Best Summer Ever (According to me) ⁸

Here in the upper Midwest, we’ve completely bypassed the phenomenon known as “spring”. Just a few short weeks ago we were experiencing below freezing temps and blizzard-like conditions. Fast forward to present day, where it’s 90 degrees and the A.C. is on full blast. But I’m not complaining! Summer is my favorite season, and as long as I don’t have to wrap myself in a parka when leaving the apartment, I’m a happy camper.

Speaking of happy, a few friends and I have vowed to make 2013 the year of the best summer ever. We’re kickstarting the warmer months with a California getaway, and plan on carrying the momentum of ‘fun’ with us all the way through September. But experiencing the best summer ever doesn’t just happen…there’s planning involved!

(And by planning, I clearly mean shopping.)

Here’s my ten go-to items to help you kick off your very own best summer ever.

1. Fiesta Island 8 Person boat thingy*

Who says you have to be rich to spend the summer chilling on the lake? This inflatable party island is affordable, easy to store, and doesn’t require gas! Ummm…sign me up, please?

*Yes, “boat thingy” is a technical term

2. CeraVe SPF 30 Sunscreen

If there’s one thing Scott knows about, it’s “scrizzle“. (And getting in fights with chihuahuas, but that’s an entirely different blog post.) Working in dermatology makes him a bona fide sunscreen expert, and this is his hands-down top pick. Bonus? It’s super lightweight and easy to apply while being fairly gentle on the wallet. Save your self from premature aging (not to mention skin cancer) and slather up!

3. St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse

Protecting your skin from harmful UV rays doesn’t mean resigning to a summer of pastiness. (Although the older I get, the more I’m finally starting appreciate the pale look.) This self-tanner is an investment, it’s easily the best product I’ve found, and a little bit goes a long way. Plus, it’s Giuliana Rancic’s favorite product–and let’s face it–that girl has a PhD in all things spray tan. St. Tropez sells a foam application mit, but I recommend picking up some cheap latex gloves instead. They’ll keep your hands from turning orange, and you can toss them when you’re done. Easy peasy!

4. Ben & Jerry’s Late Night Snack

Summer just isn’t summer without some delicious frozen dairy product. While I’ve been loyal to Ben & Jerry’s since college, I never ventured far from my two signature flavors — Chunky Monkey and Cherry Garcia. A friend recently suggested Late Night Snack (dreamed up by Jimmy Fallon!) and I’ve been hooked ever since. Four words: chocolate covered potato chips!

5. Roller Derby Women’s Aerio Q-80 Inline Skate

I’ll never forget the first summer Scott and I spent in Syracuse. I had just started graduate school, and he was earning minimum wage while working odd jobs on the side. We could barely pay rent on our converted motel room apartment, and it was clear that we were going to be doing summer on a major budget.

Late one evening, Scott returned from a night shift at his restaurant and was visibly on edge. “That’s it!” he exclaimed furiously, “I’m buying us roller blades!”

“Huh?” I responded with confusion and just an ounce of concern.

“I realize we have no money, and aren’t going to be able to do anything fun the summer…but I budgeted it out, and I think we can afford a new set of roller blades for each of us.”

“Okay,” I hesitated, “But why roller blades?”

“Whenever we’re bored, we’ll drive to the lake and roller blade around the park. That will be how we have fun this summer. These roller blades are going to be an investment.”

The following day, we each had a brand new pair of K2 roller blades. Just as Scott planned, we went out on them whenever we needed something to do. We must have skated 500 miles that summer–and saved at least that many dollars. But you know what? We still have those roller blades, and use them to this day. Going out for a skate on a nice afternoon continues to be one of our most loved summer traditions, and is a great way to burn off all that chocolate covered potato chip ice cream.

Imagine that. Roller blades really are a good investment.

6. Aquage Sea Salt Texturizing Spray, 8-Ounce Bottle

I swear by this stuff. It’s perfect for that summer beachy look and requires absolutely zero effort. Anything that means I don’t have to spend thirty minutes blow drying my hair is a winner in my book.

7. Nordstrom Cotton Mesh Fedora

Every summer I buy a cheap, straw fedora.

And every summer the cheap, straw fedora gets crushed and ruined in my suitcase or beach bag. It never fails.

