January 2021

 We are nearly halfway through the first month of 2021. Time moves so quickly with the quiet repetition of living through a pandemic.

I have dubbed this new year "Self Care 2021". 2020 felt like the year of scraping by and doing the best I could, but in this new year I want to double back and put my mental and physical health and happiness first. 

Here is an abbreviated collection of things that have made me happy in January.

I had a bit of a stress-induced online shopping spree a week or so ago, so I am slowly receiving packages over the next few weeks. Below are some of my favorite products I have been using this month, or things I am incorporating in my routine. 

• Lighting a scented candle every morning and evening. Perhaps my favorite part of this is the ritual of lighting my candles with matches instead of a lighter. My mom gave me a package of pink matches for Christmas that I am obsessed with. Fun fact, you can bring matches in your carry on!

• My Aerogarden: my dad sent me this cool indoor growing machine when we first locked down. I just now am trying it out and it is so fun to watch plants grow on my windowsill. Currently, I am growing Basil, Thyme, and Mint. Basil is growing the best, and I am so excited to use all of these on roasted veggies!

• In 2021 I am going to make more of an effort to have nicely painted nails, versus the absurdly chipped nails I was sporting during most of the pandemic. Currently I am wearing Essie's "off tropic", a beautiful Hunter Green. Next up I am thinking I may move to a lavender or purple.

• Chapstick and moisturizers are a must in the dry winter months. Currently for my lips I am rotating between classic Chapstick, Glossier Birthday Balm Dot Com, and Glosser Coconut Balm Dot Com. I love the sparkles in the Glossier birthday, it gives a nice subtle shine.

• I am obsessed with Daily Harvest's oat bowls. They are delicious and easy to make, and I love eating a warm snack when the radiators in my apartment are slow to turn on!

I have learned that having great music playing while I work makes me happier and more productive. Below are some of my favorite songs on my January work from home Spotify playlist. One thing I am especially grateful for is that Bieber is back! I hope he keeps the new releases coming.

One Day At A Time : Quinn XCII

TRAP - Rompasso Remix : SAINt JHN, Rompasso

The Bender (with Brando) : Matoma, Brando

Bedroom : Litany

Tattoos Together : Lauv

Worst : Quinn XCII

let me love you : omgkirby

Anyone : Justin Bieber

you were good to me : Jeremy Zucker, Chelsea Cutler

Cool Again : Shoffy

Don't Want You Back : Bakermat, Kiesza

if we never met - remix : John K, Sigala

drivers license : Olivia Rodrigo

Runaway : Ziggy Alberts

Slow Dance : AJ Mitchell, Ava Max

shut up : Greyson Chance

Come Around Me : Justin Bieber

Bulletproof : Griffin Oskar

Lonely (with benny blanco) : Justin Bieber, benny blanco

Come First : Terror Jr

I hope you have a fantastic January and Self-Care 2021!

-Kelsey

... Four Years Later

Well, hello...

I just checked on my blog for the first time in years because my mom asked me if I was familiar with Blogspot. Her simple question prompted a bittersweet tide of teenage memories. I remember refreshing my favorite blog every morning for school to see if the blogger had posted any update on her life overnight. I remember the joy that came from seeing comments under my rambling blog entries. As I scroll through my posts, it takes me back to a different time in my life. 

It is bizarre to me that I posted my last blog post was over four years ago. In June 2016, I had just returned home for the summer after my first year of college. I was starting to miss my new "college friends". We had gone from being connected at the hip to sending sporadic texts about the hometowns I had not yet visited. I was about to start a summer job at a local cafe, and I was aching from the recent death of my grandfather. 

Now, in June 2020, I am sitting in my childhood bedroom. I have been working from home for the last 89 days due to the unrelenting Coronavirus pandemic. I graduated college just over a year ago, but it still feels fresh. I work in the fashion industry in New York, and I am still paying for my Manhattan apartment as I remain at home, sheltering in place and glued to cable news. Gardening, walking our beloved family dog, watching TikTok videos have been the mainstays of my time at home. Other hobbies have come and gone: baking bread, writing my friends letters, making friendship bracelets. 

