I feel like I start off every summer with a long list of things I intend to do, but then I end up not doing them. Can you guys relate ?

What I’ve noticed, though, is that the stuff I actually end up spending my time on is way better than that “should-do” list, so it’s good to leave some space for good stuff to happen rather than over-scheduling every second. Because summers have this funny way of slipping by, finding ways to savor the moment go a long way in helping us feel more satisfied—kind of like how slowing down when we eat and minimizing distractions helps us tune into what’s on our plate.

Here are some things that I’m loving this month. I’d love to hear what you’re into this July!

Podcasts
–Goal Digger Podcast—My business coach Nicole turned me on to this one and I just love how down to earth and approachable Jenna is.

-I’m still tuning in every week to Armchair Expert. I can’t even articulate why I like it so much. It’s  just the right balance of cerebral and silly and I appreciate the real talk about married life and celebrity—two things it’s very easy to romanticize. I love that David Sedaris was recently a guest. I think I squealed out loud when I saw that on the lineup.

Books

–WomanCode by Alisa Vitti: A few weeks ago I was talking about how amazing Alisa Vitti’s WomanCode is. Like, if I had a physical office space I would leave copies of it out for clients to take. You might also want to check out Vitti’s course The Ultimate Guide To A Healthy Period  for mindbodygreen.
–Crazy Rich Asians Trilogy by Kevin Kwan: I have a rule about only fun/recreational reading in bed (aka no food or diet books or anything that will trigger my work brain), and this collection of three books is freaking hilarious and perfect for laughing yourself to sleep. I can’t wait for the movie!

Netflix Obsessions

–Nailed It: The first time I saw this show I thought it was satire. It’s one of the few things that can make me laugh out loud when I’m by myself. So freaking funny. Season 2 is even better than the first.

-New episodes of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee: July 6th (when these new episodes were released) was like how Christmas is supposed to feel. I couldn’t even begin to pick a favorite.

Food

-Radishes : I’m almost afraid to look up what radishes are good for because I feel like I just can’t get enough. And I love that pink color!

–Hummus Omelets : This omelet hack was originally an experiment for a dairy-free client, and it’s become my go-to breakfast.

–Herbed Cucumber & Tomato Salad: I have been making this pretty much every week. It’s so refreshing on a hot day.

-This Yogurt-Marinated Chicken has been my protein of choice lately. This meal prep staple is so easy to make too!

Music

–“Goodmorning“ by Bleachers has been on steady rotation in my apartment since, like, April. It’s one of those songs that, for whatever reason, I’ll associate with this time in my life.
-“Changes” by Langhorne Slim & The Law. This song has been following me all summer. It’s a few years old but just got really under my skin.

Fitness
-Pilates : I was first introduced to Pilates in 2010 when a physical therapist recommended I try it to support my recovery from an injury and prevent getting hurt in the future. We usually think of it as a core workout but you really work the whole body. I’ve gone through phases where I’ve done it more and less frequently, but it’s been key for me this spring and summer, as I find that this is the time of year I’m most prone to overuse injuries in my hips and legs—focusing on that strength has been so helpful in keeping me pain-free.
-Long walks : I love the mental benefits of long walks outside. When I’m being mindful to stretch and strengthen, it helps minimize pain from overuse, though—something a lot of is city dwellers are prone to.

Fashion

–Off-The-Shoulder Black Maxi Dress from Lulu’s  I’ve been trying to put a little more effort into dressing up for events, and this dress from Lulu’s was a totally winner. I got it on final sale for $39 so even after spending $20 to get it hemmed it was still a good deal. I wire it to my friend’s baby shower last weekend and it matched the flowers her mom sent me home with!

-Speaking of flowers, I love this black floral apple watch band I found on Amazon. I get asked about it all the time.

–Athleta High-Neck Santorini Dress : This has become the dress I feel like I can’t live without this summer. I actually have it in two colors. The fit and the feel are great and it dresses up or down—perfect for travel!

Tell me—what are you absolutely loving right now?

This has been another installment of the Running with Spoons Thinking Out Loud link party, where randomness is the name of the game. Thanks to Amanda for hosting.