Tuesday Thought

 

"In every day, there are 1,440 minutes. That means we have 1,440 daily opportunities to make a positive impact." - Les Brown

Loving this short work week,

ARS xx

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Pretty Pins for Memorial Day

With gratitude and pride we remember everyone who served and gave their lives for our country and our freedoms. Memorial Day has been overshadowed for years by companies pushing sales and everyone posting about glamorous vacations - I'm guilty myself! I don't know if it's the pandemic or just getting older, but this weekend I've found myself thinking more about the sacrifices and loss American soldiers have experienced so we could live the way we do. 

Ready for the week ahead, 

ARS xx

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Currently...

 

Enjoying another Sculpt Society challenge. It's the perfect jumpstart to getting into a consistent summer workout routine! As you know, one of my summer goals is to drop 15 pounds, so consistency will be key. 

Shopping a few Memorial Day sales. I'm back in budget mode - right after all of the sales are over. This will be one of my last big shops for the summer! I don't plan on going crazy, but I'll definitely be treating myself to a few things on my list. I'll still treat myself here or there, but this summer is the time for me to buckle down! 

Planning on moving all of my stuff in NY down to Florida! I've been down here for a few months now and I'm ready to start the process of sending everything down. Eek! 

Prepping for a healthy summer. It's been a great ride, but I have to get off the junk food train and get back into a healthier diet. I'm ready for it, but meal prepping makes all of the difference and sets me up for success. 

Breaking out the all white wardrobe! I am definitely not someone who waits for Memorial Day to wait for wearing white (hello, winter whites!) but I do like to save some of my favorites for the official start of summer - just to make older clothes feel more special. 

What are you up to this long weekend?

ARS xx

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Three of My Summer Goals

This week's Tuesday Thought really resonated with me. I realize that I need to commit to a course correct this time around - I can't keep just saying I'll make changes and then take no action. As we approach Memorial Day I'm beginning to reflect and hone in on what is important to me now, so I can have a productive summer. My intention this summer is to do what I need to do to get back on track and set myself up for a successful Fall. Next week I'll be sharing what steps I'm going to take, but in the meantime below are my three biggest goals for the summer. 

Check off 25 goals on my 101 in 1001 list. 

Save up for a future down payment on a house. (I have a number set, but I will not be sharing!)

Drop 15 pounds by September.

 

What is your focus for the summer?

ARS xx

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Cozy Weekend Wish List

Believe it or not we just had a grey, rainy weekend and it had me craving all of the cozy and comfortable clothes I left in NY. Rainy days are a bit of a novelty these days and something I truly enjoy, so I was really taking full advantage of the excuse to just stay inside. Compounding my craving for all things cozy is my added anxiety of what the future looks like as we leave the pandemic behind, we face war and other financial challenges.  Anyone else feeling the same way? Below is a roundup of what is on my cozy wish list. 

Alice Walk Crewneck Sweatshirt

A good romance novel (see this list for inspiration or check out part one and part two of my 10 Books to Order, Preorder, Read and Re-Read Series!)

Harney and Sons Paris Tea

White Company Cashmere Socks 

Eberjey Softest Sweats

I'm praying there is a Memorial Day sale or two in my future, 

ARS xx 

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Tuesday Thought

 

“If you wait to figure out everything before starting anything, it'll never happen.” ― Dhaval Gajera

A reminder as I get through this season, 

ARS xx

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Pretty Pins for Figuring it Out

When I first moved down to Florida, my goal was to move out of my parent's house by the end of the summer. As I start doing the math, I'm realizing I may need to push the goal date a little further back. I am eager to have my own place again, but I am even more excited to own my own house and if I have to make a few sacrifices, then that's what I'll do. (If I'm being honest, living with my parents isn't really a true sacrifice.) In the meantime, I need to figure out how to get all of my stuff down here, where I'm going to store it and really make a decision on where I want to live and what makes the most sense. I obviously have a lot to figure out! Below are a few pins inspiring my this week to buckle down and come up with a doable plan. 

What's on your plate this week?

ARS xx

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NY City Living: 10 Years Later + What I Wish I Knew

Truthfully, I meant to write this post months ago but I was too busy moving out of the city to share! Now that the dust has settled as best as it can I thought I'd share my thoughts on living in the city for 10 years. When I first moved in, I lived in a gorgeous apartment with one of my best friends and we really lived it up! Then I blinked and two apartments + two roommates later I found myself living it up again, but in a slightly different way. I moved into a fabulous alcove studio in a neighborhood I dreamed of living in for quite some time, and then in 2021 I abruptly moved to Florida. As I closed the chapter on my last apartment, I couldn't help but reflect on my decade in The City and what I wish I had thought of for each apartment chapter. Below are a few of my biggest takeaways and tips for those just moving in. 

Don't buy everything for the apartment immediately - Seriously, don't! Buy the essentials, like a mattress, but hold off on expensive furniture until you find exactly what you love. Lucky for me I had absolutely gotten my money's worth of everything I've bought for my first apartment, but in hindsight I wish I had thought about what I wanted a bit more so I could get exactly what I wanted. Don't forget - tastes change! Thrift stores and auction sites like Hayloft are your friend. 

Walk around different neighborhoods at different times during the day and week - This little task had me confident in my last apartment location. I didn't doubt my neighborhood choice for a minute and knew the pros and cons right off the bat. 

