maria provenzano from scratch with maria

How long does it actually take to move into a house? We moved in July and I feel like I am still organizing, online shopping, and trying to unpack. Our artwork is still sitting on the floor just waiting to get put up. With school starting and working back in full force, not only do I feel completely overwhelmed but I also feel like my house needs to be my safe haven for comfort.

During this pandemic, we decided we wanted to move to another area of town to have a little more space for our family since we’re all at home more than ever these days! Thankfully, we were able to find a great house and move rather quickly. As many people did during quarantine, I felt the urge to not only organize my spaces but also purge a lot of things that weren’t living up to their full potential in our home any longer. I found that sorting through and finding new homes for a lot of these items was actually very therapeutic, in more ways than I would have ever imagined.

Until going through this process, I didn’t fully realize how heavy some of the memories in our old house were for me. I lost a pregnancy there, my husband went through life-threatening back surgery and recovery while we were there...that house did not feel like “home” to me. We always knew it was temporary being there and for some reason, I couldn’t connect with that place. I’m sure it sounds weird but I believe that buildings, especially houses, have an energy to them and you connect with them or you don’t. I feel the same way about cities. That is the reason some people love living in the country and others in the city, it’s all about your connection to the energy it holds.

While I would have disagreed at the time, the universe did me a huge favor! We were going to put our house-hunting on hold because of the craziness of the pandemic but come to find out, the people who we were renting from wanted to end the lease and sell the house. Since we didn’t want to buy it, it was time to move on...and QUICKLY.

When I walked into the house we are in now I felt like it was mine. I felt calming energy that also felt welcoming. Do you think I’m crazy yet? No? Good… there is more! Onto the clarity and healing...I purged anything that didn’t make me feel happy. I wanted my house to be full of things that not only would make me smile but also feel comfortable. I wanted a house that I would be comfortable having people over knowing they would also feel comfortable. Bedsheets, clothes, furniture -- you name it I got rid of it and I replaced it!

I think during quarantine, we all realized just how much effort (or how little) we put into our homes...since we have been spending so much time there. We have also been living in pajamas and working from home while wearing slippers. Now, more than ever, comfort is king and I am here for it.

In my hours of online searching, I found some wonderful things that I want to share with you.

Ahhh the rug! This really changes everything. If you are looking at Instagram wondering where everyone got their cool rugs from...they are Loloi! I’m obsessed with mine. I put mine in the dining room and it has made a huge difference in the overall look of the room and also adds a wonderful coziness to the room. Head over to their Instagram for more style inspo!

Two things we use ALL OF THE TIME and rarely replace...sheets and towels. If you haven’t gotten new sheets or towels in some time then head over to Brooklinen.com you will not be sorry...I promise! We splurged and bought a king-sized bed and after topping it off with these sheets, I literally feel like I am living in a hotel...a nice one! When I decided that I was going to purge the things in my life that just didn’t bring me happiness, I also meant my terrible towels that hadn’t been replaced in years. The Brooklinen towels are so fluffy and soft AND they don’t lose their softness when you wash them...they only get better. Everything I bought for the shower experience like soap, lotion, etc. all smells calming and lovely, so when I added the towels into the mix it was really the icing on the cake.

Now to lounge! Sunday Citizen has created heaven on earth. I have been living in their Nube Pocket Wrap because it’s so soft and cozy that it’s basically everything you want from a blanket but you can wear it. I am currently writing this post while wearing it! They also carry a number of different types of blankets from lightweight to weighted and even one kind filled with crystals! Use the code 1MARIAP20 for 20% off!