Pretty Pins for Falling Behind

I'm definitely falling behind in my personal life again - my apartment is a total mess, I haven't caught up with friends in months, I've been missing blog posts, and I've made little to no progress on my goals for the year. I'm overwhelmed and disappointed with myself because what I said would not happen again...is happening again. I know I need to make changes and put myself first, but I'm not sure of the best way to go about it. My hope is that when the office is back together again I'll be able to take time off, reset, and refresh my outlook. In the meantime, I'm going to get through this chapter in my life and start off the next one with a fresh point of view. Below are a few pins inspiring me as I get through the home stretch and hope I don't fall behind even further. 

Enjoying this calm morning while it lasts, 

ARS xx

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Currently...

 Starting to plan out my birthday. I loooove birthdays and missed two years of celebrations. I really don't want another birthday to go by without celebrating! 

Thinking about treating myself to a chic new bike! My old one seems pretty beaten up, but I would love to try rehabbing it before I ned to upgrade. I'll keep you posted on how that journey is going. 

Working on my 101 in 1001 list. It's been awhile since I made any meaningful progress and I'd love to tackle a few things things with a fresh mindset. I'm still working on a few of my longer goals (hello, emergency fund, letter writing, and cooking) but made little to no recent progress on my short terms goals.

Actually planning out my spring/summer purchases. I've been doing my best to stick to my budget, but it's always a bit of a struggle. I recently got a few gift cards and said I would treat myself awhile ago, but am finally now getting around to using them! I'm at a bit of a loss of how I want to treat myself, but know inspiration will strike at any time. 

Figuring out what to do with "Inventory" and if I still want to do a pop-up shop! When my mom and I first came up with the idea, it sounded easy to execute but my mom and I have different visions and the pandemic added another element to it. Eek! 

Happy Friday!

ARS xx

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Wednesday Note to Self

 

“True happiness is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.”

– Helen Keller

Tired but still going,

ARS xx

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Pretty Pins for Taking Time for Yourself

Last week I had the full intention to get back to a regular posting schedule but taking time for myself took precedence. I've done it a few times in the past year or so and whenever I go back to writing my regular posts I feel a little guilty. I hate to leave my loyal readers hanging with little to no explanation, but I Hate writing half-thought out posts even more. This week I feel a bit more on track with posts and am ready to share of a few things that are exciting me this week, which incidentally I discovered on my brief hiatus! I firmly believe in the power of taking time off for yourself, I just rarely get to do it.  Below are a few pins this week reminding me that it's ok to take some time for yourself. 

Enjoying the beautiful weather,

ARS xx

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Pretty Pins for A Grey Day

It's a dark and gloomy morning here, which I love on a weekend but it's not great for the motivation needed for Monday morning. I can't quite wake up but I'm still enjoying the birds chirping and the relative quiet on the streets - the calm before the work week storm. I have a feeling the next two-three weeks are going to be a bit of a wild ride, so I'm planning to prep a few different freezer meals and stock up on some essentials to get me through the work craziness. It's pretty evident that I need to make some major changes to my life, which I hoped to make earlier this year. I can't keep going at the pace I am and expect the changes I want to make happen, happen. The rest of this month will be focused on laying the groundwork for what I need to focus on in May and June. Below are a few pins inspiring me to shake things up and make a plan. 

Getting things done today,

ARS xx

S U B S C R I B E

Currently...

Getting into a new hair, skincare, and makeup routine. As I wait for the world to slowly start opening up I am more and more conscious of the need to revamp my makeup routine. I will need to cover up my maskne scars and hopefully look a bit more refreshed. 

Enjoying the pink parrot tulips I picked up at WFM earlier this week. I loooove tulips and parrot tulips have a bit more flair to them so they hold a special place in my heart. Nothing screams spring more than tulips and daffodils (except maybe allergies). 

Bidding in the April Hayloft auction! I'm on the hunt for a chest and there are a few options that may work out at one of my favorite decor resources. I'll be closely watching the bidding and hope I can jump in and scoop one up!

Starting and finishing Sweet Magnolias on Netflix. I'm trying to find a good replacement for Hart of Dixie but have yet to find one. So far I've been enjoying Sweet Magnolias but it's still missing the zany humor of Hart of Dixie. Anyone have a recommendation?

