Oops…I Did It Again

In oh-so-typical me fashion, another year has passed when what felt like days ago, I was promising I was back for good. But life, as it almost always does, had other plans for me and I was swept up in quite the whirlwind of the year. So, let’s get down to it. Where I’ve been, what I’ve been up to, and upcoming plans and life changes I’ve quite literally been giggling and kicking my feet about….

2024, A Year of Magical Change (And Hard Lessons)

2024 was not quite the year I was anticipating. It was full of so much good: I got to be by one of my oldest friend’s side while she was married AND, later that year, my brother’s. I met so many incredible people, many of which I know will be my friends for life. Work was the busiest it’s ever been for me, in the best way that it can be. I truly feel so grateful for how many people trusted me to help design their dream homes. It wasn’t always easy but the payoff was so worth the work. I learned so much and grew exponentially as a designer and a teammate. I’m really proud of myself for the level of time and energy I committed and I know I’ll look back in a year and feel the same.

But while this was all happening, I had an itching feeling that I was quickly outgrowing this phase of my life. Philadelphia had given me so much in the three years I was there, and it will always have the most special place in my heart. I’ve spent my whole life in the Northeast and have always hated winters. I knew it was time for a change and to head somewhere warmer. Luckily, my boyfriend, Michael, felt the same. In November, he received an offer for a job in our dream town…Charleston!

December and January were a blur. He had already left to start work, which left me to tie up some loose ends at my job, pack up our apartment, and say goodbye to the friends and city that changed my life. Cheesy, but there were certainly a lot of laughs and tears during those months.

At the end of January, we parted ways from about 90% of our belongings that were headed off to storage (scary!), packed my car with the necessities, and drove almost twelve hours to our new home. Keep in mind, I had never set foot in Charleston until our first day here, but I knew that it was going to be a perfect fit. And, luckily, so far it’s been even more amazing than anything I could have dreamed of.

Charleston, You Have My Heart!

Before I moved to South Carolina, I couldn’t tell you how many people had said to me that they could see me living in Charleston. I certainly took their word for it when I gave a whole-hearted “Yes!” when Michael asked if this was a place I’d want to live. Charming cobblestone streets, gorgeous beaches, palm trees, sunshine….I’d be crazy to say no! The whole time I was packing, I kept waiting for the nerves to kick in, but they never really did. Stress, of course, but never fear. Maybe it was because I had already moved away from my hometown to start over, so I knew I could do it again. Or maybe it was because I was finally coming home. Whatever the reason, I am still feeling that thrill of excitement and gratitude one month after moving here. And frankly, I hope it never goes away.

Now that I have warm days and sunshine in my life, it’s hard to believe that I went so long without it. Any ounce of seasonal depression has completely slipped away; I feel so much lighter. If you’ve been wanting to move but have been too afraid to leap, please do it!!! Trust your heart, it will never steer you wrong. You never know what kind of life is waiting for you on the other side of that one decision.

I feel like a tourist in the “Oh my gosh, how am I ever going to experience all of this?!” kind of way. And then I have to remind myself I’m not going anywhere, and I have so much time to experience all this city has to offer. My Charleston guide will be coming at some point once I’ve learned the lay of the land a bit more, but I’ve been having the time of my life here. And I’ve barely touched the tip of the iceberg! Summer 2025, I have a feeling you’ll be the best one yet….

Work, Design, Decor Shopping, Oh My!

To be honest, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do for work when I got here. I had interviewed at a few places but it’s hard to understand what a job is like in a city you’ve never been to. I took a month off, two weeks in Philly to get our apartment packed, and two weeks in Charleston to just take a moment and breathe. I seriously needed it. I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t working, and with so much change going on, having a moment to slow down and take it all in was exactly what I needed.

I felt a call to reach out to the first company I had interviewed with, almost two months before we even moved. It’s funny how things work out just the way they’re supposed to. I accepted an offer quickly and was thrilled to be back to work….I’m not the kind of person who can sit still for too long. It’s already been a month since I started, and I’m loving it!!! I’m still adjusting, of course, and there’s a lot to learn, but I work with the kindest people. A work/life balance is prioritized here, something I didn’t have the luxury of at my last job. My days are filled with purpose, but I get to come home and just breathe. It’s a new experience, and one I’ve really been enjoying.

In the latter half of 2024, I had lost some of my passion for design. Call it burnout. I still enjoyed so many of the projects I worked on, but sometimes when your hobby becomes your career, you lose it as a creative outlet. Moving to a new area with a different interior aesthetic has reignited my love for design. There are so many incredible furniture stores here (including the one you’ll find me working at!), and I am itching to start exploring the many antique markets and thrift stores. Mostly because we will have a place for so many amazing pieces…

We are buying a house!! It was not something on my 2025 forecast, but life is funny that way. Closing is right around the corner; thankfully, because our teeny rental has served its purpose and I am ready to be in our space again (I miss my bed!!). This will be my favorite design project since it’s ours; it’s not our forever home, but it will be the longest I’ll be in one place since I moved out of my parents’ a decade ago. Of course, I’ve already started planning how we’ll be designing our home, and I can’t wait to share everything along the way. Here’s a little sneak peek of what I’ve been dreaming up!!

What To Expect This Year

Spring has ignited my creative passions, and I have felt so inspired lately!! While I’m mostly a TikTok girl, I’ve been enjoying long-form content like this more because I can really deep dive into my thoughts and processes. Expect mood boards, travel guides, design aesthetic breakdowns, life updates, fashion, beauty, holistic living tips, and more. We’re bringing the ECB Edit to a whole new level in 2025. And, of course, if you have any ideas or requests for things you’d like to see, please share!

Love always,