I keep a running note in my phone of random things I might want to write about here someday. Sometimes they turn into entire posts. Sometimes I look back at them three weeks later and have absolutely no idea what Past Ashley thought she was going to say about them.

Lately, though, I noticed I had accumulated a handful of things that didn’t warrant their own newsletters but that I very much wanted to talk about. The only problem was that they had absolutely nothing to do with one another.

A dot art book. A milk frother. A book series about Irish teenagers. A Netflix thriller. A murder trial.

You know. A cohesive editorial vision.

So instead of trying to manufacture a theme where there very clearly is not one, I’m embracing it. These are five things currently occupying an unreasonable amount of space in my brain.

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I finally did something this week that I’ve been wanting to try for a while: I got a lash lift and tint.

This was my first time doing it, and honestly, I was much more interested in the tint part than the lift. My eyelashes are very blonde, to the point that if I’m not wearing mascara, you basically can’t see them. I’ve never been particularly self-conscious about it, but mascara has always been one of those makeup steps I don’t skip. I can go without foundation. I can definitely go without concealer. But mascara? The blonde eyelashes have historically made that one pretty non-negotiable.

So when I’ve thought about getting a lash lift and tint, my thought has always been less, “I want these incredible lifted lashes,” and more, “Wait...you can make my eyelashes visible without mascara?”

Sign me up.

The whole process was actually really nice and relaxing. You basically lie on a table with your eyes closed and let the esthetician do all the work. Your eyes are more or less taped into submission for the duration, so if you’re very claustrophobic or the idea of not being able to open your eyes makes you panic, this might not be your particular brand of relaxation. I was fine with it, though, and found the whole thing pretty pleasant.

And I’m really happy with the results.

They’re subtle. This isn’t one of those dramatic before-and-afters where I’m suddenly walking around looking like I’m wearing a strip lash with a completely bare face. My lashes also aren’t particularly long right now, so there was only so much lifting we had to work with. If you don’t see me regularly, especially without makeup, you probably wouldn’t even notice that I’d done anything.

But I notice.

For the first time, I can look in the mirror without mascara on and actually see my eyelashes. The lift gives them a really pretty curl, and the tint makes much more of a difference than I expected. It basically accomplished exactly what I wanted it to accomplish.

Naturally, though, I cannot simply enjoy something.

Instead, my immediate thought was: Okay, but imagine how good this would look if my eyelashes were longer.

I’ve used lash growth serums in the past and had really good results, so this whole experiment has me wanting to pick one up again. Apparently the lash lift and tint was merely the gateway drug to my next eyelash project. We’ll revisit that one in a few months.

All of this got me thinking about makeup in general, though, and I realized I’ve never really shared what I actually use on an everyday basis.

My makeup routine is not elaborate. At all. I can do the entire thing in about ten minutes, probably less if I need to, and I’m generally going for the same thing every day: light coverage, natural-looking skin, a little color, a little glow, and done. I don’t contour. I don’t use bronzer. I don’t typically use concealer. I don’t want my makeup to feel heavy, and I definitely don’t want to spend 45 minutes putting it on.

So, while we’re talking about what’s happening on my face lately, here’s what’s actually in my makeup bag.

I always start with skincare, but we’re not getting into that today because skincare is an entirely separate conversation. Apparently I just assigned myself another Substack post.

After skincare, I use a primer, although I’m honestly not particularly loyal to one. Right now I’m using one from e.l.f., it does the job, and that’s about the extent of my feelings on primer.

For my base, what I reach for most often is the Erborian CC Cream. I don’t really like traditional foundation for everyday wear. I much prefer something that feels more like a tinted moisturizer, which is basically how the Erborian feels to me. It gives me just enough coverage, I really like the finish, and most importantly, I still feel like my skin looks and feels like skin. It’s enough to even everything out without giving me that “I’m wearing foundation” feeling.

If I want a little more coverage, I’ll use the Merit Minimalist Complexion Stick instead. What I really like about the stick is that I can control exactly where that coverage goes. I can keep it really light in most areas and add a little more wherever I want it instead of putting a heavier foundation over my entire face. It also gets bonus points for being incredibly easy to travel with.

I don’t usually wear concealer, which I realize might be unusual in the year 2026 when I’m pretty sure the internet has collectively decided we all need seventeen complexion products. But most days, I just don’t feel like I need it. I do have the Tower 28 Swipe Serum Concealer, and I like it when I want one, but it’s definitely an occasional product rather than an everyday step for me.

For brows, I’ve been using the Rare Beauty Brow Harmony Flexible Lifting Gel. My main requirement for brow gel is pretty simple: I want it to actually hold my brows in place without making them feel like they’ve been shellacked onto my forehead. This one has good hold but doesn’t get crunchy, so it has earned its spot.

Eyeshadow is another category where I have very little patience for anything complicated. Right now I really love the Armani Eye Tints. I have a few shades, and they are ridiculously easy to use. One quick swipe, blend it out with your finger, and you’re done. No palette, no collection of brushes, no trying to remember which shade is supposed to go in the crease. They’re very much my speed.

And then, of course, mascara.

My favorite is the Merit Clean Lash Mascara, and I’ve come back to it because it’s a tubing mascara. It doesn’t flake all over my face throughout the day, but, and this is very important, it is also really easy to take off. I do not want to spend five minutes at night aggressively rubbing at my eyes trying to remove waterproof mascara.

Obviously, the new lash tint means I’m experimenting with skipping mascara a little more often right now, which still feels very strange to me. We’ll see how long that lasts.

For cheeks, I have a combination I’ve been loving lately. I start with the Merit Flush Balm Cream Blush, swipe it directly onto my cheeks, and blend it out with a brush. Then I put a tiny dab of the Armani Fluid Sheer Glow Enhancer on top and blend that out too.

The combination gives the prettiest glow.

The Merit gives me the actual color, and then the Armani on top adds this really beautiful luminous finish that’s somewhere between a blush and a highlighter. It doesn’t look glittery or like I’ve obviously put highlighter on my face. It’s just glowy. If you steal one thing from this post, try layering those two.

For everyday lips, I am extremely predictable: Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm.

I always have one somewhere. Purse, bathroom, nightstand...they migrate around my house. My favorites are Vanilla, Pink Sugar, and Mint, which I realize is not actually choosing a favorite. I’m standing by all three.

When I want something that’s a little more of an actual gloss, I really like the Tower 28 ShineOn Lip Jelly. It’s easy, it’s glossy, and it fits with the rest of my makeup philosophy, which is apparently “please do not make me work very hard.”

And that’s pretty much the entire face.

