Sharing a simple post of spring muses & inspo, but before we jump in, I want to highlight one emotional breakthrough. This is the season where we’re letting blind faith lead us. I don’t have any answers but I know my worth and my value, and I finally feel like I can trust myself fully. I’ve finally realized that how other people treat me has nothing to do with my worth and has everything to do with their character - especially as I navigate dating.

So when a guy is cruel and cold to me for no reason and can’t regulate his emotions, I know it’s not a reflection on me. And that breakthru alone is healing decades of shame, self-doubt and shattered confidence. This is the season I learn to stand on my own two feet and prove to myself they I can cultivate a life that feels good all on my own. 

I am practicing being a woman who is emotionally and financially strong and is capable of giving herself everything she wants with or without a life partner. Raising a family, traveling, dressing well, spending time with loved ones, owning a brownstone the list goes on and on, but as soon as I start believing that I can have versions of this all on my own, that’s when I step into my power.

I spent so many years of my life thinking I needed to be saved, just to look around and realize that true freedom starts and ends with me showing up and becoming the woman I know I’m capable of being. 

Now that I’ve officially launched my Substack, I’m exploring what to share on that platform vs my blog. I’ll never get rid of my blog because I own it and I like to look back at past posts. They remind me of how far I’ve come and why I continue to push forward every day. I moved to NYC for a reason. It’s where I want to build a life for myself and my future family. Other than moving to Europe, staying in the tristate area feels like home to me. 

I’m surrounded by so much beauty, creativity and inspiration in this hub, and February is the month of muses. I’m actively choosing to enhance my month with little acts of love and appreciation directed towards myself and my community. This is partly a monthly intentions list and partly an aspirational guide of what February feels like to me. 

One of the best skills I’ve cultivated is using my thoughts and imagination to visualize the energy I want live in and instantly generate it. Even as I sit in bed typing this post, I feel so grateful and inspired and cozy and loved… all without spending a dime or leaving the comfort of my home. 

I believe we’re living under an administration that wants to keep us triggered, traumatized and terrified which is draining. I’m too petty to let that happen, so get comfy and dream with me because our emotional wellbeing must be protected and nurtured in a world that works very hard to dismantle our sanity. 

Now it’s time to sit back, relax and dream of ways to make this month feel ultra sweet. Think of this as your monthly dopamine menu. I hope this inspires you to write one of your own. 

February feels like…

• Fresh flowers
• Playin jazz and curling up with a book instead of a tech screen 
• Treating yourself to a sweet pastry from a chic little bakery 
• Wearing sultry pjs to bed just because 
• Pink and red outfits 
• Wrapping up in faux fur blankets 
• Heart-shaped pizza 
• Candle-lite bubble baths with a glass of wine 
• Long strolls through the museum 
• Dressing up for a jazz club 
• Putting an extra $25 a day into savings and realizing how quickly small steps forward compound into real progress 
• Lots of pasta 
• Game nights with friends 
• Proving to yourself that you can do hard things 

X.O. 

Nia Maria

I’ve never really loved the month of August because in the past, it felt like that last ringing bell of summer. The “Sunday Scaries” of months because it’s the last slow month before the busy season of work and the pressure to change my life ramps up. And yeah, I know fall technically doen’t start until Sept 22nd, but in the fashion world & Corporate America, LDW is pretty much the last hurrah of the season. I am so happy to report that this year, I’m so excited fo August. 

Why? Because I’m keeping promises to myself and romanticizing the f*ck out of my days! I refuse to delay my joy just because of current circumstances cuz the reality is, in a capitalistic society, the flag post always moves. There’s always more to achieve and more to do but I want to be present and enjoy life now. 

In summary, August is the month we water our souls & our dreams instead of watering fear & anxiety - ah I can’t wait!!!!

The August Edit 

I am sooo excited for my next relaxing beach getaway. I just want to wear cute matching lounge sets and play board games and sip on rosé with ice cubes (ice makes everything taste better in my opinion). These are the items in my shopping carts!

I snagged this affordable navy lounge set for the airport because I know LGA airport is gonna be a zoo this LDW! And I want to look cute at the airport. It’s kind of like my dream place to find my next love because traveling is one of my favorite hobbies. I’m planning to pair the lounge set with this navy cashmere wrap because I’m always cold on the plane - and I enjoy pairing my frugal fashion finds with at least one high-quality item. I feel like it adds balance to the look. 

