On a Personal Note—Welcoming May

Welcoming May in this week with an absolute gorgeous Monday full of sunshine. It’s early morning and I’m sitting in my big white chair in the bedroom. The windows are wide open and the temperature is slowly rising. The dog-walkers are out and about, people heading to catch the bus or metro, and the occasional car drives by… Most of the city is still asleep. It’s quiet and peaceful and I’m enjoying the birds and subtle hum of the street. The trees seem to have burst into green overnight and flowers are in full bloom all over the city. I love this time of year.

I cannot believe it’s May. Seems like just yesterday that the view outside my window was grey, with bare trees, frost on the ground, and people still bundled in coats. I feel like I can breathe again and am constantly wanting to be outside soaking in the fresh air, face to sun. It’s been quite some time since I did a bit of a check-in, so felt like the start of this month would be a good time to catch up with you all on a personal note! To be honest, life still feels a bit quiet on my end. I think the pandemic has really pushed my efforts to embrace slower living and I’m here for it.

What once was a life full of go go go, time outside of my apartment, working into the office, constantly going to happy hours, seeing friends, and keeping my calendar completely full has turned into maybe just one to two social events a week, lots of impromptu hangouts when I’m feeling up for it, and lots of time nesting and quiet evenings at home. It’s crazy what two years of isolation can really do. Home means so much more to me these days! And the comfort of building a space for myself definitely became a top priority—and still is—so I never complain about spending lots of time enjoying my place.

But lately, I’ve been getting out more, exploring the city on warm-weather days and doing lots of my photowalks. I cannot recommend these enough if you’re like me and just love to capture beautiful moments that otherwise go unseen… a sort of stop and smell the roses type thing. I get so much inspiration just walking the city and its cozy neighborhoods, people-watching, dining al fresco, laying in a park with the dog, and popping in and out of my favorites little shops. This time of year is my favorite in DC and I’m slowly building a bit of a fun to-do list for things I want to do, see, eat, etc. I’ve also been heavily using Reels on Instagram to capture these moments as a creative outlet I’m really enjoying. I have a love/hate relationship with them, but finding it very fun to create short, aesthetic videos that just make me feel-good. And it’s nice seeing you all enjoy them too!

Anyways, the social calendar is getting full again, as it tends to do come late spring and summer. I have a family trip coming up to Arizona later this month I cannot wait for! I’ve never been and am very excited to step into a desert scene. I’m taking the entire time off so having a break from work will be much appreciated since I haven’t taken a vacation since December!! I also have two weddings in June that are going to be very fun—one right here in the city and another in Newport, RI. I’m pumped to visit another brand new place and am plotting some time to drive off to the mansions and go to town. Both will be very fun reunions with college friends and then my roommates/friends from my mid-twenties. Other than that, I’m just planning out some fun dinner parties and friend hangs, and am toying with the idea of gathering a group of ladies who follow me and live locally! We’ll see… it’s fun to meet new people and hard to make new girlfriends, so it could be good.

What else, what else? I’m back in the office for three days in a row, once a month for my current client and I’m actually loving it. I cannot express enough how refreshing it is to get up early, get dressed in something nice, do my hair and makeup, and make my way downtown. It’s been so fun working in the office with our team face-to-face and having great conversations, mixing in some work and play of course. Having a productive day then heading out together in the afternoon to catch a good happy hour has been lovely!!! It’s made a big difference every month and has been something I look forward to!! The ground-hog days of the pandemic are slowly going away, so I’m grateful for the change.

I’ve also been spring cleaning around the apartment, washing all the white cushions, deep-cleaning, rearranging, and moving pieces around to make the space feel a bit new. I’ve been craving some little changes here and there and will definitely be sharing on Instagram as I update! It’s amazing what a turn of a table or switching pieces around can do. Doing everything without spending a lot of money… so shopping my own apartment and planning some small DIY projects to transform a couple pieces. More to come!

That’s all for now, friends! Hope you all have a wonderful start to May!! Summer is right around the corner.

On a Personal Note

Hello twenty twenty-two! The feelings of fresh beginnings and hopeful thoughts have set in. I love the fresh start that comes with every January. A time to set intentions, do a deep clean, and simply refresh life a bit—whatever that looks like for you.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and took time to rest. It was honestly so nice stepping away from the blog for the month. I’m sitting back in my living room in my apartment in DC as I write this. Looking around and taking in the wonderful home I made over the past twelve months. Sometimes I worry that I’ve lost a couple of years because of the pandemic, as if nothing has changed for me. Wasted years. But then I remember how much I’ve created for myself. Perhaps nothing significant compared to many, but I’m proud of the little accomplishments and changes that have happened over the past year.

