Currently...

Praying for the West Coast of Florida. We were spared the worst of the storm, but it easily could have been us getting the direct hit. My heart breaks for everyone and I'll be sharing ways to help in the next few days. 

Getting my wardrobe event ready. As I expand and grow my friend group down here I hope I'll be hosting more parties and going out to dinner much more. I'll need to amp up my post-work wardrobe to reflect my goals!

Enjoying time outside! Now that it's not super hot out I am more inclined to spend time outside and get critical vitamin D. My parents may have brought in all of the furniture, but I will get it all set up again this weekend! 

Working on my 2023 Vision Board already. I'm trying to work up a vision of how I want 2023 to go and am eager to make my vision board come to life. 

Checking things off my list and getting my ducks in a row for future storms. We were lucky this week to have been spared, and I'm hopeful we won't get hit by a hurricane this season. I now have time to get everything done over the course of a few weeks! I would prefer to be thoughtful and not panic buy, I like did last Saturday. Luckily it was just food panic buying, so it wasn't too much of an expensive lesson to learn. 

BRB Hurricane Ian is Here!

 

Since the weekend the hurricane turned south-east and now we are set to get some serious weather! Luckily we aren't set to be a direct hit, but it's best to batten down the hatches and catch up on last minute tweaks to the plan. I'll check back in Thursday or Friday! 

Stay safe everyone,

ARS xx

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Tuesday Thought

“There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude, a quiet joy.” —Ralph H. Blum

Thankful for the life I have,

ARS xx

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Pretty Pins for High Energy Weekends

What a weekend! I started Saturday in full on hurricane prep mode and ended it in relief that we are now out of the cone of uncertainty. It was a good fire drill because I realized that despite thinking I was ready for a hurricane, I wasn't remotely prepared for one. I'm very thankful we are not getting hit this week! Sunday was a bit more relaxed despite everyone still buzzing from Saturday. Shaking off the high, anxious energy was tough but playing with baby goats and ending the day with a beach walk calmed me down. Below are a few pins channeling my high energy weekend and reminding me to calm down and stay positive! 

Looking forward to the week,

ARS xx

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Currently...

Preordering Ina Garten's newest cookbook, as well as Downshiftology's Healthy Meal Prep book! I love trying new recipes and if I can get one that's focused on meal prepping I'm all in.

Searching for a black dress like the one above! I'm over the trend of only wearing long dresses and I'm ready to get back to shorter styles. Who is with me?

Getting organized for the fall/winter. I'm thinking refreshing my wardrobe, deep cleaning my room, and figuring out storage solutions. 

Planning a few long weekends for the fall. I didn't use many of my vacation days this year and I would love to do one or two weekend trips, as well as make it to New York. This will be the weekend I organize them! 

Dreaming of having my own space that I can completely make my own. I will hopefully get to buy a house sooner rather than later, but with the economy the way it is I'm a little wary. 

Finally TGIF, 

ARS xx

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My Last Thursday Summer Check In

It's kind of perfect that the official end of summer is September 22nd and it lands on a Thursday this year. I love it when things line up like this! While I didn't reach all of my goals, it got me into a much better mindset which is way more important. I checked off a total of 9 goals off my 101 in 1001 list out of my goal of 25. I lost about 5 pounds total - I have 25 more to go! I made a little bit of headway in my mortgage goal towards the end of the summer so I'm excited to add even more to it this Fall. 

My biggest lesson was that I need to accept that summer wasn't what I expected it to be. I had guests who made me change my plans, blow my budget, and I was my own worst enemy and overspent! This fall I will buckle down and really follow a strict budget, be consistent at the gym, and enjoy checking things off my 101 in 1001 list! I'm excited to share my goals for fall so stay tuned for a new post in the coming weeks. 

Almost TGIF time,

ARS xx

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September Shopping List

I know I'm late to the game, but I'm in full "back to school" shopping mode. I have picked up a few wardrobe updates specific to special events and work, but I'm looking towards things to get me through fall and the holidays. I'm thinking comfortable luxury but still practical. When we were in quarantine and I was on a shopping freeze I realized how much I craved cozy knits and books and as I enter into a new phase of saving I want to treat myself to a few things I know I will use and appreciate every day. Below is a roundup of treats I've love to pick up this month! 

