My July...depicted via Instagram

If June flew by, July was no longer than a minute. I swear. On that note, June was colorful while July was all about the neutrals, it seems. July was also a strong month for delicious food. My husband and I had a ton of date nights in which we indulged in everything from octopus to ahi tuna with more than enough red wine to drown us both. It was fantastic.

I'm looking forward to soaking up the next 30 days before school, ballet and a busy business season kick off! The last chance to savor bright dresses and floral prints before we break out the booties, sweaters and blazers. 

Speaking of, I did a mega closet-clean-out and listed a ton of new items on Poshmark for your shopping pleasure. The Money Pit Series is about to begin again as I share our master bedroom makeover and an entire closet remodel! Stay tuned...

And don't forget to enter my best Instagram giveaway yet! Happy Friday!

Check out today's link ups: Style Elixir, Jo Lynn Shane, The Fashionista Momma, Lisa ala Mode,  Mix & Match Fashion  

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5 things you can do for a friend in need.
5 things you can do for a friend in need.

It’s been a full circle week. What looked like a normal week of kids, work and typical weekly balance challenges took a complete nose dive as of Sunday night. The universe is mysterious but like any hard life event, I learned a little about myself and a lot about my tribe. It was the catalyst for this post as I was so moved by the kind actions and notes people shared with me.

2018 learnings + epiphanies.
2018 learnings + epiphanies.

You know, 2018 was a great year for so many reasons. It really was. I cannot complain. Sure, there were some disappointments but turning 40 was the highlight. With a stronger sense of self, my tolerance and my priorities…I was able to brush off the things that take up precious headspace and I look forward to more of that in 2019. Getting old can be liberating!

Here are my thoughts on the past 365 days...

Friendship: Why wasn't I invited?
Friendship: Why wasn't I invited?

In the blogging community, FOMO is a real thing. This topic is especially poignant given that it's NYFW. And for what it's worth, I've attended several times and I am totally okay with not being there this year. It's not all glitz and glam...it's a lot of schlepping, sweating, missed cabs, foot pain and hunger. Would I go again? For sure. Am I okay with missing a few? Most definitely! But, I digress...

SelfMade Speed Round - Anastasia Lupu
SelfMade Speed Round - Anastasia Lupu

Anastasia Lupu is indeed the triple threat but the most striking feature about her is how incredibly kind and down-to-earth she is. Once you get over her supermodel looks, you realize just how whip smart she is and the likability factor goes wayyyy up.

She's a momma, a badass babe, a beauty and a business woman. Her floral company speaks to me and it's incredibly unique and custom which are two of my favorite things. The tagline: Boxed Flowers For The Well-Heeled. Where my stiletto-wearin' babes at? This one's for you!

SelfMade Speed Round - Brittany Annen
SelfMade Speed Round - Brittany Annen

Brittany is a trailblazer when it comes to online fashion. Don't take it from me though. She just received her 800th 5-star review on Poshmark, That's right ladies, she has built a business on selling yours and my clothing and accessories on one of the largest fashion marketplaces in existence and boy, she has a system! I've mentioned her on my Instagram before but she has literally changed my life overnight as I've been purging and cleansing my closet all summer. Interested? Read on!

SelfMade Speed Round - Alicia Driskill
SelfMade Speed Round - Alicia Driskill

All for one and one for all! In case you didn't know...there is a huge movement to band entrepreneurs together in new and exciting work environments that foster creativity, support and a giant networking pool to feed off of. Finding the right one is the tricky part of it all.

Well, look no further. Today's interviewee has launched an incredibly cool workspace geared towards females and she's showing no signs of slowing down. 

A new office space...a new sense of purpose.
A new office space...a new sense of purpose.

People always ask me where my office is located and my response is usually: EVERYWHERE. My team is never stationary and that's really the fun of what we do. Meetings, shoots, calls, TV segments, seminars...we do it all and all in the name of social media!

5 ways to build confidence in little girls.
5 ways to build confidence in little girls.

I have had my fair share of struggles with confidence. I can't blame it on a singular incident or my upbringing because I had an amazing childhood. It's just who I am. I think a lot of us struggle with being confident whether it's at work, with friends, our body image, parenting or even meeting new people. In fact, I would go so far as to say that it's in our female DNA. Never mind celebrities and postpartum mommas who are back down to their fighting weight in a matter of seconds. It's no wonder!

Career: Why I am okay with being labeled as "intense."
Career: Why I am okay with being labeled as "intense."
A staycation to remember at the Swissotel.
A staycation to remember at the Swissotel.

I've been wanting to write this post for some time. Problem was I had so many photos to edit and sort through because our staycation was that magical. Undoubtedly the best we've every had as a little family and it all began with the Swissotel Chicago.

Food + LifestyleJohanna GrangeFashion, jewelry, summer, review, date night, husband, Kiddos, Olivia, Lola, events, healthy, Chicago8 Comments