Hey there friends! I’m working away today on this awesome Tuesday morning, and I wanted to share some things that have been either bringing me joy or brightening my life lately!
The Ralph Lauren Aesthetic
If your knowledge of the brand is rooted in polo shirts and teddy bear sweaters, let me break down the Ralph Lauren interior design style for you. The classic American brand is the epitome of the “old money aesthetic” and I can’t stop obsessing over it. It leans on timeless patterns like plaid and houndstooth paired with rich colors like navy, dark brown, and green. Furniture often consists of vintage dark wood or leather pieces, creating a cozy, intimate vibe. Another hallmark of the look is equestrian and American-inspired details—think horse oil paintings, antique American flag pillows, and other subtle nods. Yes and yes. The result is beautifully curated, layered rooms that feel equal parts luxurious and attainable. The Ralph Lauren interior design style is the slightly darker, moodier cousin of the Nancy Meyers aesthetic: just as timeless but more eclectic grandpa than coastal grandma.
Image via Pinterest
The color light blue
From icy blue suiting at Stella McCartney to powder blue tweed at Chanel, variations of light blue were undeniably key players on spring 2025 runways. Deeper blues are also set to be especially prominent this year, with Tory Burch and Prada both showcasing rich, inky navy hues in their spring 2025 collections.
Light blue is also especially easy to style, as it pairs well with neutrals like gray and khaki and compliments brighter hues like yellow and apple red. Come springtime, swapping basics like your white button-down for a light blue one can add a subtle pop under your favorite trench or create a sleek, monochrome look with your go-to denim.
All the Colors of the Dark
All the Colors of the Dark is a gritty, bleak, but, at the same time, beautiful thriller.
And oh my goodness. Chris Whitaker can write a character. It’s been 2 weeks since I finished the book and I’m still thinking about Saint and Patch. Whitaker’s characters are complex and original—no one is a cliché.
Whitaker crafts a story that defies genre boundaries, blending a missing person mystery, a serial killer thriller, and a tender love story. Patch’s journey is a testament to the human spirit’s endurance, as he navigates the shadows of obsession and the bright hope of connection. His relationship with Saint, his unwavering best friend, is beautifully rendered, showcasing the power of loyalty and persistence in the face of overwhelming odds.
The pages fly; the book is action-packed, compulsively addictive, and the finest of the mystery genre. It is written using perfect structure: short paragraphs, sentences, and chapters. Mark my words. One day, this book will become a fantastic movie and I’ll be first in line!
Beef Tallow Moisturizer
Beef tallow is everywhere and I’m obsessed. You might be wondering—what exactly is beef tallow, and why is it so special? Traditionally used for centuries in skincare, tallow is rendered from the fat of grass-fed cows, and its composition closely resembles the oils our skin naturally produces. This similarity allows it to sink in easily, delivering deep moisture without clogging pores, helping your skin feel soft and balanced.
Tallow is nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and most compatible with our skin’s natural makeup and structure. It also deeply hydrates and supports your skin’s natural barrier, making it a gentle choice for even the most sensitive skin.
Cottage Cheese
I know you either love cottage cheese or you hate it. Right now, I’m Team Cottage Cheese. I love mixing it in with a couple of eggs and scrambling the concoction together. SO GOOD.
Creating (and sticking to) a Style Vision
This year, one of my goals was to be less impulsive and more intentional about my purchases this year. Part of that entails making a plan for a year of purchases that align with my style. Truthfully, this isn’t about saving money as much as it is about saving me from a closet full of underutilized or completely unworn pieces.
Creating a vision board is a beloved New Year activity, and this year, I made one specifically for my style. I pulled inspiration mostly from Pinterest and I steered clear of Instagram and TikTok. This helped me align future purchases with what I’m truly drawn to instead of whatever tempting link was shoved in front of me on social media at the time.
Since I’m not swearing off social media forever, I’m setting a goal to spend less time on it this year to help avoid impulse buying pieces that don’t necessarily align with my vision. While there is endless style inspiration on social media, for me, there’s also endless spending temptation. If I’m scrolling and am influenced to buy something, I’ll email it to myself and bookmark it for later. If I’m still thinking about the item a week later, I’ll actually consider the addition to my wardrobe. I’ve gotten really good at pausing and asking myself “Does this align with my style vision?”
The Normal House Trend on Tik Tok
TikTok’s “normal house” trend is exactly what it sounds like. In a sea of influencers and celebs sharing homes that look straight out of an Architectural Digest spread, everyday people are sharing glimpses into their “normal” houses. Think: kitchens with dishes in the sink and clutter on the counters, scuffed floors and walls, beds piled with laundry yet to be put away, outdated bathrooms, and so forth.
To be clear, I’m not shaming anyone who lives in an ultra-organized space with modern updates and carefully chosen decor. Rather, the goal is to normalize the fact that most people don’t live in the immaculate, perfectly decorated homes most influencers boast on social media.
While we all know social media isn’t necessarily a reflection of reality, it still comes with the pressure to present a perfect snapshot of your life. Therefore, showcasing anything less than pristine—like “normal sized house,” an older home, or a cluttered room or messy kitchen—feels unacceptable. The problem with this is that it shames people for not living up to social media’s accepted design standards. Wouldn’t we all like to live in our dream home where nothing was ever out of place, but the reality is that’s not feasible. There are times when you don’t have it in you to do the dishes or put away the laundry. And guess what? Life is imperfect and messy, and normal homes are, too.
Creatine
My number one recommended supplement is creatine. Creatine not only helps your performance and recovery but also has been shown to improve your cognitive performance. I take it first thing in the morning and mix it with my electrolytes + essential amino acids. I find this helps me consistently take it, keeps me mentally sharp through the day, and keeps me from getting dehydrated (the electrolytes do this–I love LMNT!).
Heat Therapy
I have done cold therapy for a while (love my ice baths!) but I’ve found there are significant benefits to heat exposure (i.e., saunaing) for me as well. If you’re experiencing hot flashes in menopause and perimenopause, regular heat exposure can actually help mitigate those. Additionally, saunaing for up to 30 minutes after you lift can help enhance performance and recovery. I either jump into the sauna at the gym or I do an infrared sauna package at a local boutique spot in town. I’ve found that the heat therapy helps me detox more easily since I tend to struggle with that because of my Hashimoto’s.
Castor Oil for my Brows and Eyelashes
If you’ve been dreaming of fuller, more defined eyebrows, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with sparse or thinning brows and let’s not mention you may be a victim of 90’s thin eyebrows where you went way overboard on plucking them—I know I was! Thanks to my obsession with podcasts, I discovered a simple yet powerful secret that transformed my brows: castor oil.
Castor oil has been used for centuries for its numerous health benefits, including its potential to enhance hair growth. Rich in ricinoleic acid, castor oil helps increase blood circulation to hair follicles, which can encourage hair growth and strengthen existing hairs. Its nourishing properties also help moisturize and condition the brow area, making it an ideal solution for those looking to improve the appearance of their eyebrows naturally.
At night, I use a clean eyebrow spolie (pretty sure that’s how you spell it right?), and apply a small amount to my eyebrows AND eyelashes. Both my brows and my lashes are blonde so anything I can do to make them look thicker and grow faster–I’m in! Loving the results so far.
