Life Lately: Volume 37

I haven’t written a “Life Lately” post since November of last year. Oops! Is this something you guys want me to bring back? Let me know because I love writing them and if you love reading them, its a no brainer!

For newer readers, it is a Friday weekly post that consists of a little update from my week along with great reads and buys from around the web. This time, I’m adding in a section called “best and worst” where I share my highest high and lowest low from the week and will encourage you to do the same. A few of my blogger friends do this and I love reading their weekly so thought it would be fun to start it myself.

This week was difficult me both emotionally and physically. On Monday and Tuesday I went up to Rhode Island with my dad to be with my family for my Great Aunt Rita’s wake and funeral. “Tata” was like a third grandmother to me, and her passing was a giant loss for our family. It was the second significant loss for me in a month so I’ve been reeling with all kinds of emotions from that.

On top of that, an old health issue that I’ve dealt with in the past reared it’s ugly head and totally caught me off guard. I’ll talk more about it in the coming weeks, but it kind of knocked me off kilter and I hope to spend this weekend getting back on track.

I’m beyond excited for tonight because three of my girlfriends and I are heading into the city for dinner and a Broadway show! I haven’t done anything like this in over a year, and didn’t even consider it until one of them just went ahead and planned it. We’re seeing Waitress with Sarah Bareilles and Jason Mraz (obsessed with them both), and I’m hoping it lives up to it’s hype.

Dress (under $50) / Necklace (Size 3XL) / Sunglasses (on sale!)

High & Low

Lowest moment: This week had some pretty low lows so I’ll start there and end on a happier note. The funeral was sad all around but the saddest moment for me personally was watching her sister, my other aunt, during the wake. I can’t imagine the feeling of burying my own sister and my heart just broke for her.

Highest moment: I’ve been loving the amazing discussions popping up on my Lemon Stripes Mamas Facebook page, which has already grown to over 1000 members! I’m shocked by the response, and delighted by all of the positivity and support that I’m seeing. On days when I get down about blogging, things like this keep me going.

What was your high and low this week?

Around the Web

Shopbop’s big sale: Every blogger on earth has posted about the major Shopbop sale going on right now. I finally checked it out and it’s so good. You can shop all of my picks below, but here are my top three: A perfect sweatshirt for any mama, this striped lemon swimsuit (made for me much?) and the cutest sweater.

Also the giant sunglasses that I wear constantly (pictured above) are included!

Currently reading. I’m almost finished with Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng and just love it so far. The story had me hooked instantly and it forces you to see two sides of more than one moral dilemma. Any recs for my next read? I want something that I can’t put down!

Raising two personalities. I loved my friend Eva’s post on raising two totally different types of kids in one house. I can attest that her babies couldn’t be more opposite, and she does an amazing job at mothering them both.

Major FOMO. Mackenzie went on the trip of a lifetime to Palm Beach and it really amped up my travel bug! Her photos are guaranteed to make you swoon.

Travel wrap. I live in my grey cashmere travel wrap and you guys always ask about it when I wear it on Instagram. It’s actually part of the Shopbop sale and worth pulling the trigger on! The size is huge and it’s crazy soft.

Kombucha margarita? Yes please! Jess’s cocktail recipe is the perfect personification of my 80/20 rule.

This outfit tho! I never thought I’d be down with floral pants… Until I saw Julia’s look this week. It’s so gorgeous and feminine. Wonder if I could pull it off? Either way, I’m majorly lusting over the bow-back top.

Classic raincoat. I’m so close to pulling the trigger on this bright yellow rain coat (especially because it’s on sale!) after seeing Mackenzie wear it. What do you think?

What parents can learn from a town that produced 11 Olympians. Fun fact: I grew up in the town next door (across the Connecticut River) and shared a school with these kids! It really was the idyllic childhood.

Going trash free. I loved reading Leslie’s overview of her week creating almost no trash. I think it’s probably next to impossible given the diaper situation in my home, but I’m inspired by her story to do a little bit better.

Pony bow. I love the bigger size of this pony tail hair bow. Pretty sure I need to add it to my arsenal!