On Slowing Down

 

 
Recently I've been really leaning into the idea of slowing down. After years of running around, keeping busy with what feels like busywork, I'm finally saying no to wondering where my weekend has gone. I'm intentionally embracing staying home and taking care of myself - spiritually, nutritionally, and socially. I love the feeling of accomplishment I get when I finish another task on my at home to-do list. I know this season is going to be busier than ever, so slowing down and taking things at my own pace will save my sanity. I've finally started getting back into meal prepping, going for walks, and making time for prayer and catching up with friends! 

ARS xx

Three Things On My Mind

I've been really drawn to a dark, berry red this year. While this color isn't exactly it, I just love how beautiful these flowers look. 

 

Outfit inspiration! As I start the process of editing down my closet, I'm creating a clear vision in my mind. 

Skye McALpine's new book The Christmas Companion has officially been added to my cart. I'm in the mood for some fresh Christmas inspiration and I'm hoping this does the trick. 

ARS xx

Palm Beach Kind of Cozy

It's hard to get into the spirit of fall when living in Florida. I used to force myself to wear sweaters, as if by sheer will I could make it chilly. This year I'm going to try to bring touches of fall into my home, because that is much more realistic. Think vanilla and chai candles, heavier throw blankets, and baking something delicious and comforting. While I'm at it, I may just add in a back-to-school tv show, like Gilmore Girls. There is something so nostalgic about this time of year, right? 

Candles are an easy way to bring in a cozy Palm Beach feel to my home. I've been burning Sincerely, Sarah Jane's Golden candle this week and it brings me such joy. The cinnamon and chai scent is fresh, but in a different way from the bright floral scents of summer. It's perfect for the season and makes it feel just a bit more like fall down here. 

While we're on the topic of cozy scents, there is something so special about baking in the fall. It reminds me of times spent gossiping over baking cookies with my friends. This time of year, my house always smelled like fresh cookies and I. just may have to try this oatmeal raisin cookie recipe from Martha Stewart. 

I also really love any opportunity to bring out my throw blankets! I loooove the Matouk ones I have, because they are heavy enough where they feel substantial, but they are cotton and not wool so I'm not sweating underneath. I have an array of colors, but lean on my my autumnal colors this time of year. 

Back to school time meant it was another new season of Gilmore Girls, maybe the only show I was allowed to watch growing up. I always wanted to be Rory, but now that I'm older I realize I'm now all for Emily Gilmore. She really was one of the best characters on the show. Additionally, there is something so comforting about the show and Stars Hollow. I've been playing old episodes when I get home from work and it adds an extra layer of background cozy. 

ARS xx

Some Housekeping

This year has been a doozy for me - I finally moved into the home I spent a year renovating, lost my treasured pilates studio, put on fifteen pounds, and crash landed into dog ownership. All of this combined has left me stressed, and not feeling comfortable at home or in my own skin. While I wouldn't change some things for the world - like adopting Paloma - I wish I didn't resist the changes as much as I did. Instead of mourning what my life was like before, I should have worked harder to adapt to my new reality sooner. I can't really go back in time and make better choices, but I can do better in the future. Every hard season has a lesson and purpose, and while I wish I had learned it sooner, I'm telling myself better late than never. All of this being said, in the spirit of embracing changes and growth instead of letting it steamroll me, I'm celebrating a new chapter for Towerhouse! I'm really excited to be moving over to Substack. 

Despite the advice of my good friend, I avoided joining Substack for the longest time. I resisted partly because I loved the ease of this platform and partly because of my natural aversion to change, among a few other reasons. Substack just feels more serious, which is not what Towerhouse is about. Towerhouse is a place for fun, inspiration, lighthearted stories, and what catches my eye. Although I'm hesitant, I'm going to make the enthusiastic jump to Substack and I'm inviting you all to join me! It will be more of the same, just a little bit more polished and have a grown up look. I'm excited to try something new, and while it feels uncomfortable in this moment, I know it will be another lesson I can look back on. 

I'm aiming for a relaunch in January, but will be sharing sneak peeks and behind the scenes looks on the Towerhouse instagram. I'll also be occasionally posting here about my quest to lose the fifteen pounds I gained and getting my home under control, so I'll post a bigger announcement when I'm all settled and ready for my first substack visitors. If you have any feedback or questions for me, I'm just an email or DM away! 

ARS xx 

On Becoming Refreshed

 

It's that time of year where I joke that I never knew how popular I was until I moved to Palm Beach. Yes, it's officially peak season in Palm Beach, which means intense traffic, so many visitors, and burnout is coming in a few short weeks. I love the buzz and energy in the moment, but when I get home I just feel drained and crave the sleepiness of summer. Slow living and time spent relaxing and recharging is my nirvana and this year I'm trying to get that refreshed feeling sooner rather than later. That means starting earlier than usual. I'm already editing my closet down and picking a few cute new summer looks up. I've also started a list of projects that need to be done around the condo (hello, finally getting my curtains hung!). My goal is to emerge from summer refreshed, recharged and ready for another Palm Beach season. 

