This post is brought to you by Rosetta Stone. While this was a sponsored opportunity, all content and opinions expressed here are my own.
Is it just me or does summer always seem to pass wayyyyy too quickly? One minute I’m pulling out my white jeans and sundresses and the next I’m packing them back up again and going shopping for boots. Or at least that’s how it feels. Between weekend getaways and summer BBQs and everything else, summer tends to fly by. To get ahead of that I’ve made a summer bucket list of sorts, with eight things I want to accomplish between now and Labor Day!
ONE // Plan at least one spontaneous adventure/trip. I am going to London at the end of June and Cape Cod in July… I want to go somewhere fun (and maybe far?) on a whim. Maybe in August… but it wouldn’t be very spontaneous of me to say, would it!?
TWO // Brush up on French. If you have been reading here long, you know that 4 years ago I started taking French classes two nights a week. I ended up (eek) having to drop out. At the time I was blogging and working a full-time day job, and I constantly missed class because I couldn’t get out of work in time to make class’s 6:30 start time. As a part of my partnership with Rosetta Stone (they offer software for 30 languages!), I’ve downloaded their app with the goal of picking up where I left off (or let’s be honest, probably starting over as I don’t think I retained all of that much besides the knowledge that “cat” is “chat” in French).
It’s actually Rosetta Stone’s 25th anniversary and the much loved language learning tool has changed so much over the past 25 years. For one, they’ve added in a tiered subscription model to access their online subscription and mobile app. This makes learning a language much more inexpensive and, for someone like me at least, having the option to pay for a 3 month subscription to access the full program vs the whole shebang upfront makes it feel much more approachable.
The Rosetta Stone mobile app is so clever – you can literally take “French Class” wherever you are. At home on the couch, during your commute on the train, lounging in the park, OR in the actual place you are visiting to help you get around with their phrasebook feature. It’s kinda amazing. I personally like the mobile version best but you can also do it at home on the web. There are all kinds of great new features including their patented TruAccent technology, which listens to you speak out loud and checks your speech at 100x a second to make sure pronunciation is what it should be. And you have free access to live tutoring with native speakers! Game changer. There are twenty modules in the French series. I’m currently on Language Basics (the first module) which is a little over 5 hours long, with 28 different exercises/core lessons. For each core lesson, you start with pronunciation, move onto vocabulary, and end with grammar. I was impressed with how meaty the lessons are – you really learn a lot.
THREE // Implement Summer Fridays. I am so lucky in that I get to set my own hours and work for myself. I want to get really disciplined with my time management this summer so that I can take Friday afternoons off – whether it’s to go on a trip, spend the afternoon at a museum, practice my French, or sip rosé on someone’s fancy roof… summer Friday afternoons are my favorite but I often find myself stuck inside working.
FOUR // Buy an ice cream maker and make homemade ice cream. Anyone have a good recommendation? My sister threw a BBQ the other week and our friend Kate made the most delicious strawberry rhubarb ice cream. I really, really want to try making my own.
FIVE // Finish My Apartment. I’m making a lot of progress here… (my couches come on Thursday!) but there is still so much to do. I want to finish it (more or less) by the end of the month so that I can…
SIX // Decorate my patio, and learn how to grill! I have the space for a grill which is so exciting but I am a little intimidated about getting a grill, setting it up, and learning to use it. I need to just bite the bullet and go to Lowe’s and buy one, but I keep getting intimidated. If you have a (reasonably priced) grill you love I would love to hear it.
SEVEN // Rent bikes for a day and ride all over Brooklyn (maybe to Coney Island?) It’s the best way to see the city, and so much fun. There’s a cute bike shop a block away from my apartment… I can’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday (ideally hopping from restaurant to restaurant, eating lobster rolls and lots of ice cream.)
EIGHT // Invest in a new piece of art. My large Slim Aarons photo was a big splurge last year. This summer my goal is to buy a painting for my apartment. Obviously nothing too fancy or extravagant but something that’s original (not a print) and speaks to me.
What’s on your summer bucket list!? Do you speak more than one language? I’d love to hear about it.
photography by Lydia Hudgens.
