Lately

Fluffy boy after his bath! 

Cleaning out the closets with my mom!

Best bagels in Pittsburgh!! Balena!

Love hanging out in the Strip!

Hope you are all having a great week so far. We had some really enjoyable weather this week. I really thought I would never say that again, ha! We finally got a break from the extremes, and I felt SO MUCH BETTER! I went on the longest walk ever on Tuesday, when it reached 60 degrees. It was the best feeling, and I know Henry was elated, too. 

We had a low-key weekend! I got together with some girlfriends for breakfast (Balena Bagels- the best!!!), but otherwise, my husband and I just hung out. My parents, unfortunately, had a pipe burst at their house. It was SO cold this past weekend, so they were our roommates for part of the weekend. They live 15 minutes away, so they have never had a reason to stay over, and this was the first time. Luckily, the pipe didn't cause much damage, and they are back in business. 

The amazing thing about my mom spending time at my house is that she helped me clean out my closets. We spent about 4 solid hours purging anything and everything. I love a good spring clean- a little premature this year, but it always feels so good. 

We are going to the lake (in Georgia) early next week, and then we will make our way down to Florida from there. We are driving so we can bring the dogs, which will be so nice! The drive down to the lake is long, and the drive from the lake to 30A will be a little longer than I'd prefer, but it's so worth it to have Henry and Buddy along for the adventure. My husband is flying down to meet us in Florida! I can't wait. I'm so ready for a change of scenery and a break from Pittsburgh winter weather. 

Sweater Polo// White Jeans

This sweater polo has the best fit of any I have ever tried! It's a lightweight cotton, so you can wear it year-round. I plan to pack it for Florida! 

Quilted Pullover// Leggings (inexpensive!)

A pilates outfit. I sized up to a medium in the pullover. 

$10 pointelle tees

Wearing: I randomly ordered these tees and had low expectations considering the price, but they turned out to be great and just what I was looking for. They are very fitted, so I sized up to a large, and they fit exactly how I wanted them to! 

You can find me on ShopMy, where I link all of my outfits, favorite finds, home decor, beauty, and more! I am constantly updating it with the latest! You can also follow me on the LTK app. Plus, you are able to access all of my posts, here, on my website! 

Eating: My husband randomly grabbed these at Giant Eagle, and they're delicious. They kind of remind me of pizza Combos! Do they even make those anymore?! 

Reading: A quick tip for mindfulness. I have done this, and it really does work! 

Sale: Veronica Beard is having an extra 25% off their sale section with code WEEKEND2026. The prices are *low*. My top picks: This handbag, this dress, these jeans, and this jacket. 

Quilted pullover on sale! 

Love this pullover, and it's a great price at under $50 when on sale! It runs true to size and comes in a few colors. 

Watching: Are you all watching anything good? I just saw my hairdresser this week (she is the BEST), and she said I should watch Tell Me Lies, so it's on my list! Have you all watched the new season of Bridgerton? I haven't, but that is another on my list. 

Earrings

Outfit

Loving: I've talked about these earrings a lot, but for good reason. I wear these more than any other pair of earrings. They work with everything and are just so easy to throw on. 

