But it did make me wonder: what exactly is making me “glow,” per se? It’s certainly NOT a pregnancy glow, I’ll tell ya that much. I think it’s finally reaching a point in life where I understand myself on a deeply authentic level.

• In middle school, I wanted to blend in. No bling, no risks, just wanted to be like everyone else.

• In high school, I wanted to be comfortable. I usually had practice or a game after school and needed outfits that required minimal time spent in the rogue HS lockeroom.

• In college, I wanted to belong. It was the first time I really experienced my version of How The Other Half Lives (dramatic, but you get it). Going to a university where many people had a lot more than I did was the first time I remember longing for things other people had.

• Post-college, I wanted to look professional. Pencil skirts, button-downs, low heels — I was a grown-up! Or at least someone who owned a lanyard and an Ann Taylor Loft cardigan.

• My early 30’s were the age of reckoning. Enter the IDGAF era. I started learning how to actually do my makeup (aggressive smoky-eye years… oof) and wearing things that made me confidently stand out.

• And now? Late 30s feels like the sweet spot. The phase where I finally understand myself enough to love myself exactly as I am. The phase where I don’t care if you like my outfit, think it’s “too much,” or even like me in general. The phase where, if it doesn’t make me feel like a million bucks, I don’t want it. The phase where I can see something and say, “that’s so me,” and truly understand why.

So when someone — including me — shares something they love, a great deal, or something they wear all the time, pause for a second and think about your own journey. Be selective about the things that make you feel like a gazillion bucks.

Because the journey to truly knowing myself took decades.

I know what I like and what makes me feel my best. And I hope somewhere in this blog, you find a few things that help you feel like yourself, too.

Now that I’ve fully psychoanalyzed my personal style journey, onto the week!

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MONDAY

A very average Monday. I decided to resurface my daughter’s recorder from the estranged cabinet above the stove. She has been snake charming us with her incredible renditions of “hot crossed bunz.”

Feel free to experience the live concert below. No refunds. ⬇️

🏅Unsung Hero: Sleep Stone

Does it help me sleep? IDK. Does this magical stone feel like an instrumental part of my nightly turndown experience? YOU BET.

TUESDAY

This linen dress was the showstopper of the week! It has this gorgeous tie detail in the back. The wrap style in the front took me very long to figure out — at one point it looked like a torture device. But practice makes perfect, and she’s perfect!

🏅Unsung Hero: Easy Hawaiian Chicken Dinner

I hate cooking dinner. Sometimes I think about the next 100 years of my life and feel a bit sad that I will have to share this responsibility with the Four-Shirted-Husband™ FOR-EVER (gender norms, who?). This easy dinner saved the day!

WEDNESDAY

I’ve learned there’s nothing I love more when someone writes me a little note. I love it in my Poshmark packages, on my Starbucks cup and most recently on my UberEats taco order!

Kelly is truly also an unsung hero, and I know in my heart she’d love the fit below.

🏅Unsung Hero: Astrological Necklace

This is my favorite daily necklace for a few reasons. First, my daughter and I twin wearing it, and we think of the iconic Space Snake™. Second, it’s waterproof, and I don’t have to use my fat fingers to take it on and off every day.

THURSDAY

Went on a field trip that did NOT warrant the fit I have on below. I wore a grey T-shirt, jeans, and dad sneakers for the trip. My coworkers immediately clocked that I was leaving the building because I looked like I was either about to mow the lawn or chaperone kids. This is what I changed into after.

🏅Unsung Hero: Stand-In-Hair Straightener

My go-to hair straightener is the grossly expensive GHD one. It died, RIP, and I snagged a new one until I could muster up the courage to repurchase. I think this $30 one is a VERY good alternative.

FRIDAY

I was told Friday’s look was “giving ice cream.” Has my Ninja Creami obsession gone too far? The shirt was a strawberry-vanilla swirl, the white sweater was the whipped cream, and the khaki pants were the cone. I did not design this intentionally, but I accept the classification.

🏅Unsung Hero: iPhone Alarm Dance

I’m not sure why I can’t stop watching this reel. Each dance he performs matches the iPhone sound perfectly. AI can never replace this level of creativity. BRB- changing my alarm to radiate.

Last Week on Rambling In Style

What a week! A glow up, my daughter dropping her first single on the recorder, and Kelly the Uber Eats driver making my heart so happy.

See you next week with a Midweek Snack!

💓 If you enjoy reading (or listening to) Rambling in Style, here are a few ways to show your support: tap the heart, restack this post, leave a comment, subscribe, or share with a friend!

Feeling generous? Buy me a coffee here—just a tip for my work, all love, no strings.

They’re a weird exercise in reflecting on the week—while you’re in it, everything feels absolutely insane, but from a zoomed-out lens, it turns into laughter and “did that really happen?”

It’s no surprise I have a lot to say, and I hope that these posts inspire you fashionably but also remind you that life isn’t that serious. We are all out here messing up, trying our best, terrified our kids and loved ones may need extensive therapy when they’re done with us, but ya know what? We show up anyway and we prepare to do it all again the next week.

Let these posts always serve as a reminder for you that while maybe the “looks” project as “put together,” no one really is. We’re all out here fighting for our lives, blissfully of course.

I hope you enjoy my week of cringe, clarinets squeaking, repeat songs, my need for ice-cream-anonymous, and more.

KEEP DOING THE BEST YOU CAN OUT THERE!

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MONDAY

You know I love a good hyperfixation. The Four-Shirted-Husband™1 absolutely crushed the Mother’s Day game (thank god for his sake). I got a Ninja Creami. I tried to fight it for so long, but as they said in the iconic movie Coyote Ugly, “can’t fight the moonlight.” I succumbed.

I am literally obsessed. I’ve made homemade chocolate, vanilla bean, Dole Whip, cookie butter, and don’t even get me started on the mix-ins. Next on the agenda: frappuccinos, mocktails, sorbet. THE LIMIT DOES NOT EXIST.

There are some awesome Substacks like that drop really fun recipes like these!

🏅Unsung Hero: Ninja Creami

For all reasons listed above. She’s everything I hoped for and more.

TUESDAY

I feel like at some point someone is going to be like, “Why is this chick at the doctor every week?” Just know I’m very okay — just a bit of a medical mystery.

But here is, yet again, another doctor’s office fit. Also peep the new shades — another Mother’s Day gift picked out by our favorite Four-Shirted-Husband™.

