Dear Darling, Hailey J

Oh how I love Maya Angelou. I’m reading her autobiography. She narrates it herself on her audiobook. I put my headphones on and read along while her voice guides me. I’m on page 21. Mr.McElroy is a good example of how to be. A man who let children play in his yard. Let them sit and be children under the chinaberry tree. What a good lesson to learn. One of many from this book.

Insightfully,

Hailey J

Can I get emo?

This year I’ve lost a baby, lost my childhood dog, got engaged, I’m moving out and getting married. I’ve had so much happiness & heartbreak. One doesn’t come without the other. If I had a title for this year, the big shining light above 2026 like a marquee, it would read “The Year I Lost my Childhood”

Emo,

Hailey J

So… I’m obsessed with making our new apartment feel chic, vintage, and impossibly cozy. I already have more ideas than square footage.

First things first: I’m naming our home.

Is it a two-bedroom apartment? Yes.

Does it deserve a proper name? Also yes.

Right now, I’m leaning toward The Sellers Cottage, although I’m still collecting possibilities. Once we decide, I’m having custom matchbooks made for guests. They’ll read The Sellers Cottage across the top with a little illustration of Romeo, Willow, and Frank Sinatra (our crested gecko, not the singer).

It’s delightfully unnecessary, which is exactly why I love it.

I have plenty of other traditions planned, too. Every home deserves a soundtrack, so ours will have a house playlist filled with Etta James, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Paul Anka drifting through the rooms. Every season will have its own signature scent; pumpkin and spice in the fall, fresh lemon in the spring, evergreen during Christmas. I want people to associate certain fragrances with our home.

Even candles deserve beautiful homes. Instead of setting one on a bare countertop, place it in a crystal bowl or on a vintage tray. Small details like that quietly elevate a room.

We’ll also keep a House Book on the coffee table. Friends and family can leave little notes after visiting, tape in photographs, write down favorite recipes, or simply record memories made within these walls. I hope one day it’s overflowing with stories.

Of course, every room will have a proper name. It adds whimsy, and homes deserve a little whimsy.

The guest bathroom won’t simply be “the guest bathroom.” It will be The Powder Room.

I’m already picturing framed portraits of Romeo and Willow lounging in a clawfoot bathtub with glasses of wine or putting on makeup in front of a vintage mirror. There will be a basket of Vogue magazines, embroidered towels with a calligraphy-style “S,” and little antique touches everywhere. Why should practical rooms be boring?

Our Main Suite will be our calm in the middle of life’s chaos.

Minimal clutter. Intentional décor. Laura Ashley quilts layered across the bed. Monogrammed pillowcases because, frankly, if it can be monogrammed, I want it monogrammed.

I’m still undecided about having a television in the bedroom. While I do love ending the day with a true crime documentary, I also love the idea of preserving the room as a peaceful retreat.

I’d love a vintage vanity tucked into one corner, complete with perfumes, little trinkets, and an upholstered stool. The closet will (hopefully) be filled with high heels, thrifted treasures, and the occasional designer handbag; my one undeniable weakness.

The walls will hold framed photographs from our wedding alongside our handwritten vows, daily reminders of the promises we’ve made to one another.

The heart of our Sitting Room will be the gallery wall.

I’m imagining cameo portraits of Romeo and Willow, along with a commissioned painting of Frank Sinatra (the gecko) in a tiny suit playing jazz.

I’ll frame the sheet music for What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong, the song I’ll walk down the aisle to, alongside Put Your Head on My Shoulder by Paul Anka, our first dance. Mixed in will be old family photographs, race tickets, handwritten notes, and little keepsakes collected throughout our lives.

I want every frame to tell a story.

Even the smallest details matter. Decorative tissue box covers, beautiful trays, antique bowls, and unexpected uses for everyday objects all help a home feel layered and lived in. A charcuterie board can become a decorative tray. An old silver bowl can hold candles. Beautiful homes aren’t always filled with expensive things; they’re filled with thoughtful ones.

Now for my favorite room…

The Library.

This room has my whole heart.

One day I’d love to host a neighborhood book club here. Along one wall will be bookshelves overflowing with everything from Freida McFadden thrillers to Jane Austen classics. Cozy chairs will invite you to curl up with a blanket and lose yourself for hours.

My fiancé will have his own gaming corner tucked neatly into the room, while Romeo and Willow will have climbing shelves, loungers, and cozy beds nearby. Somehow I want it all to exist together without feeling cluttered.

I’m even considering adding a fish to one of the bookshelves.

The closet will become what I’m affectionately calling The Hosting Closet; filled with crystal glassware, serving pieces, table linens, candles, and everything needed to set a beautiful table.

When I grow up, I want to be Martha Stewart.

This feels like my first step toward that dream.

