Found: The perfect beach tents

Growing up, I spent most of my summers on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. It was the perfect place to relax and soak up the sun — that is, until the wind and the sand picked up. If only I had known about these awesome beach tents from Australia-based Hollie & Harrie. And with the summer winding down, they’ve got me daydreaming of warm shores and sunny skies.
The tents even roll up nicely!! How are you spending the last month of summer, friends? xoxo

P.S. More ingredients for the perfect summer, including beach essentials, picnic picks and fun fashion and beauty finds.

Will you be watching the Olympics?

Confession: I was pretty obsessed with the Summer Olympics when I was 15. The games were in Atlanta that year, and I watched everything from gymnastics to swimming while I spent that summer recovering from surgery. I’m not sure what it was, but I haven’t been too excited about the Olympics — the ultimate in sportsmanship — since then. But this year, my sister has caught the Olympic Fever, and, well, her enthusiasm has sort of worn off on me. She’s been reading about it and has been watching the qualifying matches every single night.

So! I’m starting to get a bit pumped about this year’s time-honored competition. The Summer Olympics 2012 kick off in London tomorrow with the traditional Opening Ceremony. Here’s the full schedule of events, and here are a few iconic Olympic photos…


So, are you going to watch, friends? What are you most excited about? Do you have a can’t-miss event? I, of course, can’t wait for the gymnastics events! xoxo

[Top photo of diver Alicia Blagg of Great Britain; Iconic photos via MSN]

Question of the Week: Question #33

Do you have a summer schedule, friends? You know, the sort of schedule that is a bit lighter and breezier, even though you may still work during the summer months? I think I’ve found it…my summer stride, that is. It’s a wonderful realization and feeling, actually. Have a question? I’d love to hear it, so feel free to email me (mellow1422 [at] aol) or ask me on Facebook or Twitter, friends! Today’s question is…

What does your summer stride look like?
You all know just how much I love routines, friends. And while it’s true that I’ve tried to relax things a bit this summer, it wasn’t until recently that I found my perfect summer stride — that “a-ha” moment when you find the perfect blend of maintaining your regular routine while also indulging in some summer whimsy. My summer stride? Well, it looks a bit like this: I work really hard in the morning, usually until lunchtime, and then I enjoy more relaxing afternoons.

A few ago, my mother asked, “Where is the summer going?” I told her, matter-of-factly like I always do, that it was up to her to take the time to relax before she heads back to work in the fall. It wasn’t up to me or up to my sister. No, no. It was all — entirely 100% — up to her. Because when you think about it, that’s really what the summer season is, isn’t it? Even if you don’t have the luxury of rearranging your schedule in an effort to slow down and re-group, it can still be a time for you. In fact, it’s all about you; perhaps the only season where you have permission to be a bit selfish with your time.

Selfish. I’m not sure I care for that word. In fact, I’ve always cringed when I hear people say, “I feel so selfish for not doing [insert activity here].”

Yes, there are times when being selfish is a bad thing. But aren’t there times when being selfish is a positive thing?
To that end, I made my own little to-do list. It wasn’t a list of things to do for something or for someone else. No, no. It was a list just for me. Shocking, isn’t it? A list devoted entirely to myself? Some people might even call it … selfish.

I’ll let you be the judge. Some of the items I included on my list:

• Relax at home, work at work. Translation: Do not bring the stress of work home, and don’t bring actual work home from work to do … it’ll still be on my desk in the morning.

• Watch something funny every evening. Laughter really does wash all that stress and tension away.

• Play Yahtzee – or a new favorite, Bananagrams – at least five times each week. A Peppermint Patty is also a requirement.

• Learn to lose the guilt when I use the word “no.” Don’t worry. It’s not a bad word. It won’t send me into societal banishment.

• Take care of myself physically and emotionally.
Because when you think about it, really think about it, aren’t you worth that much love to yourself? If you’re so quick to give to others, I say it’s time to give back to yourself. What’s on your to-do list? Or not-do list? xoxo

[Photos via We Heart It

Peek Inside: My mom’s (slightly) green thumb

Well, I might not be the one with the green thumb in our family, but my mom is trying her luck this summer! She’s planted a few tomato and pepper plants! It’s so cute to see her get so excited every day when she goes outside to water them and exclaims, “Oh, look at this one.”

Although, she said her tomato plant wasn’t looking too good yesterday. Any tips from you seasoned gardeners out there? What’s worked for you? xoxo

P.S. An Open Letter is coming up shortly! If you follow me on Twitter, then you already know who I’m writing to! 🙂