August has always feels like it has two distinct personalities— it’s the core of summer and yet the end of the month clearly has a crispness in the air and displays the first turning leaves. It’s easy to feel like the glass is half empty with these fleeting days.

My recommendations this month fall along this very duality— such appreciation for the life and laziness of summer and also the imminent hustle of the coming school year. Parenting for me these days has felt like this too. My emerging adults are one moment carefree children and the next pause brings big emotions and insecurity.

I may have been ambitious in June but July is feeling lazy, fun and relaxed. I also have such a wonderful group of clients in my life right now so am just grateful for all the good energy around. Not a bad way to spend the hottest days of summer.

Take a look at what’s been on my mind this month.

In the same way that the cooling of the September air also smells like a new backpack and fresh pencils, June feels like an all out celebration of high fives, accomplishments and recognition.

I feel a bit like a kiddo myself this year as I’ve stepped into a couple of areas of personal development that I’m super proud of.

May so far has been full of evolution in my orbit. Kids are changing, career is evolving and growth abounds.

All of these recommendations this month found me by the bountiful people in my world. I am inspired daily by the greatness around me and am deeply grateful for the many teachers in my life. GAH - I am a lucky duck.

We have flowers, people! Birds are chirping, the sun is out longer… and it’s still pouring buckets. Well we can’t have it all right? That said, my feelings of optimism grow stronger day by day.

This month, we’re talking about The Maritime Northwest Garden Guide by Tilth Alliance, how to let your kids roam social media safely, and Glen Weldon, NPR.

March is home to two of my favorite holidays— St. Patrick’s Day and the Oscars.

When the kids were younger they would routinely ask if all families have their now holidays— so St. “Fitz” Patricks day was always a thing for us. As a child with a maiden name of Kelly, my family was also all in. We ate green eggs, green pancakes, green mashed potatoes (less appealing as an adult) and celebrated when the leprechaun would slip through our traps and leave rainbow candy in the form of skittles. I am overjoyed that this is now a tradition celebrated in schools.

This time of the year is often a little slower for me— for all of us in real estate. It’s the time to strengthen systems, catch up with people and breathe.

I am stretching myself with a violin recital— and the suggestion of a book: The inner Game of Tennis, A recommendation to take yourself on a vacation and my new hummus recipe that I can’t take credit for but will happily take all the compliments at book club.

It’s the time for New Years Resolutions, mantras and turning over a new leaf. I am going to be sticking with the same old plan but working smarter at how I approach my time. I am loving this month two books about time and equity (and ultimately clarity in roles and delegation.) Fair Play and Free Time.. . An interesting article on parenting and real estate and finally the good and great Mary Oliver is back.

Holiday Edition! I am happy to share a couple things to delight you this month as you cozy up next to the fire.

November already? November seemed to have arrived like a hammer — at least weather-wise. We jumped straight out of the heat of summer to a reckoning of sorts! Welcome fall, winter and the PNW gray!

Scott’s Cheap Flights looks for mistaken airfare pricing or significant differences to median pricing. I love it because you can put in the parameters of either where you are interested in flying to– or what airport you generally fly out of.

Nap Ministry: A friend of mine recommended the Nap Ministry a couple weeks ago.

From the founder and creator of The Nap Ministry, Rest Is Resistance is a battle cry, a guidebook, a map for a movement, and a field guide for the weary and hopeful.

This book is rooted in spiritual energy and centered in Black liberation, womanism, somatics, and Afrofuturism. With captivating storytelling and practical advice, all delivered in Hersey’s lyrical voice and informed by her deep experience in theology, activism, and performance art, Rest Is Resistance is a call to action and manifesto for those who are sleep deprived, searching for justice, and longing to be liberated from the oppressive grip of Grind Culture.

Y’all, did you know that they are doing this on Mars? Let me know if you are up for a showing.

Here is a round up of some items I found utterly delightful this month.

1. Gallup Emotions Poll: Some records were meant to be broken…but not this one. Gallup released their 2022 Global Emotions Report this summer. Based on tens of thousands of interviews conducted in 122 countries, negative emotions have hit a new high across the globe. Data shows that the aggregate of stress, sadness, anger, worry, and physical pain people feel every day is higher than ever before in the history of Gallup’s tracking.

2. The Midnight Club SOUNDTRACK. So, I'll admit, I haven't actually watched this series, but I DID read Christopher Pike in the 90's and I DEFINITELY have core high school memories set to this soundtrack.

3. Proud Minnesotan over here.... but Lizzo!

Here are my top 3 favorite things this September!

The 12 Hour Walk

30 Walks on Bainbridge Island

Atlas of the Heart

Here are my top 3 favorite things this August!

The Bear on FX

Five Nights at Memorial

Joni Mitchell

Here are my top 3 favorite things this July!

Watermelon Recipes

Economist Beach Reads

Changing Interest Rates

Here are my top 3 favorite things this June!

Here are my top 3 favorite things this May!