💘 Valentine’s Day (Just Good Things)
Home, design & life hacks that make everything feel just a little better this week.
The world?
Still insane. Sending out an interior design newsletter right now feels a little dystopian. But here’s the thing, I refuse to be just another stressful email in your inbox.
“Creating joy is one of the most radical things we can do.”
Finding warmth in the middle of chaos is necessary. It isn’t about ignoring the hard things; it’s about holding onto the good in spite of them.
Morning light shining through the curtains, a sip of coffee that just hits right, the first 10 seconds of fresh, cold, clean sheets wrapping you up after a long day, a song humming in the background.
The kind of small joys that remind us: we’re still here, we’re still finding softness, we’re still building something beautiful in the middle of it all. Brick by beautiful brick.
So today, let’s do just that. Let’s create something warm, something gentle, something good. Even if it’s just lighting a candle or fluffing the pillows. Even if it’s just sitting here, taking a deep breath, and allowing ourselves to feel okay for a moment.
Because that, too, is enough. 💛
Good STUFF:
Quick Life Hacks for This Week!
The “Do One Thing” Rule
Feeling overwhelmed? Pick one thing to make your space feel better—light that candle and swap out the hand towel for a fresh one. Small shifts change everything.
The Secret to Expensive-Looking Flowers
Buy one grocery store bouquet, separate the flowers by type, and arrange them in multiple small vases. Suddenly, your home looks like a hotel lobby for $14.
The Kitchen Counter Clutter Fix
Put everything you use daily—olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic—in a pretty tray or small marble board. It looks styled instead of messy.
The “Lazy Girl” Deep Clean Trick
Too tired to deep clean? Always. But set a timer for 12 minutes and do what you can. You’ll be shocked at how much better your space feels without spending your whole day scrubbing.
Make Your Home Smell Expensive (for Free)
Simmer a small pot of water with vanilla extract, a cinnamon stick, and a slice of lemon. It’s like an Anthropologie candle without the price tag.
“Never underestimate women; there is a good reason the queen is the most powerful piece on the chessboard.”
―Matshona Dhliwayo
💘 Valentine’s Day (For The Romantics and The Cynics Alike)
Because honestly, Valentine’s Day is either romantic and lovely or an overpriced, emotionally-loaded Hallmark situation—there is no in-between. So let’s make it feel good no matter what.
💌 For the Romantics:
Set the scene: Dim the lights, throw on an Ella Fitzgerald vinyl (or fake it with a playlist), and sip something in a pretty glass—whether it’s wine or just fancy water.
The Simple Bedroom Upgrade: Swap your pillowcases for silk or washed linen. Trust me.
💌 For the Valentine’s Day Cynics:
Anti-Valentine’s Day Movie Night: Bridget Jones’s Diary just dropped a new movie, and honestly? She is the moment. Messy, weird, fun, and good—aka, us.
Solo Treat Night: Buy yourself the fancy chocolate or LOVE AT FIRST BITE Murray’s Cheese BOX. 10 out of 10! No explanation needed.
Group Chat Love Fest: Text your best friends something you love about them. Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples—it’s for every person you love.
Last-Minute Valentine’s Day Gift? A Happy Box.
If you’re over the cliché heart-shaped chocolate boxes (same), Happy Box is the move. You build a totally personal gift—think cozy socks, artisanal treats, and little luxuries that actually feel thoughtful.
Because we all deserve something that feels like us.
🎨 The Art We Make & Why It Matters
Art isn’t just something we admire—it’s something we need. It’s the way we process, celebrate, and connect with the world around us.
Kendrick Lamar didn’t just perform at the Super Bowl; a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet took center stage. Proof that rap is high art.
Marla Aaron turns fine jewelry into something deeply personal—her lock pendants aren’t just accessories, they’re tiny sculptures of love and connection.
Making art at home—whether it’s homemade valentines, handwritten letters, or a meal cooked with intention—is just as powerful as any masterpiece in a gallery.
Because in a world that often feels chaotic, creating something—anything—is an act of hope. So go make art, in whatever form speaks to you. 💛
In My Search Bar
Because sometimes, the right find changes everything. ✨
🥖 The $8 French Bakery Trick (for Store-Bought Bread)
When you buy grocery store bread, never eat it straight from the bag. Instead:
Run it quickly under water (yes, wet it).
Throw it in the oven at 350°F for 5 minutes.
It comes out like a fresh-baked Parisian baguette.
🍫 The Chocolate That’s Better Than Any Gift
Compartés Love Nuts – Caramelized almonds coated in 14 layers of dark chocolate.
☕ The Secret to Coffee That Tastes More Expensive
Add a pinch of cinnamon and a few grains of salt to your grounds before brewing. It cuts bitterness and makes cheap coffee taste shockingly good.
🔥 The Coziest Candle You’ve Never Heard Of
Norden’s "Ojai" Candle smells like a woodsy California retreat—warm & earthy with a hint of vanilla.
For the price of one overpriced regular latte, you get every single one of my best-kept home, style, and cozy living secrets—all in one place. If you find even ONE tip that makes your home better, it’s worth it.