Friday Favorites 3.13

Spring was here for a few days, and I enjoyed every second of it knowing it was going to go back to cold with a chance of snow. On Monday night, we went to a new gym within walking distance of our house. It was hard to walk past the sign outside of a restaurant promoting margaritas on the patio and keep on walking! It felt like everyone was out walking and enjoying the 60-degree weather! I got home from work on Tuesday and changed into leggings and sneakers to run around the neighborhood. I wanted to enjoy every second of this weather! Jake’s birthday was on Wednesday, and even though we were both exhausted, I made us go out to celebrate. All he wanted for his birthday was cheesecake, so I had to make it happen! After work, we walked to the Cheesecake Factory for a late dinner – one of the reasons I love living in the city. But us out to dinner at 9 pm on a weeknight? Who are we???

LOVING

Loving this new collection from Amanda Jones Vaughan for Spring!

I started using these whitening strips, and I love that they dissolve?? so cool and convenient!

On one of my trips to the grocery store, I had to get a case of Diet Coke Cherry because they were out of Diet Coke. Tragic, I know! Turns out it’s amazing?

My most-worn sweatshirt is now available in this beautiful yellow, so I immediately added it to my cart!

WATCHING

Outlander

High Potential

Stumble

READING

In celebration of the SJM news, I am rereading Crescent City.

Brimstone is taking me longer to read but I blame my exhaustion at the end of the night making it hard to keep my eyes open!

How I Am Surviving Hibernation Season

Once the cold settles in, I stop fighting it. The days get shorter, the air gets quieter, and suddenly staying home feels less like a choice and more like a season of its own. I’m not leaving the house anytime soon on the weekends — and honestly, I’m okay with that.

This is how I’m surviving hibernation season.

Hot baths, always
A hot bath has become my reset button. Steaming water, dim lights, maybe a candle flickering nearby. It’s the easiest way to warm up and slow down at the same time. No rush, no agenda — just existing for a little while.

Lotion, head to toe
Cold weather demands softness. Taking the extra minute to lotion my hands, arms, and legs feels grounding, almost meditative. It’s a small ritual, but it reminds me to take care of myself in ways I usually skip.

Living in pajamas
If I don’t have to change out of pajamas, I won’t. Cozy sets, oversized knits, anything that feels like a hug. Getting dressed for hibernation season means choosing comfort over productivity — and that’s enough.

Candles on repeat
Candles are non-negotiable. Morning, afternoon, night. Soft scents, warm light, a slower atmosphere. They make staying in feel intentional instead of accidental.

Other ways I’m leaning into staying home
– Making warm drinks just because
– Rewatching comfort shows without guilt
– Letting my evenings be quiet
– Saying no more often
– Creating a home that feels calm and lived in

Hibernation season isn’t about doing less — it’s about doing what feels right. Resting more. Moving slower. Letting the cold weather be an excuse to turn inward.

If the world feels loud, staying home can be its own kind of peace 🤍

january recap

January felt extra long this year—and honestly, I think it’s because we came in hot with a packed calendar. But we did one very smart thing: we gave ourselves something to look forward to—a break from the cold.

This trip had been half-planned for a while, just waiting for the stars (aka our work schedules) to align. And somehow, we nailed it. We truly picked the best possible week to be in Disney. While the Northeast was buried under a major snowstorm, we were soaking up sunshine and 90-degree days, pretending winter didn’t exist.

Getting back to Philly, however, was a different story. Two full days of cancelled and delayed flights later, we finally landed—and wow. Walking off the plane into single-digit temperatures was a very clear signal that vacation mode was officially over.

Starting February snowed in was not how I pictured the month kicking off, but I’m slowly accepting that this snow (which is absolutely not melting anytime soon) is just part of life right now. So while I look outside at snow plows still trying to figure out where to put all of this snow, let’s rewind and recap the past month.

WATCHING.