Wanting: I love how saturated the green is on this beautiful skirt. These plates are gorgeous. I'm all for nice things, don't get me wrong; however, $630 for these, regardless of brand, is wild! Would you ever? I would not! These stainless trays are beautiful, functional, and at a great price. As much as I love silver, stainless steel is great because you never have to polish! A beautiful and simple vase just waiting for some spring flowers. This gold coral pendant is so cool! This striped skirt is so bright and cheerful. A perfect spring break piece! I just bought this to put on top of my skincare as the final step. My skin has been SO dry and even my heaviest moisturizers and serums are not cutting it. I'm hoping this is the solution! It's tough to find dresses with sleeves and I love this one! This jacket has me dreaming of spring. This swim coverup is unique and fabulous. A cocktail dress that has a Self Portrait look for less. This scarf!!! If you saw Ralph Lauren's NYFW show yesterday, then you know brown is definitely here to stay! This is a men's sweater, but I would totally wear this, and the best part is that it is under $100. A very good La Ligne look for less sweater. A sleek and timeless button down. This bag is definitely on my wish list. This incredible hand soap is always out of stock, but one scent is in stock right now (and it's a good one). I've always loved a pink and green color combo, and this dress looks like it came right off the set of Palme Royale. I know it's ridiculous to talk about linen shorts right now, but I have been wearing these for years. They are my favorite, and they always sell out in the 'good' colors by the time the weather catches up. I wear the white the most. They run true to size. They are SO incredibly comfortable. I wear them at least once a week in the summer. They're under $100! A sophisticated floral dress. You have to zoom in on this skirt to see the texture, but it's perfection. These striped jeans are very cool. A classic and high-quality sweater. This skirt is a perfect Staud look for less. Brides, this dress is so good. A pricey but fabulous swimsuit. I finally ordered these earrings after I saw a code ASHA10 for 10% off! I really love the scale of the earrings- they are larger but still understated. This quarter zip is perfect, and all of the colors are gorgeous; it is hard to choose the best one! 

Pittsburgh: If you are local to Pittsburgh, Dollar Energy Fund, a local non-profit that helps those in need with their utility bills, is hosting a warmathon. Today. If you donate, Columbia Gas, Duquesne Light, FirstEnergy, and Peoples will match your donation dollar for dollar. I'll be donating, and encourage you to do so if you feel called to and are able. I cannot get over the cold and bad winter weather we have experienced over the last several weeks. I'm a born-and-raised Pittsburgher, and this is the worst I can remember. It has been miserable. Not to mention, the utility prices have skyrocketed in the last year or two. Dollar Energy Fund gets a 100% rating on Charity Navigator. Praying all of my fellow Pittsburghers find warmth and comfort this winter and always!!

We picked up Colangelo's in the Strip for Sunday dinner to watch the Super Bowl with my parents! Colangelo's is so good. We have always gotten their Grandma pie, but just recently we tried the creamy tomato pasta and the Tuscan salad, and both were fantastic. The white balsamic dressing on the salad is one of the best things I've ever had! 

Outfit

I went to Puttshack in the Strip for the first time late last week, and it was great! It's huge... so much bigger inside than it looks from the outside. It's in the Terminal building. They have several different 9-hole interactive putting courses. It felt a bit like Topgolf because the courses were gamified, where you are putting, but there are other things you can do to earn more points. Each hole was different! There was a large bar where you could eat. We just got a drink and headed over to Papa J's afterward for a yummy Italian dinner. It is the perfect winter activity. I think it would be fun for a birthday party or team building event because it's very social and relaxed. 

Amazon Rec: This lounge set looks promising and comes in several pretty colors. 

You can find more of my Amazon favorites, here on my Amazon page where I am constantly updating it with all of my finds and top picks from home, beauty, fashion, and more!

Quoting: 'Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.' -Pablo Picasso //See more of my favorites, here.

This content may contain affiliate links; when you click the link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission (at no cost to you). 

Simple Ways to Make Ordinary Days Feel Special

Rollneck Sweater// Bandana Scarf

Jeans// Bag// Boots (70% off)// Earrings

Rollneck Sweater// Bandana Scarf

Jeans// Bag// Boots (70% off)// Earrings

These photos have nothing to do with today's post, but this is an outfit I wore last week! 

I didn’t realize how much this winter had been affecting me until yesterday, when the temperature finally climbed above 30 degrees. It sounds dramatic, but it felt like a switch flipped. I found myself in a much lighter mood. I took one walk outside with Henry yesterday. I was all bundled up, and as I walked, I started to realize it wasn't frigid. I did a double-take!! To be clear, my confusion was justified, as when I woke that morning, it was 0 degrees. I pulled out my phone to check the temperature, and it read 34 degrees. I took off my gloves, and my hands did not immediately freeze. I practically skipped for the rest of the walk, and Henry was right there with me! It made me realize how worn down I’d become without fully noticing it. 

