Vol. 4

Summer is summering in the 309 and I have made it my personal goal to soak up every bit of it. No major beach vacations planned, just copious walks, loads of audiobook time, big t-shirts, Chaco tan lines, and allll the fresh veggies. Below are some highlights of how I am currently  spending my time from the past few weeks!

Peoria Girls Who Walk

June has been a very busy month as I launched a walking club for young women in Peoria! It has been so fun to dream up the overall aesthetic inspiration for the group (1998 Parent Trap, thank you very much) along with the brand colors and fonts. Then the real fun began when the first month's schedule was launched and girls I didn't even know decided to show up for the first walk. It really just goes to show that people continue to desire face to face connection - even, and especially, if that involves going outside of their comfort zone a bit. We all want to be challenged and want community based activities encouraging us in the lifestyle we want to live.

We've already had a walk that encouraged girls to grab coffee from a local shop beforehand and our walk this week ends at an ice cream shop. The themes keep coming to mind, though. I absolutely cannot wait for an August headlamp walk at night!

Guest Writing for Discover Peoria

As an eight-time bridesmaid, I can testify to the fact that being asked to stand by a bride on her wedding day is one of the greatest honors a friend can hold, but with that question often comes planning a handful of events. I had the opportunity to write a guest blog for Discover Peoria in May allllll about planning a bachelorette party in central Illinois. 

All great bachelorette weekend's start with leaving work a little early and getting ready for the evening together. I began by highlighting some of my favorite Peoria restaurants like Saffron Social and The 208 House before shifting gears to activities on Saturday and Sunday. You better believe Grandview Drive, Generations Candle Co., and the Riverfront Market all got shoutouts as well. 

I don't know what exactly is in the water this year, but I have been hitting my reading list HARD. We are halfway through the year and I am sitting at 18 books with a surprising amount of four and five star selections! They've spanned many genres and multiple formats. I am an equal opportunity reader when it comes to audio vs. paper - sometimes the situation just calls for one and not the other. Enjoy a few of my recent reviews below: 

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ok this wasn’t the most pleasant read for obvious reasons (#thriller) but it was quite good! The author did an excellent job of making us wonder who was responsible for each disappearance while leading us to deeper questions like “Who really IS the God of these woods?” “What does it mean to be in control?” and “What is the purest form of self-reliance?”

The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I realllly enjoyed both the plot and the writing style of this book. The writing specifically reminded me of The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman which makes sense since they’re both set in the UK. Where this book really stood out was the fresh take on the letter writing / texting trope by making it post-its between roommates. I was smiling so much as their inside jokes and shared world developed.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts by Susan Cain - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
What a valuable resource Susan has created for introverts and extroverts alike - full of summarized research, her own personal experiences, and more anecdotes than you can count. Learning of the historical shift in America from quiet living to over-valuing the extrovert ideal is going to stick with me. The chapters highlighting unique “powers” of extreme introverts also go a long way in clarifying what is immaturity vs. a different way of being. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a psychology adjacent read!

Beach Read by Emily Henry - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The perrrrfect vacation read with a surprising amount of depth (grieving/fear in love) and character development. It really felt like Sarah Dessen for 30 year olds with believable and hilarious dialogue throughout. Can’t remember the last time I liked a romcom book this much.

I am sad to report that Peoria does not have a Sweetgreen :( This means each time I travel to a bigger city, I make it a point to stop in for my favorite blackened chicken green dressing salad. A few times a year wasn't enough though, so a good friend found this copycat recipe for me and I can confirm: it is a keeper! Did I mention it is dairy free, egg free, and gluten free? My dream come true <3

If you are making it on a weeknight and want a little shortcut, skip the rice krispie topping and opt for sunflower seeds or hemp instead. I have also gotten in the habit of making just the blackened chicken in the air fryer every other week or so. So easy and so perfect for leftovers the next day. 

I hope you are enjoying these warm months as much as I am!

Until next time, 
Kelsie