Currently...

Finishing my 10 day quarantine! I love my apartment SO much, which is why this wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be, but I'm glad to be out in the world seeing people again. Courtesy of the extra time spent in my apartment I'm also finished with Private Practice! I'm kind of sad it's over, but already onto a new show, Firefly Lane.

Starting up with The Sculpt Society. I know I said I wasn't going to spend any money, but I stepped on the scale for the first time in months and there was a 20 pound weight gain. I'm still not going to the gym and needed to find an apartment friendly alternative, so I'm giving this a try. To make myself feel a little bit less guilty I'm updating my 101 in 1001 list and swapping the PAM workouts to TSS workouts. I did the numbers and the annual plan fits into my budget. I've found that investing some money into a workout adds an extra incentive. 

Catching up on all of the things I want to get done before March 1st. I was able to check a fair amount of things off of my February to-do list and catch up on my January list. I'm hoping to get a few more things done this weekend, before it's officially March!

Living in my Eberjey winter white sweatpants. It always makes me nervous when I buy white clothing, especially pants. I'm not dainty and have a tendency to spill all over myself but I wanted a cozy pair of sweats and I went for it. These are sooo cozy and well worth the higher price tag, I just wish they came in black or navy! 

Working my way through all the books I have on backlog. I'm making a big push to not spend money in March and part of that is using up what I have, starting with books and toiletries - I have a surplus and backlog you wouldn't believe! 

TGIF!

ARS xx

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Wednesday Inspiration

"Once you realize that you have identified a passion, invest in yourself. Figure out what you need to know, what kind of experience and expertise you need to develop to do the things that you feel in your heart you will enjoy and that will sustain you both mentally and economically." - Martha Stewart

Ready for Friday - help!

ARS xx

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Palm Beach Outfit Inspiration

My parents are still down in Florida, so visiting them has been on my mind lately. I know a quick trip can't really happen right now, given all of the testing and quarantining that would be involved but I can still dream of it. They recently bought a new house down there and with my weight gain I would definitely need a few outfits until I get back on track. I love to wear long, easy dresses, bright colors, and classic styles when I'm down there, so I'd lean heavy on pieces like that. I'm sure I'll need to build a wardrobe down there eventually so I'll do a wish list later on, but in the meantime enjoy the below inspiration pictures of what I'd rather be wearing. 

Ready to tackle Tuesday,

ARS xx

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Pretty Pins for False Starts

If I'm being honest, the last two months I was lax about the goals and action plans I made in December, but last week was a bit of a wake up call and I'm ready to start making serious headway! January was a false start and February was a "just get through it" kind of month. As we approach March, I know that if I want to make the changes in my life I want to make I have to do the work starting now. This  is a week for me to adjust my plans and create goals for March that are focused on reaching my relationship, home, and lifestyle goals for the year. I'm letting my disappointing false starts go and moving on - something I didn't really do until now. Below are a few pins inspiring me this week. 

Ready for March, 

ARS xx

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Currently...

Staying in for the next 10 days. I was exposed to the virus for a second time and will be limited my outside exposure, even after being tested. If only my WFM style was as chic as the above picture. 

Thinking about the future and how I can achieve all that I want for my life. It feels like a big undertaking that I'll be focusing on starting to make a plan for at least one aspect this weekend. 

Reading all of the magazines I subscribed to earlier this year. I forgot how delightful a magazine in the mailbox is until I started receiving them. I'm so happy I decided to add this one to my 101 in 1001 list. It's been the perfect way to unwind and relax at the end of the day! 

Enjoying the treats I bought myself last weekend. Now that I know I'll be locked up for the next few days I'm extra grateful that I treated myself so well on Sunday. 

Dreaming of houses covered in ivy. I don't know what it is about this look, but it just is so beautiful. It feels so romantic and ethereal so I've been looking at pictures of houses like the above all week (just for fun!). 

Bon Weekend!

