Happy Thursday, friends!
It’s 10 RANDOM THINGS: JULY EDITION!
You know the drill, I have a few random categories and am sharing random tidbits about each one.
Why do random posts like these always make me oh so happy?! They just do 🙂 .
Okay, here we go…
10 RANDOM THINGS ABOUT:
10 Random Pics on my Phone:
#1: We have been in a drought here on Nantucket, so the last three days of rain have been very much needed. It was A LOT of rain. I walked out to walk the dogs, and the rain was over the sidewalk in our neighborhood.
#2: At the Brewery watching our favorite band. We love Jeff Tuohy!
#3: The back of my sweater makes me happy! So do the French braids Kensington did in my hair.
#4: My camera roll is nothing but pictures of pretty houses. Blue door, blue hydrangeas. Love.
#5: Kensington snapped this one and texted it to me. Please disregard the pile of sandy towels and shoes by the door.
#6: I have quite the Hard Rock pin collection (and a big Planet Hollywood collection too!). Kensington brought me back these two from San Francisco. I snapped a pic for my mom.
#7: My boy and me after dinner at Cru.
#8: Sailing lesson smile.
#9: A delicious salad from Nantucket Tap Room.
#10: The marina in the evening.
10 Random Items Always On My Desk
#1: A small notepad where I write down my daily “to do” list.
#2: I have been using two calendars just like this for organizing my blog content for YEARS (at least 12 or 13). One calendar is nothing but food posts and the other is nothing but lifestyle. I keep them all at the end of the year, so I have quite the collection by now.
#3: Post It Notes. I must have neon Post It Notes at all times.
#4: I still use an old school calculator. Every day.
#5: I use a yellow highlighter for travel documents, a pink highlighter to mark off notes about recipes and an orange one for lifestyle blog posts. What do I do with the blue highlighter that comes in the package? I leave those on Andrew’s desk.
#6: When I need to use an actual pen, I only use boring, black Bic ones. They’re my fave.
#7: Everything in my work world is color coded…thus my giant baggie of Flair pens and Sharpies.
#8: White folders hold travel notes, client folders, handwritten recipes…all color coded. Am I showing you guys a bit of my crazy today? I think I might be. Bahahahaha!
#9: I do not mark things out. I use White Out. We’ve had this discussion before, but I MUCH prefer the liquid to the White Out Tape. Much. Much.
#10: I take all of my client notes on legal pads.
10 Random Things About Nantucket
#1: ADAM SANDLER IS HERE/HAS BEEN HERE
Where did Adam Sandler go after officiating that little wedding? NANTUCKET! He’s been here all week popping up in the funniest, most “non-popular” spots. Everyone who has seen him can’t quit talking about how amazing he is. For example, he called the Nantucket police non-emergency number and asked them where he could find a game of pickup basketball. They told him about a park that typically has it, and he went and played with a bunch of guys. How fun is that?!
#2: I CAN’T QUIT SEEING TROY AIKMAN
I’ve never had a restraining order against me before, but if I see Troy Aikman out in the wild one more time this month, he might get one against me. Last summer, he came for about a month, and we kept running into him at random places. And now this summer, we do too. Last summer, we didn’t say anything to him, so it wasn’t that odd…but this summer, he was standing right behind me at the hostess stand at Cru one night, so I said something. I mean, he’s TROY AIKMAN AND I’M FROM DALLAS. Well, after that, he was sitting at the table right next to ours and from there, I swear I’ve seen him 185 times. At this point, I’m ducking when I see him because I don’t want him to think “there’s that creepy Dallas lady following me again”. Bahahaha!
#3: YAY, YAY FOR THE RAIN!
Lots of rain has actually made the beginning part of this week cozy. After a busy, busy July Fourth, I haven’t hated all the rain.
#4: THERE ARE NO STOPLIGHTS
Just a random tidbit for you, but there are no stoplights on this little island.
#5: IT’S MOSTLY UNTOUCHED LAND
People that come and visit us are always so surprised by how “untouched” the land is here. Most of the island is undeveloped and will stay that way because it’s either a state park or it’s been bought up by the Nantucket Land Bank which buys land just so it won’t be developed.
#6: SUMMER SEASON MEANS EXTRA JOBS ARE CREATED
Did you know that when the island’s population swells due to tourist, day trippers, and summer people, so many city organizations have to bring in more: firefighters, police officers, doctors, nurses, construction workers, airport workers, and on and on and on. The island can’t handle the influx off of the year around workers, so many many more come to live on Nantucket just for the summer season.
