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Don’t Let Summer Slip Away: Create a Bucket List That Brings You Joy

Don't Let Summer Slip Away Create a Bucket List That Brings You Joy

When was the last time you made a summer bucket list?

Not a grocery list.

Not a to do list.

Not a list of projects waiting to be completed around the house.

I mean a list filled with simple pleasures, small adventures, and experiences that make you smile.

Somewhere along the way, many of us stopped planning summers for ourselves. We became busy raising families, building careers, caring for loved ones, and managing life’s endless responsibilities. Summer became something we helped create for everyone else.

But what if this year was different?

What if you gave yourself permission to create a summer filled with joy, curiosity, and a little bit of fun?

Here are three reasons why making a Summer Bucket List might be exactly what you need this year.

1. It Gives You Something Fun to Look Forward To

There is something magical about anticipation.

Looking forward to an experience can lift our spirits and add a little excitement to ordinary days. A bucket list creates moments throughout the summer that make you think, “I can’t wait for that.”

The best part? Your list doesn’t need to be expensive, complicated, or Instagram worthy.

A few things on my own Summer Bucket List this year include:

Flying a kite on a breezy afternoon.
Walking the Seattle waterfront.
Visiting Christensen’s Nursery in Mount Vernon and wandering among the flowers.
Enjoying a Baseball Nut ice cream cone from Baskin Robbins.
Inviting friends over for brunch in the garden.

None of these are grand adventures. But each one will bring a little joy to my summer.

Sometimes that’s enough.

2. It Helps You Break Out of Routine

Have you ever reached September and wondered where the summer went?

It’s easy to fall into familiar routines and realize too late that another season has passed by.

A bucket list encourages us to be intentional. It invites us to say yes to experiences we might otherwise postpone.

Maybe it’s taking a painting class.

Maybe it’s visiting a nearby town you’ve never explored.

Maybe it’s attending an outdoor concert, riding a ferry just for fun, picking berries at a local farm, or spending an afternoon reading in a hammock.

The goal isn’t to fill every weekend with activity.

The goal is simply to create moments that feel different from everyday life.

Often, those small adventures become the memories we treasure most.

3. It Opens the Door to New Possibilities

One of the things I love most about a bucket list is that it reminds us we’re still growing.

Bucket lists aren’t only about places to visit or things to do. They can also be about experiences we’d like to explore and interests we’d like to revisit.

Perhaps there’s a hobby you’ve always wanted to try.

Maybe you’d like to learn a new skill, volunteer for a cause you care about, join a club, or finally take a class that’s been sitting on your “someday” list.

For some women, that curiosity might even lead to exploring an encore career or considering a different job opportunity. Not because they have to, but because they’re interested in discovering what else might be possible.

The beauty of a summer bucket list is that there’s no pressure to make a big change.

Sometimes the most rewarding experiences begin with a simple question:

“What if I gave this a try?”

You never know where a little curiosity might lead.

What Will You Put on Your List?

As a Career and Life Coach, one of my favorite things is watching women give themselves permission to explore new possibilities, whether that’s a new hobby, a new adventure, or a new chapter.

A summer bucket list is simply another way of saying yes to yourself.

Your list might include travel, gardening, learning something new, reconnecting with friends, spending more time outdoors, or treating yourself to your favorite ice cream on a sunny afternoon.

There are no rules.

There is no perfect list.

The goal isn’t to accomplish everything.

The goal is to create a season you’ll remember.

My summer gift to you, a free Summer Bucket List Worksheet! Enjoy!

So Tell Us:

What’s one thing you’re putting on your Summer Bucket List this year? Share it in the comments below. You may inspire someone else’s next adventure.

Real Housewives of Rhode Island Season 1 Reunion Looks

The Real Housewives of Rhode Island’s Season 1 reunion looks are IN and these babes in blue are totally giving “costal but make it glam” in shades of the sea, perfect for their inaugural looks. And whether you like sequins, sheer panels or pleats there is something for you. So if you’re as inspired as we by these dresses it’s just about time to shop and hit the Rhode in one of these looks for your next glam event.

The Realest Housewife,

Big Blonde Hair

Real Housewives of Rhode Island Season 1 Reunion Looks

Photos: @BravoTV

Seen on #RHORI

Best Sellers

Why Many Don’t Even Try Legacy Writing and Why It’s Worth It

Why Legacy Writing Will Keep You Alive

Imagine yourself at a casual social gathering, where you find the courage to share a life event that deeply affected you. This simple act becomes an icebreaker, and soon, you’re bombarded with comments like, “You should write a book!” or “Your story needs to be heard.”

These reactions, though flattering, hint at a more profound truth that has the power to touch lives.

Challenges to Overcome

But do you? Do you truly grasp the value of your story, its impact on others, and the value it can leave behind? Is it worth remembering, let alone committing to print for the world to see?

Most people who believe they have a story to tell either a) can’t afford to hire a ghostwriter to write it, b) do not make the commitment to work with a ghostwriter who can expertly write it for them in their voice and style, c) do not have the confidence to tell their story, d) cannot imagine anyone would read it, or e) have a sense of self-loathing and feel writing their book is too much like self-promotion.

Legacy Writing

These concerns are not roadblocks, but challenges to overcome. Like any commitment in life, the key is to face them head-on. If you’re truly committed to sharing your story, it’s because you believe in its power to impact others. This belief is your greatest ally in the journey of legacy writing.

Legacy writing is a powerful tool for preserving your personal stories, history, or family history. It’s not just a suggestion; it’s a personal duty and, at times, a pressing call to action, especially considering your age and health. Your children, friends, lovers, and even those once part of your life may discover a side of you they never knew, enriching their understanding of your life journey.