What’s interesting is that I don’t hate winter. I like skiing, I love a fire going in the evenings, an oversized sweater, hot tea and coffee, and I’m very happy leaning into cozy comfort meals. I'm a born-and-raised Pittsburgher, so I have been through a lot of tough winters! But to be frank, this stretch of extreme weather has felt especially hard for me. I am typically a bright and energetic person. The cold was so extreme that it limited even the parts of winter I normally enjoy. I know many of you are right there with me, nodding in understanding. Ohhh, how I took just taking Henry outside for a walk for granted. Being stuck inside for weeks at a time, with no real break in sight, made me feel sluggish and uninspired.

I did feel slightly validated in the fact that our local weather teams have said that this was the coldest stretch of weather since 1979. You know it was bad when 30 degrees feels 'warm'. 

Feeling that shift yesterday (thank goodness!!!!) made me think about how much everyday choices matter, especially during seasons like this. The little things we do to make daily life feel more pleasant can often be seen as frivolous, but I'd argue that they are not! Which is what inspired this post. 

I also asked you all to share what you do each day to make daily life feel more elevated, so this is partly things I like to do and partly crowdsourced from all of you. Maybe you'll be inspired by something on the list and add it to your day, and it will put a smile on your face! The best part is that many of the items on this list are free or very low-cost!

- Decant everyday items into pretty vessels. Example: Q-tips in a silver cup, pens in a beautiful ceramic canister, etc. 

- Have a go-to playlist for things like cooking dinner, cleaning, etc. I have been loving this calming jazz playlist for background music while I work, do chores, or drive. 

- Coffee every morning out of a beautiful mug. I always do this, but lately I have been wanting to collect some mugs with matching saucers, inspired by a hotel we stayed at in December, The Jefferson. I love the idea of a saucer. It makes so much sense, as you don't need a coaster!

- Luxurious slippers/house shoes. I love these and these. 

- Non alcoholic drinks in wine glasses. I am not a big soda person, but I will have a Diet Coke about once a quarter, and I love to drink it out of our fancy rocks glasses with a big lime wedge. 

- Serve snacks to yourself in things that you would use to host. Small silver bowls, a pretty cocktail napkin, a crystal dish, etc. I am known to eat Flaming Hot Cheetos out of a silver bowl, and it somehow makes the experience that much better. 

- Greenery in the house that doesn't require a lot of upkeep. We have quite a few plants throughout the house, and most are very low-maintenance. I love seeing the live plants, especially in the wintertime!

- Turn down service before bed. This is one of my favorite rituals ever. I turn down our bed around 6pm, as a hotel would. By the time we are done with dinner and anything else, I come upstairs with a task already done in an orderly manner. It's so calming. It's also amazing when we go out for the evening and come back to find everything turned down and ready for bed.

- Light taper candles during dinner. This was one from you all! I need to try this! 

- Light the good candles, use the good silver. Why not?!

- Iron linens and pajamas. I actually use a steamer for this. It's definitely time-consuming, but I have never regretted doing it. It's such a feel-good extra step. For many of the Pima cotton pajamas I have, I don't iron them, but I often steam flannel and cotton poplin! I don't let this stress me out. If I have time, I do this, but if I don't, I just don't, and it's not a big deal. 

- Frequently changing things like towels, linens, etc. I've read various articles over the years about the ideal frequency. I change my sheets every 4 days, but once a week is good enough. For towels, I have read every 3-5 uses. I tend to swap right around 3 uses, but I'm not as regimented about this as I am about the sheets. I don't think there is a perfect rhythm here, but all I know is that the more I change them, the happier I tend to be! 