If I actually need my makeup to last, I’m going to an event, I’m going to be out for hours, it’s hot, whatever, I’ll finish with the ONE/SIZE On ‘Til Dawn Setting Spray. It’s not something I bother with every day, but when longevity matters, that’s the one I use.

Writing all of this out has made me realize that I have a very clear makeup philosophy that I’ve never consciously articulated before. I want products that are easy. I want my skin to look like skin. I like cream and liquid formulas that I can swipe on and blend without thinking too hard. I want glow, but I don’t want glitter. And if I need three different brushes and a YouTube tutorial to figure out how to use something, it’s probably not going to become part of my everyday routine.

I also apparently really like Merit. I didn’t realize quite how much Merit was happening on my face until I started writing this post, but here we are.

None of this is revolutionary makeup advice, obviously. It’s just what works for me, and I think that’s what I actually like about seeing other people’s makeup bags. I’m much more interested in the six or seven products someone genuinely uses over and over again than the 40 new things they were sent this month. Tell me what you’ve completely used up. Tell me what you’ve repurchased three times. Tell me what you would panic-buy six of if someone told you it was being discontinued tomorrow.

Actually, let’s make that the question.

What is the one beauty product you would be genuinely upset to find out was being discontinued?

I want specifics. Product, shade, flavor, whatever. Tell me the thing that has earned permanent real estate in your makeup bag.

And if anyone has a lash serum they absolutely swear by...apparently I’m in the market for one of those again too.

-Ash

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the idea of romanticizing your life.

It’s a phrase that’s everywhere right now, and honestly, I love it. Not because I think life should look like a Nancy Meyers movie, or because every moment needs to be Instagram-worthy, but because I think there’s something really beautiful about intentionally making your own life a little more enjoyable.

To me, romanticizing your life isn’t about waiting for big moments. It’s about making tiny adjustments to ordinary ones based on what excites ✨ you ✨. It’s asking yourself, “What would make this Tuesday afternoon just a little bit better?” and then actually doing it.

Because if you think about it, life isn’t really made up of the big moments.

Of course there are weddings and birthdays and vacations and promotions and all the milestones we’ll remember forever. But those moments are actually pretty rare. Most of life is random Tuesdays. It’s making dinner after work, unloading the dishwasher, driving home from the grocery store, getting ready for bed, or drinking your coffee before the rest of the house wakes up.

If that’s where we’re spending most of our lives, shouldn’t we spend a little time making those moments feel special?

Lately, I’ve started thinking of those little choices as ✨✨sprinkle moments✨✨.

It started with actual sprinkles.

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Hi there!

I had a fun-filled little week. I took Pancakes to the beach before work on Monday. We sat and watched the sunrise together. On Tuesday, I worked from a local coffee shop for a bit while Pancakes was at the groomer. On Friday, Pancakes and I went to a coffee shop downtown before work. She got a pup cup, I got a coffee, and I sat and read for a bit. And proof that I hang out with someone besides Pancakes, yesterday Shelby, Nicolle, and I went to a giant antique store about 1.5 hours away and ended up spending 4 hours going through it and taking home some treasures. I found an original art piece I hung in my bathroom and a few serving bowls.

Last week, I wrote about spending a Saturday morning wandering through a library book sale and coming home with 23 books for $15. I also mentioned that I was about halfway through Theo of Golden and that I was really enjoying it.

Well...

I finished it.

And I owe you an update.

First of all, don’t worry, there are no spoilers here. I genuinely want as many people as possible to read this book, and I don’t want to ruin the experience for anyone. But I can safely say that I did not see the ending coming. I’m usually pretty good at figuring out twists before they happen. I’ve read enough books over the years that you start to recognize the patterns, and it takes a lot for an author to genuinely surprise me.

This one did.

I actually wasn’t planning to finish the book that night. I was getting sleepy, and I thought, “I’ll just finish this chapter and head to bed.” Unfortunately for my sleep schedule, that chapter ended with one of the biggest reveals in the entire book. I looked down at my Kindle to see how much I had left and realized I was already about 92% finished. At that point, there was absolutely no way I was going to sleep without knowing how it ended, so I stayed up another hour and finished the whole thing.

I don’t think I’ve ever had such a physical reaction to a book before. I literally yelled, “WHAT?!” slammed my Kindle shut, and threw it across my bed. (I’d also like to publicly apologize to my Kindle. It didn’t deserve that.) Then I immediately picked it back up because, obviously, I had to know what happened next.

It’s hard to explain, but it was one of those rare moments where you know something is changing you while it’s happening. There was a before-Ashley who hadn’t finished Theo of Golden, and there was an after-Ashley. That probably sounds dramatic, but I don’t know how else to describe it. All day the next day, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Not just the ending, but the entire book.

The first thing I wrote in my journal the next morning was, “That might be the best book I’ve ever read.”

Then I did something I’ve literally never done before. Just a few days earlier, I’d written an entire Substack post about how I don’t really collect physical books and almost never reread them. I love my Kindle, I like keeping clutter to a minimum, and once I finish a book, I usually move on to the next one. Within five minutes of finishing Theo of Golden, I had ordered a hardcover copy on Amazon. Before I even went to sleep. Because I already know I’m going to read it again.

This is one of those books where, once you know everything, you immediately want to go back to the beginning and see all the little clues that were sitting there in plain sight the entire time. I know I missed so much because I didn’t yet understand why certain conversations mattered or why certain details were included. Now I want to experience it all over again.

I also fell down a little rabbit hole after I finished it and watched the author’s interview with Oprah. (I had purposely avoided it while I was reading because I didn’t want to accidentally hear a spoiler.) I was fascinated to learn that this was actually his first novel. He wasn’t a lifelong novelist or someone with years of publishing experience. He was a lawyer who wrote a book, self-published it, and then watched it slowly grow almost entirely through word of mouth until it eventually landed him a traditional publishing deal and a New York Times bestseller. I love stories like that almost as much as I love the book itself.

The other piece of news that made me ridiculously happy? He’s writing a sequel. I’m sure it’ll be a while before we get to read it, but knowing that this story isn’t quite finished made me irrationally excited.

So...consider this my official update.

Read the book.

Then come back so we can talk about it.

Now, on to something completely different.

There’s been a trend floating around social media lately where people share “five expensive things that are actually worth the money.” Normally I scroll right past those because they usually turn into lists of luxury handbags, designer jewelry, or gadgets that cost more than my first car.

But it did get me thinking.

I realized that the expensive purchases I’ve never regretted all have something in common. None of them are flashy. None of them are status symbols. They’re all just ordinary, everyday things that I use constantly.