I have this floral pjs tank & pants set and this cherry print tee & shorts lounge set in my checkout carts. I’m waiting until I hit one of my weekly financial goals before I make any more purchases, but I cannot wait to sip fancy coffee on the rooftop that overlooks the beach in one of these sets. When I think of soulful East Coast Summer, I immediately envision myself walking to a cottage coffee shop while wearing these buttery-soft lounge sweats & cardigan with a matching top (that has a built-in bra) because real bras with underwire are off-duty this summer!  

Now this last piece has been on my mind for dayyysss! I’m in love with this feminine polka dot mini dress. I have no practical reason to buy this dress because I don’t have chic plans on the calendar. But…. I might force my friends to do something fancy with me or go on a solo date. This dress inspires me to go to high tea, museum hop, play hookie and be a lady who lunches on random Wednesday. 

 Summer 2025 Muse Challenge 

Summer tends to promise us laid-back luxury. But 2025 has been pretty freaking rocky so far. And I fully admit that I’m constantly in a state of wanderlust, longing for a leisurely, slow-paced, beautiful retreat to a land far far away. But since my bank account is not equipped for a jet-setting summer – I'm determined to create the exciting and rejuvenating experiences from traveling sans the travel.

Now I’m not going to go overboard, but I HAVE to make a change and ebrace the season I’m in. Being terrified of never having the life I want is honestly keeping me frozen in time. So I’m going to create the reality I want little by little. And I’m going to do so without spending a ton of cash.

This is the summer of innovative and frugal fun in nyc with a few splurges here and there. Living in the NYC area is already brutally expensive, so it’s time to make the most of this incredible city and get outside and live instead of watching everyone else live out my dreams on social media. And I’m excited to plan these little weekly adventures and share them with you.

My therapist always asks me “tell me one thing you’re looking forward to each week”, and I’ve come to realize that having even the smallest delight on your calendar to look forward to is what helps me keep going when life doesn’t feel worth it. So I’m challenging myself to the following weekly schedule for 4 weeks to rekindle my zest for life.

My Summer Muses Challenge:

Daily:

• At least one quiet, 15-minute break OUTSIDE (unless it’s raining)with a soothing drink. This can be a tea, ice latte, glass of wine, cocktail, mocktail. Doesn’t matter. What matters is that I’m taking a moment for myself to slow down every day – ESPECIALLY when I’m in the office.
• One fun active or creative activity: on weekdays that will look like a dance class, workout class, reading in the park, going to a painting class or painting outside, cooking dinner & eating on my rooftop, etc. 

Weekly:

• One solo date! I already have a mindful paint & sip class booked later this month. Other solo date ideas I have planned are:
• A trip to the reopened Frick Museum
•  Friday night Jazz at the Morgan Library
• A trip to the Cloisters
•  Pottery painting at Happy Medium
• Finding a new exotic low flow instructor since mine moved away
• One destination-inspired activity a week. Destinations that are calling my name are the South of France, Tuscany, Puglia, Anguilla, Egypt (sailing the Nile to be exact)

It’s not so much that I need to do these activities solo – it's more like, I will do them whether or not someone accompanies me. I’m sooooo tired of delaying my happiness and refuse to waste another summer wishing for what I don’t have.

There is so much more out there in this world for us. We were not meant to just work, pay bills, eat, sleep, repeat. We deserve MORE out of this life.... but no one is going to just hand us a fulfilling life – we have to create it. And we can do so by adding small, budget-friendly delights into our every day. Because we deserve to experience as much healthy joy in the lifetime.

The first day of autumn calls for celebration! This season is so magical! The fashion, the weather, the food, the activities - everything is just filled with extra whimsy in autumn. And I know this is a tad morbid, but none of us know how long we have on this earth. Every single day we wake up is a huge blessing. And I'm going to honor that blessing by finding small or large ways to celebrate the every day. Autumn is the perfect season to easily feel re-inspired by life, and now that I'm a member of Parlor, a version of the lifestyle I've always dreamed about is easily accessible. Here's a peek into some activities and environments I want to indulge in this invigorating season. 

