Embracing My Vanilla Girl Era: A Scent, A Shift, and A Softness Unfolding

Hey Friends!

I have to kick off this post by saying—I smell really good. And there’s a reason for it. Recently, I decided to switch things up and try on a different scent. You see, I’ve always been someone who loves amazing smells. I used to be all about florals. Those light, airy fragrances that feel like a walk through a blooming garden. But, I’ve found myself in a new phase. It’s like I’ve evolved from fruity, sweet scents to florals, and now, suddenly, I’m drawn to something deeper, something warmer—vanillas and cinnamons. It’s a bit odd for me because I haven’t been interested in vanilla since high school.

But here I am, on the brink of my 52nd birthday, fully embracing this warm, cozy vibe. I’m really excited about this birthday, more so than I have been in years. I feel like I’m in such a good headspace, even though there’s still plenty to sort out. The difference is, this time, I actually feel like I have the capacity to handle it all.

Here are the things I was inspired to buy in my Vanilla girl era and I'm loving it!

So, about these vanilla scents I’m loving—I recently picked up a body spray called Toasted Sugar by Bodycology, which is a blend of vanilla, brown sugar, and amber. It’s divine. I layer it over a shea nut body oil I got from Amazon (which, by the way, I take with me everywhere—my nine-to-five included). The combination is heavenly. Then, there’s this Oud scent, which is new to me. It’s spelled O-U-D, and if I’m saying it wrong, someone please correct me! But it’s Honey Oud by Bella Vita Luxury, and it’s so light and blends perfectly with the Shea Butter and Vanilla Dove soap I’m using. To top it off, I’ve added a Dove body scrub with brown sugar and coconut butter. The result? A scent that feels like a warm, inviting hug—perfect for my soft girl era.

This shift in scent is just one part of a larger transformation I’m experiencing. I’m leaning into a more natural, softer side of myself. I even picked up some nude nail polish that feels effortlessly elegant and natural—just how I want to feel right now.

With my birthday right around the corner, my coworkers are planning a little celebration for me and another birthday girl in the office. It’s sweet, and it’s one of the reasons I wanted to get these new scents sorted out before the festivities begin. I want to feel good. I want to feel light. Typically, my family and I keep birthdays low-key. We don’t throw big parties or celebrate all month long; we usually just have a nice dinner together. But this year feels different. It feels like a time for soft, subtle changes—like stepping into this soft girl era.

I realized something interesting recently. The decision to dive back into writing—specifically on Substack—coincidentally happened on August 8th, during the Lionsgate portal. If you’re into astrology, you know that’s a pretty significant time for setting intentions and aligning with new beginnings. I’m not super into astrology myself, but the timing feels meaningful. It’s like everything is aligning—the writing, this new soft girl vibe, even the way I’m sorting through life’s chaos.

Deciding to write again feels like stepping into something that’s both new and deeply familiar. It’s not that I consider myself the best writer, or that I have earth-shattering insights to share. But I believe this is going to make a difference, at least in my life, and hopefully in the lives of others. I’m really excited about that belief. Sure, there are moments when doubt creeps in—when I’m not sure what to write or how to express what’s on my mind. But I’m learning to trust that even the small, seemingly insignificant details of my life can resonate with someone else.

Take, for example, the Rosebud app I’ve been using. It’s like having a little coach in my pocket. When I was feeling stuck about what to write, it offered some suggestions that really got me thinking. It made me realize that the things I consider ordinary or uninteresting might actually be the very things people connect with.

So here I am, embracing my Vanilla Girl era—leaning into the softness, the warmth, and the gentle shifts that are happening within me. I’d love to hear from you. Are you in your own soft girl era? Or maybe a different kind of phase altogether? I’ve heard of people being in their ‘Look at Me’ era, their ‘Woo Girl’ era, or their ‘I’m Worth It’ era. Whatever it is, I think it’s beautiful to acknowledge what’s important to you and let that guide you as you grow and evolve.

Leave a comment and let me know what era you’re in. I can’t wait to hear your stories. Thanks for being here, and I’ll see you next time on A Life Unscripted