Could I buy a cheaper version of every single one of these?

Absolutely.

But after trying the cheaper versions over the years, these are the five things I’d happily spend the extra money on again tomorrow because they’ve genuinely made my everyday life a little better.

One rule before we begin: these aren’t products I loved for a week because they were shiny and new. I’ve owned every single one of these long enough that the novelty has worn off. If one disappeared tomorrow, I’d replace it with the exact same one without even shopping around.

Let’s get into it...

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I’ve gotten a lot of questions lately about what I’ve been reading, and I promise I’ll answer that. But first, I need to tell you about how I accidentally spent Saturday morning as my eight-year-old self.

I came home with 23 books. Twenty-three. And I paid a grand total of $15 for all of them. I know. It sounds impossible.

The funny part is, I’m actually Team Kindle. Completely and unapologetically. I know that’s probably a controversial opinion in the book world, but I love it. I love how portable it is. I love that I can finish a book at 10:00 at night and have another one downloaded before I brush my teeth. I love that I don’t have to pack up boxes and boxes of books every time I move. And because I rarely reread books, I’ve never really felt the need to own shelves full of them. I genuinely admire beautiful home libraries when I see them, but I’ve always preferred to collect stories rather than books.

Since so many of you have asked, here’s the quick overview of what I actually like to read. Give me contemporary fiction, a good mystery, or a romance, and I’m happy. Historical fiction has never really been my thing, and fantasy or sci-fi...they’re just not for me. I know those genres have incredibly loyal fans, but dragons, magical kingdoms, and dystopian worlds have never managed to pull me in. If I’m reading nonfiction, it’s almost always a memoir or autobiography, and I actually prefer listening to those on audiobook.

Right now, I’m about halfway through Theo of Golden, and I’m really enjoying it so far. I’m not far enough along to give a full review yet, but if it keeps going the way it has been, it’ll definitely be one I’d recommend.

But today’s post isn’t really about what I’m reading. It’s about why I’ve loved reading for as long as I can remember. I have always been a reader. My parents used to joke, although I think there were moments when they were genuinely a little annoyed, that they’d buy me a new book, and I’d come back the next day asking for another one.

“You’re already done?”

Yep. Already done.

Whenever we went on family vacations, we always stopped at the library before we left. We took a lot of driving trips when I was growing up, and somehow I had the magical childhood ability to read in the car without getting motion sick. (Unfortunately, adult Ashley did not retain that superpower.) I’d fill an entire backpack with library books before we left town, and while everyone else looked out the window or listened to music, I spent hours reading book after book after book as we drove across the country.

Some of my favorite childhood memories aren’t tied to vacations or birthdays. They’re tied to books. Of course I loved the Scholastic Book Fair at school. I feel like every kid who loved reading remembers those little flyers they sent home, circling all the books you hoped your parents would let you buy. But even that wasn’t my favorite.

Every year there was a giant library book fair at Richardson Square Mall, just outside the town where I grew up. I can still picture it so clearly. The tables stretched through the hallways of the mall, covered with books organized by genre. Hardcovers. Paperbacks. Mysteries. Young adult books. Children’s books. Everything.

Now, I was little, so maybe it wasn’t actually as enormous as I remember it being. Childhood has a funny way of making everything feel bigger than it really was. But in my memory, it felt endless. And here’s what made it magical. It was the one place where my mom never really told me no, because everything was so inexpensive, and she was in full support of my reading habit. If I’m remembering correctly, hardcovers were about fifty cents, and paperbacks were twenty-five cents. Instead of standing there trying to decide which one book I wanted most, I could just...look. Wander. Explore. Fill my arms with anything that sounded interesting.

I especially loved finding entire series. I remember searching for Baby-Sitters Club books and Sweet Valley High books and seeing how many I could find all at once. Walking out with a stack of books instead of just one felt like winning the lottery.

I looked forward to that book fair every single year. Eventually it disappeared, or maybe I just grew up and stopped knowing when it happened. I’m honestly not sure. But I remember always wishing I’d find something like it again. I’ve lived in New York. I’ve lived in Denver. I’ve lived in Dallas. And now Wilmington. In all those years, I never found another one.

Then a couple of weeks ago, I found out that the local library here hosts a huge used book sale twice a year, and it was coming up! I was ridiculously excited. It actually started last weekend, but with Shelby’s baby shower and family in town, there was no way I was going to make it. Thankfully, they hold it over two weekends, so I had another chance. All week long, I kept looking forward to Saturday morning.

But I was also a little nervous. I wanted it to be as wonderful as I remembered those childhood book fairs being. I wanted to walk in and immediately feel that same excitement I felt when I was little. And I kept wondering...what if it doesn’t? What if this is one of those memories that’s better left alone because reality could never possibly live up to the version I’ve built in my head over the last thirty years?

Thankfully, I had absolutely nothing to worry about. I’m sure I missed some great books by going the second weekend instead of the first, but it didn’t matter. There were still rows and rows of tables covered in books. I wandered every aisle. I picked up books I’d heard people recommend, books by authors I already loved, and books I’d never even heard of but figured, “Well...it’s fifty cents. Why not?”

That’s the beauty of a library book sale. You don’t have to overthink every purchase. You don’t have to stand there asking yourself whether a book is worth spending $30 on. You just get to be curious.

I walked out carrying 23 books. Twenty-three books. For fifteen dollars. Honestly, though, the books almost weren’t the best part. On the drive home, I realized what I’d actually been carrying around all morning wasn’t just a stack of books. It was a feeling. For a couple of hours, I wasn’t thinking about work or unpacking my house or all the other things adulthood constantly asks us to think about. I was just a little girl wandering through endless rows of books, completely convinced she’d found the greatest place on earth.

Maybe that’s part of why it meant so much. Wilmington is still so new to me. I’m still finding my routines here. Still discovering the places that make this city start to feel like home. And completely by accident, I stumbled across something that connected me to one of my very favorite childhood memories. It made me realize that maybe I haven’t been looking for another book fair all these years because I needed cheap books. I think I’ve been looking for that feeling again. And somehow, on a Saturday morning in a city that’s still becoming home, I found it.

Now I want to hear your story. Were you a Scholastic Book Fair kid? Did your town have a used book sale like this? Is there something completely ordinary that instantly transports you right back to childhood?

And since this whole conversation started because so many of you asked...what are you reading right now? I’m always looking for recommendations.

Just...maybe don’t recommend fantasy. We all know that’s not going to happen. 😂

-Ash

Well, I’m officially here in Wilmington! I know I skipped posting last week, but honestly, it’s been a whirlwind since arriving. I actually woke up on my first day in Wilmington at Shelby’s house on my birthday.