ARS xx

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Thursday Mood

 

 “Life is a mystery to be lived, not a problem to be solved." - Søren Kirkegaard

Happy Thursday, 

ARS xx

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Wanderlust: New Orleans, LA

It looks like I'll only being partaking in domestic travel for awhile, so I'm making a list of trips I want to take and retake. One of my favorite places to go, aside from Palm Beach, is New Orleans and I've really been dreaming of it more and more, especially with what should have been Mardi Gras happening this week. Each trip has been memorable in it's own way - the first time I went Emeril came out of the kitchen to meet me, the youngest person to order the spiciest dish and not break a sweat, the second time was to visit my cousin right before mardi gras, and the last time I went was to boost my spirits after being laid off. As you can see, NOLA has a special place in my heart and might be my first post-pandemic trip! Below is a small roundup of things I would want to do, touristy or not. 

My first choice would be to stay at the Soniat House, a boutique hotel in the French Quarter, but there are so many fabulous places to stay in New Orleans. Depending on what you want your trip to look like, you may want a bigger hotel or a hotel in a different location. What I love about the Soniat House is that it's in a quiet spot of the French Quarter and they also have a fabulous antiques shop!

Breakfast at Cafe du Monde would be a daily ritual. Beinets are addictive, I have a major sweet tooth, and because I only get to enjoy these every once in awhile they would be the ultimate vacation breakfast treat for me. 

If I'm being honest shopping is not exactly my main activity of choice when in New Orleans, but M.S. Rau is an absolute must visit for me. Brimming with exotic, rare, and chic antiques it goes without saying that M.S. Rau is my antique store of choice. Although everything is out of budget, it doesn't hurt to look, train my eye, and just admire the museum worthy pieces! In the meantime, I'll settle for their fabulous "Bourbon with Bill" series. 

There is so much to do in New Orleans that I wouldn't know what I wanted to do first. A few favorite things to do are going to jazz clubs for great music and cocktails, visiting the fabulous sculpture garden, and maybe learn some more about Louisiana Voodoo! 

I would definitely plan an outfit of easy, breezy clothes (major focus on dresses here). It gets so hot and humid down there that I can't think of anything else. Ann Mashburn is my go-to shop for chic outfits, so I'd probably start there for this trip. This leopard print maxi dress caught my eye and it's machine washable so double score! 

Hoping today's weather turns around,

ARS xx

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Pretty Pins for Self-Love

Valentine's Day was yesterday, so it's probably not a shock to anyone that love is on my mind. I'm single right now but I have the best friends a girl could ask for and a close-knit, loving family, so there is still lots of love to go around. That all being said, I of course wish I had a real valentine to celebrate the day with, but I did treat myself to a DIY spa day and some Valentine's Day approved treats and had an overall great day! This month for me is all about practicing self-love and showing myself some grace, both don't come to me naturally, but I've been making a concerted effort. The pandemic has taught me so much about myself and I'm learning how important self-care and love actually is. This week I'm rounding up a bunch of pins that simply make me happy and remind me that self-love is one of the most important kinds. 

Sending you all a virtual hug,

ARS xx

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Currently...

Watching Private Practice on Netflix! I actually like this show a lot more than Grey's Anatomy and it's been a great show to watch post-work. I love being able to unwind and watch some dramatic tv. 

Listening to a Piano Covers playlist on Spotify. I love listening to piano and classical music when home (yes, I know I'm in the minority here) and this has been a really fun one to listen to. 

Enjoying my weekly game nights with my cousins. It's been so nice to have my cousin's back in the city and having some sort of a social life again. 

Getting back into a healthier routine. If I'm being honest I really let self care fall by the wayside and I'm ready to get back on track. I've already made a few tweaks (think quick workouts and more salads) but I know some more radical changes need to take place. 

