Author: blonde rosie

Travel Series: Athens, Greece

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I recently came back from my two-week honeymoon in Greece, and I’ve been getting the same question: “How was it?” If I have two minutes of your time, “It was great! We did a lot and also were able to really slow down and relax!” But if you really want to know, pull up a chair and let’s talk about my trip to Greece!

Travel Day

This isn’t our first trip across the Atlantic. We went to London in 2022, and I was unaware the whole time that we were actually going so Jake could propose to me. This trip, Jake upgraded our seats to nice big, comfy ones, and I kept joking it was my favorite part of the trip. I’ve gotten to that point in my life that the seat upgrades on long flights are just worth the extra money. We slept on the plane as much as we could, so when we touched down at 8 am in Athens, we were ready to start our day!

Going to a country we had never been to before, Jake planned ahead and ordered a car service to pick us up from the airport to the hotel. Once we got there, we realized we could have figured out a taxi/Uber, but it was nice to walk off the plane with our luggage, and a guy with a sign with our name on it was there to pick us up. Again, it’s one of those things that you get older and are worth the money.

I need to make a note that Jake planned this entire trip himself. I literally just showed up with my passport! He created the full itinerary and had some input on what I should wear, but he planned everything himself.

HOTEL
Esse Athens

While most people immediately book hotels that are most famous while traveling abroad (Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, Marriott, etc.), Jake loves to find a really pretty high-end luxury hotel. We thought we wouldn’t be in our hotel that much because we had a busy itinerary in Athens, but we loved our hotel so much that we wanted to stay there longer! It also had the best view of the Acropolis from the balcony!

TOURISTY MUST DO’S
Acropolis + Parthenon

Okay, so here’s the trick. Book the guided tour. It’s just a few more euros than the regular ticket, but you get to skip the line, learn the history, and the tour guide makes the sea of people move for your group to get past. There is also enough time to wander off by yourself too! It also includes tickets to the museum, which is a must while you are there as well, to really understand how old this history is.

Athens National Garden


We had a few hours after we landed in Athens before our hotel room was ready, so we walked around and ended up in the Athens National Garden. It was a great way to take a break from the heat and stumble upon some ancient ruins just casually among some really old trees.

Boat Tour
Athens Day Cruise


Jake found a boat cruise that allows you to go to 3 islands in one day. He upgraded to VIP, and at first I was like, Oh, that wasn’t necessary but boy, did we realize how much the upgrade was worth it! Other guests sat in chairs on the boat deck, while we were able to enjoy air conditioning on coaches, a private bar, and drinks and meals were included. It’s very well organized, and we were able to see the islands Hydra, Poros, and Aegina.

PLAKA



Our hotel was located in the town of Plaka, and we had so much fun just walking up and down the streets exploring. Plaka has a ton of great restaurants, little shops, and gelato shops!

Mount Lycabettus



It is located on a very tall hill (more like a mountain!) that you can walk up or take the cable car. I recommend the cable car because it is a long way to the top! But once you are up there, it is the best view of all of Athens. You can see the Acropolis, the Aegean Sea, and really see how large the city of Athens is. Once you get to the top, you can walk around and sit to take in the view. There is also a restaurant and bar, so we had Aperol Spritzes and Greek salads to celebrate our first day in Greece!

Ruins

I was blown away by how the modern-day city of Athens has built its city around the ruins and respected its history. You’ll be walking around and then walk into the ruins of a building that was there for thousands of years.

Sunset Dinner at St George Lycabettus Hotel

outfit details: dress
This was a recommendation from one of Jake’s coworkers, and wow, I’m so happy we did it! Great view of the sunset and the Acropolis with a delicious meal.

A Little Italian Escape at Trattoria Carina

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If I could bottle up the feeling of a perfect summer evening in the city — a light breeze, good wine, laughter echoing down a quiet side street — it would be dinner at Trattoria Carina.

There is this little restaurant on the corner of 22nd and Spruce that we have walked past a million times. Finally, after repeatedly suggesting that we try Trattoria Carina again, we have made reservations for dinner. This little corner restaurant is always packed, and now I know why! With its striped awning and glowing string lights, it looks like it was plucked straight from a Nancy Meyers movie.

We started with the whipped ricotta toast and an Aperol Spritz. I ordered the rigatoni alla vodka (no surprise there) and yes, it’s just as creamy and comforting as I hoped it would be. Jake got the chicken parm, and even though I never deviate from my usual penne vodka order, I low-key wanted to trade plates.

We lingered over espresso and shared a dessert because none of us wanted the night to end. It’s that kind of place — warm, relaxed, and effortlessly charming. It’s great for people watching, and next time I want to sit outside and enjoy dinner while we unwind from the day over delicious food!

