Hello from Boise, ID! I’m on the tail end of a short vacation—two more days before returning to the usual routine—and summer has treated me well. At Fit Foodie Finds we adopt a four-day workweek during the summer, taking Fridays off, and it’s been a game-changer. Knowing the weekend is right around the corner makes the Monday–Thursday stretch surprisingly productive. We’ve also grown the team this year, and bringing Emily on full-time has been a huge relief. With three of us running the show, stress levels are lower and my day-to-day feels a lot calmer compared with when Linley and I were juggling everything on our own.
Since it’s been a while since I shared a “life lately” update, I thought I’d recap a few highlights—from travel to home projects to favorite finds.
Fall Travel
Right now I’m visiting Boise to see a longtime friend, Sam, her husband Jake, and their adorable pup Enzo. We diverted through Idaho on our way back from Washington state, where we spent the last week. I’ve been to Boise several times and I always come away impressed—it’s an underrated city with a relaxed vibe and plenty of little discoveries to make. Sam and Jake recently finished a tiny house, so I’ll be sharing sneak peeks on Instagram soon.
Earlier in the week Mark and I spent time in Leavenworth, WA, and it felt like magic. We hiked, explored, and soaked up the alpine town atmosphere; it’s inspired me to put together a travel guide soon. The photo below is from our Leavenworth adventures—one of those spots that reminds you why getting outside is so restorative.
Looking ahead, it’s wedding season for us and many of the events are clustered around Milwaukee. We’ll be bouncing between Milwaukee and Chicago throughout September—my family is in Chicago and Mark’s is in Milwaukee, so we usually try to visit both when we’re nearby. It’s a manageable drive and a nice way to see both cities during a season full of celebrations.
Home Update
Home improvement has been keeping me busy. Getting estimates for projects felt like a full-time job, but we finally signed with a window company. I didn’t expect to be this excited about windows, but new, energy-efficient windows are going to make a real difference in both comfort and natural light. Our current windows are original—vintage trim and cross panes that limit brightness—so I’m looking forward to brighter rooms by mid-October.
New windows mean new paint and trim too. We wanted to coordinate the window installation before tackling paint and trim, so those updates are scheduled for October as well. My original timeline was “immediately,” which has become “by the end of the year,” but I’m happy to be on track for these priority changes. First up will be the master bedroom; I’ll be sharing room reveals as each space comes together. If you saw my recent empty home tour video, get ready—fresh paint and updated trim already make a huge difference.
Things I’m Loving Right Now…
Below are a few items and little pleasures I’ve been reaching for lately—everything from snacks and activewear to apps and home décor. I’ve called out some favorites on Instagram, but here they are all in one place for easy reference.
- Coconut peanut butter bars—my go-to grab-and-go snack when I need a quick energy boost.
- On-the-Fly pants from Lululemon—comfortable, travel-friendly, and versatile for casual days or long flights.
- Clue—the period tracking app I use; it’s simple and reliable for tracking cycles and symptoms.
- Buying houseplants online—I’ve added a fiddle leaf fig to my bedroom and it’s brought life to the space.
- New running shoes—our team upgraded to Brooks and the Levitate model has been comfortable for daily runs.
- IKEA finds—small, affordable pieces like a plant stand, frames, and a full-length mirror have refreshed a few corners of the house.
- Supportive bras and bralettes—items that combine comfort with structure make everyday life easier.
- AncestryDNA—getting my results and digging into family history has been surprisingly fun to share with friends and family.
- Siete nacho chips—my current snack obsession; great flavor and texture for entertaining or movie nights.
That’s the update for now—between travel, home improvements, and little everyday wins, life feels full and forward-moving. I’ll be sharing more travel notes and room reveals as projects progress, and I’m excited to bring you along for the next chapters.