Were there early signs that 2020 would be a year of heartbreak? I thought it would be "my best year yet"... Early in the year, Kobe Bryant's sudden death rattled the nation. It seems like a lifetime ago. Now over 100,000 Americans have lost their lives to the killer virus, and our nation is heartbroken over the senseless violence towards Black Americans. 

The world is changing. Four years ago, I could not have guessed I would be back living at home. Maybe four years from now I will remember to write another blog post...

Ciao,

the styles of summer

Back from college + at it again. Here comes my summer style guide--which by no means is everything you will need for the summer. But it consists of the best available items to supplement and flavor your summer. I promise you that you'll find something that you like.

I have been looking everywhere for the right back one piece. I've wanted something more than a plain, could-it-be-a-swimteam-suit black one piece. I've wanted more... material than some offer. I think I've found IT with this Mara Hoffman piece. 

I am always more willing to buy American flag items in the summer. I found this cute selection all from Tuckernuck, online. The pillow might just be my summer crush...

I wish I could be more of a clutch person, and these two cue Kayu clutches might convert me. I'm just so forgetful, anything in my hand soon disappears. Luckily these are bright and eye-catching.

Roberta Roller Rabbit practically specializes in all things beach. I trust my beauty-life to her. Therefore, RRR beach tote. My beach tote must haves? Baseball hat, water bottle, apple sauce squeeze-pack, SPF 30 rub-on sunscreen, and my favorite long sleeve light coverup. 

I have been on the hunt for some unique frames that won't break the bank. All just under $130, these  finds from Westward Leaning are the winners.

Honestly, I don't consider myself a real seersucker dress kind of girl. I normally stick to solid blacks and blues for my sheaths, and stay away from anything too preppy. But the tie-front dress (and romper) is the hit of the summer, and in seersucker this style just pops. Really too cute.

I LOVE ESPADRILLES. Platform espadrilles? Don't even get me started. I'm semi-cautious due to my height to purchase, but these Soludos are already in my online basket. Call me a woman obsessed.

Happy happy summer. Let's make it KILLER.

Dress Like You're Already Famous

The Oscars are rapidly approaching, and all the talk about the nominees has me daydreaming about what I would wear, with an unlimited budget and access to every collection, EVER. Below I've collected some of my favorite dresses ever released, from this season and several seasons prior. Beautiful dresses never go out of style. I doubt I'll ever make it to the Oscars, but any ball with a full blown jazz band and champagne will do. The day shall come, and I need to be prepared. Never say never, #amirightladies?!

both: Atelier Versace Spring 2016 Couture

left: Elie Saab Spring 2014 RTW right: Versace Spring 2015 RTW

left: Elie Saab Spring 2012 Couture right: Elie Saab Spring 2012 RTW

left: Elie Saab Spring 2014 RTW right: Elie Saab Spring 2013 Couture

left: Chanel Spring 2016 Couture right: Zuhair Murad Spring 2016 Couture

both: Giambattista Vali Spring 2016 Couture

left: Alexandre Vauthier Spring 2016 Couture  right: Giambattista Vali Spring 2016 Couture

College

I'm in college. It's now definitely part of my identity. It's weird. It's so weird. I'm currently home, my last day off before I resume classes, and I'm procrastinating (as always) on a term paper I have due in just a few hours. But the weird part is... I keep accidentally saying I'm going "home" when I talk about heading back to school. School is my new home. That tiny dorm room, backed to the brim with stuff, is my home. And my friends, my roommate... we make up our own little at-school-family. 