My Experience

For instance, I am assisting a military historian in writing his book. His account of his father’s involvement in WWII and the Korean War and his Air Force experience worldwide will testify to his family’s value of country first and can-do-it-ness, besides a valuable historical record for future generations.

That’s because the book is written like a novel, although based on historical facts. Working with a book coach is like being represented by a talent scout. Your coach sees the essence or gems in the story and knows how to excavate them to the page expertly.

Time Moves in One Direction

On the subject of age, we all feel the clock ticking on our journey here on earth. Unless you’ve had a traumatic experience or phenomenal success in some area of your life, like most of us, you’ve had your ups and downs and taken your path to overcoming obstacles – whether it took a long or short time, whether you were a late bloomer or had an early awareness of your life’s purpose.

The writing of a memoir often begins with the daunting questions of permission, story ownership, and truth-telling, which together can keep the writer from moving into a place where voice and story are free to emerge and the work of crafting their story can truly begin.

The process of learning how to move beyond any constraints to a place of creative clarity in your heart and mind allows the story to breathe.

By examining your life and writing about it, you might just find it adds years to it and is a key motivator reminding you “it ain’t over till the fat lady sings.”

Also read, “OH, I COULD WRITE A BOOK…” WELL, MAYBE YOU SHOULD!

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What story have you got in you? Have you tried telling it? Are there any fears/constraints that are stopping you at the moment?

How to Find the Blush and Lipstick Colors That Will Make You Look Radiant in Your 60s

Look-Radiant-in-Your-60s

Once you have discovered the undertone of your skin, you are ready to go in search of the lipstick and blush color – or colors! – that will brighten your complexion, enhance your whole appearance and possibly become life-long favorites or “signature” looks.

And, as an added bonus – when you find the best colors, you’re unlikely any time in the future to hear the phrase “you look tired” when you’re wearing your new “go-to” lip and cheek colors.

So, here are some thoughts and guidelines which I hope will make the process of “the hunt” a bit easier.

Try Lots of Different Colors!

Be prepared to visit a number of different department store makeup counters or head to a Sephora or Ulta store that carries a wide range of brands. Most of all, be prepared to try on more lipstick and blush colors than you ever realized might work for you.

And, let’s be realistic, you may have to make more than one trip to stores to try out lipstick colors and blushes. It’s rather akin to searching for a new perfume, but in this case, you can only deal with so many different colors at one time. I promise though, finding just the right color will be worth it!

Try colors out when you’re wearing little or no other makeup on your face.

If your natural lip color is quite dark, be aware that you may have to go a bit brighter, or brighter and lighter than you’re used to in order to find a color that really “pops” for you. Or, find a lip gloss that can brighten and lighten the look.

Test the lipstick color on your lips and the blush color beneath your cheekbone, not on your hand, wrist or arm. Since our lips are a different color than any other part of our body, we need to put the lipstick color on our lips to get a true “read” on what it will really look like.

Work with an Associate and a Friend

Be willing to work with a store associate who can suggest a few colors to begin with and can completely sanitize the products before you try them on. If you’re uncomfortable sanitizing products, check on the return policy of the store and take home a few colors that you think will work the best.

In fact, always check on the return policy of the store before purchasing any makeup product. And if you can, take a friend with you who will be absolutely honest with you.

Matte or Shimmer?

Stick with matte blush colors, no shimmer or glitter.

Do the opposite with lipsticks. Avoid mattes and stick with luminous lipstick formulations. Matte formulas can dry out our lips and age us. Or, if you absolutely fall in love with a matte lipstick color, find a gloss that you can put over it to make it come alive.

Try out glosses on top of the lip colors. They can lighten and brighten and add even more luminosity to colors which will make a world of difference.

Step outside your “comfort zone” to test-run some colors that you may not have tried or considered before.

To decide between two colors, put them next to each other – each one covering half of your upper and bottom lips. If you put one on the top lip and one on the bottom lip, chances are you’ll rub your lips together which will defeat the purpose of the comparison.

If you’ve narrowed down the colors and are trying to make a decision, shine your phone flashlight on the color and/or walk to an area of the mall or store to look at the color in natural light.

Take a picture of the colors as they appear on your face with your phone and look at them later. Just as you can be a more objective editor when you leave a piece of writing and come back to it later, you can be more objective when you look at the photos later as well.

You’ve Found It!

When you find and wear your Holy Grail colors, don’t be surprised if you hear comments like: “What have you done differently?” “You look so rested!” “Did you change your hair?” or “Wow, you look great!” And best of all, you can feel the confidence that comes with looking your absolute best.

And by the way, if after all your hard work the color should be discontinued, don’t despair. There are companies which “have your back” and can re-create your color from a sample. Awesome!

One Last Thought

Please know that what I’m sharing are simply guidelines. Feel free to wear and enjoy any and all colors that make your heart sing. We’ve certainly earned the right to have that kind of freedom and joy at this stage of our lives.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What have you found to be your most complimentary makeup colors? Do you have a favorite lipstick or blush that always generates a compliment? Please share your experience testing different makeup colors, and how you felt when you found the one that worked perfectly for you.

Lindsay Hubbard’s Brown Leather Jacket

Lindsay Hubbard’s Brown Leather Jacket / In The City Fashion Season 1 Episode 4 Fashion

While Lindsay Hubbard’s out of town visitor may have been able to hold out on drinks for a bit after her request, I have a feeling I won’t be able to show the same restraint with shopping her brown leather jacket. She wore it last week and we got an even better look at it this episode making me want it even more. Especially knowing that brown leather is an update for black that is sure to go even stronger into next fall and winter. And though this is about math, not science, I highly suggest scooping this style up at 40% off while it’s available.

The Realest Housewife,

Big Blonde Hair