an hour after posting that video, i received a DM from someone, which would inevitably become the figurative fire lit under my ass, telling me: “you have 300 views after an hour of posting and you want a manager to manage you? please be so for real. you are DELUSIONAL.”

whoa.

first of all, aggressive. secondly, thank you. i’m flattered. because someone taking the time to see how many views you get on a video an hour after posting it has to be nothing short of obsessed with you… but, who cares about the views of it all. what really struck me, and stuck with me, was the delusional comment. because something that was intended as an insult, actually landed as a compliment, and motivation. my version of delusion isn’t “i deserve success without doing anything,” it’s more like: “i believe i can get somewhere i haven’t gotten yet, so i’m going to keep working like it’s possible.”

i think a lot of people would agree that it’s objectively weird and parasocial for someone that doesn’t know you personally, to use your current circumstances against you as some sort of proof of future limitations. who did this random person think they were telling me what i was, or wasn’t going to accomplish?

it takes a lot of courage to not just post yourself on the internet, but to publicly say that you want something. to publicly say that you envision more for yourself, that you want to grow, achieve a dream, build a business, etc. most people just do that in silence. whatever it is, it gives random people, (or even people that you know), an opportunity to potentially watch you fail. your ego gets tested in so many ways when you choose to post bits of your life online, and that happens to be one of them. it just comes with the territory.

but the way you handle it is entirely up to you. from my perspective, you can either let it bring you down, or let it fuel you. spoiler alert: i chose the latter.

from that moment on, a figurative fire was lit under my ass. not in a corny “my haters are my motivators” way, but because sometimes, truthfully, spite really is the best fuel. someone telling me i wasn’t going to accomplish something was my way of accepting a challenge. betting on myself. doing the thing that only a few people believed i could do. my vision wasn’t always clear, but at least i had vision.

bit by bit, i continued to put in the work. stayed consistent, really honed in on my vision, figured out what i wanted to share online and how i wanted to share it. rome wasn’t built in a day, and my social media presence sure as hell wasn’t either. i started viewing myself as a business, and made a promise and commitment to myself that i would show up like any other business owner would if they were trying to sell something.

thankfully, i didn’t let a strangers assessment of one video become an assessment of myself. in 11 months since posting that video: i’m signed with an agency, my audience has grown in ways i once dreamt of, my content feels like the most true and authentic version of myself, and i’ve fully honed in on my niche and my vision. i’ve grown so much in the last year, not just online but as a person, and i can’t help but thank delusion for that.

maybe being delusional is just believing in yourself before anyone else has a reason to. and if that’s the case, i think we could all use a little delusion in our lives. because if you wait until there’s proof you can do it, you may just never start.

xx

katrina

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for months, my boyfriend and i had been sending each other videos back and forth about Maine. think: lobster rolls, gorgeous scenery, sailboats, hydrangeas, 75 degree weather… everything this girl dreams of. and after enduring what was an incredibly difficult last 5 months, we finally booked our trip.

there are so many beautiful, coastal towns to choose from in Maine, and we ultimately decided on Kennebunkport for two reasons: it was only a 1.5 hour drive from Boston (the other option of flying into Portland, ME would require a connecting flight which i didn’t want to deal with.) and… there was a golf course my boyfriend wanted to play at. i need hydrangeas, he needs golf. a win win for us!

i had never been to Boston before (which still shocks me), so we flew into Boston on a Wednesday, had an early dinner at union oyster house (the oldest restaurant in america!), and spent the evening at Fenway Park at a Red Sox game. it was my first MLB game, and being at such a historic park was really cool. the next day we woke up slowly, had breakfast at north street grille, and then hit the road to Kennebunkport around 11:30 am.

on the way up, we stopped in Portsmouth, NH for about an hour. we walked around, popped into stores, got a little sweet treat and then got back on the road. we arrived in Kennebunkport late afternoon-ish, checked into our hotel, freshened up a bit and strolled into town. after an early dinner and ice cream at big daddy’s (seems to be a yummy chain in that area), we took a sunset drive along Ocean Ave with the windows down just admiring the scenery and the incredible waterfront properties. the weather this time of year was sublime: mid-70s during the day, low-60s, high-50s at night. it was the perfect way to start our trip!

where we stayed:

The Captains Collection Kennebunkport was the exact New England stay i envisioned. it’s a boutique hotel comprised of four different mansions (all very different vibes), which were all formerly owned by 19th century sea captains. we stayed in the Nathaniel Lord Mansion which had this kind of dark, but still very cottage-core aesthetic to it and i loved it. the location was perfect — walking distance into town, but not directly in town so you felt a little separated which was i always prefer. the staff was lovely, so attentive, and you cannot skip the homemade chocolate chip cookies they make every afternoon.

my favorite day:

friday, we did exactly what we set out to do: let the wind, and our vibes, take us where we were meant to be. we started the morning grabbing coffee from dock square coffee, a cute little coffee shop in the middle of town. they’re known for their blueberry latte, but i went the local maple latte route and it did not disappoint. we then drove over to mike’s all day breakfast for, you guessed it, breakfast. i ordered their breakfast sandwich on an english muffin and we split pancakes and i thought both were delicious! after heading back to the hotel to change, we grabbed some beach chairs provided by the hotel, and headed to Gooch’s Beach. before finding a very lucky parking spot, we drove along the Kennebunk beaches which i highly recommend. it truly felt like something out of a movie. there is some really beautiful real estate on the coast!

