Yay it's Friday!  Time to let work day cares melt away.  It is going to be the perfect weather for snuggling up inside... maybe even for an inside picnic. It's the first weekend in a while that has no ties to a holiday, so how are you going to spend it?

{photo by Samm Blake via ffffound}

Is it just me or does the pressure to keep moving to the next thing seem to be getting stronger and stronger?  Maybe it is because I am (achem) slightly older and notice such things... maybe I am either too receptive to advertising or am now more tuned in to my inner decision to avoid such messaging.  Regardless, I am putting up a full resistance to start thinking ahead to fall.  Sure those fresh school supplies are lovely... but so are the fresh produce stands at the farmers market.

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And while draw of fresh merchandise is great and the sneak peaks for fall styles look lovely... another picnic under a leafy tree out in the sunshine will keep spirits high for weeks...

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or perhaps there is a quintessential summer activity that we have not fit in yet that just really should be fit in before we buy anything made from wool...

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So I am just going to hold on to summer a bit longer if I may...  In the spirit of enjoying what we have at hand and loving the green grass that is underfoot.

Can you believe it is already well into July?  The weather has felt more like spring than mid-summer here in Chicago so July really snuck up on me.  Yet before we know it fall will be upon us (seriously the back to school movement has already begun) so I am determined to find some time for classic summer activities.  And the best part about classic summer past-times are that they are relatively inexpensive; perfect for those loving the movement towards a more simple life or that are feeling the pinch of the economy.

Because really, it is hard to beat a sunny afternoon where your agenda is simply to walk to the corner ice cream shop for cone...

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Or summer reading...

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Enjoy a picnic and live music or a movie in a park...

photo by me!

Or spend an afternoon at the closest beach or pool...

photo by me!Eat fresh, locally grown berries by the handfuls and only the produce that is season...

photo by meOr just take an afternoon summer nap...

photo by meEnjoy your summer weekend, I hope it is lovely!

We are doing the final bit of packing and getting ready to headed out for a few days to enjoy all the fun that comes with camping; sleeping outdoors, campfires, smores, afternoons spent reading on a blanket, and lots of bugspray... But maybe most important for this tied-to-my-laptop-type-of-chic is a little break to disconnect. 

Hope you all have a lovely Fourth of July weekend!  See you Monday!

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This weekend, leave a little time for relaxing and playing. 

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For me, this week has been a particularly tough one and I am so incredibly ready to unwind and recharge.  I have found that in flickr my favorites have a theme.  They are centered around things I find either relaxing or light hearted and fun- a cup of coffee, a sweet tray of cupcakes, flowers, etc.  They are also often soft, blues, pinks, and whites... Sounds kind of like the inspiration for a lovely weekend!

Maybe I have read a few too many books or seen a couple too many chic flicks, but I find picnics to be so romantic and sweet... and a fantastic way to enjoy summer.

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While the weather this spring has not been the most condusive for picnics in the midwest, it is always fun to have something to plan and fret over- right?  In June we have plans to picnic at Ravinia and I am very excited yet we have to get everything up there via public transit.  So picnic "tools" are in order.

Isn't this little red tin with settings for two just so pretty?  I love that it is a tin rather than the traditional basket, and the colors are quite fetching...

Although there is something romantic about traditional accessories such as a cute little wicker picnic basket...

And of course then a cute blanket is needed... This one comes all ready to be toted in its little pouch.

And now that I am on my way to becoming an urban bicyclist maybe I need this so can bike and then picnic...

Ah... what fantastic way to spend a lazy summer weekend day with a little quality couple time!  I can hardly wait for it to warm up just a wee bit more! 

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I love Earth Day and its mission but gone are the days where I could participate by having my teachers coordinate the trash pick up day or by writing an essay on recycling for my homework... It is part of my to do list for this year to add in more earth friendly practices and I haven't done a great job of that (I just mailed out baby shower invites complete with a backing and envelope liners!).  This year for Earth Day the hubby and I are going to spend a little time thinking through what earth friendly lifestyle changes we can make and actually stick with as the consistency is what I see as being key.  There are loads of articles out there on this topic... Real Simple has a nice one as does iVillage.

