april 26, 2026
Hi friends,
Writing this after a little break, and honestly… I missed this. My wonderful blog manager Sakina was on maternity leave, and it made me realize just how much she keeps everything running smoothly around here. I never actually learned how to post my own newsletter properly, so instead of figuring it out, I very conveniently used her absence as an excuse 😅
Last weekend I went on a girls trip to Phoenix with 60+ other DIY and home creators, and it was SUCH a fun time. We talked business, strategy, content, all the behind-the-scenes things, but also just laughed a lot and got to actually connect in real life. The food alone deserves its own paragraph. Crystel Montenegro had everything organized, and it was all scratch-made. Freshly baked cookies, homemade jams, breads… it was unreal.
I met so many new people, and even though I’m a little more on the reserved side when meeting new folks, it ended up being such a good time. There’s something really special about meeting creators you’ve followed for years and realizing they’re just as lovely in person.
Also, I took my jagua gel cone with me (basically black henna), and somehow became the unofficial tattoo station for the weekend. I gave everyone little temporary tattoos… and yes, a few may have accidentally stained their faces. No regrets.
Now that I’m back home, it’s time to lock in on my next project. We’ve had some cooler weather in Houston, and I’m fully taking advantage before it turns into a sauna again. I’m finally tackling our outdoor space, which we’ve neglected for way too long. Everything died during one of the freezes, and we just… never replanted.
After what feels like a week-long strategy session with ChatGPT, I finally have a solid plan for the garden beds. I’m going for a cottage garden look, but without all the fuss. Think low-maintenance natives and perennials that still feel whimsical, colorful, and a little bit wild.
I’m also rethinking our outdoor dining setup. If you take one thing from this letter, let it be this: acacia wood does not survive Houston heat. Learned that the hard way. This time I’m going for something way more durable that can actually handle the weather.
It feels good to be back, a little more organized, and ready to get my hands dirty again.
What I bought and loved:
