Blonde Rosie Blog

🎀 preppy and plaid

Published on October 15, 2025October 10, 2025 by blonde rosieLeave a comment

plaid skirt // perfume // tennis bracelet // sneakers // purse

There’s something magical about the crispness of October mornings — the kind where your breath fogs up the air just a little, and the leaves crunch ever so perfectly beneath your feet. Fall has always been my favorite season to dress for. The textures get cozier, the colors get warmer, and suddenly, dressing up feels fun again.

I’ve been gravitating toward simple, polished pieces that have that classic look that comes back every year. I love wearing plaid in the fall: a little preppy, a little polished, and totally wearable.

Preppy and Plaid

I’m having a serious love affair with plaid mini skirts this season. There’s just something so effortlessly chic about them — part old-school academia, part Parisian street style. Paired with a fitted black long-sleeve tee, it feels pulled together but never fussy. Add tights if it’s chilly, or bare legs for these sunny fall afternoons that surprise you.

Fall Wardrobe Staple

Okay, hear me out: Adidas sneakers, but make them fashion. These brown and blush toned ones are everything. Sporty enough for errands but cute enough to wear with a skirt (like we did here!), they give this look just the right amount of cool-girl energy. Plus, your feet will thank you when you inevitably decide to walk the long way home under all those golden leaves. Remember when we used to wear uncomfortable shoes every day?

A Little Bit of Sparkle

I always say — never underestimate the power of simple jewelry. A classic tennis bracelet adds that perfect dash of sparkle without overwhelming the look. It feels polished, intentional, and a little luxe, which we love. I got one this year for an anniversary present and now it’s my favorite piece of jewelry to wear.

A Chic Bag to Hold All Our Things

This deep chocolate brown shoulder bag with gold chain details is pure autumn elegance. It’s roomy enough for your book, a lipstick, and snacks, but still structured and sleek. A win-win.

The Finishing Touch

And because no look is complete without a spritz of something special, Miss Dior is the scent I keep coming back to. It’s floral, warm, and has just enough presence to make you feel like the main character in your own story.

So whether you’re heading into the office, off to brunch, or just feeling like dressing up for a random Tuesday (because why not?), this look is a great place to start. Preppy, polished, and made for fall days full of small adventures.

september round up

Published on October 13, 2025October 10, 2025 by blonde rosieLeave a comment

Here are a few things I loved in September

sweatshirts, the bigger the better
Aerie leggings
short Uggs
fall scented candles
melatonin gummies
deleted my email inbox to zero
rewatching Grey’s Anatomy

Travel Series: Naxos

Published on October 10, 2025 by blonde rosieLeave a comment

I’ve been asked a few times what my favorite island was on our trip to Greece, and besides Santorini, Naxos is my favorite small island that I would go to again. It was hard to pack my suitcase back up and leave Santorini, but we had a lot more of our trip to enjoy. It was also a difficult adjustment from being on a yacht the day before and then taking the ferry to Naxos. The ferries deserve their own post to break down how they are the most chaotic but organized way to travel. After a short ferry ride, we stepped off the ferry to Naxos Town and right away it was the perfect little beach town. Our hotel room wasn’t ready so we dropped off our luggage and decided to walk around for a bit and get lunch. I had heard that the Greek club sandwich was a must-have, and it did not disappoint! I knew it was going to be hard going back home after enjoying fresh ingredients and food.

Naxos is known for its unfinished Temple of Apollo, built in 530 BC, and today, only its door remains, the Portara. You have to walk along a jetty to get to that part of the island and waves are constantly crashing along the rocks. We stood on the jetty and let the mist hit us to give us a break from the heat. It’s a bit of a climb up, but worth it for the view. Also really weird to be standing in a spot that is that old. During our trip, it would hit me that where I was standing was thousands of years old because we don’t have places like that in America.

