May of change, garden parties & healing
A big life decision, plus a recap of a transformational month and everything I loved throughout it
Hi, Happy Friday! I hope you’re having a wonderful week. Welcome to Dream Sequence, where I share interior inspiration, vintage treasures, and ideas for building a home that feels like a haven of comfort - along with life in my own tiny space in the West Village of New York City (and a new location soon…!)
“At last came the golden month of the wild folk - honey-sweet May, when the birds come back, and the flowers come out, and the air is full of the sunrise scents and songs of the dawning year.”
- Samuel Scoville Jr., Wild Folk
May is the sweetest month, full of simple delights. This particular May for me was all those things; it was also life-changing. First, I decided to move out of New York City, to a little cottage on the ocean. Second, I underwent a major surgery which I’ve waited a long time for. Both life events, I hope, will set me on a path of healing and inner peace.
On May 22nd, I underwent a heart ablation surgery for atrial fibrillation. I was so scared going in; I think knowing the surgeon would be dealing with my heart made it a particularly sensitive and emotionally intense experience. It was successful, but I had some complications including pericarditis and extreme optical migraines for a week. The silver lining was I got to recover at my parent’s home with lots of heating pads, books, and flowers & desserts sent from friends. My friend Casey sent me a box of farm fresh treats, and my friend Erin sent me a strawberry rhubarb pie! Also, is there any better feeling than being cared for by the people who love you?
On May 31st, I finalized a lease to move to a cottage on the ocean in Connecticut. I had been thinking about this move for a long time - I’ve always had this dream of a quiet, rich life, waking up each morning to birds chirping and a sunlit home surrounded by sky and ocean. I have also lived in New York City for ten (wonderful!) years and I had always promised myself that after ten years, I would transition into a new chapter. But there was so much fear surrounding the decision to leave.
Years ago, I remember my sister Christy showing me a quote by Joseph Campbell:
“If you do follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while, waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living. Follow your bliss and don’t be afraid, and doors will open where you didn’t know they were going to.”
I thought: I should do that. And then I came up with many reasons to not do it. But facing unknowns with my health, I felt like it was time to prioritize what was in my heart and take actionable steps towards that. I think with any big life change, we’re never fully ready. But we reach a point where we would rather take the risk than not take it and wonder what turn our lives could’ve taken if we had.
I believe that when you take small steps to align yourself with the life you want to be living, when you follow your bliss, it creates a type of magic and things start shifting in your favor. Believing this is the most important part.
So, want to see the cottage? My favorite parts are the wood-burning fireplace and the French doors that open to the patio with views of the ocean.
I can’t wait to start decorating and making it mine. The thought of waking up in the morning, brewing coffee and walking to the beach? Heaven.
Besides the two big things, May was also filled with small springy moments & gatherings: picnics on the west side, Colony salad pizza, picking lily-of-the-valley, enjoying oysters at Waverly Inn with good company. My friend Aubrey hosted her first rooftop garden party of the summer, and my friend Austa hosted a terrace dinner where Erin made the most delicious Brami pasta and Austa crafted special garden cocktails, complete with a little garnish.
May 5th would have been my brother Jake’s 30th birthday - happy birthday Jake! We always do a shot of his favorite whiskey in his honor.
Interior photos that inspired me this month, from my cottage decor Pinterest board. I’m thinking comfortable fabrics, natural materials like wood, and a subtle coastal influence.
Currently Loving
Sirens. Such a fun early-summer binge watch.
These new wine glasses I bought for the cottage.
I treated myself to the drip coffee maker of my dreams.
Ben Azadi’s new book on metabolic health & healing hormones.
I can’t wait to try the frozen jalapeño in sauvignon blanc trend on a summer night.
Dream Sequence Finds
Ever since I drank coffee out of a vintage Portmeirion Botanic Garden mug at a friend’s Vermont country home, I’ve been wanting a set of my own. I recently found the most beautiful set on Ebay for the house and they’re in pristine condition. If you search around, there are lots of options for different flower species. They’re so special.
How pretty is this hydrangea tea towel?
What’s inspiring you lately? Are there any big life changes you’ve been considering? I’d love to hear from you.
I hope you savor the first weekend of June.
To summer,
Carly
p.s. “heart, I implore you, it’s time to come back from the dark”
Always a great read! Your cottage is my absolute dream. Wishing you well-being and good health in this new chapter of your life!
Your cottage is absolutely gorgeous! Thank you so much for sharing :)