February: In review
Exchanging vows, sitting with burnout, and springtime barbecuing
February is always special around here because my partner and I celebrate our anniversary on first day of the month. This year, we tied the knot on the same day, marking eight years together and kicking off a new chapter of our lives. We had a small, intimate outdoor ceremony with Honey, our parents, the officiant, and a photographer. Oh yea, it was also 33° and on the tail-end of an ice storm in Central Texas. Absolutely freezing and almost didn’t happen because of the weather, but it was oh-so memorable and a day that we’ll cherish forever.
After that, I kind of burnt out. My planners sat on my desk unopened until last week. I haven’t been posting much on Instagram, and YouTube has hardly entered my field of vision. But even in that state of mind, I’ve been drawing more and reading so many great books. I’ve spent more quality time with my partner, and I’ve had more room and time to just think and hold space for myself. It’s been nice. I’m glad that I took it easy this month because we’re approaching the three-month mark until our reception and things are going to start moving even quicker! But before I get ahead of myself, let’s review the last month.
Yeti Rambler Lowball (Yeti) - My husband’s boss gave us some Yeti things as a company holiday gift last year and these cups were included. I don’t care too much about who manufactures stainless steel drinking vessels, but I finally understand the hype around Yetis purely because they’re dishwasher safe. Seriously, say no more.
Hill House Ellie Nap Dress (Hill House) - These took the internet by storm a few years ago and per usual, I hopped on the trend well after the fact. I have a lot of sensory sensitivities (read: repulsions) regarding clothing, and this dress is literally the only dress that I want to wear for the rest of my life. Super comfy, zero scratchiness, and - are you ready for this? - doesn’t require a bra. Heck, I love it so much that wore it as my wedding dress earlier this month.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream (Sephora) - I have dry, eczema-prone, reptilian skin and this lotion is my holy grail, especially during the colder months.
Laneige Lip Glowy Balm (Sephora) - One thing I know for sure? Laneige knows how to lock in moisture. I love the Lip Sleeping Mask for my nighttime routine, but this lip balm is my go-to during the day when I need a lil’ moisture. I have the grapefruit-scented version and it smells devine.
Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label Champagne (Veuve Clicquot) - We popped open a bottle of this for the first time after our wedding ceremony, and nothing would’ve tasted quite as good as this bougie champagne as we huddled together under the heaters. Seriously, it’s so smooth that it made the sound of ice pelting the metal roof above us just fade away. It’s $60 a pop (*ba-dum-chish*) for a reason, but so, so worth it. Needless to say, we got another bottle for Valentine’s Day.
Note: This list isn’t a comprehensive list, so check out my Goodreads or StoryGraph pages for more books!
Like I said earlier, I haven’t been doing much planning this month. I never try to force it but when I’m itchin’ to get back into it, I know. I could feel the wheels start trying to fly off last Monday, so I grabbed the simplest option, flipped to the notes pages in the back, and started making my daily lists. It’s exactly what I need right now, and I love how it’s serving me. As planners and stationery lovers, we know how easy it is to add a shiny, new planner to the mix or use a complex system that makes sense but isn’t always sustainable (and that’s okay!). Our days and seasons of life are unpredictable so our needs and systems have to shift and evolve around them. We’ve heard it many times in many ways, but give yourself that flexibility. To quote Ron Swanson, you have a permit to do (and use) whatever you want. The back of a receipt, your favorite notepad, or a planner - it all works.
We got married! Yay!
…and now we’re preparing for our reception in June. Lots and lots of boxes have been arriving on our doorstep, and we’re kind of freaking out with just how quickly time is moving. It’s exciting but also a bit nerve-wracking, which is why I’ve had to really prioritize slowing down and taking it easy.
After an icy start to the month and a couple more cold snaps, spring has sprung in South Central Texas. Bluebonnets are poppin’ up and my native perennials have been sprouting leaves from the roots. I love spring.
My in-laws gifted us a Yoder smoker, which is a competition-grade pellet smoker. To give you an idea of the size and weight of this thing, it was delivered on two pallets by a semi-truck. I don’t do much barbecuing but my husband loves it and I love everything that comes off of the grill or smoker. We’ve already smoked a couple turkey breasts and two racks of pork ribs, and it was all so tasty and tender.
My family said goodbye to another furry family member, Gracie. She lived a long, happy 13 years filled with lots of swims, snackin’ on all of the fruit and veggies, and being one of the best companions for my sister and brother-in-law. We all miss her tremendously.
Since it’s been a bit warmer, my husband and I have been hanging out at some of our favorite spots around town, grabbing a beer and some food, and enjoying live music. Did I mention that I love spring?
After following the brand and one of it's creators, Charlotte Palermino, for a year or so, I’m finally trying out some skincare products by Dieux. Review to come once I’ve used them for a few months!
This space on Substack has been such a wonderful creative release and personal project. I look forward to brainstorming and outlining posts, writing, and making all of my lil’ doodles each and every day. So grateful that y’all’re here.
Das ist alles! I’ve got a handful of posts ready to go for the upcoming weeks and I’ll also be back to wrap up March (how is it already March?) soon, so feel free to subscribe if you’d like to have those drop in your inbox. Thanks so much for reading, y’all.
‘Til next time,
Aaah congrats! Being married is the best 🥰 I’m glad you’re prioritizing simplicity and rest in this busy season!