Big spring life catch up! - Ep 104
In this week’s episode of the podcast, we are doing a massive catch-up on life lately. We’re talking coastal road trips, major apartment upgrades, the daily rituals keeping me sane, and a sneak peek at what’s coming up this summer.
Grab a cup of coffee (or a glass of wine), and let’s dive into the breakdown.
Create & consume:
What Austen is creating: packing mini vlog for short-form
What Austen is consuming: Astor: The Rise and Fall of an American Fortune audio book
In this episode:
On the road: Ocracoke & wedding magic
We kicked off the episode talking about our recent trip to Ocracoke for Matt’s wedding.
Sometimes you just need the freedom of a classic road trip.
We packed up the car, controlled our own timeline, and honestly, it gave us the perfect chunk of uninterrupted time to listen to the Astor audiobook.
Of course, the best part of the trip was celebrating love and catching up with familiar faces.
Apartment updates
If you've been listening for a while, you know our apartment has been a work in progress. But we finally made a huge move: we got a new couch!
We went with the West Elm Henry 2-Piece Chaise Sectional in Performance Chenille Tweed (storm gray) with chocolate legs. It has completely transformed the living room into a cozy oasis.
Some other recent additions:
A brand-new gallery wall that brings so much personality to the space.
A gorgeous full-length mirror (perfect for outfit checks).
A new statement canvas and a pillow topper for our mattress that makes sleeping feel like a hotel luxury.
The nesting isn't done yet. I'm currently hunting for a few more home decor pieces, including a functional storage bench, a sleek utensil holder for the kitchen, some entryway organization, art for the hallway, and the perfect coffee table.
Next up on the agenda? Figuring out our closet storage situation and listing a bunch of old pieces on Facebook Marketplace. Wish me luck!
Personal habits & daily rituals
I’ve been leaning hard into routine lately, and it feels so good. Here is what my current rhythm looks like:
Books & reading: I am in a fantastic reading groove right now. I managed to knock out two excellent audiobooks just during our road trips, and I’m balancing a few different book lengths right now to keep things fresh.
Workouts: My Peloton bike workouts are going strong, but I'm officially trying to add strength training back into the mix. I’m thinking of starting a bootcamp series on the Peloton app—let me know if you’ve tried one!
Waking up early: I love starting my day in the quiet morning hours with a hot cup of coffee and a few chapters of a book, or getting my workout totally out of the way.
Sunday pasta night: I’ve started a ritual of making homemade pasta on Sundays. It’s the ultimate therapeutic weekend send-off.
Press-on nails: A budget-friendly, time-saving obsession. Don't sleep on them!
Summer plans (and a request!)
The vibe for this summer is mostly low-key and local. I'm looking forward to just hanging out with Andrew, enjoying the city, and soaking up the warm weather.
However, we do have one exciting getaway planned: Nantucket! I am so ready for a New England escape.
If you have any recommendations for food, shopping, or sights, please send them my way!
Brainstorming future episodes
I’ve been thinking a lot about where to take the podcast next, and I pitched a few concept ideas in this episode. I’d love to know what you want to hear first:
City living and homeownership: Talking more about our decision to buy a home in the city vs going to the suburbs.
The "summer school" mini series: Deep dives into art history or fashion history. It’s a fun way to do something academic and structured, which ironically gives me a little mental break to take some time off behind the scenes.
Pop culture Mount Rushmores: My definitive, non-negotiable top four TV shows, movies, albums, and books.
Time vs money: A philosophical but practical framework on how to decide what’s most important to sacrifice or spend on in any given situation.
Coming up in June!
Before we wrap up, mark your calendars for next month. We have some amazing episodes lined up, including:
Summer Beauty Favorites: Everything making it into my makeup bag for the humidity.
Mid-Year Reading Updates: A look at my reading goals and the best books of the year so far.
The Blog Anniversary Episode: Celebrating a massive milestone with some fun reflections and behind-the-scenes secrets!
Summary:
We loved our recent Ocracoke road trip, had a major living room glow-up with a new West Elm sectional, and I’ve been loving daily rituals that keep me grounded.
Super excited for our summer plans for Nantucket alongside the exciting podcast topics coming your way this June!
Listen on Apple
Listen on Spotify