we hung out on the beach for a bit, and then decided to drive south to Ogunquit for lobster rolls! driving into Perkins Cove felt like another drive that was truly out of a movie — the exact picturesque coastal town i had envisioned when dreaming of this trip. we got our lobster rolls from footbridge lobster which came as a recommendation, and it was the best lobster roll of our trip. so good that we considered driving back the next day. side note, their lemonade was delicious too. finished the afternoon with a little stroll through Perkins Cove accompanied by ice cream, then got in the car and headed back to Kennebunkport. we finished the day with another sunset drive along Ocean Ave, followed by a yummy dinner at Mabel’s Lobster Claw.

the meals im still thinking about:

lobster rolls + lemonade from footbridge lobster at Perkins cove in Ogunquit

lobster club sandwich from old salt’s pantry in Kennebunkport (this was so good we went back for a second one that same day!)

maple latte + cake donut from dock square coffee

breakfast sandwich from old salt’s pantry

Maine blueberry pie ice cream from big daddy’s

pastries from Boulangerie

lemonade from aunt marie’s

crab cakes from Mabel’s Lobster Claw

chocolate chip cookies from the captain’s collection hotel

if i went again:

i’d skip dinner at the lost fire. i was pretty bummed out about this one as it came very highly regarded, but i found the meat to be quite bland, and felt the food came out too fast.

i’d probably do a couple extra days and explore more of the state’s coast. we didn’t have much time, and this wasn’t the trip for us to bop around. next time!

i’d pack a little jacket or cardigan for night time.

i’d do more sunrise/sunset beach walks.

things to know:

rent a car. you’ll want the flexibility of being able to explore.

prepare for traffic. traffic in kennebunkport can get pretty stuffy because there’s only one way in and out. never gets to a standstill, but keep that in mind if you need to get in or out by a certain time.

reservations are worth it. especially during the high season with popular restaurants. doesn’t hurt to have at least two for dinner!

it’s more laid back than you think. i’d leave the heels at home. i got away with a little kitten heel cause i’m short, but sandals, or even like a ballet flat, will suffice.

so, although i traditionally am the ‘i would like to go with the flow but what time does the flow start’ type, (type A helloooo), i tend to lean a bit more type B when i travel. and this trip really reminded me of the importance of that… sometimes the best memories happen when nothing is scheduled.

xx,

katrina

by no means am i the inventor of the snack plate — i simply am one of its biggest fans and advocates. if you follow me on instagram, you know how often i’m posting my snack plates and how passionate i am about them. the beauty of the snack plate is that it doesn’t have to just be a snack at all… the majority of the time, they’re satiating enough to be a full meal. now what i really love about these plates is that they’re a great way to use whatever you have in your fridge. seriously - whatever. there are no rules when it comes to snack plates. let your creativity run wild and have fun with them! food is not meant to be rigid, it’s meant to experiment with and to be enjoyed. that’s where the art in the snack plate lies for me - playing with different flavors + ingredients and creating something randomly delicious.

now, like everything in life; we are all different. that includes the food we buy and the staples we all have in our pantries and refrigerators. so no snack plate can truly look the same! sometimes i have random dips in my fridge that i like to include, leftovers from the night before, fruit or veg i need to use up before it goes bad… the list goes on. a common denominator for me in my snack plates though, seems to be cucumbers. i always have those mini cucumbers in my fridge and love to include them in my snack plates. they’re light, refreshing and always provide a refreshing crunch.

so the next time you’re feeling stuck on what to eat, don’t want to make yourself a full meal, and/or have random things lying around you need to eat before they go bad…make yourself a snack plate!

BODY —

• the most notable thing i’ve been loving this summer in the body category is strength training. all the pilates and walking i’ve been doing for years gave me a toned and lean base, but what i really felt like i was missing was the strength aspect. i don’t want to just be skinny, i also want to be strong. i’ve always read about the importance of doing weights, especially as a woman, for overall vitality, bone density, and strength. but what really kicked this into gear was listening to Mel Robbins’ podcast episode with orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Vonda Wright. i’m sure you’ve heard the clip before talking about how every woman should be able to do 10 pushups… yeah, that one. well, once i realized i couldn’t do those 10 pushups without dying, i decided it was time to build strength. if you haven’t, give it a listen. insightful stuff! i now go to the gym three times a week: Monday lower body, Wednesday cardio + full body, and Friday full body.

• the next thing in the body category i’ve been loving is Body Roll Lymphatic Drainage. i discovered this cute little studio nestled away in Sunset Harbour after having an obscene amount of credits i needed to use on ClassPass before they expired. the infrared-heated machines are made of these distinctively-shaped wooden rolls that help improve blood and lymph circulation. they have tv’s in front of each machine that play an informational video for each section of the body that gets worked on so you can follow along. it is absolutely incredible to do in-between actual lymphatic drainage massages, or even when you’re really sore to help break up fascia. i bring my headphones and edit videos, listen to a podcast or just scroll on TikTok. 10/10 recommend if you’re in Miami or New York!

