danger: thin ice

5-4-3-2-1: favorites, lately, outfits, ways to reset & food for thought

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.

DANGER: THIN ICE.

I mean, is that not applicable to daily life also? Anyone else feel like some weeks you are just tap dancing on thin ice, one wrong step away from falling in?

Our days at the lake are built around simplicity, which always recharges my soul. I love waking up early and making breakfast for the family—brioche French toast, oatmeal, eggs, whatever sounds good.

Slow living is king. No one is rushing anywhere. No carpools. Youth sports are on hold. Work demands are minimal. Everyone is present.

We play endless board games (Uno is life), go for long walks around the lake, and soak in the feeling of being together. I kept thinking about how special it is to have this place where we can all gather. It isn’t often that I get to just hang out with my parents, cook with them, sit at the dinner table with them, and watch an entire TV series with them (more on that later).

The kids are enjoying each other’s company, and the adults are lingering way too long at the breakfast table, slowly drinking coffee. Clearly, mine is my signature triple shot from the duplicate espresso machine I purchased to keep at the lake. No bad coffee, you know the drill.

We debate politics, laugh about nothing in particular, and wait for the deer to pay us a visit.

I’ve been thinking a lot about how, when we grow up, all we want to do is leave the nest. Start our own lives. Embrace independence. Trailblaze our own path forward.

But maybe the goal was never to stay away forever.

Maybe when life feels like the ice is thin and one step away from slipping, what restores us isn’t pushing harder. It’s allowing ourselves to return to the nest, sit at the breakfast table a little longer, and remember what solid ground feels like.

Because sometimes the best thing we can do is return to the places that still feel like home.

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

• ⭐5 recent favorites

• 💓4 things lately

• 👗3 outfits

• 🧘🏻‍♀️2 ways to reset with Kait Santos!

• 💭1 food for thought

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

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1. BRACELET - I’ve been eyeing this bracelet as a really cute option for when the weather warms up. I’ve always loved the evil eye and the symbolism behind it.

I definitely blame Merve Daniels (in the best way) she wrote an incredible post about the historical context of the evil eye and I’m now hyperfixating! 🧿

2. ETSY SCARF - Purchased and awaiting its arrival. I really love the XL size of this scarf - I think the colors will carry over nicely to spring and summer!

3. BLOW DRY SPRAY - I spray this all over damp hair, layer my leave-in conditioner after, and blow dry. It cuts down on blow-drying time & I personally notice a difference. Bonus: It’s also a heat protectant.

4. LADY JACKET - I am such a sucker for lady jackets. I saw this one in the new arrivals at J.Crew and love the idea of wearing it with a white tee, light-wash jeans, and a pair of ballet flats for a casual but polished look.

5. BLUELIGHT GLASSES - I wore these glasses all weekend at the lake. I don’t think they truly improved anything regarding my optical wellness, but I felt cool and less like I needed mascara.

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1. WATCHING: SILO - We watched the first season of Silo after we put the kids to bed at the lake. I’m not really a sci-fi girl, but give me a series that explores whether or not the government is lying to you and I’m hooked.

Season one was a veryyyyy slow burn—honestly, we all fell asleep at random points. The running joke was, “Don’t worry, you didn’t miss anything!” I’m going to see it through and start season 2.

2. SHOPPING: VINYL STORE - We went to a really funky record store not too far from our lakehouse. Walking around and sifting through the 39-cent singles and $10 oldies was such a treat. I am proud to announce I secured Bing Crosby Christmas.

3. EATING: CHIA SEED PUDDING - This could be a texture issue for some, however, this cookie butter–infused chia seed pudding was outstanding. I only used 1 tbsp of syrup, and it was the perfect fiber-fueled treat.

4. OVERSTIMULATING - I laughed when Tricia Torley retreated to her quiet space with her noise-canceling headphones because it resonated deeply.

This is just a PSA: if you call me and there are people talking or loud noise in the background, I am hanging up. Except my parents. My dad can’t help but chime in with random, unserious Jeopardy! facts while my mom and I are deep in a serious convo. And you never hang up on Mom.

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I was on vacation last week so prepare yourself for a winter edition of Outfits I Wore While Doing Absolutely Nothing.

LOOK 1

Grabbed coffee with a pal and decided to get wild and pair my favorite sweats with ballet flats. Felt très chic sipping my matcha (should’ve asked if it was ceremonial).

sweater | earrings (similar) | t-shirt | sweatpants | flats | sunnies | bag (mine is from TRR, keep ya eyes peeled!)

LOOK 2

Leggings were clearly the theme of the week. I paired them with a basic white tee, an oversized sweater, a red hat, and comfy sneakers.

hat | sweater (similar) | tee | leggings | sneakers | earrings | socks

LOOK 3

Easy travel outfit for our car ride to the lake. An oversized polo never fails me, but these new blue light glasses do absolutely nothing for my eyesight and everything for my look.

polo (similar) | glasses | leggings | socks | sneakers | earrings

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I am beyond excited to feature Kait Santos from Align with Kait Santos! Her work centers on weekly newsletters and classes focused on finding alignment through movement and breathwork. She’s currently on a brief maternity leave but will be back soon!

Meet Kait Santos 🤝

Two Ways To Reset With Kait!

1. GO-TO GENTLE CLASSES FOR TENSE & OVERWHELMED GIRLIES:

• Its All Temporary 20 Minute Flow Class: This class is focused around a mantra that has gotten me through many different seasons of life: “This is temporary.” We flow gently, but with intention, and then do a bit of rebounding at the end, which is a great way to get the lymphatic system moving and release nervous or stagnant energy.

• Upper Body Release Class: This class focuses on releasing tension that we hold in our upper bodies around the neck, back, shoulders, and chest. Often when we’re stressed, we unintentionally draw our shoulders towards our ears and round through our upper back/chest, and this can create discomfort or pain and impact posture, which in turn affects our breathing and influences our nervous system. It’s incredible how everything is connected!

2. GO-TO BREATHWORK FOR FIGHT-OR-FLIGHT DAYS:

Box-breathing is the best on days when your system is in “fight-or-flight.” The Navy SEALs use it, so you know it’s good. I like it because there’s a low barrier to entry. It’s a simple framework that’s easy to remember; you only need a couple of minutes, and you can do it on the go.

Here’s how to practice:

1. Inhale to the count of four.

2. Pause to the count of four.

3. Exhale to the count of four.

4. Pause to the count of four.

5. Repeat 5-10 times.

It’s great for any moment during the day when you need to reset. I’d often practice on my commute to/from the office, so when I walked in the door at home or work, my mind/body was ready.

If you’re looking for more Kait (and let’s be real, we could all use a little realignment and relaxation), be sure to check out her Substack! You can also follow her on Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn for more!

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I stumbled upon this video of actor Gabriel Basso on Jimmy Fallon. He’s explaining why he deleted his IG after doom-scrolling and finding a photo taken at the top of Mt. Everest.

He discusses how strange it felt to consume an extraordinary experience someone else lived just by scrolling. It made me think about the way we move through life online. The remarkable can start to feel ordinary when it’s just another thing passing by as we scroll.

Just a reminder to stay in your lane. Always pay attention to your own unique media diet. Make choices that support your mental health.

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🗨️Let’s Chat! What helps you feel grounded these days? You guys always have the best suggestions.

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Let’s crush the week, be sure to watch your step on thin ice—literal or otherwise. See you next week!

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