7 Random Things:Kim
July has been a month full of fun and sadness. We had my best friend and her daughters in town and hit the water park, Lucky Strike, and the Gallagher Way French Market. It was a weekend full of memories or our kiddos. Her daughters are the same ages as Gavin and Payton and they all have the sweetest bond even though they don’t see each other often. We had lots of cookouts and finally finished up Gavin’s baseball season.
During the fun, I was struggling because my Grandfather’s cancer treatments were no longer working. He called and told me on the kid’s last day of school that there was nothing more they could do but he was still doing well at that point so I booked a trip for the kids and I to go see him the first week of August. Unfortuntely, he started rapidly declining 2 weeks ago and passed away on July 10. I’m grateful I was able to go hug him and say goodbye even though he was no longer coherent by the time I got to Virginia. I truly believe he waited for me to come see him one last time before he passed because he died less than 24 hours after I left. I also had to miss his funeral because I got the stomach bug and couldn’t get on my flight this past Sunday but my best friend went to the funeral and Facetimed me and my sister gave my speech so I still got to be a part of it. Grieving someone you were close to is so hard. We spoke every week of my adult life about anything and everything and I will miss those chats. I’m grateful to have had him for 37 years though and am choosing to use his loss as a reminder to take the trips and make the memories because tomorrow is never promised.
In happier news, we’ve got old friends who used to live in Chicago coming next week to stay with us and we’re so excited to see them again since it’s been almost 2 years. I’m hoping to make the rest of the summer fun for the kids and enjoy the slower schedule before school, baseball, soccer, and ballet start up and I become a chauffer again.
I also just signed on with @properties as a Broker and can’t wait to get started! I joined under a friend and am looking forward to learning from her! More to come :)
What I’m Reading, Watching, and Listening to:
Books -
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Boylan- This has definitely been my favorite book I’ve read this year. I read it on the flight to see my grandfather and it kept me guessing and entertained til the end. As all Jodi Picoult books do, it touches on some sensitive, relevant subjects and really makes you think.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus - I just started this book for my book club and am having trouble getting into it. It has so many good reviews so hoping it picks up because or meeting is soon!
Shows/Movies -
Claim to Fame - I’m embarrassed to admit that Clark and I love this show. It’s a game show where they have a bunch of celebrity relatives in a house and they have clues to try and figure out who they are related to.
Real Housewives of the OC - I’m a die-head Bravo fan for life and I’m loving this season of the OC. Lots of train wrecks this season and I’m here for it.
House of Hammer - This 3 part documentary about Armie Hammer is so disturbing. We’re on the final episode and it is shocking hearing about how awful he treated women.
Podcasts -
Scamanda - I just finished this podcast and I’m so sad it’s over. It’s a true story about a woman who fakes cancer and scams people out of hundreds of thousands of dollars while documenting her “cancer” battle on a blog. So sick.
The Retrievals - Another disturbing true story. A nurse at the Yale fertility clinic steals hundreds of vials of fentanyl and replaces them with saline solution resulting in hundreds of women undergoing egg retrievals unmedicated.
7 Things I’m Loving Now
Folex - I bought a cream couch like a psycho (with 3 kids and a messy husband) and have used more Folex in the past 18 months than I would like to admit. It seriously is a miracle spray and has saved the day again and again.
Nash Tote/Crossbody - I recently got this Latico Leathers Crossbody and I have never felt a softer leather purse. It has built in organization, a magnetic pocket, removable straps and a zipper top. It has quickly become my go-to bag and the quality is amazing.
Sunday Riley Autocorrect - My dark circles give me the appearance of having not slept since 2013 and this is the only thing I’ve tried that has actually improved them. I’ve been using it consistently for 3 months and I’ve not noticed a big improvement. I also like the depuffing factor and I put it on right when I wake up and by the time I put on my makeup my eyes are no longer super puffy.
Ophelia and Indigo Dress - Definitely my most worn dress this summer. It’s lightweight, has pockets, and looks more expensive than it is. It’s great quality and classic so I will wear it yearly.
Nuuly - Kyle and I both love Nuuly and it is such a fun way to get outfits for events, girls nights, or to try styles you wouldn’t normally buy. 6 pieces for $98/month and the pieces are from lots of brands carried at Anthro. Try it now for $20 off!
Tortoise Rose Gold Apple Watch Band - My apple watch is over five years old and still kicking and I love changing out the bands. This one might be my all time fave.
Corn Cob Stripper - Tis the season of loose tooth children in my house and after a few near misses with a knife trying to strip the corn, I ordered this Corn Cob Stripper and love it.