FACE / HAIR —

• it’s a lemontini summer and the rhode glazing mist has me in a chokehold. not gonna lie though, at first I wasn’t entirely sold… until i figured out how to use it with my make up. i do my skincare, then start applying my make up. not blending yet — just applying. concealer under the eyes, a little under my nostrils. along my jaw line, couple of lines up my forehead. then dot my liquid bronzer up my cheekbones into my temples and halfway up my forehead on both sides. THEN I apply the glazing mist and blend everything all together. wow. by far my favorite way to use this product. everything blends so well and leaves my skin so dewy. i finish off with my blush and the rest of my routine. i recently posted a get ready with me on TikTok where you see exactly how i do this, check it out here. starts about 20 seconds into the video.

• next product i have been loving and using non-stop is the Colorscience tinted SPF. i switch between shades light and medium depending on my tan level, and it is spectacular. the product comes out white upon application, but once you start blending the color blends perfectly into your skin. it’s SPF 50 and so light it feels like you have nothing on. i even wear this when I go to the beach and gives me such good coverage without making me feel cakey.

• it was about time i incorporated a vitamin c into my skincare routine. i’ve been using one consistently for about two months now, and i’ve noticed it helping with overall brightness and skin tightening. it’s the first thing i apply to my face in the morning after splashing my face with water and let it absorb while I brush my teeth. i’ve been loving this one from La Roche-Posay!

• okay this product has been an absolute game changer for me. my facialist gave me a little sample of this at my last facial, and when i used it for the first time i was blown away. the Ursa Major Green Slate Mineral Scrub is an incredible exfoliator that has changed my skin. i give myself a weekly facial just for maintenance and always start with this. really opens up my skin for extractions and leaves my skin feeling polished and bright. pro tip: a little goes a long way and use it in the shower to open up your pores!

• last but not least, hair botox. miami summers are NO joke. if you know, you know. the humidity is on another level and my hair seriously suffers. my skin loves it, but my hair… not so much. hair botox is something that’s been on my radar for a bit. it’s a treatment not as permanent as keratin, but still provides the smoothing and de-frizzing aspect of keratin that i’ve always been interested in. the treatment took about 2 hours and i left with pin straight hair. my favorite. it was so straight and smooth that i didn’t wash it for almost a week which, for me, is a long time. i’ve had it now for about two months and i’m so glad I did it! i still have my natural hair texture, but my hair is way less frizzy than it was before. even on rainy days when it feels like the humidity is at 150%, it’s still pretty tame. highly recommend.

CLOTHING —

• on to clothes! my boyfriend bought me a pair of Still Here Cool Jeans in the shade Milk and, if you follow me on instagram, you may have noticed i haven’t taken them off. they are the jeans i have been reaching for this summer as they’re light, low waist and go with virtually anything. i dress them up, down, wear them while i’m working from home etc. they’re definitely on the pricier side, but the quality of the denim really makes it worth it. i wear a 25 and they fit me wonderfully!

• next up… flip flops. i told you i’ve been keeping it real simple this summer. i grew up in a flip flop household (specifically Havaianas) and they really are the best shoe choice in the summer time. i’m obsessed with these more elevated pairs I got on Amazon. the red PVC strap gives the perfect pop of color, and the base of the shoe feels very well made. love them so much that i got them with the brown strap for a more “understated” vibe. and, of course, I had to get the dupe of the infamous $600 (!!!!!!!) Row flip flop on Amazon as well. please, for the love of Christ and all things holy, buy these for $59 instead. hard eye roll at anyone who buys the real, even if you can. besides Morgan Stewart. because duh.

• another item i’ve been living in are these scoopneck tops. I find them so flattering and the material is so soft. bonus that they’re from Amazon and very affordable! i have them in both white and gray, but i find myself reaching for the gray more.

• honorable mention: anything butter yellow. it’s almost embarrassing at this point… even my phone case is butter yellow. immediate raise for whoever did butter yellow’s pr this year. brandy melville has so much butter yellow inventory which is where i got this tank top & sweatpant set, and i snagged the two-piece workout set from alo in person right before the season started. it’s been sold out since. considering myself #blessed.

FOOD —

• if you know me, you know i’m a die-hard matcha girlie. and if you REALLY know me, you know how much of a creature of habit i am. so when i like something… i tend to stick to it. i’ve been making my iced matcha with honey since i started drinking it, but one day after running out of honey, i used the maple syrup i had in my fridge and… wow. my new favorite combination was born: matcha with maple syrup and cinnamon. the combination of these flavors compliment the matcha so well, and i haven’t made it any other way since. a reminder that veering off routine is important and could lead to something great!

• everyone has their fast food of choice. mine? Taco Bell. it’s my guilty pleasure. a chicken quesadilla, crunchwrap supreme and two packs of those cinnabon delights… oof. but alas, we sadly must leave the Taco Bell for special occasions only. to satisfy the inevitable craving for a crunchwrap supreme each time I would swipe past a Taco Bell video on TikTok, i started making them at home! sure, they don’t have the same taste of fake cheese and questionable meat, but boy do they taste good. i fear that’s where my almond mom tendencies really shine… making my favorite unhealthy food items healthy and homemade. the trick to a great, at-home crunchwrap is making sure the meat is seasoned well. i like using this one from Siete. another important element that i don’t always add, is queso. this one from Tacodeli is delicious and gives the crunchwrap such a good kick. i did a step-by-step on how to make/build the crunchwrap on my Instagram. Check it out!