🏅Unsung Hero: New Lip Balm

My sister gave this to me for Mother’s Day and said a co-worker swears by it. Not gonna lie, I REALLY love it. AQUAPHOR: YOU ARE STILL MY #1.

WEDNESDAY

I promised that I would do my best to stop saying MaYcEmBeR multiple times per day. And although she has granted me permission to keep using the cringe phrase (it gets the same groan as saying “6-7,” which is apparently SO lame now), I am fully living and breathing Maycember.

We had my son’s 5th grade concert. Have you ever been to an elementary school music concert? Just wow. A few key observations:

1. Shoutout to all the music teachers out there. I played the clarinet for 100 years, and I still want to collapse every time I hear that thing squeak.

2. The kids did a lovely job.

3. My head hurt. It was really hot.

4. I think at least one song in every set should be a millennial bop. Imagine if, out of nowhere, they started playing Destiny’s Child’s Survivor? The place would go wild.

🏅Unsung Hero: The Puerto Rico Song

Maybe it’s auditory stimming, maybe it’s because I love Puerto Rico, or maybe it’s because the song is a straight-up bop.

THURSDAY

The fun continued as we ran one kid to a softball game and the other was out biking in the wild. I was getting ready to do my nightly turn-down when I shared with my son that I didn’t think we’d make the art show. His audible despair was enough for me to literally turn off the shower, throw all my clothing back on, and go view their masterpieces.

But, as you would expect, it was so worth it. Their art looked fantastic! I still cannot get over my daughter’s “Space Snake.” HANG IT IN THE LOUVRE!

🏅Unsung Hero: Cream Blush (Color: Petal)

Cream products scare me. I can’t stop using this gifted blush after a week of trial. Also sorry to report that wearing Ariana Grande’s makeup line will not, in fact, unlock your ability to sing Defying Gravity like she does. WOMP WOMP.

FRIDAY

At work we were talking about how to get dressed in this weird NY weather. I shared with my co-workers that I look at the temperature on my weather app and add about 5 degrees. The building is always hot, and the PM is always warmer than expected. Someone called my strategy “brilliant.” Perhaps I have a budding career as a meteorologist in my second life. Or perhaps they were just being nice.

The students were big fans, and before I even started the lesson, I was told, “Mrs. L, I like your fit today!” Name a better feel-good moment…I’ll wait.

🏅Unsung Hero: New Sunglasses!

Love these new sunglasses. They’re small enough to give “cool-girl vibes,” but wide enough to satisfy my oversized-sunglasses-loving millennial heart.

Last Week on Rambling In Style

That’s it. Another week of functioning(ish) in society. We shall regroup and do it again next week. Love ya, mean it!

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So I made my Four-Shirted-Husband™ build a fire so we could have s’mores. In class, we learned about the Space Race while I played outer space ambiance videos on YouTube and floated through the classroom like I was in a NASA-adjacent dream sequence (next year I’m getting an astronaut costume)1. I listened to my new Kacey Musgraves vinyl on repeat, baked cookies on a weeknight, took a eucalyptus epsom salt bath, walked my pups, called a friend, moisturized, ordered tacos for takeout, and chose humanity over anger more times than I can count.

I read the news with caution. I somehow got my hair to survive three full days sans wash. I watched the WNBA. I wore a matching pajama set. I (mostly) chose empathy over rage. I went to bed early.

I did the things! I hope you will too.

Here are some fits and unsung heroes from another very average, very ordinary week of a very tired AP Gov teacher.

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Monday

All I’m going to say is this fringe shirt was a stunner. People literally stopped me in the hallway to compliment it, which led to me shimmying the fringe in agreement. I will say there were some challenges involving restroom logistics, but all was okay.

My seniors took their AP Government exam and felt great. College Board hit them with a fascinating argumentative essay prompt: develop an argument as to whether social movements or congressional actions have done more to expand voting opportunities.

Anywho, here’s the fit…

🏅Unsung Hero: Body Wash

What on earth is in this that makes it smell so incredible? This was gifted to me (bc I harassed them), but honestly I’ll go right ahead and continually gift it to myself with my own damn money. For the record: this is coming from a HUGE scent snob.

Tuesday

After work, I had to get lab work done. Fine. I booked online, looked cute, felt cute, and entered a waiting room with no desk, absolutely no human authority structure, and a ton of confusion.

They called my name and the phlebotomist immediately complimented my outfit. Good sign. Then she started making phone calls, googling things, and I sat there long enough to make myself anxious just looking at the vials and needles in the room. SOMEONE GET ME AN APPLE JUICE.

She came back and said they couldn’t run the test. I begged to let me call the doc, but with 20 minutes until closing and a room full of increasingly hostile walk-ins, I was released into the wild.

Malice toward none, but I cried real tears in the car.

All this to say: I took this outfit off so fast in a fit of rage, a flat lay is all I have for you.

🏅Unsung Hero: Fantastic Tortilla Chips

Let’s just say I was salty and needed some joy. These were great.

Wednesday

This color combo was fully inspired by the one and only in this post. I started the day with the sweater around my waist and spent the remainder of it wearing it 52 different ways, only to arrive at the conclusion that I liked the look better without it.

🏅Unsung Hero: Curling Wand

paid me the kindest hair compliment last week, so I’ll share with you my tool of the trade: this very solid, budget-friendly curling wand. I simply cannot figure out how to use a legitimate curling iron.

Thursday

I didn’t expect to channel a Salem Witch Trials x Country collab on your average Thursday, but here we are. And honestly, I’m not really mad about it. Someone redeemed the situation by saying they “love a monochromatic moment!”

🏅Unsung Hero: Matching Jammie Set (top | bottom)

I usually wear an XL t-shirt and basketball shorts to bed. This Target set is a massive yet easy upgrade for me. (I go up two sizes in the shirt for max comfort)

Friday

I was hesitant to wear this gingham vest with temperatures only peaking at sixty degrees, but it was a perfect fit for a human like me who always runs hot. I taught about the fall of the Berlin Wall and reminded my students that one year before this iconic moment a bouncin’ baby girl was born weighing 7 lbs 11 oz with blonde hair and blue eyes… dramatic pause… ME! Crickets.

🏅Unsung Hero: Tanning Lotion

I SWEAR by this stuff. Listen, if the “guns” are coming out but the sun isn’t really out yet, a tanning lotion I put on at night (with a mitt) that’s pleasant and gives me an AM glow is a non-negotiable.

Last Week on Rambling In Style

That’s the week. Wishing you, your mamas and mom-like figures a wonderful Mother’s Day! I did the things, you do the things. We ride again next week.