- Always go to bed with the house tidied. I don't sleep until the house is put together, and luckily, my husband is the same way. It is so refreshing to wake up to a clean, organized house. I've hosted a few parties at our house that run into the wee hours, and even then, we put everything back in order before going to bed. There's a quote I saw many years ago that has always stuck with me: 'Do today what will make tomorrow easier.' I try to follow that. 

- Open the house windows as often as possible. This has not been possible lately, but isn't it such a delight ot have the windows open and fresh air wafting in?!

- Splurge on small things used daily, like fancy toothpaste, luxury hand soap, nice underwear. Those little luxuries really are a treat. 

- Always having a fruit bowl stocked with whatever is in season. I'm so into navel oranges right now, and we have a fruit bowl filled with them. An embarrassment of riches!!

- No overhead lights, always lamplight if possible! I think this one is maybe one of the biggest things you can do in your space. I think lighting has SUCH a huge impact on everything in every situation. As a former event planner, I know why people spend so much on lighting for a big event. It truly makes all the difference. Lamplight is so warm and calming. 

- Open the blinds to let light in first thing in the morning. It's such a good feeling, but it actually helps your circadian rhythm, too!

- Giving everything a place to lessen clutter. It really makes life easier! 

- Have one seasonal scent that you stick to, so the scent always smells like 'home'. This was sent in by one of you, and I never thought to do something like this, but it's a cool idea. You'd get hand soap, candle, diffuser, etc., all in one scent. I like to burn different candles based on whatever mood I am in, and I like to swap out hand soaps when I finish one so I don't get too used to a certain scent, but I could also totally get behind this. 

- Always keeping a small backstock of things we use frequently, so I am never stressed about running out of something. Just the other day, I ran out of my go-to hand cream, and I was so happy to see I had an extra waiting!  

None of these things are groundbreaking, and that’s the point. They don’t require a lifestyle overhaul or a large budget, rather just a bit of intention. This winter caught me off guard in how draining it has felt, and it reminded me how much the small, everyday choices matter. When the days feel repetitive, these little rituals add comfort and texture. 

You can find me on ShopMy, where I link all of my outfits, favorite finds, home decor, beauty, and more! I am constantly updating it with the latest! You can also follow me on the LTK app. Plus, you are able to access all of my posts, here, on my website! 

This content may contain affiliate links; when you click the link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission (at no cost to you).

Strengthening My Natural Nails

For the past year, I’ve either been doing my own gel manicures at home or getting tap gel in the salon. Unsurprisingly, that took a real toll on my nails, so at the beginning of this year, I decided to give them a long break to let them recover.

Along with time, I’ve been using a few things that have genuinely helped speed up the repair process, so I wanted to walk you through what’s been working for me. Some of these overlap with the post I did last week about what's helping my skin get through this cold weather and dry air! 

I'm not going to quit gel entirely, I do love the way they look, but I am definitely going to give myself more time in between for my nails to breathe and stay healthy! 

Nail Bond Repair

 This is not a traditional hardener, but instead, it works more like a bond repair for your nails, helping to reinforce weak, peeling nails over time. The formula is very lightweight and flexible, so it doesn’t leave nails feeling like there is a 'coat' on the nails. 

It can be worn completely on its own or used under polish without affecting wear. I’ve found that with consistent use, my nails feel stronger, thicker, and smoother.

Cuticle Tools

When my nails are in rough shape, I try not to manicure them too much. I keep the cuticles trimmed and filed as needed, but otherwise I just let them grow. Once they're back to 'normal', I'll be more precise with my nail tools. These two tools are all I really need, and they are so high quality. This brand, in general, makes really great manicure tools. 

Nail Polish

This nail polish really sets itself apart for a few key reasons. First, there’s no need for a base coat because the color itself does the work. The shades are all very wearable, neutral tones; Vanity and Babydoll are my favorites, and they’re beautiful mixed together as well. Second, the color coat also replaces a ridge filler, which makes nails look noticeably smoother without needing a separate product.