1. Visit a countryside vineyard for a wine-tasting
2. Take a scenic train ride to new city/country (Canada is calling my name) 
3. Attend an art gallery event with bubbly or wine 
4. Go to a NYFW show - signed up for a charity one through Parlor 
5. Dine alfresco 
6. Fall picnic in central park 
7. Explore a castle. Idk why, an enchanting castle is just weighing on my heart so I need to follow through with that wish 
8. Find cute tea cups in an antique store 
9. Buy a beautiful nightgown at a vintage shop 
10. Sip red wine in an outdoor hot tub 
11. Treat myself to a luxe facial 
12. Solo date to the new cafe/book store in NYC. I want to order a glass of wine and enjoy a fun seasonal book - there are so many on my bookshelf that I've been needing to read 
13. Make popcorn and watch a cozy thriller via candle-light 
14. Make charm bracelets in the city 
15. Go to a candle-making workshop in Jersey City 
16. Paint in the park 
17. Check out QC Spa on Govs Island 
18. Dine and dance at Gitanos on Govs Island 
19. Cuddle with baby animals 
20. Volunteer 

September is one of the sweetest months of the year. As we transition from summer to autumn, there's a certain magic that lingers in the air. My energy and essence always feel revived in the fall. Maybe because I try to prioritize rest and slowing down every summer. Well, not so much physically, but I took a mental break from allowing stress to dominate me. 

My body and psyche were exhibiting all the signs of burnout, so I knew it was time to hit pause on heavily pursuing some of my big goals. I took a break from putting pressure on myself and beating myself up for not doing enough to create a life that excites me instead of drains me. I decided to just enjoy my days (outside of needing the clock in for a freaking paycheck) as much as possible and embrace a season of just being. 

And that brief emotional PTO was vital for my well-being. Now I can bounce back from my burnout and mindfully continue on my journey to cultivate a well-lived life. I want romance, intimacy, security, abundance, travel, passion, a f*cking regulated nervous system, and little babies (in like 4-5 years). If I want those things for myself, I have to adopt the habits that will bring those blessings into my life and remove the toxic patterns that block them. But letting go of the poisonous, yet comforting habits that help me temporarily escape my pain isn't an easy process. Honestly, it's painful and filled with grief, discomfort and panic. But if learning to navigate those heavy emotions gracefully is the price I need to pay to finally receive what my heart and soul truly long for, then oh my f*cking God, it is soooooo worth it! 

In other words, she's baaaaaaaaccccckkk! And she (aka ME) is stronger and wiser. It is time to ascend to a new, healthier level once again... but without the self-sabotaging, anxious, neurotic, draining energy. I want to enjoy this journey of becoming a spiritually, physically, mentally, and financially healthier version of myself. I want to arrive at that destination via self-love, grace, gratitude, and confidence. What is the point of pursuing your dreams if you are beating yourself up every step of the way, telling yourself you aren't good enough, and making yourself miserable? I hate to break it to you, but if you create your goals in that type of draining energy, you will be just as miserable once you get to the other side of your goals. 

Now I'm not saying you need to be happy 24/7 and avoid your negative emotions. I'm actually saying the exact opposite. We need to embrace the good and the bad and give ourselves grace while going through this one life we have. We have to find little moments of pure bliss throughout the day. And most importantly, we have to learn from our downfalls, shortcomings, or bad breaks instead of beating ourselves up for not being perfect. And that, my friends, is one of the biggest secrets to mindfully pursuing our goals. 

Autumn is the season of harvest, and the fruits (blessings, well-being, abundance) we've been cultivating are going to be oh-so-sweet. Sending you lots of love. 

XOXO, 

Nia Maria 

 “Even through your hardest days, remember we are all made of stardust.” — Carl Sagan

Spring is such a whimsical and magical season. It is a season full of hope, dreams and desires. And as I emerge from a brutal episode of the winter blues (thanks to seasonal depression), my heart is filled with so much optimism and restored faith in myself. I'm coming back home to myself. I'm intentionally starting each day with a series of positive affirmations because I need to be my biggest cheerleader if I want to create what my definition of a beautiful life will be. 

But pouring positive, self-love into myself isn't always easy. In fact, most of the time, it's really f*cking hard. I have centuries of toxic beliefs I'm fighting against - all of which tell me I'm not good enough. The societal pressures that we as women withstand can be soul-crushing. But the older I get, the more I reject what society says and lean more into following my passion. My heart's desires, and frankly - not giving a flying f*ck who looks down upon me for not following the "timeline" that our culture tries to force upon us as women. I want a magical life, full of wonder, and awe, and slow, intentional, beautiful moments. 

