Friday's Simply Smitten

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“Grow beautiful feelings in your heart’s garden”

-Alexandra Vasiliu

Happy Friday and happy Martin Luther King Jr. day! It’s been a cozy week here in New York. I do not mind the coziness, the rain, the gloom. It’s relaxing. It brings a sense of calm and serenity. It’s nice to have this tranquility every once in a while.

I’ve spent most of my week working, reading or listening to Spare on audiobooks. I caved and bought Prince Harry’s book. I much prefer to listen to autobiographies and memoirs on audiobooks because the individual narrates themselves. I find that it holds more emotion, more value within the words written.. or spoken. I was on the fence on whether or not I was going to read Spare. While I do lean more towards Harry and Meghan need to stop this crusade against his family. And there has been proven lies amongst the couple. Still, I wanted to know Harry’s thoughts and experiences growing up. I am a Royal enthusiast after all. The rest, however, I am going to take with a grain of salt. But for now, when he is currently at Eton, I will enjoy hearing about his life as a Royal.

I do believe multiple things can be true at once: Prince Harry, Prince William, and King Charles are all at fault here. Yet none are willing to take accountability for their actions or words. And you do not air out your family’s drama for money. I also fully support Harry’s mission to take down? Change? Hold accountable? The British media. I am not quite sure what he wants to accomplish with all of this. Time will tell I guess. So far I am enjoying the book – kudos to his ghost writer because it is beautifully written. I very much enjoy the details describing the castles and their many travels. His emotions and thoughts during Princess Diana’s tragic death. It made me cry listening to him struggle to grasp that she is really gone. For now, I am enjoying Harry’s book. We will see if this changes once he exits the Institution.

Tuesday I went to my first DanceBody class of 2023! We are learning new dances– Q1 dances– that we will be doing for the next 3 months. I have to admit I find these dances to be a bit more challenging than the past ones. Maybe I always think this way each quarter and then quickly forget about the struggle once I familiarize myself with the movements. Usually I can pick up a few movements here and there within each dance, but there was at least 2 dances I couldn’t grasp the movement quick enough. Thank goodness for DanceBody online because I will be doing the breakdown videos to learn the dances. I will say there is at least 2 dances that I did pick up quickly, so maybe I am not at a total loss. Just have to practice the ones I struggled with at home!

The rest of my week was mostly filled with work stuff. I attended a webinar with LTK (formally known as RewardStyle) on how to construct our content calendars for the year. Most influencers have a content calendar where they organize what days to post xyz. It helps a lot when you are dealing with multiple sales, collaborations, and personal content creations.

What I am watching: I finished part 1 of season 2 of Firefly Lane. I loved it! I have not read the book, so am really on the edge to find out what happens next. I think the show is underrated. It does a great job capturing friendship throughout the years of adolescence, in your 20’s, and when you are older. I love each flash back they have and I love each character. I am eagerly excited for part 2!

I have been slowly watching season 3 of Jack Ryan. I have to admit I am not as into this season as I was the past 2. I don’t know what it is about this season that makes it hard for me to get into. And since I am not that into it I am lost in what is happening, but I am too deep into the season to start over and figure it out. So instead I just stick with it feeling lost. Luckily my dad also watches and he gives me a run-down of what is happening. All I know is that Russia is trying to expand the Soviet Union and Jack Ryan is wanted by the CIA for going rouge. I do understand more than this, but do not want to spoil anything.

What I bought: On a whim I bought this wool wrap coat. I didn’t need a new coat, I just thought the green coloring was chic. Next thing I bought was a new book. I am listening to Spare on audiobooks, but I also bought Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren– paperback. I am LOVING the book so far! I can’t put it down!

Another item that I didn’t buy but was sent to me by my mother are my old tap shoes from Capezio. One of my new year’s resolutions is to take tap classes again. The last time I took a tap class was college, with maybe one or two classes that my mom takes weekly in Columbus. I have been looking at the schedule at Broadway Dance Center to see what works for me. I think I am going to start with advance beginners or intermediate to see where my current skill level is. The last time I took tap I was probably at advance level, but it’s been a little over 15 years since and I do not want to fool myself into thinking I can do it. I need a refresher course first. I am so excited to start taking classes!

On The Blog

Sunday Shopping

What Books I Read This Past Fall Part 1

The Best High-Rise Leggings

LTK Spotlight: Must-have items from the Shopbop sale

This weekend I have nothing planned but to continue to enjoy my two books. I wasn’t lying on my Instagram post when I said my weekend plans consist of a glass of champagne and a good book, ha! I have been dying to go to the Book Club Bar in East Village, maybe I will do so this weekend. Other than that the weekend is open for me to explore.

Have a wonderful weekend xo

1. Excited to see this movie!

2. A cute dress for Valentine’s Day

3. A pretty color scarf

4. A classic stripe cardigan

5. The history of Après Ski fashion

6. Have been enjoying reading through W Magazine’s best performance portfolio interviews

7. Excited for this Netflix docuseries about tennis

8. Books to read based on your favorite Taylor Swift era

9. The coziest winter weekend getaways from NYC

10. Mary just gave the best turtleneck hack

Sales Happening This Weekend