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Now, 20-something years later, I no longer dress for an audience or the approval of others. I get dressed embracing the idea of pushing the edges of “traditional” dress code and show up in clothes that simply feel like me. Sometimes that means “overdressed.” Sometimes it means a little loud. Either way, authentically me.

No secret around here, I’m a high school history teacher. I’m not dressing for the office or corporate America. The hallways are my runway. My students are my daily audience, and honestly, some of my most enthusiastic (and brutally honest) supporters. Occasionally, I even receive unsolicited style feedback from teenagers in pajamas, which I accept with grace and mild resentment.

Luckily, I work in a place where people are genuinely accepted for how they show up. I like seeing how each person expresses themselves in their own way.

Here are a few outfits actually worn to work this week. These were snapped after the workday, which is all the proof needed that they were truly worn: clothing wrinkles, frizzy hair, and a strong need for sunglasses to hide the EOD mascara drip.

I paired each look with an “unsung hero”—something that did heavy lifting that day but doesn’t always get the shoutout.

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Monday

Last week’s spring styling with cowboy boots really reminded me how much my boots bring me joy. I tossed on the blazer to give it a slightly more formal look.

Almost a tragic experience in all-white as I got sloppy with my espresso-making barista skills. Live to tell the tale.

I changed after work into my comfy clothes because I had a dentist visit where I got my teeth cleaned and cheated on my dogs with Hazel the best therapy pup ever!

🏅Unsung Hero: Supershine Moisturizing Hair Cream

Run it through my strands after I shower and helps prevent frizz-o-mania from getting out of control.

Tuesday

I bought this blazer for an award ceremony a few weeks ago and refuse to allow it to be a one-hit wonder. As a professional shopping sleuth, I was bummed to see that after I purchased it, there’s a much less expensive version floating around.

🏅Unsung Hero: Lint Brushes

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: they don’t call them “German Shedders” for no reason. Hairy Dogs + Black Clothing = a battle I lose daily.

Wednesday

Wednesday I had to take care of some personal medical needs—the audacity! I decided to dress comfortable yet put together for my appointment. After spending 90 minutes in the waiting room, I was super grateful I chose comfort over having a stylistic moment at the ENT.

🏅Unsung Hero: Nervous System Regulation Playlist

Nothing gets me amped up with anxiety like a 12:00pm medical visit. This frequency playlist convinces my body we are, in fact, safe-ish. Or it’s a placebo effect, IDK!

Thursday

Wearing this look to work: normal. Wearing this look to my 5th grader’s “Gym Show” — AKA watching him play “Gaga” and juggle a plate on a stick — was arguably a bit aggressive. Outfit-wise: what feels good feels good, can’t stop the feeling!

🏅Unsung Hero: Cropped Barn Jacket | Second Hand: XS, S, M & L)

I snagged this beauty second hand for a fraction of the price. It’s the perfect light layer when the weather has ZERO respect for consistency.

Friday

Would you believe, after outing myself to the internet for putting on white lash primer at least once a week and forgetting the mascara afterward, that I would do it literally the next day? Have no fear—I had my handy provisions pouch with mascara to quickly apply between period 3 and 4.

I feel like this look’s inspiration was a combination of ’s note & ’s pink/green color combo in this post.

🏅Unsung Hero: Mini Mascara

This tiny mascara literally saved the day from yet another missing eyelash morning.

Last Week on Rambling In Style

It’s been a minute since I’ve done one of these, and if you’ve been with me since the beginning, you’ll know that this type of content was my starting point here on Substack.

Usually by Friday I get pretty sick of seeing myself in a mirror and taking a picture, so I’ll try to sprinkle these posts in when I have the self-confidence, good lighting, and gusto.

Love ya lots. Dress like yourself. The rest will follow!

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I’ve been thinking a lot about the phrase “don’t poke the bear.” In other words, don’t provoke something powerful or it might come back twice as hard.

I was raised by parents who taught me to stand up and speak up, not to be afraid of poking the bear. Last week, something at my kids’ school felt off. Not small-off. Not ignore-it-off. BIG OFF! So I did what I tend to do best: I made the call, dropped some facts, stayed calm, and poked the bear with a smile.

It worked. The situation was addressed for my kiddos and all the others in the same boat. It felt incredible. That being said, not every outcome is like that. And I’m not suggesting we go out on the prowl looking for daily fights. But I do think we default too often to “it is what it is” when something needs to be questioned, myself included. Complacency can be comfortable (and remarkably stress-free), but sometimes it becomes complicity.

To be fair, this “poke the bear” energy has definitely gotten me into sticky situations before. My Four-Shirted-Husband™ would agree I have two toxic traits:

1. I believe I can befriend or domesticate every wild animal in existence. The bear will not maul me because it will sense my EXCELLENT VIBES. Duh.

2. I believe, to my core, I can fist fight grown men double my size.

I’ve learned I can’t (and shouldn’t) poke every single bear. I also do not, in fact, have superhuman strength—I have herniated discs and a sour tummy. TBH, it’s kind of shocking I haven’t been punched in the face yet.

But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t poke some bears.

I hope this encourages you to speak up about something you care about this week, even if the bear is a little scary.

A hard pivot into something completely different. One of my favorite closet acquisitions of 2026 has been my western boots. Here’s four ways I’m wearing them this spring.

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• I decided after 38 years it’s probably time I create a work pouch of eMeRgEnCy things. I’ve finally had enough of showing up to work realizing I put on lash primer (which goes on white) and forgetting to put on my actual mascara. So help me god, if one more person tells me I look “different,” I’m giving myself permission to go home for the day.

• Literally counting down the minutes/seconds until Kacey Musgraves’ new album drops tomorrow!

• I was today years old when I realized it’s perceived as “strange” that I don’t use to-go cups when I travel through life. My preferred method of transport is to bring the mug into the car sans lid, take a quick sip, and hope for the best. I feel like my college experience dancing & balancing bevvys at T’s Pub in Boston (IYKYK, RIP!) prepared me for this moment.

• I got the mini version of the body stone lotion bar for Mother’s day gifts. And I thought to myself, ya know who else would like this? ME. Plus it’s a rec!

• I think I need this for my pool this summer. Some people count calories, I want to count how many pool naps I can take without drowning.

• I am eyeing these CZ drop-earrings - I feel like they’re a great less expensive version of the popular Dorsey pair.

• I am obsessed with this scarf bag and am staying patient and vigilant on the secondhand market.

Last Week on Rambling In Style

Now go forth and poke responsibly—see ya soon!