Whatever your plans for today are I hope they include something earth friendly!

{Image via Real Simple}

It is rare that I talk about my work on this blog.  I occassionally do on twitter but I am pretty sure that beyond saying that I am a project manager I have never talked about any of my projects.  Well, today one of my projects launched and I think it is such a cool site and great resource that I want to share with you all...

I know that those who read or stumble upon my blog are savvy and smart individuals who get that saving money on day to day purchases is so smart it is sexy. I mean really, why not utilize a discount that is being offered for a store that you were going to buy from anyways? But I also know you are all incredibly busy and clipping coupons out of the newspaper is just not something that can fit into the limited free time. CouponCabin.com takes on all the collection of coupons and organizes them for you so they are literally a click away when you are shopping. It takes seconds and can really pay off in terms of savings.

And the stores they are receiving coupons for are those that you are most likely already shopping at: JCrew, Target, Zappos, Bluefly, Sephora, etc.  For the crafty readers there are coupons for Fabric.com and JoAnns.  For the brides there are coupons for VistaPrint and many apparel sites.  It is definitely a site worth as why not save a little money for purchase you are already planning to make and use that money toward a date night!

It has been a while since I did a status report on my 30 Before 31 List, progress has been made and with warmer weather just around the corner a few more should be checked of the list soon.

1. Finish my MS program - Check! Finished this past week!
2. Try a new recipe at least 4 times a month - On track! We have tried lots of new recipes this year.
3. Train for and run a half marathon - On track! We registered for the Chicago Half on 8/2 (just going to sneak it in before my birthday)
4. Bake the desserts that my husband loves more often... maybe once a month? - On track! We will have 3 from March!
5. Join a book club again - Planning to do this soon...
6. Rent books from the library (unless they rate on my scale as having literary value and I want them in my collection then I will buy them) - On track! 
7. Redesign blog layout - I might put this little project on hold but might fit it in this summer...
8. Fill out the life binder - Yikes! We have done so little on this...
9. Make curtains for my bedroom - Hmmm, this might not happen as I think we will do roman blinds instead of curtains...
10. Keep my half of the closet organized - In progress, I am doing so much better on this...
11. Buy a bicycle - I am looking now...
12. Host a baby shower - Complete! The shower was this past weekend (review coming soon!)
13. Practice yoga at home weekly, regularly - Yikes! Not started...
14. Do all 60 hikes in the 60 Hikes in Chicago book - In progress...
15. Drink water in the evening instead of caffeinated soda - Doing ok
16. Establish a new family tradition - Check! Valentine's day dinner at home is our new tradition.
17. Create and have our honeymoon album printed - In progress, but I think I might start over...
18. Buy all holiday gifts before Thanksgiving - Check!
19. Go to Ravinia with a picnic - In progress, just picked out the event!
20. Go to a movie in the park evening - On hold until summer...
21. Grow an herb container garden - On hold until a more consistently warm...
22. Go on a low-key camping trip - Need to decide on a place and weekend...
23. Be fiscally frugal and have savings grow to reflect the effort - On track!  I have been so careful with my not-necessity spending.
24. Leave my husband little love notes every now and then to surprise him - hmmm, does one count as in progress?
25. Plan our 2008 Annual Holiday Outing to be a free one in the community (refer to number 23) - Check!
26. Eat dinner together at the table more often than not each week - started strong but lately has been not happening only a couple times a week...
27. Go on a picnic and hang out long enough to lay on the blanket and look at the stars - On hold until summer...
28. Reformat my resume to highlight accomplishments - In progress
29. Start a "Move to X" savings fund -Check!
30. Add at least 4 earth-friendly living practices - Yikes! Not started...

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