This week felt long yet also went by quickly. Anyone else? I’ve also tried to be more intentional about doing housework during the week to free up my weekends, and now I have too much time on my hands. For the first time, I don’t know what to do with all of this free time! I’ve been reading before bed and spending time building my ShopMy account. Also, a sign that I am an adult is that I’m excited to go to the gym and grocery store on Saturday. Don’t judge! I just love waking up early and being productive on a Saturday and then having a lazy Sunday. Nothing better!
Stopped at the grocery store on my way from home on Tuesday and got a container of strawberries. It might be the highlight of my week to have fresh fruit to snack on again.
Grabbing an Aperol Spritz on a Friday after work. Bonus points that we were able to sit outside and enjoy that it was still sunny after 7pm.
Choosing to make simple and easy dinners this week with a glass of wine this week.
My step count has been very high this week. I can start to feel my body getting stronger, and my legs are also hating me and begging for a break after two days of 12k steps in a row.
Still loving this face wash, especially now that my face is starting to get sweaty with the warmer temperatures.
Speaking of warmer temperatures, hello humidity! Picked up this spray for my hair to prevent frizz and keep my hair smooth.
Started Euphoria this week, and I have a lot of thoughts…..
Not technically a show, but I have been listening to the Call Her Daddy podcast during my commute to work. I used to listen to a lot of news and current event podcasts; however, the pivot has been refreshing.
The Noah Kahan album came out, and I can already tell it’s going to be a sad summer….
Still loving and reading the Plated Prisoner series this week!
Going to work when it’s nice out makes getting out of bed even harder! Recently, I’ve been trying to make the most out of my evenings when it’s light out later, and it’s still warm outside. I love the warmer months because I feel like we get so much more out of our days with the extra hours of daylight. Here are some of the things in my evening routine that bring me joy!
As soon as I get home, I immediately change out of my work clothes into comfy clothes – but not pajamas!
I don’t like putting on pajamas because I’m not ready to end my night. So I’ll throw on some workout clothes or comfortable clothes instead.
Go to the gym
We are very lucky, and a new gym has opened within walking distance of our house. So now it makes going to the gym after work easier to fit into our schedules. After the gym, we like to grab dinner or maybe stop by the grocery store on our way back to the house.
Sit in the yard and enjoy a book
After staring at a screen or socializing all day, I love to sit in the yard with a book and enjoy the silence!
Make dinner
Cooking dinner is honestly my happy place! I like to put on a show on the iPad to play in the background as I prep and cook. During the Spring and Summer months, it’s easier to cook with fresh veggies, and I love using them when I cook from scratch. It’s nice to be able to make something for yourself at the end of the day.
Out to eat on a weeknight
On those really nice days that the last place I want to be is home, I love to go out to eat during the week. Extra bonus points if they have outdoor dining!
Open the windows
If you don’t have the time or the space to enjoy some quiet time downstairs, open your windows and let your house BREATHE!
Skincare
Doesn’t matter what time of year it is, I need to commit a few minutes every night to my skin.
Keep your bedroom clean
It takes a few extra minutes to tidy up every day, but I swear I’m a much happier person waking up and going to bed with a cleaner bedroom.
“I think I’m done,” I said one morning when I woke up. I was still in bed, and my eyes were half open. My alarm is going off, and I’m hitting the snooze button without looking. This was a few weeks ago, when I had the internal conversation that I was ready to leave my job. I didn’t want to quit, but I also knew I wanted to quit my job. My job had a lot more positives than negatives. I loved my team, my students, and what I had accomplished over the last four years. But my body told me that morning that I was done.
Now, finding a job in this economy? Challenging. But I also gave myself time to be picky. Looking at job listings that I knew I could do, but did I really want to do that? In our twenties, we hustle constantly. Work hard to learn new skills, get better roles, and use our free time to socialize as much as we can. My thirties have been all about how I can do the least: weekends that are relaxing, jobs that have boundaries, and extra money goes into savings.
After a few months of looking and, more importantly, being picky, I found a job. One that allows me to use my skillset and also have a life outside of work. After I put in my three-week notice, I started to doubt myself. Should I really leave? I hate change. So why am I changing things? I’ll admit I’m a little scared – but more importantly, looking forward to being challenged. When we have a job where we are not challenged and feel limited, it’s time to go. I had done everything I could in my previous role, and it was time for someone else to take it to the next level.
I’m also excited to have a job that allows me to do more during the day than just work. I love going to the gym or going on a long walk after work. Make time for laundry during the week so my weekends are free for relaxing or activities. I did the hustle thing in my twenties – working multiple jobs to make ends meet and chase promotions. Now in my thirties, I want hobbies, time with my husband, and not to feel tired all the time!
I’m also excited to have more time for this little corner of the internet!
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!
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.
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 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.
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