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It’s state testing season right now. My kids are getting ready to take their big, scary “state exams.” They use the acronym A (answer) + D (detail) + D (detail) as a formula to answer questions, and as someone who holds that very diagnosis, it makes me laugh every time.

Last night we were going over it, and I was trying to explain to my tween son that the details actually have to support the answer. I gave him a very sophisticated example (met with immediate eye-rolling). I said, imagine my answer is: Dogs are my favorite animal. And my details are: Dogs have super cute fluffy butts, and birds are scary. Do you see how the second detail doesn’t support the answer?

He agreed.

But out of nowhere, my daughter (who is always listening) started hysterically laughing from downstairs.

And then, naturally, we all lost it.

I thought they were used to these kinds of bizarre comments from the “weirdest mom ever,” but it was a good reminder that genuine laughter is actually good for the soul. Let’s not take life so seriously this week, k? Apparently spontaneous laughter significantly lowers cortisol levels and WE ARE SO HERE FOR THAT.

And for the record, the next practice passage was on raccoons. The NYS Department of Education described them as “pests,” which feels like an injustice. Don’t @ me (or 🦝).

One great piece I personally own and love. Styled three ways. That’s my kind of math. Drum roll please…the Beige Quarter-Zip!

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Think of it as Chicken Noodle Soup for the middle-aged girlie soul.

• I am basically allergic to small talk. I’ve been trying to improve by having casual chit-chats with people at work. Apparently, brief, low-stakes interactions reduce loneliness and improve health outcomes. I am simply doing my part.

• This year, my daughter decided, out of nowhere, that she wanted to try softball. We were ecstatic. She had to pick “walk-out” songs to play when she comes up to bat. I think she chose the most iconic ones: Big Guy by Ice Spice and The Final Countdown. What would your walk-out song be? I shared mine in ’s post from February.

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• I recently snagged these snakeskin slingback heels that are 10/10. Low heel, comfortable, felt cute, did not face plant.

• I love noise cancelling the universe with my AirPods. I just struggle to locate them. I truly believe the OG string headphones can never be topped.

• I am a deeply dehydrated person. I was not drinking eight glasses a day. Now I carry an XL water bottle/tank and haven’t missed since. I also tell myself it’s toning my arms as I lug it around school like a hydration mule.

Random things I’d absolutley allow as a token of appreciation for my mothering duties. Non-clothing items only.

• This beaded bamboo bag.

• A handmade ceramic polka dot fish espresso mug set.

• A cute secondhand pouch for my infinite amounts of unorganized stuff.

Last Week on Rambling In Style

And that’s your snackie for this week. Keep me in your thoughts as I drain my social battery attempting spontaneous small talk. Good luck out there.

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I can’t be the only one who feels this way, but vacation Traci is truly the best Traci. I do my life’s best work when there are no deadlines, no appointments, and no decisions.

When I vacation, I am a BIG do-nothing. I do not go on excursions. I do not exercise. I do not even engage with other humans. I simply do nothing.

If it were up to my Four-Shirted-Husband™, we’d be taking a boat to Monkey Island and UTV’ing into a volcano. They say opposites attract, and if that doesn’t seal it, the difference in our nightstands will. His: perfectly curated, everything has a spot. Mine: four empty bottles of water, a stack of unread books, and one AirPod that is never charged.

But I do appreciate that he knows that while, yes, a vacation can be memory-making to the max, that’s not what all of them are. Some are literally a recharge button for me.

This is not to say my kids have horrible childhoods and I am a mean mom who sits on a lounge chair for five days. But then again, lol… Some of our trips as a family are devoted to doing “the things”—Legoland, mini golf (my kryptonite next to gel nails), and water sports.

But let this be your permission slip to recognize when some trips need to be everything BUT that. They are trips where you need to be a slug on a rug. Take these moments of downtime whether it’s a tropical vacation, a weekend to yourself or an hour of self-care. Take them often, take them unapologetically and take them to be your best self.

Even after a vacation where I intentionally chose a hotel geared more toward adults my daughter cried real tears and told me it was the best trip ever. It wasn’t the splurges—we did none. It wasn’t the activities—we barely did any. It was simply time together, nothing more.

Maybe, just maybe, Vacation Traci knew what she was doing.

This week has been weird. It was 40 degrees in the morning and 80 by the time I got home. I didn’t want a coat, but I needed something. Enter: the oversized black blazer.

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• I’ve recently been playing checkers against my daughter. Although I’m showing improvement I am still being obliterated by an 8 year old daily.

• On the last day of vacation I couldn’t wait to get my morning crepe, only to see the crepe station was closed. Devastated is an understatement. Problem solved: I bought a crepe maker (& this fool proof mix) and I am now someone who makes crepes at home.

• Yes, another white dress. I scooped up this one on sale and I love it. I sized up because she was a bit snug. I think it’s the perfect graduation dress.

• Dark chocolate almonds. Someone explain to me why these are the most perfect ratio of chocolate to nut.

• This skin tint. I always switch to this around spring/summer. There is no real reason I can identify for this change, especially for someone as rigid as me. I like to add bronzing drops for a slightly bronzed glow.

• This lace trim mini skort. Skirt + Shorts = opportunity to participate in many activities. I know the influencers at the Masters were very upsetting to some because of their short bottoms. I am not an influencer, and I am not at the Masters. I do not understand golf. I hate mini golf the same way I hate a gel manicure. Therefore, you may see me out and about wearing this one.

• I really want a quality woven tote bag, possibly a Mother’s Day gift. This one looks perfect and the reviews confirm it is. Mama’s gotta wait for a sale.

• Do I need this embellished sunglasses case? No. Is it cool? Yes.

Last Week on Rambling In Style

Alright, that’s all I’ve got for you. This concludes today’s broadcast.

Thoughts and prayers to my fellow friends as we fight for our lives during allergy season.

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We stayed at a fabulous all-inclusive that truly met all of our needs. Sidenote: where are my fellow Costco members? Are we using the travel perks? Because the air-conditioned van with an iPad that had our last name on it while others melted waiting for their airport ride… an absolute gift from the Costco gods & goddesses.

I think my husband and I are the most low-key hotel guests of all time. We waited too long to book our weekly resys, said whateverrrr, and ended up rolling the dice on the buffet for every meal except hibachi on our last night.

Reviews had mixed feelings about the food, but for my family this was a major upgrade from my weekly rotation of Taco Tuesday and “burnt burgers if mom grills.”