Heated Rivalry. Duhhhh! Also binged All Her Fault and texted my husband the whole time saying that if he talks to me like the husbands in the show, it would also be all my fault LOL

Back to work….

hard to jump back into after a relaxing Winter Break!

Shared my word for the year on the blog….

Went to the happiest place on Earth!

Got rid of a lot of clutter! In an effort to really manifest that soft life goal this year, I’ve been very intentional about having a more minimalistic life. I encourage you this week to pick a space in your house that gives you anxiety and be ruthless! I feel so much better after I donated a lot of stuff that I had that I haven’t used in years.

Friday Favorites 12/19

  • All of my Christmas gifts are purchased and wrapped
  • Christmas cookies 2025 were a big hit this year!
  • I had a few people over on Saturday, and we did pre-made drinks using kits from TJ Maxx. They were easy to make and a big hit!
  • I recently purchased some coupe glasses for myself, and now I can make chic drinks at home
  • Put bows on everything
  • Wrapping presents. I’m not sure why, but I find it so relaxing!
  • This year, I feel like we can actually enjoy the holidays without feeling rushed.
  • I finally started Summer House, and I’m embarrassed by how fast I got through all of it.
  • Hallmark Christmas movies, duhh
  • Jingle Bell Heist on Netflix was really cute!

Sweater Weather Blues

There’s something so effortlessly calm about this time of year — when the air turns crisp, the leaves start falling, and your morning coffee suddenly has to be in a pumpkin theme mug. Today’s outfit is inspired by that perfect fall moment when you’re ready for cozy layers but still want a touch of softness and color in your wardrobe.

I’ve been absolutely loving this dreamy powder blue sweater lately — it’s such a refreshing twist on the typical fall palette. It seems weird to have color in your closet this far into fall, but I love to have a light blue sweater on those days I need a break from the dark clothes. Instead of the usual rusts and maroons, this soft hue feels like a breath of fresh air against all the autumnal tones around us. It pairs beautifully with this plaid mini skirt, which brings in subtle blues and browns for the coziest textural contrast.

Finally, every closet needs a good pair of knee-high leather boots! It’s an easy way to dress up an outfit and make any outfit look chic. I’d throw on some tights for extra warmth and maybe a long coat for those chillier mornings.

I’ve been wanting to buy a new bag, and this chocolate brown shoulder bag ties everything together — functional, chic, and perfect for grabbing coffee or at night. The chocolate brown color makes it different than the other go-to black bags I rotate through the fall and winter months, making it really stand out.

Whether you’re heading to brunch, strolling through a pumpkin patch, or just enjoying your daily latte run, this outfit is a sweet reminder that fall fashion doesn’t always have to mean dark colors. Sometimes, the softest hues make the biggest statement. I also love that I can take this outfit from the weekend and also wear it to work!

Let me know your thoughts, and if you also love to wear pops of color during the colder months!

Travel Series: Paros

We took the ferry from Naxos to Paros, and by now I was a professional ferry user! Since it was a long day, we decided to have dinner at the hotel and stay on the property. The next morning, we woke up early and had coffee on the balcony before heading down for breakfast. Our plan for this island was to relax! We were in walking distance of the beach so we headed that way after breakfast.

outfit details // striped shirt(madewell) // swim (victoria’s secret)

Last minute, I threw this orange striped tote bag into my suitcase before we left “just in case”. It was so convenient to have, especially on our beach days!

I was so happy to enjoy some drinks and snacks while laying on a beach lounger! Our trip had a lot of fun days with excursions but the days we just laid on a beach in the sun were some of my favorites.

After a few hours at the beach, we headed back to the hotel to enjoy the pool and another round of drinks. The goal for the day, and we definitely did!

Paros is a BIG island and to get around, you need a car or an ATV. The touristy area is not near the Port where we stayed and you need to get a car to get there. Since we were here for just one day, we decided to stay on our side of the island and not worth spending the $$$ to get to the other side. The Port side does have some cute shops and areas too but it’s a lot more lowkey. Be sure to plan ahead and rent a car or ATV if you want to see the whole island.