does this guitar make me look fat?

via uulyrics

Whew. It has been a little while since I've written~sorry for the delay, everyone! Over the past few weeks, I've been trying to squeeze the very most out of my summer that I could...because today I'm back to work! (do you hear the song "back in the saddle again"? it's running through my head...)

But the last weeks of summer were totally sublime! They've included:

• touring Traverse City wine country with my mom and sis
• biking along Lake Michigan
• falling for some new books
• meeting Doug, of Hot Doug's fame
• trying out XOCO, the new Rick Bayless restuarant
• Discovering "Chicago's Premier Dive Bar"
• trying a new yoga class
• meeting up with the girls for brewery/swirlberry girls' nights!

I definitely will be writing more about these experiences, but I had to jot this quick list, so I don't lose any them! More detailed posts to follow...

Anywhoo...today was my first day back on campus, teaching writing for the Summer Incentive Program here at Eastern. It went great. My students are splendid, and I felt like even though we went over LOTS of stuff, they hung tough and I think that bodes very well for the next few busy months.

distracted by summer

So, I've been terribly unproductive lately.

What I mean is, I still haven't finished my WPA presentation.

Instead, I've been distracting myself with summer reading, yoga, and plans for a trip my mom, little sis, and I are taking up north to have a girls' trip before my sister's wedding. That's right: Traverse City, here we come! I am so excited to be on the beach, slathered in SPF, but on the beach nonetheless.

via Photography Today

So, I've been starting to collect outfits, pile them up and pack in my head. Am I the only one who does this? I pack and re-pack, and then ultimately have the heaviest suitcase/backpack around. But, I have the perfect clothes for any occasion, all trip-long. 

Here is an outfit that just seems perfectly beachy:

via jcrew

Also, I am still on the search for the perfect cover-up. It should ideally be comfy and lightweight enough to prevent beach shvitzing, while at the same time being dress-like enough to wear to lunch. This one would do the job nicely!

via anthropologie

And then, let's not forget the feet! You certainly don't want to burn them on hot sand, but you also don't want to get hot-feet. Avoiding the ubiquitous flip-flops is also a plus. I feel like I would walk around all summer in these shoes!

via toms

And, of course, let's not forget the beach read! 

Ever since I took a short story class with Steve Amick, I've loved his wry sense of humor and deft writing (and teaching) style. This guy just has moxy. I'm looking forward to reading this novel of his, which is actually set in Northern Michigan, and has been waiting for summer with me: 

I can't wait! What are the summer essentials you're loving lately?