my dad raised me with the K.I.S.S. mentality: keep it simple, stupid. and if there’s truly any time to really embody that mentality, it’s in the summertime. hope yours has been as relaxing and easy as mine has been. i’m off to eat tomatoes for the rest of the season.

xx

katrina

thank you for being here.

with love,

katrina

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

1/2 lb bag of carrots

2 sweet potatoes (any work, but I used garnet)

1 knob of ginger

1 onion

1 head of garlic

2 tsp paprika

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp garlic powder

1 can coconut milk

1, 16.9 oz carton of bone broth (or regular broth, or water)

Salt + Pepper to taste

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Start off by peeling your carrots. Give them, the onion and the sweet potatoes a rough chop and add to oven-safe pan of choice. Slice the top of the garlic head off (the one with the straggly parts) so that the garlic is exposed. Add to the middle of the pan and drizzle some olive oil over. Rough chop your ginger; I used a knob that was about 3 inches in length (you can add less or more depending on how much ginger you can tolerate…) But I recommend more. Always. Add that to the pan, and drizzle about 2 tbsp of olive oil over your veg. Give it a good mix with your hands before adding in the spices. Once the olive oil has been coated over everything, add your spices!

Roast for about 45 minutes, or until the carrots and sweet potato have become soft. Place all contents other than the garlic into either a blender or a pot (with enough width and depth) to use a handheld blender. Then, using tongs or something that gives you a good grip, squeeze the garlic into the mixture. Add in your can of coconut milk and start to blend! The mixture will most likely be very thick which is why I added the carton of bone broth last minute. Do so slowly to make sure everything is getting blended evenly. I like my soup a little on the thicker side, so you can add more or less liquid depending on your personal preference.

Once everything has been blended, your soup is ready! I chose to serve mine with a dollop of labneh, a drizzle of olive oil and some pumpkin seeds on top for some crunch. I had this the next day with some jasmine rice and a chicken breast and it was divine. Make a big batch of this and you’ll have it for the week!

Happy eating,

Katrina xx

MISO JAPANESE BBQ CHICKEN (serves 2) —

1 pack chicken thighs (breast works too)

2 tbsp Japanese BBQ sauce

1/4 cup Ginger Miso sauce (I use this one )

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp minced garlic

Salt + pepper to taste

1 tsp garlic powder

1 knob of ginger, grated

Sesame seeds (measure with your heart)

4-6 carrots

1 sweet potato

1.5 cups of rice

First, start off by marinating the chicken. Pat dry the chicken thighs, then place them into a bowl and start adding all the dry spices. Once you’ve added and mixed the spices, then add your liquids aka 2 tbsp of Japanese BBQ sauce and the gingery miso dressing. Mix everything up, making sure every crevice of the chicken gets coated with all that goodness. Add in your sesame seeds, then cover and let chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, but about 4-6 hours would be even better.

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. About 30 minutes before you’re ready to make the chicken, prep your veg and make your rice! I usually cook 1.5 cups of jasmine rice in 3 cups of water with about a tablespoon of olive oil and salt to taste for 20 minutes. For this recipe I used carrots and Japanese sweet potato because that’s what I had and it honestly felt perfect for this meal. After chopping the carrots, I tossed them into the bowl with the leftover chicken marinade so they got all that yummy juice on them. Heat up your pan of choice, I recommend a larger one since this is a one pan meal! Cook your chicken thighs skin side down for about 5 minutes on medium/high heat until skin is browned. Flip over, and add your veg into the pan. Stick it in the oven and say see you in 30 minutesssss!

I actually ended up cooking the Japanese sweet potato’s on a separate pan just cause I cut mine really thick (that’s how I like eating them), but if you cut them in cubes you should be good in one pan! I let the chicken cool for about 5 minutes before plating it. I added sesame seeds to the rice and garnished with scallions and drizzled some of that yummy chicken juice on top. You really can’t beat 30 minutes total cooking time!

Happy eating!

With love,

Katrina xx

It all of a sudden hits you like a ton of bricks. The lack of motivation to create, brain and body are on empty and life feels you feel like you’re stuck on autopilot. This usually happens to me twice a year for about a month each time and takes over basically every aspect of my entire life. Why? Because it’s impossible to not get down on yourself in these moments. It’s part of the human experience. We’ve all just been fed this really toxic and unrealistic idea that we need to show up as our best selves in every moment, when in reality, that’s never the case. Even the person that seems to show up as their best self is fighting their own internal demons right before your eyes, and you may never realize it. That’s why I’m here to normalize being in a rut. Normalize not feeling yourself, normalize not being able to show up fully, NORMALIZE RUTS!!! Because something I’ve come to learn in all the ruts I’ve experienced in my life: being in a rut is actually a GOOD thing. Trust me.

Before I get into why ruts are actually beneficial, what even is a rut? A rut can look different for everyone, but it’s usually used as a metaphor to say that someone is stuck in a certain pattern of life. Nine times out of ten in my case, my ruts basically make me freeze. Content creation comes to a halt, motivation to get anything done is non-existent and I feel like I’m just floating. And not the good kind of floating. I’ve now learned that ‘freezing’ is actually a nervous system response which has been helping me learn how to cope in these moments. Yay, growth! Anyways - think of ruts as rock bottom’s little, less aggressive sister. It still has an impact on you and your life, just maybe not as intense or aggressive as a rock bottom would feel like. But what do ruts and rock bottoms have in common? They both help you to see what areas of your life you feel are lacking. Areas in your life you feel like you’re giving too much, getting too little, left feeling unsatisfied… This right here is the essence of the importance of being in a rut, and why reframing that rut is actually a going to do you good. Because at the end of the day, it’s all perspective.

