Category: life

I’m always hesitant to welcome fall into my life because that means that summer is officially over. This year, I am embracing the change because it means that with a new season comes an excuse to do new things.

1. Long walks by myself to walk around and enjoy the changing of the season.
   I did this a few times over the summer, and I loved walking around my neighborhood listening to an audiobook with no destination in mind, just to wander and see where I turned up. It was a great way to get my steps in for the day, but I also felt very calm and refreshed after the walk.
2. Coffee Shops
   Living in Philly means there is a plethora of coffee shops to choose from, and this fall, I want to romanticize going to a coffee shop to get a warm drink to warm up and read my book. The BER months are when we stay indoors more, and I’m going to need coffee as an incentive to leave the house, even on those cold days.
3. Cook fall-themed meals
   Fall is all about comfort foods like chili, pumpkin loaf, and sweet potatoes, to name a few. I’m going over my recipes now to start making my list!
4. Wear the cute fall outfits
   Fall fashion is famous for a reason because it’s still warm enough to look cute but chilly enough for cute layers! I’m taking out my fall clothes early this year so I can be intentional about wearing my cute clothes instead of them staying in storage for another year. Also, if you like fashion, be sure to treat yourself to a new magazine to really get in the mood for fall fashion and support print media!
5. Plan those fall outings now
   We go pumpkin picking every year at the same place, and it never gets old. This year, I want to plan more gatherings with friends at an outdoor beer garden while it’s still warm and a dinner party with friends to gather over tasty food.
6. Outdoor dining
   I love that Philly decorates their restaurants with fall decorations and pumpkins. We have a few restaurants we love to eat outside at to get in the fall mood with all of the decor!

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

Hey there, friends!

Happy New Year! I can’t believe we’re already in 2025—time is flying by, but I’m stepping into this year with a fresh sense of clarity and intention. If you’ve been following along on the blog, you know I’m all about embracing the messy, the fun, and the unexpected moments of life. But this year? Well, I’m ready to make peace my priority. I went to bed on New Year’s Eve saying out loud, I’m so happy I don’t have to plan a wedding this year! Last year….was a lot. A lot of planning, emotionally, financially and so now this year, I want to have some peace. Some time to live in the now.

Yes, you heard me right—peace is my word of the year.

Now, before you roll your eyes and think, “Oh, great. Another person talking about peace and zen,” hear me out. I’m not talking about some unattainable state of perpetual calm (although, wouldn’t that be nice?). Instead, peace for me means finding balance, cultivating inner calm, and setting boundaries that protect my well-being. It’s about feeling settled in my choices, trusting my instincts, and not getting bogged down by the chaos around me. Last week, I was talking to a friend about how my mind can’t shut off and I’m an overthinker. My friend asked me what I do to find peace when the world gets loud…. and I didn’t have a good answer. Turns out, it’s up to us to find our own peace and it looks different for everyone.

Why Peace?

2024 was a whirlwind, to say the least. There were highs (hello, planned a wedding and got married) and lows (you know, the usual life hurdles), but one thing I realized through it all was how much I craved a sense of peace. Peace in my heart, in my mind, and in my daily life.

Life is full of noise—whether it’s work, family, social media, or just the constant pressure to “do more.” But this year, I want to create space for calm. I want to step back and give myself permission to take things slow. No more hustling just for the sake of hustling or saying “yes” to everything in fear of missing out. At work, I’ve been able to step back and let the team do what they need to do without having to tweak things to make them perfect. I work with kids and I have to remind myself, they don’t know an event was supposed to be grander or I forgot to order something. On my last day at school before break, my team brought a few problems for me to fix, and my response was “Pretend I’m not here, how would you handle it?” as I sat back as my team handled the situation just like I would have. Sometimes we need to put faith in other people around us and trust that things will work out…. we don’t need to be involved in every single thing.

For me, peace means choosing what matters over what’s loud. It means aligning my energy with the things that truly light me up, and letting go of what no longer serves me.

My Goals for 2025

With peace as my guiding word, here’s what I’m hoping to cultivate in 2025:

1. Create More Calm in My Day-to-Day Life
   • This year, I’m all about creating moments of peace throughout my day. Whether it’s starting my mornings with a quiet cup of coffee (no phone allowed!) or carving out time at night to color before bed, I want to build little pockets of calm into even the busiest of days. The last few days, I’ve really enjoyed putting on a record and drinking coffee on the couch while I read for a little bit before officially starting the day. The goal: less rushing, more breathing.
2. Prioritize Real-Life Connections Over Digital Noise
   • While I love sharing with all of you here, in 2025, I’m making a conscious effort to step away from my screen and spend more time in real-life moments. That means more dinner dates with friends, outdoor walks, and making plans with friends, without interruptions from notifications. It’s all about nourishing my relationships—offline!
3. Embrace a Simpler, More Sustainable Wardrobe
   • I’ve always been a sucker for cute outfits, but this year, I want to focus on quality over quantity. I’m aiming for a wardrobe that’s chic, minimal, and more sustainable. This means investing in timeless pieces that I actually love and making smarter choices when it comes to what I buy. In the past I’ve tried to stay away from fast fashion and wear more sustainable luxury. This year it’s also about the purge. I want to get rid of as much as I can that’s just taking up space and clothes that no longer work for me. It’s about feeling great inside and out. I don’t need more clothes in my closet. I need more places to go with the clothes I already have in my closet!
4. Mindfully Build My Creativity and Side Projects
   • In 2025, I’m giving myself the space to nurture the creative projects that bring me joy, whether it’s writing more, reading more, starting a new hobby, or learning a new skill. Or like starting a Substack and committing to write more. The key is to enjoy the process without putting pressure on the outcome. Creativity should be fun, not stressful.
5. Give Myself Grace and Space to Grow
   • This year, I’m practicing self-compassion like it’s my new full-time job. I’m letting go of perfectionism and giving myself permission to take breaks, to rest when I need it, and to evolve at my own pace. No more guilt for slowing down or changing my mind—growth is a journey, not a race. Last week I noticed that whenever I sat down, I would take an accidental nap. Like a deep sleep two hour nap and wake up and not know where I was. I think that is my body telling me to slow down?

What Does Peace Look Like for You?

As I step into 2025, I’m inviting you to join me on this journey. What does peace look like for you? It might not mean silence and stillness, but it could be about finding balance or letting go of unnecessary stress. Maybe it’s about carving out more time for yourself or choosing to focus on the people and things that truly matter.

No matter where you are in life, I believe we all deserve a little more peace in our days. So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, scattered, or just need a little reminder to breathe, know that you’re not alone. I’m right here with you, setting intentions and finding my way to peace one day at a time.

Here’s to a Peaceful 2025

I’m so excited for what this year has to offer, and I can’t wait to share more with you along the way. If you’re feeling inspired to choose a word for the year, I’d love to hear it—share it with me in the comments or hit reply to this post. Let’s make this year one of purpose, growth, and, of course, peace.

Wishing you a year full of all the beautiful moments that make life so special.

Until next time,
Rosie