catching up and looking ahead

I haven’t posted in a while, so let me catch you up.

I took a trip to Georgia to visit my cousin, who just graduated after studying chemistry. I think that’s so cool celebrating someone’s hard work and future honestly gave me a little boost. It made me feel more motivated about mine.

Lately, I’ve been feeling like I need to start romanticizing my future career. A job has never been something I’ve looked forward to, but teaching feels different. I care so much about kids’ education, especially helping the ones who struggle because I’ve been there, too. I want to be someone who shows up for them.

And on the lighter side, I’ve been planning a camping trip by the beach for my birthday, plus a little kickback with friends. Just something fun and lowkey to celebrate and reset.

Thanks so much for taking a moment to catch up with me

Sincerely, Stephanie

keys and cookout

my day started ridiculously early like, 3 a.m. early. why? because apparently, when you move out of your dorm, handing over your key is important. who knew? (me. I knew. I just… didn’t do it.) so I had to make a six-hour round trip to my university just to drop off a key and avoid a fee. love that for me.

once that mini road trip was over, I figured I’d have the rest of the day to catch up on sleep or at least flop dramatically onto my bed. nope. we had an invitation to go to a friend’s house for an early mother’s day cookout, and honestly, it ended up being the perfect reset. good food, and some last-minute party planning.

my friend’s throwing a graduation party soon, so I helped her narrow down her list of venues. we got it down to three solid options, which felt like a small win after a long day of chaos. And now I’m finally off my feet, writing this, and probably going to fall asleep mid-sentence.

If your day was a little wild too, I hope you find some time to rest and recharge. you deserve it.

Sincerely, Stephanie

If I could time travel for a day

If I could time travel for just one day, I think I’d want to go back to the 1970s. There’s something about that era that’s always pulled me in maybe it’s the warm color palettes, the furniture or the music, I imagine myself walking through a quiet neighborhood, where the houses all have those big windows and brick steps.

Inside, there’d be wood paneled walls, shag carpets, and sunken living rooms filled with that cozy, lived-in energy. I think I’d spend the afternoon flipping through vinyls at a small record store, maybe with Fleetwood Mac or The Rolling Stones playing softly overhead.

I'd be wearing bell bottoms with a halter top covered in brown and orange flowers, a pair of worn-in Converse, and either my hair feathered or left in its naturally curly texture.I imagine myself sitting outside with a cold drink in a glass bottle, talking with people and soaking in the slower pace of everything. Just hanging out, listening to music, and actually being present.

Thanks for reading my little daydream

Sincerely, Stephanie 

a perfect day

If I could design the perfect day, it would be a simple, slow day spent with my boyfriend. A day where everything feels warm and easy, and everything just flows naturally. 

We’d start the morning waking up together and heading out for breakfast. The weather would be perfect, sunny, warm enough for shorts and a t-shirt. After breakfast, we’d go shopping for a bit, just browsing around and  picking out random little things. 

Then we’d grab my dog Toby and go on a long, peaceful walk. No phones, just us, the sound of nature, and the kind of conversations that feel effortless. Afterward, we’d stop for a little treat maybe a Starbucks drink and just relax. Later, we’d go home and take a cozy nap. 

When we wake up, I’d get dressed up, hair done, a nice dress, and heels and we’d go out for dinner at a cute restaurant. Something simple, but special. After dinner, we’d come back home, change into something comfy, and jump in the pool letting the water cool us off while we wait for the sun to go down and the stars to come out. Just floating, laughing, and watching the sky slowly change.

When the day is finally done, I’d crawl into bed and fall asleep with my window slightly cracked open letting in the night air and the soft sounds of the outside world. 

It’s nice to think about the little moments that make a day feel special. Thanks for taking the time to read through mine.

Sincerely, Stephanie 

little things that gave me joy today

Lately I’ve been finding joy in the really small, simple stuff ,things that help me feel calm and present  when my brain is a little all over the place. Here’s a quick list of a few things that gave me joy today:

• Took my dog on a walk with headphones in

• Did a few pages of my workbook to keep up with my daily goal

• Worked on my diamond painting 

• Colored a few in my coloring book.

• Took some time for my skincare routine

• Had some hibachi 

• Did a load of laundry

  Thanks for reading! Always love having you here

  Sincerely, Stephanie  

soft start to summer

I finished my last test yesterday! School's officially over for now, and knowing I have the summer off is such a nice feeling. Today I didn't do much i’ve been working on this diamond painting canvas (I think that’s what it’s called?) and it’s been a calming way to spend the day. No rush, no deadlines, just me and tiny little gems that somehow turn into a picture.

