There are some new faces around here and that seriously makes my heart so happy! I love connecting with people who share the same interests and who are in so many different parts of the world! So whether we’ve connected in DMs or not, I’m glad you’re here and I can’t wait to get to know you better! Here’s a little insight into who I am / why I blog in hopes that it resonates with some of you and spurs even more conversation about the things we love!

I’m from Kentucky, currently living in NYC. I’m 27 (for a few more weeks) and like most, 2020 has been one heck of a year for me! The year started off with my fiance (now husband) accepting a job in the Big Apple. With only a few months left before our wedding, I stayed in Kentucky to finish planning and for all the bridal festivities. Darrell and our pup, Penny, moved to NYC with all of our belongings in February and I moved in with my sister and brother-in-law in my hometown. In March, Coronavirus hit and felt like everything hit pause (and also blew up) so we found out our April wedding was cancelled due to state restrictions and the CDC guidelines. NYC was getting crazy, grocery stores in our neighborhood were running out of food and we didn’t know what was going to happen. So Darrell and Penny hopped in a rental car and drove to Kentucky. We got married in my sister and brother-in-law’s living room 3 days later with all of our “guests” joining us virtually through a live stream in a private Facebook group. It was one of those wild rare life moments where everything stops and people come together in crazy ways all because two people fell in love. In April, we made the tough decision to go to NYC. It was time. Now we’re here and it’s been so surreal and honestly the strangest way to spend the first few months of marriage.

Together, Darrell and I are quite the pair to dine with. I found out in 2015 that I’m gluten intolerant. Darrell has lots of allergies, including poultry (crazy rare), nuts and legumes. He’s had a long journey dealing with these allergies over the years. In early 2019, I decided to start this blog after dabbling in blogging here and there for years about random stuff, finally honing in on one topic: how we live our lives - dining out, cooking at home, traveling, etc. with our combined dietary restrictions. Since then, I’ve expanded to include more of my interests. One of the blessings of this period of quarantine has been the ample time I’ve always needed to get this blog off the ground. I have poured so many hours into The Amateur Apron since early May and I am absolutely loving it. It’s an amazing creative outlet, it’s a great way to connect with others (especially in this unprecedented time and in a new city), and it’s a super fun challenge.

I love classic, preppy style and I’m enjoying venturing into a little fashion blogging along with general lifestyle topics and now that I’m married… gushing about all the details of wedding planning and decorating our home!

As for my personal style - I love all things involving pearls, penny loafers, oxford shirts with cableknit sweaters and tortoise shell glasses. In the home, I’m still figuring out the aesthetic but I love the charm of old fashioned things and clean, crisp design.

I enjoy podcasts and music, reading fiction and nonfiction, crafting, dressing up for tailgating at Keeneland during the spring and fall meets, and going all out assembling charcuterie boards! My close friends will tell you I’m your girl when you’re trying to find a great wine and cheese to take to a dinner or party. And nothing beats a bubble bath and Billie Holiday on vinyl after a long day! Oh and I basically plan all year for Friendsgiving - not joking - I started working on this year’s playlist last November, and now I don’t even know if anyone will come visit us LOL.

We cook a ton of risotto around here. Haven’t tried it? GIRL YOU ARE MISSING OUT! Let’s change that. Basically the most therapeutic dinner to cook, if you ask me. Just stand there and stir.

Alright, so that’s like a lot about me… I want to get to know you! Please PLEASE reach out!