#7: The Weekly Rundown
Summer bucket list and sharing the happy
This newsletter has proven to be more of a happiness producing challenge than it has the documenting of something natural.
It’s a much-needed challenge as we’re in a quiet spot in our path to parenthood, and it actually feels harder to sit back and rest than it does to be doing all of the painful, annoying things. Daily shots, weekly appointments, blood draws, etc. provide a false sense of control over the journey (emphasis on the word false), so having those things stripped away for a little while feels really uncomfortable (a gentle description of how I really feel).
I share that only for context. Social media, newsletters, blogs, etc. offer so many wonderful pieces of inspiration, but they can be really painful when the backdrop is missing. I want to share things that are joyful, happy, inspirational and entertaining, and I want you to know it isn’t always coming easily.
This weekend, in making happy choices, RJ and I ventured down to Manchester, Tennessee for one day of Bonnaroo. It was a beyond fun date (the literal hottest date I’ve ever had!) that included tons of great music, good food and friendly faces. On my summer bucket list (below!) is taking in more of Nashville’s arts/music scene, so this was the perfect kick-off. Jon Batiste was our top performer of the day. We were blown away by his many talents and the way he commanded the crowd. RJ probably had the most fun at 90s country cover band which ironically we could’ve found on Broadway a few miles from our house.
The Weekly Rundown
READING
I loved this newsletter all about packing for trips from Sarah of Sarah’s Retail Diary. I highly recommend her Substack for all things fashion news. I’ve learned so much from her Deep Dives, and while they are looong, I’m always glad I read it.
This Eater article, “It’s the Pasta Bowl’s World and We’re Just Eating in It” couldn’t be more applicable to us. We love a pasta bowl meal, so this made me smile. (These are our favorites, in moon, by the way!)
SHOPPING
New-to-me brand Tangerine Pickleball is stocked with the cutest pickleball paddles and accessories. This pink and red stripe paddle is calling my name, and I love the Rifle Paper Co. collaboration.
I wore this Lululemon top to Bonnaroo this weekend, and it’s a quick new favorite. I love the high neck, length and material.
I’m trying to fill our home with more photos of friends and family, and frames can be so expensive. For now, I’m ordering these Amazon acrylic frames in a mix of 4x6 and 5x7 and keeping an eye out for some nicer ones to add to a Christmas list.
DISSH has so many great linen pieces for summer. I like this black linen dress (on sale!); loooove this natural maxi; and this cut out maxi skirt.
I think I’m too far behind on the trend, but I really want these mesh flats.
Looking for some red stripes for Fourth of July and I’m obsessed with this Ganni dress, this J.Crew smocked dress and of course the Hill House option I shared last week. (This one is cute from there too!)
SUMMER BUCKET LIST
Summer’s official start is Friday! It feels like we’ve been in it for a while now, so it’s exciting that technically the entire summer is ahead of us. Here are a few things I’m hoping and planning to do:
June 21 to September 21 — Delete Instagram, Tik Tok and Facebook. I am hesitant to put this into writing, but I think it will hold me accountable. I find my mental health is so much better without it, and I am more present in my life in general. I plan to pop onto IG stories to share the newsletter from time to time, but I won’t be consuming any of that content starting Friday. Eeek!
Host 3 dinner parties.
Visit my grandparents.
Work up to weekly six-mile runs.
See more live music.
Get out of our Nashville restaurant rut and try new places.
Formulate a plan for the Nashville newsletter.
Go out for ice cream.
Host Pickleball nights.
Plant some herbs.
That’s all for this week. Thanks for joining me on the journey to highlight the happy :)
xx, Annie