I watched Wish, the new Disney movie, this afternoon, and I know it was created to entertain children, but it was the beautiful reminder that I needed today. There is so much pain in the world, and life will always throw us curveballs, but there is so much joy all around us too. I've spent the last few years of my life in complete terror thinking that I'll never achieve the deepest desires in my heart. For some reason, I thought my depression was going to rob me of creating a fulfilling life. 

But as I prioritize my mental and physical well-being, and I focus on consuming uplifting content, I am reminded that everything I need to live a fulfilling life is already inside of me! I just need to have faith in myself (and God since I am Christian, but substitute in your source of spirituality here). I need to trust myself - aka know that I'll always show up for myself and can count on myself. And lately, I need to remember that I am made out of magical stardust. We all are. 

Just being alive in this sometimes scary but still quite beautiful and loving world is an act of magic. And we are our purest source of abundance as long as we learn to take care of ourselves and fill our days (and our minds) with self-love. I'm so excited to get to work and start creating a wonderful new chapter that will lead to la dolce vita. Sending you lots of love. XOXO 

P.S. Shop My Fairycore Edit 

Because I want to create an atmosphere of whimsy and enchantment all around me, and fashion is the perfect tool to do just that. 

Dresses 

Tops 

Accessories 

Spring Treats 

"The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also." - Harriet Ann Jacobs

Spring is truly such a magical and enchanting season. The sunny, whimsical season completely breathes new life into me and restores my faith in myself when it comes to creating a life well-lived. For the past year, I've honestly felt so drained. Like I have nothing to give to myself and nothing to give to others. Like all hope in a brighter future is gone because I'm too "behind" in life.  And I hate that feeling; mainly because those thoughts are LIES. But also because I show up in my life and operate at a higher level when I'm navigating life with a positive mindset. And I hate that I lost that positive outlook for a prolonged period. 

 But lately…. I've felt a glimmer of my old self. The person who’s excited about life. Who finds small ways to romanticize even the most mundane parts of my day. The person who loves playing dress up and sees the good in the world. The person who creates vision boards of the places I want to travel to and window shops for the outfits I'll wear during these travels. The person who is excited to connect with others and pour love into the world. I’ve missed that version of me. But with the overdue warmth of spring, I’m starting to get her back. And I couldn't be more excited. 

This year has forced me to go through a cleansing era, so to speak. All the issues I'd been brushing under the rug are resurfacing, and I know this may sound masochistic, but I'm really grateful for the painful Spring Cleaning season I WAS experiencing (key word is was because we are speaking positivity over our lives today). 

Because I'm releasing so much heavy energy, I'm feeling so much lighter this season. And that means I'm able to show up for myself in the ways I was previously neglectful. One annoying thing I've come to accept about myself is that for me to continue feeling light, invigorated, and inspired, I have to take really good fucking care of myself and find ways to make the smallest, "boring" parts of my day euphoric and extraordinary. Showing up like that is hard work for someone who has chronic depression (aka me), but moving through the rough emotions and being disciplined with how I take care of myself is always, always, always worth the extra effort. 

I still have a lot of work to do to get back into the mindset of wholeheartedly believing in myself and in my dreams, and daydreaming about all the magical muses spring brings is a huge part of that process. 

Here are a few of my monthly muses that are restoring my soul:

1. Colorful dresses 
2. Pastel tweed sets 
3. Bright Pilates outfits 
4. Alfresco lunches 
5. Lavender ice lattes
6. Picnics in the park 
7. Long walks along the water 
8. Rooftop happy hours 
9. Open-towed shoes 
10. Trench coats 
11. Beautiful floral blooms 
12. Reading under a shady tree 
13. Outdoor paint & sip sessions
14. Dancing under the stars 
15. Dressing up for Sexy stiletto heels dance classes and pole dancing classes 
16. Relaxing in an outdoor pool during a spa trip 
17. Dirty martini breaks during shopping sprees 
18. Weekend getaways 
19. Podcast walks with fruit-infused water 
20. Garden dinner parties 
21. Outdoor lunch breaks 
22. Walking barefoot in the grass 
23. Sipping smoothies right after going to a workout class with a friend 
24. Fresh, dewy makeup looks 
25.  Dressing up for outdoor first, second, and third dates (and hopefully, more once I find love)
26. Picking out fresh fruit and veggies at the farmer's market 
27. Dancing the night away 
28. Meandering through one of the beautiful neighborhoods I live near (Paulus Hook, Hamilton Park, West Village, Cobble Hill, Dumbo, Tribeca, Soho, Brooklyn Heights, Harlem)
29. Purging my wardrobe and belongings during a fun spring cleaning weekend 
30. Discovering a waterfall on a beautiful hike 

