entertaining at home – This is my hobby.

A Trader Joe’s opened up by my house and…I’m in danger.

It has actually been both a bad and good thing (but mostly good).

We’ve now reduced our Costco trips. For us, Costco shopping can often lead to overspending and food waste.

Now, instead of one massive haul every couple of weeks, we are popping into Trader Joe’s several times a week.

I would normally hate going to a grocery store that often, but it is genuinely a joy to shop there.

Elaine is obsessed with the little kid carts and the staff treat us with loving kindness — the opposite of most South Florida shopping experiences (or experiences in general), tbh.

There are also so many delightful treats.

This week, I discovered the vanilla bean mini sheet cake and, once again…I’m in danger.

I’m venturing into the body products too, and I fear I might be a Goodwill + Trader Joe’s girlie head to toe these days.

My favorite thing about having TJ’s next door though is that it greatly enhances my hosting offerings.

I had friends over last weekend and supplied quite a spread of TJ goodies in various thrifted serving plates scattered amid thrifted table decor.

We tried a couple of their flatbreads from the frozen section and, naturally, I had to throw in a few sweet treats. The cookies aren’t as good as oreos but they were still pretty delish!

I’ve been waiting to use these adorable napkins I found at Bealls. The woven mats are from Goodwill, along with most of the serving dishes.

Cabbage serving tray also from Goodwill. We tried the curry chicken salad and bacon ranch chicken dip — both delish.

I love that I can throw together a spread without making a huge production of it with TJ’s help.

So, yes, I might be spending too much money there, but I’m spending it on friends and vanilla bean sheet cake.

The math works for me.

Styled in South Florida Season 2 launches on Sunday, August 16th!

I can’t wait to introduce you to this season’s tour hosts and their gorgeous homes.

Keep your eyes peeled for five more home tour episodes!

Last week’s thrifted ‘fits:

T-shirt, sunnies, and bag from Goodwill West Palm Beach

Making every day moments feel beautiful brings me a lot of joy, and it’s no wonder because science is proving the mental health benefits of aesthetics.

During my day job, I’ve become familiar with the concept of neuroaesthetics — the neuroscience of beauty.

This research shows that when people view something they find beautiful, reward pathways are activated in the brain.

Memorial Day weekend poolside spread with my thrifted bamboo tray and snack plates from TJ Maxx.

Meaning the beauty you witness makes you feel good and prompts you to continue seeking out that feeling.

The science is backing up something kinda obvious when you think about Martha Stewart’s decades-long success.

So, making every day, small moments in your life beautiful is something worth doing — it makes you feel good in a brain nourishing way.

We’ll eat outside a ton this summer now that we have our fan on the lanai.

Saturday’s al fresco meal with thrifted bowls and a centerpiece from Trader Joe’s.

This weekend, I decided to make a visit with our cousin beautiful by bringing out a few collected items to enhance a simple snack spread.

Candle holders and blue dessert plates from Goodwill, Vintage floral plate from The Cozy Cottage in Lake Worth Beach, Gorgeous table runner handmade from Stone Button Studio in Northwood, Pink serving platter thrifted and gifted from my MIL

I can’t get over these napkins from The Cozy Cottage in Lake Worth Beach.

I loved pulling it together, which was a brain reward, but then our cousin noticed the beauty and the effort to create the moment, which brought its own reward.

Double. Doozie.

Slowing down enough to make small moments beautiful has big benefits — and brings a lot of joy, in my (and also science’s) humble opinion.