Editing my closet down to just what I currently wear. I have way too many clothes and it's a waste of space and clothes to keep what is just sitting there. It's been way too long since a last overhaul and since I'm trying to update my look it's the perfect time. 

Bon Weekend!

ARS xx

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Wednesday Thought

 

“The superior man, when resting in safety, does not forget that danger may come. When in a state of security he does not forget the possibility of ruin. When all is orderly, he does not forget that disorder may come. Thus his person is not endangered, and his States and all their clans are preserved.” – Confucius

Pretty Pins for Early Mornings

I don't know if it's burnout, allergies, or silly daylight savings but recently I've been having such a difficult time getting up early. Waking up before 7am always cam naturally to me and the past few months I've been waking up even earlier - at or before 6am. I love the magic a quiet morning has and watching the sun rise. There is something so special about early mornings and I just adore them. As I sit here today, enjoying a sleepy cup of coffee I'm trying not to kick myself for missing this morning's sunrise. In a year of enjoying and embracing the little things, this has been the one to give me the most pleasure. Below are a few images inspiring me to get to bed a little earlier with the hopes of waking up to enjoy that early morning magic. 

 Cheers to Tuesday,

ARS xx

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April Philanthropy Spotlight: St. Jude Children's Hospital

Sharing my monthly Philanthropy Spotlight post on April 1st felt wrong, so I opted to post today instead. I'm allowed to come up with my own posting schedule, right?  This month I'm talking about my love for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Of all the charities I support and donate to, St. Jude is the one that is the most personal to me and my family. Not only to I help organize an annual benefit for the hospital, but my great-grandfather used to preform with Danny Thomas, and my sorority's philanthropy was St. Jude! In 2017 my lifelong dream to visit the hospital became a reality and I loved every moment of it. For me this was one of those "life changing" trips that may not be the most glamorous to most, but it was one of the most meaningful to me. 

Based in Memphis, Tennessee, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital was founded by Danny Thomas in the 1960s. Before he started the hospital, he was a struggling entertainer with a baby on the way and prayed to Saint Jude "Show me my way in life, and I will build you a shrine". Shortly thereafter his career took off and in 1962 he opened St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. It has since grown into the beloved and most prominent children's hospital in the world. No family receives a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food at St. Jude. The hospital believes all a family should worry about and focus on is helping their child live. Since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago childhood cancer survival rate has increased from 20% to more than 80% - largely because of treatments developed at St. Jude. 

As I mentioned earlier, every year I help plan and host an annual benefit called The Gold Gala. Over the course of the 8 years we held the event was have raised over $1 Million for the hospital. It's one of the most known young professional events in New York and attracts about 500 guests each year. In March 2020 we decided to postpone the event, with hopes we could regroup in the late summer or early fall. That obviously didn't happen and the 2021 event is now mostly virtual and a shell of what it used to be. I think we will be back together in 2022, stronger than ever, but in the meantime I'm hoping you will consider donating to such a wonderful and special cause.  It truly would mean the world to me and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

For the kids,

ARS xx

S U B S C R I B E

Currently...

Celebrating Easter this weekend with my family! Easter is one of those holidays that I love and while this year will be a very pared down version, I'm just grateful we get to celebrate with family at all. Last year was one of the more bleak holidays I've had. 

Praying I don't kill my new baby topiary. I'm trying to keep greenery and flowers around the apartment, but if I'm being honest it's been somewhat of a costly project. I'd love to keep a plant alive longer than a month and I'm hopeful for my topiary. 

Finishing Turn on Netflix. I loooove history and this show was just the right mix of history and drama. I'm struggling to find another show that catches my attention after the last few great shows. Is the new season of Lucifer out yet?

Treating myself this April. I have a few gift cards tucked away and am thinking of how I want to use them. I'm vacillating between wanting to focus on my wardrobe or my apartment...but now that I pumped the breaks on buying a home I think a spring wardrobe update is in order. 

Searching for a chic quilt. I could kick myself for not scooping up the one I spotted in the town next door, but at the time I had zero money to spend so it was not an option. Now that I have a small budget to treat myself I'm on the hunt for a summer quilt. 

Better late than never, right?

ARS xx 

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