I am in full-on holiday mode! I love the energy and coziness that sweeps over our communities every November and December. The decor, festive food and drinks, holiday movies, curling up with a book and sipping hot chocolate by the fire, these are small luxuries that I truly cherish. 

And now that I've fallen in love with dirty martinis (with extra olives), I just want to get dolled up and sip on one in a festive NYC bar. I adore dressing up. It makes me feel confident, and it makes every experience feel a tad more special. I love looking put-together and chic, but no outfit is complete without polished nails. And I just cannot justify paying $75+ to get a mani, especially when I get bored with nail styles so quickly. 

That's why I swear by press-on nails. I get a million compliments every time I wear them so... why blow my budget on manicure upkeep when I can pay $10-$20 for an amazing set that lasts 2+ weeks? But the key to a successful press-on manicure comes down to two things: nail quality and glue quality. My three favorite brands are Kiss, OPI, and Glamnetics. 

Kiss and OPI are available everywhere, and they have strong glue and fun styles. And you can't really beat the price! But Glamnetics reigns supreme. Their nails and glue are so strong, that I can actually open a can of soda with them... but they run about $20, so I try to stock up when they go on sale. I just feel like the baddest bitch when my nails look good, so this is a little luxury that I intend to keep for years to come. 

I am so excited for my next holiday outing because I'm going to try out a new festive nail style, sip my extra dirty martini, and enjoy the small moments that make life magical. 

Manis & Martinis: Shop my favorite martini glasses and press-on nails! 

 There's nothing more magical than fall in the city. The changing color of the leaves, sun-drenched picnics, THE FASHION!!! The energy in the air is electrifying. I find inspiration in every corner, and I want to embrace the enchantment of fall... without spending a sh$t ton of money. And all the successful people reiterate that, in order to create the life you want, you must envision it first. So that's precisely what I'm doing.

I want my dreams to become my reality. And I've been standing in my own way... because part of me struggles to believe that the life I want is possible for me. Self-doubt really isn't serving me... like at all. So I'm finally going to listen to all the people I admire and spend the evening visualizing what I want this fall. After all, this is my favorite time of the year, and life is too precious to let another fall go by without indulging in all the charm that surrounds us. 

Things I love about Fall     

• Cozy nights in with pizza, wine, cashmere socks, weighted blankets and fall movie/tv marathons 
• Candle-lit dinners with soulful music 
• Hot chocolate 
• Cinnamon rolls 
• Trench coats with mini dresses 
• Tall boots with mini skirts 
• Crunchy leaves beneath my feet 
• Jazz Clubs and dessert 
• Speakeasies 
• Chunky sweaters 
• Foliage hunting 
• Dressing up for the ballet or opera 
• Sunset happy hours 
• Sipping champagne by a roaring fireplace or fire-pit 
• Stoop decor 
• Sweaterdresses 
• Halloween Celebrations 
• Comic-Con 
• Fancy soups 
• Cozy bookstores with lounges 
• Dressing up and spending time at chic wine bars while listening to a live piano performance 
• Wine-tasting and vineyard hopping 
• Football tailgates 
• Thanksgiving food 
• Evening strolls 
• Pumpkin patches 
• Mulled wine 
• Blazers 
• Tweed jackets 
• Tights and Fishnet stockings 
• Trips to Sleepy Hollow and Salem, MA 
• Renting rowboats in Central Park 
• Alfresco dining at beautiful restaurants 
• Cacao color palates 
• Olive and tan clothes 
• Antique shopping on weekend trips away 
• Cute and intimate cottage trips 
• Renaissance faires 
• Camping 
• Scenic train rides 
• Fall festivals 
• Rewatching all the Halloween movies on Disney+
• Gilmore Girls 
• Game nights with friends 
• Pumpkin-flavored everything 
• Apple picking 
• Apple cider 
• Haunted houses 
• Fall crafts 
• Hayrides 
• Bonfire parties 
• Corn mazes 
• Smores 
• Paint & Sip, Drink & Draw, Drink and Draft parties 
• Museum hopping 
• Farmers markets 
• Movies in the park 
• Harry Potter marathons 
• At-home date nights spent cuddling on the couch 
• Cozy blankets 
• Fall tablescapes 
• Costumes! 
• Seasonal nail art 
• Apartment fall/Halloween decor 
• Seasonal cocktails
• Rooftop Happy hours 
• Berry and nudy-brown lipsticks 
• Fall foliage hikes 
• Farm-to-table dining upstate 
• Wellness retreats in the countryside 
• Farm visits 
• Reading by the fire 
• Dinner parties 
• Crisp mornings 
• Chilly nights 
• Old Hollywood movie marathons 
• Journaling under the stars 

