Hi friends, happy Wednesday! First up, I’m thrilled you loved my Fall Decor Finds yesterday. Our temps are back in the 80s again, so it might be a few more weeks before we fully embrace Fall around here.
I tend to start my blog posts with a little nugget of life behind the computer, but it’s been awhile since I did a full check-in. We may not leave the house much, but it’s still been a busy few months around the Sugarplum Casa.
And since this blog also serves as my own personal scrapbook, I wanted to document a few things here. (Seriously, you wouldn’t believe how often I search HSP for reminders of things we did, what I used, where we went, etc! That little magnifying glass is great for finding topics of all kinds!)
So here’s a little peek at our Life Lately…
After six months cooped up in his room, Mr. College Guy was finally able to pack up and head back to school to start his sophomore year! Funny enough, the days seemed to drag during shelter-in-place, but as soon as we pulled out his bags, it was as if he’d only been home a minute.
I had a few moments of sadness both during the packing, and on drop-off day, but certainly nothing like his first year. (Read that experience HERE.)
He’s living in the fraternity house this year, so he’s got more space and freedom…and fortunately given the pandemic, it’s significantly fewer people than in the dorm! The majority of his classes are virtual, but he does have a couple on campus.
We debated having him stay home this semester and go completely online, but in the end, decided that college is not just about a classroom. Many life skills come from surviving on your own, away from hovering moms, ha! We’re sad to miss the fun of Fall semester…football games, tailgates, Parent’s Weekend, etc, but grateful he’s finding a little bit of ‘normal.’
Becoming a man is not easy work, but he’s finding his way, and we couldn’t be more proud. Or miss him more.
After a month of virtual classes, Little Miss finally stepped foot in her new school. Her high-school is on a hybrid schedule, so she’s face-to-face two days a week, and at-home for three.
There are quite a few obstacles, but she’s handling them like a champ. One thing the pandemic revealed is her resilience…the girl accepted it and adapted from the beginning. Don’t get me wrong, some days are hard, but I’m seriously surprised, and amazed, by her daily.
Graphic Tee | Jeans | Double Layer Converse | Wreath | ‘Hello’ Door Mat
She marked the start of her freshman year by getting her ears pierced…finally! The rule was she had to wait until she was 14, which happened to fall in the first week of lockdown. (Mama SP made me wait until 14, so I just followed the tradition, ha!)
So she was beyond excited to finally make it happen! Oh yeah, and she got braces, too! I can’t believe how fast she’s growing up now.
While I was perfecting the art of couch-potatoeing, Mr. SP was fulfilling his dream of hiking Half Dome!
He and his cousin backpacked from Mammoth to Yosemite, a 6-day journey completely off the grid. He said it was the hardest, but most incredible experience of his life.
He invited me to come, but as soon as I heard the bathroom arrangements, I was out! (You bring a #2 shovel!)
For me, it’s been a juggling act of mom-life and work-life, with Zoom workouts thrown in each week! Our Sugarplum Fit Classes are so fun, and definitely keep me more accountable. Click HERE to register and join us virtually.
Oh yeah, I’m also working on our next Gibson x Hi Sugarplum Collection!! Y’all, it is SO FUN, and I can’t wait for you to see it!! The photoshoot is in two weeks (hence all the workouts, ha!), and stay tuned for launch details next month!
And finally…we bought a lakehouse! I know, it’s crazy…I still can’t believe it! Well, it’s not technically ours yet since it’s still being built, but it hopefully will be by December.
My dad and stepmom have had a house on this lake for almost 30-years, and memories of weekends and summers here are some of the sweetest. We’ve casually been looking for a place of our own for ages, and literally stumbled on this darling new-build on the Fourth of July.
And bonus, it’s two coves over from my step-mom!
builder: CR Thurman Homes
Of course I brought in my friends at A Well Dressed Home to help us choose the final finishes for construction, and decorate the main living area. They have access to unbelievable trade prices, and indestructible fabrics! Their knowledge and expertise has been invaluable during this process…here’s a peek of the style…
I’ve been sharing the building progress on my Instagram Story, and started a Lake House highlight video you can see HERE. Let me know if you want to see more on the blog, like the building progress and design choices…I can’t get enough of it!
We can hardly wait for all the new memories in the decades to come, and feel so grateful to have a place our parents can enjoy, too.
