Good things come in fives... or they do on this blog at least.

1. School started last week! I can't believe summer is already over. Lorelai is officially in Kindergarten and I would be lying if I said we weren't struggling to adjust to the earlier mornings and fuller days. Getting her back into a routine will be awesome in the long run and I can already sense her thriving with a little bit more structure. It's so fun to see how excited she is to don a backpack everyday and to hear all about her activities on the ride home each afternoon.

2. This past weekend we took a little road trip to Atlanta and watched a couple of our dearest friends tie the knot. It's such a fun experience to be on the other side of a wedding... not planning or styling but being present as a guest! Lorelai rocked her role as flower girl and we all danced the night away. 

3. I'm putting the final tweaks on a photo set of Natassja that I LOVE. Coupled with a few frames of Lani (see those here), some videos in the works and hopefully more shoots on the books this week, I'm finding a groove behind the camera. Although it's still a little intimidating (I've spent the last few years in the company of some seriously talented photographers) and challenging, creating my own images is quickly becoming an obsession. I can't wait to shoot more and share more!

4. Fall is looming and I am excited for all of the changes it brings! I'm looking forward to cooler weather, more opportunity and that sense of newness you feel at the start of each school year. That means big things (hopefully) are brewing behind the scenes of this blog and at Finery.

5. I've been feeling a bigger pull to focus on wellness. Although I haven't always been the most motivated, I'm hoping that a few life style changes will usher in a season of a bit more energy and better health. Need a jolt of inspiration? Take a look at this Vogue x Camille Rowe series!

My husband and I recently loaded up the car and drove all the way to New York and back. During that trip I became OBSESSED with listening to podcasts and have carried my new hobby over into everyday life. While they were perfect for logging hours behind the wheel on the way into the city (16 hrs to be exact!), I now find myself listening to my favorite stations on the way to work, while I tidy up our house and when I'm zoned out behind a computer screen (either answering emails at work or at home working away on blog posts).

I thought I'd share a few of my top podcasts and cross my fingers for your recommendations!

Serial - A podcast I'm sure you've heard by now (and the one that started it all for me), Serial (hosted by Sarah Koenig) tells a true story over the course of an entire season. I was way late to experience the craze first-hand but both of these seasons kept me entertained (read: riveted) the entire scenic drive up North. I highly recommend checking these out if you're interested in crime dramas!

Girlboss Radio with Sophia Amoruso - "On each episode of the podcast, Sophia interviews world-class Girlbosses who have made their mark in creative, cultural, and business ventures to extract solid advice from the lessons they've learned along the way." Sophia Amoruso is the founder and CEO of Nasty Gal and one of my biggest inspirations. I love her business-savvy story and cool-girl attitude! My favorite episodes so far have included Glossier's Emily Weiss, Moon Juice's Amanda Bacon and rockstar Courtney Love.

Monocycle with Leandra Medine & Oh Boy by Man Repeller - I've been a huge Man Repeller fan since day one and naturally I'll take anything that I can get my hands on that's tied to its witty author, Leandra Medine. I love that MR puts out two separate doses of ear candy for me to delight in on my short commute! Oh Boy is presided over by MR editor Jay Buim as he sits down with talented women from all different creative industries while Monocycle is a more personal look at Leandra's life with snippets about her battles with anxiety, marriage and love affair with NYC.

Pardon My French by Garance Dore - Garance can do no wrong and her intimate podcast series, Pardon My French, is no exception. Her namesake blog has been in my blogroll since the early days of Hazel + Scout (then Chelsea & The City... cringe) and her book sits atop my nightstand so it's no surprise that I was eager to gobble up Garance's podcast. While I LOVE the personal insight into her upbringing, move to New York and trials as an industry illustrator/photographer/bad-ass, Dore's interviews with inspiring women are some of my favorites. Start with: Linda Rodin.

Ladies Who Lunch - I'll confess, I love Youtube! There's something so easy to watch about real people sharing their lives and Ingrid Nilson is one of my favorite youtubers. Alongside her friend Cat, Ingrid shares even more on her weekly podcast Ladies Who Lunch. The show is a dialogue about sex, relationships, social phobias and a whole lot more by two girls who I could easily be friends with!

The Chris Loves Julia Podcast - I don't follow a ton of home decor bloggers (admittedly because picture-perfect spaces breed a little bit of competitive energy in my type A soul) but Julia Marcum is at the top of my short list. Her blog, Chris Loves Julia (and now podcast) is full of beautiful, lived-in decor that feels natural and totally achievable. I've been loving listening along with the show especially because we've amped up our home improvement efforts lately.

next on my list:

LadyGang
Fashion Hags
Call Your Girlfriend

Do you have a favorite podcast? I can't wait to listen!

I'm on the fence when it comes to an endless Summer. On one hand, who doesn't want a few more days spent lounging by the pool!? There's something so luxuriously lazy about long days in the sun, flowy pieces (that allow for a little breeze) and hours spent atop kitschy pool floats with rosé in hand. Those kinds of Summer days could stay around forever and I would be full of bliss.

On the other hand, school starts on August 3rd (can you believe it?!) and I'm getting mentally prepared for Fall and everything that comes with the change of seasons. So here's to a few more weeks of hot temps and cool things in our shopping carts!

sachajuan ginger flower body wash | glossier balm dotcom | tysa sonoma playsuit | olympia le-tan shoulder bag | gucci cat eye sunglasses | zara halter neck swimsuit | zara sateen ballet flats | jenny bird yaya choker | byredo gypsy water perfume | cb2 woven malawi chair | janessa leone calla balero | re/done "the short" | shaina mote kimono dress | "rosie" inflatable flamingo