Naadam Cashmere Set

Westman Atelier Makeup 

Nili Lotan Cami Gown

The Pilates Body by Brooke Siler

Diptyque Candles

Treating myself to maybe a bit too much this month,

ARS xx

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Tuesday Thought

 

“Anything is possible with sunshine and a little pink.” – Lilly Pulitzer

Looking to the bright side of things, 

ARS xx

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Pretty Pins for Style Updates

It's been a strange time style-wise for me. I'm all over the place and having a quasi identity crisis. On one hand I love the simplicity and elegance of blacks, creams, tans, and browns, but I'm also craving color and pattern. I've been trying to nail down my look for some time now and while I'm still all over the place, I know I'm ready to throw out the long dresses. It's a start! Needless to say, I think October will be a good time to have a no shopping month and be more fitness focused, so I can really nail down my Florida girl style. Below are a few pins inspiring my refresh. 

Hoping this week goes by as fast as last week,

ARS xx

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Currently..

 

Craving fall weather! I didn't think I would miss the cool weather at all, but there is something special about the cool crisp air in the Northeast. In the meantime I'll be listening to my favorite playlist on youtube to get me into the fall mood. 

Shopping for fall neutrals and cozy knits! I am sick of the long dresses that are in style right now and while I love the few I have, I am looking for shorter dresses and cozy knits. 

Obsessing over the Madeline Wenrib X Good Earth collab to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the reimagined Islamic wing of the Met Museum. Times like this make me wish I still lived in the city and could pop over to check in out in person.

Watching Trooper for the weekend! Poor Trooper is really missing Mom and Dad this week and definitely is acting out, but I'm looking forward to quality time with him. 

Trying a new recipe this weekend! I miss kibbeh balls and I found this recipe that looks close to  my grandma's recipe. 

TGIF, 

ARS xx

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Thursday Summer Goal Check In

 

I wish I could say that I made progress on at least one of my goals, but I'm not a liar. I'm disappointed that I didn't keep up the momentum I had earlier this summer, but I did make some progress and honestly it got me motivated to a certain degree. I'm eager to keep going this fall and amp up my efforts! My final push will be this week, so fingers crossed I can give an extra boost to my last check in. 

I can't believe it's fall already,

ARS xx

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Fall Hair Inspiration

There is something so refreshing about getting a new haircut, which is why I try to fit a new haircut at the beginning of each season. I'm very excited to get my hair cut later this fall and I'm already pulling inspiration for lengths and styles I like. I prefer mid-length to longer hairstyles and the few times I've done something radically different I've had regrets. I'm lucky my hair grows quickly and is pin straight. Below are a few images I've earmarked as inspiration for my upcoming haircut. 

Reminding myself to book an appointment ASAP,

ARS xx

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Tuesday Thought

“A long time ago I learned not to explain things to people. It misleads them into thinking they're entitled to know everything I do." ― Lisa Kleypas

Note to self,

ARS xx

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Pretty Pins for Bumpy Roads

Whenever I write my pretty pins posts I'm never quite sure what the title will end up being. It's often not until I finish writing that I know, unless I have a strong gut reaction when I start. Unfortunately I think we are all in for a bumpy ride for the next few months. I hope I'm wrong, but there is something negative flying around the air. I've been anxious for awhile now and it's almost becoming my normal state, which needs to change. I've been worried about the economy, my living situation is getting to me, and I am worried about losing weight (or not losing it, as my current case may be). My 2020 mantra "control the controllables" is something I need to carry through the rest of 2022, to help me prepare for the bumpy roads ahead. Below are a few pins inspiring me as I go down these bumpy roads. 

Wishing we had another short work week,

ARS xx

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Currently...

 

Praying for the Royal Family. What an incredible and extraordinary life Queen Elizabeth led. She was grace under fire and a true example of how to lead a life of service. 

Taking time to recharge. I was on a great week and a half of healthy eating and workouts, but the last two days have been lacking. This weekend I'm dedicated to getting myself back on track. 

Craving fall and all of the chic outfits it has to offer. I always said I wouldn't miss seasons, but I honestly do miss my winter wardrobe and the cool fall air. I need to revisit my transitional and fall wardrobe and enjoy iced PSL to get my daily dose of fall. 

Booking a haircut for next week. I missed my long hair, but I'm eager to figure out the right length for me. I don't know if I love my mid-length look, but I will try it again this time around. 

Thinking about moving out from my parent's house soon. I love living with my mom and dad, but I also miss having my own space where it's fully mine. 

Have a wonderful weekend,

ARS xx

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Thursday Summer Goal Check In

 

The last week threw me for a bit of a loop so this check in has minimal progress. I didn't check anything off my 101 in 1001 list, like I intended to but I did contribute to my mortgage fund and was consistent in my workouts. While I didn't lose any weight, I did stay the same and think consistency will be the key. I need to accept that my body won't drop the weight quickly like I did in the past. In the meantime, I'm hopeful to make some strides so next week is extra productive! 

Almost TGIF, 

ARS xx

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