What We’ve Been Loving Lately (February Edition)

Welcome to our new series – What We’ve Been Loving Lately! This is the first installment of what will be a monthly wrap up of some of the things we’ve been into over the past few weeks. I’ve asked Arielle to make a little contribution to this post and she definitely came through. So, here’s what we’ve been loving lately …

The Return of Sparkle

After two years in sweats, I am ready for a little sparkle in my life. That doesn’t necessarily mean I’m running out to any fancy dinner parties just yet, but I have been pulling out some of my glitzier accessories, thanks to Arielle. The other morning when we were getting ready for breakfast out Arielle went rummaging through my armoire to pull out a pink rhinestone necklace. 

“Be a princess, Mama!” she told me as she placed it in my hands. So I changed my outfit to better match the necklace and I felt very pretty sitting in our local diner as we split an order of chocolate chip pancakes.

Arielle’s Newfound Obsession with Princess Culture

This brings me to what Arielle’s been loving lately. We had given her a set of princess dolls for Christmas to go with the castle that Santa gifted her and she loves to walk them up and down the stairs and brush their hair. But I think that the idea of dressing up and “being a princess” clicked when she watched me getting dressed for our Valentine’s date a few weeks ago. Now anytime we leave the house Arielle wants me to “be a princess” and will help me to pick out my outfits and accessories. While I am not encouraging the Damsel in Distress scenario, I do love her confidence and interest in fashion. 

The Gilded Age

If you havn’t started watching this show yet, where have you been? While I was a bit skeptical that this New York set historical drama would be able to live up to the hype,  I believe that Julian Fellowes has done it again with The Gilded Age. Not only do I love seeing some of my favorite Broadway stars on the small screen, I enjoy playing “spot the location” because many of the scenes play out in the halls and rooms of the Newport Mansions which we had visited in December. Because we are forced to watch it in the more traditional way (one episode is dropped on HBOMax every Monday at 9 p.m.), I’ve found myself binging Downton Abbey just to get my fix of opulence and drama rolled into one. 

Wordle

Bringing it back to the more practical, Wordle has got everyone I know practicing their 5-letter word vocabulary. And after two years and a half years of mostly discussing Arielle, then the pandemic, it’s fun for Alex and I to share this little project every day. I just hope that its recent acquisition by the New York Times won’t end our fun!

What I Bought in February

Because I seem to have become steeped in Gilded Age history and I love all things mystical, of course I had to pick up The Witches of New York by Ami McKay. I haven’t started it yet but it’s on my bedside table ready for after I finish rereading Bringing up Bébé. We also reordered our favorite shampoo (it lasts forever and feels so luxe)  and replaced our cookie sheets after years of wear and tear. Arielle is in love with her new Minnie dress from Target and I got her these cute ballet flats in anticipation of Easter.

So what have you been loving lately? I’d love it if you’d email or DM me your recommendations.