It’s in these exact moments where you slow down, take several steps back, accept (and admit) that you don’t what the next step is, or can’t even imagine having a next step, is actually what is going to lead you to that next step. Think about the times in your life where you’ve felt stuck. Like you didn’t know who you were, what you wanted, what your next step is. It’s always in the moments where you finally get out of your own head and start showing yourself new possibilities is when the real magic happens. Where new opportunities begin to arise. I know it can be hard to reframe while you’re in the thick of it, but that’s what where the true growth lies, folks. Give yourself the space to wallow, to rest, to do nothing, but then once you’re ready, give it your all. Sit with yourself. Understand your feelings. Understand the reasoning behind your emotions. Make it a point to reframe your thoughts and perspective around life.

I’m part of a workshop called ‘To Be Magnetic’ and, if you’re not familiar, I’ll definitely do a whole SubStack post dedicated to it. To sum it up: their process uses the mechanisms of neuroplasticity (the ability of the brain to grow and change) to overwrite low self-worth mental patterns (neural pathways) and effectively, manifest the life you desire. I swear by it and have manifested a lot through the workshops, but Lacy has an incredible protocol for being in a rut which has helped me reframe my perspective a lot. And not just around a rut - in so many different aspects of life as well.

Ruts are here to help you, I swear. Rut season is a real thing - we all ebb and flow through this dance we call life. No one ever knows what they’re doing, at least that’s what I tell myself. Give yourself grace. Give yourself the space and the time you need. There is no rush. It’s a perspective shift that has been helping me immensely, and I hope it can give you a fresh perspective too.

Happy Sunday

xx Katrina

I started doing this weekly trend on TikTok last year called ‘Weekly W.E.I.R.D.’ which comprises of your favorites from the week that you are: wearing, eating, inspired by, reading and doing. I always have so much fun doing it and it’s a cute way for me to personally reflect on my week and thought it was perfect to do for my Substack! So I’ll be going through my favorites from the above each week - let me know what y’all think. Enjoy!

This week’s Weekly W.E.I.R.D:

WEARING:

I haven’t taken off these cotton boxer pants since I got them in the mail. I’ve dressed them up, dressed them down, and each time I’ve loved them. I can already see these are going to become such a staple in my capsule wardrobe. They’re almost entirely sold out in this color, but they also have them in blue.

EATING:

I’ve been loving Force of Nature’s ground venison and beef blend. Organ meats are the best kind of meats you can consume, but many of us either a) don’t know how to cook with them b) are grossed out by them. The latter is always ironic but I digress. Not like I’m out here trying to learn how to cook liver or heart so who am I to judge! That’s why I’ve been loving this blend because it removes all the added stress that comes with cooking organ meats! I’ll post a separate recipe for my favorite way to make it.

Something else I’ve been eating…. The caesar wrap from Café—Smood. Maybe I’m biased because I work there, but it is honestly just so good. I get it with extra chicken so that they can wrap it up nice n tiiiiight. I also order it with the dressing on the side because I’m a saucy gal and could always use more sauce. Yum!

INSPIRED BY:

I have an exciting collaboration coming up with a very cool non-toxic nail studio in Miami and they do the coolest nail designs! I started gathering some nail inspo on Pinterest and I’m feeling really inspired by neutral, yet statement nails. Loving little silver stars and designs with more muted tones. When I lived in Berlin I went to a nail studio and would always do cool designs, so I’m excited to get back into it (and work on my nail health!)

READING:

Just started reading The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros. I’ve been hearing great things about this book so I’m excited to really dig in. It sometimes takes me a bit to get into a book, anyone else? I’ve never read anything from this author before either so I’m interested to see her writing style in comparison to other authors I read. I do think it is quite sad though, so bracing myself for a whole flood of emotions.

DOING:

Watching ‘Who TF did I marry?!’ DUH! I swear this consumed my entire week. I think I started on Tuesday and ended on Friday… If you haven’t listened to this story yet, you must! I just put my AirPods in and listened to it like a podcast while I was at work, doing dishes, cooking, chores etc. It’s fascinating how much access we have to these kinds of stories nowadays… Can’t wait for the Netflix documentary on this one.

That concludes this week’s Weekly W.E.I.R.D! See you again next week - hoping everyone has a beautiful Sunday and a better week than the last.

