Despite the 90 degree temps here in the Midwest (WHY???), it's officially fall.

A new season signals a fresh start for the months ahead and self-reflection for the ones past. After traveling & working in Europe for six months, summer had me feeling discombobulated — unsure of myself, what I want, where I want to be. I suppose that happens after any big life event as the familiar landscape of your existence shifts and everything seems new and weird and strange. You feel like the awkward conjoined M&M in a sea of perfectly round ones.

I moved away from friends and my home for the past seven years. I moved in with my parents. And I currently have no idea where my life is moving me next.

That feeling of being lost and confused isn't a new one. Gray area is necessary territory to cross when making any change. It's a temporary place we invariably find ourselves until our own truth shows us the next step. Instead of fighting it (my program mode), I'm learning to lean into it. The unknowing won't last forever. My gut will eventually know when the right decision is to be made. Until then, I'm enjoying that my mom cleans up after I cook, and my dad offers to pour me a nightly glass of wine.

If you're in a season of unknowing like myself, you're not alone. Take a deep breath (alternative nostril breathing works wonders for anxiety — even Hillary agrees, and that woman has been through the ringer), and perhaps enjoy reading a few of these links. Happy fall, y'all.

“Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address.” Nora Ephron

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How cute would this jumpsuit be layered up for fall?

Everlane denim is here! (srsly, those bone-colored boyfriend jeans)

Up next on my reading list.

I made these and this, and ooh ooh, they were good.

I FINALLY started (and finished) season 3! The most hilarious show.

The new Wes Anderson movie trailer. (via Cup of Jo)

Why cutting carbs is so difficult. *raises both hands*

Is the Stuff You Buy Over 20 Years Worth 40,000 Hours of Time?

You'll Never Be Famous — And That's OK.

How to help hurricane and earthquake victims.

CALL YOUR SENATORS (hint: 202-224-3121).

P.S. I started a 2nd Instagram account to Insta-vomit all my interior design photos somewhere, if you're so interested, find me at @designyspaces.

*Speaking of NYC — I'm flying there later this week and taking recommendations! On my list: Jack's Wife Freda, Co Pane, any of these Master of None spots, a visit to the MOMA for Frank Lloyd Wright & Louise Bourgeois, the Whitney for Alexander Calder, The Drawing Center and the new Sezané NYC store.

If you live in Minnesota (as I currently do), then you most definitely know that the Minnesota State Fair starts today. And the beginning of the Great Minnesota Get-Together — you betcha, we got tater tot hot dish on a stick!* — officially signifies summer in the Midwest is coming to an end.

I plan on fully enjoying these lingering August days by visiting the fair multiple times and eating all my feelings about our current president. It's really the perfect place to do so. Fried cheese curds, corn dogs with extra mustard, Sweet Martha's cookies + unlimited milk, grilled corn-on-the-cob (there's a new street corn version this year with crushed Nacho Cheesier Doritos) and mini donuts, if there's room.

If you count calories at the Minnesota State Fair, you are a monster.

What are YOU up to these next few weeks? Whatever you've planned, I hope it's relaxing and delicious and allows you ample time to appreciate the beauty of this fleeting season. Enjoy this collection of links from around the web, and I'll see you back on the blog post-Labor Day.

*photographic proof

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How to help after Charlottesville.

Where were you during the Civil Rights Movement of 2017?

Oprah's Super Soul podcast just came out, and every episode is worthy of listening to on repeat. I believe the world would be a much different place if radical empathy + gratitude existed for ourselves and others.

I finished reading this, now I'm on this. Anthony Doerr's writing is magic.

I'm borderline obsessed with these money diaries. Why is reading about how other people spend their money SO fascinating?

How you can make flying better for the environment. This is one of the things I struggle with most traveling, because flying is terrible for Mother Earth.

The benefits of taking a REAL vacation.

Talking orgasms.

Declutter your life. Declutter your mind. Preach.

European fall sweater lust — yellow trim, stripes, buttons + floral.

Freelance achievement stickers. LOL.

[Photo via the lovely Hanna Voxland]

After exactly five months traveling through Europe (and 44 days back stateside), I'm here. Writing this blog post I've been meaning to write for weeks. From the lounge at LAX airport. Having just spent 13 days in Santa Fe, Taos and Los Angeles. Because apparently, I just can't stay in one place for too long.

I have a lot of things jumbled in my spastic, monkey mind of a brain at the moment, but ya know what? LIFE IS COOL. Since completing a week-long silent meditation retreat in Scotland (which I will write about soon!), I've felt more peace than I have in a long time. Life is not perfect, and it certainly hasn't existed without having had to do hard things or feel hard things (like sadness / anxiety / heartbreak and all those pesky unwanted emotions). A large swath of gray area still looms overhead as I figure out what's next for me, but I'm okay.

I *know* I'm okay.

And man, that's a nice feeling.

Currently, I'm doing a job I love (DESIGN) while accepting that I don't know exactly know where things will go from here. I may decide to move back to Minneapolis. Or Madison. Or Portland. Or a far-flung city halfway across the globe. Venture back out for more remote work + travel. Get a job. Keep freelancing. Work on a banana farm in Australia (that's a real thing). Or become a hip hop yoga instructor in Brazil.

Until the universe gives me the thumbs up on the next thing (*crossing my fingers for that Brazilian yoga job*), I'll be here enjoying summer. Because when you only get a few months of it in the Midwest, it's imperative to take advantage. That means lots of awkward sandal suntan lines, farmer's market visits, lazy afternoons at the lake, bowls of grilled peaches + vanilla ice cream, sweating profusely, weekend camping trips and sunset happy hours are in my future.

Enjoy a few of my latest favorite links from around the web, and these sweet, sweet summer days, my friends.

"We need much less than we think." Maya Angelou

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My new favorite playlist.

My new favorite artist (discovered on a visit to London's Somerset House).

This beautiful dress.

Artifact Uprising launched their wedding invite collection, and it's all sorts of lovely.

Finished reading this book, and it was SO GOOD.

This book of poetry is next.

Planning to incorporate zero-dollar days into my life (Europe is expensive, yo). (via Cup of Jo)

Do you consider yourself good with money? Bad with money? Here's the difference.

How to raise a feminist son. <3

How to make yourself work when you don't feel like it. Number three is so good.

The False First Step. The mistake we make towards meaningful progress.

I may need to book a last-minute trip to San Francisco next month for THIS.