My son will take a bite, look visibly unwell, and say, “Mom… this is very good.” My daughter asks me to remove all the “black stuff” before her lips touch anything I’ve made.

I am a self-proclaimed chaotic packer. This usually looks like me throwing random things into a suitcase followed by a full spiral on the bed staring at the ceiling announcing, “I have nothing to wear.”

Tbh, I have a lot to wear. I used collections to plan this trip and I’m not being dramatic when I say it changed everything. 1000/10.

I didn’t pack anticipating nightly buffet dinners instead of the “luxurious restaurants,” but as our girl Joan Didion said (and quoted in her last post), today is all we have.

So I dressed the hell up for the buffet.

Every. Damn. Night.

Here’s my trip recap. Fits and unsung heroes. Nothing over the top, nothing unattainable, just good pieces styled well and worn to the buffet like they deserved.

Affiliate links included below.

Day 1

We flew into the DR and arrived at our room around lunchtime. Ordered room service quesadillas, Dominican coffee (highly recommend), then swam before our buffet bash.

I made sure to get a mani/pedi before the trip even though sitting in a nail salon is my personal version of exposure therapy. On the way back from dinner I stubbed my toe. RIP to my pinky toenail. Trip continued.

Buffet Fit

🏅Unsung Hero: Packable Steamer

Saved the linen. Never traveling without it again.

Day 2

We are a beach in the AM, pool in the PM kind of family. By day two I had successfully befriended all the hotel cats.

My kids also learned a few things this trip - mainly gratitude. Whether through tips, genuine thank yous, or a simple buenos días.

Beach/Pool Fit

Buffet Fit

🏅Unsung Hero: Sunscreen

No cast, immediate reapply energy. Shockingly elite.

Day 3

By day three, the buffet was still hitting. I have a resurrected love for crepes and could genuinely eat poached eggs and plantains every day forever.

There was an inflatable pirate ship obstacle course where I enjoyed watching kids (mine included) and adults face-plant into the pool while I sipped my virgin piña colada, giggling quietly behind my sunnies.

Beach/Pool Fit

🏅Unsung Hero: Cadence Packing Containers (*gifted)

Magnetic, organized, excellent for carry-on-ONLY life.

Day 4

Decided to try and get my fitness on, but the universe reminded me I was extremely dehydrated. Nothing Zofran couldn’t handle. Back on my feet in no time. Rookie mistake: no electrolyte packets.

Hibachi night was a blast. Our personal kryptonite as an anti-social family, and yet we thrived. Met some lovely fellow New Yorkers and yapped it up.

Our chef Eddie kept us laughing. I spent a solid portion of dinner worried he’d try to throw an egg into my mouth while I was wearing my new favorite dress. Crisis averted.

The highlight: a fork-juggling mishap that landed directly on my Four-Shirted-Husband™, whose personal kryptonite is, in fact, a stain.

On the way out, there was a silent disco. My first experience with this social phenomenon. The Cupid Shuffle, the Wobble, the Macarena—I was in my element. I quite literally had to wobble myself back to the shower.

Beach/Pool Fit

Hibachi Fit

🏅Unsung Hero: Gradual Tan Lotion

I’m all about enhancing the glow when you’re only away for 5 days.

All in all, we had such an amazing trip! We loved the hotel, the staff, the weather and a pool big enough that we didn’t have to socialize with other couples at the bar. Listen—we are works in progress, k!?

We would absolutely return. You know it was a great trip when your kids cry because they have to leave. Although my son deeply missed watching WWE and my daughter missed her 1,212 stuffed animals.

It felt really special sharing Dominican culture with my kids—so full of color and life. I have a feeling I might have more to say about this trip… beyond the buffet. Stay tuned.

Hibachi chef Eddie referred to me as “Queen” when he served me, so I will be signing off accordingly.

Sincerely,
Your Hibachi Queen 👑

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Last Week on Rambling In Style

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My best friends could literally commit a crime, and I’d confidently reply, “AS YOU SHOULD.” My loyalty runs that deep. One of my BFFs has the privilege of having her desk facing me all day. Sometimes she wants to work, but I just have to tell her about my medical deep dives or my latest conspiracy theories about my faulty health.

We also often pause mid-conversation to ask, “are we just fueling each other’s “genius” again?” 🤣 We’re both huge vibes people. Deep feelers, constantly reading the room, absorbing energy, noticing what most people miss.

Recently, she sent me this video from Jensen Huang—the CEO of a massive AI tech company—where he was asked: “Who’s the smartest person you’ve ever met?” He sadly didn’t say me, but his answer was fascinating. He said the smartest people can:

1. See around corners: anticipate problems before they happen

2. Empathize: read people, motives, and emotions

3. Sense the unknown: “just because you feel the vibe”

If you’ve been here a while, you know I’m all about Team Empathy & living every day purely based on 100% VIBEZ. Huang’s video just fuels my and my pal’s toxic-but-honest belief that we’re superhuman. Maybe you are too?

I scooped up a few things that I’ll be packing for an upcoming vacation. I’m low-key proud of myself for not buying an entirely new wardrobe beforehand. It’s essentially the same knee-jerk reaction as packing 19 pairs of underwear for a four-day trip.

Linking everything here. Some are affiliate, all are justified.

VACATION MVPS:

1. CROCHET DRESS - I love the texture of this dress because it’s super forgiving. The crochet bib is both beautiful and detachable!

2. SCULPTING SWIM - I love the smoothing material on this swimsuit. I ended up sizing up for a little bit of room.

3. LACE SHORTS - Great dupes for a more expensive version. I ordered these in my usual size and am happy with the sufficient coverage.

HOW I’M STYLING THEM:

Not a ton of wild recent happenings around this neck of the woods, but two things from the past week really stood out to me.

• On Wednesday, as I was walking into work, I unknowingly stepped in geese poop. Like the fidgety weirdo that I am, I had an itch on my calf and—rather than bending over with my old, creaky back—I scratched it with my ballet flat. Only to realize midway through teaching about the Roaring ’20s that I had green and white geese poop on my jeans. I grabbed a paper towel, continued discussing Warren G. Harding, and scraped it off to the best of my ability. Good news: it didn’t derail my day.

• I finally mustered up the courage to message my dermatologist and ask if he could prescribe me tretinoin. This was a big day, and I’m so proud of myself. QUITE AN ADVOCATE! I started my routine and have been harassing via DM to make sure I don’t burn my face off. Currently utilizing the “sandwich technique.” Sadly, it does not include eating a BLT.

