Foolproof Life Lately July 2025

4Th of July Peachtree Road Race – 3rd Year in A Row!

If your travels ever bring you to Atlanta in July, I can’t recommend the 4th of July Peachtree Road Race enough. It’s technically a 10k, but it feels much more like the biggest outdoor party of the year.

This was our third year participating, and once again, it didn’t disappoint. Being surrounded by people of all ages, backgrounds, and fitness levels reminded us what a special community event it really is.

And yes, we walked it and finished! The best part, though? Hands down, the juicy Georgia peaches waiting for us at the finish line.

Goodbye, Dorothy

Longtime readers know how much I loved my old white kitchen and how excited I was when we bought this house back in 2020.

In last month’s update, I shared that we had moved, and this month we officially sold our old house. We had nicknamed it Dorothy, since it was on Dorothy Lane.

Saying goodbye to that kitchen, where I created so many recipes for this blog, wasn’t easy. But the new owners were so kind and genuinely excited to make it their own, which gave me peace.

It was my first time selling a house, and it truly felt like closing a big chapter of our lives.

With that chapter closing, I found myself needing to slow down and really take stock of where I was headed.

A Much-Needed Break

I’ve been blogging since 2013, and in all those years, I don’t think I’ve ever truly taken a week off from social media. Sharing here and (hopefully) being helpful has always been a priority for me, usually at least twice a week.

But back in April, I started feeling the weight of everything happening around us, especially with AI and the uncertainty it brings for people like me who create content for a living.

If you’ve been following the news, you’ve probably seen the endless discussions and predictions. Some say we’ll be among the hardest hit, and while no one really knows for sure, the speculation alone was enough to send me spiraling.

I found myself scared, overwhelmed, and questioning whether what I’ve built over the past twelve years could really be at risk. For a while, I thought I could just hustle through it, but earlier this month, I realized I needed to pause and face these feelings head-on.

So, I made the decision to take the entire month off from social media and from sharing new recipes. I needed time to step back, think about what this season means for my business, and figure out how I can keep moving forward without losing myself in the process.

And you know that famous saying by Ann Lamont, “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”?

That’s exactly what happened to me. Stepping away helped me see the bigger picture and decide which advice was worth holding on to in the sea of opinions being thrown around.

So, What’s Next?

One of the biggest pieces of advice you hear these days about staying relevant in the age of AI is this: learn to tell stories and make personal connections.

Because really, do we need another recipe? What we need is a person we can trust, a resource that feels human.

I’ve always tried to do that, but with the changes AI is bringing, I realized I needed to pivot a bit. Attention spans are shorter than ever, and the challenge now is telling a meaningful story in under a minute (?!?). 

Honestly, I didn’t know how to do that.

And to be real, storytelling in 40 seconds isn’t easy, especially when English isn’t your first language. 

That’s why I joined an online bootcamp (I talked more about this in last month’s life update post) focused on storytelling in this new AI-driven world.

So, what does this mean for the “new” me? 

It means building deeper connections through my recipes and through who I am. 

Whether you’re reading my emails, seeing my Instagram posts, or watching my YouTube videos, you’ll not only get the recipe but also the why behind it, why I’m sharing it, and how it connects me with you.

To be quite honest, there’s still so much to learn, and I’m very new at this. I feel more vulnerable than ever, but I know it has to happen.

So if you follow me on Instagram, you’ll notice a real shift in the way I share. I’m still figuring out the quirks of creating story-driven reels, but we all have to start somewhere, don’t we?

Time To Get Ready for The Holiday Season

With all these changes on the horizon, I realized I couldn’t do it all on my own anymore. So this month, I took a big step and hired my first full-time employee, Victoria, along with a new kitchen assistant, Cameron.

Victoria will be focusing on organizing our editorial calendar, search engine optimization, and writing, while Cameron will be in the kitchen with me, developing, testing, writing, and filming recipes.

August will be all about getting them up to speed and training together so we’re ready for the busy holiday season ahead.

It’s a big change for my small business, but I know having capable, well-trained people by my side will not only help me adapt to the changes happening around us but also give me more space to share content in a more meaningful way.

Still, in the middle of all this planning, I’ve been soaking up every bit of summer I can.

But Wait, Summer’s Not Over Yet

I may be gearing up for the holiday season, but I’m nowhere near ready to say goodbye to summer.

The farmer’s markets here in Atlanta are overflowing right now, and Dwight and I have been making it a point to visit our local farmers’ markets as often as we can. The tomatoes are at their peak (making piyaz on repeat), and soon we’ll be seeing eggplants and so many other late-summer treasures.

Cooking with what’s in season has been a real joy.

And before the official start of the holiday season in September (at least for us bloggers!), I have a couple of short trips on the horizon that I’m really excited about. First, a quick girls’ trip to New York City, and then a beach getaway in Cancun.

I plan on taking plenty of photos and jotting down all the good spots we visit so I can share them with you in next month’s update.

In The Now

Before I let you go, here are a few things I bought/experienced and loved this month:

Currently wearing – A classic but light linen dress 

I love linen dresses that you can easily dress up or down, and this one has quickly become a favorite. It’s rather thin since it doesn’t have a lining, but I wear a simple slip underneath and it’s perfect. Comfortable, breezy, and just right for these hot summer days.

Currently Reading – Gwyneth: The Biography by Amy Odell

Anyone who knows me knows I’ve been a longtime fan of Gwyneth Paltrow and the brand she’s built. This book is a fascinating look at her life and her influence on today’s wellness-obsessed culture. It was just released yesterday, but thanks to Audible, I’m already almost finished.

I’ll be honest, it doesn’t exactly paint the prettiest picture of her, but I knew that going in. After all, no one gets to that level of success by being nice all the time.

Immensely Enjoyed – A Night of Jazz with Diana Krall

Diana Krall wrapped up her 2025 tour right here in Atlanta, and thanks to Dwight, we managed to get incredible tickets. My best friend and her husband joined us, which made the night even more special.

I’ve long been a fan of her velvety voice and her incredible talent as a jazz pianist, and the concert did not disappoint. She sang a mix of her well-known songs along with a few she created with her equally gifted husband, Elvis Costello.

If you’re a jazz lover like we are, I can’t recommend seeing her live enough; it’s an unforgettable experience.

I Leave You With This

With the state of the world and the constant changes in technology, it can feel like everything is moving faster than we can keep up with. I know I’ve had a hard time adapting, and if you’re feeling the same way, please know you’re not alone.

It’s not easy, and we’re all figuring it out together.

In case you needed the reminder: we’re all doing the best we can with what’s right in front of us.

Until next month, keep your heart open and take gentle care of yourself.

Thank you, as always, for being here with me. Your support means more than I can say.

Until next month,

Aysegul