Cassie Bustamante

living an ordinary life extraordinarily

Navigation
  • home
  • about me
  • home tour
  • project gallery
  • shop my home
  • Let’s Collaborate

Feel Good Friday 81

June 11, 2021 by Cassie 6 Comments

Pin
Share
Tweet
0 Shares

Feel Good Friday 81

I would love to tell you we’re settling into a summer routine, but the truth is this week was insane and I am feeling overwhelmed. Every time it feels like things might be calming down, Chris gets called away and the time I have to finally relax or take care of things I keep putting off gets taken away. So I’m just over here breathing deeply and surviving. I just haven’t had as much time for anything outside of work and kids, but don’t worry – I’ve still got a few fun things to share with ya today and I did manage to finish a book!

This blog uses affiliate links. I am an Amazon Associate and earn a small commission on purchases made through qualifying links.

A fun online shop

I’ve heard of ban.do but had never ordered anything before. That is, until I saw the above shirt and had a visceral reaction to it. It jumped right into my online cart. (And pairs well with this skirt I have!) And, well, I ended up with a couple of other items, too.

I purchased this Feelings shirt as well as this adorable dress. Because chickens!!! I will say, the dress sleeves are made rather small. If my arms were any wider, they would not fit through the holes in the size S that I bought. The rest of the dress is perfect and I love the length. Note: Before I purchased anything, I did try to research to the best of my abilities and it appears that this company upholds ethical practices, which is always important to me when I try a new place.

Delicious Salmon . . . Again

Yeah, what can I say? We love salmon. As a pescatarian, it’s one of the easiest and healthiest ways for me to get protein and healthy fats, too. Last weekend, I went to the farmers market and picked up some cherry tomatoes. My neighbor gave me some basil. And we had salmon in the freezer. Armed with those ingredients, I googled a recipe and came across this one from Martha Steward for slow-baked salmon and cherry tomatoes. I’d also picked up carrots at the market and my neighbor had given me parsley, so I added the carrots with parsley instead of basil to one end of my pan. Everything was absolutely delicious and one of the easiest meals I’ve made lately.

Workout Equipment I Love

YEARS and years ago, when the Bosu was invented, I was a personal trainer and bought one. It’s traveled with me from house to house and, most recently, was relegated to our crawl space. A couple of weeks ago I added a designated work-out area to our home and pulled it back out. I’ve been using it ever since and, lemme tell you, it works. I used it Monday for a lower body workout and, as of the time I am writing this, Thursday, I am still sore and grimacing when I have to sit down or walk down stairs. It’s been a long time since I’ve been sore like that. To be honest, it’s a good feeling.

Beach Read

I found this book in my neighborhood’s free little library and it looked like a great summer read. The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand centers around one couple, Tess & Greg MacAvoy, who are found dead after what appears to be a boating accident. Their 6 friends (3 other couples) tell the story of their friendships, relationships, and what they think happened through their own eyes. This book started a little slow and confusing for me with the story of 8 people, which is kind of a lot of major characters in a book – especially for a tired mom who was just looking for an escape read. However, once I got about midway through, my interested piqued and I ended up enjoying the book overall. I will say there was so much infidelity in this book, physically and emotionally, and it just seemed a little too much. Or maybe I just don’t hang out with people who have tendencies to cheat? The ending was bittersweet and had me in tears, but that doesn’t take much. I’d give it 3 stars out of 5. I know it’s been well-received, highly praised and was even a bestseller, so maybe I just hit it at the wrong time for me.

A Good Laugh

If you want a good laugh, read this humorous letter to Bill & Melinda Gates. My favorite part: “A little about me. I’m self-employed as a freelance poet. I love the indoors. At night, when I close my eyes, I sometimes think, Are there bees on my face? But there aren’t.”

A Thoughtful Piece

Not so laugh-worthy, but very think-worthy is this piece about our once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to re-enter the world in a better way. We’ve never before been able to have a true reset, and this time in history is our chance.

The Middle Part

Remember a few months ago when we were all upset because the young’ens were telling us that skinny jeans and side parts were over? My friends and I were shocked, lost, and didn’t know where to turn. Ok, maybe that’s a little dramatic. Maybe it’s a midlife crisis, but I got a hair cut last week and am now styling it with the middle part to show off the little streak of gray I have. And this came one week after I bought mom jeans. I don’t even know who I am any more. The above photo was right after I had styled my hair for a wedding Chris and I went to last weekend. Of course, as soon as I stepped outside, it blew up and lost the waves, but I enjoyed it for 15 minutes in my-air conditioned house. Here we are, just after stepping outside!

Also, this dress was ay more low-cut than I ever wear. Someone call for help. It’s got to be a mid-life crisis or maybe I just DGAF anymore?

Fireflies

One of my all-time favorite summer activities is catching fireflies. Ever since I was a child, they’ve felt so enchanting and mystical. Now that Wilder is three, he enjoys their magic and I love watching his wonder. Last Friday night, he and I played outside in the evening he had a blast pointing them all out for me to catch and hand to him.

