Friday's Simply Smitten - Blush & Blooms

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“trust the magic of new beginnings”

Happy Friday and happy New Year! Can you believe 2022 is here? I still think it’s 2019. Time sure flies by when you are quarantine. Reflecting on the year I do see growth within myself. The pandemic has taught me to appreciate the moment I am in, and for that I am thankful. I would normally say 2022 is going to be my year, but I am going into the new year with no expectations. Going to let God surprise me.

I am back in New York after a wonderful week in Ohio celebrating Christmas with my family. Christmas was lovely and filled with lots of laughter. Christmas Eve we went to my sister’s house for dinner, then to evening church service. Christmas day my mom, dad, and I had our annual pancake brunch then my sister, brother-in-law and my nieces came over to open up presents. I love watching the girls open up their gifts and seeing how happy they are. Well mostly my 4 year old niece opening up gifts. My 1 year old niece was more interested in standing on the presents than opening them. After we opened our gifts we had hot chocolate and played with my nieces new toys. Ok fine, that was only me. We played Hot Potato probably a million times, and played with the Disney tea set I got her.

Later in the day the rest of my family arrived at my parents house for our gift exchange and Christmas dinner. Years ago we decided to turn the family gift giving into only buying for one person that you picked out of a hat. To make things more entertaining, we turned it into a wrapping contest. Each year the winner of the previous year picks a theme of their liking and everyone has to decorate their gift in accordance to the theme. I won in 2019 (we didn’t do it last year because of the pandemic), so I got to pick the theme this year. My theme was musical icons. My cousin Hannah won with turning her gift into the Live Aid concert with Queen. My uncle came in 2nd with a local celebrity – which is growth because he usually shows up with a white box and says he likes “silence” no matter what the theme is….. My aunt came in 3rd with her own band that she was in back in the day. Since I won last time I was not allowed to win again, but still had to participate. I turned my gift into Dolly Parton– seen here. Christmas was so fun and I loved being back together with my entire family.

The next day my dad, sister, and I went to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. It’s one of those concerts where each year you see ads for it and wonder what it’s like. Then it’s a one and done type of thing. We had fun, but boy it’s a long concert. We left a little early and it had already been 2 hours long. The first hour and a half is a story that is told through a narrator and through music. Then they played for however long, just the instrumental music that makes them so famous. Although the whole concert was enjoyable, I do wish the story was shorter and that they played more of their music. Still, it was a great experience and glad we went.

Also this past week my mom, dad, and I went to see the new West Side Story. I was a little hesitant to see it when it was first announced that Steven Spielberg was recreating the movie. I mean, you can not remake such a classic. However, the more I saw the trailers the more I wanted to see the movie. I have to say, this was the best remake of a movie I have ever seen. I loved it!! The singing, dancing, acting all was phenomenal. They do change things, but the changes didn’t bother me. The changes made sense in a way. It also helps that they kept the time period, instead of modernizing it. I am personally not a fan of Ansel Elgort for obvious reasons, but he did do a great job. And Rachel Zegler, wow what a beautiful voice she has. At least this Maria can sing (Natalie Wood does not sing in the original). I also enjoyed Ariana DeBose as Anita– those are some hard shoes to fill as Rita Moreno is legendary but Ariana did a great job! If you are hesitant to watch the new West Side Story, give it a chance. It, of course, does not compare to the original, nothing ever will, but it is so good!!

Since being back in New York I haven’t done much except frolic around town. The city is getting ready to ring in the New Year, but it doesn’t feel like NYE to me. It feels like any other Friday. I am going to have a low key New Year’s Eve, nothing too crazy like a hotel party. I think everyone wants to keep things low-key because of the new variant. I am perfectly ok with not going all out. I’ve had my fair share of upscale New Year’s Eve parties. I don’t feel the need to go out to a bar or a hotel tonight. A low-key intimate night is fine with me.

What I am watching: I spent the last few days binge watching Emily in Paris. I must say I do like season 2 so much more. Emily has calmed down a little with her obscurity, and her marketing ideas are much more realistic in my opinion. At least this time she didn’t use an apostrophe in her hashtag. Her outfits are also much more chic and put together. Although I could do without her driving gloves…. Anyway, I loved season 2 and love all of the side characters like Camille and Mindy.

Another movie we watched this past week was Don’t Look Up on Netflix. It’s a star-studded film with Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Jonah Hill and more. It’s a satire of how America, from the government to citizens, react to the end of the world. It’s funny yet scary how accurate it is. I guess it started out as how we view climate change, but can also represent our reaction to covid. It’s about how we ignore the science and do things that only benefit ourselves and not those around us and the earth. It’s a brilliant film in my opinion. Worth seeing!

What I bought: I, once again, was not planning on buying anything new for a while but saw that these nude flats that I have been coveting for months are back in stock. I had to snatch them before they are sold out. Since I was already shopping, I finally bought these boots to wear everyday. The Chelsea boots I currently own are too short in the shaft and they rub against my ankles. I wanted another pair of Chelsea boots to wear daily and nice enough to wear out but are not heeled or over-the-knee.

This weekend I will be welcoming the new year and enjoying the last few days of “break”…. with blogging you never truly get a break. There are no days off. My only plans are to become one with the couch, binge watch movies and catch up on tv shows, read my new book, and frolic around the city. I will also be cheering on the Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl. And most importantly, I will be sleeping in.

Have a wonderful New Year’s Eve xo

1. In memory of Betty White

2. Want this green mock neck sweater

3. A cute pink coat for winter

4. A pretty plaid scarf

5. The biggest fashion moments of 2021

6. How to set resolutions you’ll actually keep

7. The coziest outdoor dining this winter in NYC

8. 15 New Year’s Eve party ideas for fun at home

9. Top fashion trends for 2022

10. 50 things you can do to be happier in 2022

Sales happening this weekend