Xx

Katrina

I spent the majority of my adolescence and early adulthood romantically alone. There was always something in me that felt shame or pressure around romantic relationships, which the majority of my friends never dealt with. I was always the proud third wheel, the “no strings attached” friend, the queen of situationships. Looking back, my insecurities and complejos (as we say in Spanish) got in the way of me opening up to a romantic partner. Although I am beyond extroverted, there was always something about that next step that made me feel like legitimately throwing up and just never went through with it. Call it avoidance, fear, insecurity: it all falls under the same umbrella. This is what led me to make some poor decisions when I was younger (ya live and ya learn) and what inevitably helped foster a deep, and loving relationship with myself

I have always been such an advocate for loving yourself first and foremost. I’ve seen firsthand how detrimental it can be to put the priorities of a partner first, thanks to the people around me. I’ve had many friends who have only felt validated if they had a romantic partner, leading them to believe they weren’t worthy unless they were in a relationship. It’s something many women of my generation (and even generations before us) have and continue to struggle with. If you’re one of those girlies, hey, I got you! Here are five ways you can show yourself love not just on Valentine’s Day, but all year round:

1. Take yourself on dates

Don’t be afraid to do things by yourself. Riding solo is honestly so empowering. I love being alone! Take yourself out to dinner, to a museum, go to the movies, take a pottery course, go for ice cream, the options are endless! We have always been conditioned to date other people, but you have to date yourself too. Like I always say: no one knows how to treat me like I know how to treat me. And I truly believe that.

2. Challenge your mental narrative

Listen, I don’t believe anyone is every 100% healed. We’re all a little toxic in one way or another, and that may at times include clouded judgment or perception at times. I’m guilty of it too! Challenging your own narrative and viewing situations from a different perspective is a wonderful way to show yourself love. In doing so, you’re allowing yourself the ability to grow by encouraging new and possibly healthier thought patterns. Think outside yourself!

3. Learn how to say no

You can’t be everything to everyone always. Learning how to say no is a great way to learn how to set boundaries for yourself! Especially if you stretch yourself too thin or if you’re a pushover, saying no feels so empowering. You’re not disappointing anyone. You’re not letting anybody down. You’re looking out for yourself, and if that ain’t love, I don’t know what is.

4. Don’t compare yourself to others

Comparison is the thief of joy. To truly love yourself, negative self talk has to stop. A lot of negative talk comes from comparing yourself to others, at least that’s how it’s been for me. Social media doesn’t make things any easier, we see so much

All. day. long.

Comparison can at times feel a little like jealousy, which is honestly an empowering feeling to have. Instead of viewing jealously as such, try viewing it as inspiration instead. You’re jealous because you want what someone has; well, use that as an inspiration to get it yourself. Turn your negative self-talk into empowerment. That’s when the love truly starts to settle in.

5. Create healthy routines

I know it’s a bit cliché, but it really is so important! Creating routines for yourself in your daily life that help you feel centered and grounded is the ultimate form of self-love. Some routines you can adopt: waking up 30 minutes earlier, scheduling weekly workouts, journaling, meditating, going for walks before or after work, making coffee or matcha after breakfast etc. I think a creating a morning routine is a great way to begin to adopt healthy routines into your life. My morning routine is everything to me and is honestly what keeps me going!

The reality is, loving yourself is a never ending journey. There are many factors that can contribute to struggling with self-love, and boy are some days are harder than others. I often think of little Katrina sitting in her classroom on Valentine’s Day wondering if she’ll ever be anyone’s Valentine, when in reality she’s been her own Valentine all along.

Happy Valentine’s Day

xx Katrina

Therefore, the majority of these products you will find at Whole Foods, Publix (if you’re in Florida), and I don’t know about any other chains so depending where you’re located, check your local grocery store! They’re all pretty standard products you can get at wherever you shop, organic or not. I even found some of the products at Target!

I have a “grocery list” template in my Notes app that I have for when I go to the grocery store each time. Everything is listed in different categories: veg, fruit, meat, pantry dairy, fridge items and freezer. I have them listed in this particular order because it’s the way my local grocery store is laid out! Nothing more satisfying than checking things off your list as you go. It makes it such a seamless experience, and even better for those days when you’re in a rush!

So, let’s get into it! All my fruit and veg are bought organic and I try and respect and honor seasonality as much as I can, so my produce list varies.

VEG —

• 4 Zucchini

• 1 pack Brussel Sprouts

• 3-4 Japanese sweet potato (my FAVORITE)

• 2 lb carrot bag

• 1 lb carrot bunch

• 1 pack of arugula

• 1 bunch Green Leaf Lettuce

• Shiitake mushrooms

• 1 head Cilantro

• 5-6 Banana’s

• Squash (when in season)

• 1 bunch asparagus (when in season)

FRUIT —

• Blackberries

• Blueberries

• Raspberries

• Seasonal fruit

• Lemon

• Lime

MEAT —

• 2 lb organic chicken breast

• 2 lb organic chicken thighs (bone in, skin on)

• 1 lb ground beef + organ blend

• 1 lb ground beef

• Bacon

• 1 lb Wild caught salmon (when on sale)

• Key West Shrimp (only local, wild & when on sale)

PANTRY —

• Jasmine rice

• Pearl Couscous

• Fitness Bread

• Simple Mills Everything seed flour crackers

• Simple Mills cookie mix

• Vista Hermosa flour tortillas

• Siete burrito size tortillas

• Graza Sizzle + Drizzle Olive Oil

• Almond Butter

• Petit chocolate biscuits

• Hu Simple Milk Chocolate

• Lesser Evil popcorn

DAIRY —

• Organic Valley raw milk cheddar

• Organic Valley raw sharp cheddar slices

• Maple Hill organic whole milk

• Good Culture double cream classic cottage cheese

• Good Culture sour cream

• Labneh

• Kerrygold Irish butter

• Coconut Cult probiotic yogurt

FRIDGE ITEMS —

• 2 dozen Regenerative organic eggs

• Cracked black pepper turkey

• Saratoga sparkling water

• Mountain Valley spring water

• Siete Jalapeño Botana sauce

• Bachan’s Japanese BBQ sauce

I love grocery shopping SO much. It’s one of the highlights of my week. Looking at this list I feel an immense amount of gratitude for having access to such nutritious and delicious foods. Truly, I’m not just saying that. I have such a deep connection to food, and I’m never not thinking about the steps it took to get into my cart and onto my plate. I love eating foods that make me feel good, and want you to feel your best too! Let me know if you try any of these products, or incorporate any new additions to your grocery list :)

