Category: life

making time for me

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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

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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

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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

Soft Life – My Word of the Year for 2026

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I wasn’t planning on writing a resolutions post this year like I usually do. I have so many intentions for this season of life, but none of them felt like they could be wrapped up neatly into one word. Last year, I chose peace, and when I reread that post recently, it stopped me in my tracks.

One of my favorite things about a new year is the perspective it gives you. In the moment, it’s easy to feel stuck or like nothing is really changing—but a year later, you can see just how much growth was happening quietly in the background. At the beginning of last year, if I’m being honest, I felt a little scared. I knew I needed change, but I had no idea what that was supposed to look like.

Looking back now, it’s wild to realize how much unfolded. Almost everything I hoped for in 2025 actually happened. I fell back in love with reading. I gave myself permission to spend time alone and truly rest. I said yes to plans with friends—and we traveled a lot. When I sat down to make a year-in-review TikTok, I couldn’t even fit everything into one short video.

“New year, new me” is such a cliché, but the truth is—I really like who I am right now. Slowing down, letting go of pressure, and choosing to actually enjoy my life changed more than I expected. And as I step into this new year, that feeling is something I want to hold onto.

Choosing a word for the year sets the tone and direction of where I want to go. Last year when I chose the word peace, it honestly helped shape so much of my year: slowing down, boundaries, saying “no”, choosing to invest time in what really matters, and leaning into calm when I could find it. So what word for this year?

Soft Life

Okay, so like technically it’s two words, but hear me out! For me, soft life isn’t about being fragile or avoiding responsibility. It’s about choosing ease, intention, comfort, and joy over pressure and noise. It’s about building a life that feels good while you’re living it, not just feels good when you pause to look back. Last year, my nighttime routine became my favorite part of the day. At a certain time each night, I showered, did my skincare, put on comfy pajamas and got into bed with a book. I read a lot last year. More than 50 books and it became my favorite part of the day – to forget about the world and live in a fantasy one.

I’ve always believed that home, routines, and little rituals shape how we feel — like choosing warm lighting instead of harsh overhead lights, keeping cozy blankets within reach, or making sure your space feels restful instead of cluttered. Those intentional choices rippled into how I lived last year and how I want to live this year, too. I kept our home cozy and clean, so when we were home, we really could enjoy it. I also have been on a deep cleaning and purging journey this past year, and we got rid of so much clutter.

This year, I am looking forward to:

  • Slow mornings with coffee and a book or coffee
  • Using candles for lighting instead of overhead lighting
  • A home that feels cozy
  • Prioritizing rest without feeling guilty
  • Move slower because we don’t need to rush
  • Use the good things now and not save for a special occasion
  • A social calendar that doesn’t feel overwhelming
  • Reading books to get lost in a fantasy world
  • Weekends with nothing to do
  • Move my body more
  • Continue eating only whole foods
  • Romanticise the ordinary moments
  • Say no more

Why This Word Now

Last year taught me that peace isn’t just a moment — it’s a practice. And this year, I want that practice to stretch into how I organize my space, spend my time, care for my body, and show up for the people I love.

I want to romanticize the ordinary — making simple things feel meaningful. I want to turn down the noise and enjoy the small, quiet wins: afternoon coffee in a sunny spot, evenings lighting a scented candle after a long day, and showing up fully for the people who matter.

Here’s to a Soft 2026

Choosing Soft Life isn’t a one-and-done intention — it’s a gentle invitation to live life with more grace, more ease, and more presence. It’s about giving ourselves the permission to enjoy the moment we’re in — not just the moments we’re waiting for.

So here’s to a soft year —
soft mornings
soft routines
and soft hearts.

I can’t wait to share it with you. 💛

December Traditions

Published on by blonde rosieLeave a comment

I love kicking off every December with a to-do list. It might seem like an odd way to welcome the holiday season, but with so much packed into one month, a little planning goes a long way. Organizing my schedule helps ensure there’s actually time to slow down—time to sit by the decorated tree and watch Christmas movies. A few years ago, I realized that when I’m intentional about how I spend my days, I can create all the Christmas magic and enjoy the season without feeling overwhelmed. Everyone’s December looks different, and that’s perfectly okay!

Decorate your home, one space at a time. Don’t put pressure on yourself to do the whole thing overnight! I like to pick a space to decorate after work and just do a little bit at a time.

Wear those Christmas pajamas. There is just something cozy about wearing my Christmas red and plaid in December.

Christmas movies. We try to watch one a night, even if it’s on the TV in the background.

Christmas cards. We order a batch from minted.com to send to our families, but I also hand out cute Christmas cards to coworkers and friends!

Christmas Village. Every year, Philly shows off during December with the Christmas Village and the tree in Rittenhouse Park. After work, we will walk around the city, and it feels like a Hallmark movie.

Bake cookies. Each year, I bake a ton of cookies and give them to coworkers. I start to get cookie requests in November, and it’s something we all look forward to!

Volunteer. This year, we donated food to a neighborhood food pantry, and it’s an easy way to give back. We volunteer at a toy drive every year, and it’s so rewarding.

Christmas sheets. It’s something new I have been doing lately, and it totally gets me into the Christmas mood!

Tree in the bedroom. Last year, I put a tree in our bedroom with just lights on and now I love crawling into bed with the tree on at night.