I feel motivated to brush up on MY French now, after reading this! I learned it for seven years then just stopped… better pick it back up before I forget!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
Yes!!! You better! 😉 xx
I love your list!! Your apartment is coming together beautifully, I love following your Instagram stories showing it! I can only hope my apartment looks as good as yours one day!
Kendal // Life With Kendal
Aw, thank you so much Kendal! xx
There is a cute little cuisinart ice cream maker that is fast, easy to use, and come with recipes for ice cream. Just got mine and I love it!!! Thank you for your blog post! Setting goals is always fun!
Thanks for the suggestion! A few people said the same thing, I think I’m going to snap one up!! xx
I’m loving your apartment. I hope you’ll do a home tour. I think studying french is a great idea. My summer plans are to take an anatomy/physiology course, shadow, and apply to PA school. This month is going to be challenging but rewarding.
Aw, thanks Cathleen!! Your summer plans are incredible – good luck with applying to PA school. I have a friend about to go down that path and I know it is a LOT of work!!! xo
Thank you. Best of luck to your friend.
This ice cream maker works really well and doesn’t break the bank – https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-ICE-21-Quart-Frozen-Yogurt-Ice/dp/B003KYSLMW – and I recommend David Lebovitz’s cookbook The Perfect Scoop for some awesome recipes. I have made his chocolate hazelnut gelato, buttermilk lemon sherbet, and cherry rose wine sorbet!
Thank you so so much for the recommendations Clare!! So excited to do this 🙂 xx
My first grill was a Weber Q series. You use the little camping size propane tanks so I found it less scary and it was more than enough grill room to cook for me and a few of my friends. When you’re not using it, the shelves pop in so it doesn’t take up a lot of space. I bought a stand so you’re not crouching on the ground to cook and I’ve been using it for almost five years! Here’s a link: https://www.weber.com/US/en/grills/weber-q-1200-gas-grill
THANK YOU for the suggestion. That sounds like a nice one! xx
That’s a great summer bucket list. I’m lucky that my office has an awesome summer Friday schedule (work from home until noon). It makes such a difference in the summer when there’s so many things to do!
Angela
Ah that is so nice!!! It really does make such a nice difference.
Such a fun list! Summer Fridays are a must!
AGREED! xx
I also have the Cuisinart ice cream maker & I love it! The only downside is right when you get it, you need to put the freezer bowl in the freezer overnight (so if you’re like me and super-enthusiastic about getting started, you need to wait until the next day to use it!)
Thank you for the suggestion!!! (And love your enthusiasm – I will probably be the exact same way!!)
I just posted my summer bucket list today too! Skydiving is at the top of my list…eek! I love the idea of renting bikes for the day. Might have to do that here in Chicago 🙂
Oh my god you are so brave!!! I could barely make it up the tram in Palm Springs – HA!
I just had flashbacks of the blueberry ice cream we favored a couple of summers ago!
Oh my gosh, Felicia, I STILL THINK OF YOUR ICE CREAM. Blueberry will be at the top of my list, after fresh peach!!!
Haha. I should send you my ice cream maker. I don’t use it much anymore.
I also have the small cuisenart ice cream maker and it works great. I’ve been making ice cream for probably the past ten years. I’m a huge Nigella fan and have all her cookbooks and she love s her ice cream. Lots of great recipes! It’s fun creating your own flavors. My favorite to date was White Russian ice cream, I put together, using her recipe proportions from her Vinsanto ( a delicious Italian dessert wine you eat with biscotti)ice cream recipe. Alcoholic ice cream? Yes please! My friend loves the Kitchenaid ice cream attachment. I may end up getting it too. Space saver and one less appliance. Good for you for working on your French. I’m always jealous of people who grow up with a second language. Most of the staff at my hotel, speak at least two languages. I stubble through Spanish ( but, hey it got me around Mexico City by myself), but would love to learn Italian! my vote as the most lyrical . I could listen to it for hours. Love your bucket list. If there is one lesson I’ve learned; seize the day! Life is short.
Thank you for the recommendations! White Russian ice cream sounds incredible!!!
