Email theblondeprep@gmail.com with questions, comments, or concerns. Powered by Blogger.

St. Barths Recap

st barths fran acciardo january 2022 destination wedding pink feather dress

Last weekend I traveled to St. Barth's for my aunt's wedding, and it was truly the most beautiful weekend. The trip had been planned for about a year, and I am so grateful that my family and I were able to make the trip down to the island and back safely and without a hitch! I left on Thursday the 20th and while it was a quick trip, it was truly the most beautiful few days, and I would be completely remiss not to share it with all of you.

(everything I wore linked at the bottom of the post)

Resort Wear Picks: Packing For St. Barths

fran acciardo Resort Wear Picks: Packing For St. Barths

 I couldn't be more excited to head to St. Barths next weekend for my aunt's wedding. Not only am I over the moon for her to get married, but I'm (almost) equally excited about visiting St. Barths itself. The little island exudes beauty and luxury and I just can't wait to soak it all in. 

This Week's Top 10

fran acciardo This Week's Top 10 ski lodge winter new year

1. We've made it through the first week of the New Year! This week I've been in Madison at Joe's, and I head back to NYC on Sunday night. It's *so* cold here in Wisconsin (it's -6° today!!!) that the 30-degree temps in NYC sound like heaven. I miss my daily walks!


2. In two weeks I'm heading to St. Barths for my aunt's wedding and couldn't be more excited. When I get back to the city I plan to pretty much quarantine up until I leave just so I don't risk anything; in order to get onto the island you have to present a negative covid test, and it's really just not something I want to take any chances with. 


3. Speaking of- I did get my booster shot on Wednesday and I have to admit that yesterday was pretty rough. I went to a hard workout class on Wednesday night about an hour after my shot, which is supposed to help, but all day yesterday I had major body aches, a headache, and on-and-off chills. Fortunately, I was able to work from bed, and this morning I woke up totally fine again, so it's all good! If you haven't received your booster shot yet, I made my appointment through Walgreens.

Every Book I Read in 2021, Ranked

fran acciardo best books of 2021 Every Book I Read in 2021, Ranked


This year I wasn't quite as good about my book update blog posts, so I wanted to share a big round-up of my reads since 2021 was a pretty good year of reading for me! (I tihnk my best year of reading yet!) Although I didn't really read (except for one book) until April of 2021, I read 23 (and a half) books throughout the rest of the year which I am proud of! I am also now a part of two book clubs in New York, which I love because I get to read books I might not hear about oor choose myself, all while meeting new people. 

Highlights of 2021

fran acciardo 2021 recap highlights moments new year

Every year around the New Year, I share my annual recap of moments throughout the past year that made it what it was. While this year I’m a little late to posting this, it’s my 6th year in a row sharing a recap of the past year and I just couldn’t skip it! This past year was honestly quite challenging, but also really great.

In 2021, my family officially said goodbye to Wisconsin and moved out of our house when I moved to New York City in April. My dad hasn’t lived in Wisconsin for years, my brother has lived in Chicago since college, and my mom moved to Charleston in October of 2020. So, when I made my move to NYC this March, it was far more difficult than the move itself; I was also saying goodbye to my home city of the past 16 years!

This is where I want to write “moving to NYC has been worth it!” because most days, it has been. But I’d be lying if I didn’t admit there are days where I have no idea what I’m doing or what I want to do, and that feeling leaves me stressed out and confused. I don’t regret moving to New York *at all,* but if 2021 taught me anything, it’s that if I want something, I have to work for it myself, and I’m the only one standing in my way. And that is especially applicable for figuring out what I’m going to do with the rest of my life. (Suffice it to say a blog post about 2022 goals will be coming soon!!)

So without further adieu, here are some standout moments from 2021...

January Moodboard (Desktop & iPhone Wallpaper)

fran acciardo January 2022 mood board winter desktop wallpaper iphone wallpaper aesthetic download blue cream white fresh start new year goals

Happy New Year!!! I hope you all had a fun and safe New Year's this weekend ringing in 2022 with people you love. I had a lovely weekend in Chicago with friends and I am feeling good about 2022 so far! 

I am spending this week in Madison, WI at Joe's apartment before heading to St.Barths toward the end of the month for my aunt's wedding!!! I am *so* excited for the wedding and also beyond excited to visit St. Barths for the first time. 

I plan to share my 2021 recap and 2022 goals in the coming days, but in the meantime, please enjoy the first mood board of 2022! Please tag me if you make this your desktop or phone wallpaper, it brightens my day more than you know!