If you’re looking for a spot for date night, a birthday dinner, or just a Wednesday that needs a little sparkle, Trattoria Carina hits every note. You’ll leave full, happy, and already planning your next visit.

Where We Went:

📍 Trattoria Carina

2201 Spruce St, Philadelphia

🌸 Tip: Sit outside if the weather’s nice & order the ricotta toast. Trust me.

summer glow up

summer glow up

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I keep reading about these ways to glow up this summer. I love to read other people’s ideas on how to transform themselves inside and out, so I thought it would be fun to share some of the things I’m doing this summer that help me to feel better, think more positively, and make choices today that will benefit me later in the year.

  • listen to an audiobook and go on a long walk on the weekend
  • you don’t need a pool in the backyard to sit outside and read a book while getting some sun
  • change your phone background to something that makes you smile
  • treat yourself to coffee from a non-chain coffee shop
  • go through everything you own and PURGE
  • deep clean your space and find a proper home for the things you own
  • find a hobby or something to prevent you from scrolling on your phone
  • make plans with friends for the weekend early in the week
  • we are all busy. there is nothing wrong with scheduling to hang out with a friend or go to the beach 6 weeks in advance
  • change up to what music you listen to when you drive to work in the morning
  • go makeup-free during the week – OR keep it simple with a face moisturizer, some mascara, and some blush
  • find a water bottle that you will keep with you 24/7 to make sure you drink more water
  • wear ankle weights during the day, around the house, or at work if you can get away with it
  • wear a face moisturizer with SPF in it every day
  • commit to using collagen in your coffee every morning

Books I Read in January

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I was recently with a group of friends, and someone said they had felt a little off the last few weeks. I had to remind them that A LOT is going on in the world right now, so of course, it is normal with everything in the news and the world that we would also feel a little bit off mentally.

This may explain why I’m only two months into the year and have already hit my book-reading goal for the year. Lately, I’ve been getting into bed at night with a book and getting lost in a fantasy world. Reading at night has honestly been the highlight of my day. I rush home, make dinner, finish my work around the house, make a cup of tea, and then hop into bed with a good book.

Here are the books I read in January….

Romancing Mr. Bridgerton
Julia Quinn

Last year, I started to read the Bridgerton series, and I loved watching the TV show and then reading the book afterward to get more of the story.

Paris The Memoir
Paris Hilton

I love getting a celebrity biography for Christmas for a fun and easy read. After a few pages into this book, I knew right away that this wasn’t just another celebrity biography. I’m so happy this story was written and has been able to bring light to her story.

A Court of Thorns and Roses
Sarah J. Maas

I got the box set of ACOTAR books for Christmas but was unsure if I wanted to commit to a series. On a Sunday afternoon, I started reading this book and finished it in two nights. Little did I know that I would be starting my addiction to romance fantasy….

A Court of Mist and Fury
Sarah J. Maas

I was so grateful I didn’t have to wait after I finished A Court of Thorns and Roses to find out what happened next. I didn’t get much sleep and read most of it in one night.

A Court of Wings and Fury
Sarah J. Maas

I saw someone on TikTok at a bookstore saying she heard that these books were really good but was complaining about how long they were. Meanwhile, my one issue with this series is that I would finish the book, but I felt like I could have kept reading for another few hundred pages.

A Court of Frost and Starlight
Sarah J. Maas

I’ve read people complaining about this novella for various reasons, but I loved it. It gave the readers more time to fall in love with the characters and gave us some insight into their everyday lives.

A Court of Silver Flames
Sarah J. Maas

This book should have come with a warning label because….woah. Again, I’ve heard complaints because it is written from Nesta’s point of view, but I loved learning more about this complex and interesting character. This book also motivated me to go to the gym more so I could be that strong female lead like Nesta.

Fourth Wing
Rebecca Yarros

When I finished the ACOTAR series in 7 days, I am not kidding when I say that I had a void in my soul when I couldn’t pick up another book to read. Jake was away for a work trip when I finished A Court of Silver Flames, and I told him I didn’t know what to read next. A few people on the internet suggested that Fourth Wing was another good series that was a must-read. So I was very happy when Jake stopped at a bookstore on his way home from his work trip in DC to get me the book. Which I then read in one night…..

My Favorite Spring Finds from Hearth & Hand

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My Favorite Spring Finds from Hearth & Hand at Target 🌸

Now that the holidays are over, I couldn’t be more excited to refresh my home with some new pieces that are perfect for this new season. One of my go-to stores is Target—specifically the Hearth & Hand by Magnolia collection. Every season, Joanna Gaines nails it with cozy, timeless pieces that blend perfectly with my home. I’ve picked out a few favorites that are an easy way to refresh your space. A little disclosure, as I was walking around the store looking at these items, I realized that I didn’t need to buy much this year because I own a lot of them already. This is further proof that when you purchase classic pieces for the home, they can be used again year after year.

