Hi Everyone, I’m back!

Oh my gosh, were you wondering what happened to me? I decided to take some time away from writing to design my new ICOVET website. What do you think?! I’m beyond excited about how it turned out.

I know what you’re thinking: Did she just complete a computer design program? Has she suddenly become tech-savvy? The answer is no, and no—I had lots of help! Technology and I are not exactly best friends.

Taking the Leap: My New Website

You can imagine my nerves when I finally bit the bullet and purchased my new website template from Tonic. These are beautifully curated, cocktail-inspired websites that you can completely customize to your style and needs.

If the designs weren’t enticing enough, their names alone make you want to grab a drink! Each template is cleverly named after a popular cocktail—so, what’s your drink?

I won’t lie: learning this new trick was more challenging than I expected. But the team at Tonic was amazing—they virtually held my hand through the unknown. Once I got the hang of it, I was off, creating a website that reflects me while giving my creative juices a serious jolt. And guess what? I did it! Who knew?!

The Power of Great Photos

Having great photos was crucial. I enlisted my friend and fashion photographer, Nikki Baxendale, a brand expert extraordinaire. Taking our cue from a gorgeous sunny day, we decided on a beach photoshoot.

I’m not a natural in front of the camera—awkward is putting it mildly. Nikki, however, was fantastic. She made me feel at ease, cracked jokes, and helped me channel my inner supermodel. Spoiler: it’s way harder than it looks! But the results? Totally worth it.

Writing My Story: The Hardest Part

Alongside stunning photos, I needed strong content—the who, what, when, where, and why of my website. This part brought a lot of self-doubt.

Who am I? What’s my message? Why am I doing this? There were moments when I questioned myself, losing confidence. Thankfully, motivational quotes from Pinterest and my son cheering me on—“Mom, this is so cool; you have to finish it!”—kept me going. I reminded myself of the “why” and pushed forward.

Life Is Short: Why I Share

Life is short (cue the cliché). My twenties feel like yesterday, yet here I am in my late 50s—how did that happen?! Honestly, each day is a gift, and I’m determined to live it fully.

Like many of you, I’m still figuring life out. I love sharing what I learn along the way. No topic is off-limits, and I’m not afraid to say it how I see it. Through my writing, I hope to be relatable, inspiring, and most importantly, authentic.

Facing Fear and Going for It

When asked, “What do you do? Who are you?” I sometimes struggle to answer. I’m many things, and I wear a variety of hats to fit the occasion. I’m an ongoing project of self-reinvention. I quickly reflect on the archives of my accomplishments and what I’m passionate about. It’s not an easy task.

Putting yourself out there can be scary—“What will they think?” I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t worry a little. There’s a fine line between going for it and deciding to let fear stop you in your tracks. I say, GO FOR IT!! You have nothing to lose except fear itself!

“You cannot live great things if you live in fear.”

Why ICOVET Matters 

I can’t explain; there’s a burning desire inside me to share my stories, experiences, epiphanies, dreams, and yes, what I’m hungry for (spoiler alert: it’s not always food). ICOVET has become my platform to connect with you, to learn from each other, and to have honest, fun conversations—especially during times like the pandemic.  

ICOVET originally started as a travel journal for my one-month trip to Paris—a journey of a lifetime. Let’s just say it was everything I expected and more. What I didn’t anticipate was the journey I’d embark on once I returned.

The Website Redesign Journey

Redesigning my website was more than swapping out a few pictures. It was a process. It meant rereading old blogs (141 to be exact) and reliving moments: some good, making me laugh, and yes, some were hard to revisit.

My new ICOVET website reflects where I am today, my best place—and I’m not stopping. Like many of you, I’ve come to realize how much we’ve missed during this pandemic. The good news? There’s a flicker of light at the end of the tunnel. It’s time to start living again.