xx Katrina

I can’t believe as I’m writing this that it is STILL January. This is insane. But at least we’ve finally made it to the end of the month, so it’s only fitting that today’s post will be all the things I loved in January! I thought it would be fun to separate them into different categories: clothes, face/body, food and wellness. Originally I wanted to pick five items from each category and eventually I’ll get there…. But I could not for the life of me narrow it down this month, so there’s a whole lot going on. What can I say, I’m not a minimalist. And I’m not gonna try and change myself now! I think organizing everything into categories will make it easier for you guys to see my overall monthly favorites in each category that rules my life, let me know what ya think :)

Without further ado ado ado ado…. (Where are my Toasters?!) Here are my January favorites!

I owe a big apology to my mother. Mami - I’m very sorry for all the years you tried to show me how amazing JCrew is and I simply did not care. Because now I do. JCrew is hands down one of my favorite brands right now. Their cashmere is delicious and very fairly priced. I’ve been wearing this gray sweater and black shrunken sweater on repeat. So great for the office, at home, honestly anything! Another JCrew favorite is this double-sided bucket bag that’s half leather and half suede. It’s giving The Row on a major budget. Been using it for work and can safely say it fits a lot of stuff. She’s sturdy! Another era I’ve entered is my loafer era. Another apology is in order for my mother! These are from Mango and are sold out in the color I have, but the black and white combo on their site are calling my name. I got a lot of questions about my sheer polka dot socks which are unfortunately almost 10 years old, but I did find these from JCrew and already ordered! So cute. If you’ve been keeping up with me on instagram or TikTok you’ve been seeing me in this sweater all the time. Usually I steer away from the Zara knitwear, but this one did not disappoint. Slightly oversized and I got it in S. Another item you’ve been seeing me in lately is this cropped puffer vest. I love it over my workout outfits. I recently acquired a pair of jeans that I fell in love with - the baggy straight jean from Parke. I’ve worn them all week and they still fit perfectly, even better than when they first arrived. Recently I got a lot of questions about my jewelry, mainly my necklaces which I shared are custom-made by my jeweler, Sigha Fine Jewelry. She’s so talented - her instagram shows more of her work and she works with any stone, metal and price point. I recently added the Dorsey Bezel necklace to my collection and safe to say I’m obsessed. My drop chain earrings are also always asked about. They’re Adina Eden and sold out on their website, but found these that are similar! Will keep an eye out if they reappear.

That covers all my favorites from the clothing/shoe/accessories department. Now onto face and body!

January was the month I discovered Westman Atelier, and I now get the hype. I’ve been using the complexion drops daily and really notice the difference they make in my skin. I use shade IV. Additionally I’ve also added their contour stick in shade ‘biscuit’ to my makeup routine and i’ve been loving it. I’m a big big big fan of Saie beauty. I love everything: the glow sculpt, the bronzer, the skin tint, the blushes…. EVERYTHING! But lately the blush i’ve been using on rotation is this one in the shade ‘chilly’. I apply it with my Hourglass blush, and lightly dust it on my eyelids in addition to my cheeks and nose. It’s such a beautiful shade for my features. Another apology is in order: this time for the Rhode lip tint in raspberry jelly. I have all the lip tints, and this was always the one I reached for the least. Now, it’s the one I can’t get enough of! It adds the perfect touch of color to your face, just make sure you don’t put too much. This cleanser has done wonders for my skin. It has great ingredients and takes my makeup off in one go. We love that! And to finish off this category… My at-home lymphatic drainage. Not gonna lie, these tools have been sitting in my bathroom closet for MONTHS untouched. I picked them up one day post-everything shower when I was really bloated and now…. I’m addicted. I’m working on saving more money which requires me to let go of some treatments for the time-being, and an at-home lymphatic drainage is totally do-able. Nothing will ever replace the power of hands, but the before and after of using this kit…. Whoa!

Now onto food. As I’ve mentioned before on my Instagram, I’ve been quite uninspired lately to make new food recipes. Therefore I make one recipe, become obsessed and have that on repeat. Works for me lately! The first recipe I’ve been obsessed with in January is Wishbone Kitchen’s Swamp Soup. Y’all this is so damn good for real. Pictured here I made it with rotisserie chicken and white rice, but you can add your own spin to it. Such a versatile dish! The next recipe is the Chicken Tikka Masala I posted the other day on here. All I want in the dead of winter are filling, warming dishes. Post-holidays I wanted a little reset and stumbled upon these Sakara metabolism cacao packets. I find they keep me full for longer, and they’re so easy on-the-go. I just take it with me to work and the barista behind the counter makes me for me. I love them! Last but certainly not least: my newest kryptonite…. These chocolate biscuits. Oh my gosh I could eat an entire pack in one sitting. I like to stick them in the fridge - I think they’re so delicious and crunchy when they’re colder. I buy them at Whole Foods!

