The first few months of the year have been a blur. I’ve been cancelling events and dates left and right, struggling to gain my footing amidst feeling low, busyness, illness, and chronic back pain. Now, in the month I turn 30, I’m hoping to slow down and regroup a bit, starting with posting more regularly here.

//I came across the sweetest wandering puppy while out and about one day and couldn’t bear to leave her, so we took her home. After checking for a microchip and searching for the owner, we came up empty but were able to find her a forever home with some friends of ours. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t get attached in the 3 and a half weeks she stayed with us, but her new home is the best place for her and we’re so thrilled she’s there. It was tough and inconvenient to juggle her and our three dogs, two of whom aren’t terribly friendly with new dogs, but it was worth it. She’s not the first pup we’ve rescued and I know she won’t be the last.

//It’s a comfort for me, in times of stress, to clean and rearrange, so I’ve been making small changes to the house that are likely only noticeable to me. Our space is constantly overflowing with books so we got new bookshelves (with a discount code and on sale!) and are hoping to get one more at some point to balance it out. I spend a lot more time at home than I want to–battling depression and unexplained back pain–so it’s nice to be surrounded by things that bring me joy. I hesitate to even mention it, because it seems whenever I do something delays it, but the renovations that were never finished (our old contractor went out of business) should be fully underway at the beginning of April (some prep work is actually starting today!), which really isn’t that far off. I’m looking forward to the house being done, and then starting on the deck/patio. Here’s hoping it’ll be finished in time for a few summer parties.

//Some old and new skincare favorites. I most recently purchased Balm & Co.’s strawberry chamomile Botanical Clay Cleanser from Goodwin and I could not be happier with it. It smells divine and leaves my skin feeling so, so soft. This is one I’ll definitely be restocking.