summer of my dreams

Hi, it’s me, I know it’s been awhile! Today marks the first day of September so I thought what better time to finally sit back down to write a silly little blog post recapping my summer… I haven’t felt the compulsion to write all summer and then suddenly today, I did!

How are you?? I had quite literally the best summer since pre-COVID – overall I’m sooo happy with how I spent my summer this year. The past couple of summers were either spent being sooo COVID-safe that I was primarily indoors, or I was so busy with my job that I didn’t actively make plans or ~go out and see the world~. This year was different: I had finally got hit with COVID in April so I felt pretty good about being immune for at least the next six months after, AND my new-ish job is still very chill. This combination was ideal to have the best summer ever! I feel so grateful to have my health and other privileges to have been able to have the summer I did. Thank you all who made it so special and spent time with me <3

As always, enjoy this summer photo diary!!

First thing’s first… I moved to a new apartment early in the summer and I am so IN LOVE with my new space. It has charm, character, and I’m definitely still slowly decorating… I love my dining table by the window – this is where I not only eat, but do my morning pages with my cup of joe <3 the bestttt.

You KNOW I’m still (and forever) in my book era and literally took every chance I could get to read outside at parks, beaches, etc. My fave gingham picnic blanket was my solid companion all summer… alongside fruit! I’ll definitely recap the best books I read this summer soon ☺️

Whether I was on top of or physically swimming in the water, I am quite proud of the number of times I made it out to the many bodies of water in the Seattle area. It actually just made sense for me to leave my apartment on the HOT days after work because my apartment felt like an oven. A friend of a friend graciously gave me his paddleboard as part of his move to NY, and it was so exciting being able to be out on the water. Do I think it’s worth buying a paddleboard? Perhaps not – you need a car for sure and I found myself only using it in the first half of summer. Once it gets truly hot though, I wanted to be SWIMming-swimming, you know?

It’s also not properly summer without a visitor or two… my twin sister came into town with her partner’s family, so I was happy to show them around Pike Place! Had to grab Storyville‘s iced latte, obvi. Is this me or my twin? Hahahah jk it’s me.

Yoga at the park!!! Hosted by Yerbana, there was free outdoor yoga at Gasworks every Thursday evening. I literally went every week for like 6 weeks lol I am nothing if not disciplined. I would go with friends but definitely sometimes by myself! I broke my streak when I went out of town and stopped thereafter, but I highly recommend for those interested to go next summer! There’s like hundreds of people there – wild.

Again, lingering at parks with cutie friends! This evening was a little illustrator’s picnic (and dog-watching).

Another summertime constant… HAMMOCKING!!! I bought a hammock last summer and they’re so light and easy to transport around, making it a great activity if you don’t plan on having a food spread. I love reading in hammocks for the back support or to chit chat with friends. Also, hello orange soda Poppi <3

Went on a singular cute hike on the 4th of July with some friends (new and old!). Hiking on the 4th is actually so ideal because everything else is closed. This is at Wallace State Falls, and it was easy-moderate. I love a good hike but I’m never the one to initiate a hike since I don’t drive LOL. However, Seattle has a really cool Trailhead Direct bus that is perfect for those who don’t want to drive… I unfortunately did not take advantage of it this summer – next summer for sure!!

Another summer staple – rooftop dinner parties!! I feel truly blessed and just always feel a rush for my love of Seattle whenever I’m on a rooftop lol. This was a friend’s birthday dinner in Beacon Hill – LOOK AT THAT SKYLINE!!

I have never minded spending time alone – in fact, I do love it – but it has only become a more important part of my life since completing The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. You can read more about my thoughts about my artist’s journey here, but I sincerelyyyy love and recommend some solo time at a coffeeshop to do whatever. My activity of choice is usually either doing my morning pages (3 pages stream of consciousness) or reading. Add a French pastry and coffee to the mix and you’re golden for an idyllic, slow-living morning. This is at The French Guys – such a freaking vibe, loved it!

One of my dear friends is a pottery QUEEN and introduced myself and some others to a pottery studio! I attended a few community nights where you can make and practice pottery for free, but the finished products went to charities. I learned (ish) how to throw on a wheel and it was lovely trying something new! This is at Sean’s Clay Corner in Fremont.

It’s not Seattle summer without a ferry trip to one of the surrounding islands… my island of choice is Bainbridge! One of my college friends was in town and we had a cute little day there. Hello, classic Pegasus Coffee <3

This salad is prettttty much all I made for dinner all summer long. It’s so easy and so freaking delicious and healthy! In short, grab some kale (massage it with olive oil), air-fried sweet potatoes, air-fried chickpeas, goat cheese, fruit of choice (mine was blueberries or yellow peaches), balsamic glaze, and occasionally quinoa, and you have the yummiest salad.

More of the same… reading at the park! Kettle chips are such a summer staple for me too.

Obviouuuuuusly it was a cutie Barbie summer. My friends and I did the double feature (Oppy first!) and went to the movie theaters donning pink underneath and trench coats over top. Am I crazy to have already owned both? LOL. We had a 20 minute break in between the two movies… let’s just say my eyeballs were ready for bed after.

Dog sat my sister’s partner’s dog aka the love of my life <3 I also ended up transporting her via airplane and dear lord the airport experience with a dog is something else. So worth it though, she brings so much joy!!!! (look at that face!! she is not down for the gen z selfie LOL)

I went back to my parents’ in the Bay Area and also went wedding dress shopping with my sister!!! It was my first time and ohhh boy was it fun. What a princess moment!! Reminded me of prom dress shopping but like, way nicer lol. I was with her when she said yes to the dress!

LOLL this was one of those moments where it was something I did not expect to go to, but there I was. Shrek Rave in Seattle! My friends and I went as the three blind mice, with an accompanying Donkey… we went to a rooftop dinner beforehand and got so many funny looks; overall a great conversation starter. The “rave” itself was fun – sooo many cute costumes.

I’ve weirdly been keeping up with the Bachelorette this season because my friends have been watching. I never thought I’d convert but it has been fun to watch & discuss. I hosted the finale at my place and whipped out the Aperol spritzes and charcuterie!!

Saw Japanese Breakfast at Woodland Park Zoo! What a blessing to see Michelle Zauner twice in a year. My friend and I got up real close to her!! Beautiful stage presence and voice – am totally gonna bring an orange the next time I see her perform (iykyk)!

To close it all out… drinks with my master’s program friends <3 And had my first espresso martini at Life on Mars! I don’t know if this is consistent among all bars, but at least here they don’t make it with real espresso, just with a coffee liqueur?! It was delicious and definitely my go-to drink of choice now..

Otherwise, I was also obsessing over The Summer I Turned Pretty, actually didn’t have that much FOMO for choosing not to attend the Eras concert, and completed my first art commission (!). Found myself going out dancing again a few nights, which made me sooo nostalgic for my just-turned-21-days. Just recently got into LINE DANCING which I’m obsessed with (hello, Fake ID routine from Footloose!!). I went from owning one plant to now owning three!

Summer is truly the best because it’s so easy to be outside and doing an activity with relatively low cost. Summer 2023, you were so good to me – you’ll be so missed!! It was truly the summer-est of summers for me – the only thing I didn’t do was go to Europe like half of America (it feels like).

Here’s to the coziest fall! What was your favorite summer memory?

Jen x