Samhain traditionally fell on October 31st through November 1st and was often seen as the Celtic New Year as it was the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the darker half of the year. Communities would gather to prepare for winter, celebrate the abundance of the harvest, and honor the cycle of life and death. Food offerings were left for ancestors and spirits, fires were lit to ward off darkness, and rituals were carried out to mark the transition of the seasons. The veil between the physical world and the spirit world was believed to thin, making a liminal time where spirits could return to Earth.

That’s what I love about this time of year. It’s a time to slow down, reflect, and connect. It’s a season that asks us to honor those who came before, let go of what we no longer need, and make space for what’s ahead as autumn deepens into winter.

In my own home, I prefer to keep things simple. I add in bits of seasonal decor and create cozy nooks . If you’re looking to create your own traditions this season, here are some ideas to get you started.

Samhain Ritual Ideas

01. Create an Ancestral Altar

Gather photos, heirlooms, or objects that remind you of loved ones and arrange them in a small, dedicated space. This can be a shelf, a table, or even a corner of a room. In my home office, I had a gallery wall filled with all the photos I’ve collected throughout my genealogical journey. Although the space is currently undergoing a bit of a facelift, I plan to add in picture shelves so that I can more easily swap out photos as their stories call to me.

02. Light a Candle for Your Ancestors

While you can certainly include a candle or two in your altar, you can also pause before you light any candle in your space. Each time you light it, take a moment and reflect on the presence of those who came before you.

03. Prepare a Seasonal Feast

What better way than to celebrate the harvest than a feast filled with apples, squash, root vegetables, or other seasonal ingredients? Dedicate a plate or a slice of bread to your ancestors. You can also invite family or friends over and ask them to share a story about a loved one who has passed.

04. Brew a Seasonal Drink

Enjoy your favorite autumnal drink whether that’s a PSL, a cup of spiced cider, chai, or herbal tea.

05. Practice Divination

Use tarot, oracle cards, runes, or simply sit in meditation to seek guidance for the months ahead.

06. Journal

Reflect on the past year: what you’ve accomplished, what you’re ready to release, and what you want to carry forward. Try prompts like “What am I letting go of?” or “What do I want to plan for the months ahead?” I like to pair divination tools like tarot to help guide my journaling process.

07. Clean Your Home

Sweep, tidy, declutter, or rearrange your space. You can even include protection rituals like sprinkling salt or cinnamon in your entryway, hanging dried herbs, or wafting herbal smoke like sage to clear the air and bring fresh energy in your home.

08. Decorate with Intention

This is the perfect time to swap out lighter linens with warm wools. Lean into using natural textures, cozy fabrics, or seasonal colors to reflect the changing energy of the year.

09. Carve Pumpkins

Carving pumpkins is a fun way to tap into your inner child, especially if you choose real ones over craft ones. Plus, the scent they release when the tealight candle warms the inside is pure nostalgia.

10. Light a Bonfire

If you have a safe space outdoors, write down what you want to release on slips of paper and burn them in a fire. If not, you can use a candle indoors for a similar symbolic act. Ancestor letters (a note expressing gratitude or unsaid words) can also be safely released to the flames.

11. Tell Stories

Share family stories, myths, or legends to keep memory alive. You can also create a memory jar: write down favorite stories or reflections about ancestors and revisit them each year.

12. Take a Candlelit Bath

Draw a warm bath in the dark, lit only by candles. Use the time to breathe, reflect, and embrace the slowing of the season. I love adding lavender scented epsom salts or bubble bath to make this ritual feel even more luxurious.

13. Create an Ancestor Playlist

Build a playlist of songs that remind you of loved ones or connect to your heritage. Or, make a playlist of your favorite seasonal tunes.

14. Go on a Nature Walk

A walk during golden hour with a camera can capture fleeting light and remind you to slow down and appreciate the quiet beauty of this time of year.

15. Plant Bulbs for Spring

Planting bulbs like tulips or daffodils can be the sweet reminder that, even in times of darkness, growth and hope will carry on and give you something to look forward to on the other side of winter.

If you’d like to bring a touch of the season into your home, I’ve gathered a collection of Halloween-inspired pieces in The Shoppe. They’re moody, natural, and timeless decor that feels more soulful than spooky, and are a lovely way to create your own atmosphere for the season.

here’s to finding magic in the liminal

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“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

As a child, this verse seemed the perfect way to show my grandfather honor and respect for all his teachings. I loved nothing more than dragging one of the heavy textbooks from his office down the stairs and climbing up in his lap to listen to him speak about the Revolutionary War, George Washington, and the Continental Congress. Even at my young age, I understood the importance of the lessons he was sharing, the complicated and problematic history of the nation, and the hope and promise for a brighter and better future.

My grandfather was a life-long Democrat who was active in both local and national movements. He attended Democratic National Conventions as a delegate, he provided security for presidential candidates during campaign stops in his hometown, and he served as a leader in the local teacher’s union. The year he was president-elect, more than 1,200 school employees marched in protest because the school board was considering referring its negotiation battle with the union to the state’s Supreme Court. In the end, the school board decided against such a move and the following year when he became president of the union, they successfully negotiated contracts for better compensation for staff, including salary checks throughout the year.

Following his retirement from teaching, he ran for a seat on the Papio–Missouri River Natural Resources District (NRD). In my grandfather’s obituary, my uncle is quoted as saying that his service on the NRD seemed a natural extension of his interest in politics and the environment. For my grandfather, it was all connected: caring about a place meant working on it for the betterment of the community.

He was and remains a towering figure in my life. Nearly all of the last conversations with my mother before she died included one or both of us exclaiming how much we wished we could have another conversation with him, to hear his perspective on the trials and tribulations we’ve experienced in the late 20th and early 21st centuries since his passing in the late ‘90s.

So it’s conflicting that, as an adult, I find The Pledge of Allegiance incredibly weird; another bit of American propaganda. But I also understand something now that I couldn’t comprehend as a child. Reciting the pledge to my grandfather wasn’t what made him proud. He was proud because even at that young age, I was already showing an interest in the history and politics of a country he cared deeply about.

As a writer who adores written language, I often struggle with the idiom that “actions speak louder than words”. And yet, that’s the perfect statement to describe my grandfather. He wasn’t simply teaching in a classroom, sharing words that perhaps went unheard. He showed up for his community. He marched, he bargained for better pay for the people who worked beside him, he stood watch at campaign stops, and he served on a board that protected the land and water around him. His love of this country was always in action. He didn’t need to profess it in a pledge, or a song, or by draping himself in flag print.

Over the last decade, symbols like the pledge and the flag have been transformed into grotesque commodities and loyalty tests that claim patriotism. But the behavior and beliefs they are claiming are not patriotism. It’s nationalism, and at its worst, nativism.

None of this is new. Every generation has had its version of it, and every generation has had people who refused to go along. My grandfather taught the history of all of it, the horrific and the hope, and he never taught it with spotless heroes placed on pedestals. Washington was one of my grandfather’s favorite presidents. And although Washington held beliefs and values that were complicated and problematic, my grandfather never pretended otherwise. What he admired was the selflessness. Washington could have stayed in office as long as he wanted, and he chose to walk away, setting the precedent every president after him would be measured against. But before any of that was decided, he was unsure and afraid of getting it wrong. In January of 1790, he wrote this letter to English historian and early feminist Catharine Sawbridge Macaulay Graham:

In this letter, Washington describes not the triumph of victory to the highest office in the land, but his anxiety that his decisions serve the people of the country well. He knows his actions will be interpreted and misinterpreted, and he humbly asks to learn, as the curtain closes on his life, whether his labors were successful in advancing the happiness of the country he cared so deeply for. The glow of the office means nothing to him. The only compensation he hopes for is knowing the people were served.

