I made some cute little gold animal figurines for my covered patio the other day and I'm sharing the (very simple but fun) tutorial on the Cambria Wines blog today! Go check it out and let me know what you think!

This post is brought to you in partnership with Cambria Winery.

Photos by Andi Perullo for Freckled Italian.

I was going to post a recipe this morning but when I went back to the photos I had hastily taken a few weeks ago (where did the time go?), I realized that they didn't actually look very good. Recipes and outfit posts are some of my favorite kinds of content to share, but when I use them as backups I always get a little nostalgic for the days where I used to blog randomly and write in real time, at my computer, before hitting "publish." So I think I might do that again today.

Rob and I have had so much going on in our lives these past few weeks that it's made my head spin. Lots of good stuff--moving into the house and having friends over every Sunday so all of our dogs can wear themselves out playing in the yard. Having enough space to entertain, to sit on the back porch in the sun with friends and iced coffee or beers, has been a bit of a dream come true. We have windows in the kitchen and I hang my pots from the ceiling and all of our dishes are stacked in open shelving--I didn't know little things like that could make such a difference. We've also had some pretty incredible opportunities present themselves to us lately and I'm excited to share more details about everything soon.

And yet through all of it I've found myself feeling incredibly overwhelmed. The move and the cookbook and some unexpected decisions we've had to make. Last year my parents split up and my mom got breast cancer for the second time--so I'm trying to find some perspective and feel blessed, not stressed (how's that for a cheesy expression?). Things are busy, but good, and I am really thankful for the adventure.

There was a time where I used to write every day--I filled up big journals every year and didn't even know what a blog was. Over the years I slowly stopped writing in the journals, but as more and more people started reading the blog I started censoring myself in some ways. That's not official yet, don't talk about it. That's too personal, keep it to yourself. The recipes and outfits are fun but they don't really capture all of who I am and what I want this space to be.

I guess this is less of an update and more of a realization that I'd like to write here more. I've been so busy lately that I haven't spent any time coming up with post ideas or shooting photos, and I know that takes a toll on a blog. But I also haven't spent time really writing the things that are on my mind, and that can take a toll on a person.

We've had a lot of rain in the past few weeks and it's brought me back to the headspace in which I usually live. Barefoot in the kitchen making scrambled eggs with a lot of butter. Writing at the dinner table while the coffee brews. Curled up on the couch with a book and a cup of tea, now with a sleeping dog in the nook behind my knees. I started feeling like my old self again--the creative one who feels everything and dreams big. Writing this cookbook has pushed me out of it and then brought me back. 

Thanks for being here. There's a lot coming and I'm glad you've stuck around for it.

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.