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A few weeks ago, I started working on a list of things I wanted to do during my 40th year. At first, I assumed it would be one of those classic milestone birthday lists: forty things to do before turning 41, forty goals, forty accomplishments, forty boxes to check. The problem was that every time I sat down to work on it, something felt off.

Part of that is because I don’t really need another to-do list. I’m definitely a list person, and I already have plenty of places to keep track of goals, projects, and things I want to remember. The more I thought about this one, though, the more I realized it wasn’t really a list of things to get done. It was something different.

I am, unfortunately, extremely talented at making lists.

But the more I thought about this one, the more I realized I wasn’t actually trying to create a list of things to accomplish. I was trying to create a list of experiences I wanted more of.

I think that’s because when I imagined what I wanted this next decade to look like, very few of the things that came to mind were accomplishments. They were moments: a morning beach walk with Pancakes, a family dinner, a favorite coffee shop, a farmers market, a spontaneous stop at a local business I hadn’t planned on visiting, or a random Tuesday that feels exactly the way I want it to.

As I started writing things down, I noticed something else. If 30-year-old Ashley could read this list, I don’t think she’d be surprised by a single item on it. She wanted community, meaningful friendships, a home she loved, flexibility and freedom, opportunities to travel, time with the people she loved, and a career that gave her more ownership over her time. None of those things are new. What would surprise her is that some of them are still on the list—not because they stopped mattering, not because I failed, and not because I gave up on them. Life just unfolded differently than either of us expected.

Ten years ago, I had a picture in my head of what 40 might look like. I think most of us do. Then life happens. Some dreams arrive exactly on schedule. Some take a little longer. Some evolve into something else entirely. And sometimes life sends you down a path you never would have chosen but are ultimately grateful you walked.

The older I get, the less interested I am in measuring my life against an imaginary timeline. The things I want today are largely the same things I wanted at 30. The difference is that I have a lot more perspective now. I know that a good life is built in ordinary moments—in coffee dates and family dinners, in routines you look forward to, in friendships that develop slowly over time, in having a place that feels like home, and in having the freedom to decide how you want to spend a random Saturday afternoon.

For years, some version of my ideal day has looked remarkably similar. In New York, it might have involved a long walk through Central Park, stopping for coffee and wandering into whatever cute little shop caught my attention. In Colorado, it often involved mountain views, a hike with Pancakes, or running completely unnecessary errands with Shelby simply because we felt like it.

When I picture my life a year from now, the details have changed, but the feeling hasn’t.

I picture a beach walk. A local coffee shop. Time spent building a travel business I love. Dinner with my sister, sister-in-law, and niece. A house that feels like home. A little more spontaneity. A little more creativity. A little more ownership over my time.

Not a bigger life.

Just a life that feels more like mine.

So somewhere along the way, my 40 before 40 list became something else. Instead of 40 things to accomplish, it became 40 experiences I want more of. Some of them will happen naturally, some will require me to push myself a little, and some will probably happen in ways I can’t predict yet. And honestly, that’s kind of the point. So, in no particular order, here are the 40 experiences I hope to have during my 40th year.

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As you read this, my movers arrive in two days, and I leave for Wilmington in four.

Which means I am currently existing in a very specific state of chaos.

Not bad chaos. Not stressful chaos. More like my brain has 47 tabs open at all times, and each one is trying to remind me of something important. Every time I finish one task, I immediately remember three more. My Notes app has become less of an organizational tool and more of a lifestyle. At this point, I probably have close to 86 different lists. There are moving lists, shopping lists, Wilmington lists, baby shower lists, packing lists, road trip lists, and multiple lists that probably could have been combined, but absolutely were not.

The good news is that I’m actually in pretty good shape. If packing readiness were graded on a scale of one to ten, I’d put myself at about an eight. I’ve made multiple trips to my storage unit over the last few weeks, which means most of the boxes are already where they need to be for the movers. What’s left is largely the stuff that’s coming with me in the car, and all the last-minute items that can’t be packed until the very end because I’m still actively using them.

As it turns out, those final items are somehow the most annoying part of moving.

The easy stuff gets packed weeks ahead of time. The difficult stuff is everything you still need every day. Clothes, toiletries, medications, chargers, the random kitchen items you’re somehow using right up until departure day. Every time I think I’m done, I discover another category of things that still needs a plan.

And then there’s Pancakes.

Honestly, if someone looked at my packing strategy without any context, they would probably assume I’m relocating a dog and her assistant.

Pancakes has a crate coming with us, one of her beds, food, treats, toys, and enough supplies to ensure she remains comfortable throughout the three-day drive. Every time she sees me packing a box, she immediately brings me her favorite puppy toy, as if she’s personally overseeing quality control and wants to make sure I don’t forget the most important item.

Don’t worry, Pancakes. Your puppy is coming.

The other VIP passengers will be my three houseplants, which I refuse to abandon after spending years keeping them alive. I’ve become surprisingly attached to them. Beyond that, I’ll have two suitcases full of clothes and essentials, my laptop, important documents, medications, and some baby shower decorations I’ve been collecting for Shelby’s shower in a few weeks. The moving truck shouldn’t be delayed, but I don’t particularly want to gamble with anything I absolutely need.

One thing that continues to test my patience throughout this process is Facebook Marketplace.

I know some people love it.

I am not one of those people.

The dining chairs sold almost immediately, which honestly surprised me. The sofa and dining table, on the other hand, have been a much different experience. Apparently, there is a special category of Marketplace shopper whose entire business model revolves around convincing people to give away expensive furniture for the price of a fast-food combo meal.

Then there are the people who enthusiastically schedule a pickup time and simply never appear.

No message.

No explanation.

No apology.

Just gone.

As I write this, the sofa and dining table are both still available. By the time you’re reading this, hopefully, they have found loving new homes. If not, I’d appreciate everyone’s cooperation in pretending I never mentioned them.

One unexpected part of this move has been discovering products I suddenly feel compelled to tell everyone about.

Let’s start with vacuum storage bags.

Where have these been all my life?

I know they’ve existed forever, but apparently, I was late to the party. They’ve been amazing for clothes, blankets, pillows, and all the various soft items I’ve accumulated over the past couple of years. They have also been incredibly useful for all of Pancakes’ belongings because, despite weighing only 40 pounds, she somehow owns enough beds and blankets to furnish a small apartment. The ones I bought came with a rechargeable electric pump, which makes the whole process ridiculously easy.