The United States is and always has been an imperfect country, led by imperfect people, and it deserves a hard and critical examination. But the beauty of this great experiment was that it was always intended to be one of lofty ambition, and never a completed goal: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And it will require all of us working toward the promise of something better to move us forward.

My grandfather was one of those people. And when it all becomes too much, I curl up in the recliner, legs draped over the arm the way I used to sit with him, and I can imagine the weight of the textbook in my lap. I miss him, and I miss a version of this country that felt like it had people like him in it: people who are unafraid to learn the history, argue about the best path forward, and then come together to build a better tomorrow. Wishing I could ask him what he’d make of all this is like a compass, pointing at what I need, which is to belong to a country that still does that work.

I want to belong to this place without defending my right to it or explaining which version I mean.

These days the flag gets sold, waved, and worn, as proof of belonging, and a lot of people have been made to feel it isn’t theirs. But my grandfather never treated patriotism as something you display. He treated it as something you do, and that kind of patriotism can’t be commodified and it can’t be commandeered, because it was never a symbol to begin with. It’s work, and anyone willing to show up can do it.

And I believe that’s the real testament to my grandfather’s legacy. Because I believe in what the flag stands for: equal justice under law, the dignity of all people, and opportunity regardless of background. I believe in fighting for human rights, civil rights, reproductive freedom, worker protections, environmental preservation, and equality for all. That work is patriotism, and it deserves the symbols as much as anyone does.

When our American symbols meant for everyone are seized, the loudest voices want you to believe they’re gone. The flag, the Fourth, the pledge, the whole inheritance of the United States: they want us to believe those symbols belong to them now, and to them alone, and that the rest of us should walk away. And yet walking away is how they win.

Our Americana heritage isn’t something one group gets to own. It’s inherited, argued over, and stitched back together by the people who willing to do the work. I’d like to be remembered as one of the people who stitches. And someday, I’d like to be able to hang my mother’s cross-stitch in my own stairwell and have it mean only what that little girl inside me thought it meant. She knew the power in the words, and she believed them: with liberty and justice for all.

I still do.

For Your Continued Reading:

1. The Hill. Democrats: Don’t retreat from the flag, march with it. By Alex Wagner, Opinion Contributor. Jul 23, 2026.

2. Cosmopolitan. Why I’m Taking Back the Red, White, and Blue This Independence Day. By Aiyana Ishma. Jul 2, 2026.

3. The Michigan Daily. Reclaiming the American flag like a Midwesterner. By Naomi Rodriguez. Dec 4, 2024.

4. TIME. To heal America, rethink patriotism. By Dominic Erdozain. Jul 27, 2026.

5. National Archives. A Letter From George Washington to Catharine Sawbridge Macaulay Graham, 9 January 1790.

One day I’d love to just skip all of this and fly private, though I would happily settle for first class! But until then, I’ve learned to get really intentional about how I travel. Over time, I’ve refined my carry-on to contain items that actually support me through the long-haul of the flight, so instead of feeling irritated, I feel a little more grounded and secure in my own world.

Noise Canceling Headphones

After a flight home from LA where we were sat behind a family of screaming toddlers for 2+ hours, I knew my AirPods weren’t going to make the cut for our next international flight. This summer, I snagged my partner and I each a pair of Sony Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones, and after using them on our most recent trip to Luxembourg, these are forever the first thing I’m packing. They block out e v e r y t h i n g : engine hum, cabin noise, crying babies, and those overly-chatty seat neighbors surrounding you. Whether it’s on shorter flights, with my audiobook cued up, or longer ones where I can plug into the in-flight entertainment, I get to escape into my own world. It makes the entire flight feel less anxiety-inducing and so much more restful.

iPhone | Pad & Keyboard Case & Apple Pencil | Chargers

I like to think of this as my portable studio. I can write, sketch, edit photos, draft posts, read, or watch shows without carrying my laptop. And the Apple Pencil is great for doodling when my brain needs to reset. I also have a few game apps available whenever I have the option to connect to Wi-Fi, like at hotels, that I can play to help myself lean into my nightly ritual and wind-down for the evening.

Hydrating Skincare

Pre-flight, I slather on moisturizer like I’m about to head out for a trek up a windy mountain trail. Then, on the flight, it’s: no contacts, no makeup, just moisture, moisture, moisture! My favorite trio is the Sculpted by Aimee HydraGlo serum, CloudCream moisturizer and beauty balm. Once we’ve landed and arrived at our hotel, I like to apply a sheet mask to sleep in and let it soak in overnight so that I wake up looking refreshed, dewy & hydrated.

Travel Documents

While I typically will use the airline app or Apple Wallet for boarding passes, there are those occasionally times where paper is necessary. I like to keep my pass tucked into my passport and easily accessibly as we’re moving through security & customs. This simple yet stylish passport cover is perfect for keeping everything you might want handy protected and contained. I love the added feature of card slots, perfect for storing Priority Pass or Global Entry cards so that everything you need is right at hand.

A Bag of One’s Own

On recent flights, I’ve bounced between using the Calpak Kaya Laptop bag, which is also one of the bags I use everyday. Calpak has a fantastic warranty, however, I can’t personally recommend the bag as one of the straps began to tear within the first year of use. And as the bag isn’t real leather, there’s only so much I can do to salvage it. While I plan to use it through its lifetime, my goal is to upgrade to something that’s a bit more roomy as the other issue I encountered when packing for Europe, was that it was too small to hold everything I needed accessible on the flight. For that flight, I ended up using an old hiking backpack that held everything I needed, but since it isn’t structured, I found I was constantly unpacking & repacking to access the things I needed most.

I want something that fits under the seat, can hold everything, and doesn’t require constant unpacking & repacking every time I want to access my headphones. My partner ordered me this duffle the night before our flight because I was struggling to fit everything into my classic carry-on suitcase (a post for another day!) so I’m currently eyeing their tote bags and backpack options, leaning toward this one so that it matches the duffle.

Electrolyte Packets & Water Bottle

Flights are dehydrating, especially if you’ve spent anytime at the airport bar before take-off or had drinks mid-flight. Before boarding, I like to fill my water bottle and drop in an electrolyte packet to sip throughout the flight. I’ll also pack extras for post-landing as these are especially great at easing jet-lag as they help with tiredness, and that dull, low-energy feeling.

Wool Wrap

This is my version of travel armor. It doubles as a scarf and as a blanket, and it gives me something soft to curl into. I prefer having the fan on even though I tend to find flights are always cold, and those airplane blankets they give out just don’t cut it. A wrap instantly makes me feel more warm and comforted with something that smells like home.

Agenda & My Favorite Gel Pen

You never know when inspiration will strike! I like to carry my agenda with me both as a place to jot down ideas, as well as to use as a travel journal to recapture moments from our trip. I have a dedicated travel section in my planner including these inserts where I can record our favorite coffee shops, restaurants & attractions, as well as rough out an itinerary or fill-in at the end of the day so I can refer to my notes later.