Photo by Peter Thomas

I’m going to keep this post simple and bittersweet. Mainly because I’m writing for me today, and not to contribute anything monumental to the world (although I hope someone can find this post relatable). But I like to keep it real, and the truth is, I’ve been struggling. In what feels like every aspect of life. 

I’ve been lying to myself and saying that I can handle life on my own when in reality, I want and need an intimate support system. I need deep connection, even though I sometimes find intimac tobe draining. Why, because life feels overwhelming right now. The state of humanity is overwhelming. And the idea of enduring one more emotion truly makes me thing I'll implode. 

The daily stories I see/read on the news have brought on a decently strong episode of depression. I usually cry and spiral after seeing/reading about another traumatic event. The news makes me question every aspect of my life (and humanity as a whole), and I'm truly starting to fear that there is more hate in the world than love.

But I don't want to live my life that way! I want to see the good in people, but I feel quite jaded. 

I want to stay an informed citizen & help the causes I believe in, but I'm having a hard time dealing with all the hate, pain, and trauma in the world. There’s so much going on globally and locally. And I feel like a terrible person for not dedicating my life to helping our planet and society heal. 

I feel guilty for wanting to pursue my dreams when the world is burning all around us. But at the same time, my life is ultimately finite, and I want to make it as beautiful, fun, and fulfilling as possible while I have the opportunity to do so. 

The act of balancing the grief I feel for the world while also pursuing my own version of happiness seems to get tougher and tougher each day.

But the news isn't the only thing contributing to my existential crisis. The fear that I’ll never get married, will have to wait a decade to have kids, and will have to raise them as a single parent because I'll need to select their father from a catalog at a sperm bank truly makes me lose my very fragile, burned-out mind. 

And lastly, there is one ugly truth that has been haunting me all year. I hate admitting this, but I'm allowing my fear of change and failure to hold me back from creating an extraordinary career, love life,  and lifestyle for myself.

 Looking in the mirror is hard, and I hate it! The irony in all of this is, I had to face these hard truths while traveling to beautiful destinations to be a bridesmaid in two weddings. There's nothing like being an overweight (my doctor's words, not mine, so don't come for me), single bridesmaid in your late 20s, in two weddings... within 7 days of eachother, that will give you a brutal reality check. 

If there’s anything that can make a woman feel like a failure in life, it's being surrounded by other people in love who are achieving every milestone, all while your life continues to be one big shit show.  Sometimes I think I'll fall into an abyss or collapse from the pain and loneliness that comes from realizing I'm lightyears away from creating the family I desperately desire.

That’s the beauty of being a woman: we possess the emotional capacity to be blindly happy for the people we love and celebrate them fully, while also battling depression and being terrified of staying stuck in this current phase of life. You can be so grateful to be exploring a beautiful new city, and also carrying around crippling depression. The emotional capacity we possess is truly unmatched.

The delusional story I’ve been telling myself (aka I can do bad all by myself) came crashing down on my 8 hr plane ride back to NYC. I watched “Ingrid goes west” and ended up quietly sobbing because I related to the main character’s intense feeling of loneliness and her heart-breaking confession that she feels hopeless and broken.