I feel the same way – jealous of other s that grew up speaking two languages. And totally agree – carpe diem! xoxo
This sounds like a pretty amazing summer! I feel inspired to write my own summer bucket list now… 🙂
xo, Caitlin
http://thesolcompass.com
do it!!!
I have the KitchenAid attachment for making ice cream! It’s super easy to use and I like that I didn’t have to buy an entirely new gadget to make ice cream!
I have heard great things about that! I don’t have a KitchenAid (yet) so will prob start with the little Cuisinart but that’s good to know for the future!
I love my Cuisinart ice cream maker: https://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/cuisinart-ice-cream-maker-extra-freezer-bowl/?pkey=e%7Ccuisinart%2Bice%2Bcream%7C98%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C1&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH. Williams-Sonoma also has great ice cream starters! I love the strawberry and cake batter. You probably still want to try making ice cream from scratch, but they’re good to have around for parties.
Thank you so much for the suggestion, Lisa!!! I am excited to try this. xx
I love all the items on your list! I honestly would love to brush up on my French too, and I’ve weirdly always wanted to learn German. The three month subscription sounds like a great idea — thank you for sharing! And agreed re: summer going by SO QUICKLY. I was looking at my calendar today and it feels like every single weekend is already booked up!
x Diana // Pearl Girl
It’s so much more affordable!!!
It really just fills up so quickly, I don’t know how!!!
We have some of the same items- we’re going up to the Cape (Chatham) to visit my in-laws twice this summer & I’m hoping to make some homemade ice cream. It was one of the items I insisted on putting on our wedding registry over 8 years ago & I’ve used it once. Oops!
I took over 5 years of French and can basically say 5 words. My mom’s degree is in French, so that’s pretty embarrassing! I’ve always wanted to pick it up again, with two little kids this is probably not the time to try to stick with it but I definitely have it on my longer life bucket list.
I am the same with Spanish.. i studied it in high school college and can barely remember any of it now. Such a bummer!!!
I love this idea! Great list. I’m headed down the Cape this summer and up to Portland, Maine too. I also just got back from London. If you’ve never been please go to the Columbia Road Flower Market while you’re there. It’s only on Sunday. Gorgeous flowers and cockney-accented men hocking peonies is most definitely a London experience. There are great shops along that road as well. My favorites are Mason & Painter and Vintage Heaven.
If you’re in the market for an original painting, check out Ruth Lague up here in Boston. http://www.laguewax.com/
Can’t wait to see how your apartment turns out! Profite de ton été!
Thank you so much for the tip! I will be there on a Sunday so I will definitely go!!! And Ruth’s work is beautiful! xx
I’m definitely trying to brush up on my Spanish!
Random note: you should totally buy these gold-dipped light bulbs for your palm tree lamp (which I love, by the way) http://bit.ly/2s5jB8q They’d look like shiny little coconuts, don’t you think? So cute! 🙂
xx Hannah // http://www.HomemadeBanana.com
OMG thank you for that idea!!! I hate the light bulbs that came with the light and have been meaning to get something else 🙂
Been meaning to learn French for 10 years now…. could 2017 be the year?
yes! let’s do it together!!!
The Breville ice cream maker is the best, bar none. It’s not cheap, and it’s not petite, but it’s worth every penny and every inch. It’s a compressor so you don’t have to pre-freeze a bowl (I used to have one of those, I never had the bowl frozen ahead of time!), and you can make batch after batch without re-freezing. You can also customize the texture really easily so it’s just as good at making sorbets and non-dairy recipes as traditional custard ice creams. It’s a dreamboat of a machine, so many of my friends have bought it after playing with mine!
thank you for the tip! I will check it out. Might start with something less expensive at first, as this will be my first foray!
I was just telling a friend I would love to learn a new language! Love this and good luck!
Allison
https://mysomethinghappy.wordpress.com
Thank you so much! Hope you try Rosetta Stone – the app makes it soooo easy!
What a great bucket list you have there, brush up on french and buy an ice cream maker are both on my own list, hahah. Hope you can get it all done!
well, i’ve been taking my online lessons AND i made my first batch over the weekend so i’m making baby steps! 😉