Think of it as Chicken Noodle Soup for the middle-aged girlie soul.

• I always wrote this hair mask off after getting a Sephora sample. Didn’t follow the directions, used it once, and immediately blamed it for my dry hair. K18 gifted me the leave-in mask, so I gave it another shot because people won’t shut up about it. This time, I actually followed the directions. Smooth hair for days, I rate it 100/10.

• I snagged and wore this sweater tee under $20. It is perfect for the spring transition weather. Sized up one. 10/10.

A few things that caught my eye this week:

• These white shorts. I love that they’re long and loose enough that I don’t have to slather my beloved Aquaphor between my chafing summer thighs.

• Now that we’re all in the gang green (sad Jets fan reference) - this green tank looks airy and like the perfect shade of Kermit. Would love to wear it WITH the white shorts seen above.

Last Week on Rambling In Style

Until next time (!!!) I’ll be trusting the vibes against all evidence. FYI: I’ll most likely disappear next week. This is planned, not a spiral.

💓 If you enjoy reading (or listening to) Rambling in Style, here are a few ways to show your support: tap the heart, restack this post, leave a comment, subscribe, or share with a friend!

If you’re interested in my daily outfits, check out my open closet on Indyx! I’d love for you to style me!

I thought about, after ghosting everyone for two weeks, simply returning with a note that said in Thomas Jefferson’s voice (from Hamilton), “what did I miss?”

But, like most jokes in my life, I figured it probably wouldn’t land—especially given what I’d likely encounter online. I’d be met with folks who stumbled upon me in the algorithm, suggesting we subscribe to each other; the overly honest Substacker who writes “You missed nothing”; or the politically charged writer listing every horrendous thing happening in the world. So instead, I quietly shared my intention in a comment with .

And honestly? Stepping away made me realize I didn’t miss much. Sure, I missed some content from many of my favorite writers—but it was there when I got back.

Because for the first time in a while, I had a quiet moment just for myself—sitting at my dining room table, typing this. In a silent house. No construction. No dogs barking (until my 90lb German Shepherd’s nemesis, the chihuahua, walks by). No kids saying “Mom” for no specific need other than to just say it a gazillion times. No spouse asking me questions about when morning band is, when I honestly do not know. Our kids’ band teacher is low-key incredible (he always keeps us in the know!!), I just had to mute the notifications because I’m an overstimulated baby.

Just silence. And when my world feels at peace, I feel at peace. When I feel at peace, my cognitive space opens and makes room for hobbies and creativity. Like we learned last week, sometimes in order to achieve that cognitive freedom, we have to release some cows.

What I’ve missed is updating you on some fun things in life that are giving me the most fabulous microdoses of joy. So, if anything, let’s start there.

Here are some recent purchases, bought with my own money, styled to inspire you and keep me from outfit indecision. Before anyone critiques the font size of this upcoming disclaimer or its placement in my newsletter, let’s just get this out of the way: there are affiliate links in this post.

THREE RECENT PURCHASES:

1. ASYMMETRICAL FRINGE TANK - Honestly, bury me in fringe. This one is coming with me on vacation. I sized up for a little room.

2. BATHING SUIT - It’s a Kermit-girl-summer and I hope you’ll consider joining me. Definitely worth trying on first because of the deep scoop back.

3. FLOWY PANTS - It’s official, I have these pants in three colors now. I just snagged them in the color: candlelight.

HOW I’M STYLING THEM:

A toxic trait of mine has been the singular board on Pinterest titled “Aesthetic,” which showcases outfits and looks I like. In my unhinged fashion, it now has 1.2k pins.

I’m here to report that I now have a second board called “Soul Soup.”

Here are some deep feeling things that caught my eye this week.

A pet peeve of mine is feeling like my time is being wasted. So here’s a little evidence that the past few weeks were, in fact, time very well spent.

• Literally laughing out loud as my daughter took out her anger on my GPS. The b*tch in a box was giving me directions—because my ADHD is so bad I can’t get from my house to the post office without missing an exit—and she proceeded to sassily respond to every command. At one point, the GPS said, “Turn left.” And she shot back, “OKAY, SO WHAT? YOU DON’T KNOW EVERYTHING.” She can’t talk to me like that, so why not vent on the innocent voice assistant?

• Watching BOOTS on Netflix. My Four-Shirted-Husband™ spent time at Parris Island, and I enjoyed watching and corroborating the show with his real-life experience. Needless to say, I would never survive boot camp.

• Playing Buildzi with my kids. It’s literally ice cream for people whose brains love graphics, design, and aesthetically pleasing structures. Think: Tangible Tetris.

Some great finds are sitting in my shopping-cart purgatory as we speak. I can easily give in to peer pressure, so please don’t hesitate to tell me I absolutely “NEED” something. I will most likely oblige.

• These beautifully green ballet flats. I love the color so much it hurts. A great poet once said, “It ain’t easy bein’ green.”

• I think this is the year I finally get a pair of fisherman sandals… and actually wear the heck out of them. I did fish for the first time last year, so naturally I shall tell the Four-Shirted-Husband™ that these are the mandatory shoes for my new hobby.

• I have no business getting yet another cute white lace dress to go with my hypothetical fisherman sandals… butttttt this one is ridiculously cute.

Last Week on Rambling In Style

That’s all. I’m back, a little unpredictable, extremely fringe-obsessed, and fully leaning into my Kermit-Girl Era. 💚

Until next time (!!!) — may your microdoses of joy be excellent, your pants flowy, and your GPS survive the wrath of tiny, tyrannical humans.

💓 If you enjoy reading (or listening to) Rambling in Style, here are a few ways to show your support: tap the heart, restack this post, leave a comment, subscribe, or share with a friend!

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But I couldn’t hit publish.

I think it felt weird to post a joke about not quitting when I was having feelings of actually wanting to quit, or at least pause.

The entire week leading up to my “publish day,” every Tuesday felt off. I felt unable to open the app. Unmotivated to even open a draft. I found myself craving being outside, cooking dinner mindfully, and watching TV on my mattress (we’re currently undergoing renovations).

I think the Four-Shirted Husband™ was low-key about to call the authorities out of concern. And my mom and dad, who wait for my newsletter every Tuesday (they are the cutest), were thrown off as well. A few folks even performed a wellness check and it was beyond kind. Truly above and beyond.

Soooo I took some time off.

Things were starting to feel a little “rat-race-ish,” and if you know me that’s a race I’ll never win. I’ll just casually walk off the track with a metaphorical cigarette saying, “No thanks.”

