicians and singers to keep you dancing and to keep the energy up. You let go and just dance. No judgement, no pressure, no rules. Just clean fun. Dance like you dance in your room. This is my 2nd time at Day Breaker and I can honestly say I had so much more fun this time around than I did my first time (still loved my first time going btw). I think it’s because I knew what I was getting myself into and was ready to let loose. I grooved around the dance floor like I didn’t have a care in the world. And it was everything I needed and wanted. The workout we did was a sing-a-long yoga class. I already sing while I workout quietly to myself, so why not do it loudly as a group. We sang songs like “Don’t Stop Believin'”, “Baby One More Time”, and “Circle of life”… yes from the Lion King. It was so much fun but a lot harder than you think. Singing while balancing on one foot isn’t an easy feat. Day Breaker is so much fun and something I highly suggest trying. I went alone and it was completely fine. I almost prefer to go alone so I don’t hold back or feel insecure. There are all types of people who go from teenagers to men and women well into their 60s/70s. It really leaves you vibing all day with good, positive energy.

Speaking of things that are good for the soul, last weekend I went to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden for the first time. I know, I know… I’ve been living in NYC for 10 years and haven’t graced the beautiful gardens until now. I have truly been missing out. Although most of the flowers were no longer in bloom, it was still so wonderful to be frolicking around in nature. It felt magical to be there. Living in the city for so long as I have, nature feels like a new discovery. Anyway, the garden is beautiful and so much bigger than I thought it would be. It took me about an hour and 40 minutes to fully walk the entire thing. I am naturally a fast walker, so I tried to slow down as much as possible to fully be present. To fully take in my surroundings. I loved that the garden has a wide-array of areas such as wooded pathways, wildlife, ponds, herb gardens, cheery blossoms trees, and more. During my exploration in the woodland garden I stumbled upon a tree that had carvings of lovers initials. So and so hearts so and so. A permanent mark of two peoples love for each other. It’s probably not the best for the health of the tree in general, but it’s lovely to see. The entire day put me in a state of wanderlust. I can’t say which area of the garden I love the most. There was so many wonderful surprises of beauty everywhere. All I know is that I will be heading back to the botanic garden this fall to see the changing of the leaves, and next spring when all of the cherry blossom trees are in full bloom.

What I am watching: Obviously the Olympics!! I love watching the swim meets and gymnastics right now. I do wish we were able to watch other sports that may not be as popular. I know you can watch it on NBCSN and USA channels, but they do not show all of the sports. Really I just want to watch Equestrian. But I am loving watching Team USA dominate in sports and winning medals. I also love seeing other countries win– countries that may never have won a medal before or haven’t won in decades. I love seeing the happiness of the athletes after finishing and winning a medal, even if they are not from the USA. I get emotional for them. It’s what the Olympics are all about. I also want to say that I fully support Simone Biles stepping back, prioritizing her health and safety over a medal. She did the right thing. I really do not understand the people who are upset with her; calling her spoiled or a quitter or weak. Gymnastics isn’t an easy sport, perhaps the most dangerous. If Tom Brady has an off day, he has a bad throw. If Simone is not 100% focus, she leaves in a stretcher. And we all know the abuse these women went through for decades. I am happy to see past gymnastic Olympians like Dominique Moceanu come forward and to say that when they got injured during the games, they didn’t have the ability to quit because they were forced to continue on an injury. Simone deciding to step back in fear of hurting herself shows proof that gymnastics is heading in the right direction. That these woman now have control over their lives. I think what Simone did shows more strength and courage, and is more of a leader and a role model for doing so. Mental health matters.

I am not an Olympian but I understand pushing through an injury. In dance we are told to push through; dance on a sprained ankle, broken toes, injuries. Yes we are taught to take care of ourselves, but the show much go on no matter what. If I sat out for a day or two because of an injury in college I would get a failing grade. Which I had to do because I ignored my body and ended up not being to walk on my inflamed foot. My entire grade and graduating college depended on my body. I still have this mentally when I workout and it has caused a lot of problems within my body. I have pushed through plantar fasciitis, small wear and tears in my thighs and shoulders. The muscles in my upper left thigh were so overworked that they “shut down”. I had to go through physical therapy. Your body, your health, your mind is more important than a workout, a competition or a medal. Simone Biles doesn’t owe me or anyone else a gold medal. Her winning a gold medal does not impact our lives whatsoever. But it impacts her life if she continued on and hurt herself.

If you are not watching the Olympics, Ted Lasso season 2 premiered last week and it is so good! Just as funny and heartwarming as the 1st season. If you haven’t watched the 1st season yet, do yourself a favor and binge watch it this weekend. You will love it!

What I bought: The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is still going on. So far the only thing I have bought from the sale are these biker shorts. I also bought this lace chemise in blue from Nordstrom, but unfortunately it is not part of the sale. Still under $100! In the summertime I can only wear chemise to bed. It’s the lightest, most comfortable thing to wear. I wanted to get another one to add to my chemise collection and the light blue of this one is beautiful. Another item that I purchased this past week was a size 6 in the ruffle linen tank top. I already have it in a size 4 and it fits me perfectly, but I want to see what the size 6 feels like. If it gives me more wiggle room. The size 4 is not tight or unflattering, just want to compare the two. It runs small.

The only thing I have planned this weekend is another DanceBody class (I have most of the dances down) and a acupuncture session at WTHN. I haven’t been to WTHN since before the pandemic. I am currently having issues with my left shoulder, and overall body aches. A relaxing acupuncture session is just what I need. Other than that I will be frolicking around the city as usual, watching the Olympics, and enjoying the weekend. Next week I am heading home to Columbus for the Pelotonia. I will be bike riding 20 miles with my dad; his last ride before he retires. If you would like to make a donation of any kind to my ride it would greatly be appreciated!! All proceeds goes to cancer research.

Have a wonderful weekend xo

1. Still can’t get over Lady Kitty Spencer wedding

2. The perfect summer to fall dress

3. Swooning over this bag

4. A cute ruffle bikini

5. A short history of the most fabulous parties ever

6.Olympians in Vogue

7. What are the Twisties

8. How to maintain friendships when you’re in different stages of life

9. What you need to know about all the sunscreen drama

10. All the Americans who have won a medal so far in Tokyo

Sales happening this weekend