Life Lately 9/20/24
Happy Friday! It’s been awhile since I’ve shared a “Life Lately”-style post. Now I’m back in the rhythm of posting regularly on my blog, I just felt like wrapping up the week with a “Life Lately” was a good fit. Let’s get into it!
Reading:
I’m still reading along with my DC Book Club and to kick off spooky season, we are reading One of the Girls by Lucy Clarke. It’s a thriller following a bachelorette to a gorgeous, sun-soaked Greek island where every woman is hiding a secret…and their idyllic vacation weekend ends in murder.
I’m about 1/4 of the way in and it’s a struggle to put down. I keep coming up with theories and guesses how things will play out and then changing my mind with each new chapter and page. If you enjoy a good whodunit, One of the Girls needs to be added to your TBR pile. I’m traveling this weekend and plan to finish One of the Girls on my trip!
Shopping:
This is my first fall living outside of the East Coast and I’ve been assured fall weather will arrive…it’s just going to take a bit longer to get here.
I’ve been going through my closet and sorting pieces that will fit me and my growing baby bump for the rest of the year and saying “See you later” to the ones that I’ll revisit at another point down the road.
Here are the pieces on my fall style wish list to fill the gaps in my closet during this phase of life! I’m leaning into the oversized, boyfriend style button-ups and swingy dresses to wear now and in my post-partum phase. I think these will circle the square of feeling comfortable throughout my third trimester while also feeling as put-together and like myself as much as possible.
I’ve been more on top of posting to my Like To KnowIt, sharing my daily outfits and favorite finds. If you aren’t a fan of LTK, I am in the process of building up my ShopMy and starting to get into the habit of sharing there as well.
Weekending:
I’m heading up to LA this weekend for one of my best friends’ baby showers! I’m so excited to celebrate her growing family. We haven’t seen each other in person since we were both early into our pregnancies and I’m really looking forward to catching up. It’ll be a good weekend trip for the soul.
Cooking/Eating:
We went to Costco for the first time in months to stock up on staples. James spotted Rojo’s Street Corn Dip and into the cart it immediately went. It is SO good! We try to switch it up and eat seafood a few times a week. We made the best fish tacos with this dip! A few bites in and we decided this is going into the regular rotation. I seasoned mahi-mahi fillets with salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning (Slap Ya Mama is the best). We heated the corn dip and spread it onto the tortillas and topped with red onions, diced tomatoes, and a sprinkle of shredded cheese. I opted to turn this into a salad so I put all the ingredients on a bed of spring mix and added a handful of crushed Late July Sea Salt & Lime chips.
Since it still feels like summer here in California, I’m turning to the iced drinks on Starbucks seasonal menu to get into the fall spirit! I have to say they outdid themselves this year and I love both the Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Latte (pictured here) and Iced Apple Crisp Nondairy Cream Chai.
Bringing Me Joy:
Now that I’m in charge of structuring my day, I’ve been making my daily movement and meditation practices priorities. Making space for these two activities has done wonders for not only my physical health but also my mental health.
I say daily movement because right now I’m focusing more on slower, low-impact workouts rather than more intense ones. I’m also giving myself grace that in my current phase, all movement is good movement for myself and our baby. And if an exercise or move I did previously no longer feels right or something I’m capable of, that is perfectly okay and there is no shame in shifting to an easier move.
I’ve been a fan of Melissa Wood Health for several years now, her arms workouts are sneakily killer! Serendipitously, she launched a “Pregnancy By Trimester” program on her site a few weeks ago and I’ve been enjoying the pilates and yoga flows. It’s a gentle yet effective way to get my movement in, whether it’s a 5-minute workout or a longer 30-minute flow. I feel happy and accomplished whenever I check off a daily class.
Meditation has been something I’ve dabbled in on and off for a handful of years. It became one of those vacation habits that I promise myself I would continue with once the vacation ends and then drop a few days after arriving home. I picked the habit back up this summer and really committed to making this a part of my day. I’m proud to say I’m now 30+ days into my meditation practice, my longest streak ever. My meditation isn’t always perfect but I do it and I’m always feel happier when I make that time for myself.
Looking Forward To:
Earlier this year, I purchased a needlepoint kit because I wanted a hobby that did not involve screens and could help me unwind. I knew I would enjoy it but got discouraged figuring out the craft on my own. And I could do the simple stitches but there is certainly room for improvement. I ordered this Beginner Stitcher sampler with instructions and a video course to walk through the finer points and it should arrive today! I’m excited to get back into this hobby and grow my confidence.
