Lovin' Lately no. 24
Sephora sale must haves, the importance of writing with a glitter gel pen when the world's on fire, A lighthearted survival guide for when everything feels a little too much
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Spring is here, and with it comes that irresistible urge to refresh everything. Your routines, your home, your hair, and maybe even your mindset. It’s amazing how a few tiny tweaks can make everything feel a little lighter and brighter. Let’s fluff the pillows, light a floral candle, and pretend we’ve got our lives together.
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8 whimsical habits to keep you from spiraling into the darkness
Most days I feel like the “everything is fine” meme. The little dog sitting in a house that’s up in flames trying to sip his coffee like everything is normal. And while I say to myself with a half smile that everything is fine my inner narrator says (in a whisper): she was not fine.
There’s a lot going on. Too much. We’re in another era of “unprecendented times” and rather than letting the angst overwhelm me, I intentionally add more joy, whimsy, love and delight back into my life and my space.
To offset the noise and soothe the soul, here are some adorable habits you can keep:
Fresh flowers, always.
Trader Joe’s knows what they’re doing with the $7.99 hydrangeas. A little bundle of petals in a chipped glass on the counter makes the whole kitchen feel more alive. It’s not about impressing anyone—it’s about the quiet delight of beauty for beauty’s sake.Brand your Spotify playlists! Did you know you can upload an image to be the cover photo rather than the first four albums? And change the name to something fun that evokes whatever the mood is. No more “Spring 2025” titles. Market the music to yourself and your mood. Some of my favorites are Little Women but it’s Taylor Swift, favorite daughter, Brunch in a Nancy Myers Kitchen, and my newest (just in time for the Rodeo) Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.
Get dressed, even if it’s just to sit on your laptop all day.
I love a matching set or a linen jumpsuit that says “she might step out for a croissant.” No shame in athleisure, but there’s something about brushing your hair, doing a swipe of mascara, and wearing Real Clothes that shifts the energy. My rule: two out of three: hair, outfit, or face.Have one standing beauty ritual.
For me, it’s a manicure. Every four weeks, I sit down, pick a neutral-with-a-flair shade, and let someone else take care of me while I scroll Zillow listings I’ll never buy. It’s less about vanity and more about consistency. Find your version and protect it like it’s sacred. Because it is.Matching pajama sets > old sorority T-shirts.
There’s power in the ritual of getting ready for bed like it’s a scene in a romantic comedy. Bonus points for slipping into bed with freshly washed sheets and a spritz of lavender spray like you live at a boutique hotel.Make things. With your hands. For no reason.
I will forever love crafting. But even if you don’t, there’s something about physically making something—cooking, sketching, gluing dried flowers into a weird collage—that reminds you you’re a human, not just a brain in a group chat. Try it. Be mediocre at it. It’s wonderful.Girl dinner, plated like you’re hosting a soirée for one.
Cheese, crackers, a handful of grapes, that leftover salmon you flaked into a ramekin—put it on a plate, pour your drink into glassware (yes, even a LaCroix), and light a candle. I felt like JLo in that scene in The Wedding Planner where she arranges her TV dinner at home. CHIC!
Send a note. A real one.
Texting is great, but writing a little letter to someone you love? It hits different. Tell your friend she’s killing it. Mail a postcard to your aunt. Leave a note in your kid’s lunchbox that says “you’re hilarious.” Bonus points for stickers or glitter pens. Words matter.Collect beautiful nothings.
The charm bracelet that doesn’t match anything. The pressed flower you stuck in your journal. The teacup you thrifted that only holds one sip of coffee. These things don’t do much, but they remind me that life is allowed to be soft, sentimental, and sparkly. We need that, too.
Here’s to whimsy, giggling, starry-eyed smiles, trinkets that serve no purpose other than adding charm, daydreaming, glitter, edible flowers, empathy, action and LOVE for the rest of the year. (And perhaps more trips to Michaels).
Sephora Sale Picks! 💅🏼
Makeup Must Haves - If I had to restart my makeup collection, these would be my first purchases!
Merit - Day Glow Dewy Highlighting Balm
Hourglass - Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation
bareMinerals - Mineral Veil Talc-free Pressed Setting Powder
MAKE UP FOR EVER - Artist Color Pencil Longwear Lip Liner
Rare Beauty - Brow Harmony Flexible Lifting and Laminating Eyebrow Gel
Tower 28 Beauty - MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara
HUDA BEAUTY - Easy Blur Smoothing & Pore-Minimizing Primer
ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starrr - On 'Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray
Anastasia Beverly Hills - Brow Wiz Ultra-Slim Precision Eyebrow Pencil
Summer Fridays - Lip Butter Balm for Hydration & Shine
Skincare Must Haves - In my 30s, I started really getting into my skincare and I haven’t looked back. All these products are my tried and true favorites to get that glowy, dewy hydrated look on my skin at 37 years old.
Summer Fridays - Jet Lag Mask + Moisturizer
Caudalie - Vinoperfect Brightening Dark Spot Serum Vitamin C Alternative
MERIT - Great Skin Instant Glow Serum with Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid
Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinol Serum
First Aid Beauty - Facial Radiance Pads – Exfoliating Pads
Sunday Riley - C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum
Peter Thomas Roth - Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Hydra-Gel Eye Patches
Tower 28 Beauty - SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray with Hypochlorous Acid
Mario Badescu - Drying Lotion
Kiehl's Since 1851 - Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides and Peptide (I put this on. my hands everytime I get in a my car)
In case you missed it…
Spring invites us to soften, lighten, and let in a little more magic. Whether that’s through whimsical habits, glowy skin, or a very extra girl dinner. It’s not about having it all together (we know that’s a scam), but about adding joy in small, intentional ways. So here’s your gentle nudge to wear the matching pajamas, light the floral candle, and keep finding beauty in the tiny, glittery corners of your day.
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Can you do me a favor? If you like this, will you hit the heart ❤️ on the bottom of your email? I promise it helps!