(Sometimes, Scott and I resort to simultaneously wearing our matching fedoras at the airport, to avoid the inevitable luggage squishing.)

It’s cute when Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson do it. Scott and Katrina? Not so much.

I love this Fedora from Nordstrom for its affordable price point, but also its solid construction. The cotton mesh material is practically un-squishable!

(Scott loves it because we’ll no longer be the douchey coordinated couple at Terminal D.)

8. Ray-Ban RB3025 Aviator Large Metal Non-Polarized Sunglasses

These aviators just scream summer. The best part? They’re unisex!

(This totally convinced Scott to let me purchase them as we can share them between the two of us.)

(Obviously, I get first dibs.)

9. Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey Whiskey

Never in a million years did I think I would actually enjoy whiskey.

Guess what?

I actually enjoy whiskey!

This honey-infused liquor has a sweet, warm taste and is divine on its own, or paired with cola, ginger ale or lemonade.

(Tip: Tastes even better when sipped from the Fiesta Island inflatable boat thingy.)

10. Express Sleeveless Portofino Shirt

I just picked this up in Chelsea Blue, and am completely in love. It’s lightweight, comfy and universally flattering! It’s versatility means it looks casual cool with a rugged pair of jean shorts, and ready for a night on the town when paired with skinnys and heels. Pick this up in multiple colors…I promise it will be an integral part of your summer uniform.

***

That’s my list! Did I miss anything? I’m dying to know…what are your ultimate summer must-haves?

P.S. My latest article for Levo Leage, 7 Conference Call Commandments You Must Follow, is up today! I’d love it if you hopped on over to check it out!

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Um…I think we just bought a house? ¹³

Looks like the Taylors are staying in ‘Sota for good!

“You’re kidding, right?”

Sorry, Jolie…the offer your father and I made on that house last Wednesday was accepted!

(I think the snuggle pooch will change her tune once she realizes she’s living in a lake home with heated floors for maximum ground napping.)

This milestone has been a long time coming for Scott and I. We’ve been trying to find the perfect home since 2009, and have made no less than nine offers on six different properties in the process. My head spins just thinking about the four-year long real estate obstacle course we’ve finally completed. The good news is that out of all the homes we’ve ever considered, this is the only one that felt just right. While purchasing a home is one of the most terrifying decisions I’ve ever made, I feel really great about our investment. There’s no doubts or cold feet — just lots of excitement and daydreaming on Pinterest.

We had a successful inspection over the weekend, and are now just waiting on an appraisal from the bank to make sure the home is worth what we’re paying for it. Once that’s final, I’ll share more details about Casa de Taylor. (Spoiler Alert: There’s lots of shag carpet. And not the good kind.)

In the mean time, I’m spending every last second of free time trolling the internet for items to furnish my new digs. Much like Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City 2, I feel as if “I’ve been cheating on fashion with furniture.”

And it feels good.

First on the agenda? A sassy doormat, of course.

Because nothing says “Welcome to my home” quite like a welcome mat with some Flavor-Flav inspired slang. Am I right or am I right?

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Sports Bra Jitters: The Conclusion ⁷

You may remember that last Friday, I made the impulsive decision to participate in a 5K while wearing only a sports bra.

The good news? I came through on my promise. (Even if it was only because I had already written publicly about it and knew backing out could be seen as flakey.)

The bad news? My decision might have been slightly…well…ill-conceived. (Shocking, I know.)

Here’s why:

1. The event was held at a church

As luck would have it, we actually had to go inside the church to register. While I pride myself in being a liberal Lutheran who doesn’t have a problem with a little PDA (public display of abs), entering God’s house in nothing but leggings and a bra–not to mention starting the race with a prayer while my love handles were out for all to see–felt inherently sacrilegious.

2. It was cold and windy

Every last ounce of self-control was required to keep me from running to the car and grabbing my jacket. While the temperature for the actual race was fine, the thirty minutes spent waiting for the festivities to start was pretty nippy. Luckily, I was fully prepared and had worn my trusty DIMRS. (Ladies, if you don’t have a pair of these already, hop on over to Amazon right now and click “order”. Trust me.)