The formula is self-leveling, similar to gel polish, so it naturally evens itself out for a glossy, smooth finish. You do need to work quickly since it dries fast, but that’s also part of what makes it so convenient. Most importantly, it truly lasts. 

My mom swears by Dazzle Dry, but it has never held up on me. This one lasts about five days, which is the longest I’ve ever gotten from a 'regular' polish. I’m very hard on my nails, and I love that keeping them polished keeps me from picking at them, which has been a huge plus for my nail health overall.

It can be easily removed with regular nail polish remover and no damage to the nail. 

Cuticle Oil

I've been using this for years. A little goes a long way. It comes out onto a brush, making it easy to apply. It has that iconic, light, powdery scent that L'Occitaine is known for, which is always nice. I keep this in my nightstand drawer and apply the hand cream, then the cuticle oil. It's the best!

Travel Cuticle Oil

This cream stick is less messy than cuticle oil, so you can stow it in a handbag or travel bag. I actually have one of these in one of my kitchen drawers and like to use it after I wash my hands. You don't have to wait for anything to sink in; you can just move on quickly. 

Nighttime Hand Cream

There are three things that set this hand cream apart from many others I love, and that make it my default. First, the container is adorable, so you can set it out on your counter or nightstand. Secondly, this hand cream dries instantly. You can apply this and, in one minute, do whatever you need to do; it will have either completely dried or soaked in. Third, this contains skincare ingredients such as retinol, panthenol, and colloidal oatmeal. I swear I have the driest hands ever, and this truly helps. I put it on every single night.

Daytime Hand Cream use code SYDNEYCS15

This is a hand cream I've been buying for years. It has a smooth, creamy texture that really hydrates my hands and sinks in quickly. The scent is incredible. Even their website cannot seem to explain the scent well. It is just so light and pleasant! I just finished a bottle last week, but was so glad to have another waiting in the wings! 

You can find me on ShopMy, where I link all of my outfits, favorite finds, home decor, beauty, and more! I am constantly updating it with the latest! You can also follow me on the LTK app. Plus, you are able to access all of my posts, here, on my website! 

This content may contain affiliate links; when you click the link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission (at no cost to you).

Weekend Wish List

Earrings// Martini Glasses// Stainless Teapot// Navy Waffle Lounge Set

Dress// Pointelle Cardigan// Navy Clutch

Leather Evening Bag// Flower Earrings// Travel Cosmetic Case

Some items of note... 

- I love collecting glassware, and these Martini Glasses are calling my name! 

- This Leather Evening Bag looks like something Audrey Hepburn or Grace Kelly would have carried. 

- If I had a tropical trip planned (I wish!!), I would pack this Dress.

- I have this Navy Waffle Lounge Set in lavendar but love that they have launched shorts and in the most perfect shade of navy blue. 

Raffia Handbag// Tweed Jacket// Blockprint Lampshade

Blue and White Dress// Golden Yellow Cardigan// Swimsuit

Bar Tray// Scarf

Some items of note... 

- How pretty is this Golden Yellow Cardigan?! I'm so into the color and love the knotted buttons. 

- A chic and classsic Swimsuit at a great price. It comes in a few neutral colors. 

- This Bar Tray is gorgeous and looks vintage! 

- I love all of the saturated hues in this Scarf.

See last week's Weekend Wish List, here!

For your weekend reading, here are blog posts you may have missed from this week:

- January Favorites

- Winter Beauty Edit for Dry Air

- Lately

You can find me on ShopMy, where I link all of my outfits, favorite finds, home decor, beauty, and more! I am constantly updating it with the latest! You can also follow me on the LTK app. Plus, you are able to access all of my posts, here, on my website! 

This content may contain affiliate links; when you click the link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission (at no cost to you).