Yup. A link post on a Monday. It feels so wrong that it feels right.

In Rome news, it is officially summer. 90s erry day, but it somehow feels even worse. Muggy. Gross. The direct sun is merciless. It gives no quarter. We’ve been staying up late because summer and because it is actually kind of pleasant after 7:00 pm. Water is my happy place. Other than a recent bout of the flu, I’ve actually been enjoying summer a lot. I just haven’t been getting much done. Schedule is out of whack and the heat is just wiping me out. I know. #firstworldproblems

Gearing up for our road trip to Bologna, Modena, Ravenna, and Lake Garda. If anyone has any recommendations, would love to hear ’em!

On the Blog:

If you told me a year ago that I would have done this, I would have said you were absolutely crazy.

If you are in Rome or coming to Rome, check out these tickets to score in advance.

Now with two chuckleheads on the loose. Hoot.

I’ve been all about habits lately. (More on my latest love soon.) This is my take on how you can build on foundational habits. (This graphic made James giggle.)

My cousins are here. Guess what I asked them? (Seriously, no one is safe.)

And because this is occasionally still a travel-related blog, here is why you need a sense of humor to travel in Italy, here is about that time I met the President of Italy, and here is why I loved our trip to Marrakesh.

On the Internets:

You guys! Land Before Time is on Netflix! (My kids were not as into it as I thought. I was like, yes, DINOSAURS, but I think it was a little slower moving than what they are used to. And they seemed to get really focused on the Mom’s death so that was fun to explain over and over.) For the adults, Sixteen Candles is also added. This is a movie I definitely thought I’d seen, but realized I hadn’t actually. Let’s just say it’s a classic for a reason.

Looking for your next vacation read? Modern Mrs. Darcy’s summer reading guide is out. Grab it here. Also did you know that Anne publishes daily Kindle deals? I’ve been using her curated lists to snap up great books at hefty discounts.

I quite enjoyed this article on Quitting Being a Secret of Success. (You know I enjoy a good quitters story.)

Would you try cricket powder protein bars? I haven’t done it yet, but I’m seriously considering. I’ve been looking for a good paleo on-the-go option and been coming up short. I really really wanted to like Epic Bars, but they just aren’t my thing. (Mac loves them though.) I’ve also tried some Beef Sticks from Grass Run Farms, but not my jam. Just too vinegary maybe? (Both kids love them.) I make Melissa Joulwan’s meat muffins and use things like boiled eggs, but it would be nice to have an already prepared emergency option.And I don’t remember what I was searching on Amazon, but I stumbled across this. You know, in case your life doesn’t have enough pee in it and you need to put a urinal, that looks like a frog, IN YOUR HOME. No thank you please.