So tell me…what’s going on in your life lately? How are your kids settling in to this new ‘normal’? Happy halfway-to-Friday, lovebugs!
My husband went to Yosemite last year for his 50th and loved it. He just got back from a trip to the Rockies. We moved our oldest to college a month ago. I thought I was the “fly, be free” mom so I wasn’t prepared for the emotions!! Your post from last year definitely resonated with me! Can’t wait to see the lake house!!!
I hope the post comforted you knowing you aren’t alone. I’ve known his whole life he’d leave, so I was shocked when it was so hard!! I promise it gets easier! xo. C
Hi Cassie! Congratulations on the lake house! I would love to follow along on the build and design choices for the house. So fun to follow along!
Thank you so much, Susie! xo. C
Whata fun/interesting post.
Your new/old farmhouse on the lake, how fun to see how that will pan out!
Cannot believe how quickly Little Miss has changed. There are two cute faces in that front door photo!
Thanks for all the fun!
I need a road trip bad. Five weeks to go! : )
I wondered if y’all would notice Miss Maggie in the window! She’s never far. xo
Hello ! I would be thrilled to see more of the lake house ! 🙂
Have a nice day !
Happy Wednesday to you, Marianne! xo. C
YES PLEASE share the lake house design elements and process! I love when you show the process in your full-time house so I’d love to see the lake house choices as I know those will be a bit different because, it’s a lake house.
Congratulations!
It’s so fun to have a project from scratch…so much different than a remodel where you’re working with what you have. I can’t wait to see it come to life!
Your mood board looks very beachy / lake cabin. Can’t wait to see it done. Really appreciate you taking us along. I’m getting my redecorating kicks without the sawdust!
Haha, the mess is real!! Especially at the lake with the sand and mud!
Can you share the company for the paint swatches you show for your Lake House?
Sherwin Williams! We chose Languid Blue for the door!
I am so jealous about the lake house!! How amazing is that??? Yes, keep posting on that! Your daughter is so grown up and wearing make up! Where’s the baby cheeks??? And the guys-what an adventure. Good for them! Loved this post.
Thanks so much, Monica!! xo. C
Oh, how exciting! I would love for you to share all about the lake house on the blog! We chose to send our daughter back to college for her sophomore year for the same exact reason! Also, our younger daughter just started high school, too. I didn’t realize our first 2 kids were the same age spread as your kids. (We also have 2 boys- 11 yrs (6th) and 7 yrs (2nd).)
I hope they’re all adapting well!! You’ve got your hands full, mama!! xo. C
Yesssss!! Share all of the lake house updates. Looks like perfection 🙂
Mindy
You’re so adorable and it’s great hearing how your family is doing. I hope the kids have a great school year! Congratulations on the lake house. I’d love to follow along!!! Can’t wait to see the progress and, of course, the end result. How exciting!!!
Thank you so much, Mary! Much love to you and your family, as well! xo
I love this post and how much change has occurred during the years. Not to mention. You are working out on the regular. I love it.
The memories made at a lake are the best! Our family’s lake house is now full of grandchildren. It will be worth every penny. I would love to see updates!
Btw thanks for “keeping it real” these last several months!
This makes me so excited!! I know we’re years and years away from grandchildren, but the idea of all of us at the lake makes my heart so happy!! xo. C
PLEASE share the building and design process here! I follow too many people on IG to have time to watch all stories but yours is always a blog I check and would love to see it here! I miss all your decorating posts!
You got it, Kaitlin!! (I miss the decorating, too…we ran out of spaces here!) Holidays will be here soon though! xo. C
Yes! Please share ALL the home stuff here!
Hugs, Sharon
“The Lake House” every time you say those words I think of my favorite movies with the same name.! Sandra Bullock and Keana Reeves star in the movie. When they dance…omg. And when she waits by the mailbox…tears are flowing. Well enough of that.
Love your design board! Colors are beautiful! Love to watch your posts, you are always so upbeat (except when your son went away to school last year…I think we all cried with you).
Thanks for all your inspiration (clothing makeup, house design, personal care and growth). Have a great holiday season! Be H.S.P. (Healthy, Safe, and Positive). Hugs!
Gosh thank you so much, Tricia! Such sweet words! And I love that HSP acronym! xo, C