How have you balanced life and work while writing a book on such a short timeline?

I really haven't. I thought I could do it all but the blog has definitely been put on the back burner these past four or five weeks. Luckily the editing is almost done and I think I'm going to be able to get back into the swing of things. Of course the move from apartment to house threw me for a loop, and I've barely unpacked. Sometimes you just have to do your best and be okay with it when it's not enough. The only thing I've actually kept up with this past month is working out, and that's because it happens so early that it's still dark out. 

Will you talk a little bit about your hair color and going lighter?

Yes! For a few years I was getting a semi-permanent color every two to three months that was several shades darker than my natural color. I really liked that but about a year ago I started getting the itch to go lighter. With the help of a stylist, I've gone lighter three times now, and plan to lift some color again at my next appointment in June. My hair was super dark and I don't want to damage it, so I've taken a super slow journey toward blonder ends (I'm into the balayage + ombre vibe). It's expensive and takes time, but I think if you want to go lighter, it's worth doing it right.

What does your morning routine look like? 

This is a good question with a boring answer, but it has changed since moving so I'll answer it! I wake up at 5:30 or 6:00, depending on what time my class is at the gym that day, and after I work out sometimes I go next door and get an almond milk cortado (although I try to do that once a week or less, it usually happens at least twice).

Then I drive home, usually listening to a podcast episode (right now I'm really into The Tim Ferriss Show). When I get home I let Ender out and make coffee if I didn't pick one up on my way home. Usually I'll throw a ball for him for 10 or 15 minutes so he's ready for a nap when I'm ready to start working. Then I make breakfast and work until Rob is ready to go to the office. We have one car and live close by so I drive him.

Do you have any tips on eating healthy for people who don't have a lot of time to cook?

Cooking for yourself is definitely the easiest way to eat healthy, but if you don't have time for it I still think it can be done--you just have to make great choices when you're out! My go-tos are usually salads and bun-less burgers without cheese. If you can spend an hour prepping food on Sunday night, you might find that cooking throughout the week is a lot easier. I like to chop all my veggies and even cook all my meat so I can combine things and just reheat as needed.

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Do you have another question for me to include in my next Q&A post? Let me know! And I want to hear your morning routines as well, so leave a comment and tell me how you start your day.

Photo by Oguz Uygur.

What does your workout routine look like these days? 

I just started going to a new gym, actually--it's in my neighborhood and I'm really liking it, even though this is only my first week. They have a lot of different classes and so far I've done spin, yoga, kettle bells, and rowing. I love all the variety so far.

Since I stopped going to barre a few months ago, I'm realizing that I really need to have a place to go (and an instructor or coach) when I work out. I'm just not disciplined enough to push myself hard enough on my own! Yesterday morning, it was just me and the coach for the rowing workout and it really brought me back to my old morning swim practice days. I'm looking forward to more of that.

What are some of your favorite podcasts, blogs, and Instagram accounts?

• Here's the Thing
• Spilled Milk
• Freakonomics Radio
• Awesome Etiquette
• Ashore
• The Broken Bread

Do you plan on writing a book? 

I'd love to write a book, but I never seem to make time to get started. I wrote about how my friend Daci and I planned to do a virtual writing club this year, but we haven't had much luck--life gets busy. I'd really like to come up with a collection of essays and maybe put it together as an ebook--that seems less intimidating than a full book.

How's it been going with your BRCA2 journey?

This is something I want to write a full post on soon, but actually I had my first mammogram yesterday. Spoiler alert: they aren't as bad as people make them out to be. But actually going in and getting that imaging really brought some weird emotions to the surface, even though I'm so incredibly grateful to have access to these preventive measures. It's complicated. More on all of that later.

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Now it's your turn! I want to know what your workout routine looks like, and if you have favorite podcasts, blogs, or Instagram accounts, tell me about them! As always, please let me know if you have a question for my next round of Q+A--I love to hear from you guys.

Wishing all of you a wonderful weekend!

Do you have any travels planned over the next few months? 

I'm excited that we don't have anywhere to be until mid-December, but after that we're going on a little vacation to Miami and Key West in February! I've never been to either place yet, so if you have any recommendations or favorite spots, I'd love to hear them.

What have you been watching and/or reading lately? 

I am pretty deep into a binge of Grey's Anatomy this fall. I've only seen through season 4 so things are starting to get new for me, even though I've seen pretty much every spoiler out there, which is making me wonder why I'm even putting myself through all of these emotions is almost everyone is going to end up dead by the end. Every fall I end up really obsessed with a show--last year was Gilmore Girls, which is just so perfect for autumn.

I haven't been reading too much but I have a list of things I want to get through this fall/winter: A Moveable Feast, This Side of Paradise, and a lot of poetry by Mary Oliver. There are so many books out there that I'm halfway through, I'd like to finish all of those before January.

How do you shake off a blogging slump? 

I used to have an answer for this one but lately I'm not so sure! Even when I post regularly and I'm happy with the content I'm sharing, I always feel a little "slumpy," like I could be doing a lot more, and better. I think my best advice for any kind of slump, whether it be writing or blogging or whatever, is to temporarily lower your standards. It sounds bad, but sometimes just getting something out is better than waiting for everything to be perfect. Because most of the time, things aren't going to be perfect.

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Now it's your turn--I want to know about your travels and Netflix habits! And if you have more questions, let me know and I'll include them in my next Q+A post.

Photo by Sarah Gatrell.