Currently...

 

Celebrating Memorial Day weekend! It feels like forever since I took time off, so I'm excited to just relax and celebrate the long holiday weekend. 

Revisiting my budget...again. I fell off the budget wagon in what feels like a major way. I'm not good about keeping up with my sinking funds and takeout/eating out and taxis are total budget busters. I almost want to dedicate the next month to tackling my budget weaknesses head on. 

Planning my birthday party. I'll share a full post closer to the party date, but I'm starting to brainstorm ways to properly celebrate!

Taking advantage of the Memorial Day deals and ordering a few essentials I've been meaning to buy, like a coffee maker. 

Dwelling on the loss of the apartment. I can't shake this feeling of disappointment no matter how hard I try to move on. Usually I always find the silver lining, but this time I just can't. After a year and a half search, this was the first apartment I truly loved and saw myself in which is likely a major factor. I promise this is the last time I write about it, but I just keep circling around about it. 

Happy Long Weekend,

ARS xx

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Mid-Week Inspiration

 

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” – Chinese Proverb

I'll be back to my normal programming next week, but this week I'm just trying to get back into the writing groove. In the meantime I'm enjoying sharing some of my favorite quotes. 

ARS xx

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Tuesday's Lesson

 

"If we will be quiet and ready enough, we shall find compensation in every disappointment." - Henry David Thoreau

Disappointment is not something I experience often - usually I'm pleasantly surprised or things work out in such a great way for me. As I've mentioned before, I've been casually looking for an apartment and am ready to jump when the right apartment comes along. Well, the right apartment finally came along after a two year search. I fell in love, was ready to make an offer on the spot but learned just a few hours later that the owners already accepted another offer. After a year of major sacrifices and struggles with feeling so alone I felt like losing this apartment was the straw that broke the camels back. I did put in a backup offer, just because you never know, but I would never wish someone else experience the disappointment I'm feeling so I could get what I want. I'm still navigating the disappointment of losing out on something that was such a great fit, but I'm going to do my best to stay positive and remind myself that something good will come out of this and that I did all I could to make it work and sometimes that just has to be enough. 

Trying to show some grace despite being disappointed yet again, 

ARS xx

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Pretty Pins for High Drama

There are a few words I can use to describe the past few weeks, but I think the most apt description is high drama. It's been a wild roller coster of emotions and while I don't want to delve too much into it, I basically hit my breaking point this weekend. After a year of doing my best to stay positive the straw that broke the camels back happened and I totally disintegrated. I'm still hopeful that everything will sort itself out, but in the meantime I'm just focusing on myself and moving on from simply a trying couple of weeks. I'm looking forward to a more calm climate in the upcoming  summer months so I can reset and find the balance I so clearly need. Below are a few pins reminding me to take it easy and to just go with the flow. 

Ready for the week,

ARS xx

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Currently...

Checking "Cook 25 new recipes" off of my 101 in 1001 list! Like I said before, it feels like I cheated (even though I didn't!) because I recently restarted my Martha & Marley Spoon subscription. Overall this was a really fun line item that I just  might add to my next list (and maybe even up the number of recipes!).

Cuddling with my parent's new puppy. Meeting him was a bittersweet moment - I still miss Thor so much and he holds a special place in my heart but it's pretty hard not to fall in love with this new guy. 

Hosting a baby shower this weekend for Elizabeth! We are doing a very small celebration, because of Covid, but we are doing the best we can to make it special and include a few fun surprises along the way. 

Thinking of all of my 101 in 1001 goals I need to catch up on this summer. I had some lofty goals for this month but I forget about the toll three auctions a week can take on me so I . I am proud that I'm being gentle on myself but I wanted to thank you for being patient as I let my blog slide a bit.

Hoping to make it to the farmer's market tomorrow. I'm still doing the Martha & Marley spoon box I mentioned earlier, but I'd love to supplement the meals with some delicious fresh fruit and the like. 

Bonne Weekend!

ARS xx

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May Philanthropy Spotlight: St. Francis Food Pantries & Shelters

It's now been over a year since the beginning of the pandemic, but around this time in May marks a year since I returned to the city. After a month and a half of country living, being back in the city felt stark and hopeless. The city felt more dangerous and the risk factor of catching the virus had skyrocketed at that point. When I returned to the office I attempted to walk to work and while it didn't last long, there was a lasting impact. Every morning I would pass the St. Francis Food Pantries & Shelters and my heart would break. There was a line out the door and around multiple street corners of people seeking help. It was honestly a major wake-up call and reminded me that I needed to 

Started by Joseph Sano and Father Francis Gasparik over 17 years ago, the St. Francis Food Pantries & Shelters support multiple shelters and pantries throughout the Tri-State area. They focus on providing a wide range of services to feed, clothe, counsel, and alleviate physical and emotional hunger in a dignified and supportive manner. The St. Francis Food Pantries & Shelters host numerous events, such as the "Celebrity Doodle", where they auction off drawings done by celebrities. As a charity that relies more and more on private donations, events really boost the bottom line, so having to take a 75% hit at a time when more people than ever are seeking assistance was brutal. 

I'm hoping you'll feel inspired to donate to such a worthy charity this month. I know I sound like a broken record, but there is nothing more rewarding than giving back. I chose to higlight the St. Francis Food Pantries & Shelters because I distinctly remembered seeing Father Francis Gasparik and the Friars each morning greeting the line of people in need and offering much needed comfort and reassurance. I saw for myself the compassion and dedication they had for those in need. Please do consider donating to a charity this month, especially St. Francis Food Pantries & Shelters - they support so many and every dollar counts! 

"For it is in the giving that we receive". 

ARS xx

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Wednesday Wisdom

"There are no miracles. There is only discipline." - Danielle Steel

Getting back into the groove of things, 

ARS xx

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May Wishlist

As the world opens up and events are starting to happen again I've been tempted to treat myself to something big. This past weekend I definitely bought a mix of lower priced things I've been meaning to buy and necessary household items I'm almost out off. I wish I hadn't put off some of these purchases because I probably could have treated myself to a bigger ticket item BUT I'm just grateful my budget opened up enough to even allow for the purchases I did make. In the meantime I can dream of future frivolous purchases and maybe treat myself to one down the line. Below are a few things I have on my list and hope to treat myself to one or two for my birthday!  

Detroit Bike + Peterboro Basket

Ann Mashburn Atelier Kami Top

Artis Makeup Brushes

Bennington Potters Harvest Bowl

Misha Nonoo Karlie Dress

Are you buying anything for Spring?

ARS xx

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