Day One
7 a.m. — I wake up to the soft sounds of waves crashing and the distant call of seagulls. B is already up, preparing coffee in our kitchen with our beautiful views of Cape Cod Bay. I join him on our porch with a warm cup of coffee and a light breakfast of Greek yogurt with fresh blackberries and blueberries from the local farmers market. The morning sun casts a golden glow over our garden.
8:30 a.m. — B heads to work, and I start my day with a yoga session on the porch using my favorite Manduka yoga mat and putting on Yoga With Adriene. The calm sound of the waves and the gentle breeze make it the perfect setting for meditation and stretching. I feel rejuvenated and at peace.
10 a.m. — I spend the morning tending to our garden. The scent of fresh basil and lavender fills the air as I water the herbs and flowers. The tomato plants are thriving, and I carefully tie the vines to stakes. The hydrangeas are in full bloom, their pink and blue petals adding a vibrant touch to the garden.
12 p.m. — Lunch is a simple affair at home. I make a fresh salad with the vegetables from our garden and pair it with some grilled chicken.
2 p.m. — I work on my knitting project. I’ve recently started knitting a blanket for our living room after picking up some skeins from a local craft store. It’s a soothing activity that allows me to relax and create something beautiful at the same time, but now that it’s coming together I’m not liking the color combinations (red, tan, and yellow). I decide to stop where I’m at and order the Olive Tree color collection from Lion Brand. This color combination will be perfect for fall when I’ll want to get cozy under my knitted blanket.
4 p.m. — I take a leisurely bike ride to the nearby Nauset Lighthouse. The ride is peaceful, and the views are breathtaking. I stop by Blue Willow on the way back for iced tea and a blueberry ricotta scone. $15
6 p.m. — B returns from work, and we start preparing dinner together. Cooking is one of our favorite activities to do together. Tonight, we’re making a classic New England clambake. The kitchen fills with the delicious aroma of steaming seafood and fresh herbs. We enjoy our meal on the porch, watching the sunset paint the sky in shades of pink and orange.
8 p.m. — After dinner, we relax with a glass of white wine. B suggests we watch an old movie, and we settle on “Sabrina” – the perfect choice for an East Coast summer evening. We cuddle up on the couch, and I feel a deep sense of contentment.
Daily Total: $15
Day Two
10 a.m. — Another beautiful morning in Cape Cod. Today, I’m visiting some antique shops in town. I’ve been toying in the back of my mind about opening a boutique that sells artisanal, handcrafted home goods and accessories that reflect the charm and character of Cape Cod. So I’m on a mission to 1) identify potential inventory and 2) observe the local competition. After a quick breakfast of avocado toast and coffee, I’m off.
3 p.m. — I hit treasure troves of beautiful, old-world items. I find a stunning set of vintage silverware that I can’t resist. I also purchase a small watercolor painting of the Cape by a local artist to add to our collection. $175
5 p.m. — Craving carbs I decide to walk around the harbor until Sal’s opens and get one of the best seats in the house overlooking the water. I fuel up after an intense day of shopping with octopus, linguine clam vongole, and fudge. $60
7 p.m. — After getting home from dinner, I unwind with a long bath with lit candles and copious amounts of scented bubbles. The soothing scents help me relax and prepare for a good night’s sleep.
Daily Total: $235
Day Three
8 a.m. — I wake up feeling restless. I’ve been thinking about my boutique for so long that I feel like if I don’t take action now then I’ll never get the courage. I text a friend of mine to set up a lunch date with her sister, a boutique store owner in Providence. She agrees to meet up for lunch in two days and let me pick her brains. I make a mental note to discuss it with B over dinner. I start my day with a yoga session followed by another Greek yogurt bowl with blackberries, blueberries, and some homemade pumpkin flaxseed granola.
10 a.m. — I head to the local farmers market. I love the vibrant colors and fresh produce. I pick up some nectarines, chives, goat cheese, home-baked cookies and a few jars of local honey. I also buy a beautiful handwoven basket that catches my eye. $50
12 p.m. — Lunch is a simple affair at home. I prepare a salad with the nectarines and goat cheese I bought earlier and some grilled chicken.
2 p.m. — My yarn has arrived! I work on my knitting project and listen to an audiobook “The Guest List” by Lucy Foley. The story is getting intense, and I’m hooked.
4 p.m. — I take a leisurely bike ride to the nearby Nauset Lighthouse. The ride is peaceful, and the views are breathtaking.
6 p.m. — B returns from work, and we start preparing dinner together. Tonight, we’re making a roasted chicken with rosemary and lemon, served with a side of garlic mashed potatoes. I mention my business meeting to him, and he’s incredibly supportive, pulling up his phone at the dinner table to search for commercial spaces to lease. We discuss the pros and cons of various locations and my anxiety is starting to get replaced by excitement.
