It's that time of year when I get a little antsy and want to redecorate, declutter and get a new wardrobe. I also feel the need to declutter my life, find new organization systems and make a change. I'm just tired of feeling the same way, going through the same motions and not being present for life.

I want to find the things that bring me joy, find a better balance and just be more clear with my intentions in all areas of my life. That being said, I might take a little break from the blog. My heart has not been in it for the past year and I do not want to let it go, so I've been holding on for dear life. I don't want to hold onto something that isn't serving me anymore and I think I just need a creative spark back.

We'll see how long this lasts but in the meantime, be sure to follow me on all the things:

• Substack
• Instagram
• Threads
• TikTok 

 Over the past year I've felt myself maturing in different ways, but one way I know for sure my frontal lobe has fully developed? My need for neutral nails. I used to love my bright, fun colors like green, blue, and purple, or on the other end of the spectrum I loved a black polish but lately I just want something simple. 

I definitely still enjoy a color...but mostly in the pink or peach family, or if it's the colder months I love a brown. However, when I want a true color, especially in the 'in-between months' I'm probably going with red.

The issue I was running into was that all my Olive & June red polishes are too dark, too bright, or have the wrong undertone. None of the polishes were a true, blue red until now.

Olive & June has admitted that they haven't had a blue-red but are not answering for their sins with one of their newer shades 'Secret Recipe' I am still on my low-buy and not indulging in as many nail polish purchases as I usually do, but I needed to restock some of my nail care items so it was a good time to place an order. 

This week was actually pretty solid, and I'm very thankful for that. It started out in a blah way, only because it was the 9 year anniversary of my dad passing away. I've catalogued my relationship with grief many times over the course of 9 years and while it has gotten easier, not a day goes by that I don't think about my dad. 

It's a strange feeling, to know that you will never see someone again and that they are going to miss all the big moments in your life. I can't write about it too much otherwise I will start to cry and maybe never stop, but it's just sad.

Last weekend my family and I celebrated my baby cousin's 1st birthday, who actually was born on the anniversary of my dad's death. This child is my dad's great nephew, and wow, would he have loved being a great uncle. He loved kids and he would love to see his nephew, my cousin, as a dad. It makes me sad that they will never never know him, and vice versa. 

Grief is a fickle thing but it's all grounded in love.

Moving on... 

My team and I moved at work so I was in a new area of the office with people I usually email with and see over Teams but never interact with in person, so it was fun and interesting. It made work a little more enjoyable and interesting. 

This weekend is going to be another busy one; going dress shopping with my mom for my sister's wedding, hanging out with friends and overall just getting things done while also finding time to socialize. 

Enough yapping, let's get into the roundup.

 While January was a hellscape, February felt a little better. In terms of politics, I felt like people started waking up to what was going on so I felt comfortable retreating into my own world...I know that doesn't make an ounce of sense but I was just glad that I didn't feel so alone anymore.

February was extremely busy and testing for me personally and professionally. I felt like I hit rock bottom a few times but got back up and now that I'm on the other side, I feel different. I feel proud and accomplished which isn't usually like me.

I just think after a particularly hard month, hard in a way I haven't necessarily experienced before, I feel different but aren't I always saying that? I'm constantly going through something, coming out the other side and then making grand statements that this time something will be different.

I need to just keep moving forward because progress is not linear and even though I have my days or weeks, I'm in a better place than I was a few years ago.

That's my spiel for today... now onto the favorites.

After a low-buy/no-buy January, I would say February was pretty successful in that department as well. My purchases were very limited and mindful. I'll have to do an update at the end of March for Q1 of a low-buy/intentional spending year but I'm happy with where I'm netting out.

With that, I've rediscovered some items within the walls of my home that have been bringing me a lot of joy this month...and one new thing that was basically an essential so I'm giving myself a pass. 

 This week was better than the last few and for that I am grateful. I still feel slightly disconnected from reality but I think that is just the pollen count going from nonexistent to medium in the span of two days.

While I was super productive this week, my creativity feels like it's at an all time low and I don't really know how to solve that. It feels like the older I get, the more it slips away from me and that is very scary. Everything that used to be important to me takes a back seat now and it needs to be solved, I need to do better by myself.

In other news, last night I was at dinner with my family, today was spent running errands in my new car that I love so much, and tomorrow is another family get together. For the rest of the day, I just want to unwind, write, clean and do what I have to do. 

Let's get into the roundup.

 There are very few beauty products that have stood the test of time in regards to my favorites. As someone who loves to try new things, it's rare that I continually buy the same product time after time. Sure, I've gone through mascara and foundation phases, but usually after the second or third time buying something, I'm ready for something new.

That logic does not apply to this particular product. 

When I first found out about the Clé de Peau Concealer about 10 years ago, I knew that I had to have it. My dark under eye circles have always been my biggest beauty pain point and for that reason concealer is my all time favorite product to test and try. If I'm putting one makeup item on, it's going to be concealer, so wouldn't it just be natural for me to fall head over heels for a $75 concealer that is like a magic eraser? 

No one wants to spend $75 on a concealer but when it's this good, when it lasts you years (well past the expiration date), you do it. 

the packaging has changed recently and i'm sure how i feel - the left  is my new tube

I just repurchased my fourth tube of this magic stick so I figured it was the perfect time for a review.

 It's been a minute since I read a hardcore thriller so when I was deciding my next book after the Fourth Wing series, I knew it had to be one that would satisfy that urge. Ever since reading The Family Plot by Megan Collins, she's become one of my favorite thriller authors so when I got an ARC of her latest novel, Cross My Heart I knew I would be in for a treat. 

Cross My Heart was published on January 14th, 2025 so yes, I am a little more than a month late but it was worth it. This was one of the most interesting book plots I've ever read and had the hairs on the back of my arms standing up more than once. 

If you need an interesting, thoughtful and thrilling book to sink your teeth into, that isn't predictable or too gory, Cross My Heart is that book.