#7: EVERYONE IS AT THE GROCERY STORE
Literally everyone. There is one main, big grocery store on the island (there are a couple of smaller ones, but one main big one)…and it is the craziest, busiest, most active spot on this whole island. Everyone is there. At the same time. Always. If you want to see a celebrity on Nantucket, just head there. They’re there too. Andrew was in line behind Dave Portnoy the other day checking out. I mean, he’s a billionaire and he’s there. Ha!
#8: THERE IS A LARGE JAMAICAN COMMUNITY
Did you know that Nantucket is home to a large Jamaican community? We have so many friends here who are Jamaican, and I absolutely love when they talk about “the island, man” because it makes it sound way more special/tropical/dreamier. When you’re here, pay attention, and you’ll see a lot of Jamaican influence especially in some of the coffee shops, sandwich shops, and restaurants. The food here is definitely influenced by the Jamaican culture…which adds an extra delicious element to every bite.
#9: OH DEER!
The deer population is out of control. Without any predators, they’re populating at a crazy pace.
#10: IT’S AN ISLAND, A TOWN, AND A COUNTY
Nantucket is an island. It’s a town. And it’s a county. Whereas Martha’s Vineyard is an island made up of six different towns in Duke’s County.
10 Random Amazon Finds I Always Re-order
#2: UNITE DETANGLER & LEAVE IN CONDITIONER
#4: LANEIGE
#5: HEALTHY FEET
#6: STONE CLEANER
#9: LUMIFY EYE DROPS
#10: KITSCH HAIR TIES
10 Random Books You Should Read
#1: Theo of Golden by Allen Levi
#2: This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page
#3: Estrogen Matters by Avrum Bluming and Carol Tavris
#4: Die with Zero by Bill Perkins
#5: Summer on Nantucket by Nancy Thayer
#6: My Friends by Fredrik Backman
#7: How to be Chic in the Summer by Fiona Ferris
#8: A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams
#9: Elevate Your Health by Jennifer Melville
#10: Dolly All The Time by Annabel Monaghan
10 Random Pet Peeves
#1: People not putting their shopping carts away, but instead, leaving them in the parking lot.
#2: When I have to answer 400 questions just to buy a cup of coffee. I don’t want to give you my email, phone number, and on and on and on. I just want to buy my one item and leave your establishment without being put on a mailing list.
#3: Ads on streaming platforms. Isn’t the whole reason why I pay for Prime or Netflix or whatever is to not have ads? Why are there ads all of a sudden on these streaming platforms?
#4: People talking on the phone while in a bathroom stall. Please put your phone away, potty, wash your hands, and then resume your call.
#5: People chugging water. People chug water like they just ran a marathon in the desert. I don’t get this. Why is everyone chugging?
#6: People being short with servers or sales associates. Nope, nope, nope. I don’t like this.
#7: People talking on speaker in public. I love to talk on speaker too, but if I’m in public, I hold my phone to my ear because no one else around me wants to listen to my conversation.
#8: Gum smacking drives me mad.
#9: When I’ve waited in line at any establishment for customer service and finally make it to the front of the line…but then the person helping me answers the phone and starts helping the person on the phone who just called in from home.
#10: People who park in two spots or crowd the line so much that they’ve eliminated the second spot from being accessible.
And those are 10 RANDOM THINGS for July!
Whew!
Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow, friends! I hope you have the BEST day! xx
Shannon says
FYI David Portnoy isn’t a billionaire.
Mix and Match Mama says
Well he appears pretty close if not, so I find it funny he was self checking out at Stop and Shop too 😉 .
Kelly M says
Nantucket must not have flies 😂 I feel like that would have made it on your last list:)
Mix and Match Mama says
You know, on a few beaches, there are these large flies, but honestly, other than that, flies are not an issue .
Alexis says
Loved this post! Your celebrity sighting update had me laughing! Ha. Let us know what he Troy for breakfast tomorrow. 😂
Mix and Match Mama says
I will be hiding behind my menu…
Elspeth Mizner says
Love these posts im making a Trader Joe’s run today! What are your top recs for this month??
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Mix and Match Mama says
I haven’t been in July…and I’m not sure if I’m going to make it there this month or not.
Lisa D says
This is so fun! I love a random post 😊
Laura says
I could not agree more about Bic pens!
Mix and Match Mama says
So simple and yet so amazing.
Nancy E says
Who do you order those fun, printed calendars from? Love me a cute paper calendar.
Mix and Match Mama says
right here: https://amzn.to/4ykiWhd
They’re my fave! They’re so cute!
Ashley P says
Agree. These are the only ones I buy as a teacher to use at school.
Reba says
Same! These are hands down the best pens! Bic for everyday teacher use & Flair for the color coding!