Although I was quite embarrassed to have cried in public, I was so proud of myself for immediately thinking, “Nia, if you’re not happy with the life you’ve created, create the life you want. Put in the effort to build the career of dreams instead of watching 5 hrs of netflix each night! Put in the effort to date so you can attract the right guy. Find a way to drastically increase your income so you can look into a.) living alone in the NYC area and b.) buying an apartment like most of your friends are doing. Freeze your eggs so you can stop freaking out about your biological clock! No one ever achieved their dreams by feeling sorry for themselves.” Yay me for positive, constructive thinking!

 Instead of wasting time having a pity party this week, I’ve been telling myself these three narratives.

a.) Every painful situation in life is temporary. But the grass will never be greener unless I train my mind to seek the beauty out even in the heaviest of times.

b.) I know that my stagnation in life is solely based on my actions, well if we’re being honest, inactions. I haven’t had the energy to do anything above the bare minimum, and that is something I'm trying to forgive myself for. But since I made my mess, that means I’m in control and very capable of cleaning it up!

And c.) suffering is optional. Obstacles, pain, grief, and problems are guaranteed in life… but suffering? Well outside of extreme cases, suffering is usually caused by us mentally beating ourselves up. And that’s a habit that we can all break by accepting help and through deep reflection.

So in closing, my little quarter-life crisis in the sky was the exact pain push I needed to get off my arse and leisurely hustle for the lifestyle and love life I want and deserve. Let’s see how extraordinary I can make my little corner of the world in 5 months. Tatah for now hauxs. And thanks for spending a little piece of your day with me. Your support means everything to me. 

Sweet summer is upon us once again, and my top priority for the season is focusing on the here and now while being grateful for everything that is in my life. And let me tell you, I've been working hard to stay in an abundant mindset. I'm talking daily journaling, affirmation card readings, prayer sessions, and mental health workshops because everyone says consistency is key. And I hate to admit it.. but "they" are right. 

So although my life is farrr from perfect, I am finding beauty in every single day I am blessed enough to walk this earth. There are so many small, frugal ways to add luxury into our lives - and for me, luxury leads to the feeling of abundance. 

A Venti Camel Cream Ice Cold Brew coffee from Starbucks fills me with so much joy, especially when paired with an inspiring podcast and a long walk on the waterfront boardwalk in jersey city. 

Cooking pasta while drinking an Aperol Spritz and enjoying the meal on my rooftop with a white table cloth and candles to set the ambiance. 

Reading a juicy book under a shady tree in the park with a fresh bowl of fruit

Watching the sunset while I paint outside

These are some of my favorite ways to add luxury and get into a state of abundance. As I count down the days until my European getaway, I am adding sweet and simple traditions to my life. Because summer is meant to be thoroughly enjoyed. It's a season of adventure, wanderlust, and play. So cheers to acting up, acting out, and showing ourselves all the love we need. 

Oops.... I've gone months without posting on my site. Yikes! It's getting to the point where I feel like a freaking broken record. Consistency is HARDDD, especially when you're battling depression and anxiety. But as I am blessed to see another year around the sun, I am ready to make fewer excuses for my level of progress and instead be curious as to why I hold on to certain limiting beliefs and why I do (or don't do) certain things. That is one of the key components to experiencing fulfillment and happiness where we are now, while also staying motivated to pursue our aspirations. Because curiosity leads to questions. Questions lead to brainstorming. And brainstorming leads to problem-solving. So as we jump into the second month of 2023,  I hope you show yourself kindness by being curious instead of judging yourself. 

And now, on to the fun stuff! I've really enjoyed a slower start to the year. Work has been pretty busy, but I've been going out less and staying in more. And I've been relishing in more simple pleasures. Plus, when it is 6 degrees outside, it's pretty hard to have fomo, because there aren't many things that can compel me to leave my apartment when it's that cold outside. 

Monthly Muses 

Green Goddess 

I am rapidly becoming obsessed with the color green, and I'd love to believe that my allure to this color is because my subconscious knows I'm stepping into a huge season of growth and flourishing. I am so excited to wear this dress out and about in NYC, along with a few other green enables I've curated. 

Fun Valentine's Day Nails 

I haven't had fake nails in years but wow... I feel like a whole new boujee bitch! I feel so feminine and dainty! Who knew that an $8 amazon purchase could bring me sooooo much joy 

Planning Porto, Portugal

One of my good friends is getting married in Portugal this summer! We were living together when she started dating her fiance, and now I get to experience them saying "I do" in one of the most magical cities in the world! And because we were roommates in jersey city for multiple years, a ton of our mutual friends with be attending the wedding (including some of my best friends who now live around the globe). Let the outfit planning and excursion research begin!! 

