This week feels a little different in the best kind of way.

I’m spending a few days in Kill Devil Hills, right on the beach, before heading into a creative retreat next week with my design mentor, Ellen of Wet Nose and Bows. And I have to say, I’m really looking forward to all of it.

The beach.
The slower pace.
The change of scenery.
The creative time.
The chance to learn from someone I’ve admired for years.

It all feels like a deep breath.

Ellen is someone I have looked up to as a designer for several years now, so getting the opportunity to attend one of her retreats and design alongside her feels really special. I think when you run a creative business, it is easy to spend so much time producing, teaching, shipping, listing, planning, and keeping things moving that you forget how important it is to be poured into creatively too.

Not just productive.
Not just busy.
Actually inspired.

That is what I’m hoping for in this trip.

The Beauty of a New Place

There is something about going somewhere new that wakes up your senses a little.

You notice more.
You breathe a little deeper.
You pay attention differently.

And being right on the beach in Kill Devil Hills before the retreat begins feels like such a gift. The sound of the waves, the salt air, the open space, all of it has a way of making life feel a little softer around the edges.

I think sometimes a change of scenery does more for us than we realize.

It helps us step outside the usual rhythm.
It loosens the grip of the to-do list.
It reminds us that creativity does not always thrive in constant pressure and output.
Sometimes it needs room.
Sometimes it needs beauty.
Sometimes it just needs a different view.

And if I can talk the hubs into it, I’m secretly hoping we might squeeze in a little trip to Williamsburg while we’re on this side of the country. I’ve never been, and it just feels like one of those places I would love.

So for now, I’m soaking in the beach and holding out hope for a little extra adventure too.

The Little Things That Travel With Us

One thing I always notice before a trip is how much I reach for the small things that help me feel like myself.

Not just the practical things.
The personal ones.

A favorite scent.
A bag I like carrying.
An outfit that feels easy.
A lip balm I actually use.
A few familiar little comforts tucked into the suitcase.

This week, one of those little things has been a new body mist I picked up that I absolutely love: Salt & Stone in Bergamot and Hinoki.

I’m obsessed with it.

It has that fresh, clean, slightly woodsy feel that somehow feels both elevated and easy at the same time. It is one of those scents that instantly makes you feel a little more put together.

And honestly, those little things matter.

They do not make the trip.
But they do help it feel more like you.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Why Creative Refresh Matters

I think that is part of why I’m looking forward to this retreat so much.

There are seasons in business where you are constantly giving out.
Creating.
Teaching.
Sharing.
Solving.
Showing up.

And all of that is good. It is part of the work.

But it is also good to have moments where you get to be the student again.
To sit in a room with other creative people.
To learn from someone you admire.
To make without pressure.
To be inspired without immediately turning it into a checklist.

That kind of refresh matters too.

In fact, I would argue it is part of staying healthy creatively.

Because when you are constantly pouring out without ever being filled back up, eventually everything starts to feel a little dry.

I do not want to create from empty.
I want to create from overflow.
From curiosity.
From joy.
From the kind of inspiration that reminds you why you loved this work in the first place.

A Little Spring Reminder for Home

Even while I’m away, I’m still very much in my spring-home mindset.

And one thing I keep coming back to this time of year is how refreshing it can be to simply bring a little more of the outdoors in.

Not in a complicated way.
Not in a major overhaul.
Just in those small, thoughtful touches that make home feel lighter and more awake.

A vase of greenery.
A few faux stems with movement.
A bowl of citrus.
A candle with a clean scent.
Open windows.
Fresh air moving through the house.

Sometimes that is all it takes.

Spring does not always need more stuff.
Sometimes it just needs more breathing room.

And maybe that is true beyond decorating too.

Sometimes what we need most is not more pressure, more output, or more noise.

Sometimes we just need a little ocean air.
A little beauty.
A little change of scenery.
A little space to come back to ourselves.

Stay Tuned

I have a feeling this trip is going to leave me with plenty of stories, inspiration, and probably a camera roll full of beach pictures too.

So stay tuned.

Something tells me I’ll have a lot more to share once I’m back.