Somebody Call Air Traffic Control 🚀

Elizabeth turned eight this month! We hosted 12 girls for a birthday sleepover, decorated with every pink, purple, and mint balloon known to man, got all dressed up in matching jammies, and just had the coziest, sweetest time. (If you’ve never experienced the sound of a dozen eight-year-olds giggling at once, you haven’t really lived.)

Our family life has also transformed into a veritable Cirque du Soleil of extracurricular activities. The kids are back in school, and they've got lacrosse sticks flying, ice skates twirling, gymnastics flips flipping, golf clubs swinging, and pop star performances happening in the living room. (And, of course, my brain is spinning trying to coordinate it all. I've considered hiring an air traffic controller just to manage the logistics.)

How I Currently “Juggle It All”: I’ve been using the Cozy App for family organizing! It’s like having a personal assistant (but one who won't judge you).  I maaaybe got a little *extra* this month and asked my virtual assistant to make a schedule of my kids’ best friends’ schedules so that I’d have a leg up on coordinating carpooling and playdates. (Someone please invent an app for that, too!)

This month, I had the incredible opportunity to host several events at Denver Startup Week, as well as participate in two panels with other incredible founders. It was all particularly meaningful as we approach Partytrick's two-year anniversary in October. Can you believe it? We're less "startup in a garage" now and more startup that’s truly out in the world!

The Surprisingly Joyful Ways I’m Managing My Productivity Right Now: I’m loving the Forest app for a totally unique way to stay productive. It helps me remain focused during work sprints while planting real trees! Win-win! (Bonus recommendation: Brain.FM is a great resource for music that’s scientifically proven to increase focus.)

In the midst of all the hustle, I managed to squeeze in a first trip to my new landing pad / command center / escape pod in New York City. These trips always feel exciting, like a secret mission – part business, part adventure!

September also ushered in the era of the Big 4-0 for two dear friends. We celebrated with the vigor of twenty-somethings and the recovery time of, well, forty-somethings. Nothing like milestone birthdays to make you pause and appreciate life's journey, right?

And between all the running around, I'm trying to remember to breathe. Sometimes that’s easier said than done. I’m learning that 40 doesn’t quite feel the same as 35, but I’ll be running the NYC marathon in just over 5 weeks whether my aging joints like it or not!

My New Favorite Way to Shop: Check out Beni (from one of my bad@$$ founder friends), an app that helps you find all your favorite brands at amazing secondhand prices without the endless scrolling. Beni is like a shopping bestie that also happens to be saving the planet!

“Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint you can on it.”

—Danny Kaye