Wishing you a summer that feels just right, whatever that means for you.

Sincerely, Stephanie 

shopping, slurpees and sweet company

Today was one of those days that felt easy and fun in the best way. My boyfriend came to visit, and we spent the day shopping for his birthday. It was nice getting out together. My boyfriend came to visit, and since his birthday was on the 3rd, we spent some time out shopping for his birthday gifts. We also stopped by 7/11 for Slurpees, which honestly just made the day feel extra fun. While we were out, I picked up a Beetlejuice coloring book (couldn’t resist), and a multi-subject workbook. I’m planning to use it to practice just 30 minutes a day to keep my mind active and ready. It’s small stuff, but I’m weirdly excited about it.

Wishing you little moments of peace and joy, wherever you are.

Sincerely, Stephanie

dreaming about summer

Lately, I’ve been daydreaming about everything I want to do this summer. I want to ride roller coasters while the sun is setting, and then again at night, with the stars above and the wind in my face. I want to stargaze at the beach, with sand between my toes and the sound of waves in the distance. 

I want to sit by a campfire, listening to the crackling wood and the sound of crickets in the background, maybe wrapped in a hoodie that smells like smoke and summer. I want to go on nature walks, swim in rivers, oceans and pools and enjoy fresh cut fruit afterwards. I want to get tan and have those little tan lines that remind me of time spent outside.

I want to fish off a dock in the quiet of the afternoon, and eat sweet popsicles on hot days. I want to watch fireworks light up the sky in July, and feel like I’m soaking in everything summer has to offer. I also want to ride the metro bus and head to D.C ,go to the National Zoo and walk around the animal exhibits, and just enjoy the buzz of summer in D.C. I want to walk around the Washington Monument, stop at a street cart, and eat a hotdog while watching people wander by.

I hope this summer brings you moments that feel just as warm and wonderful.

Sincerely, Stephanie 

what I’ve been watching lately

 Here’s what I’ve been watching recently:

-Mike Judge's Beavis and Butt-Head

 It’s one of those shows that’s just perfect for when you want to zone out and laugh at some random nonsense

-F is for Family 

The way it shows family life is so exaggerated, but at the same time, there’s something real about it. It’s animated, but it feels like a lot of the frustrations of life rolled into one funny, messy show

-Trailer Park Boys 

My go-to for just pure, no filter humor. The characters are wild and the situations they get into are so over the top. It’s ridiculous in the best way. If you’re into shows where things go completely off the rails, this one’s a must watch

It’s nice to have a space to share what I’ve been loving, and I’m glad you’re here reading along. It means a lot to have you here.

Sincerely, Stephanie 

a week of getting things together

This week has been full of little moments of organization and productivity that honestly made me feel really good. On Monday, I came home from school and spent Tuesday getting my life together starting with my whiteboard calendar. It’s such a simple thing, but getting all my tests, exam times, and important dates in order felt like a huge weight lifted. Plus, I made sure to mark my boyfriend’s birthday and my big’s birthday.

I was in the mood to clean too. On Wednesday, I started cleaning out my closet and ended up donating a couple of bags of clothes I no longer needed. It felt really good to let go of things I wasn’t wearing anymore. 

I’ve been studying for my exam all week and I’m starting to feel prepared. It’s crazy how much studying can feel like it’s all coming together after a little focus. After the exam, I finally made it back home, and I got right to work organizing everything. I was able to unpack my clothes, hang up what needed hanging, and put everything away in its proper place. It felt amazing to fix up my room, make it feel more like home.

Now, I’m just taking a deep breath, feeling good about how the week went overall. Even with some hiccups along the way, it’s been a productive, fulfilling few days. Sometimes it’s the little wins that make all the difference.

That’s everything for today. Thanks for stopping by and catching up with me!

Sincerely, Stephanie

things that make the day feel a little better

life’s been kinda busy so i’ve been adding a few small things into my routine to keep things feeling fresh and fun. nothing major just little habits or moments that make me feel good:

going on more walks, especially when the weather’s nice

journaling outside when i can

making time to play with my dog

relearning how to crochet

starting this blog :)

opening the window for fresh air

putting on a real outfit and doing my makeup, even if i’m not going anywhere

cleaning something daily, even if it’s just wiping something down

planning little things to look forward to (even if it’s just watching a movie later)

coloring when i don’t feel like journaling but still wanna zone out

nothing fancy, but it’s been a nice way to feel a little more put together and enjoy the little moments. thanks for stopping by and reading!

Sincerely, Stephanie