The second MVP is giant zippered moving bags. They’re basically oversized IKEA bags with zippers and handles, and I’ve been using them for everything that doesn’t need the protection of a box. I love that they’re reusable because I’m increasingly annoyed by the concept of buying cardboard boxes only to immediately recycle them after the move.

Meanwhile, I have spent an embarrassing amount of time thinking about a cooler.

There are a handful of refrigerated items I’d love to bring with me to North Carolina, which has sent me down a rabbit hole of cooler research. As of writing this, I still haven’t decided whether a Yeti cooler is worth spending $200 on. Part of me says absolutely not. The other part of me has spent enough time reading cooler reviews that I feel oddly qualified to teach a college-level course on ice retention.

Another thing taking up far more space in my brain than it probably should is my decor list.

I have a very specific vision for the cottage, and part of that vision apparently involves bowls.

I would like a sprinkle bowl near my coffee station.

I would like a bowl of mints near the front door, like they have at restaurants.

I would like a lip gloss bowl somewhere.

At this point, I’m starting to think my entire design philosophy is simply “put things in attractive bowls.”

In four days, Pancakes and I will officially begin the drive. We’ll spend the first night in Memphis and the second in Asheville before finally arriving in Wilmington. Am I excited about driving across the country? Not particularly. I’ve always been firmly Team Airplane. But I’ve been saving podcast episodes and audiobooks specifically for the trip, which feels like the adult version of saving your favorite snack for later.

The part that makes me a little emotional isn’t actually the move itself. It’s thinking about Pancakes leaving my parents’ house. She’s been here longer than anywhere else in her life. She loves my parents. She loves their giant backyard. She has a routine here. I know she’ll be completely fine, but it still makes me a little sad.

Then I remember she’s about to be reunited with Shelby’s dog, Penelope.

The two of them lived together briefly as puppies in Colorado, and I have a feeling they’re going to pick up exactly where they left off.

So that’s the current state of affairs.

My brain is busy. My lists are multiplying. My houseplants are preparing for a cross-country adventure. Pancakes is conducting toy-related quality control inspections. Somewhere out there, hopefully, a buyer is preparing to purchase my dining table.

And by this time next week, I’ll be in Wilmington.

Honestly, that still feels strange to type.

For months, Wilmington has existed mostly as a plan, a lease agreement, Pinterest boards, furniture orders, and anticipation. In just a few days, it becomes real. I’ll finally see my actual cottage for the first time, not just the model home I toured months ago. I’ll unlock the front door, walk inside, and see the space that’s occupied such a large portion of my brain for the better part of a year.

And after all the lists, planning, packing, organizing, and preparation, I honestly can’t wait.

-Ash

On Friday night, I sat down and made what I thought was a very reasonable plan for the weekend. Actually, if we’re being honest, I made several plans. There was a moving list, a packing list, a storage unit list, a shopping list, and a writing list. I had boxes I wanted to move, furniture I needed to deal with, one last shopping trip planned with my mom, and this very Substack post to write. I was feeling productive, organized, and motivated. This was going to be the weekend I finally made a serious dent in my moving to-do list.

Then, somewhere in the middle of the night, my body apparently reviewed those plans and decided it had some concerns.

Twenty-four miserable hours, countless trips to the bathroom, and one Zofran prescription later, I spent all of Saturday doing exactly none of the things I had planned. Instead, I spent the day in bed staring at the ceiling and wondering if I would ever want to eat food again. It wasn’t exactly how I had envisioned spending my weekend, but as I was lying there feeling sorry for myself, it occurred to me that life has a funny way of reminding us that plans are often just suggestions.

Which, honestly, feels like a pretty fitting theme for the last few years.

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Ever since I signed the lease, my Pinterest algorithm has become absolutely convinced that I am only interested in coastal interiors.

To be fair, that’s not entirely wrong.

I have spent the last several months saving inspiration photos, researching furniture, building Pinterest boards, creating Notes app lists, and generally thinking way too much about things like coffee tables and bar stools. If there is a support group for people who have opened the same sofa listing seventeen times just to make sure they still like it, please point me in that direction.

Naturally, after I announced my move to Wilmington, people wanted to know more about the house and how I plan to decorate it. And while I promise there will be plenty of home updates once I actually get there, I’ve realized something surprising throughout this process. This isn’t really a decorating project.

It’s a life project.

The closer I get to moving, the less I’ve been thinking about furniture and the more I’ve been thinking about what I want my life to feel like.

A few weeks ago, I had a realization that genuinely caught me off guard. I’ve never actually had a home that was entirely mine. Not once.

I’ve had roommates. I’ve shared spaces. I’ve lived in family homes. I’ve lived in furnished places that belonged to someone else. Even when I technically was living on my own, there were always other people’s preferences, lifestyles, schedules, or belongings woven into the equation somewhere. This will be the first time in my life that every single room belongs entirely to me.

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Remember when I went to Wilmington a couple of months ago and came back talking nonstop about how much I loved it there?

Well. Surprise. I’m moving.

What most people did not know while I was posting beach photos, coffee shops, and little glimpses of coastal North Carolina is that I was not just there for a visit. I was quietly looking at places to live.

And now, after thinking about this move for years, it is finally happening.

At the end of June, Pancakes and I will officially be packing up the car and making the drive from Texas to Wilmington. We are splitting it into three days with stops in Memphis and Asheville for overnights along the way, which sounds charming in theory until you remember I am very much Team Airplane and do not enjoy long drives. Unfortunately, neither my car nor my dog can be checked into a Delta carry-on compartment, so road trip it is.

Honestly, Wilmington has felt like a future chapter of my life for a long time now. Ever since Shelby and Nicolle first started talking about moving there years ago, I was intrigued. Then they actually moved there, and every visit after that slowly pulled me in more. I loved the slower pace. I loved how coastal it felt without feeling overly touristy or spring break coded. I loved that it somehow manages to feel laid back while still having enough going on that you do not feel disconnected from the world.

I also think North Carolina as a whole just fits me in a way I cannot fully explain. I have done the big city chapter. I have done the mountain chapter. And now I think it might finally be time for the beach chapter.

What is funny is that this move almost happened much sooner.

A lot of you know that in August of 2023, my mom underwent surgery to remove a benign brain tumor. There were complications afterward, and what followed was a very long and difficult recovery process that completely changed all of our lives for a while. At the time, Shelby and I both lived out of state, so we spent months alternating flights back and forth to Texas every week, trying to help however we could.

Then, in November of 2023, Pancakes and I drove from Colorado to Texas because I thought I would stay for a few months and help my parents through the hardest part.

At least that was the plan.

I remember thinking I would come down, help stabilize things a bit, and then eventually return to my normal life. But slowly, it became obvious that this was going to be a much longer road than any of us had originally expected.

