Breakfast Routine

Everyone I’ve ever admired always tells me that “breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” But you know what? I actually hate breakfast. I don’t know if it’s because I went through a phase where I was allergic to eggs, and, before I found out, I would always walk away from breakfast with the most gnarly stomach ache. Or maybe it’s because I always eat super huge dinners and I’m just not hungry when breakfast rolls around. Whatever the reason, I’ve never been able to eat a big breakfast. So, if you’re like me, I wanted to share with you the most amazing breakfast plan I’ve discovered. It’s not even really a plan, and who knows if it’s actually nutritionist-approved, but here’s y daily breakfast routine.

I drink 1 8oz. glass of water and eat a grapefruit and a banana. If I’m feeling particularly hungry that day I’ll eat the banana in slices with peanut butter on top of each slice.

That’s it. Why am I writing this? Honestly, I’m not sure. But you’re reading it so we’ll just take it for what it is.

I wish I was the kind of person that ate eggs or smoothies or anything else besides fruit in the morning but I just can’t stomach it super early before work.

Oh, also, I used to be the kind of person that hated grapefruit. I thought it was too sour and bitter and bleh, but I started eating them with honey drizzled on top and now I like it plain ole plain ole.

Thanks for reading!
xo
chloe

everything is a contradiction

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I’m not sure if you ever watched it, but if you haven’t, you HAVE to watch the Handmaids Tale on Hulu. It’s one of those shows that you can’t stop watching once you start. Every episode ends and you feel like you’re addicted to seeing what happens next. It’s not a light hearted show at all, but it’s one of those shows that makes you wonder and think how far fetched the ideas really are. Kind of like Black Mirror in a way (another must watch series).

That being said, my brother and I binged Handmaids Tale months ago and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. I mentioned how I wanted to read the book that the show is based on at a family dinner and my cousin was like, “omg I have the book upstairs, I’ll grab it for you right now.” It was that serendipidous.

I started reading the book yesterday and it’s obviously as good as the show, if not better. Part of me wishes that I read the book first, but, unfortunately, I haven’t learned how to go back in time yet..

But, while I was reading yesterday, there was a section of the book that made me stop and think for a second. The main character was describing how much she missed making choices and decisions for herself. She missed her old life where she was able think, act, and decide literally anything for herself. But then a few pages later, when faced with a decision to make, she felt overwhelmed.

And then I started over thinking. Per usual.

Do we all contradict ourselves?

I don’t mean this in a negative or pessimistic way, but do we all change our minds and opinions so fluidly that we don’t even really have opinions? Ok, yeah, that sounds negative. But in a positive light, maybe we are always learning and always shifting our view so we can understand and see all perspectives?

Or maybe we just never really know what we want, but we warp the past to make it seem like it’s what we long for even if we’re really wishing for something else — maybe even the future even though we don’t know what it holds yet.

And you know what? It’s ok.

Life is all about fluidity and changing our minds and learning from the past and hoping for the future and sometimes hoping for the past. Is that possible? To hope for the past? Maybe even sometimes we hope for the past and when it presents itself again we disregard it and mistake it for something it' no longer is.

Now I’m just rambling, but long story short, watch and/or read The Handmaids Tale

24 Things From 24 Years

I’m turning 25 in two months and it’s a weird feeling. I’m IN my 20’s. When I was younger I always felt like 25 sounded so, well, old. I always thought that you’re supposed to have your life together when you’re 25, but that couldn’t be the furthest thing from the truth. When you’re 24 and 25 you’re just starting to figure things out, learning who you are and who you want to be, and just learning what it’s like to have a real sliver of independence. I figured it would be fun to share 24 things I’ve learned about life in the past 24 years I’ve lived. I’m sure I’ll look back in a few years and not even agree with these things myself, but that’s how life works, right?

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Here we go:

1. Growing up is all in your head. We’ve all heard “age is just a number,” but it truly is. You can still have fun and be an adult, and you can be a grumpy kid. It’s all a mindset, so I’m trying to train my brain to stay forever young.

2. Everything happens for a reason, whether you know the reason right away or not.

3. It’ll all work out how it’s supposed to. Sometimes I freak myself out over making the right decision or not, but usually, most of the time, things work out exactly how they’re supposed to.

