Issue #65: on the OTHER side.
coming off of the DANCE party, making big decisions, national BREASTFEEDING month, savoring the other side of summer, and a SHEBOYGAN day trip that you might enjoy.
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Coming off the high of our second dance party, our hearts are full. There’s something magical about building a space where people can gather, move, connect, and remember joy in motion. We felt it—in the music, the sweat, the conversations, and the spontaneous laughter. But there’s something else that happens too, something quieter. After a big event, there’s often a soft landing—a return to stillness that can catch us off guard. It’s not a crash, but a necessary exhale. We’re learning to welcome that feeling too, to see it as part of the creative cycle. A sign that what we made was worth the effort.
And just like that, our minds are already turning toward the next one—our November dance party is in the works. But for now, we’re lingering in this late-summer moment. August always brings a shift: the golden light, the earlier evenings, the sense that we’re on the other side of something. There’s still time to savor. This week, we’re sharing one of our favorite easy daytrips to help you make the most of it. What else do you want to fit in before the season turns? What small adventure, connection, or pause might help you mark this moment with intention?
We’re also thinking about the other side of big decisions—those quiet, often personal turning points that take root and ripple outward. Whether it’s choosing to be done after one child (as moms to only children this article resonated with us) or deciding not to have children at all, deciding what to do with frozen embryos, changing career paths, ending a relationship (if you missed our conversation on the podcast with Sue Bruckner on navigating divorce, find it here), or redefining your identity in a new season of life—there’s often both grief and relief. Even when you know the choice is right, the space it opens can feel conflicted even when honest, freeing, and full of new light.
pics from the dance floor…
Big love to our collaborators: Rivulet MKE, Dori Zori, and Grace Fuhr for helping bring this vision to life—and to our generous sponsors: Lela Boutique • Kelly’s Greens • Mother Lion • Happy Joy Candy Co. You made the night magic.
savoring summer + a day trip you might like…
We’re officially on the other side of summer—the light is starting to wane and you can feel the shift coming. Back-to-school emails are rolling in, calendars are filling up, and there’s a quiet pull toward fall routines. Time to squeeze in the things you’ve been craving this summer.
This weekend we are sneaking away for a last minute trip and I (Rebecca) realized that I have now done this same trip 4-5 times with girlfriends, with Mark, and with Everly and friends. On repeat and so great that I have emailed recommendations to patients and figured it was worth sharing as it is the perfect way to get in an easy summer getaway (or plan one for any time of the year) less than an hour away!
a SHEBOYGAN day trip
My favorite way to start the day is at The Greenhouse. I LOVE the light in the solarium and it is the perfect place to grab a coffee, tea, or smoothie and sit for a bit.
From there, we often head to the Kohler Design Center. If you have not been and just want to look at beautiful things or need inspiration for an upcoming bathroom remodel, it is worth a stop. Everly and her friends love exploring the model bathrooms and picking their favorite!
If you love chocolate, you may want to stop in the Kohler Chocolatiers.
If you enjoy art and have time, both the John Michael Kohler Art Center and the Art Preserve are fantastic and FREE.
Kohler Art Preserve
Kohler-Andrae State Park and Beach is one of the best beaches on Lake Michigan. Speaking of the other side, it has a very Michigan feel to it and is famous for its sand dunes that are often associated with Michigan's Lake Michigan coast. And the water is clear with a sandy bottom that is shallow a good distance out. There are also a few lovely beaches in downtown Sheboygan that are great for a quick stop.
Lunch… there really is no other (unless we are staying late or overnight it might be dinner) IL RITRIVO was the 5th Certified Vera Pizza Napoletana member in the United States and serves the most amazing wood-fired pizzas with slow-fermented dough, fresh mozzarella made from Wisconsin curd daily, air-shipped Bufala mozzarella, and San Marzano tomatoes. They also own Trattoria Stefano across the street and Field to Fork next door which are nice alternatives and a few years ago opened Stefano’s Slo Food Market which is great to grab food to go if you want to head to the beach. They have a Mortadella Pesto Sandwich I have been wanting to try but never arrive hungry! NOTE: Il Ritrivo is open for lunch from 11-2 and then again at 5 for dinner on weekdays and all day on weekends.
After lunch, my favorite stop is Nikki’s Nex2New Clothing Consignment Shop. It is my favorite resale clothing store with great prices and inventory (+ a kids section). There are some other shops along the strip that are fun to pop into too!