Sunglasses & an Eye-Contour Sleep Mask

I love taking a red-eye for international flights. Although times have changed, and it’s no longer the golden age of flight, there’s something nostalgically glamorous about taking off, having a glass of wine and eating dinner mid-air. (If only we still had that leg room. . .) Post dinner, I like to pop a melatonin, turn on a comfort movie on the in-flight entertainment, pull down my eye mask, and attempt to sleep for the remaining hours of the flight. I prefer one that’s contoured so it doesn’t weigh heavy on your eyelashes and eyelids, as I feel my eyes tend to flutter as I’m drifting off. Sleep is never easy in seats that don’t lie flat, and I refuse to recline as I despise having that done to me, so the sunglasses are for when you land. Because even though you might be jet-lagged, the world never needs to know, darling.

Travel is never going to be perfect. There will always be delays and crying babies and someone trying to shove an oversized suitcase into the overhead bin like it’s a magic trick. But having the right things with me makes the whole experience feel less chaotic and more like something I can move through on my own terms.

These are the pieces that help me stay comfortable, hydrated, rested, and supported while I’m suspended in a metal tube for hours on end. If you’ve been trying to figure out your own long-flight routine, hopefully this gives you a place to start.

And if you’re also working toward that “first class every time” era . . . girl, same. We’ll get there. In the meantime, shoppe the links below to build out your own carry-on essentials.

If you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The philosophy of a 5-Piece French Wardrobe is to focus on building a wardrobe of high-quality, neutral basics, then adding only five new “non-basic” or statement pieces per season (spring/summer and fall/winter). It encourages investing in quality, reducing impulse buying, and instead, creates a more versatile, curated wardrobe that can be easily mixed and matched with any number of the other pieces.

In January of 2015, as part of my New Year resolutions, I spent a weekend tearing apart my closet and identified the pieces I wanted to keep as part of my 5-Piece French Wardrobe. I created a short shopping list to fill holes, purged my wardrobe, and packed away those “sentimental” pieces I wasn’t sure I could part with and placed them into storage. With an “out of sight, out of mind” mentality, I marked my calendar to revisit the totes again in six months to see what I would be willing to part with, and planned to repeat the process until all that remained were the few pieces hanging in my everyday closet.

Since then, I’ve maintained some version or another of a capsule closet. The result is a wardrobe that feels like me. I’ve slowly built a closet around silhouettes and staples that I return to again and again, swapping out worn pieces for replacements when needed, but rarely reinventing the wheel. Trends are fun to watch from the sidelines, but what matters most to me is wearing what feels authentic and flattering, most importantly, clothes I look forward to putting on day after day.

Tops

Camisoles

I love these silk camisoles because not only are they great for layering, since silk is a natural fabric, it’s incredibly breathable making it comfortable for everyday wear. They also feel so luxurious and soft against skin and are the perfect way to elevate your everyday look.

Tees

When I’m wanting a little more décolletage coverage or a more-fitted look, these slim fit tees have been my go-to. They’re so comfortable and softly hug your curves in all the best places.

Breton Shirt

The Breton shirt is one of those pieces I never get tired of. Stripes are seasonless, but there’s something about wearing one under a trench coat in autumn that feels so right. I’ll often layer mine under a cardigan or blazer for a chic, French-inspired look. It’s simple, but it always makes me feel pulled together.

Button Downs

In my opinion, this is a wardrobe staple no matter the season. Button-downs are incredibly versatile workhorses in your capsules, from layering under sweaters, alone, or over camisoles & bodysuits, this piece is a must-have. For autumn, I love a mix of textures including cotton, silk and denim.

Silk Blouse

This is where you can really begin to play with texture or pattern. While I prefer natural fabrics and keep my everyday pieces pattern-free, choosing instead to accentuate with accessories, the final “top” piece is truly yours to customize.

Outwear

Leather Jacket

There is something both incredibly chic and sexy about mixing textures like silk and leather together. Plus, this moto style just lends to an aura of mystery. Drape it over your shoulders on a chilly autumn evening or layer over a silk cami for that effortless, je ne sais quoi.

Blazer

When you want to sharpen any outfit, add a blazer. Whether I’m pairing one with denim and a camisole or throwing it over a dress, it gives a sense of polish without trying too hard. I like classic cuts in wool or linen blends that transition across seasons.

Cardigan

The unsung heroes of my closet. Cardigans bridge that awkward in-between weather when you don’t quite need a coat, but you still want a little extra warmth. I love a longer, slouchy cardigan for casual days and a more structured, cropped one when I want to dress things up. They’re versatile, layer-friendly, and often take the place of a jacket in my wardrobe. Bonus tip: one of my favorite ways to wear a cardigan, especially a V-Neck variation, is backwards. This is an unexpected way to be a little more versatile in your styling.

Trench Coat

The trench coat is an icon. It’s practical for rainy, transitional days but still feels elegant. I love that it works equally well over jeans and a sweater as it does over a dress. A timeless beige trench anchors my outerwear collection, but I also love the idea of a darker tone for variety.

Bottoms & Dresses

Classic Denim

A classic cut of denim is something I return to year after year. After years of low-rise tugging, my go-to styles these days are the Levi’s Wedgie Straight or Skinny for a closer fit and Ribcage when I want a wider leg. Both have the button fly which I prefer over the zip, and are available in a variety of washes. Personally, I find dark washes feel more polished, while a faded blue can add a relaxed contrast to structured pieces like blazers.

Ponte Pant

A slim cigarette Ponte pant has become one of my favorite alternatives to denim. They give a more refined look without feeling fussy or over-dressed. A slim-leg silhouette is timeless and pairs perfectly with loafers, sneakers, or boots.

Pencil Skirt

A midi pencil skirt strikes that balance between feminine and practical. It’s easy to style with boots, sweaters, or blazers, making it a versatile piece in my capsule. For my everyday capsule, I like mine in knit wool that can be paired with sneakers for casual days, or dressed up with pumps for business wear.

Shorts

Tailored shorts are easy to style year-around when layered over a pair of sheer tights and knee-high boots. I love the texture of these shorts, and best of all, they have pockets!

Dress

I love having at least one go-to dress—something I can throw on and instantly feel like I’m put together. This sleeveless wool dress is versatile all year long. It’s easy to layer with a cardigan tied across your shoulders or a button down underneath. Dresses keep me from overthinking outfits and you can easily shift from day to night with a swap of shoes or accessories.

Shoes

Knee-High Boot

You’re going to have to pry knee-high boots from my cold, dead hands. I will never give up this style! They instantly elongate the leg and pair beautifully with skirts, dresses, or tucked-in trousers. I gravitate toward leather because it ages so well and only looks better with wear.

Classic Pump

When you want to elevate your outfit to another level, a classic pump is the perfect way to up that factor. Finding a pump that’s comfortable enough to wear all day can be a struggle, this pair has cushioned insoles, ensuring luxury in each step.

Casual Sneaker

Sneakers are a must have. They balance out more tailored pieces and make an outfit feel effortlessly cool. When it comes to my everyday capsule, a classic white sneaker is my go-to, leaving more muted neutral tones as additions to my autumn or winter capsules.

Ballet Flat

The flat of the moment might be a loafer, but ballet flats will forever have my heart. They’re the perfect in-between when I don’t want a boot but still want something polished. They’re feminine without being fussy and pair well with trousers, denim, or skirts. I like classic leather styles that mold to the foot over time.