Storage Baskets
I have one of these on my kitchen counter right now to keep all our frequently used coffee, tea, and hot chocolate in one place. It’s an easy way to keep that kitchen clutter that you use daily organized in a pretty way. Add some faux flowers and a candle and it’s now decor, that holds some clutter!

Faux Chrysanthemum Flower Stems
I love having fresh flowers in my house but I don’t always feel like spending the money on something I know that will die. Over the years, I have built up a very large faux flower collection and you can’t even tell the difference with the Hearth and Home ones. Now that the winter greenery is put away, I’ll have vases of some faux flowers scattered around the house to add some subtle color.

Wall Hooks
Adding small touches to a home like these gold wall hooks can easily give a high-end look to a space. There’s just something about gold hardware that makes a space look more luxury and at this price point, it’s an easy way to swap out wall hooks that could use a refresh.

Book Shelf Light
Whoever thought of this was a genius! An easy way to elevate your space and add some lighting to a space without having to rewire the house.

Glass Beverage Dispenser
If you are inspired by Martha Stewart and Ina Garden, then you need this beverage dispenser to create the look. Just looking at it makes me excited for making batches of sweet tea this summer and enjoying hours outside enjoying that sunshine.

Teapot
One thing I put on my wedding registry and really wanted was a new teapot. Like everyone else, I put the MacKenzie Childs one that everyone has but lately, I’ve been looking at the Le Creuset white teapot because of the classic shape. You can imagine my glee when I found this very similar one for a much nicer price!

Mini Kitchen Lamp
I don’t often use the phrase “this thing changed my life” but I will say that putting a small lamp on our kitchen counter to use as the main source of our lighting…..changed me a lot. Now there is no more harsh, bright light first thing in the morning. We leave it on at night after dinner when we haven’t gone upstairs yet. Who knew a lamp could bring me so much joy?

I’m all about bringing light, neutral tones into my space with a mix of functional and decorative pieces. Whether it’s fresh linens, cozy throws, or rustic planters, these items are exactly what my home needed for a spring refresh.

Shop more inspiration from this post:

Friday Favorites 1.10

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Last week I feel like we were all excited about the new year with our goals and plans. This week, with the fires in California I find myself in a weird mood because on the East Coast we have freezing temperatures and snow and on the West Coast we see homes being destroyed block by block by the wildfires. Don’t ask me what I would take if we would have to evacuate because that is too much for my brain to process right now. Material things are just…. things. Watching the news makes me hug Ed a little tighter and make a quiet promise we would never leave without him.

OKAY but now back to pretending everything is fine while our world is consumed by natural disasters. If you are a millenial, it’s just another world changing event for us…. nothing new around here.

I know everyone is doing the “No Buy January” and the “Project Pan 2025” but if you do not have an eye cream right now, be sure to get one. Your future self will thank you. I love this one but this more affordable eye cream is also a good option. Last year, I started to get Botox for my crows feet lines, not because they are that noticable but to prevent the lines around my eyes from getting deeper down the line. To have good skin in your fifties depends on what you do today to keep it healthy!

My plan was to go to the gym a lot this week…. but it’s cold and windy. So instead I’m doing an at home work out every night and I love this work out video on Youtube. It’s only 10 minutes but every muscle in your body will be in pain!

We started this week with a snow day on Monday and it was a nice unexpected day off! Jake still had to go into work so I slept in a little and read some of my book in the morning. I wanted to be productive in the afternoon so I deep cleaned the whole house and then got my Bissell Carpet Cleaner out of storage and decided to deep clean all of the carpets in the house. It was so nice to wake up on Tuesday to a very clean house!

I listened to the Mel Robbins episode on the Life with Marianna podcast this week and loved hearing the discussion about the Let Them Theory. Definitely listen to it as you go into the new year!

Today is the season finale of Outlander and I am not ready.


I love the girls behind The Home Edit so of course I am watching Extreme Makeover Home Edition.


On Saturday mornings, I like a little quiet time on the couch while I drink my coffee and watch a home design show and right now I’m watching Christina in the Country for some home design inspo.

I just finished Paris Hilton’s memoir and I went in thinking it was going to be a light and easy to read celebritiy memoir. But just a few pages in, I realized that this was going to be a different type of story. The writing is great, a moving message and worth reading. I actually put it down a few times to be able to process what I read and wanted to last a few days even though I could have read this book in a day.

For Christmas, Jake got me ACOTAR books so last night I decided to start A Court of Thorns and Roses. I’m only a few chapters in and intrigued…