SS says
Shay,
I laughed at so many of these!!! I love a calendar…tell Andrew we get them form our insurance office for free! 😆
Ads on streaming drove us crazy…we were watching Pych and The Middle on Prime and the commercials were driving me crazy. One night hubby upgraded and said it’s like one movie, so I just got it! Thank you!!!
I had a friend who worked on Mackinac Island that is a touristy place, but she was asked to go to their touristy place for the winter in Colorado…
What a fun past….
Summer says
This was such a fun random post! Thank you!
Sarah DeWald says
I love your pet peeves! It really irks me when someone parks so badly and it takes up 2 spots.
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s so inconsiderate!
Caroline says
Or when giant pickup trucks use the compact car spots…I feel like I deserve at least 1 perk for driving a teeny tiny mazda!😅
Amanda says
Too funny! P.s. are there ticks on the island?!
Mix and Match Mama says
There are!
Sara says
More Troy Aikman content please! LOL!!! I follow him on IG and saw he was in your town; wondered if you had had any sightings. Also, deer….how does Nantucket manage that population? Regulated hunting? This was fun; love a random post!
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s getting ridiculous. I’m seeing him in the most random places too. I was walking past where the ferry comes in and out on Tuesday and there he was hustling to meet someone getting off the boat. It was pouring rain. How were we both out in the rain by the ferry on a Tuesday?
Kathy Gaul says
Love random things post
Katie Stewart says
Fun post!
Are you going to be watching The 5 Star Weekend series? I was so excited until I learned it’s on Peacock… the one streaming service we DON’T have.
Super interesting about Jamaican culture on Nantucket! Makes sense!
Mix and Match Mama says
I am! I love, love, loved the book!!
lee ann vicary says
I manage a construction company and we have folks from all walks of life that come in. Some are subcontractors, folks looking for work or directions and some of them have been in prison, some have not bathed recently, some are homeless or close to it. The main thing I look for when I hire office help is how they treat people. I can break folks of bad habits like coming to work late, or calling in sick frequently but thinking you are better than someone else and that gives you the right to not be kind is taught much younger by parents. So if you can’t treat everyone as an equal and be kind and considerate you won’t be getting a position with our company or you won’t be staying long. I remember being at Walmart with my daughter when she was around 5 we ran into a woman we knew that was a president of a local bank and a few minutes later a young man with special needs who was a dishwasher at a restaurant a friend owned – my daughter said “you know mom, we know a lot of different people” I assured her we did and we treated them all the same, with kindness and love. I have called out parents at baseball games who are ugly to kids that are making peanuts to umpire ball games. Rude entitled folks get my goat.
molly says
You spelled San “Francisco” incorrectly even though the pin has it written on it
Mix and Match Mama says
Sigh. Thank you! Sometimes my spell checker underlines the words…sometimes, it does not.
Carrie says
As long as you aren’t calling it Frisco lol. I remember from your podcast you mentioning there was a commenter who was so upset thinking you were calling it Frisco when you were really referencing Frisco TX.
Mix and Match Mama says
She was so upset about it…hahaaha!
Tasha says
Hi Shay! Thanks for sharing. I am LOVING the info on celebrity sightings on Nantucket please keep sharing those!!
Beth Valenta says
Such a fun pick me up for today! Love the spottings…and your top pet peeves. I join you with gum chewing and gulping anything. Just shhhh. Some of mine are people in the right lane if they are not turning (you are holding us up), and goodness why do they have turn signals in cars if you are not using them? And walking behind someone that walks in the middle of grocery aisles…move to a side so I can pass and not keep breathing deeply behind you.
Susan Fitzpatrick says
Regarding your random pet peeves, I completely agree with you on all of those! The only people I give a pass to on putting shopping carts away are moms with babies or small children. I used to park as close as I could to a cart corral when my kids were young. I didn’t want to leave them in the car while searching for a place to put my cart away!
Karah Stracener says
I always love a random post! Thanks for sharing. I am adding several of those books to my TBR list. My family and I will be back on Nantucket Saturday for the week. We cannot wait to be back at our favorite place. People not putting their shopping carts up is such a pet peeve of mine too. It drives me crazy.
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh I hope I bump into you!!
Elizabeth says
I loved seeing what’s on your desk! Shout out to a small notepad, neon post-it notes, and ALL the colored pens!
Mix and Match Mama says
It must be colorful…and color coded 🙂 .
Faith Kapp says
I finished “This book made me think of you” last week and I have been listening to “Theo of Golden” on audiobooks this past month. Both great books! Love your random posts. Your pet peeves fired me up. All the things! But I will admit, I am a gum smacker not meaning to be at times and my daughters quickly call me out 🫣
Kay says
I love this post so much! Another random thing…the TV version of Elin Hilderbrand’s novel “Five Star Weekend” is out today on Peacock! (Peacock is always one of those I can’t remember if I have? I think so? Who really knows?). I can’t wait to watch.