And now the last part of my January roundup… All my favorite wellness things!

I have been wanting to get into the organ meat game for a while now, but honestly they can be quite pricey! And let’s face it: I’m not gonna be over here cooking up liver, heart and spleen. I’m just not. So I decided to try out the Heart and Soil beef organ supplements and I’m excited to see the longterm effects of them. I’ve also been taking the Sera and Mattina day time and night time supplements and my body is responding very well to them. The night time ones have been helping me get the best sleep! In order for me to get great sleep, my days have to run smoothly and organized. My Papier planner helps me feel like I have my life together and cannot live without it. Organization is wellness, ok! Another thing I’ve been loving in January is waking up earlier. There’s no link for this, just experience! My hatch wakes me up gently starting at 6:30, so by the time I’m up it’s 6:45 and those extra 15 minutes make such a difference in my day. And to finish it all off: I’ve been dry brushing 2-3 times a week, followed by my at-home lymphatic drainage and my body has been really liking that combination. Please don’t forget to take care of yourself! Even if it’s just 5 minutes a day.

Well, folks, that’s my January roundup. Although it’s been the longest month we’ve had in a while, it’s been a good one! And for that I am grateful.

Chat soon xx

Katipoo

Anyways… I tend to be longwinded at times like Dorit from RHOBH so forgive me. Back to the violent craving. I placed a Whole Foods delivery order (I was at work, ok!) and immediately added around 4 Tikka Masala sauces to my cart. I knew I was going to be hyper-fixated for a couple of days. Now, I tend to be careful with pre-packaged sauce because the ingredients are sometimes not great; I’m careful with the things I cook with at home. 80% of the time I eat clean to reserve the other 20% for the times when I want to eat not-so clean. Balance, baby! Now, my favorite Indian sauces sans seed oils and gums are from Masala Mama. If you don’t mind seed oils, this one from Brooklyn Dehli is great too. What’s great about these sauces is that they’re already pre-made, and if you know anything about Indian food, it requires a lot of ingredients, some of which are pricey! Sometimes it’s just better to buy the made sauce and call it a day.

Or support your local Indian spot. Whatever tickles your fancy.

On to the recipe.

She’s stunning, beautiful, gorgeous.

Chicken Tikka Masala — (serves 4)

For the chicken marinade:

• 1.5-2 lb organic chicken breast or thigh

• 1 cup yogurt (I used labneh)

• 1 tablespoon garlic and ginger

• 1 tsp of each spice: turmeric, cumin, garam masala, chili powder

• Salt and pepper to taste

Sauce:

• Veg of choice

• 1 jar of Masala Mama Tikka Masala sauce

• 1 can of coconut milk

• Water depending on desired thickness

Dry and cut the chicken into smaller pieces. Place into mixing bowl, add the yogurt and rest of ingredients and mix. Let sit, usually for a couple of hours, but in my case 20 minutes.

While the chicken marinates, make your rice. I made jasmine rice because that’s what I had at home, but basmati rice is the more traditional route! I made 1.5 cups which requires 3 cups of water to cook. I add olive oil and salt (that’s how my Oma does it) and let it cook for 20 minutes. Let sit for 10.

Heat up your pan, preferably cast iron if you have. Cook chicken in olive oil until seared, but don’t overcook because the chicken will finish cooking in the sauce. Set the chicken aside, and begin to cook any veg you’d like in the sauce. I actually did not cook any veg in this dish this night, but the other nights of the week I made it i added Japanese sweet potato and carrots and it was delicious. Sometimes I just don’t want any veg, ya know?

Pour in the Tikka Masala sauce followed by the coconut milk. Usually I like to mix water in the jar to get the remaining bits of the sauce that got stuck. Add the water, mix everything around and add the chicken back in. Cover and let simmer for 15 minutes or until chicken is cooked thoroughly.

Serve rice, the tikka masala dish and top with some fresh cilantro. Because I simply don’t want to do it all, all the time, I ordered cheese naan from my local Indian spot. Highly recommend.

Enjoy!!

Katrina xx

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I, like so many others, am feeling the need for an outlet from social media. In the words of NeNe Leakes: it’s getting weird. Iykyk. All jokes aside, writing has always been a passion of mine, but I’ve always been too stubborn and prideful to do anything with it. My parents are journalists, and I’ve always been told “writing is in my blood” which obviously means I wanted to take my life in the completely opposite direction. But hey, genes don’t lie…..

My parents have always seen my potential, a blessing I’m lucky to have. I know my parents are both going to read this, smiling from ear to ear. After years of ignoring what I know I’m good at, look at me, mama and papa! I’m doing it!

I have a lot to say, mostly due to the fact that I feel like I am so many things at once. Wellness girlie, Bravoholic, self-proclaimed chef, passionate bed rotter, former Berlin club rat, yogi, cat mama. Honestly, the list goes on! As my friend Kenny once said to me: “You’re literally seven different Barbie’s.” I am. I really am.

That being said, this is where I’ll be sharing all my thoughts on the above. Weekly recipes, old stories (cause boy do I have stories to tell), outfit roundups, random thoughts, things I’m loving, things I’m hating (it’s ok to hate), my manifestation journey (and how to help you on yours), and of course all things wellness.

I’m excited for this journey outside the social media realm. See ya on the flip! xx

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