In February of 2024, I flew back to Colorado, packed up my stuff, moved almost everything I owned into storage, and came back to Texas, thinking maybe I would stay through the end of the year.

And somehow now here we are in 2026.

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I realized recently that I haven’t talked much about my travel business on here in a while, which feels funny considering how much of my day-to-day life revolves around it behind the scenes.

For anyone newer here, alongside my corporate job, I also run a travel advising business called The Travel Edit by Ash where I help clients plan everything from long weekend getaways to big bucket list trips, honeymoons, multi-country Europe itineraries, luxury hotel stays, and more.

One of my favorite parts of what I do is helping people figure out not just where to go, but how they want to travel.

And lately, I’ve noticed something interesting in the kinds of trips clients have been reaching out about.

A lot of people aren’t necessarily looking for somewhere completely new. They want to revisit somewhere they already know they love, just in a different way this time around.

And honestly, I completely understand it.

There’s something really nice about returning somewhere familiar. You already know the rhythm of the place a little bit. You’re not spending the whole trip trying to see every major sight or stressing over logistics. Instead, you can settle in faster and experience the destination more intentionally.

I think second (or third, or fourth) visits are often where travel becomes more personal. The first trip is usually about seeing the highlights. The next trip is where people start prioritizing slower mornings, better hotels, neighborhoods they missed the first time, longer dinners, beach clubs they actually want to spend all day at, or destinations nearby they never had time to add before.

And honestly, hotels can completely change how a destination feels the second time around. Staying in a different area, choosing a more intimate property, or slowing the pace down can make somewhere familiar feel brand new again.

A few destinations I’ve especially loved recommending lately:

If you love Hawaii… try Maui again, but differently

Maui is one of those places that really benefits from repeat visits. There’s always another stretch of coastline to explore, another stop along the Road to Hana you skipped the first time, or another beach you somehow never made it to.

I especially love Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa for clients returning to Hawaii. It sits right above Black Rock on Kaanapali Beach, which is one of the best spots on the island for snorkeling and spotting sea turtles. It feels relaxed and easy in a way I really appreciate, especially for couples who want a beautiful beachfront stay without an overly “scene-y” atmosphere or for families coming back with older kids.

If you love Florida… try Sarasota

A lot of people who revisit Florida automatically go back to the same spots every time, but Sarasota offers such a different experience.

You still get beautiful beaches and warm weather, but there’s also a really strong arts and restaurant scene that gives the area a completely different feel. It’s one of my favorite suggestions for clients who have already done Miami, Naples, or the resort-heavy side of Florida and want something that feels a little slower and more local.

The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota is especially good for this kind of trip because you’re close to downtown restaurants and galleries while still getting that resort atmosphere.

If you love Spain… try Marbella

I feel like Marbella gets overlooked sometimes because people immediately think Madrid, Barcelona, Ibiza, or Mallorca.

But Marbella is such a good mix of beach, food, nightlife, and culture. It feels glamorous without trying too hard and has a more relaxed energy than some of the bigger European summer destinations.

For clients who love design-forward hotels, La Zambra is such a special option. The property was originally the iconic Hotel Byblos and has been completely reimagined into this beautiful Moorish-inspired retreat in the hills above Mijas. It feels peaceful, elevated, and very different from the typical beach resort experience.

For something more classic Marbella, Puente Romano Beach Resort is always a favorite. It’s sprawling, lively, and one of those resorts where you could easily spend most of the trip without wanting to leave.

If you love the Mediterranean… try Malta

I genuinely think Malta is one of the most underrated destinations right now, especially for travelers who already love Italy or Greece.

It has the beautiful water and relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere people are looking for, but it feels completely different at the same time. Valletta is incredibly charming, layered with history, and still feels relatively under the radar for American travelers.

The Westin Dragonara Resort sits on its own peninsula with a private beach and has that perfect relaxed Mediterranean feel that makes it very easy to settle into for a longer stay.

If you love Italy… go further south

A lot of clients start with Rome, Florence, Venice, or the Amalfi Coast, but Italy has so many completely different personalities depending on where you go.

Sicily feels layered, cinematic, and a little slower paced in the best way. Atlantis Bay sits right on the water below Taormina and feels incredibly peaceful and tucked away.

And for clients wanting beautiful beaches and that unmistakable Italian summer atmosphere, Sardinia is always worth considering. The coastline is unreal.

If you love Greece… try Crete or Kéa

Santorini and Mykonos are beautiful, but clients who really fall in love with Greece usually end up wanting something quieter the next time around.

Kéa feels untouched compared to some of the more well known islands. It’s close to Athens, incredibly scenic, and much more relaxed.

One&Only Kéa Island blends so naturally into the landscape that it almost feels hidden.

Crete offers something completely different. Amazing food, beautiful coastline, so much history, and a more grounded feeling overall. Phaea Blue is one of those hotels that makes it very tempting to completely slow down and stay put.

If you love London… go back for the hotels alone

I know this sounds dramatic, but London’s hotel scene has become so good.

I have clients who think they’ve already “done” London, and then they stay somewhere like Raffles London at The OWO and suddenly the entire city feels different. The setting alone makes the trip feel special.

I also love recommending smaller boutique properties like L’oscar London for repeat visitors because staying in a different neighborhood can completely shift how you experience the city.

Honestly, the older I get, the less interested I am in rushing through as many destinations as possible just to say I’ve been there.

Sometimes the best trips are the ones where you return somewhere familiar and experience it through a completely different lens.

If you’re thinking about a late summer or fall trip, I’d love to help you plan it. Booking through me often gets you VIP perks like free room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, and $100 hotel credits at no additional cost to you! You can learn more about my travel advisor services here or feel free to reach out at ashley.dunn@fora.travel.

-Ash

I feel like I’m in a phase right now where I don’t want to think too hard about anything.

Not in a bad way, just in a very “what works is what works” kind of way.

I’ve been reaching for the same things every day without really questioning it. Same coffee, same outfits, same lunch, same little routines that make the day feel easier.

And honestly, I think I needed this phase. It feels a lot calmer than constantly trying to switch things up or find something better.

So here are my current default settings.

Coffee order
A venti cold brew with oat milk from Starbucks.

I’ve tried so many cold brews from different places, and I always come back to this one. It’s not even about it being the “best,” it’s just the one I know I’ll like every time.

Outfit
A neutral t-shirt, jeans, sandals, and sometimes a Ralph Lauren baseball hat.

I’ve been leaning into having a bit of a uniform lately. It takes all the decision-making out of getting dressed, and I still feel like myself in it.