We have not been yet, but this weekend may check out Above & Beyond Children’s Museum if we need to get out of the heat for a bit.
Interested in making a stop at the spa? When I was in acupuncture school, you could get a day pass without services for $30! Unfortunately, that is long gone, but if you go on Wednesdays you can take advantage of their Community Days and receive 20% off all 50-minute and 80-minute services and they waive the two service minimum so you can stay and enjoy the facilities for as long as you like without being a resort guest- some dates do not apply so be sure to enquire when you call to book.
A fan of beer? Mark and I stopped here on one of our trips and a patient reminded me to add it to the list…3 Sheeps Sheboygan Taproom is super fun.
Staying the night? If you joined us at the dance party, you likely saw Laurie and her sister Kristin on the dance floor! Laurie and her husband have an adorable Air BNB that is perfectly located and made for a great weekend last time Mark and I went!
Any other Sheboygan favorites? Let us know!
TASTE: Cycle Synching Teas. These beautiful teas came up on our feed and we are intrigued. It seems like a lovely way to honor one’s menstrual cycle and invite in supportive herbs tailored to each phase. The idea of sipping something intentionally crafted for where you are in your cycle feels both grounding and empowering—a small daily ritual to reconnect with the rhythms of your body. Whether you're bleeding, building, ovulating, or winding down, syncing your tea with your cycle is a gentle nudge to pause, check in, and nourish yourself in real time. We’re always drawn to ways that food and drink can become part of the conversation between body and self—this feels like an invitation to listen more closely.
SEE: The Shecanter. She can. She will. A rose-tinted decanter shaped like the miraculous uterus. Imagine pouring wine from a decanter shaped like a uterus—with fallopian tubes and all. Yep, that exists. The Shecanter is bold, conversation-starting, and honestly kind of perfect for your next gathering with friends who appreciate both anatomy and a good glass of red. Bonus: 10% of proceeds go to women’s health causes. And fun fact—did you know that fallopian tubes aren’t fixed in place? They can actually move and “grab” an egg released from the opposite ovary if one side isn’t functioning. The body is wild—and so is this decanter.
SMELL: Candle Making Class. Looking for a cozy, creative way to spend an evening while creating your ideal fall scent? Our friend Steph at Bushyl is hosting two upcoming candle making classes where you’ll get to blend and pour a custom candle tin in her inviting industrial studio. It’s a hands-on experience that’s equal parts grounding and fun—perfect for sparking creativity and slowing down. Once your candle is poured, you can hang out in the space or explore a nearby spot while it cools. Whether you go solo or bring a friend, it’s a sensory reset worth making time for.
HEAR: Women’s Health in the NEWS. Rhode Island just became the first state to add menopause to its list of workplace protections, requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations for symptoms like hot flashes, brain fog, and fatigue—an important step toward acknowledging the impact of menopause on working women’s lives. Meanwhile, the FDA has convened two panels that could shape the future of care for women at different life stages. One recommended removing the long-standing “black box” warning from hormone therapy labels, citing growing evidence that the risks were overstated and that the warning may have deterred many from seeking effective relief during menopause. Another panel, focused on antidepressant use in pregnancy, sparked concern from mental health experts who say the discussion leaned too heavily on potential risks without fully addressing the well-documented benefits of treating perinatal depression—including lower rates of preterm birth and maternal suicide.
TOUCH: National Breastfeeding Month. August is a time to recognize, support, and advocate for all feeding journeys. What begins as a physical act of nourishment often becomes a complex and emotional experience, shaped by access to care, cultural context, and personal choice. Whether your path included breastfeeding, pumping, supplementing with formula, or making peace with a different plan altogether, this month holds space for the strength, vulnerability, and beauty found in every story (read our breastfeeding stories here).
Throughout the month, weekly themes bring attention to different communities and lived experiences, offering a deeper look at the systemic disparities that continue to impact feeding outcomes. Families may face challenges rooted in historical trauma, lack of culturally informed care, and limited access to breastfeeding support. In response, representation, community-based care, and continued advocacy are essential steps toward equity and change.
What is appealing to your senses right now? What are you reading? watching? cooking? wearing? loving? obsessed with? We would love to share some of your picks in future newsletters!
And we leave you with…
Have a great weekend!
