Ah home again, home again.
Bittersweet as it was completing my California June side quest, coming home to PNW summer is a feeling I’ll just never get over.
I was able to enjoy a weekend of camping and surfing with friends in Manzanita shortly after getting back. It felt like the quintessential start to a PNW July. Waking up to stretch and sip instant coffee, numbing out in the cold, easy sandbar waves, and warming back up on the sunbaked rocky beach— rinse and repeat. It was a perfect weekend that energized me for a busy month ahead back in Seattle.
Nothing’s more rewarding for enduring the long grey months than Seattle in July. If you know, you know. And if you don’t, I hope someday you experience the magic that is the deep greens, blues, and palpable positive energy that flows through this corner of the world when the sunshine hits.
On the brink of 26 (yoikes!), I’m curious how relatable this is: I swear I woke up one day and physically felt my frontal lobe cortex finalize its fusion. As if I came home from California and boom! I’m more relaxed, confident, and motivated without really thinking about it.
That’s not to say I won’t still have my moments— I’m an imperfect person learning how to live and love well in this life. And beating the boss that is basic math is forecasted to be a lifelong endeavor.
But all that being said, it felt very intuitive that coming home meant making changes. This next year will mean a lot in the way of financial responsibilities and personal goals. So, July has been a designated month of simplifying and replenishing— especially regarding my physical rest and bank account. I’m getting back into cooking at home, selling old items and clothes, cutting unnecessary purchases, and focusing on having simple low-budget gatherings with friends instead of going all out every weekend.
I’ve readjusted back to my regularly scheduled juggling of croissant dough and a copywriting contract. Besides that, I always enjoy managing side projects in the background. This month I also picked up a house-sitting gig, revived my Depop, and have been jotting and drafting some creative future dreams.
As I continue the work grind for the summer, here are a few things that are bringing me joy in between:
Wearing
Baseball caps! I’ve never been much of a hat wearer, but my mind seemed to change on my most recent camping trip and since then I keep reaching for them.
Also obsessed with this athletic dress.
These Reef flip flops I will never part with.
Listening
Every so often I love hyper-fixating on old Jack Johnson.
Still Woozy’s latest album is *chef’s kiss*
Watching
The Olympics ~obviously. I’ve specifically been following the Teahupo’o chapter and thoroughly enjoying it.
At a weekly girl’s night we’ve been cringing and laughing our way through the current season of the Bachelorette.
Eating & Drinking
Fresh chopped salads and variations of this one.
Watermelon salad with cucumber, fresh basil, feta, salt, and pepper.
Peach, banana, and mango smoothies!
Favorite cocktail right now: Arleana’s Summer Love Letter.
This Banana Cream Pie from Pie Bar.
Extras
California Naturals shampoo and conditioner.
Sun Carvers little stained glass boards.