Dreaming of warmer weather! As the days go on I really am dreaming of how I can feasibly get down to Palm Beach without it impacting work. In the meantime, I'll just dream about warmer weather overall. I feel like I missed the boat on enjoying last summer but I'm more than ready for this one. 

TGIF,

ARSxx

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Three Last Minute Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

This was supposed to be a last minute Christmas gift guide post, but I didn't finish it in time and I realized some people my be looking for a last minute Valentine's gift so figured why not share now? I don't usually scramble when it comes to Valentine's Day Gifts - mainly because I don't give them except for small tokens to my parents. I love treating them to a small something I know they will love and my Mom always surprises me with an unexpected thing she knows I'll adore. I'm still not gifting anything this year (and sadly won't be receiving any gifts myself) but it's always fun to think of fun gifts to give someone...or gift yourself! I'm sharing a few different ideas that are still thoughtful but can be executed at the last minute. Below are three ideas that popped into my mind that don't include a spa or jewelry, but just may be exactly what someone wants (or doesn't!). 

Why not give the gift of education and treat someone to a Create Academy course? I've already shared my love for Create Academy with you, but I wanted to reiterate how fabulous the classes they have curated and filmed are. This gift certainly doesn't feel last minute and is perfect for someone who just bought a house, is starting a new diet, or just has an interest in interior design, floristry, or nutrition. I'm currently taking Rita Konig's class and looooove it. In fact, I want to take Amelia Freer's nutritional class next and once I buy a home or apartment I'll probably treat myself to Willow Crossley's class.

While not romantic in the slightest (in fact, you really should proceed with caution here), a thoughtful last minute gift is a yearly subscription to Ramsey+. Honestly, if this year has taught me anything it's the importance of having my finances in order and creating an emergency fund. I don't normally endorse practical gifts, but if someone you love is like me and actively trying to get his or her finances in order I'm sure this would be appreciated. I mean, I would be pumped to get this subscription. This gift idea is definitely for a particular person - be warned the gift might get thrown back at you or you just may end up alone!

For the book lover, why not give them a monthly book subscription from Juniper Books? They have a "Books You Should Own" (BESO) subscription that is the gift that keeps on giving. You could definitely create a budget or more customized version of this on your own, but the idea is a great gift that any reader would love. As a book reader, I can vouch for this 100%. 

Happy gifting,

ARS xx

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Wednesday Thought

 

Love is the greatest refreshment in life.  - Pablo Picasso 

Sharing a quick quote from Picasso for Valentine's Day. 

ARS xx

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February Wishlist

I was a little bit bummed this past weekend because I thought the dress I've wanted for years was going to be on sale in a big way and it wasn't. I obviously got over it pretty quick, but it had me thinking about what I would buy this month if it was in the budget. While I'm mainly sticking to window shopping for right now, I can still share with you all what I would treat myself to if I already had a fully funded emergency fund! Below are a few fun things I would definitely love to buy to get me through the dreary February weather. 

Emma Bridgewater X Chilly Insulated Bottle

Jennifer Behr Butterfly Bobby Pin

Ann Mashburn White Funnel-Neck Sweater

Sleepy Jones Liberty of London Underwear

Megan Roup's Sculpt Society Membership

Ready for the February weather!

ARS xx

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Pretty Pins for Being Optimistic

Change is in the air, at least for me. After a semi-dramatic week last week, I was able to recharge over the  weekend and evaluate where I am in making progress towards my 2021 goals. Unfortunately not much progress but that's ok - January was a bit crazier than I anticipated but I'm optimistic that February will be a good month to start fresh. I'm ready to make serious changes and, while it's not my instinct, I'm putting myself first. Optimism has always been a theme in my life and I'm optimistic about laying the groundwork for a great life ahead. A lot of things were put on the back burner the past couple of years but I'm ready and happy about the changes I'm going to be making! I'll be sure to share more, but in the meantime below are a few pins that are inspiring me this week. 

Creating a plan for February (a week late, but I'm still doing it!)

ARS xx

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