HOTEL
Antony Suites

After walking around for a bit, we got the text that our hotel room was ready, so we walked back to the hotel to change and head to the beach. This was one of our “let’s save money on a hotel because we won’t spend much time here” and instead I wish we could have stayed longer! It was so cute and had so many great amenities. It was a nice surprise to learn that the beach was only a block away from our hotel and an even nicer surprise to find that we could rent lounge chairs and an umbrella for 35€. In my dreams, I would spend every day at the beach like this, enjoying a mojito!

We spent a few hours at the beach and enjoyed some drinks and snacks. We didn’t want to leave the beach but we went back to the hotel to shower and change for dinner. We had no plans for dinner except to walk around and pick a place. What’s nice about Naxos, is that there are a ton of restaurant options on the water and you can’t pick wrong. We went back up to the Temple of Apollo to watch the sunset and then had dinner at Meze Meze. What you need to know going to Greece (and even Europe) is that dinner is not quick and it’s going to take at least two hours. Fresh seafood is caught that same morning — grilled octopus, fish so tender it practically melted. I ordered the seafood risotto and even when I was full I could not stop eating! We finished up dinner at 11pm and my mind was blown by how busy the town still was that late at night.

We planned to sleep in the next morning, but I was up early, wanting to enjoy every minute of Naxos. Our hotel dropped off breakfast baskets and we enjoyed our Greek breakfast on the patio while we packed up to check out of the hotel. We had originally had an excursion planned that day which was cancelled due to water currents so we had to pivot.

We were told that we had to go see the castle built in the 13th century. We climbed to the top of the island to get to the castle and then took the long way back down weaving through alleyways and little shops scattered through the maze. After our walk, we decided we deserved a cold cocktail, so we stopped at Verus on the water. Drinks turned into food, and we spent the next hour just enjoying our drinks and food by the water. Not wanting to leave, we went back to the jetty near the Temple of Apollo and sat on a bench to enjoy the water. Naxos is an island that makes you want to slow down and just enjoy every minute of life.

That afternoon, we headed back to the hotel to pick up our luggage and make our way back to the ferry to head to the next island. Looking back at it now, we didn’t do much in Naxos except walk around, eat, and sit by the water. Just walking along the waterfront and enjoying the silence was such a nice way to relax and unwind. Naxos is a great walkable city that makes you slow down and just relax.

Welcoming Borromini to the neighborhood!

Published on October 10, 2025 by blonde rosieLeave a comment

After spending my teens and twenties fully obsessed with shows like Sex and the City and Gossip Girl, I always dreamed of that glamorous city life — you know, hopping from art gallery openings to the buzziest restaurant of the moment, preferably in heels I couldn’t actually walk in. I feel like I had that dream become a reality when Jake and I were talking about what restaurant to make a reservation at for our one year wedding anniversary. We settled on Parc because it’s one of our favorites, and it’s turned into our go-to for celebrations. The next day, Jake texted me that there was one opening available at the just opened Borromini restaurant in Rittenhouse Square. While Philly is not like New York City, it’s still a city with an amazing food scene. Jake and I are both foodies, and we love trying new places and trying new things. So when a reservation was available at a restaurant with a very known long wait list – I knew we had to jump on it.

I loved the vibe right away. From the moment I stepped through the doors, I could tell a lot of time and money went into transforming this space. The space is massive (it occupies two floors in what used to be a Barnes & Noble) and yet somehow still cozy. With the vaulted ceilings, mosaic tilework, rustic oak beams, exposed brick, and these soft warm lights that make you feel like you’re somewhere you should be dressed up but also comfy. It has that fancy restaurant vibe, but also a place I would be comfortable going to grab dinner after work. The best way to sum it up is that it was built for Philly because we like nice things, but we are also down-to-earth.