(my bedding's from robertarollerrabbit) // RIP TO MY TAN & my clean room

School is hard. It's hard having to be an adult. Doing my own laundry: surprisingly really not that hard. But there're so many little things that I have to think about when I'm living away from my parents that I didn't have to think about while I was always living at home. But I love it. I honestly do. I've had so many great days. I've met so many great people: and it's just November. I cannot wait until I am in a sorority (in just a few weeks, really!) and getting closer with some people who I don't even know right now. I'm so excited to feel more settled next semester... and hopefully my annoying bout of mono will be gone by then too. Because yeah, I'm a basic college student and contracted mono within the first few months of school.

But yeah, anyways. I love it. And over Christmas, I'll talk about it a bit more.

XX.

Nantucket Summer 2015

I'm back from ACK!

My family spent a great two weeks on one of my favorite places in earth: Nantucket, Massachusetts. While on island, we ate at some of my favorite restaurants (see an old post about them here), shopped, went to a concert, and hit the beaches.

For the first time ever, we some of our family friends joined us. It was fun to show them around the island that my family loves so much.

It's going to be weird that in a few weeks I will no longer be living at home with these goons!

Now, with only 17 days left at home, I'm busy working, hanging out with my friends before we leave for school, and preparing for my dorm! Cannot believe my last summer before college is almost over. Pretty unreal.

X,

Simple Banana Acai Bowl Recipe

During the winter, I eat a bowl of soup everyday. During the summertime, I love smoothies, but they don't always fill me up. My in-between of these two is an acai bowl, which is basically an acai based smoothie topped with fresh fruit and granola. Widely dubbed as a super fruit, the Mayo Clinic has stated that the berries contain antioxidants, heart-healthy fats, and fiber. However, the superpowers of this fruit are not scientifically proven. However, I love the depth that this fruit brings to my lunch. Here's one of the easiest acai bowl recipes that I have created: the Simple Banana Acai Bowl.

For the acai smoothie base of the bowl, you will need:

• one banana
• a half cup of Sambazon Acai juice
• 8 frozen strawberries
• a half cup of frozen mango
• a quarter cup of frozen raspberries

I prefer some frozen fruits to fresh when making smoothies, especially for fruits like raspberries that will quickly mold in the refrigerator. They also help keep the smoothie base cold without using ice. If you have plenty of fresh fruit on hand, go ahead and use it! But add a half cup of ice. 

The first thing you should put into your blender is the banana. I break it up into around 1 inch pieces with my hands. 

After the banana, I add the acai juice. 

Then throw your frozen fruits on top.

Go ahead and start blending the smoothie base. It might take a few minutes, depending on the grade of your blender. I use a Magic Bullet. While you are waiting for the smoothie to blend, go ahead and start preparing your toppings. My family goes through fresh fruit really quickly, so the only fresh fruits we had were bananas. Depending on what's available, I also like to use pineapple, strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, or mango. Really it's all about preference and availability. 

As you can see above, I like to dice my banana pieces pretty small. 

Once the smoothie base is gone, go ahead and put it into a bowl.

Then add your favorite toppings! I love using a ton of granola in my bowls. My favorite is KIND Maple Quinoa Clusters with Chia Seeds. It tastes amazing, and not too strong (unlike some other maple-flavored granolas I own!)

And there you have it! A great, healthy meal that tastes like heaven, and is basically fruit soup. Enjoy!

X.

Venturing Out

"Let's not travel to tick things off lists or collect half-hearted semi-treasures to be places in dusty drawers in empty rooms. Rather, we'll travel to find grounds and rooftops and tiny hidden parks, where we'll sit and dismiss the passing time, spun in the city's web 'til we've surrendered, content to be spent and consumed. I need to feel a place while I'm in it."

-Victoria Erikson

Yesterday my friend and I decided to go biking in one of our nearby state parks. 

 I loved just being outside and being active. It was a great way to get rid of stress and de-connect from all the technology and problems that might be constantly on your mind. 

Later in the day my friends and I went to a screening of a documentary called "The Search for Freedom." It was all about different action sports and what the professionals of that sport get from their experience doing what they love. It covered everything from base jumping to surfing to mountain biking. It was interesting seeing people do crazy things on bikes after my day doing a much less dangerous version of the activity. If it's playing in a theater near you it might be an interesting thing to watch. The quality of the footage was insanely good.

