Summer lovin’

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Not your average middle school backpack. .

 

This summer was divided in half, in my mind. My sister got married in the middle of July, so we had Summer 1 and Summer 2.

Summer 1 was craziness. We were super busy with random things we had scheduled, day to day things, Justin transitioning into his new self-employment/more time with kids/help Kate with business role. To be totally honest, I can’t remember much from Summer 1 because it was so.dang.busy.

Summer 2 has been a dream. The trip up to Wisconsin and Illinois that we took prior to my sister’s wedding was delightful. We want to recreate that as long as we possibly can. Not only did we escape from the hottest days here in North Carolina to enjoy cool evenings and sitting by the fire, but we got to spend so much quality time with my family. The older I’m getting, the more grateful I am for our time together, when we have it, and I’m so happy to have my sister and parents heading south. Now I just need to work on my brother. . .

Summer 2 has been much more relaxed. We’ve been swimming in the pool, spent time with friends, got to dream a bit about some renovations we want to do on the house. I’m making it a goal to make the best homemade pizza of all time with my new pizza steel. Justin’s dreaming about his next adventure. Did you know he’s climbed a few mountains?

We are in the process of purchasing a rental home in Virginia, so I’m looking at another big IKEA trip in the next few weeks! The boys start school in September. They’ll both be going at the same exact time, 2 days a week, but in different classes of course. This will be the first season since David was born that I don’t have a babysitter/nanny to watch the kids so I can work. It feels WEIRD!

I fell off the bandwagon of working out regularly in Summer 1, but I’ve happily gotten back into it during Summer 2. Bootcamp is HARD with a capital H-A-R-D, but it feels so good. Although last week we did, like, 100 glute bridges and I could barely sit down without wincing for a few days. TMI? Sorry! I actually kept joking with Justin about really needing a glute massage but somehow he never got around to it. . .!

We are crashing my parents new house in South Carolina for a final summer vacation this month. I’m looking really forward to it! My parents are going to fly down for part of our time there too so it will be great to see them! My dad had a full knee replacement in July and is still recovering from that, but I hope the change in scenery and seeing his grandkids helps distract him from the pain for a bit.

I have a date planned to head up to see my sister in her new digs in northern Virginia at the end of this month as well. I CANNOT WAIT! I haven’t asked a single thing about her 2 week honeymoon in Europe so I can ask her everything in person.

I’ll wrap up this little life update post with a brief message from my tastebuds (and also my heart) : If you haven’t had the Iced Peach Green Tea Lemonade from Starbucks yet, you are missing out. There’s still time. Don’t get anything less than a Venti.

PS Speaking of Summer Lovin’, I am LOVING this summer trend and all things blush.

More recent life updates here and here.

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Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says · 08.14.17

Your summer sounds like a blast! Seems like you really had fun and were productive too!

Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com

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Darcy says · 08.14.17

PGTL’s forever! ๐Ÿ™‚ I’m a Trent girl.

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Darcy says · 08.14.17

Darn autocorrect, haha. Trenta! ๐Ÿ˜‰

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A Sparkle Of Grace says · 08.14.17

I’ve been loving blush as well, I was so tempted to decorate my office in blush and gray.
A Sparkle Of Grace

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Natalie says · 08.14.17

Have you had the Watermelon mint lemonade from chick fil a?!? It’s so so good!! I will have to try Starbucks lemonade next time I’m in Tulsa!

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Kate says · 08.14.17

Yes but it is SO DANG SWEET! Too sweet I think.

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Corina | Now THAT I Can Do, Mama! says · 08.14.17

Loved this update! Is your rental an investment property or a vacation home?

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Kate says · 08.14.17

Rental property ๐Ÿ™‚

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Kari says · 08.14.17

Where are those sunglasses from?! Love them!

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Kim says · 08.14.17

Yay for Ikea! Good luck with the new buy and glad you’re having a great Summer!

Kim

http://trendkeeper.me .. Dallas events this week!

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R Lucas says · 08.14.17

Hi Kate, love your blog! Just an FYI, I live in Charlotte, work at UNCC very close to the Ikea here. I would avoid Ikea at all costs until early September. The next month will be craziness with the students returning to campus. It is sheer madness with the volume of returning students buying everything for move-in!

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Erinn says · 08.14.17

Wow you had a crazy busy summer 1!! What’s a pizza steel??
That green tea lemonade sounds delicious ๐Ÿ™‚
Being in IKEA gives me so much anxiety!!

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Amanda Garcia says · 08.14.17

I tried the Iced Peach Green Tea Lemonade because of you and I LOVED it! BUT…I tried getting it the other day (here in Texas) and they said Starbucks discontinued the peach syrup so they don’t make it anymore ๐Ÿ˜ญ
So rude right?!?!

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Jennifer Ellis says · 08.14.17

Yes, so rude! The barista just told me that today and I am not happy!!!!!!

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Stacey says · 08.14.17

Love your sunnies!

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Trina Lynn Meyering says · 08.14.17

Starbucks peach tea is the BEST!

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Amanda @ Anchored to Sunshine says · 08.14.17

Where has the summer gone?? Sounds like you have had a blast! Also, that iced tea looks delicious.

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Jennifer Ellis says · 08.14.17

I have the iced white tea peach lemonade in trenta!!!! I discovered this on our vacation to Virginia last month and fell.in.love. BUT the barista told me today they are discontinuing the peach syrup, I almost cried!!!!!

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Mic says · 08.15.17

I would love a great homemade pizza recipe! I use my bread machine to make my pizza dough but it’s just ok not great.

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Kandi says · 08.17.17

That’s one of my favorite Starbucks drinks..sooo good!!

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Erin McCarver says · 08.28.17

Can you share your recipe for the Peach Iced-Tea Lemonade you made at home?

Reply