ARS xx

F O L L O W

Coffee and Contentment

 

Since I moved out of my parent's house I've felt untethered and totally without a schedule. Bringing Paloma into the mix had me throwing everything out the window and I went into survival mode. February was the month I threw my hands up and decided that I was ready to get back on track! I do best with a steady routine and I've started a fresh one that I love. I have a few nonnegotiables, but my favorite is every morning I let Paloma out and have a "coffee and contentment" moment scheduled - it's literally written in my calendar. Starting the day with a moment of reflection while drinking my coffee has been so lovely and grounds me. 

ARS xx

F O L L O W

Pretty Pins for 2025

After years of drama, heartbreak, and uncertainty I realized I'm finally in a place where I can just be. 2024 was for transitions and putting myself first and now I'm back in my own apartment, and determined to continue my current streak of personal growth. In 2021 I moved to a new state and started my life over again. 2022 was for making new friends and establishing myself. 2023 was the year I bought my first home. 2024 was a year of testing my patience, as I went through a long (to me) renovation and other personal challenges and ended on the bright spot of adopting a dog. I'm not sure what will happen in 2025, but I'm excited for it. While each year has brought it's trials and tribulations, I really grew as a person in ways I never did in NY. I'm proud of who I'm becoming and I'm looking forward to what's next. 

Cheers to 2025,

ARS xx

F O L L O W

Tuesday Thought

“Don’t try to force anything. Let life be a deep let-go. God opens millions of flowers every day without forcing their buds.” ― Osho

ARS xx

F O L L O W

Tuesday Thought

 "Hope sleeps in our bones like a bear waiting for spring to rise and walk." — Marge Piercy

ARS xx

F O L L O W

Tuesday Thought

"Love yourself enough to set boundaries. Your time and energy are precious. You get to choose how you use it. You teach people how to treat you by deciding what you will and won't accept." —Anna Taylor

ARS xx

F O L L O W

Wednesday Note to Self

 

“A book had always been a door to another world... a world much more interesting and fantastical than reality. But she had finally discovered that life could be even more wonderful than fantasy. And that love could fill the real world with magic.” ― Lisa Kleypas, Scandal in Spring

ARS xx

F O L L O W

Tuesday Thought

 

“Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do… but how much love we put in that action.” — Mother Teresa

ARS xx

F O L L O W

Tuesday Thought

 

“Sometimes a simple question could have a complicated answer.” ― Lisa Kleypas

ARS xx

F O L L O W

Tuesday Thought

 

“You can't do extraordinary things in the world if you're spending time criticizing others because they don't look or behave the way you think they should.” ― Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Natural Born Charmer

ARS xx

F O L L O W

Wednesday Note to Self

 

"The magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave, and it feels even better to come back." - Wendy Wunder

ARS xx

F O L L O W

Hi and A Few Life Updates

 

HI! It's me. I took a month plaus long blogging break and now I'm back, although slightly jetlagged! While I refreshed and reenergized I finalized the purchase of the condo, finished my Amanda Lindroth Create Academy class, I went to France to celebrate Oliver and Lily getting married, I completed the Fall Focus Challenge on The Sculpt Society app, and now I'm ready for more adventures to come! 

I'm eagerly anticipating getting into my condo to start making real choices about things like floor and paint colors, measuring for the kitchen and closets, and choosing fabrics ect. I have a feeling this new place will be keeping me extra busy for the next few months! 

Thanks for sticking with me while I took time to get a few big things done and finalized. I'm excited to get back to writing and sharing more of what's going on. 

ARS xx

F O L L O W

Tuesday Thought

 

“When one has a grateful heart, life is so beautiful.” ― Roy T. Bennett

ARS xx

F O L L O W

August Goals

 

Now that I'm in the homestretch of home ownership my goals for the summer have completely shifted. While I was sort of in budget/home ownership mode, it didn't feel real until yesterday. Now I'm all in on figuring out my August/September/October budget and how I want to start decorating my new condo! I sadly didn't check off any of my July goals, so I'm rolling them over to August and adding two more on. This month I also want to clean out my closet and update my address book. 

ARS xx

F O L L O W

Tuesday Thought

 

“To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.” - Thich Nhat Hanh

ARS xx

F O L L O W

Tuesday Thought

 

“A book had always been a door to another world... a world much more interesting and fantastical than reality. But she had finally discovered that life could be even more wonderful than fantasy. And that love could fill the real world with magic.” ― Lisa Kleypas

ARS xx

F O L L O W