Author: blonde rosie

Friday Favorites 3.13

Published on by blonde rosieLeave a comment

Spring was here for a few days, and I enjoyed every second of it knowing it was going to go back to cold with a chance of snow. On Monday night, we went to a new gym within walking distance of our house. It was hard to walk past the sign outside of a restaurant promoting margaritas on the patio and keep on walking! It felt like everyone was out walking and enjoying the 60-degree weather! I got home from work on Tuesday and changed into leggings and sneakers to run around the neighborhood. I wanted to enjoy every second of this weather! Jake’s birthday was on Wednesday, and even though we were both exhausted, I made us go out to celebrate. All he wanted for his birthday was cheesecake, so I had to make it happen! After work, we walked to the Cheesecake Factory for a late dinner – one of the reasons I love living in the city. But us out to dinner at 9 pm on a weeknight? Who are we???

LOVING

Loving this new collection from Amanda Jones Vaughan for Spring!

I started using these whitening strips, and I love that they dissolve?? so cool and convenient!

On one of my trips to the grocery store, I had to get a case of Diet Coke Cherry because they were out of Diet Coke. Tragic, I know! Turns out it’s amazing?

My most-worn sweatshirt is now available in this beautiful yellow, so I immediately added it to my cart!

WATCHING

Outlander

High Potential

Stumble

READING

In celebration of the SJM news, I am rereading Crescent City.

Brimstone is taking me longer to read but I blame my exhaustion at the end of the night making it hard to keep my eyes open!

making time for me

Published on by blonde rosieLeave a comment

I can’t remember the last time my brain truly powered down. You know that feeling when you sit down for a minute, but instead of relaxing, your mind immediately starts scrolling through a mental to-do list? The laundry, the email you forgot to answer, the thing you should be doing instead of sitting there. It’s like the tabs in my brain are permanently open.

Life has a way of filling every inch of space we give it. Some things, of course, are nonnegotiable — the day job, the responsibilities, the routines that keep everything moving. But then there are all the unexpected extras. The errands that turn into three more stops. The quick task that becomes a whole afternoon. Suddenly, you’re on a side quest you never even signed up for.

Last Saturday was exactly that kind of day. I spent the morning running errands, bouncing from one place to the next. By the time I finally pulled into the driveway, I was already drained. The list of things I had planned to do that afternoon was still sitting in the back of my mind, waiting — but honestly, I didn’t have the energy to even start.

I carried everything in from the car, put the groceries away, and then I did something I rarely let myself do: I sat down on the couch. And for a moment, I just stayed there.

That’s when it hit me. Something has to change.

How do I actually make space for myself — real space — without immediately feeling guilty about it?

I made a list of ideas.

long walks while listening to audiobooks
I started doing this last Spring and I can’t wait for warmer weather to start it again. I’ll put on some leggings and sneakers, grab a cup of coffee or a sandwich from Wawa and make my way to the park to sit on a bench and enjoy my snack before making my way back home. It quickly turns into an hour walk and “just one more chapter”.

cooking dinner
I know this is going to sound weird, but I love to cook dinner at the end of the night alone. I will put on a show on the iPad and enjoy that alone time to cook and then tidy up the kitchen. Sometimes we have to get creative on how we can enjoy our hobbies and get that much needed alone time in our day.

baking
My coworkers benefit most from this! I try to bake once a month and bring in baked goods for coworkers to enjoy. On Sundays, I throw a banana bread into the oven or make a cake for special occasions. It’s more fun to bake for others to enjoy and gives everyone something to look forward to.

sunday baths
If you also suffer from the Sunday Scaries, let me introduce you to Sunday baths. Even if you don’t have a bathtub, you can still take an everything shower. I have a ton of bath bombs, salts, and bubble bath to make them special. I try to spend a good amount of time in the bath to tell my body to unwind and relax. Then I apply the best lotions and skincare afterward, before getting into bed with a book.