I’ve heard complaints that the restaurant was too loud, but I didn’t find it hard to have a conversation. If anything, it added to the positive energy with people being excited to be there. The resturant just opened, but it already had that this is the place to be and gather. The waitstaff is also very friendly; we bonded over the Eagles loss, and they are very knowledgeable about the menu. The waitstaff are attentive but don’t hover and don’t rush you through the meal. Since we were celebrating our wedding anniversary, the restaurant was kind enough to surprise us with glasses of prosecco with our desert that came out with candles. It’s that little extra touch that goes a long way!

It’s a small menu, but you can tell that each item has been perfected and is selected to pair well with other dishes. We started with the Caprese and the focaccia while looking over the menu. It was hard to choose one because everything sounded so GOOD! I went with the spaghetti al pomodoro, and Jake ordered the 100-layer lasagna.

We already decided we need to come back again during the week when we wanted to get a drink after work. The aperol spritz was refreshing, and the Pomodoro Martini was heaven in a glass.

If I had to describe the food, I’d say that it’s fresh – not overly seasoned, just fresh ingredients to highlight the already delicious dishes. You could taste the fresh tomatoes in the spaghetti al pomodoro, and the lasagna was light and fluffy unlike traditional lasagnas.

Borromini is a great addition to the neighborhood, and I’m excited to come back again! We are already planning the next time we can stop by the bar and grab a drink and enjoy the restaurant vibes!

Fall List

Published on October 2, 2025October 2, 2025 by blonde rosieLeave a comment

Fall reminds me of new school supplies and that feeling that change is in the air. The cooler weather and the leaves changing give me a little boost to jump into fall traditions, and I want to enjoy every minute of the new season. Even though this September has been a HOT one, I’m already putting fall plans on our calendar so we can fit everything in! I love a good list — it gives me intention and motivation to actually do things instead of letting the season pass me by.

🍁 1. Go on a scenic drive to see fall foliage

Carve out a weekend, roll down the windows, and chase the changing leaves. Plan a route through the Poconos, the Lehigh Valley, or even Bucks County. Bonus points if you stop at a farm stand or cider mill along the way.

🍂 2. Visit a pumpkin patch + pick your own pumpkin

Nothing says fall like wandering through hay bales, sipping on apple cider, and picking the perfect orange pumpkin. Then bring it home and carve or paint it! We go to Linvilla every year to get some baked goods and pumpkins.

🍷 3. Sip apple cider (hot or cold) + try a new fall-inspired drink

Whether that’s a warm cider with cinnamon sticks or a crisp apple mule, I’m here for it. Also hoping to try a new local café’s seasonal drink.

🧣 4. Break out the cozy clothes

Time to take out the comfy sweaters and sweatshirts! I am SO happy to wear my Uggs to work today because the temperatures are finally getting chilly!

🕯️ 5. Decorate for fall

I’ll be adding pumpkins, gourds, cozy throws, and candles around the house. A little touch of burnt orange, mustard yellow, and deep rust goes a long way.

🎃 6. Host a fall-themed get‑together

Whether it’s a pumpkin carving night, charcuterie + cider party, or cozy movie marathon with friends — I’m craving intentional time with people I love.

🌰 7. Go for a nature walk (or hike)

Get outside. I don’t need to travel far because I love walking around our neighborhood and admiring the leaves changing colors. I also love that the houses all decorate their steps with pumpkins and mums.

🍎 8. Bake a seasonal treat

Think apple crisp, pumpkin bread, spiced muffins, or cinnamon rolls. Bonus: share with coworkers or friends so I don’t eat it all 😅

📸 9. Take fall photos

Capture the fall moments! I love looking back at our annual pumpkin picking tradition and fall front porch decor photos.

📚 10. Read something cozy by the fire (on Youtube)

Pick up a new book or revisit a fave with a blanket and a mug of something warm. I love to put on a scenic fireplace with music on our Apple TV while I read to pretend I’m by the fireplace LOL

🍁 11. Hit a local fall festival or fair

Check out street fairs, craft festivals, or pumpkin-spice-themed events in Philly or nearby towns. I love the PHS Pop Up Garden at South Street to grab a fall-themed drink and enjoy the fall decor!