Local YouTuber

Through my job, this week I was able to connect with a local restaurant review YouTuber, Luan Ko Do. He is such a gem! We met at a local downtown restaurant and reviewed food together and I got to see what goes on behind the scenes. The above photo is Luan with his smoked salmon open-faced sandwich from Chez Genese.

Time with Friends

Sunday evening I had plans to meet friends. Earlier that morning, I was utterly exhausted and looking forward to taking time to rest when Chris got called into work. To be honest, I was so mad. I’d had it and this has been happening often lately. I almost cancelled on my friends, feeling like I would be bad company. I pulled myself together and went since Wilder was asleep at the time we were meeting (4 p.m.) and Sawyer and Emmy were home. Chris said he’d be home at 5:30 and I knew Wilder would nap until then, so I didn’t feel too guilty.

Erienne, Lindsay, me, Christi, Susel

We hit up Lewis & Elm, a new wine-bar that just opened ,and enjoyed small plates, delicious wine, and fabulous conversation. By the end of the evening, I was feeling so much happier. Good friends will do that for you without even trying . . . it’s just because they care and they listen.

Now let me tell you about Lews & Elm. Holy heck, I am a new fan! The food was delicious, the atmosphere incredible and the wine was like velvet. We started with small plates, which is really all they offer. I had the kale salad shown below.

Because we were such enthusiastic customers, they brought us desserts to sample: raspberry cheesecake, blackberry crostata (pictured above) and chocolate torte all supplied by a local Italian bakery. Everything was perfectly baked and creamy. The cheesecake was my personal favorite, but I love anything with raspberries.

I’m already planning my next slice of cheesecake visit.

Life’s Funny Moment

Last week I mentioned that Emmy was graduating from middle school. She came out dressed for her walk-through graduation in jeans, chucks and a thrifted and oversized Captain America shirt. I looked at her and said, “Look, I know I already told you you could wear those jeans, but do you think you could at least put on a cuter shirt?” She roller her eyes, went to her room and emerged a few moments later with this thrifted Bob Ross shirt. She looked at me and said, “What?” I laughed and said, “You’re right. I got nothing. I can’t argue with Bob Ross.” And that’s how she went to her graduation, with her best friend in an adorable red dress. You do you, boo, and you continue doing you. It may not be the outfit I’d have picked, but I love that she was 100 percent herself.

And that’s a wrap. Maybe this weekend I will get some rest. Here’s hoping!

Related

Pin
Share
Tweet
0 Shares

Filed Under: Feel Good Friday, Me

Subscribe for Email Updates!

« Summer Tour: Kitchen & Dining Room
Summer Tour: Family Room (with a Surprise Update) »

Comments

  1. [email protected] says

    June 11, 2021 at 6:26 am

    The middle part looks great on you!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      June 11, 2021 at 7:07 am

      Thank you, Paula! I appreciate that!

      Reply
  2. Erika says

    June 11, 2021 at 6:32 am

    Okay I love that story about the bob ross shirt! Hahaha. That’s awesome. E often comes out with outfits where I’m like, “hmmmm okay”. Once I allow it to sit with me for a minute, I’m always grateful because it’s “her” and she felt amazing and isn’t that what we want? I love it. She looks adorable.

    And totally relate to your husband being called in to work. It’s hard. Glad you were still able to make your friend date! Looks AMAZING.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      June 11, 2021 at 7:06 am

      Exactly! I want her to just be herself and be comfortable in that. She’s funny and dark (in her humor), she’s creative and silly. I love these things about her and I think the outfit said all of that.
      And yeah, it really stinks when you think you’ll have a day as a family and then it gets taken away at the drop of a hat! I am TIRED.

      Reply
  3. Shelley Westerman says

    June 17, 2021 at 8:38 am

    Bob Ross gets my vote every time!!! Ok, I know we all laughed off the middle part idea when people first started talking about it, but it looks AMAZING on you!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      June 17, 2021 at 9:10 am

      Bob Ross is always the answer. No matter the question.
      And thank you!!!! I am glad I went for it. No regrets.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Hi, I’m Cassie!

I believe that you don't have to spend a lot of money to live a beautiful life and be your best self.  Here you will find budget friendly ideas to live happily, healthily, sustainably, and most importantly authentically.  We all get one chance at this life, and this ordinary girl plans to make hers extraordinary. How about you? Read more...
Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Rss Bloglovin

Categories

Disclaimer

This blog does not share personal information with third parties nor do we store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies. You can turn off the use of cookies at anytime by changing your specific browser settings. We are not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without our permission. This blog uses affiliate links.

Connect

Hi! I'm Cassie.

Mother, wife, shop owner, blogger, writer, incurable diy-er, furniture painter, coffee and wine drinker, friend. Seeking happiness and passing it on. Read More…

Recent Posts

Privacy

© 2022 · Foodie Theme Customized by This Bold Girl · Built on the Genesis Framework