Enjoy the lovely ocean breeze for me…we are in the suburbs of Boston and it is HOT!
Robyn says
Yes – to Bic pens and neon post-it notes! And, yes…why are there ads on my Netflix? Why!! Grrrr!
Cici says
I’m sure that ziploc bag of pens has been working just fine. But if you want an upgrade Target has these $4-5 clear hard-sided zipper pencil cases by Up&Up. Love how minimalistic they are and how you can easily see the colors of everything. The larger size is great for organizing random things too, not just pens.
Kristy Moore says
So for someone who NEVER reads books that have just come out, I finally am! Please add Whistler by Ann Patchett to your ‘must read next’ list and let me know your thoughts. It’s the number one book up here in Canada (rated by our big book store, Indigo) and was recommended by so many different influencers. I’m having a very difficult time understanding why!!! I need your reading expertise to help me understand what makes this book so amazing??! LOL
Mix and Match Mama says
I love a book rec!! Thank YOU!!!!
Abby says
Your braids are so cute! Love them! And the ear stack it shows off!
Rachel says
OK, chugging water…I can’t speak for everyone, but I do it sometimes because I don’t like water, I’m just trying to get it done! My son does it so he can crinkle the plastic bottle because he knows that sound is one of my pet peeves! 😆
Mix and Match Mama says
I don’t like that sound either and Smith does it all the time!
Leslie S says
We decided to head back to Nantucket i stead of a Greek Isles cruise and I’m so excited to go bACK!!
Mix and Match Mama says
I hope I bump into you!
Karen in VA says
Hi Shay…can you do a post of the countryside of Nantucket? I just want to see what the rest of the island looks like. Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
That’s a very very fun idea!
Christina T. says
I prefer the liquid whiteout too! My boss made fun of me for it when she saw me using it! The tape always gets stuck or stops working
Beth Knecht says
Our local library had “An Island Christmas” book on feature. So I came home and looked up Nancy Thayer books and saw the one you had mentioned but wasn’t sure which one to start with.
Mix and Match Mama says
I love Nancy Thayer books! Honestly, I sometimes love them more than Elin books. I don’t think you can go wrong with any of her novels.
Carole George says
Love random things posts! I had no idea they even still made liquid white out! LOL
Mix and Match Mama says
It is HARD TO FIND!
Leigh says
I went on the EH Blue Book tour last week when I day tripped to Nantucket and she said the Stop and Shop there earns more $ than any other in the chain and does it from June- September! I thought I might see you but no such luck. But the really crazy thing is that I also saw Troy Aikman in line at Black Eyed Susan! But i didn’t recognize him and was just randomly chatting with him outside. My poor husband wants to kill me over it!
Mix and Match Mama says
Troy is everywhere! How is he doing it?! I’m so glad you came to visit! I am not surprised about Stop & Shop. I’ll often bike there just because I know I won’t be able to find a parking spot.
Leigh says
My 83 year old daddy said, “what do you mean you talked to him and didn’t know who he was? What were you even talking about then?” As if me talking to a stranger is 1. Unusual or 2. The majority of my convos with strangers are about football???
I’d like to bring my grad school daughter back for stroll weekend. She also loved the Winter St books. (And she’s listened to me say 1000 times while watching 5 Star Weekend “I was literally standing right there last week!)
Debra says
Such a great post! Your pet peeves include so many of mine!
Julie says
I loved this post! I smiled about all the office items you use. I too have and use #1,3,4,5,6,7 and 9 both here at home and in the office! Have a wonderful Friday and great weekend with your family!
Kristal Strong says
I appreciate that pile of beach towels and shoes in the pic with Madely. Makes me feel better about my pile of pool towel waiting on me to address. 😉
Li says
This is the first time I saw your blog and found your page and I absolutely love it!! It reminded me of the old blogs days, thank you for such a fun reading ❤️
I am going to Nantucket nest week and I couldn’t be happier !!! Your blog have helped me tons hehe I am also from TX but Houston area 🙂
I have a question if you can answer, where would be a fun place to go watch the Word Cup last game ? It’s my first time and I have no idea where to go, I won’t be traveling with my kids, so don’t need to be kid friendly:) thank you!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Awwww, yay! You should go to the Rose and Crown 🙂 . Have so much fun!
Susan says
I love everything about this post but pet peeves #6 & #7 made me comment – they are so true! Shopping carts are right up there on my list too it’s only a few more steps and ain’t anyone that important or in that much of a hurry to not be able to put that darn cart away. 😉 Thanks for sharing the sunshine and happy with us daily.
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank YOU for being here every day! xx