Happy midweek, everyone! Since I have no projects or spaces to offer this week, today’s post is a bit of everything—a smorgasbord of what’s occurring in my life and my favorite things. Start with home renovations. She is my mom’s best friend and sold her home in southern California, so she will be living there while looking for a home to buy. She may stay for three or six months, which is totally fine with me because I could use a break from the back and forth trips. My aunt will be moving into the Las Vegas house in July.

I have to finish the half-finished kitchen and bathroom before she gets here. The countertops were installed during my most recent trip, hurrah! The Caesarstone quartz countertops and the new faucets have me incredibly excited (not shown). The kitchen appliances and backsplash tile are the next tasks, and everything needs to be finished by the Fourth of July, so I’ll be spending a few weeks there in June to make sure it all gets done. Lots to do!

I also designed an outdoor space for hayneedle that will be showcased on their blog in June. I’ll let you know the URL when it goes live, but here’s a sneak peek.

Regarding fitness, I started prioritizing it in my life last summer and it has become my new normal, which is a terrific place for me to be both mentally and physically, especially considering how sedentary I was previously. I spend an hour working out practically every day, and I make sure to switch things up to prevent monotony. When people inquire about my training, I always reply, “For life!” Nevertheless, I’m discussing with some pals how I want to prepare for an Tough Mudder in 2019.

I’m in decent shape and am stronger than I have ever been. I go for leisurely rides around the city once or twice a week thanks to the a new bike Matt gave me for Mother’s Day. I use weights, kettle bells, and medicine balls to lift weights at the gym at least twice a week to build stronger legs, arms, chest, and back. I’ve already indicated that my favorite fitness kickboxing classes are those. I’ve discovered that nothing makes you feel better than pummeling a punching bag to death. I also notice that I watch action movies with fierce women who kick butt more frequently. Coincidence? I disagree.

The class provides me that feel-good high that comes from a rigorous workout, plus it makes me sweat a lot and really tightens my core. I never imagined that I would reach a point where I truly yearn for that sensation, but it has happened. In addition, I started doing bikram yoga once a week, if I can fit it into my schedule. The heat makes it harder, but the stretching positions are wonderful. A word of advice: do whatever it is that motivates you to move and makes you feel good. Results will come back to you from your body.

We are all aware of how difficult it is to find fantastic jeans that fit properly. Last year, I found that the White House Black Market small jeans fit me the best. However, when I came across women’s jeggings, the sky cleared. What, in your opinion, is superior to the stretch of yoga pants but the appearance of jeans? My favorite pair is the American Eagle brand , which I have in both dark wash and black and wear so frequently that I think I might need help.

I’ve been applying oils to my face more recently for skin care and 0 hair because they’re hydrating and battle those annoying fine wrinkles. I’ll use whatever Helen Mirren uses, whatever it is. The three that I alternate are 1 (nighttime), oil for 2, 3, and 4 (anytime), respectively.

6 and 7 are my two favorite daytime moisturizers. The face oils and Marios 8 continue the fight against aging at night. *affiliate links! I recently bought an 9 tool, and it’s fantastic for deep cleaning and exfoliating.

Regarding travel, the only significant family vacation we have scheduled for the summer is two separate weeks in Las Vegas in June. I’m going to New York City in September with my sister, who I don’t see very often because she lives in Salt Lake City, but we made a deal to travel together every two years because we both like Manhattan. 1, it was the best time ever. I’ve seen everything that’s popular with tourists, so I’m more interested in Brooklyn’s best neighborhoods and undiscovered secrets. Suggestions?

Our three-week vacation to Fiji, New Zealand, and Australia in November is confirmed. I’M SO EXCITED to be seeing these nations. 12 nights in Australia, 6 nights in the South Island of New Zealand, and 4 nights in Fiji. I really appreciate 2’s advice on where to go, what to see, and what to eat. We will spend time in Brisbane/Gold Coast and Sydney while we are in Australia, but we were divided between visiting Melbourne in the south for a city experience and Cairns in the north to view the Great Barrier Reef. In the end, we decided to visit Cairns. Thoughts?

I haven’t taken a plane trip outside of the country in ten years, so I’d appreciate any advice you have on navigating the airports and cities there. Do you have any recommendations for parents traveling with children on lengthy trans-Pacific flights? Additionally, I wonder how we manage to stay alive despite driving on the opposing side of the street.

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That will be exciting.

What’s new with you lately? Have you recently found a fantastic beauty product or pair of jeans? Enjoying a new exercise regimen? Do you have any fascinating summer travel plans?