Lunch
I’m very much on a sandwich kick right now.

Turkey, swiss, butter lettuce, and mayo on gluten-free bread. I keep thinking I’ll get tired of it, but I haven’t yet, so I’m just going with it.

Background show
Just restarted The Summer I Turned Pretty this week.

It’s the kind of show I can have on while doing other things, but still look up and get into it when I want to.

Errand route
I plan my errands around what little treat I’m in the mood for.

I’m usually deciding between Swig or Starbucks, and wherever I go kind of revolves around that decision. It sounds small, but it makes errands feel a little more fun.

Default snack
String cheese.

I wish I had something more interesting to say here, but it’s just always in the fridge, and I always grab it.

Default mindset
Just get it done.

Not everything needs to be optimized or overthought. Sometimes it’s easier to just move through things and keep it simple.

I’m sure this will all change at some point, but for now it feels good to have a few things on autopilot.

It makes everything else feel a little less chaotic.

-Ash

Lately, I’ve been in a very specific rhythm where I’m not really trying new things, I’m just reaching for the same ones over and over again.

The same outfits, the same products, the same snacks, the same little routines that make my days feel a bit more put together.

It’s not very exciting, but it is very telling. These are the things that have quietly become part of my everyday life without me having to think about them.

So this is a roundup of exactly that. The things I keep reaching for on repeat.

Beauty I keep grabbing without thinking-

I did a full Sephora sale roundup recently, so this feels like a bit of a follow-up now that I’ve actually been using everything.

A few things have very quickly made their way into my everyday routine.

The Summer Fridays Sunlit Vanilla Perfume is probably my favorite pickup. It’s the perfect summer scent. Warm but still light, not overpowering, and just easy to wear every day. I’ve been reaching for it without even thinking.

I’ve also been using the Armani Beauty Fluid Sheer almost every time I do my makeup. It gives such a pretty glow and somehow works as both a blush and a highlight. It’s one of those products that makes you look more put together with very little effort, which I’m always looking for.

And the EADEM Lip Balm was a surprise favorite. I hadn’t tried anything from them before, but it’s super hydrating, and I love the metal applicator. It just feels a little more elevated than a typical lip balm, and I’ve had it in every bag lately.

Outfits I’ve worn on repeat-

I’ve somehow fallen into a very specific outfit formula lately, and I don’t see it changing anytime soon.

Some version of a navy top and a denim bottom. That’s it. That’s the formula.

Which is funny because I went years without owning or wearing navy, and now it’s basically all I reach for. It feels a little softer than black while still being just as easy to throw on, and I don’t have to think about it.

I’ll link a few of the pieces I’ve been rotating through, but it’s less about the exact items and more about the combination. It always looks put together without requiring any effort, which is exactly where I’m at right now.

Some favorites are this navy tee and this navy cotton sweater. I also really love the fit of these denim shorts. I have the shorts version and the pants version of these and live in both.

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I’m back from a quick trip to Wilmington, and I’m not being dramatic when I say I really needed that.

Life has still been pretty full lately. Between work, everything with my mom’s surgery this week, and just the general pace of life lately, it’s been a lot to juggle. Her surgery went well (thankfully), and she’s home now, but those couple of days in the hospital always shift everything. Schedules, routines, energy levels. It just reminded me how important it is to take breaks when you can.

And this trip felt like exactly that.

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For reference, I have dry skin, prefer a minimal makeup routine, and have fine hair, so my picks tend to focus on hydration, effortless beauty, and low-maintenance styling. If you’re similar, I think you’ll love these!

Skincare

INNBEAUTY PROJECT Pro-C Brightening Serum
I love and use several products from INNBEAUTY PROJECT, so I’m really excited to give this vitamin C serum a try. I’ve been wanting to incorporate a brightening product into my routine, and I’m hoping this becomes a new staple for achieving that healthy, radiant glow.

rhode Peptide Eye Prep Depuffing Eye Patches
I’ve heard such great things about these eye patches, and I’ve definitely fallen off my eye mask routine lately—so this felt like the perfect time to get back into it. I’m excited to use these in the mornings to help depuff and hydrate before starting the day.

Makeup

Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer Glow Enhancer
I’ve never used this before, but I keep seeing it all over TikTok and the glow is so pretty. It looks like the perfect blend of a blush and highlighter, giving that sheer, lit-from-within radiance. I think this will be ideal for summer when I want my skin to look fresh and glowy with minimal makeup.

Fragrance

Summer Fridays Sunlit Vanilla Eau de Parfum (Travel Spray)
I haven’t smelled this yet, so I’m trusting my instincts—but I love a simple vanilla scent and am hoping this is the perfect summer version. The travel size makes it easy to keep in my bag, and I’m excited to see if it becomes my go-to warm-weather fragrance.

Hair (Restocks)

Crown Affair The Texturizing Air Dry Hair Mousse
This is a restock for me—I’m pretty sure it’s my third bottle! I honestly haven’t blown out my hair in over a year since discovering this mousse. When paired with the Crown Affair Leave-In Conditioner (also amazing), it creates the perfect combo for effortless, beautiful air-dried hair.

Dae Agave Dry Heat & Hold Styling Mist
Another staple in my routine. My favorite thing about this product is that it’s designed to be used on dry hair. Since I typically air dry, this is perfect for when I want to use a little heat to smooth the front pieces. It provides protection and a light hold without weighing my fine hair down.

Nécessaire The Rosemary Conditioner
Isn’t it funny how you never seem to run out of shampoo and conditioner at the same time? I recently replaced the shampoo, so this sale was the perfect opportunity to restock the conditioner. Both are fantastic—the formula leaves my hair feeling nourished and healthy without being heavy, which is ideal for fine hair.

Sephora Favorites Kits

One thing I always love to grab during the Sephora Sale is a Sephora Favorites kit. These sets are already an incredible value, and with the additional sale discount, they’re even better. I also love that they allow me to try products and scents I might not otherwise purchase.

Sephora Favorites Body Care Must-Haves
This is such a great set featuring several brands I already love, along with products or scents that are new to me. It’s a fun way to discover new favorites while getting amazing value.

Sephora Favorites Vacay All Day Makeup & Skincare Value Set
I couldn’t resist this one! It includes a great mix of makeup and skincare, along with some full-sized products, making it perfect for both everyday use and travel. I’m especially excited to try a few items from brands I’ve been curious about.

Sephora Favorites Skincare Mini Must-Haves
Another fantastic value. I already love the lip balm included and am excited to try it in a new flavor. Plus, the body spray is perfect for keeping in my purse this summer for a quick refresh on the go.

