Friday Favorites & a Little Life Update

Eddie on his first day of work! (Don’t get me started on the mustache! Why?!?!)

I’ve spent the last two days creating content for my blog and it’s felt so good! I had to take a little time off from things not related to getting our son Eddie moved out to Connecticut to start his job. The night before he graduated, he received an offer from NBC Sports. It was the job he wanted most, so while I was so happy for him, I also knew it meant that Eddie needed to move to Stamford. From there on out, Eddie’s July 8 start date was the only thing I could focus on in my calendar. But after a pretty exhaustive search, we found him an apartment. And within a week, we had him all moved out there and settled into his new place. (Next week, I’ll share a few things I learned in the process!)

It’s taken me a little bit to find my writing groove again post-move. Relocating Eddie wasn’t only a logistical puzzle for me, but it was a pretty big emotional lift, too. People say to me all of the time that I have to be getting used to the kids moving out by now–and I have–but the finality of these more recent chapters have been hard. They just are. But a new normal will be reached soon.

With that said, my Friday Favorites are back. Here’s what I have for you this week:

Two new recipes: I have been killing it in the kitchen this week and that almost never happens these days. I highly recommend this tomato sauce and meatball recipe (I used ground turkey as my protein) and this Greek lemon chicken sheet-pan one. Both dinners are relatively healthy great for busy nights!

Weighted vest: If there is a trick out there to be tried that will keep me young, you better believe I’m going to try it. This week, it’s a 12-pound weighted vest that I wear when I walk. It’s only been a few days, but I definitely feel that this vest has upped the intensity of my daily steps. I was worried I was going to feel this extra weight in my back, but I really only feel it in my legs and booty. For now, I’m going to stick with this trick and see if it makes a real difference over time.

New lipsticks: I was at a birthday party for a girlfriend this week and my lip color was getting lots love. Thrive Cosmetics sent me two of their new lipstick crayons in the shades Evelyn (coral pink) and Patty (cool pink). They are the prettiest colors and both have staying power. At the party, I was wearing the two of them together.

Hailey Bieber smoothie: I picked up a Hailey Bieber-inspired smoothie this week and immediately had to try and recreate it at home. This recipe came pretty close.

New Indian restaurant in Highland Park: Last week, I was invited to Highland Park’s newest restaurant, Indus, a new restaurant on Central Street specializing in elevated Indian fare. Indus was opened by Sukhu and Ajit Kalra who have been working for more than a year to create a menu that celebrates classic Indian flavors. The focus at Indus is on flavor, not heat. Their menu is heavily influenced by Ajit’s father, Jiggs Kalra, a world-renowned chef, author, and TV personality. The food and service is fantastic and Indus’s chicken tikka masala was my favorite dish of the night. Check out Indus! You won’t be disappointed.

Cute neutral day dresses: I’m all about wearing color in the summer, but these neutral dresses are classics that will take you from now through September’s warmer days.

Interesting podcast: This week marked the 25th anniversary of John F. Kennedy Jr.’s passing. Katie Couric was the last journalist to interview Kennedy before he died, so this week she interviewed the authors of a new book about his life, John F. Kennedy, Jr. An Intimate Oral Biography for her podcast, “Next Question.” One of the authors was his formal personal assistant, who for the first time, felt comfortable sharing her story and what it was like to be part of Kennedy’s life at the time of his death. Love or not love Couric, I thought this was a great episode.

A great audiobook: Given the politics swirling around us, I loved this book by Doris Kearns Goodwin, An Unfinished Love Story, A Personal History of the 1960s. It’s a long one, but…to revisit some of the speeches that Goodwin and her husband wrote for Presidents Kennedy and Johnson was so moving. They were so full of vision for our country and such love. It’s hard to listen to these and not be inspired to by those who made our country what it is and want to be a part of making it better. Where is that sentiment today? We’ve definitely lost this in our current political landscape. (Okay…stepping off my soapbox. But it’s a great book for my walkers.)

All right, friends. That’s a wrap! I hope you get a little time to enjoy the sunshine this weekend. Have a great one!

xo,

Disclaimer: If you purchase an item through a link in this post, I do make a small commission–almost as if I were your personal shopper. I only share what I love and I promise to let you know if I’m specifically working with a brand to help promote their products.

My name is Ann Marie Scheidler and I'm thrilled you've decided to check out my blog. I'm a pearl-loving yogi with a thing for travel, a weakness for beautiful bags, and a passion for storytelling. In this space, I'll be sharing stories about my family, go-to recipes, my wellness journey, fashion and beauty favorites, and my love for Chicago’s North Shore. I find new inspiration wherever I go. Thanks so much for coming along for the ride!

Subscribe

Find out all that’s new on the blog right from your inbox! Sign up for the newsletter today!

Leave a Comment