Slide Sandal

Perfect for a day out shopping or a night on the town, these sandals are a versatile and chic addition to any wardrobe. Not only are they easy to slide on, they’re comfortable enough for all day wear on those summer vacations to Europe.

Accessories

Scarf

A silk scarf is the simplest way to polish and elevate your outfit. Best of all, the styling options are endless. Tie it in your hair, around your neck, on your handbag, or even wear it as a belt. They’re also a great way to add a bit of color, pattern, and texture to your outfits.

Jewelry

I’ve simplified my jewelry over the years, but I still like having a small rotation of everyday pieces. A delicate chain, a simple watch, and my heirloom wedding rings are usually all I wear. They add subtle shine without overwhelming my look.

Sunglasses

If I’m outside, I’m guaranteed to have on sunglasses. Between the sun and the wind (car AC included), my contacts make my eyes pretty sensitive. Even on the cloudiest of days, I’ll be wearing a pair. I love Warby Parker sunglasses for the elevated option of prescription sunglasses. This pair is a beautiful mix of metal and acetate and gives off the perfect Audrey Hepburn vibe.

Everyday Clutch

When I want to be hands-free, I reach for a crossbody. It’s practical for errands or travel days, but still sleek enough for dinners out. I like styles that are minimal in design but big enough to hold the essentials.

Everyday Tote

A structured tote is my workhorse bag. It fits everything I need throughout my day without sacrificing style. Since it’s my day-to-day bag, I stick with neutral leather so it pairs with anything in my capsule.

SHOPPE THE CAPSULE

Chances are, you already have several of these pieces in your closet. For the ones you don’t, I hope this gives you a clear starting point for building (or refining) your own foundation.

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Source: ZM Images | Canva

Routine is automatic, robotic-like. Wake up, make coffee, scroll phone, go to work. Check the boxes. Lather, rinse, repeat. It gets the job done, but it doesn’t really add meaning to your day. Ritual, on the other hand, is the same act, but done with intention. It’s the difference between going through the motions and actually taking time to nourish yourself and notice what you need in the moment.

I used to spend my mornings in bed with coffee while scrolling my phone or playing games on my tablet. It was a routine, and not inherently a bad one, but it didn’t really set the tone I wanted for my day. When I started focusing on my days more as a ritual, I realized I wanted to change several things. Now, I wake up a little earlier, drink water before anything else, and start the day with a short meditation before my daily workout. I still get to have my coffee, but now it feels like part of a ritual instead of a mindless habit, one where I’m now nourishing myself and getting a little reward post-workout.

Evenings follow the same idea. I used to let the day spill over into the night: with after-work errands, chores, and mindlessly watching TV for hours at a time. I thought I was “adulting” but I realized I was filling my evenings with distraction until it was time to fall asleep. Now I have an evening wind-down ritual. I come home, I spend time connecting with my partner and pets, I wash my face (literally washing the day down the drain) and I have dinner before unwinding with hobbies, a bath, or reading a book. Most importantly, I prioritize sleep. Nothing beat’s a good night of rest in my opinion!

The point isn’t perfection and I no longer beat myself up if I don’t tick every box. Some days I have the time to follow every step; other days I focus on just a couple of things, or I rearrange the schedule to suit my needs. Simply approaching my weekdays as a series of rituals rather than routines has made my days feel quieter, steadier, and more intentional. The hours feel like mine instead of just passing by.

What I’ve also realized about the intention in my actions, is that it isn’t just about my day-to-day activities. The rituals spill into how I live in my home too. Now, moments like lighting a candle in the evening after wiping down the counters and doing the dishes are small yet intentional ways of honoring the space I live in. When I think about the bigger picture of it all, I’m not just tidying my space, I’m shaping the environment, the pace, and the energy around me so that every moment feels more purposeful.

Below is a free printable of the daily ritual I’ve established to help inspire you on your intentional living journey. Additionally, I’ve made a template link where you can modify and create a schedule that fits you best. Small shifts in intention can make even the simplest routines feel like rituals worth savoring.

I’ve always loved celebrating the autumn equinox, and over the years, it’s become my preferred time to have a harvest celebration. My mom and I actually talked about starting a “Thanksgiving” tradition around the autumn equinox instead of November because it always felt like the wrong time of year. Here in the Midwest, by the end of November it’s usually snowing, the roads are icy, and family often have to travel 8–10 hours to get together.

Celebrating at the end of September just made more sense. The weather is still beautiful, the harvest is at its peak, and, honestly, it felt witchier to us. We always dreamt it as an outdoor picnic rather than a formal affair. Unfortunately, we didn’t quite get the chance to see it fully come to life before my mom passed, but I’ve carried it on in my own home. Every autumn equinox, as I cook and gather around the table, I’m reminded of her and it’s a sweet little way to keep her memory alive. Below are a few of the recipes I love making to celebrate this time of year.

Perfect Roast Chicken

Sunday roasts are a tradition I intend to embrace fully this autumn/winter season and this recipe is going to be in frequent rotation. In the past, I’ve halved the recipe and only roasted one chicken, which gives the two of us a few leftover meals as well. If you’re serving more than 4, I’d recommend following the recipe as-is. It’s such a quick recipe that you can pop the bird/s into the oven, and prep the caramel apple tartlets while they roast.

Green Beans Almondine

Is there anything better than browned butter? If there is, I haven’t found it! This recipe works best when you use the best butter you can find, my go-to is Kerrygold as I find it provides the most flavor and fat. And the pinch of nutmeg takes it to another level. * Chef’s Kiss *

Roasted Potatoes

We received so many spring potatoes in our CSA this past growing season that this recipe was in frequent use in our home. This one is perfect any time of day; from breakfast potatoes to a side dish with steak. I do like adding other seasonings like paprika, rosemary and onion powder (garlic powder in a pinch if I don’t have fresh) and always, always measure with my heart rather than a teaspoon.

Maple-Roasted Acorn Squash

The best part of our CSA was an opportunity to try different vegetables I wouldn’t typically purchase, like acorn squash. I’ve always found these to be the most adorable gourd shape for the season, but I’ve never tried baking them. This recipe adds the right amount of sweetness turning them into almost like a sweet potato. The best part: I end up roasting the squash, potatoes & chicken at the same time…I just keep an eye on everything to ensure the potatoes and squash don’t burn.

Caramel Apple Tartlets

Last Christmas we received an Omaha Steaks package that included these delicious caramel apple tartlets. After we devoured them, I was determined to find a simple recipe to recreate. I landed on a combination of recipes. The recipe linked above is certainly the inspiration and the filling. But the crust is my old tried-and-true recipe from Fifi O’Neill’s cookbook, “The Romantic Prairie Cookbook: Field-Fresh Recipes and Homespun Settings”:

INGREDIENTS:

• 2c/225g all-purpose flour

• 1 1/4 tsp salt

• 2 sticks225g cold butter

• 1/2 c/120ml cold water

STEPS:

1. Sift the flour & salt together into the bowl of a stand mixer. Cut the cold butter (I find it’s helpful to cut the sticks into chunks) into the flour until the mixture resembles cornmeal. For this step, I like using one of my grandmother’s vintage pastry blenders as I feel it works better than the stand mixer hook. Add cold water by gently stirring it into the flour and butter mixture using the hook attachment until completely moistened (do not over stir!).

2. Divide the dough in half and refrigerate for at least two hours. Freeze half the dough for another time.

3. Roll the pie dough out to 12 inches/30cm in diameter and 1/8 inch/3mm thick. Press the pie dough firmly into a 10-inch/25cm pie pan. Pinch off any excess dough around the edges. Put in the freezer for 30 minutes.

