Two Thousand & Twenty-Two

~ Paris
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This year was incredibly special. I found myself falling back in love with some of my old hobbies, like stargazing {and planet watching}, and finding new interests to study, such as learning about gemstones {from their origins to their mineral properties, and everything else in-between} + becoming a plant parent. I graduated from business school and traveled through the west coast for everything from conferences to weddings to anniversary celebrations. I took time to write for myself again, spilling out a story I didn’t know I had within me, and went to the beach a few times a week just to chase a sunset or enjoy hearing the waves crash against the sand {a perk of living near the sea}. I began this pretty site that I’ve dreamt of for a long time, and I found myself living in the place my high school self manifested into my current reality. While I normally categorize a year as being either incredibly amazing or challenging, 2022 fell someplace in-between and making it feel more special than anything else. And while I’m ridiculously excited for the new year {aka, my second favorite holiday after Valentine’s Day, of course}, I’m really grateful to spend the next ten days truly savoring the last bit of this special year.
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x Paris

How-To: Wrap a Present

~ Paris
It’s a little embarrassing to admit that up until a few years ago {looking at you, 2014}, I could not wrap a present to save my life. Well, maybe I could; I just never attempted it since it always seemed easier and less messy to purchase a pretty gift bag instead. But that year I finally decided to attempt wrapping a gift on my own because there’s nothing quite as fun as ripping apart the gift wrapping from a present and there’s nothing quite as pretty as a perfectly wrapped present. It ended up being a bit easier to recreate after watching my mom give me a tutorial, and now I love buying a plethora of pretty wrapping paper to gift wrap all my presents. Topped off with a handwritten card or sparkly bow, nothing says it’s a pretty present quite like this.
{Step 1: Place your present on the wrapping paper, making sure that there is plenty of paper on all sides of the gift.}
{Step 2: Fold the paper vertically to cover the present completely and tape it down the center.}
{Step 3: Fold the paper on the top and bottom of the gift so that the wrapping paper is tight against the gift.}
{Step 4: To make it a little prettier, fold in the edges underneath to give the underside of the gift look like two, flat-topped triangles.}
{Step 5: Fold all four sides of the “triangle” and decorate with sparkly gift tags, pretty cards, silky ribbon, or glittery bows.}
{Enjoy!}
x Paris