4. Manifestation works. Every. Single Time.

5. My mom is always right. It drives me crazy to even admit this, but she’s so right every time that it’s annoying.

6. When you’re not looking for a boyfriend or a boy in your life is exactly when one will find you.

7. Reading is a better pastime than anything else. Read more, read more, read more.

8. Sometimes it’s ok to say “no” to going out and instead take a night in for yourself. You’re not going to miss anything that monumental, and, believe it or not, not having a hangover in the morning feels amazing.

9. Don’t skip the workout. Even if you just workout for 15 minutes, do it. You’ll feel better mentally and physically. Just do it!

10. Don’t pick your relationship over your friends, especially in college.

11. Take time for yourself to just do nothing, being busy all the time isn’t a personality trait.

12. Don’t rush into post-grad life. I feel like I could do a whole pot on this alone, but I wish I spent my time after graduation enjoying the time I had instead of rushing into a job and putting pressure on myself to be employed.

13. Ask and you shall receive. Sometimes it’s ok to ask for help or for a favor. It’s ok to not be able to do it all, all the time.

14. Keep a consistent journal. It’s so nice to be able to look back and remember exactly how things happened and remember your true feelings about certain situations.

15. Keeping in touch with friends and family is absolutely necessary. Call, text, anything, just reach out!

16. You don’t need to post every second of your life on Instagram. Chill out with posting and live more in the moment.

17. Listen to people. Stop thinking about the next thing you’re going to say and just sit and listen. Sometimes people just need to be heard and have a shoulder to lean on. Be that shoulder.

18. Don’t let the little things affect your entire world. Take a deep breath and move the heck on.

19. Short hair looks the best on you, even though you hate it when you cut it.

20. Rent the Runway is your best friend.

21. Dirty Martinis with blue cheese olives are the way to go.

22. Your career, and your career path are a fluid road. Nothing is going to just be the same old same old and that’s good!

23. Eating healthy is worth it both for your body and your mind. That being said, it’s not worth it to beat yourself up over an ice cream cone or one night of deep friend goodness.

24. Life is a rollercoaster, so just buckle in and enjoy the ride. Cheesy, I’m aware, but it’s so true.

Thanks for reading!
xo
Chloe

Home

I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned it here before or not, but I live with my grandfather in Alabama. Did I ever think I’d be almost 25 and living with my grandpa? Absolutely not. If you asked me last year if I’d still be living with him I’d say, “no way!” Not that I don’t love it, I really do, it’s been such a special experience and one that I know I will look back on when I’m older and treasure.

Of course, there are days that I look forward to the moment I will have my own space that I can decorate and truly be mine. Everyone has been talking about Nancy Meyers and her truly extraordinary taste, and I’m no different. When it comes to thinking about my own home I want to channel a neutral Nancy Myers blended with the French countryside. Impossible? Probably. Honestly, I don’t know how to describe what I picture for my future space, but I know when a photograph catches my eye and I think, “YES! That’s what I want and need and must have and ugh!”

I figured I’d share a few of those “YES!” images with you and hopefully one day I can share my own space and it’ll channel all the pictures below into my own little bubble of an interior design world. Manifesting!

All images can be found on either my Pinterest or Tumblr!

Thanks for reading!
xo
Chloe

Camera Roll Dump

I used to play this game with my co-worker where we’d have to scroll through our camera roll and when the other person says “stop,” we’d have to stop, open the photo our finger landed on, and explain the story behind the photo. It was dangerous, but also so fun tp get to know each other better and share some stories and laughs.

While I can’t play with you, since you could be literally anywhere, I decided I’d share some unpublished photos from my camera roll as of lately and share the stories behind them. Enjoy!

I was playing around with my DSLR app on my phone and captured this self-portrait. Sounds better than “selfie,” but that’s ultimately what it is.

My boyfriend lives in New Orleans and we ventured out to an açaí bowl restaurant (my idea, obviously) and as we were sitting outside enjoying our food, I glanced across the street and noticed Ashley Longshore’s studio. My mom and I are obsessed with all things Ashley Longshore so I ran across the street to get a peek inside the window. The entire place was as bright and bold and beautiful as I’d always imagined. My mom has one piece of her art, but definitely wants another, can you blame her? So good.