skincare
Pick out a few serums and moisturizers that are your favorite. Now leave them out for you to get to easily. Apply every day! I always get a lot of compliments on how healthy my skin barrier is at my Botox appointments and it’s because I’ve been dedicated to a strong skincare game for years! Your future self will thank you! You don’t need expensive skincare just whatever works for your skin.

make an appointment
Schedule a hair or nail appointment in advance. You know if it’s on your calendar that you won’t make an excuse not to do something special for yourself. Once a month, I like to schedule something selfish for myself in advance to make sure it gets done!

book a trip
Doesn’t have to be far away or fancy. But having a trip planned gives you something fun to look forward to!

we can’t rush spring, but we can get ready

Published on by blonde rosieLeave a comment

As the days start getting a little longer and the air feels just a bit softer, I always get that familiar feeling that spring is right around the corner. It’s like the world is slowly waking up again, and honestly, I start to feel that way too. After months of cold weather, cozy blankets, and staying inside more than usual, spring feels like a reset button. A chance to freshen things up, clear out the heaviness of winter, and step into a lighter season.

If you’re anything like me, the shift into spring isn’t something that happens overnight. I like easing into it with a few small rituals that make the season feel intentional instead of rushed. Getting ready for spring doesn’t have to mean a full life overhaul — sometimes it’s just about refreshing the little things.

Here are a few of my favorite ways to start preparing for spring.

1. Start with a gentle spring clean

I’m not talking about an overwhelming, top-to-bottom deep clean that takes an entire weekend. For me, spring cleaning is more about opening the windows, letting fresh air in, and slowly working through the spaces that have collected clutter during the winter months.

Maybe it’s clearing off the kitchen counters, organizing that one drawer that somehow holds everything, or finally donating the clothes you didn’t wear all winter. Even doing one small area can make your whole home feel lighter.

2. Swap out winter for lighter touches

One of the easiest ways to welcome spring is by changing a few things around your home. Put away the extra heavy blankets, switch to lighter throw pillows, or add a vase of fresh flowers to your table.

These tiny changes can shift the mood of a space more than you’d expect. It doesn’t have to be complicated — just a few fresh details can make everything feel new again.

3. Refresh your routines

Winter routines tend to be slower and more indoor-focused (which I love), but spring always inspires me to shake things up a little. Maybe it’s taking a walk after dinner now that the sun stays out longer, waking up a little earlier to enjoy a quiet morning, or even trying a new weekend activity.

Spring is a great time to check in with yourself and ask: what routines still feel good, and what might need a refresh?

4. Get outside whenever you can

There’s something about the first warm-ish days of the year that just feels magical. Even if it’s still a little chilly, stepping outside for fresh air can instantly boost your mood.

Go for a short walk, sit on your porch with your morning coffee, or spend an afternoon exploring somewhere nearby. After a long winter, simply being outside again can feel like the biggest reset.

5.Make a list

Right now, I’m making a list of things that always get me excited this time of year. Eating outside at one of our favorite restaurants, getting an iced coffee, or cleaning up the backyard.

6. Set a few intentions for the season

I love using the start of a new season as a mini reset moment. Not big, overwhelming goals — just a few intentions for how I want the next few months to feel.

Maybe you want to spend more time outside, cook more fresh meals, read more books, or simply slow down a little. Spring is a reminder that growth doesn’t have to be rushed. Sometimes it happens quietly, one small step at a time.

At the end of the day, getting ready for spring isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about welcoming the shift in seasons and allowing yourself to reset right along with it.

A little fresh air, a little decluttering, and a little more sunlight can go a long way.

february recap

Published on by blonde rosieLeave a comment

February is always a short month, but also one of my favorites. It’s an excuse to wear pink every single day and just lean into the girly vibes. Winter in Philly likes to show off in February, and this year it gave us a few feet of snow that refused to melt. Literally, the entire city shut down. We stayed indoors more than we usually do,, but did bundle up and go out for Valentine’s Day. This year, we kept it small and got dinner in Old City before heading to our neighborhood bar to grab drinks and watch the Olympics. One of my goals this year is to slow down, and while I complained about the snow (a lot), it was a good excuse to slow down. Valentine’s Day at school is a whole week of pink and celebration. We spoiled our kids with a party and lots of goodies. In return, I got a lot of handmade cards that are still on my fridge. Hopefully snow free and warmer days are in our future!

watching

Paradise // I knew of the show but didn’t really know what it was about. One day, when I had nothing to watch, I turned it on for background noise, and I was immediately hooked!

Bridgerton // Made a cup of proper tea and watched part 2 of Bridgerton over the weekend.

reading

Wrath of the Fallen

Brimstone

The Long Game

Game Changers

A bit of London in Philly at The Dandelion

Published on by blonde rosieLeave a comment

If you’ve ever found yourself daydreaming about strolling through London — popping into a cozy pub, ordering a proper pint, and pretending you understand British slang — but then remembered you live in Philadelphia… I have very good news for you.

Let me introduce you to The Dandelion — aka a tiny slice of London tucked right into Rittenhouse.

And when I say tucked, I mean tucked. Walking in feels less like entering a restaurant and more like discovering the chicest townhouse in Notting Hill that just happens to serve fish and chips. When Jake and I are missing London, we head to the Dandelion for a pot of tea – because that’s a thing there – or for some of our favorite British meals. One of the times we were there for a late lunch, we were enjoying our scones and tea listening to a family next to us complaining about the food. Why, you ask? Because the food wasn’t American and didn’t taste the way they were used to. Jake and I chuckled because its authenticity to British food is why we love it so much.

Jake has spent more time in London on work trips than me, but as soon as you walk in, you are transported to a British pub. With the dark paneling, vintage portraits, dark wood furniture, and candlelight, it feels lived in and homey.

Don’t want a full meal? Then sit at a stool at the bar and hang out with a friend with a pint. Philly has sooo many options to grab food or drinks to choose from it can be overwhelming at times because there are too many options. But when we are out running errands in the area, and Jake suggests Dandelion, it always makes me smile and say yes because when we go there, the restaurant vibes encourage you to just slow down and enjoy each others company over a pot of tea or a pint of beer.

Highly suggest getting the cheese board and trying their British themed cocktails! Came for the pub vibes, stayed for the scones & cocktails 🍸 

It’s proof that sometimes the best trips are the ones that don’t require a passport. Just a reservation.

If you haven’t been yet, consider this your sign. And if you have… you already know.

Cheers. 🥂

How I Am Surviving Hibernation Season

Published on by blonde rosieLeave a comment

Once the cold settles in, I stop fighting it. The days get shorter, the air gets quieter, and suddenly staying home feels less like a choice and more like a season of its own. I’m not leaving the house anytime soon on the weekends — and honestly, I’m okay with that.

This is how I’m surviving hibernation season.

Hot baths, always
A hot bath has become my reset button. Steaming water, dim lights, maybe a candle flickering nearby. It’s the easiest way to warm up and slow down at the same time. No rush, no agenda — just existing for a little while.

Lotion, head to toe
Cold weather demands softness. Taking the extra minute to lotion my hands, arms, and legs feels grounding, almost meditative. It’s a small ritual, but it reminds me to take care of myself in ways I usually skip.

Living in pajamas
If I don’t have to change out of pajamas, I won’t. Cozy sets, oversized knits, anything that feels like a hug. Getting dressed for hibernation season means choosing comfort over productivity — and that’s enough.

Candles on repeat
Candles are non-negotiable. Morning, afternoon, night. Soft scents, warm light, a slower atmosphere. They make staying in feel intentional instead of accidental.

Other ways I’m leaning into staying home
– Making warm drinks just because
– Rewatching comfort shows without guilt
– Letting my evenings be quiet
– Saying no more often
– Creating a home that feels calm and lived in

Hibernation season isn’t about doing less — it’s about doing what feels right. Resting more. Moving slower. Letting the cold weather be an excuse to turn inward.

If the world feels loud, staying home can be its own kind of peace 🤍