Category: life

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

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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.

Things I’m Doing Differently This Fall

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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!