I still live with my grandpa and we go out to eat for almost every meal. Brick and Tin in Birmingham is one of our restaurants in heavy rotation. I almost always order the same thing, but look how good it is! So fresh and so so filling. If you live in Birmingham I highly recommend this place. Can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.

In the theme of food, my boyfriend and I went to this place called Bacchanal in New Orleans recently and it was so much fun. Super backyard vibes with string lights and mismatched tables and chairs, but high-quality wines and cheeses. People were dressed up but the vibe was casual if that makes sense. Definitely put this on your list if you’re visiting NOLA any time soon. It also felt COVID safe since everything is outside and they’re very strict with their COVID policies (ie one way in one way out kinda deal).

Last, but not least I got my hair cut pretty recently. I didn’t think I ever wanted short hair again, but here we are. I’m not going to lie though, I actually really love this cut. I was hesitant about it at first because when I initially asked my hair dresser to cut my hair I was adamant that I didn’t want it shorter than my collar bones. But, as you can see, it’s shorter. It’s growing on my literally and physically and I’m convinced I’m just not supposed to have long hair. I’m ok with it though!

Thanks for reading!
xo
chloe

Loving Lately

So what’s new? Not a whole heck of a lot. I’ve been working a lot. A lot a lot. I’ve been going to New Orleans to visit my boyfriend. I’ve been reading a lot. Walking my dog a lot. Just doin’ 2020 the best way I can. You know the feeling, I’m sure. Just kind of getting through it the best we can. Not that I’m wishing time away, but I do kind of feel like I’ve been thinking more about the future than the present this year. 

Anyways, here are a few things I’ve been loving as of late. I hope you can find a few new treasures yourself or maybe we share a few favorites! 

READING: 

Like I said above, I’ve been reading a lot lately. I feel like it’s the best way to just tune out and enjoy a new little world for a while. I read The Vanishing Half a little while ago and it’s one of those books that just sticks with you. It was interesting and eye-opening and a page-turner. One of those “can’t put it down” kind of books that I’m ALWAYS searching for. I highly recommend it. 5/5 stars. 

WATCHING: 

I’ve been watching Selling Sunset on Netflix at night as a mindless way to unwind after work. The episodes are only 30ish minutes which I so appreciate. Definitely a good show. I’ve been seeing Emily in Paris trending everywhere so I think I’m going to give that a watch soon when I finish Selling Sunset. Oh, also, I started watching Lil Dicky’s show recently and it’s hilarious. Crude. But hilarious. 

LISTENING: 

Listen up. I have never been a Taylor Swift lover. Ever. She always annoyed me, I felt like she was always the victim of every scenario. I don’t know, I just never loved her. But you guys, I’ve been carpooling to work with my coworkers and they all love her music so I’ve been forced to listen to it. I’m not going to say I’m a full convert, but I’ve definitely stopped switching the radio station when she comes on. Baby steps. 

WEARING: 

I have a lot of summer clothes and a lot of winter clothes, but I struggle with the in-between seasons. I have a black-tie wedding that I’m attending in October that I knew I was going to rent a dress from Rent the Runway for, and as I was scrolling the website I remembered the Unlimited package that they have. So, like any normal twenty-something gal, I bought the package. I can’t stop raving about how amazing it is to anyone that’ll listen. I seriously loved all four of my past items. I got this shirt, this shirt, this jumpsuit, and this jacket. Highly recommend. Y’all, if you had to rent just one thing, the jumpsuit is to die for. Tempted to buy it. So good.

EATING: 

While I can never stop eating, well, ever, fall and winter are the two seasons that scream comfort food the most. Something about oversized sweaters and elastic waistbands that just make it a liiiiitle easier to cheat the diet. Anyways, Trader Joe’s always kills it in my opinion but I just tried the Coconut Cold brew in a can and it’s to die for. So good. So easy. So much caffeine. Definitely easy for work or school! 

That’s all for now! Thanks for reading!

xox
chloe