4. Preheat oven to 400F/200C

5. Line the pie crust with a sheet of heavy aluminum foil. Fill with dried beans, uncooked rice, or metal pie weights to prevent the shell from shrinking while baking. Bake the lined crust until it dries out, about 15 minutes. The crust is ready when the aluminum can be easily removed.

6. Reduce the oven temperature to 350F/180C. Remove the foil and weights and return pie crust to the oven. Bake for another 10 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.

7. For the apple tartlet crust, I cut this recipe in 1/2 but I still bake the crusts separately for about 10-15 minutes before adding the apple mixture by placing them over the cups of an upside-down muffin tin.

For the caramel sauce, you can use store-bought caramel sauce or unwrapped caramels, but homemade caramel sauce is so quick & fairly easy to make; plus, you probably already have all the ingredients on hand.

PRO TIP: I would say that Fleur le Sel is not an optional ingredient, however, especially as you want that sea-salty flavor to come through in the sauce.

I hope these recipes give you a little taste of the season. Whether you’re celebrating Mabon or just enjoying the flavors of autumn, it’s nice to take a moment to slow down, gather around the table, and enjoy the season. And if you’re looking to bring a little extra autumn charm into your home, you can check out The Shoppe where you’ll find my curated collection of harvest-inspired decor to make your space feel cozy and festive.

here’s to fall, family, and all the little things that make this season a sweet one

*If you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Even though she’s been gone a long time, and I’ve now lived more of my life without her than I did with her, she left a lot behind. I see her now in my own habits and mannerisms. I think of her each time I twist the wedding band that once rested on her finger. And I feel her with each beat of my own heart.

For her birthday, I’m reflecting on all the ways she shaped me as a kid, and how she still inspires me in the way I live now.

1. Even the simplest, everyday moments deserve to be beautiful.

2. Quality over quantity in everything — clothing, jewelry, housewares, etc.

3. Care for the things you own and you’ll have them all of your lifetime. Then they become heirlooms and exist a lifetime beyond you.

4. Store-bought is fine, but homemade is better.

5. Play music in the kitchen — classical, jazz, crooners, swing.

6. Buy a box of crayons, hard-boil some eggs, and decorate your breakfast.

7. Keep popsicles & fudgsicles in your freezer.

8. Over-indulge in fruit — Apples taste sweeter when salted. So does watermelon. Peaches taste better when preserved.

9. Grow your own food.

10. Support your local greenhouse, even when their prices annoy you.

11. Perfect a few recipes and make them your own.

12. A swipe of coral pink lipstick will instantly make you feel “pulled together”.

13. So will an at-home-manicure, short nails, always in timeless shades.

14. Take care of your skin.

15. Have a signature scent.

16. Fall asleep reading.

17. It’s not aggressive driving, it’s assertive.

18. Swearing means you speak fluent French.

19. It’s okay to have a love/hate relationship with your cat — especially when it takes your seat.

20. Spend time with the people who are important to you.

21. Invest in yourself — education, health, appearance, hobbies, skills. You are always worth it.

22. Have your own job and means of income —never be reliant on someone else to pay your bills.

23. Keep a feisty spirit and a mind of your own.

24. A little kindness can go a long, long way.

25. Recognize where your boundaries are.

26. Be a fighter, stand up for what you believe in.

27. Love your crow’s feet and your laugh lines. Keep laughing loudly, and laugh, often.

Happy Birthday, Grandma

wan·der·lust (WAHN-der-lust) noun

a strong or irresistible impulse to travel

origin | German : wandern, to wander + Lust, desire

I’ve always felt an incredible urge to travel, to see the world and everything within it. To marvel at soaring cathedrals, centuries old. To witness natural wonders like Aurora Borealis. To discover hidden waterfalls off unbeaten paths. To feel how insignificantly small I am compared to the grains of sand in a vast, never-ending desert. To experience other cultures, eat local food, hear languages, listen to music, and learn about traditions. To live anew, and, above all else, to find someplace that would bring peace, solace and an end to my wandering ways. Because, like one of my favorite lines from one of my favorite movies:

“I don’t want to own anything until I find a place where me and things go together. I’m not sure where that is but I know what it is like. It’s like Tiffany’s... Calms me down right away. The quietness and the proud look of it; nothing very bad could happen to you there. If I could find a real-life place that’d make me feel like Tiffany’s, then - then I’d buy some furniture and give the cat a name!”

Growing up, my dad was—and still is—an over-the-road truck driver. During my childhood, most of his routes were delivering to the coastal ports, like Long Beach, CA; Seattle, WA; or Norfolk, VA. As kids, my brother and I took turns traveling with him over our summer and Christmas breaks. I’d carefully pack my “Going to Grandma’s” red suitcase, with more books than it could hold, and imagined myself off on adventure to discover all the wonders of the world. I marveled at the breathtaking vistas: from the crisp, pine-scented air of the Cascades to the mist-filled Smoky Mountains. Gaped at the oceans and the endless horizon beyond. And snapped endless photographs on disposable cameras of landscapes and wildlife foreign to my midwestern mind. It was on those trips, at a young age, that I made a solemn vow to myself to visit all fifty states and to remain a curious explorer forever.

Yet it wasn’t until I was in my teens that I recognized the importance of traveling back to where our families departed. When I was in high school, my grandmother—who was well into her 70s at the time—along with her two sisters, joined a tour group destined for Ireland. The trio was dubbed “The Three Sisters” by their fellow passengers, and in a chance stop along the way, they discovered a pharmacy that bore a similarity to their maiden name: Kennaley. Upon her return, whenever she reminisced over the trip, she always included the owner joking with them that they may be long-lost cousins returned home. Though she had other opportunities of travel, including several trips to Mexico, the excitement and joy that lit her face whenever she had the chance to talk about her Ireland trip is what I remember most. It was as if visiting the land her great-grandparents were forced to leave behind brought her closer to understanding herself. As though touching the land, smelling the air and seeing landscapes with an inner knowing closed the circle that was ripped open generations before.

I didn’t fully understand this until I had the opportunity to take similar journeys. Although my first trip to Ireland looked very different from hers, to this day, I’m forever chasing the feeling of comfort and serenity I felt during the few days we spent on Inis Mor. Sitting in Dublin Airport, having one last Guinness and Bulmers for the road, was one of the saddest and strangest experiences of my life. Because how could I feel so heartbroken to leave a place I barely know? Luckily, the Germans have a word for that as well.

I think of these two words as sisters. Wanderlust is the fun-loving, carefree, impish younger sister who longs to be somewhere, anywhere else. Give her an hour and she’ll be packed, prepared and ready for any adventure. She’s up for anything and everything, excited by the act of traveling in new ways and exploring new places. Wanderlust is happy just being along for the ride.

Fernweh is the eldest daughter, wracked with eldest daughter tendencies. (Eldest daughters: iykyk) Riddled with anxiety, perfectionism and people-pleasing, taking on responsibilities that don’t belong to her, Fernweh is burnt-to-crisp-toast, burned out. She’s turned to nostalgia, longing for escape, aching to return to a simpler time, when she didn’t dread every time her phone buzzed a new notification.