Weekend nights at home 

I told yall that I was going out less and staying in more. I injured my foot the other week, so I had to skip some workouts to rest. That included missing my Friday pole class and saying no to a night of dancing with friends at a local bar last Friday. I took this mandatory rest time as an opportunity to cook a fancy meal, give myself a valentine's day manicure, and batch-film fashion content. It's some of the most fun I've had in ages.. and I didn't spend a dime! 

All the murder mystery books, tv shows & movies. 

I watched Knives Out 1 and 2 last month and became obsessed with the murder mystery genre again. I then proceeded to binge-watch 3 seasons of Nany Drew (there's a supernatural twist that makes the show so so good!). And now I'm listening to The Silent Patient on Audible and reading Rock, Paper, Scissors while I'm on the train. What should I add to my list next?

Games Games Games 

Why did I wait 29 years to play shuffleboard!!?? I went two weekends ago for the first time and had a blast! After venturing out to Brooklyn, I met up with a few friends in FiDi to go to the swanky lounge Recreation to grab drinks, play board games, and skeeball. I just can't enjoy basic bars now.... the BAR has been set too high now (I can never resist an opportunity to use a pun).  

I am grateful that I've been experiencing more joy lately. December was a really dark month for me, so it's refreshing to see that with a little bit of effort, gloomy days don't have to last forever. And even with the smallest drop of faith, we can drastically improve our quality of life faster than one might think. Cheers to putting in the work and proving all the doubters wrong. Until next time! 

Ah, it finally feels like autumn is in full swing! October is probably my favorite month of the year. Between the festive and spooky decor, fall activities, Halloween costumes, events and celebrations, perfect weather, and fall fashion - October is abundant with magical moments. I firmly believe in romanticizing your life, and October makes it extremely easy to do so. 

This evening, I want to list all the things I love about fall and schedule a ton of activities (small and large) to soak up the season. I'm talking about trips to the farmers market, apple picking, baking days, cozy movie marathons, decorating, fall foliage trips, outdoor movie nights, and on and on. But for some reason, I keep hitting this huge wall of resistance that's telling me not to bother dreaming about the lifestyle I want because it's not going to happen. So I'm learning to sit with the doubt and sorrow and say "ok, I hear you brain, but these thoughts aren't facts or helpful so keep it moving brain. I'm not listening to those mean self-deprecating thoughts." 

I'm sure that waking up sick contributed to my negative thoughts spiral because all of my productive plans got thrown out the window. But at the same time, I'm learning to relish these slow days that force me to rest and are void of running around the city, void of heavy drinking, and therefore; void of crippling hangovers. So since my Sunday has been dedicated to catching up on sleep and rest, here are a few fun and frugal fall things I'm scheduling for myself this week: 

• Put up fall and Halloween decor 

• Sit down and create my budget for the rest of the year while treating myself to a pumpkin spice latte. 

• Make some extra cash through my favorite rating site - usertesting.com 

• Squeeze in a few pole and pilates classes this week (as long as I'm not sick) 

• Photograph and post all the fall pieces I've been trying to sell on curtsy 

• Spend Sunday planning and scheduling my upcoming week 

• Create my weekly menu and meal prep 

• Connect with new guys on dating apps... if I feel up to it. TBH, I HATE using dating apps, but I would love to find the right partner, and I'm aware that I need to put in the work to meet him. During the process, I keep reminding myself that what I'm seeking is also seeking me. So cheers to all of us who are focusing on cultivating healthy and happy relationships with ourselves and others. 

• Edit all the video footage I filmed last weekend. 

• Catch up on a few career and business masterclasses - I've been craving a mini fall work retreat via a pretty cabin in the woods. Imagine jetting off to a cute cabin in the woods and working on your dreams by the fireplace, sipping on a glass of wine, and looking out at a beautiful lake while the sun sets. DREAMY!!  I haven't been showing up for my some of my dreams lately and that's just not the type of person I want to be. I want to make myself proud and that starts with showing up for my business. 

• And last but certainly not least, planning my fall capsule wardrobe, I am in desperate need of all things leather - leather trench coat, leather pants, leather dresses and leather combat boots in multiple colors. Fall fashion is truly the best.