3. It was a family event

Translation? I heard at least four children ask their mommies, “Why isn’t that lady wearing a shirt?”

(I considered responding with, “Because she hasn’t eaten Oreos in THREE MONTHS!!!” but realized that might frighten the youngsters.)

Do I regret my decision? Absolutely not. Sure, this might not have been the optimal setting for my navel’s coming out party, but I’ve wanted to do it forever, and it felt strangely liberating. I’m assuming wearing only a sports bra in public is similar to riding a bicycle…once you’ve managed it once, you’ll be able to do it for the rest of your life without losing your balance or injuring yourself or others?

(Admittedly, that was a terrible analogy…but I think you get what I’m trying to say.)

I completed the course in 32:18. Not bad for someone who hadn’t jogged in over a month, right?

Bonus: my bib number was my birthday!

Running 3.1 miles seriously kicked my butt, but being part of a community event provided the extra boost of motivation I needed to finish the race without stopping once! Perhaps the most encouraging part was halfway through the race, when I noticed Scott standing at the corner, taking pictures. He had come to watch me run! And was so proud of my sheer athletic ability he had been inspired to document the experience with his camera phone! I sucked in my gut, corrected my posture, and picked up the pace so I might impress him even more than I already had. He smiled, waved, and continued snapping photos of his oh-so-athletic wife. I had done the husband proud.

Or so I thought.

Remember that part about not stopping once during the race?

Technically I did pause for about ten seconds at the two-mile mark…but only so I might send a quick text message.

If there’s one good reason to stop during a race–aside from a medical emergency–I think this was it.

And to my credit, that guy ahead of me was only sixty-eight.

On the bright side, Scott treated me to dinner and a movie post race…so at least there’s that.

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How to ruin Mother’s Day. (For a duck, at least.) ⁰

Last week, Scott and Jolie came in from a walk with a little extra pep in their step.

“Guess what?!” Scott exclaimed jovially.

“Jolie finally lost her virginity?” I wryly remarked.

“No. Better. We found a duck nest.

(Maybe it’s me, but how exactly is that better than Jolie getting de-flowered at the tender age of 56?)

“It’s just behind the apartment on the edge of the pet exercise area,” Scott continued. “Jolie’s actually the one who found it. She started growling suddenly and scared off the mama duck. Sure enough, there was a nest full of eggs. You should see them! They’re surprisingly big…just like chicken eggs!”

Jolie’s tail wagged in delight as she panted vigorously while running about in clumsy chihuahua circles. Clearly, she was still experiencing the high of her suburban duck hunt.

“Isn’t it bad to chase the mother away?” I inquired. “Sometimes they don’t come back, right? Especially if you let Jolie sniff around in the nest. Her scent is probably all over it.”

Scott shrugged casually. “Possibly. I’ll keep an eye on it. Hopefully she’ll be back tomorrow.”

She didn’t come back the following day. Or the two days after that. In fact, when Scott took Jolie out for a stroll yesterday evening, he returned with some extra baggage in tow.

Abandoned duck eggs. You can tell he felt really bad.

Okay…maybe not THAT bad.

Moments later, Scott began preparing a free-range duck scramble. “Look at the color of the yolk, Katrina. These are gonna be delicious. They’re basically farm-fresh!”

“Technically, they’re back-of-the-apartment-pet-exercise-area-fresh.” I retorted while rolling my eyes. “I still can’t believe you stole duck eggs.”

“Katrina,” Scott reasoned, “the eggs were ice-cold. The mother hasn’t been back since we scared her off last week. I feel bad about what happened, but at least this way the eggs won’t go to waste.”

While I knew Scott was right, something about stealing unborn ducklings on such a sacred day felt inherently wrong. “Yeah…but don’t you realize what day it is?” I hinted.

“I know, I know.” Scott sighed. “That duck is having the worst Mother’s Day ever. But don’t get upset with me…Jolie’s the one who scared her off in the first place.”

At the sound of her name, Jolie slowly rolled across sofa while breaking wind and licking her chops. Truly, this waterfowl Mother’s Day gone wrong wasn’t anyone’s fault…just an unfortunate pet exercise area coincidence.

Still…out of respect for mothers of all species, I declined Scott’s stolen scramble, no matter how delicious he claimed it to be.