As an eldest daughter, and as I’m getting older, I can see how my initial wanderlust impulses are becoming more aligned with fernweh. Rather than simply traveling for traveling sake, fernweh carries a more poignant desire with a focus on the destination. Would I say no to a free plane ticket anywhere? No. But if I’m planning and paying for the trip, investing my time, energy, and money into an experience, I want there to be more intention behind the act. And one of those intentions is to return to places where my ancestors once called home.

In my twenties, as I dug deeper and deeper into the roots of family tree, I began curating a Travel Bucket List for “someday”. Those places closest to where I grew up, were easiest to accomplish. My mother and I planned and executed countless trips and detours to be able to visit the places of our heritage. We stopped by an old family farmstead in southwestern Nebraska and drove across the state of Iowa multiple times to request court documents and clean gravesites at family plots in forgotten cemeteries. I’ll cherish the memories of those trips with her for the rest of my days. Because it was important to both of us, to stand in the places our ancestors once stood.

When she passed away, I thought without a doubt, that the desire to continue checking off the list passed with her. I added a disclaimer to my website that I would not be responding to any more inquiries (though inquiries and kind words continued to flood into my inbox, even years later), downsized my genealogical collection of family bibles, took down my gallery wall of photos and placed everything into storage, intending to gift it all to the next generation when they grew curious about their roots.

Yet Fernweh will often appear when you least expect her to. In the summer of 2024, at my partner’s birthday dinner, his mother casually mentioned that his uncle had recently been to Luxembourg to renew his passport. Both our jaws dropped. “I’m sorry, he did what?”

She shrugged. “He has dual citizenship.”

“HOW?!”

My partner immediately reached out to his uncle, curious to learn more. What he discovered was that he too, qualified for dual-citizenship based on his ancestry. His uncle gave him the contact to the person who’d helped him gather and translate all the required documents to prove lineage. And since his uncle had done all of the legwork to their Luxembourgish ancestor, all my partner had to do was connect his own dots back to his grandmother. We spent hours pouring over his family tree, talking about his ancestors the same way my mother and I used to talk about ours. As he worked to reclaim his Luxembourg citizenship. and we began planning our trip abroad, I felt the curiosity and desire to return to my own genealogical studies. I found myself wandering down my own family tree, reacquainting myself with the names and the faces, and the places they once called home. And that long-abandoned travel list, made a resurgence.

While I have specific cities and countries that I wish to travel to, I leaned heavily on both my parents’ AncestryDNA results to create a broad “European Heritage Travel Bucket List”. Below is the updated list, with all the places we’ve visited and will be visiting later this year.

I’ve also created a template copy that can be used to create your own travel list. Simply log into your Canva account and select “Make a Copy” to begin creating your own.

happy exploring!

“Shopping is my cardio.”

CARRIE BRADSHAW

In the early aughts, when I was in my late teens and early twenties—in typical millennial-girl aesthetic—Sex and the City became my entire personality, and I lived by this Carrie Bradshaw quote. Shopping, for me, was a combination of cardio and therapy. Whenever I was feeling restless, anxious, bored, or lonely—which was often in those early days after I moved back to Omaha and didn’t know anyone—I’d grab my slouchy hobo bag and head for the mall. If all I did was walk a few laps and window shop, taking in the recent trend arrivals, and noting the pieces I wanted but would wait for a sale, I considered it time well spent. Usually, those trips included a stop at Barnes & Noble to flip through stacks of Vogue and InStyle magazines, which fed and fueled my passion for fashion. This was, in it’s own way, my Omaha version of Carrie’s— albeit, unhealthy—sentiment:

When I bought my first home in 2009, a darling little 2-bedroom bungalow, I quickly converted the second bedroom into a walk-in closet—à la Carrie Bradshaw’s brownstone studio— drilling rods and adding shelves to the crumbling plaster walls. My motto was most definitely her’s: “I liked my money where I can see it . . . hanging in my closet”. And when I ran out of hanging space, I bought a 5-tier wire shelving rack and configured it to hold the excess hangers, shoes, purses and accessories.

Yet as my twenties began to fade and thirty crept ever closer, something shifted. Shopping began to lose its allure and started to feel more like a never-ending chore. Although my walls were overflowing with clothes, I found myself reaching for the same few pieces over and over again. And then one day, while haphazardly pinning away on Pinterest, I came across a pin for The 5-Piece French Wardrobe.

The philosophy of a 5-Piece French Wardrobe is to focus on building a wardrobe of high-quality, neutral basics, then adding only five new “non-basic” or statement pieces per season (spring/summer and fall/winter). It encourages investing in quality, reducing impulse buying, and instead, creates a more versatile, curated wardrobe that can be easily mixed and matched with any number of the other pieces.

In January of 2015, as part of my New Year resolutions, I spent a weekend and identified the pieces I wanted to keep as part of my 5-Piece French Wardrobe. I created a short shopping list to fill holes, purged my wardrobe, and packed away those “sentimental” pieces I wasn’t sure I could part with and placed them into storage in my basement. With an “out of sight, out of mind” mentality, I marked my calendar to revisit the totes again in six months to see what I would be willing to part with, and planned to repeat the process until all that remained were the few pieces hanging in my everyday closet.

I documented my journey on an older version on this site, and in May of 2015 I was interviewed by the Omaha World Herald for an article titled, “Capping the Closet” which discussed the pros and cons of developing a capsule wardrobe:

What the article didn’t ask at the time, and I didn’t have the words for until much later, was that there were bigger reasons at play for choosing to downsize my wardrobe:

I was slowly beginning to recognize that I was using shopping as a mask for uncomfortable feelings and instead, I needed to sit with those and understand what I was avoiding.

I was beginning to feel incredible shame at the overconsumption of capitalism. I started asking myself: Did I really need to buy Old Navy plastic flip flops in every color of the rainbow just because they were 2 for $5? I knew that there had to be a different path forward.

Similarly, I was beginning to question where my personal taste ended and trend saturation began. I began asking myself: who was setting and driving the trend? Who did it benefit by promoting clothing and body standards that were unattainable? This feeling went deeper, when, in 2016-2017, in my post-election outrage and fury, I took a magnifying lens to my spending habits, researching companies to see who owned what (quickly learning that monopolies were alive and well in the 21st century), who had donated to political campaigns and I made the conscious effort to bring my spending into better alignment with my beliefs, prioritizing companies that stood for sustainability, human rights and ethical practices.

I prided myself on the fact that, compared to my peers, I was living relatively debt-free—aside from a mortgage and car payment—however, I had next to nothing saved. When I started doing the math and totaling up the cost of my wardrobe every two weeks, regardless of whether I needed something new to replace something worn, I was shocked and honestly, disgusted at the amount of money and time I had spent over the years on clothing that, even when cared for properly, usually only lasted about ten wears before giving out.

I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of pieces in my small bedroom-converted closet. Even though I had plenty of pieces that meant I could probably go a month or two without ever needing to do laundry, most mornings I stood in my closet and struggled to find anything to wear. There were clothes that I wore once, laundered and never wore again because they shrunk, lost their shape, pilled or no longer draped as they once had. There were pieces in colors that didn’t suit me. It was, simultaneously, too much and never enough. I was craving clarity, simplicity, and that’s what the capsule provided.