X.

the times they are a changin'

It's done. The diploma now sits on my mantle. It's done. And honestly it's freakishly weird and hasn't quite hit me yet. I think it'll slowly wash over me, or maybe it'll hit me like a thunderbolt and tears will fall uncontrollably. I'm not sure. 

The last day of school was weird. Being that close to everyone, the small class of 2015, in our tiny little senior locker area. The music was blasting. It's all surreal that its done. But as soon as the final bell rang, we were gone. I didn't sleep in my own bed for at least a week. I floated around, not ready to come home. I lived out of my LL Bean tote bag, slept on couches, on shared beds, on back-breaking floors. I became a beach bum. I found out that I really cannot bowl. I danced and danced and danced at the best concert I've been to. I reconnected with my favorite people. I've started and quit my internship. I've just begun to apply to new opportunities. I've turned my winter blues into a summer bliss.

Can't wait for what's coming next.

X.

THE END

I've spent twelve years at my school, which here I'll lovingly call simply "Academy." Now, my time is done. It's surreal to me that I have spent the majority of my life attending this institution. But it absolutely baffles me that I will never hear another senior speech; that I'll never play another intense rival game out on the varsity field; that I won't ever have another class. All of it.

My school is one of my favorite places in the world. We have a similar relationship as I do with my younger brother. I can insult it all I want--and trust me, I have--but anyone but an alum better not speak a word of contempt. I hold this place dear to my heart. The teachers who have supported me... oh my goodness. I cannot thank them enough.

 I would not be the person I am today if I hadn't gone to Academy, not even close. This school set me on a path, at the young age of 6, that has made me morally strong, enriched me to be academically curious, and pounded into me the highest level of respect.

_______________________

Things I've learned from high school:

Be nice: The simplest advice; the hardest advice; the advice that I need to remember for the rest of my life.

It's not easy (for good reason): It's not supposed to be easy. And trust me, it won't be. You will spend hours working on projects into the dark of night. You'll cry with anguish when someone you despise gets everything you've ever wanted. (It'll happen) Work hard and push yourself. If it was easy you would never learn anything, not about yourself or anything else.

You don't have to stay the same person you've always been: ... and you won't. Explore all of your interests, and recognize when something is no longer important to you. It's not a bad thing if your friends change because of it. It'll make you stronger, it'll make you you. 

It doesn't define you: High school is important; it's an important stage of growth. But high school will not define your future. Don't sweat the things that don't matter, because in the future they won't. You will always be changing and there is so much more to come. Revel in that. 

_______________________

A current college sophomore who went to my high school, inspired me to write this post on the end of high school. On her similar post, she featured this quote: 

"You get a strange feeling when you are about to leave a place. Like you'll not only miss the people you love, but you'll miss the person you are now, at this time and place, because you'll never be this way ever again." -Azar Nafisi, from her book Reading Lolita in Tehran

I'm scared for college. I'm scared to leave my comfort zone. I'm scared to see how college will change my relationship with my friends. But, I'm also excited. I'm ready to move on, because my school has ensured that. They've been preparing me to leave since I walked in the doors. Now, it's time to go.

Winter Paddleboarding

Yes, it's only two days after Christmas, meaning it should be freezing outside. 

And yes, I went paddle boarding today. 

The weather the past few days has felt a lot more like the fall than the winter. So, today I took advantage of the comfortable temperature and finally got back on my paddleboard. Hopefully the weather will continue to be moderate within the next few days so I can paddle out again

The water was freezing, but it was so nice to be back on the water doing something I love (and normally only get to do a few months of the year). This year my goal is to enter some competitions, because I want to take this hobby to a slightly higher level. 

My parents made me bring along a lifejacket, even though I never bring one, because I am so comfortable both on the board and in the water. I understand their worries, but thankfully it was not used. 

Merry Christmas, and Happy (almost) 2015.

X.