Usually, I would grind it out. Hit publish. Take a deep breath. Do it all over again. I can’t let people down! My subscribers, my colleagues, the amazing friends I’ve met here.

But something felt different. I described it to friends like my soul was telling me to pause.

Earlier in the month, I deleted my Instagram and Facebook apps from my phone. We should probably blame Gabriel Basso. I haven’t been on them—or had the desire to go on. And then I started to feel that same way about Substack.

Sure, I’d pop on for a minute or two. Read something quick about people disagreeing over affiliate links. Click on someone’s request to style them. Maybe read a post about slow living.

But then I found myself just wanting to get off.

I think sometimes when things feel like they’re moving too fast around me, I realize I simply can’t keep up. It reminds me of when Instagram moved to Reels and I felt like an archaic dinosaur trying to type on a phone with XXL thumbs. It just felt impossible.

Nothing in this world pains me more than feeling like I’m letting people down. But for one of the first times in my life, I said screw it. I need to listen to myself. And my gut said stop.

In the days I’ve been off, I’ve realized something simple: I just want to get dressed in a way that’s not performative.

It’s performative because I make it that way—I take selfies, I post them, I link them. Which is fun. But it isn’t always sustainable.

When I stepped away from the apps and writing, I cleared enough cognitive space to realize something: what’s happening inside my home matters way more than anything happening on social media. There were things I wasn’t noticing with my own family because I was so preoccupied with distractions.

I noticed that I like getting dressed based on my mood. I like getting a little inspiration from the creative minds here, but I also like just wearing what I like. Regardless of whether it’s cool, in style, or (GASP) linkable. If you’re curious, you can see what I’ve been wearing lately on Indyx!

I noticed I felt lighter and happier. Getting dressed felt less laborious—thank goodness, since I’m literally living out of plastic bags during renovations.

I had time to think about how things in my life felt out of alignment with who I am and I made a point to walk outside every day and literally touch the grass. Not just say it on Substack Notes… actually do it.

I wore my hair however I wanted, with little regard for how it would photograph. Fun fact: I have naturally REALLY curly hair.

I had time to think about what changes I need to make, not to sustain my Substack, but to sustain my joy in real life.

Usually, when I come to these kinds of realizations, I get mad at myself. I judge myself. I think, how did you not see this sooner?

But this time, I thought it was pretty cool.

You realized you were out of alignment.
You took time to realign.
You didn’t feel the need to owe anyone an explanation.
And now you’re ready to pivot.

My strength and conditioning coach in college had a quote I’ve carried with me since I was 18. I hope he’s reading this…hi, Glenn!

“THE GREAT ONES ADJUST.”

If you’re feeling out of alignment with who you are, remember: it’s never too late to come back to yourself. It’s never shameful to say, wait, this isn’t what I expected. It’s never too late to pivot and allow things to feel more authentic.

It doesn’t matter what the world thinks. It matters what feels good to you.

I’m reading No Mud, No Lotus by Thich Nhat Hanh (for the 100th time). It’s the book I go back to often when I need grounding. One of the analogies he shares is the idea of “releasing your cows.”

A “cow” is something you believe is essential to your happiness—but when you finally have it, it creates stress, anxiety, or pressure instead of peace.

Sometimes the very thing you think you need is actually the thing weighing you down.

The more cows we release, the greater our freedom.

I think it’s time to release some cows.

I’m not sure what things will look like moving forward in Rambling With Style. I just know it will be more aligned with my soul—and that’s the only way I’m doing this, with fewer cows.

And truly, thank you for being here.

Sending love, joy, and a blessed Eid to all who are celebrating today.

See you soon,

💓 If you enjoy reading (or listening to) Rambling in Style, here are a few ways to show your support: tap the heart, restack this post, leave a comment, subscribe, or share with a friend!

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As per my buddy Merriam-Webster, the word whimsy means “a playful or fanciful quality or state,” and whimsical describes something that is “oddly or fancifully playful” or characterized by light, imaginative, or capricious charm.

Whenever I see posts about romanticizing life and making things more “whimsical,” I usually click, read, smile, and lol knowing I’ll probably never do such a thing. My life is anything but whimsical. It’s full of missed deadlines, forgetting my phone at the hair salon, and starting laundry but never finishing it.

Then I saw an Instagram post (before I deleted the app from my phone) and decided it was time to reconsider my deeply passé attitude.

The post referenced a study on PubMed, Being Creative Makes You Happier: The Positive Effect of Subjective Well-Being.

As a self-proclaimed data girlie, I loved geeking out over this one.

Considering the article took me about 20 solid minutes to read (with my actual prescription glasses on, I know you’re all proud) and a few snack breaks in between, here is the TLDR version:

1. People who are more creative tend to report higher overall well-being.

2. Creativity boosts more than mood. It supports overall life satisfaction.

3. Creativity isn’t just aesthetic or about being “whimsical.” It can improve how satisfied people feel with their lives. Whimsy life isn’t shallow or unnecessary. It can actually support emotional health.

4. Creativity can be intentionally practiced. It’s not just an inborn trait. The study found that even short bursts of creative engagement could influence well-being!

So if creativity matters for well-being, then romanticizing life isn’t just fluff! It’s creativity pointed inward. It’s choosing to make the mundane feel more magical. ✨

The creativity muscle is already inside us is being flexed in so many different ways.

• Writing from the heart? Creativity.

• Knitting or making something with your hands? Creativity.

• Styling outfits on ? Creativity.

• Junk journaling? Creativity. (S/O !)

• Experimenting with cooking or baking? Creativity.

• Graphics on Canva? Creativity.

• iPhone level or expert level photography? Creativity.

So maybe it’s time to stop looking at small ways to “romanticize life” with an “ugh, I guess” eye-roll feeling. I can be a low-key hater of things, it’s true.

Instead, see it as an act of creativity, which we now know has so many life benefits.

I think it’s about being open-minded to joy and positivity, while also finding the fun creative niches that make you feel great.

What’s Inside: Here’s our gameplan for today - a 5-4-3-2-1 countdown, you know the drill!

• ✨5 ways to romanticize your day

• 👗4 outfits

• 💞3 things lately

• 😍2 things i tried & liked

• 🖼️1 march mood board

Some links are affiliate links. I only share things I genuinely like. You being here matters most.

In the spirit of T. Swift, life can be actually romantic. Here are five ways to romanticize your day that I personally cosign. Now that we know romanticizing daily life is an act of creativity let’s get after it!