Now, over ten years later, capsule wardrobes have become second nature to me. So much so, that I’ve begun building capsules for different areas of my wardrobe like intimates, loungewear, and workout wear alongside my everyday capsule. I’ve also begun building capsules for things like cleaning supplies, bath & beauty products, nail polish, as well as household textiles. For me, quality is always better than quantity. I’d much rather have two-to-four crisp fitted sheets or nice, fluffy, hotel-like linens in my bathroom than a linen-closest that’s stuffed full of assorted towels in all shapes, sizes, colors and conditions. I buy enough for my household and I only buy new when something needs replaced.

Although I no longer adhere strictly to The 5-Piece French Wardrobe, my capsules are still based in European lines, with simplistic, minimal styles and colors that stand the test of time. These days, Poshmark is my first-stop when shopping for pieces. I love the usability it provides by allowing me to use keyword searches for specific items, browse my favorite brands, “heart” and save pieces for later review for those ones I admire but aren’t quite sure they’re the best fit. Best of all, it’s prolonging the life of vintage and gently-used pieces rather than sending them to an overflowing landfill of textile waste.

If you’re interested in trying a capsule wardrobe but aren’t sure where to start, I’ve got you covered!

Below are free guides I’ve created, going step by step, through the process I use when evaluating and updating my capsule wardrobes.

At least once a year—usually around my birthday—I like to sit down and conduct a life audit. I find these are most useful whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed with no idea where to focus my energy or turn to next.

Source: Prophsee Journals | Unsplash

What is a Life Audit?

I’m a big believer in using lists and plans and journals as tools to better know myself. A life audit is simply another tool I use whenever I feel I’ve strayed too far from my path, or, the path has disappeared completely in the tangle of life’s many responsibilities. An audit allows me to comb through every corner, check in with what’s working well, and what needs a little more of my time and attention. In its simplest form, it’s a no-judgement evaluation; a time to pause and really reflect. The goal isn’t to beat yourself up over the habits that have formed along the way. Rather, it’s an opportunity to reverse-engineer your goals so that your daily habits are better reflection of where you want to go in your life and how those goals will get you to the person you want to become.

How to Conduct a Life Audit

Before beginning, it’s important that you get into the right mindset. The audit is in no means a one-stop shop and once complete, the work is done. Think of the audit as the building block toward the life you most imagine living. You need to clear through all the weeds in order to reach the foundation of which to grow. It’s important that you give yourself enough time so you don’t feel rushed into decision-making. I love journaling, and so I like to set aside several hours to complete my audits, which I highly recommend as you’ll see why in the steps below.

STEP ONE: REFLECT

When I conduct audits, I like to break each section of my life into 5 or 6 different areas, depending on what I feel needs the most attention. These will vary year to year as my focus and growth happens in different areas. Below are some ideas to get you started:

• Business/Career

• Wealth & Finances

• Health

• Home

• Hobbies

• Personal Growth

• Spiritual

• Social/Relationships

• Travel

• Self Care

• Beauty

• Nutrition

STEP TWO: BE HONEST

Take a magnifying glass to the areas you’ve selected and be brutally honest with yourself. Ask questions like:

What’s working well? What isn’t?

How can I better support this area of my life?

What do I need to release?

This part will take the longest and be the most difficult. It can be hard to face habits that have become uncomfortable or even counter-intuitive to your long-term goals. Maybe you’ve selected “Wardrobe” as an area you’d like to highlight because your closet has become so full you dread getting dressed in the morning. Letting go of items that have sentimental attachments or coming face-to-face with the idea you need to keep every piece because that was money hard earned and ill spent, can be harsh realities and avoidance is a normal response. But the best course forward will be to take one small step toward your goals, even if it’s as simple as recycling or tossing that collection of socks that are missing their partners.

STEP THREE: TAKE ACTION

You’ve highlighted the areas of your life you’d like to improve. You’ve shone a spotlight on each to uncover the hard truths. Now, you can begin to build a plan for change. For each area I select, I like to create actionable goals, the more specific the better. For example, if I’ve selected “Finance” as an area I’d like to focus on, a goal I might set would be: “Create an automatic savings rule to pay myself first.”

There’s two useful ways I’ve found when taking these action steps. One, is to habit-stack. For example, if I wanted to add a skincare regime to my evening ritual, I’d store the bottle of cream next to my toothpaste. When I’m reaching for one, the other is right there waiting.

The other option is to evaluate my daily rituals and make adjustments to better accomplish my goals.

Daily Rituals = Consistent Growth

Once you’ve audited the areas you’d like to bring change to, I find it’s also helpful to revisit those daily rituals and make small shifts to better support your new goals. Sometimes, what helps most is a screeching halt and pivot in a new direction. Daily rituals can help support and sustain those longer term goals.

MORNING RITUAL

Whenever I revisit my daily habits, I like to imagine the start of my “ideal” morning. One where I wake up without an alarm, I have time to enjoy my coffee and a simple breakfast before I get ready for the day. This looks different for everyone, but I find that visualization is key to better understanding what I’m hoping to accomplish.

AFTER WORK RITUAL

When you’ve completed your work day, how are you spending your time? Connecting with a partner or pets? Working out? Preparing an exquisite meal for yourself? Spending time on your hobbies?

EVENING RITUAL

And lastly, how are you ending your day? Do you prefer a bath or a shower? Reading? Do you enjoy a cup of tea or maybe a mocktail? What time is your bedtime?

While you can (and should!) make adjustments as needed, recommend giving both habit-stacking and daily rituals 30-days before making drastic shifts. Keep checking in with your journal, those areas you highlighted, and the action steps you created.

I completed my Life Audit! What’s Next?

The work of a life audit is never truly done. You may find after 30-days that an area you thought would require more effort, time and attention, really only needed a couple of weekends worth of focus. Maybe another area has popped up unexpectedly. I find anytime I’m experiencing overwhelmed or frustrated is about the time I need to sit with myself and reevaluate. These are the steps I return to again and again to help me focus on what’s most important at any given cycle of my life.

Vision Planning

Additionally, I like to take the areas I highlight during an audit to create my vision planning goals for the next chapter of my life. Below is an example of my vision plan for the remainder of 2026 beyond. Vision planning is a great way to take all the thoughts from the life audit and organize those into a tangible table to execute. While I find vision boards obviously, visually appealing, personally, I prefer vision planning to a vision board because I like seeing the actionable things I’m working to accomplish rather than simply an image of a thing. I find it’s a great way to put all that time you spent auditing your life into easily reviewable goals for checkins.

happy reflecting!

When I sold my first home — a darling 1920s bungalow with its own unique features and quirks — and bought an 8-year-old new build in a development where the same four floor plans were copy & pasted, I quickly realized that in my trade for condition, location and price, I had sacrificed all the elements that I believe truly transform a house into a home. It took me a long time to realize that, what makes a home feel lived-in is the layers. Those tiny, often overlooked details that give a space a point of view. But the good news? Almost all of them can be added in, no matter how new or builder-basic the house you’re starting with.

Paint

Photos from Pinterest

By far, the easiest (and most affordable!) way to add character to any space is with a fresh coat of paint. Over the years, I’ve gone through my fair share of trendy color choices, but I’m partial now to creamy whites that allow me to create a neutral base and swap a seasonal palette of decor throughout the year. My favorite color options are Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee and Sherwin Williams Alabaster.

PRO TIP: Get a high-quality 2” angle brush—this one is my personal favorite—and you’ll never need to tape again.

Paper & Wall Moulding

Photos from Pinterest

Alternatively, wallpaper can add a punch, especially when papering a small space. I love the unexpected pop of pattern, texture, and color in places like closets or half-baths.

