Our Newport Tradition: A Weekend with Family

Newport has been part of my husband’s story since he was a kid. His dad worked on the Naval Base there, and it’s where he first fell in love with the ocean and sailing. Years later, before we were even married, he took me to Newport for the first time. I understood instantly why he loved it so much. Now it’s our tradition - every summer we find a way to return, sometimes more than once.

This year we went after Labor Day, which locals call “Locals' Summer.” It’s when the tourists thin out and the town feels like itself again. Lines are shorter, traffic eases, and even big parties (like our group of six, including the kids and Frankie) can get tables without the usual wait.

Chris and I drove down Friday morning and stopped in Jamestown for brunch at JB’s on the Water, a place new to us. We sat outside in the warm sun, I ordered coconut shrimp with rice, and he had a sandwich. Jamestown is just across the bridge from Newport - quiet, peaceful, and a nice way to start the trip before diving into the busier pace of Aquidneck Island.

Once in Newport, we settled into what we always do: soaking it in. We scored Adirondack chairs on The Lawn at Cliff House. It's always a treat because of the iconic views and chill vibe. Frankie ran around exploring while we took turns chasing him. It felt like vacation mode officially started.

Meals were easy to plan this time (one of the perks of being there post-Labor Day). We spread out with plenty of elbow room at Bar & Board Bistro, no wait at Belle’s Café, and quick seating at Mother Pizzeria. For anyone planning a trip, you would definitely need to make reservations in July or August. 

We stopped at the little Hope Chapel on base, where Chris and I were married, which is always special. Then we did some shopping at the Exchange (new sneakers for both of us) and downtown, where I finally picked up a new Newport hat. One highlight was the colorful Umbrella Sky Project installation at Brick Market, worth a stroll and a photo. And of course, we couldn’t skip a Del’s lemonade and a stop at Kilwin’s for ice cream.

Some of the best moments, though, weren’t on any official itinerary. Just hanging out on Hammetts Wharf or Bowen's Wharf, chatting, watching the boats, and enjoying the view reminded me that it’s the simplest parts of a trip that often end up being the most memorable.

And because Newport always calls us back to the water, we booked a ride on the Rum Runner again. We first did it five years ago, and this time we chose the Lighthouse & Coastal Tour. It was just as magical. We cruised past Newport Harbor Light, Castle Hill Lighthouse, Castle Hill Inn, Rose Island, and more. The views, the breeze, the history...there’s no better way to see Newport than from the water.

By the time we wrapped up the weekend, it felt like we’d hit all the essentials: family time, good food, a little shopping, ocean breezes, and those Newport-only treats that keep us coming back year after year. Newport is always worth the trip, but in September, it feels a little extra special, like the town is letting you in on a secret once the crowds head home.

Our Lucky Catch: Lobstering in Portland, Maine

Living in Maine, lobster is just part of life, but until now, we had never actually gone out on a lobster boat to see how it’s done. So this summer, we decided to change that and booked a trip with Lucky Catch Cruises in Portland’s Old Port. It turned out to be the kind of day that reminded us why Maine summers are so special.

We hopped on board, donned the official orange aprons, and got right to work. The crew showed us how to haul the traps up from the bottom of the bay, swap out the bait bags, and measure each lobster to see if it was a keeper. In Maine, the rules are strict: if it’s too small or too big, it goes back. And if you find a female with eggs (we saw one loaded with them), she gets notched and released forever to keep the population healthy.

Between traps, the boat cruised past Seal Island, where we spotted at least seven seals lounging on the rocks, and we even passed an old fort. It was the perfect Maine summer backdrop.

The highlight came when we each got to pick a lobster from the traps to bring next door to Portland Lobster Company, where they cooked them up for our lunch. Talk about fresh...straight from the trap to the plate. I went classic with corn on the cob and fries, while my husband chose a baked potato with his lobster. I managed the claws and legs like a pro, but I’ll admit I needed a little help with the body. It was absolutely delicious. And while most people swoon over lobster rolls, I’ll stick with the whole lobster every time.

Nothing says summer in Maine like sitting by the water with lobster, corn, and the salty breeze in the air. This was one of those days where you think, “Yes, this is exactly what Maine should feel like.”

The Excuse I Hear Most: I Don’t Have Time

If I had a dollar for every time someone told me they just don’t have time to focus on their health, I’d probably have enough for my own personal chef by now. It’s the number one excuse I hear, and to be honest, I’ve used it myself.

Life is busy. Work deadlines, family commitments, appointments, errands - there’s always something tugging at our schedule. But here’s the hard truth: waiting for life to slow down before you start taking care of yourself means you’ll be waiting forever.

When I went through my own setbacks, time always felt scarce. Between the everyday demands of work and family plus add an illness or injury, there was never a “perfect time” to focus on my health. What I learned is that small, intentional choices matter more than perfect timing.

You don’t need hours a day to overhaul your life. You need minutes. Thirty minutes to prep some protein and veggies for the week. Twenty minutes to do a strength workout at home. Ten minutes to step outside for sunlight and a reset. Even five minutes to pause, breathe, and shift your mindset. These little deposits add up.