I couldn’t be happier with my home. This warm, cozy, calming space that I (and I alone) built and designed for myself. I think about the relationships that have evolved, some friendships growing closer than ever. The adventures I took myself on, even if just to wander charming streets around the city. Learning to live life a bit slower and quieter, with less plans, and far more mental health. Focusing on me, being selfish, doing what I want, when I want—a luxury many never get to experience in their lifetimes. I’ve hit a major salary milestone this year. I’ve had the best year of my career, with so much growth and far more confidence. So many little, happy moments! Rather than paying any attention to the bad parts or comparing myself to others, it feels good to just think about my growth and look back fondly on the happy things. As I look to the year ahead, I’m excited about new intentions. Nothing too lofty. Just simple little things I’d like to be better about.

Intentions for 2022

• Take better care of my body. Definitely looking to be better about cooking at home more often, moving my body, and taking care of myself, whether that mean skincare, long walks, quick daily workouts, new recipes, better sleep.

• Feed my mind. To make up for my lack of reading this past year, I really want to get back into books and take some time most days to read a few pages.

• Focus more on finances. With a new salary and an apartment that feels mostly “complete,” I want to put more money toward investing, saving, and travel funds. As well as learn more about financial wealth.

• Make plans to travel. I have grand plans for another European adventure, we’re hopefully revisiting our favorite spot in Hawaii, more weekend getaways. I just want to get out after not doing much for two years!

• Put myself out there. Whether relationships or dating, new projects, challenging myself, I want to be better about doing more with this year. There are a few things I’m manifesting for myself that I’m keeping close to my heart, but I want to push myself to take on whatever opportunities appear.

• Elevate little moments and find the beauty in every day. Something I try to do, aways. Finding little ways to elevate daily occurrences, whether lighting candles, listening to music, decorating rooms to bring you joy. Finding beauty in all the small moments and appreciating the little things. Romanticizing life feels good, especially when it can feel heavy. Life is short. Enjoy all the small pleasures and treat yourself every day!

So, with that! I’m excited to be starting a new year and am thinking all the good things into existence! I’m feeling so refreshed and ready to get back to regular blogging, sharing bits of home, and am thinking about new ways to bring you all inspiration to your every day. I’m so thankful for each of you who continue to visit my corner of the internet!! I hope you’ll stick around. Happy new year!

On A Personal Note—A Fresh September

Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall. It never gets old, this quote. There’s something so refreshing about this time of year. The way the light changes. The shift of weather and the sudden tingle of chillier air. The excitement over cozy evenings, candles lit, chunky sweaters, comfort food, and autumnal adventures. Foggy windows in the morning and the golden swoop of colored leaves.

It’s more than I can bare! The excitement of it all! I’m feeling so inspired by this new season. I love how the fresh feeling of fall is firmly engrained into our lives, even as adults years out of school. As Joe Fox says, it makes you want to buy school supplies! Though I really did try to push summer vibes as long as I could, I just can’t help but feel completely ready for fall to take over. It’s my favorite for so many reasons, and I’m ready for all the cozy feels of the season. Even though it’s a hot 90 degrees in DC this week, it’s just around the corner and I’m anxiously awaiting its arrival.

There’s so much I want to do this season before it gets too cold and we’re once again hibernating at home. It’s that time of year where I crave some fall adventures and little weekend jaunts. Somewhere to take in the changing leaves, go pumpkin or apple picking, cuddle up by a fire. I’m excited to go on some little day trips with close girlfriends, do some more antique shopping, and enjoy autumn pleasures over the next couple of months.

I’m also so so so close to “finishing” apartment things. I use quotes because…is a home really ever finished? I’m waiting for my chandeliers to be rewired and will toss those up, and then am planning to shoot some real videos and take some photos of my home to share here and on Instagram. I’m excited about it! I also love my home this time of year. I moved in about one year ago and the light was so incredible in the fall. The way it changes throughout the day is dreamy. So it’s the perfect time to capture things.

I’ll also be hosting my annual autumn dinner with the ladies in the fam. A tradition that started a few years ago and I anxiously await each time the season rolls in. I’ll absolutely be sharing my tablescape again on Instagram and am hoping to get back into some floral arranging too! I miss putting together my little videos and sharing my random creative happenings with you all. There’s nothing that fills me up more than decorating and entertaining. Having my home filled with friends and family is so fun for me and makes my heart happy! So definitely planning to do more entertaining as all our summer vacations come to an end and we’re traveling a little less and soaking up more time at home, settling in for a cooler season.

This time of year just inspires me so much sartorially, interior-wise… in all areas of my life. I find myself suddenly churning out blog posts and gathering ideas like crazy. So I hope you’ll stick around to enjoy some new content. I’ll also be updating all my shop pages and adding in my new fall closet shop, which I’m so excited about. I’ve scooped up several new pieces for the cooler months and I know you’ll appreciate a classic, timeless approach to warm-weather staples.

Autumn will be filled with halloween and autumn decor, candles every single night, and cozy wears, new coats and shoes, golden light, and all the nostalgic, warm feelings of the season. And I certainly plan to bring that into this space as well. You better believe I’ll be taking this weekend to decorate and bring in all the fall vibes! I’ve waited long enough. So, cheers to a new season!