More than anything, I love opening my home to people. I want friends and family to feel immediately welcomed the moment they walk through the front door.

I don’t want our home to have a “vibe.”

I want it to have a feeling.

Warmth, Comfort, A little nostalgia.

The kind of place people linger longer than they planned because they’re simply happy to be there.

As we slowly build The Sellers Cottage, I’ll be sharing every step of turning a house into a home—and hopefully inspiring you to do the same.

After all, home isn’t built all at once.

It’s collected, one meaningful detail at a time.

Detailed and Delighted,

Hailey J

We have decided on Romeo Fitzgerald & Willow Antoinette 🫶🏻🐈

I’m a true believer that cats need fancy names!

Love,

Hailey J

Happy Friday! I need your advice.. I am getting a boy cat named Romeo. I might be getting a girl cat (I’m not sure yet) but I’m a sucker for baby names and have already started looking. These are some name ideas!

Romeo & Antoinette ⭐️

Romeo & Rosalie

Romeo & Poet/Poem

Romeo & Aurora

Romeo & Theodora

Romeo & Eleanor

Romeo & Story

Romeo & Dove

Romeo & Stevie

If you have any other recommendations comment below! (No I’m not naming her Juliet)

Cat Lady Crazy,

Hailey J

As someone who works in a male dominated field, here are some of my favorite things to say to them.

“Slay diva”

“Ok queen I see you”

“Good morning sunshine!”

“Someone’s sassy”

That’s the post. Thats it.

Born to piss men off,

Hailey J

So, I was watching TikTok.. as one does and came across a video. A woman with a wonderful accent that sounds like butter to me (I have no idea how else to describe it). Her name is Georgie Jones, which is perfect. She is exactly how I would imagine a Georgie Jones. She has honey blonde hair and silver blue eyes and she’s “girl next door” pretty. She looks like she would be a good friend. Someone you could share a bottle of wine and secrets with. She performed a poem. It was about how she was in love with every woman and all the things it is to be a woman. To do your makeup on a shaky train, to give the girl in the bar bathroom a tampon and have a morning routine full of serums and potions. I absolutely loved it. One of the comments said ‘I am museum of every woman I thought was cool’ I loved equally as much. I love my wavy hair bc mikayla from middle school had curly hair I loved. I love taking photos with small vintage cameras bc of thegoldcoastermt (whom I think is the coolest). We are just a collage of everyone we’ve know and everything we’ve done. How sweet is that.

w/ glitter & good intentions,

Hailey J

I have spent wayyyy too much money in the past week. I just started this new job, and I was making a good amount the first couple weeks. Then my insurance is being taken out and it’s like $300 a month. I just want a shopping spree, a really good one like when I was little. $300 on clothes didn’t seem like anything when you’re 13 and using your dad’s credit card. I guess the economy was a little better too back then. I get paid tomorrow so hopefully I’ll do better with my money this time around.

Broke & Bored,

Hailey J

I’m bored. I’m not hungry and I’m about to go on my lunch break. I have been listening to Freida McFadden audiobooks to and from work. I’m on Dear Debby right now. Inspired me to start this! But Debby has an advice column and she comes up with some sinister answers. I’m just bored, and I like to yap. My office buddy doesn’t like to yap as much as me, or maybe she just doesn’t like me.

Crashing Out,

Hailey J

I’m upset. Why do I have to work. That is not what god put me on this earth to do. People used to ask me what my dream is, I would say “I would never dream of labor”. I want to dilly dally.

Regretfully still at work,

Hailey J

I’m 22. 22 is supposed to be the best year of my life. I turned 22 on June 22nd. My brother was born August 22nd, 7 years and 2 months after I was. Our childhood homes street number is 222. Lots of 2’s happening. I will get married this year, to the love of my life. When I tell older women this I get snarky comments and eye rolls, but I truly believe it. I have the privilege to marry my best friend. We will be getting married in our old little southern baptist church on November 14th. Less than 100 people will be there. Me and my fiancée don’t like a whole lot of people so that works for us. The reception is a classic cake and punch southern reception. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted. I’m also planning my bridal shower, bachelorette, getting a cat & moving out within the next three months. My bridal shower is a tea party, August 30th. Everyone will go home with their own antique tea cups me and my mom have sourced. The tables will have thrifted tablecloths and vintage tea pots full of flowers for the centerpieces, very exciting. Then I’ll be moving out and getting my cat, Romeo. He is from a litter of stray kittens found under my brother’s girlfriend’s house. She’s keeping Romeo until I can take him, my father wouldn’t allow a cat in the house. My bachelorette is coming up too. I’m not sure of what day, but we have my friend’s lake house that we’re using. I can’t wait, my life is about to change for the better.

with pizzazz,

Hailey J