A look at lifestyle content exploring how work, creativity, and personal interests intersect and influence decision-making.
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I never really put dog clothing on Dyson. However, his grandparents got him a Halloween costume this year, and I could not pass up the opportunity. He was going to be a dragon.
Dyson looked great in the costume. Although he was dressed as a ferocious, fire-breathing creature, he looked cute as ever. I am glad that his grandparents got him such an adorable outfit.
He loved posing in his little dragoon costume although he had trouble negotiating two tails.
My husband and I got married in September. One of the wedding gifts that we received was a board game from my friend Andrew. We decided to wind down from the hectic work week by giving the game, Fog of Love, a try.
It came with a bunch of colorful cards and chips. The objective of the game is to play out various relationship scenarios, adopt different personas, and go on pretend dates. It also comes with expansion packs to help switch things up. My husband Angel and I had a fun time playing the game. We highly recommend!
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Back in October, while the weather was still bearable, my family and I took part in the Gettysburg Battlefield Tour. We wanted to have a mini vacation that was mostly outdoors because of COVID. The area we visited was beautiful, but the story about the land was tragic. So many people died on those grounds fighting for our freedom.
During the tour, we learned so much about how our country came to be. Recognizing that our country only exists as it does today because of those who sacrificed their lives all those years ago, was a humbling experience. Within our tour group, there were people who wanted a new experience (like me and my family), history buffs, and right-winged patriots – quite the interesting mix.
Side note: my family and I were annoyed because President-elect Joe Biden was scheduled to visit the day we were leaving – missed him by just a few hours. Seeing him in person would have made the trip even better, nonetheless we had a great time.
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I got a taste of what it is like to be an influencer. A brand called Bubbly Belle sent over some bath bombs for me to try. I love bath bombs and so does my dog, Dyson. He loves to see the splashing water and exploding ball of soapsuds.
I decided to incorporate Dyson into my sponsored post. Before I tested out the bombs, I snapped pictures that showed off the product and my adorable dog. After giving them a try, we both agreed that it was a great product!
Taking care of plants is incredibly wholesome and rewarding. I discovered my green thumb a few years ago when I began growing this [plant name in picture]. Three apartments later, it is still thriving!
I currently have nine other plants throughout my home. Nothing is more beautiful than looking around a space and seeing signs of life everywhere. Each one of my plant babies gets an equal amount of love and care. Maybe I can find room for a few more…
After spending the week working indoors, it was nice to get out and experience nature. This weekend, I went to the Baxter Preserve located in Northern Westchester. There was a beautiful combination of park land and open farm space.
Everyone was welcome to roam. There were people going for walks, riding horses, and running around with dogs. I even brought a long leash so my dog Dyson could explore the area more freely.
Right outside of the nature preserve were nice shops and places to eat. I met up with a coworker who lived nearby and we had a good time hanging out. This was truly the perfect weekend.
I have to give credit to Sarah Philips, pictured above, for the idea to come out here. It was the perfect escape during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
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Another ongoing photo series of mine—taking pictures of Dyson—is also an ongoing ode to him. Anything he does is worthy of commemoration. He’s just that cute! Look at that sleepy Saturday baby, all curled up and comfortable. Here’s Dyson snoozing on our pillows and Parachute comforter. Like many dogs, he thinks our bed is his bed and prefers to take his naps there.
This is his typical “baby face” when he wakes up in the morning—sort of sleepy, sort of “hey, how’re you doing?” Sometimes he’s just too cute. He looks like he’s posing and showing his good side, but I can assure you, as his owner, every side is his good side!
One great thing about New York being a “melting pot” is the availability of products from different parts of the world. I was able to pick up some Nikka Whiskey all the way from Japan. Unlike most Whiskeys made here in the U.S., Nikka Whiskey has a nice and light taste.
To enhance the experience of a great alcoholic beverage, I poured the drink in my Tiffany’s crystal glass and added some Geo cube ice balls. The lighting in my apartment was especially beautiful on this day. I could not imagine a better way to wind down for the weekend.
This past year has been filled with plenty of “pinch me” moments. Witnessing the sky turn orange was one of them. The widespread forest fires in California (and the west coast in general) were so bad that it affected the atmosphere on the east coast as well. This created a really weird sunset that I was lucky enough to snap a picture of #nofilter.
While staring at the foggy orange sky, I could not believe this was real life. I was immediately reminded of the Tatooine sunset from Star Wars. Experiencing this unnatural occurrence was creepy, but still sort of cool.
#selfie #blue #headshot ???
Keeping with my “blue only wardrobe” theme, the latest update of my blog and complimentary emails carried through the same essence. If you are a first time reader and stumble onto this post, you may be unaware that several years ago I decided to curb my shopping habit and make my life easier by only wearing Blue clothing.
This year I have spent time to split out my brand of ZAMARTZ and my personal blog to this website. I was able to use this site to take a bit more creativity and really show more of my personality. I hope the blue on blue is not too monochromatic to some but I love the way this image turned out.
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He looks out on the morning mist.
From the balcony, the river is a sheet of quiet glass, holding the pale sky the way a house holds a familiar smell—something you don’t notice until it’s gone. Across the water, the hills sit in a single long exhale, their edges softened by fog that refuses to hurry.
He stands at the railing and watches as if the view is speaking in a language older than commands. No barking, no spinning in place. Just that forward-tilted attention, the kind that makes the rest of the morning feel like it should lower its voice.
Down below: a curve of path, a bench waiting out the season, stones stacked along the shore like punctuation. Out there: the Hudson, slow and wide, carrying the day in without ceremony. Even the distant boat looks like a thought you almost remember.
The mist makes everything honest by making it unsure. It blurs the line between what’s happening and what you’re imagining, and somehow that’s comforting. You don’t have to name the feeling. You just have to stand near it.
Dog Overlooking Misty River: a small moment, held still long enough to feel like a place you can return to.
The caption says, “Everything the light touches…,” and it’s hard not to believe it when the morning hits the floor in clean, angled stripes.
By the window, the room feels quiet in that settled way—like it has already decided what kind of day it will be. A small dog lies stretched on a dark, plush bed, paws folded around a worn toy, ears lifted as if listening to the house breathe. The sunlight doesn’t just brighten the space; it softens it, turning ordinary corners into something almost familiar, almost remembered.
There’s a table nearby with a patterned runner and a book left open, as if someone paused mid-thought and stepped away. The rug holds the light in pale patches, and the rest of the room stays gentle and still.
I like moments like this because they don’t ask for much. They’re not grand. They’re just proof that warmth can land wherever it wants—on a rug, on a tabletop, on a dog who has claimed a bed as if it’s always been theirs.
Everything the light touches becomes its own small world for a while, and if you stand there long enough, you can feel the day widen.