1. COOK A MEAL ON YOUR “GOOD” PLATES. Even if the meal is “mid,” make it look aesthetically pleasing. I don’t have fancy plates, but I do have Corelle (IYKYK). Add a drizzle or a fruit accent to make it feel fun. Lately I’ve even been setting the table, which is a far cry from my usual paper plates-and-hope-for-the-best method.

2. LIGHT THE FANCY CANDLE. Yup, I said what I said. Yes, the one hiding in the cabinet. Go ahead and use it. This is the candle that pains me to burn.

3. TAKE A LUXURIOUS BATH. Hot water, Epsom salts, essential oils, maybe bubbles if you’re feeling wild. Put on an audiobook or a good Early 2000s Coffee Shop playlist and soak.

4. “UPGRADE” A SMALL DAILY RITUAL. Every day doesn’t have to be the same. Maybe it’s coffee in a cute mug, iced coffee instead of hot, fancy liquid sugar - the coffee shop kind in your travel cup, or coffee ice cubes if you want to be slightly extra.

5. WEAR SOMETHING “IMPRACTICAL.” A suede fringe jacket to a youth basketball game. Great lip gloss. A funky claw clip. A fun collar inspired by . A silk scarf. Or, as has us all hyperfixating, a good sparkle belt.

Now listen, sometimes life truly is a dumpster fire. I don’t think we can always just “romanticize ourselves” out of things. But on the days that you can, why not try?

For even more and arguably better ideas, check out ’s amazing pocket guide to romanticizing March!

LOOK 1

Who wears croc mules the day after it snows 20 inches? It’s meeee! After being off from work for 11 days I needed to ease in wearing my favorite comfy pants.

LOOK 2

A fringe skirt when my car read 28 degrees was pretty impractical but we’re romanticizing life, right? I was feeling western-vibes after having a blast collaborating on ’s post! Added fun earrings and a silver necklace with my favorite western boots.

LOOK 3

has inspired me to embrace brooches. I snagged this fox brooch not only because I dream of domesticating one someday but because it reminds me of the fox from my favorite book, Le Petit Prince.

Fun fact: our wedding vows came from this book!

LOOK 4

Another weekend, another youth basketball game, and a leather bomber. It was 51 degrees, basically summer, so I wanted a pop of spring with the scarf I shared last week!

1. WATCHING: WAYWARD - Just finished Wayward on Netflix. It was quite the experience. It blends cult-like mystery and drama. Nothing frustrates me more than an unresolved ending. This one left me with way too many questions. Creepy, binge-worthy, good acting, but UGH.

2. LISTENING: FEVER DREAM - I love Alex Warren and his entire backstory. I have been listening to this song on repeat since it dropped. YOU ARE VERY WELCOME.

3. EATING: BANANA OAT PANCAKES - Had a bunch of browning bananas that I decided could not be wasted. I made banana-oat pancakes on the 20+ inch snow day last week and they were highly rated by the fam.

1. COOKIE GRANOLA - Yes, I know, a few weeks ago I was beaming with pride about my homemade granola. But this past week the energy to do the most wasn’t there. I picked up this granola, and I’m convinced it should be illegal. It was that good.

2. RESCUE SPRAY - When I interviewed everyone’s favorite Substack dermatologist, Dr. Erin Santa (), she shared that hypochlorous acid is a gentle, effective way to fight inflammation. In winter my skin tends to get dry and not-cute red, so I was excited to try this spray (gifted by Tower 28). I used it on red areas and an irritated pimple last week and definitely think it helped improve the situation.

Speaking of romanticizing life, might I interest you in a Monthly Mood board? Collect the visual and emotional inspiration living in your camera roll and make something. This is my favorite thing to do when I’m bored and doom scrolling. Hop onto Canva or Google Slides and create a mood board for the month.

🗨️Let’s Chat! How are you adding creativity or “whimsy” to your days lately?

Leave a comment

Last Week on Rambling In Style

As always, thank you so much for taking the time to read my work. Your kindness, comments, and support mean the world to me!

Let’s romanticize the shit out of this week!

💓 If you enjoy reading (or listening to) Rambling in Style, here are a few ways to show your support: tap the heart, restack this post, leave a comment, subscribe, or share with a friend!

Feeling generous? Buy me a coffee here—just a tip for my work, all love, no strings.

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We spent the week at our family lake house, which is truly such a bright spot for our entire crew. On one of our walks, we checked out the frozen lake, and I paused when I saw the sign.

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I’m not an auditory learner. Tell me something once, and I’ll nod like I get it… then mess it up spectacularly.

At a recent appointment, the nurse explained what I needed to do, and I stared at her with the most confused blank face imaginable. I had to confess: I had literally no idea what she just asked me to do.

She broke it down step by step. I repeat…

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My Four-Shirted-Husband™ always jokes that hot girls all have tummy problems. It’s one of his weird ways of trying to make me feel better when I’m in distress. However, as a gal with tummy probz, I do not feel hot.

A few years ago, I saw my gastro for similar problems. He basically told me to calm the F down and see if things improve.

Narrator: She did no…

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I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was in elementary school. My classroom was my bedroom with its 90’s purple carpet. I’d line up my stuffed animals in preparation for our “daily lesson.” The greatest gifts I was ever given were a metal extendable pointer (literally cried when it broke) and my chalkboard.

This year, I entered my 16th year of teaching…

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Have you heard there was a big winter storm coming?

The number of grown adults out here doing snow dances, wearing their pajamas inside out, and manifesting this environmental phenomenon was… honestly adorable. I’m a teacher and the joy adults feel about a snow day is usually 100x more intense than the students’. I’ve had people showing me snow day calcu…

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Today is my birthday. And in the voice of Ron Burgundy, it’s kind of a big deal.

Which is how I found myself back on my usual BS: astrology.

I’ve mentioned before that no one loves a hyperfixation more than me. Last year, I went down a rabbit hole of astrology:

• bought a silk shirt from Anthropologie covered in horoscope symbols

• bought all my friends journa…

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Disclaimer: It feels hard to write right now when the world feels on fire. I don’t want today’s post to feel insensitive—so we’re keeping business as usual, with care. If you’re struggling, I see you, and I hope this brings a little comedic relief.

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Welcome to my Nostalgia Era!

No one in my life screams nostalgia more than my daughter. If Disney’s Inside Out 3 ever made a Nostalgia a main character, she’d be perfect. She hates change, dislikes things that are new, and relishes memories of past joys. These could be memories of her pre-K class, a family vacation, or an old couch we used to have.

It cou…

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