When appropriate, applied moulding gets you a similar sense of age and craftsmanship. The options are endless with picture frame moulding, board and batten, or a simple rail.

Swap Outlet & Switch Plates

Photos from Pinterest

Replace those plastic outlet & switch plates with ones that provide a bit more pizzazz. It’s a small enough swap that you can knock out an entire house in a weekend, but it’s also one of those details guests notice without being able to say exactly why the room feels different.

This is also an instance where less is more. I’d focus attention on swapping out those more visual elements—for example: the switch plates when you enter a room—rather than replace every outlet plate hidden behind furniture.

Add or Change Knobs & Pulls on Cabinetry

Photos from Pinterest

Personally, I love the look and feel that unlacquered metal provides. As it ages, it adds such warmth and patina to the space and, with more and more use, weathers the testament of time. Like Clooney, unlacquered hardware gets better with age instead of just looking dated. Every fingerprint and water spot is proof that the space is being lived in and loved.

DESIGN TIP: a mix of metals and styles (using knobs and pulls) breaks up the wall of cabinets and gives the space some visual rhythm instead of reading as one flat block. And because the swap is purely cosmetic, it’s one of the easiest projects to take with you if you ever move — pull the builder-grade hardware, box it up, and take your real knobs to the next house.

Change Floor & Wall Register Covers

Photos from Pinterest

Who says your walls and floor vent covers need to stay basic? These are some of the most overlooked spots in a home, and swapping the standard builder-grade grate for cast metal or a decorative pattern is such an easy way to sneak old-house detail into a new build.

They’re also one of the few details in this list that were genuinely decorative even in the era they’re mimicking: old homes used ornate cast iron registers because they were visible, functional pieces of the room, not something to hide. A brushed brass or aged bronze cover in a hallway or at the base of a staircase does the same work now, and because most register covers are a standard size, it’s one of the more affordable swaps here too.

Replace Door Handles, Hinges & Door Stops

Photos from Pinterest

Swapping the standard lever or knob for something with real weight to it such as an aged brass egg knob, a black iron mortise set, or crystal glass changes the way a door feels every single time you touch it. Don’t stop at the handles, either. Hinges and door stops are usually an afterthought, but a decorative hinge, magnetic door stopper or a simple brass acorn stopper is the kind of detail that makes a hallway feel finished instead of builder-basic.

This is also one of the few swaps that have not only daily interaction, but also the most physical. Every single day, without even thinking about it, your hand is holding, twisting, and turning the same knobs that has born countless past lives and that’s such a cool element to add to the story of your own home.

Add Dust Corners to Stairs & Wall Corner Guards

Photos from Pinterest

These little darlings pull double-duty. Not only do they look cute and dress up the simplest of functional architecture in stairways, but they do a great job at keeping the dustballs from piling up. And, the wall corner guards are fantastic at protecting baseboards and drywall from the occasional vacuum cleaner ding.

Replace Light Fixtures

Photos from Pinterest

Swap out those builder-grade basic fixtures with ones that actually have a shape and a presence — an antique-inspired sconce, a fluted glass pendant, something with a little age to it even if it's brand new. Lighting is one of the fastest ways to make a room feel considered instead of default.

Tile

Photos from Pinterest

Tile is one of the few finishes that gets to be permanent or semi-permanent if using peel & stick, so it's worth treating it like an opportunity rather than an afterthought. When in doubt, lean into the classic styles: a hand-glazed subway tile, a small hex pattern in an entryway, or a bit of pattern on a backsplash can do more to age a space than almost anything else on this list.

Highlight What Exists

Photos from Pinterest

At the end of the day, it's crucial to remember that a contemporary build will never truly look or feel like a different era home, no matter what changes are made. Rather, it's important to also highlight the architecture you do have — the trim, the windows, the built-ins — and let those existing features do some of the work instead of fighting against them. For example, my current home has vaulted ceilings in the living and kitchen. I would never add picture moulding to the angled walls because it would just look weird. I would, however, add an aged & weathered wood beam to drawn attention to the vault.

Every house, even a brand-new one, has architectural bones worth working with rather than around. And remember: the goal is not to trick anyone into thinking this is a hundred-year-old house. It's to make sure the character & charm you add has something real to stand on.

SHOPPE MY FAVORITES

I hope this inspires you to think about new ways to make your house a home. If you’re ready to get started, I’ve pulled together hardware, fixtures, and finishes we’ve used and loved throughout our own home. Take what fits your space, leave what doesn’t, and use it as a bit of inspiration as you work through your own list of updates.

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For a long time, I carried that curiosity quietly inside myself. When my path diverged in a wood, I took the practical one that had been paved by the expectations placed on all the women before me. As a coping mechanism, I built a wonderful inner world through my writing and my research, where I could escape whenever life got a little too loud. And though that little girl who was drawn to stories and spaces slipped into the shadows, I kept returning to her in fragments that took me far too long to recognize as a whole reflection. The family research, the writing, the way spaces and stories connected for me without even trying—it was her, all along.

That practical path, although paved with good intentions, meandered me off course in search of myself. By the time I had wandered back to the start, past all the boulevards of broken dreams, I realized that what I was searching for wasn’t ahead of me. It was behind me, buried in the roots I’d already spent years digging into. I just didn’t know yet that the calling had a name.

The “Heritage Revival” movement across culture, design, and fashion is often misunderstood as mere nostalgia: a a wistful or sentimental yearning for a return to or the return of some real or romanticized past period or some irrecoverable past condition or setting. Born as a direct counter-response to ultra-minimalist, fast-fashion, and hyper-modern aesthetics, it is frequently grouped alongside trends like “Quiet Luxury,” “Old Money Aesthetic,” and “Grandmillennial.” But Heritage Revival signals something much deeper than a wardrobe change or an interior design trend. It is a profound cultural craving for permanence, craftsmanship, and a tangible, tactile connection to history.

Psychology tells us that nostalgia is often triggered by a familiar smell, sound, or physical experience, serving as an emotional anchor during times of instability, loneliness, or loss. As with all profound emotional longings, it’s rarely about the surface-level thing we think we want: the dream house, the dream job, the dream partner, the dream milestone, or the dream version of ourselves. Instead, these feelings act as a compass pointing toward a fundamental need that’s not being met: the all search for belonging, a desire to be truly seen, the drive to find a higher purpose, and the craving of inner peace in a home we just can’t seem to locate.

As the world turns ever faster, as our days slip one into another, as doomscrolling a 24/7 newsfeed consumes the precious little time we once dedicated to our hobbies— filling our mind, our senses, our beliefs with feelings of inadequacy and fear—it’s easy to see why the past looks so inviting. how nostalgia can appear as the soothing, shushing, blanket of comforting motherly love we all crave.

And yet, Heritage Revival isn’t about going backward. It isn’t an invitation to live in the past, nor is it a blind romanticism of eras that had their own deep flaws.

Rather, it’s about learning from those who came before us to build something that fits the here and now. It’s about slowing down enough to notice that heirlooms aren’t the only objects handed down through generations. Heritage is built into the rhythms of our daily lives, the stories that we tell ourselves, and the traditions we keep year after year.

This is an exploration of that intersection: where the spaces we inhabit meet the rituals that keep us grounded. It is an exploration of design, history, and memory.

Ultimately, it’s about coming home to yourself.

If any of this resonates like the old family albums, the well-worn spaces, the wanting to live a little slower, welcome home, you’re in the right place.