Stamps, Sentiment, & The Quiet Art of Being Prepared

There is something deeply comforting about being prepared — not in a frantic, doomsday sort of way, but in the gentle, thoughtful sense. The kind that whispers, I have what I need, rather than shouting it. I credit this instinct almost entirely to my father, the perpetual Boy Scout, who instilled in me from a young age that it’s always better to have something on hand than to scramble for it later. That lesson followed me into adulthood in the most unexpected and charming ways.

On Heirlooms, Intention, & Giving Like You’ve Done This Before

Someone once told me I was a good gift giver, and I remember laughing — not because it wasn’t kind, but because I don’t think of myself as someone who shops particularly well. What I do think I’m good at is paying attention.

How Scent Becomes the Keeper of Our Mothers, Our Milestones, & Ourselves

How Fragrance Becomes a Memory You Can Hold. 

Some heirlooms are worn. Some are used. And some arrive in the form of a small, unassuming box filled with the softest echoes of someone you loved. That’s how it felt when I was given a box of my mother’s old perfumes — bottles I hadn’t seen in a long while, yet immediately recognized as if they had been sitting quietly in my memory this whole time. She rarely wore perfume, so the scents inside weren’t tied to everyday life. They were tied to moments. To special evenings. To snapshots of her that are too precious for the ordinary.

Small Habits, Slower Days & the Pursuit of a Well-Lived Life

I realized something early one morning while out walking — passing small gaggles of elderly ladies and the occasional persistent gander of men — that one of the quiet keys to a long, good life is not just movement, but community.

Savor Every Amenity & Elevate Every Moment

Your step-by-step ritual for maximizing every luxurious moment.

Recently a dear friend asked what to expect at the spa and how to actually make the most of it — and I realized we needed this post. We don’t gatekeep here, mes chères. There’s a way to do a spa day… and then there’s the Bougie Brunette way to do a spa day. If you’re already treating yourself to luxury, you deserve to savor every ounce of what your spa has to offer.

Think of this as me — your quietly glamorous best friend — walking you through the experience from a distance, guiding you like someone who has done this many, many times.

Here’s exactly how to move through the spa like a woman who not only belongs there… but might very well own the place.

What I Always Keep Stocked for a Cozy, Effortless Season

Because winter cooking isn’t about complication — it’s about intention.

As the cold settles in and the garden finally drifts into its long winter sleep, the rhythm of the home shifts. The grill goes quiet, alfresco evenings pause until spring, and suddenly the kitchen becomes the heart of the house again. Winter calls us to gather closer, cook slower, and find comfort in the little rituals that make the season warm and bright. For me, it all begins with a thoughtfully stocked kitchen — simple staples, cozy essentials, and a few bougie touches that make even the coldest evenings feel inviting.

Inspiration for Hosting a Winter Tasting Night

Because delighting your guests shouldn’t require a reservation — just a little creativity and a beautifully set table.

Some experiences imprint themselves so deeply onto our senses that they become little bookmarks in our memory. During a recent stay at the Ritz-Carlton in New Orleans, one of those moments found me in the form of a chocolate-and-bourbon tasting — ginger warmth meeting silky cocoa in a dimly lit lounge, offered with the kind of relaxed elegance that whispers, “Slow down. This moment is for you”.

How I’m Reclaiming My Routine, My Strength, and My Spark

I know not everyone can dedicate an entire portion of their home, a spare room, or an outbuilding to a gym — and I completely understand that. When I lived in my first apartment, I used to tuck weights under my bed and host cardio workouts with friends in my living room.

When You Can’t Show Up Perfect

Because sometimes the most elegant thing you can do is be honest with yourself.

There are days when the champagne feels flat, the garden looks tired, and even your favorite apron strings don’t cinch quite right. Life isn’t always polished — and that’s okay.

A Guide to Living Like a Country Inn

Because even the coziest homes deserve five-star touches.

There’s a quiet joy in preparing for the colder months — a ritual of putting the garden to bed, fluffing the duvets, and restocking the things that make home feel like a haven. As the air turns crisp and the afternoons grow shorter, I like to think of this time as my own version of “checking in” for the season.

Turning Your Home Into Your Dream Holiday

Because we all deserve to check in without checking out.

There’s something so magical about arriving at a beautiful resort (my personal Instagram highlight tours are proof) — the crisp sheets, the thoughtful details, the feeling that everything is ready and waiting for you to simply live and enjoy.

Modern etiquette at 30,000 feet

There’s something undeniably elegant about air travel—or at least, there used to be. Between clunky carry-ons, snack explosions, and passengers who treat the aisle like their living room, the skies have lost a bit of their sparkle.

Rituals for Resetting When You're in a Funk

Let’s be real, mes chères—sometimes even the most fabulous among us feel bleak, bland, or like a total imposter. The kind of day where you look at your to-do list and think, "Who gave me this much power? I can barely make my bed, let alone guide someone to a life of chic abundance." But here’s the truth: even the most elegant lives hit the occasional dip.

Evening Rituals That Set the Tone for Tomorrow

There's something deeply satisfying about tying a ribbon on the day—bringing everything to a gentle close so tomorrow starts with a fresh, uncluttered canvas. In true Bougie Brunette fashion, I treat my evening kitchen closing rituals not as chores, but as slow, grounding rituals that set the tone for the next morning.

Making the Most of Fallen Tomatoes

This spring, one day it's sweater weather, the next it’s a scene straight out of the Sahara. The yo-yoing of the forecast—from freezer burn to hellfire—and a few overly inquisitive birds have officially staged a coup in my garden. My once-pristine tomato vines now resemble a battlefield of half-ripened, prematurely plucked fruit scattered like fallen jewels across the deck.

MEET MY NEW TREE FRIENDS

Darlings, I have the sweetest announcement! I'm officially the proud owner of a delightful little orchard, tucked charmingly into my tiny postage-stamp backyard. Yes, even suburban bougie babes can have their orchard dreams come true!

How to Garden Bougie Brunette Style

I recently was asked for tips to help someone with their garden, and for a moment, I felt completely unqualified. But then I realized I've managed to keep a thing or two alive for quite some time—like my beloved African violets, thriving for about a decade now, and my resilient garden that faithfully returns stronger each year. Clearly, I must be doing something right! After all, nothing brings me joy quite like playing in the dirt and visiting my plant friends.

A Whimsical Habit for the Modern Naturalist

Some of the best moments in life happen while walking—no destination, no headphones, just you, the rhythm of your footsteps, and the quiet beauty of the woods. One small habit I’ve grown to love during these slow strolls? Carrying a seed shaker.

Cottage-core Meets Coastal Grandma

As spring gently unfolds and nature quietly buds to life, it's time to refresh our wardrobes with pieces that artfully blend whimsical cottagecore charm with my personal favorite—the relaxed elegance of coastal grandmother style. Picture an aesthetic that whispers comfort, breathes luxury, and radiates effortless sophistication—this is the essence of the Bougie Brunette’s spring style. Bonus points if you raid your mother’s or grandmother’s trunk in their attic!

Mes Chères, February is a month synonymous with love—romantic candlelit dinners, surprise bouquets, and handwritten notes tucked into envelopes. But here’s a question: when was the last time you wrote a love letter to the most important person in your life? Yourself.