Author: blonde rosie

maybe a staycation is just what you need

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how we spent a weekend at The Logan in Philly

When my husband and I got married, we still wanted to do something special to celebrate our dating anniversary in August. So at the end of every summer, we try to go on a trip to relax and celebrate another year together. Some years, it’s a big trip, and other years it’s been a stay at a bed and breakfast. This year, we wanted to keep it small because we want to save money for other adulting (buy a house, start a family, save money, etc.) things coming up.

This year, my husband planned a staycation at The Logan, a hotel in Philly near my old neighborhood when I first moved to Philly. We packed our bags and kept laughing that if we forgot anything, we could just Uber home to pick it up. We checked in and went to our room, and unpacked. Jake spoiled me with a nice suite at the hotel, a couples massage, and made reservations at my favorite restaurant to properly celebrate our anniversary.

This trip was great because we were able to be with each other without any distractions. Life gets busy, and it’s nice to slow down and just enjoy spending time with each other. Highly recommend getting away even if it’s a small vacation nearby!

dinner at Parc

an amazing massage at the spa

drinks at The Assembly rooftop bar before dinner

dinner at Victory Brewing Company

walking around my old neighborhood

slow mornings

step outside this summer

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There is something about summer that makes me want to spend every free minute outside.

Maybe it’s the longer days, the warm evenings, or simply the feeling that there is no reason to rush inside. Summer has a way of making the everyday things feel a little more special, and lately, I’ve been trying to soak up as much of it as I can. Summers can be busy, but I love forcing myself to sit down and relax.

Before work, I’ll spend a few quiet minutes watering everything in the garden while enjoying my morning coffee. It’s such a simple part of my routine, but there is something about being outside first thing in the morning that puts me in the best mood. The birds are usually singing, everything feels fresh, and for a few minutes, I can forget about the emails waiting for me and just enjoy the start of a new day.

After work, you’ll usually find me outside again.

There is nothing better than sitting in the backyard with my book, a glass of wine, and nowhere I need to be. I love those long summer evenings when dinner can wait and the light seems to linger just a little bit longer. Sometimes I’ll read for an hour, sometimes I’ll just sit and enjoy the quiet. Either way, it feels like the perfect way to end the day.

One of my favorite things about summer is being able to step outside and pick what I need for dinner. A handful of basil, some fresh herbs, maybe a few tomatoes—it doesn’t get much better than using something you’ve just picked from your own garden. Even the simplest meal feels a little more special when you can walk outside and gather a few ingredients yourself.

I think that’s what I love most about summer. It doesn’t take much to make an ordinary day feel like something worth remembering.

A cup of coffee outside.

Bare feet in the grass.

Fresh herbs for dinner.

An hour with a good book.

A glass of wine as the sun goes down.

We spend so much of the year moving from one thing to the next, and summer feels like a little reminder to slow down and enjoy where we are.

So this summer, I’m making a point to step outside a little more. To take my coffee with me. To read outside instead of on the couch. To linger over dinner. To pick flowers and herbs from the garden. To notice the sunset.

Nothing complicated. Nothing that needs to be planned.

Just more time outside, enjoying the little things that make this season so good.

Back to School Shopping

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I always loved back to school shopping for new school supplies and clothes! Even now, every September I treat myself to a new notebook or fun pens for work. In a few weeks, the weather is going to change, and with that comes a new season. I’m sure I’m not the only one who gets the urge to buy new clothes for fall. As much as I love summer, I love fall clothes too! I’ve already browsed and found a few pieces I would love to add to my closet this fall.

I’m keeping things simple and focusing on elevated basics that mix and match effortlessly.

suede skirt // elevated basic top // jacket // sweater cardigan // shirt dress // pattern sweater cardigan // mini dress //

  • Relaxed straight-leg jeans
  • Crisp white tees
  • Lightweight sweaters for chilly mornings
  • Neutral sneakers that go with everything
  • Oversized button-down shirts
  • Classic loafers
  • Layering jackets that work now and later

Nothing overly trendy—just timeless pieces that make everyday outfits feel polished without trying too hard.

Maybe that’s why I still love this season so much.

Back-to-school shopping was never just about heading back to class—it was about possibility.

A new planner meant better habits.

New shoes meant confidence.

A new outfit made you feel like the best version of yourself.

Turns out, those feelings don’t have an expiration date.

So whether you’re heading into the office, working from home, juggling new schedules, or simply looking for an excuse to embrace fall fashion a little early, consider this your permission slip to enjoy back-to-school shopping.

No homework required.

Happy shopping—and if you’re anything like me, don’t blame me when you somehow leave with a cardigan, new sneakers, and a pumpkin candle before it’s even Labor Day.

How waking up early made me a better person

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Let me start by saying that I am not a morning person. I’m guilty of hitting the snooze button too many times and often rushing out the door in the morning. Last month, I started a new job with an earlier start time, and honestly, it gave me a lot of anxiety. I had to be out the door by 8 am to get to work on time, which meant a much earlier alarm. After a week of an early alarm, I noticed I started to wake up 10 minutes before my alarm went off, and I was well rested. My first thought was ew, I don’t like this. But the more I woke up early, the more I started to enjoy my mornings more. I didn’t feel as tired in the morning and enjoyed my new morning routine.

I’m not ready to have a full day of activities before 9 am like some people. I’m not going to the gym or meditating while journaling. Not there yet. I’ll make a cup of coffee, head upstairs to my bedroom, sit at my vanity, and slowly get ready. I still pack my lunch and pick out my outfit the night before. This allows me to have a morning to myself, and I’m not rushing.

I found that when the first thing I think of when I wake up is work, it sets a negative tone for the day. I’ve really enjoyed spending the morning doing things for myself instead. Actually enjoying a cup of coffee, running or unloading the dishwasher while waiting for my coffee to brew, watering the flowers, etc.

Even on weekends, I’m waking up with the sun, and as much as I want to roll over and sleep late, I don’t. I’ll get out of bed and make my way to the kitchen to make coffee before I go sit in the backyard with a book or bring a notebook to make a list of things to do for the day. I try to get as much done in the morning so I can spend my afternoons doing fun things.

Having that extra time in the morning during the work week, my weekends aren’t as filled with household chores because I try to get one thing done a day to keep up with it. I can get a lot more done in the day by waking up an extra hour earlier, leaving more time for fun things.

Now, when my early alarm goes off, I actually enjoy getting out of bed because I know that I will have some me time before I even think about work.

Maybe those morning people had the right idea after all?

Friday Favorites 5.8

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Here are a few of my favorite things this week….

Watching 

  • I love LA
  • Hacks 
  • Splitsville
  • Materialists 
  • Wuthering Heights

Cooking

  • Veggie burgers
  • Pasta with fresh basil and cherry tomatoes 
  • Taco bowls 
  • Dubliner cheese and apple slices for an afternoon snack

Loving 

  • 9:30 pm bedtime 
  • Pants that fit. It’s not the end of the world to buy a size bigger. 
  • A fun drink to enjoy outside after work. Sometimes it’s a glass of wine, but most of the time it’s a Diet Coke 
  • The lilac bush we planted last year is BLOOMING
  • I told myself I didn’t need it, but when my husband brought one home… now I understand why everyone loves this water bottle
  • Bought the book, Game On, since I have a long drive coming up