Currently Loving | August 2023

Without too much preamble or explanation, here are a few things I'm currently loving from the first half of 2023. Let's get into it!

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Polaroid Cameras

I need to buy one of these polaroid cameras because I just love the film photos that are created! My future sister-in-law has one. She's brought it out over the holidays and just recently for her bachelorette party and every time I see it I mean to invest in one. I love the tiny little albums you could create from them or even being able to put some of the photos in my journal or planner. Not to mention, it's just so aesthetic!

Trouser Based Outfits

Definitely a trend at the moment but I'm loving the shift (slightly) away from denim and embracing this effortless, comfortable style that still makes you look so polished and put-together. To me that's the makings of a perfect outfit.

Getting Back into Journaling

The one habit I'm never that consistent with? Journaling. While I love planning and generally look at my planner every single day, journaling is a different story. I go through periods where I'm obsessed with my journal and then go months and months without writing anything down. Anyone else like me? I'd like to change this and be more consistent as I love the act of journaling, love keeping track of special memories, and absolutely love filling up a notebook. So, I think I've come up with a more structured system to ensure I do so. I've essentially created a journaling checklist for each month that consists of the following:

• Monthly cover page,

• monthly reading and watching list,

• monthly goals + priorities,

• general life update,

• answering 1 journaling prompt,

• art page (to practice my drawings)

• monthly memories + gratefulness

I can obviously journal more than just this list but I find this checklist gives me something to work towards each month and takes the guesswork out of what to write each time I open my journal.

Embracing My Style with a Capsule Wardrobe

It's always been my dream to have a capsule wardrobe and while I've attempted to create one in the past I always found them a bit too restrictive, not realistic, too general, and just never stuck. Until I came across Kristine from @missfernandez__ on Instagram and TikTok. Her system makes so much more sense to me! I love her take on capsule basics that every wardrobe needs then adding additional items that are more related to your specific style and trends. Her closet organization tips as well as her overall style and wardrobe is just goals!

Leaning into a Time of Solitude

I was just talking to a friend about this and we realized that while she's in a "yes" stage of her life and I see a lot of encouragement to be a "yes" person, I'm slowly moving into my "no" phase after a particularly busy and social summer. That's natural, and to be honest, usually happens every summer but I'm so looking forward to the cooler months, the cozy times, and a slightly less stacked social calendar. And as important as it is to say "yes" and push yourself out of your comfort zone, it's an equally important skill to learn to say "no" when you know things no longer serve you or you'd be better off doing something else. My introverted self is about to be very very happy!

Meal Prepping

And the last thing I've been loving and has totally taken the stress of "What's for dinner?" out of my day is meal planning and prepping for the week. I recently picked up the cookbook Prep + Rally by Dini Klein and her method of meal prepping just made a ton of sense to me - to take 1-2 hours on the weekend/Sunday or whenever works for you and prep ingredients (not necessarily full meals) to get ready for the week ahead. My husband and I prefer to cook large dinners to have leftovers for lunches throughout the week and this meal planning method worked so well for us as it focuses on just 4 dinners for the week. It allows for a bit of flexibility to still have a night to order in/go out or try out a new recipe you're craving. Though for the most part your meals are ready to go with minimal work every night of the week.

I want to know, what are you currently doing, loving, reading, and obsessed with? Let me know!

-Emilee