Friday's Simply Smitten - Blush & Blooms

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“Jesus replied, ‘you do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand’ “

-John 13:7

Happy Friday! Life lately has been full of emotions. As I drive through Columbus to go to the grocery store or to Starbucks for my daily cup of matcha, I see more and more cars out and people walking the streets. Columbus, like the rest of the US, is slowly opening up. Indoor restaurants, bars, stores, and salons are open for business; calling for people to come out of quarantine and return to normalcy. It’s nice to see really. Although I am a firm believer that we need to continue to be cautious about where we go, the need to wear masks out in public, and having the fear of opening up too quickly, seeing people out and about does give hope after months of uncertainty. I can’t say that I will be one to jump right back to the way things were before the virus. I am scared of the what-ifs, to be honest.

As I mentioned, and many of you if not all of you are feeling the same way, I have been living through waves of emotions. With continuous reports contradicting each other on protocols and the spread of the virus, I am beyond confused and frustrated. With the hearing of friends like Nick Cordero still struggling after a month in the ICU with COVID-19, news reports of deaths and new cases, and the millions of people finding themselves without food, I am saddened beyond belief. But with so many people of all ages (the ones who are 100 and above are my favorite stories) who have beaten the virus, and those who have found innovative ways to help out, I am filled with hope and love. On top of that I am having mixed feelings about returning to New York. When I first arrived in Columbus I couldn’t wait to get back to NYC. Now that my parents and I are having the talk of when I should go back (beginning of June as of now), I am having feelings of wanting to stay. It’s not that I am ready to permanently leave New York, it’s more about being scared to return to the center of this epidemic. I think of still being quarantined in my studio apartment alone. What will it do to my mental health, what will become of my physical health? I know this is no way to live but is returning to New York really living when you can’t go anywhere beyond the walls of your apartment. At least here in Columbus I can freely move around in the park without getting too close to someone else. I can hang out in the sunshine in my parent’s backyard. I can see my family and be around those that I love during these trying times. I know, either way, Columbus or NYC, I need to count my blessings. That my worries are trivial compared to what others are going through right now, however they still hold meaning to me. Eventually I have to continue my life, in the city that I love, no matter the outside circumstances.

There is one thing I dislike most about the present moment is people saying that this is the “new normal” (I posted this on Twitter). No it is not. We are put on this earth to be with each other, to show affection, to embrace, to be outside in the sunshine, to be with the ones we love, to experience life together. I am someone who loves to hug people, and I refuse to give that up. We are not meant to be afraid to touch or be around each other. That is what is giving me hope in going back. This “new normal” is only current and someday, hopefully soon, we can live life the way we are meant to- interacting with humanity. I guess in a way you can argue that this pandemic has brought up closer together. And that is true. Maybe God put us here to remind us of our basic human need, each other. To reconnect, relearn, and re-love each other. But I have hope, one that I stand firm about, that this new normal is only right now and not forever.

Moving on from my rant…. it has been raining almost every day this week and is supposed to continue to rain for the next few days. Lovely (eye roll). Although today and tomorrow we do have sunshine, giving us a break in between storms. In which I will be riding bikes with my dad and hopefully going for a run. Other than watching the rainfall from my window, I have finished reading The Two Lives of Lydia Bird. I really love it and recommend it, but have to give a little warning that it is sad. I cried through the first half of the book. Eventually, however, you feel hopeful and happy towards the end. Now I am reading The Royal We. A fictional story about an American girl who marries the Prince of Wales…. wait this sounds familiar? No it’s not about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, more like British Royal history meets Hallmark movie. Two things I love!

Other than reading this past week, I finished off not one but three Netflix shows Outerbanks, Dead to Me, and Hollywood. Outerbanks was one that I was interested in watching but thought it may not be as good as I thought. I was very wrong! I loved the suspense, the mystery, the love story, the friendships, the nostalgia of being a teenager. I need someone from North Carolina to confirm or deny that people there actually call each other Kooks and Pogues. Also the soundtrack to Outerbanks is amazing– I have been listening to it on Spotify. Dead to Me season 2 was the chef’s kiss. Just as good, if not better than season 1. Hilarious, suspenseful, heartwarming, shocking! I loved every minute of it and can not wait until season 3. Hollywood was one that the second I heard about the show, I was counting down the minutes until it premiered. A historical semi-fictional show about old Hollywood– sign me up! But plot twist: I hated the first episode. I even turned it off. You know when you have a preconceived idea about something and then when it happens to not be what you thought it was, it’s a letdown? Well that was what Hollywood was initially for me. I thought it was going to be more about the acting (ok I admit I wanted song and dance in it) than about a prostitution brothel. And no, none of it had to do with the sexual orientation of the characters. I finally decided to give it another go as everyone kept raving about the series, and I am SO happy I did! I ended up loving the show and fell in love with the characters. I love the history of some of the real-life characters and the events that actually happened. I was rooting for the underdogs and clapping for the love stories. It is so well done, I highly suggest this one too!

This weekend I have nothing on the agenda except to read my new book, watch Ben Platt’s Netflix Special as well as Taylor Swifts concert special (I feel like the worst fan for not having watched it yet), and I am going to start the new Hulu series The Great.

Have a wonderful, safe, and healthy weekend xo

1. Love Krystal’s post about channeling enthusiasm

2. This cute yellow dress is 25% off

3. This classic striped t-shirt is only $23

4. Love this floral PJ set

5.. Missing sounds of New York

6. Reasons to still love NYC

7. Looking forward to these Target collaborations

8. Netflix ‘Hollywood’ is the fashion escape you need

9. Smash is heading to Broadway

10. Design mistakes when setting up and at-home workspace

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