Happy Friday! I am having one of those no-shower, get-stuff-done kind of days. With how the kids’ work schedules unfolded this morning, I have been without a car and that has forced me to just sit at the kitchen table and crank out work. These always end up being some of my favorite days–a quiet house, the U.S. Open in the background, and a completely motivated self–I’ll take it!
We have a pretty low-key weekend coming up. My husband is going to pick up my father-in-law and bring him to town and we’ll get to spend some time with him. We have brunch planned at Pomeroy on Sunday, which is always such a treat. My Mom and Dad are going to join us for that and so will our sweet boy Leo, who has the day off from summer football. I still have to figure out what we’re having for dinner on Sunday, hoping the hubs will be up to putting something on the grill.
I feel like I’ve had a week on the go, but that didn’t keep me from coming up with a fun list of my favorites from the week.
These shoes: I was in Lillie Alexander this week, trying to wrap my head around the 4th of July and spotted these Loeffler Randall beauties. They’re as comfy as they are cute and they will make any summer outfit just pop. If you’re not local, you can get these spectacular sandals here or here.
Strength class: After trying just about everything, I think I finally found a strength class I can stick with. Lake Forest’s Bird Barre has the perfect solution for me, a 50-minute strength class where the teachers challenge you to lift as heavy as you can through the various reps they lead you through (and there is no jumping–thank God!). I had Julie Barry and Kate Rappel as teachers this week and they were so much fun! I highly recommend you give Bird Barre strength classes a try if you find yourselves in the same boat as me.
My London dining favorites: With so many people heading to London this summer and asking for recommendations for places to eat, I put everywhere my family has tried over the last year in one post. I hope this helps you with your planning. My two most favorite dinner places are Da Mario (Princess Diana’s go-to for Italian) and Dishoom (the best Indian food I have ever had!).
Red gingham skirt: I spotted this gingham skirt when I was doing my Target run this week. Perfect for the 4th of July or a darling swim coverup. The best part.. it’s $25. It’s a little oversized, so if ordering online, I would size down.
Elyse Aron’s book is out next week: Kate Spade’s best friend and co-founder of the Kate Spade and Frances Valentine brands–Elyce Arons–is coming out with a book next Tuesday called, We Might Just Make it After All: My Best Friendship with Kate Spade. The book promises to celebrate her friendship with Spade, as well as remind us of her legacy. Arons will be doing a trunk show and book signing at Lillie Alexander on August 25. I can’t wait to meet her!
Summer necklace: I have been obsessing about these Lizzie Fortunato necklaces for the last couple summers and finally bit the bullet and bought this one. It’s stunning and is just what all of my white blouses needed to come to life. This necklace comes in a variety of colors, but I’m just in love with this rose one.
Granola Butter: I feel like I broke my own little part of the internet this week when I shared that I make a sweet treat with Oat Haus’ Granola Butter in the Cookie Dough flavor. I had so many DMs! Like most things, I heard about it on “the Tik Tok.” It’s really good if you’re looking to curb your sweet tooth, but still need something yummy before you go to bed. My daughter Annie and I are big fans! I’ve found it at Target, but still need to research where else it might be for sale. Important research…I’ll keep you posted!
Artists on the Bluff: If you’re local, the Artists on the Bluff are hosting their 25th annual Summer Arts Festival next Saturday and Sunday in downtown Lake Bluff from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s such a fun event to walk around. My very talented brother, Joey Hartman, will be showing some new work, including some beautiful vignettes from around Lake Forest and Lake Bluff. I can’t wait to see it all on display (and it will be for sale, too!).
That’s all I have for this week! Good luck to all my friends who have kids taking the ACT tomorrow. I will be so happy when we have this behind us…and I mean WE! And happy Father’s Day to all who are celebrating those special men who play that role in your lives. 💙
xo,
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