Hola, friends!

I hope you’re all doing fantastic — I am! Busy, yes… but beautifully, wonderfully busy. We just went to the beach to celebrate our anniversary, and it was pure love and beauty. I’m so deeply grateful for my hubby and the little family we’ve created together.

I love the ocean. I love the sound of the waves, the breeze and the salt in my hair, the infinite shades of blue, and that dreamy feeling of being suspended in another dimension. I love sipping hot, black coffee wrapped in a cozy outfit. I love muted colors and misty mornings — and I find all of that here, in this beloved little corner of the world.

So yes… I love cold beaches.

But — at the same time — I try not to cling too tightly to anything. So, this summer, I’ve decided to embrace the season just a little more.

Summer is around the corner, and I’m usually not thrilled about it. Like, at all. But this year, I have a plan. I’ll fill it with things I do enjoy — and in doing so, maybe make peace with the sun. I mean, I don’t live in Norway… and knowing hubby and Ophelia, we’re not moving there anytime soon.

So! I’m starting a pollinator garden.

I did my research on what flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. I bought seeds and planted them. I added fresh flowers, placed marbles in a dish of water for the bees to safely drink, read up on how to feed hummingbirds properly (no red fake syrup!), and hung a feeder. I even started stepping out into the sun — for five minutes a day. Yes, just five. I set a timer — remember, I’m not in love with it yet — but I’m trying.

And… I already have sprouts! Yay!

Even more magical — the first bumblebee arrived. I’m hoping he tells all his friends that here they’ll find food, water, and love.

And that’s the lesson I’m learning lately:

I don’t have to love everything with wild passion. But I can embrace things as they are — instead of hiding from the sun, for example.

Oh! I also bought a sun catcher, and the beautiful woman who sold it to me gifted me a little obsidian tower for protection. I can’t help but wonder… maybe all these sun signs are showing up for a deeper reason.

So, my dear amigos del internet, I hope you get to create your own pollinator garden — not necessarily a literal one, but a space where you can love more, embrace more, and simply be a little happier.

For now,

Love & Sparkles,

Ishani