8 p.m. — After dinner, we relax with a glass of white wine. B suggests we watch an old movie, and we settle on “North by Northwest.” It’s a thrilling choice and perfect for the evening.
Daily Total: $50
Day Four
8 a.m. — I wake up feeling energized and ready to tackle the day. After a quick breakfast of another berry yogurt parfait, I do some gardening tasks that take the rest of the morning.
10 a.m. — B heads to work, and I decide to spend the day exploring Martha’s Vineyard. I take the ferry over and rent a bike to explore the island. The weather is perfect, and the scenery is stunning.
12 p.m. — I stop for lunch at The Black Dog Tavern. I order a clam chowder and crab cake sandwich and enjoy the lively atmosphere. $50
2 p.m. — I continue my exploration, visiting local shops and enjoying the beautiful views. I buy a handmade bracelet as a souvenir. $25
5 p.m. — I head back decide to have a quiet evening at home. I order the audiobook, “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens. The story is captivating, and I get lost in the story. $15
7 p.m. — Dinner is a simple affair of grilled vegetables and quinoa. We eat on the porch, watching the sun set over the bay.
Daily Total: $90
Day Five
8 a.m. — I wake up feeling a bit anxious. Today’s when I’m meeting my mutual friend for help and advice and I’m overwhelmed by the questions I want to ask. I skip breakfast and instead sit at my desk and write down all my questions in my trusty Anecdote Planner and then grouping them into topics. I debate whether I should make notecards but decide that’s going overboard.
10 a.m. — I start the drive over to Providence and stop at Uncle Jon’s for a pick-me-up. $10
12 p.m. — Lunch is at The Patio and we order a spread of duck meatballs, calamari, lobster rolls, and shaved Brussels salad. We spend the first 15 minutes catching up on small-talk about mutual friends before digging into the meat. The conversation goes so well and she gives me a plan, tips & tricks, and a whole roadmap for opening up a boutique. I pick up the bill as a thank-you. $150
2 p.m. — We walk over to her boutique which is down a couple of streets and she continues to show me the layout, her POS system, how she manages inventory, and introduces me to her staff. I’m feeling so grateful about how generous she is with her knowledge and thank her profusely while scribbling down pages and pages of notes.
6 p.m. — By the time I get home I have no energy to cook so B is a sweetheart and goes and picks up pizzas from our favorite pizza shop, CRISP. Between inhaling slices of pizza I debrief B on everything I learned and talked about, it’s extremely gratifying to be able to tell him work stories for once! $60
8 p.m. — After dinner, we take a walk along the beach. The moonlight reflecting on the water is mesmerizing. I feel a sense of peace and contentment.
Daily Total: $220
Day Six
8 a.m. — I wake up feeling inspired to keep making moves. After a quick breakfast of avocado toast and coffee, I start my day with a yoga session.
10 a.m. — I decide to spend the day working on a business plan so I can start the loan process. I buy a planner, some notebooks, and a few organizing tools from Amazon. I also order a new desk chair to create a comfortable workspace at home. $120
12 p.m. — Lunch is some leftover pizza from last night.
6 p.m. — I finally surface from a day of staring way too much at my computer screen but I’m triumphant. I have a business plan, proof-read and approved by B, and an appointment with a commercial loan officer next Tuesday. Dinner is a simple pasta dish with fresh tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella along with a side of grilled eggplant and crusty bread from the farmer’s market. We eat on the porch, enjoying the cool evening breeze.
9 p.m. — We end the day with another walk along the beach stopping to cuddle on a blanket and stare up at the stars.
Daily Total: $120
Day Seven
9 a.m. — I wake up feeling a bit overwhelmed. There’s so much to do for the business, and I’m worried about managing it all. B reassures me that we’ll take it one step at a time. After breakfast, I spend the morning organizing my thoughts and creating a to-do list.
11 a.m. — I head to the beach for some much-needed relaxation. The weather is perfect, and the sound of the waves helps to calm my nerves. I listen more to “Where the Crawdads Sing.”
1 p.m. — We head to Trader Joe’s to stock up on groceries. Some of my must-haves are the salad kits, spring rolls, cauliflower gnocchi, Spanish tapas cheese sampler, and the ciabatta bread. We also stop at a local bakery to pick up a blueberry pie. $275
3 p.m. — The afternoon is spent exploring the local shops and art galleries. I buy a beautiful piece of pottery for our home and a few small gifts for friends and family. $150
6 p.m. — Dinner tonight is at a friend’s house. They’ve invited us for a casual barbecue. We bring a bottle of our favorite wine and some homemade blueberry pie. The evening is filled with laughter, good food, and great company.
10 p.m. — We end the week at home toasting marshmallows and making s’mores on our jerry-rigged burner on our porch. I snuggle into B and tell him how grateful I am for his support and our lives here in the Cape.
Daily Total: $425