Friday's Simply Smitten - Blush & Blooms

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“little by little, she found the courage for it all”

-JH Hard

Happy Friday! I hope you had a wonderful 4th of July! I enjoyed a day filled with family, food, and fireworks.

I flew into Ohio this past Monday and have been spending time with my family. My parents babysat my nieces on Tuesday, so I got to spend the entire day with them. It filled me with so much joy being with them, playing with them. We went to the pool and enjoyed a nice swim; playing games, and sunbathing.

Wednesday evening my parents had friends over. It was nice to see some of their friends who I haven’t seen in a very long time. I was going to go to my sister’s block party. Unfortunately it was pouring down rain so I stayed home instead. Usually a friend of mine has a block party during Red, White, and Boom, but they moved it to tonight. Regardless, it was nice to be home with my parents and their friends.

On the 4th we were up bright and early for the Upper Arlington parade. I may be a little bias but it is the best, and biggest, parade in Columbus. The parade theme this year was “Back in Black and Gold”– rock ‘n roll. Lots of AC/DC music playing… I almost interrupted the parade to do the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader’s famous “Thunderstruck” dance… I saved it for the cookout. Anyway, I enjoyed seeing all the neighborhood floats, the high school marching band, cheerleaders, and sports teams. As well as the OSU alumni band, and more.

After the parade it poured down rain for most of the afternoon. Usually I would go to a friend’s cookout or play tennis with my dad. Instead I hung out at home getting ready for our family cookout. We started celebrating all the cousin’s 40th birthday parties during the 4th of July. This year we celebrated my cousin’s birthday– even though she turned 40 this past December. Because it is her birthday year, it was her turn to choose what we eat. She decided that each of us would make a dip. We had 8 different types of dips ranging from crab dip to s’mores dip (as well as other cookout food). I made spinach dip, a classic. It was all delicious! Next year will be my 40th and dinner choice… as of now I want oysters, gf lobster rolls, and caviar. ‘

Afterward the family cookout we were all too tired to go to the fireworks at the park, so we watched the Macy’s 4th of July Celebration on tv instead. I don’t know what it was about this year’s 4th of July, but I wasn’t as excited or in the mood to celebrate as I have been in the past. Maybe it was the rain putting a damper on things or the fact that our country is in turmoil or that I wasn’t feeling that great. Either way I wasn’t in the mood to party in the USA. But I still had a lovely 4th and enjoyed every minute spent with family.

What I am watching: It’s one of the best week’s of the year– Wimbledon! We have had the tv on all day, everyday watching the famous classic tennis tournament. I am not sure who I want to win. I usually cheer for either Murray or Federer but neither are playing men’s singles this year. I like a few of the up and coming Americans like Tommy Paul, Frances Tiafoe, and Taylor Fritz but not sure if they have what it takes yet to beat Djokovic. I do like Djokovic, but it’s nice to see someone else win for a change. It would be thrilling to see a rematch of Djokovic and Alcaraz. For women’s single I love watching Coco Gauff and Emma Raducanu.

Speaking of tennis, I watched the Roger Federer documentary about his last 12 days leading up to his retirement. It was good! One of the reasons I love and enjoy tennis so much is how respectful they are (mostly) to each other. It was nice to hear Federer say nice things about Nadal, Murray, and Djokovic. And vice versa! In the documentary it was nice to see Federer’s journey in tennis as well as his plans for the future. If you are a tennis fan, then I highly suggest this documentary.

Last weekend I watched Family Affair on Netflix with Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron, and Joey King. I thought it was cute– some funny moments. However, I couldn’t get past Zac Efron and Nicole Kidman being intimate. It’s not the age thing, it’s being very aware of who they are. I think the reason why The Idea of You with Anne Hathaway works is because Nicholas Galitzine is still up and coming. This is obviously a personal issue. Zac Efron and Nicole Kidman did a great job, and I really did enjoy the movie, it was just awkward seeing them intimate.

What I bought: I am finally reading The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl. I have been hearing great things about the book and couldn’t wait to read it. So far I am enjoying the book! Other than that I didn’t buy anything new. I do have my eye on this French blue slip skirt but am waiting for it to go on sale.

On The Blog

Sunday Shopping

LTK Spotlight: My top Nordstrom sale picks

Top Seller: This blue sundress– under $100

Tonight is my high school reunion. I am excited to see my friends and as well as old classmates I haven’t seen in years. It should be a fun night! I am also going out to brunch with my friends this weekend, go back to the pool, play pickleball with my dad, and visit my grandmother. It’s going to be a lovely weekend!

Have a wonderful weekend xo

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