Two in an apartment is the perfect roommate situation - I was lucky enough to have two fabulous roommates, one in each apartment, before venturing out on my own. Every 'unhappy' roommate situation I heard of included three or more roommates. My sister was the only one to have a positive experience! Seriously. 

You can get to know your neighbors, but it may just take some effort - Do I wish I had known this when Keenan from SNL was my neighbor? Yes. But you can bet that I learned this lesson at my next apartment. Luckily my roommate and I got to know our neighbor before an emergency happened (there were may tragedies in a short few months). Having relationships with your neighbors is so important and something I worked hard at when I moved into my studio. In case you were wondering, no, it didn't take a pandemic to get to know my neighbors! 

Location isn't everything, but proximity to public transportation is - If you aren't in what is deemed a fashionable or fun neighborhood it's OK. You will survive! If you can easily hop on the subway or bus to get where you want to go, you'll be there in almost no time...even better if it's walking distance. Don't overpay on rent just so you can be right in the mix at all times. You may even find you can get sick of it.

Live it up and enjoy every moment - I loved my time in New York. It felt like it ended before I was ready but that's another story for a different time. However, I can honestly say that I took advantage of my time in NY. I went to every museum show and gallery opening I could, I hosted an annual gala at The Bowery, I went to trendy restaurants and danced the night away at dives bars. I cheered on my favorites sports teams, hit up the tourists spots and spent my days working for an auction house (my dream job). Can you tell I took advantage of the city? You should too - You live in the best city in the world. Find something you are passionate about, visit the galleries and museums, wear the party dress and have at least one fancy dinner a year. 

Missing NY, 

ARS xx

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Wednesday Thought

 

“Plan for what it is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

Making my way through the week,

ARS xx

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Pretty Pins for Weekend Recovery

I know I'm a day late on posting, but I caught a 24 hour stomach bug over the weekend and was down for the count. As I'm recovering from the weekend (in a not-so-fun way) I'm realizing that maybe I should have taken it a little slower and taken a day to give my body a break. Having not been sick for years, I expected to quickly bounce back, when in reality yesterday I was foggy and not on my A game. That being said, I'm getting back on track health wise and am ready to catch up on my writing for the week and plan for some serious self care. Below are a few pins inspiring my weekend flu recovery.  

A day late but still showing up,

ARS xx

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Currently...

Catching up with Elizabeth over dinner! It was such a treat to see a friend that I haven't seen in over a year, especially when it all feels so easy. 

Welcoming my parents back to the sunny state of Florida! I love having my freedom, but it also gets a little lonely when it's just me. I'm so excited to see my parents and Trooper again and get some quality family time. 

Getting back into the meal planning groove. Part of my financial fitness plan will hopefully get my actual fitness back on track. It's been so nice having jars of fruit and hardboiled eggs ready to go, so I should probably start getting lunch and dinner pre-made as well. 

Dreaming of owning my own place again. I'm antsy to get my own place - I miss my own stuff and not having a routine that is my own has been driving me insane. The only thing holding me back is the current real estate market. I'm hopeful I'll be able to afford something sooner rather than later, but I'm impatient and want to make headway now! 

Searching for a flower arranging class to take this summer. One thing I regret not taking was the Lewis Miller floral design class I signed up for right before the city shut down. Now that I'm out of the city it's not an option and I'm eager to find a Palm beach version. Stay tuned for more! 

Ready for the weekend, 

ARS xx

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Wishlist for Getting Back to Me

After two years of hibernating, getting back to feeling myself has been at the top of my mind. I truly did enjoy slowing down, learning what was important to me, and focusing on family time but I'm ready to get back to me. What does that mean? For me it means reordering stationary, finding some fun new outfits, getting my diet reigned in but also keeping in mind the lessons I learned over the past few years and how it shaped who I am today. Below are a few things that I have on my wish list as I start this new chapter. 

If the past two years taught me anything, it was how important it is to take care of your health. Not only is The Beauty Chef Gut Guide book beautiful, but it's also filled with gut healthy and low-fodmap recipes, which are perfect for me! 

This pink Posse Toile Maxi Dress has my name written all over it. I miss some of my old statement outfits, but I'm looking forward to building up a new roster of them that feel more Palm Beach! 

Even though I live in Florida full time doesn't mean I haven't stopped loving my cozy throw blankets. I'm loving these Polar Fleece ones from LL Bean and may or may not be ordering the cream and tan colors for a future home.

The Pamela Munson Lady Bag has my name written all over it and would fit in with my PB wardrobe perfectly. I may need to add this to my birthday wish list...

How fabulous is this Pink Empress Stationary? I love writing letters and sending out letters on this beautiful stationary would be just perfect. Letter writing is one of those things on my 101 in 1001 list that has fallen through the crack but these just may inspire me to get back on track. 

Anyone else ready to go do some shopping?

ARS xx

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Tuesday Thought

 

“Well done is better than well said.” - Benjamin Franklin

My mantra for the week,

ARS xx

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Pretty Pins for Checking In

So far, I'm not doing great at staying on track with my budget but it's ok - Rome wasn't built in a day and things could be much, much worse. I'm focusing on building a strong foundation and part of that is refiguring my budget. I was so great at sticking to my budget at the beginning of the pandemic and was laser focused on my financial goals but once I moved to Florida things went off the rails. I may do a few "no spend" weeks leading up to my birthday so I can really get back on track and save up to treat myself to something extra special this year. Below are a few pins encouraging me despite my less than cheery check in. 

Thinking green thoughts for the week ahead!

ARS xx

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