Shop My Full Sephora Favorites

While these are the items I’m purchasing during this year’s sale, I’ve also curated all of my tried-and-true beauty favorites by category. If you’re looking for more recommendations, you can explore them here.

These collections include everything I consistently use and love, making it easy to shop based on your specific needs.

The Sephora Sale is the perfect opportunity to restock staples and try something new. I hope this quick roundup gives you a little inspiration for your own shopping list!

As always, thank you so much for supporting my content through these links. It truly means the world to me and allows me to keep sharing my favorite finds.

Happy shopping! 🤍
-Ash

I’m writing this on Friday afternoon, heading into Easter weekend, and it feels like the first time in a few weeks that I can actually take a breath.

Life lately has been… a lot. In all the ways.

Work has been especially intense. I had a huge deadline on 3/31, and everything leading up to that felt like a constant push just to keep up. Now that it’s passed, I can finally come up for air a little bit. It’s still busy, but not quite the same level of chaos, which I’m very grateful for.

At the same time, my travel business has been picking up (which is amazing and exactly what I want), but it’s also added another layer to my days. It feels like everything is happening at once, all the time.

And on top of that, my mom has had a lot of doctor’s appointments lately, which have taken more time and energy than usual. It’s just been one of those seasons where everything stacks at the same time.

I think the best way to describe how I’ve been feeling is… burnt out and just trying to get through it.

But there have been small pockets of calm, which I’ve been holding onto.

In the evenings, we’ve been sitting outside on the patio, just enjoying the weather while it’s still nice here in Texas (before the humidity and absolute hellfire rolls in). The pollen is aggressively trying to take us all out, but it’s still worth it.

We spent the last couple of weekends refreshing the garden and all of the pots for spring, so everything is looking really pretty right now. Those little moments, just sitting outside, have been my reset.

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It had actually been a few years since I had one. Between moving from NYC to Colorado, and everything that happened with my mom, it just fell through the cracks.

At that appointment, my blood pressure was high. Not just slightly elevated, but high enough that they checked it three different times throughout the appointment, and it stayed elevated each time.

To my knowledge, it had never been that high before. But high blood pressure does run in my family, so it was not a total surprise.

My doctor had me track my blood pressure at home for a week to rule out white coat syndrome. It stayed high.

At that point, I was given two options. I could start blood pressure medication, or I could focus on losing weight and see if that helped bring it down.

I did not want to go down the blood pressure medication route if I could avoid it.

At the time, I would describe myself as doing okay physically. Not terrible, but not thriving either.

Between caretaking for my mom and work, I did not have a lot of extra time or energy to dedicate to building consistent health routines. I had always eaten relatively healthy, and in past phases of my life, I had been very active, especially when I lived in NYC and Colorado.

But because of hormone and autoimmune issues I have been dealing with for years, weight loss was always really difficult for me, even when I was doing all of the right things.

Mentally, I felt pretty neutral about my body. I knew I had weight I could lose, but that had been true for a long time.

It was my doctor who suggested I try a GLP-1.

It honestly was not something that had really been on my radar before that appointment. My doctor also happens to be my parents’ doctor, so he is very familiar with their medical history as well as what I have going on at home right now.

My Dad had actually started a GLP-1 a few months prior for some serious health issues he was diagnosed with. Seeing how well it was working for my dad was a big part of why he suggested it for me.

My doctor ended up prescribing it for me. Unfortunately, my insurance does not cover it for weight loss, which is pretty common. There are manufacturer coupons that can help bring the cost down, but it is still not inexpensive.

Part of my decision was also based on my current season of life. I knew that relying on lifestyle changes alone would be difficult to implement consistently, and also something I had tried many times before without meaningful results.

I did not have a lot of fear going into it. Mostly just uncertainty around how my body would respond.

I remember feeling a mix of nervousness and hope.

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I have been slowly collecting pieces from that board, and I finally got to recreate a few of the outfits in real life. I always think it is interesting to see what actually translates from inspiration into something I will wear day to day.

Outfit 1

Sweatshirt | Jeans | Shoes

This one feels like the easiest version of a spring uniform. It is simple, comfortable, and something I could throw on without overthinking it.

I can already tell this is the kind of outfit I will keep repeating in different ways.

Outfit 2

Shirt | Shorts | Shoes

This one feels a little more put together, but still easy. I love outfits that sit in that middle space, not too casual, not too dressed up.

This is one of those looks that just makes you feel a little more like yourself.

Outfit 3

Hat | Sweater | White Tee | Shorts | Sneakers

This one feels the most like me. Neutral, simple, and something I will not get tired of.

It is always a win when something from a mood board turns into an outfit you actually want to wear on repeat.

Recreating these outfits made me realize that I am not just drawn to how they look. I am drawn to how they feel.

And more than anything, they reflect the kind of life I am trying to step into this year.

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Lately, I’ve been thinking about the small things that make up my everyday routine, the items I reach for constantly without really thinking about them. These are the pieces that live in my bags, on my bathroom counter, or around my house because I use them all the time.

Sharing a few of my current everyday essentials below. If something catches your eye, you can click the links to see all the colors and details.

My Go-To Lip Product

If you opened any of my purses right now, you would almost certainly find a Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm. I keep one in basically every bag and scattered around my house because I use it constantly throughout the day. It’s super hydrating without feeling sticky, and the scents/flavors are so good. It’s one of those products I always repurchase and never want to run out of.

The Sneakers I Wear on Repeat

Lately I’ve been really into chunky New Balance sneakers, especially a neutral pair with subtle sage green accents. They’re super comfortable for my daily morning walks, but still cute enough to wear with everyday outfits. I love sneakers that can do both, practical and stylish, and these have been on constant rotation.

My Current Everyday Bag

I just switched to a suede bucket bag from Gap that I scored for 40% off, and it’s quickly become my everyday bag. I love the cool-toned suede for spring, and it’s the perfect size to throw all of my necessities in without feeling oversized. It’s simple, chic, and goes with basically everything.

The Candle I’ve Been Burning Nonstop

A candle I’ve been loving lately is the Hotel Lobby London Candle. Mine was a gift, but it’s such a perfect, fresh scent for spring. I’ve been lighting it during the day while I’m working, and it instantly makes the whole room feel brighter and a little more elevated.

My Everyday Water Bottle

I’m still very much a Stanley girl. I have a few different colors that I rotate between, and I carry one with me pretty much everywhere. I love the giant size, the fact that it actually fits in my car cupholders, and that it keeps my drinks icy cold all day. I’ve been contemplating trying a Hydrojug lately, too, but for now the Stanley is still my everyday go-to.

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