The truth is, when women tell me they don’t have time, what they usually mean is that they don’t know where to start. And that’s where coaching changes everything. With the right strategy, you stop wasting energy on guesswork and start using the time you do have more effectively.

So instead of asking yourself, “Do I have time for this?” try asking, “How can I make this work with the time I have?” Because you are never too busy to take care of yourself - you’re too important not to.

Try This Mini Time Audit
Grab a piece of paper or your phone’s notes app and jot down three things you did today that took less than 20 minutes. It could be scrolling social media, watching part of a show, or running a quick errand.

Now imagine if just one of those blocks of time had been spent on your health - prepping a protein, going for a walk, or doing a short strength workout. Over the course of a week, that small shift could make a big difference.

You don’t need more time. You need to use the time you already have with intention.

Why Seeing Chris Botti at Jimmy’s Jazz Club Was the Best Yet

There’s something special about seeing a favorite artist live, and for us, that’s Chris Botti. What started years ago with the purchase of one CD (yes, we’re old school like that) has turned into a bit of an obsession. His shows are always a mix of incredible music, stories, and humor, plus he has a way of showcasing the talent of the artists who perform alongside him.

This summer, we saw him for the third time, but for the first time in the U.S., at Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club in downtown Portsmouth, NH. And let me just say, it was the best venue yet. My husband actually gets the credit for this date night. He spotted the tickets as soon as they went on sale and secretly bought them, planning a surprise. A couple of weeks later, I stumbled across the listing and said, “Hey, we should go see Chris Botti again.” Little did I know, the plan was already set.

Jimmy’s itself is a gem. Intimate, lively, and designed for music lovers, the acoustics are phenomenal, the seating is cozy, and the vibe makes you feel like you’re part of something special. We went to the late show and skipped dinner service, opting instead for mocktails. I ordered the Pomegranate Dream (pineapple, pomegranate, and Earl Grey simple syrup) served in a martini glass - it was fun and refreshing.

The show was a full house with a lively audience that was just as engaged as the band. Chris Botti knows how to connect, blending his trumpet mastery with storytelling and humor. One of the highlights of the night was their performance of What a Wonderful World. Every performer joined in, the drummer’s solo was incredible, and the entire audience sang along while waving phone flashlights like old-school lighters. It was one of those goosebump, can’t-forget moments.

This wasn’t our first Chris Botti adventure. We first saw him in 2015 at the Shenzhen Concert Hall in China, which still feels surreal! We somehow managed to buy tickets, navigate a foreign city we'd only been living in for a few months, and not get lost along the way. The second time was in Hong Kong in 2018 at the Cultural Centre overlooking Victoria Harbour - much easier place to navigate. Both performances were amazing, but this one at Jimmy’s topped them. The intimate seating, historic building, and perfect acoustics made it unforgettable.

Where should we see him next??

The Stress and Cortisol Hacks Most People Completely Ignore

When most women think about stress management, the usual tips come to mind: exercise it out, meditate, have a glass of wine, try to sleep better. Some even swear by bubble baths, binge-watching reality TV, or stress-cleaning the pantry at 10 p.m. (hey, no judgment). All of those can help in their own way. But if you’re in the peri-to-post wellness season, your body’s relationship with stress is shifting and it takes a little more strategy.

What many people don’t realize is that cortisol - the body’s main stress hormone - starts in the brain. Your outlook, your daily rhythms, even your first choices in the morning all influence whether your body prepares for fight-or-flight or for calm and balance.

Here are a few of the most overlooked hacks that can make a big difference:

1. Get sunlight in the morning
Natural light tells your body it’s daytime, helping regulate your cortisol rhythm so it peaks when it should (early in the day) and tapers off at night. This simple step can improve sleep, energy, and mood.

2. Hydrate before coffee
Many of us reach for caffeine first thing, but your body actually needs hydration to support cortisol’s natural morning rise. Try drinking water or electrolytes before your coffee, or wait a little while before that first cup. It helps your system wake up naturally.

3. Eat foods that support hormone balance
Whole foods rich in protein, fiber, and healthy fats help stabilize blood sugar and prevent cortisol spikes. On the flip side, processed foods and excess sugar can send cortisol on a rollercoaster that leaves you drained and craving more.

4. Mindset matters most
This one is easy to overlook, but it may be the most powerful hack of all. How you perceive your daily stress tells your body whether it should brace for a fight or relax into safety. A positive, resilient mindset, combined with practical strategies, helps regulate cortisol and sets the tone for how your body responds to everything else.

Why this matters
When cortisol is balanced, you feel calmer, sleep better, have more energy, and see less stress-related weight gain. When it’s not, you may feel anxious, wired but tired, and stuck in cycles of cravings and belly fat.

The good news? Small, intentional habits can reset that rhythm and bring you back into balance.

And if you’re ready to put these hacks into practice but want some guidance, join me for the 5-Day Cortisol Reset happening August 18–22. It’s a chance to experience my coaching program for yourself, with a special focus on managing cortisol through food, movement, and mindset. Click here to learn more.