Jump

Jump; June 14, 2025

Your silence is deafening,

As I stand at the edge of the cliff,

Tempting the sea to wrap me in the waves

Crashing against my ribs, I ache.

The wound encompasses my being,

Threatening to bleed out.

I feel your ghost across my cheek,

The beating of my hollow heart

Shakes the ruins of Camelot.

I watch as the swells tempt me like sirens,

My toes teasing the hem.

The sun blisters the alabaster rind

Of my knuckles, gripping and grasping

At wisps of forgotten paradise —

My skeleton too stubborn to admit

It’s finally time to jump.

-AKF

The Storm

The Storm; September 9, 2025

The thunder starts slow, As it shakes my home from the ground up.

Glass shatters on the floor; The echo of my masterpiece unanchored, Making its descent down the rabbit hole, As our castle falls to ruin.

Until it’s just the bones, Exposed, denuded by just a whisper of your name.

The storm of the century, As I go down with the ship Bereft, drowning in the poisoned water of my reverie, Still singing my devotions as the water fills my lungs — A song so sad even Ursula can’t bear to listen.

-AKF

Thanksgiving Wine Pairings

Hey there, remember me? After a whirlwind year of landing my dream job, securing the perfect NYC apartment, and starting my MBA program...the bitch is back. And I'm just in time to give you some wine recs to get you through the holidays. Because you know what's better than gathering around the table with your family eating delicious home-cooking? Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley. 

I pulled together a little list to help you pair your favorite comfort foods with the most important beverage of the day, so even if you just stayed in your studio apartment and made a big pot of mashed potatoes because traveling was too much of a hassle, I got you. This year I am thankful for All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor's Version), as I will be for the rest of my life, honestly.

Thanksgiving Wine Pairings

Turkey + Beaujolais Nouveau 

Everyone who knows me knows I love Thanksgiving because that's when the latest Beaujolais Nouveaus are released. This light red won't overpower your bird or the gravy you have with it. With high acidity and low tannins, you can keep drinking this wine until long after the table is cleared. 

Mashed Potatoes + Chardonnay

Make sure it's oaked! Some might say a buttery Chard is too rich to pair with Thanksgiving, but I say those people buy cheap Chardonnay. I'm drooling at the thought of how perfectly it will pair with my mom's creamy mashed potatoes. Just trust me on this one. 

Brussel Sprouts + Sauvignon Blanc 

If there's not at least one bottle of Sauvignon Blanc at the table for the holidays I'm not doing my job. This wine will pair great with the crispy brussel sprouts your aunt brought because she tried it at The Smith and fell in love. Make sure there's a sprinkle of lemon on those sprouts to really bring out the fruit of the Sauv Blanc. Bonus points if there's some shaved parm on there, too.

Cranberry Sauce + Grenache

I freaking love homemade cranberry sauce, and so does a Grenache. This light red will balance the tartness of the cranberries and won't overpower all the spices. Grenache and Beaujolais are interchangeable at your Thanksgiving as both are a light red, so it's up to you to decide on preference!

Pumpkin Pie + Riesling

The honeyness of a Riesling will perfectly bring out the spices of your pumpkin pie. I love a German Riesling, but I've also heard the Finger Lakes make a mean one, too. Try to find a spätlese, which will be sweet but not SO sweet that your teeth hurt drinking it with your dessert. 

Have a wonderful holiday and enjoy stuffing your face with comfort food and wine. I'll see you next time!

Glitz Guide: Self-love

This past year I experienced a lot of loss. My Grandpop died in October, I broke things off with two boys I really, really liked but saw no future with, and I lost the happy life I was living until a global pandemic threatened humanity. But one thing I didn't lose? Myself. Through all the tears, the pain, the depression...I realized that I was the only one I could truly count on to make me happy. I had to love myself to get through it all. 

I want to preface this by saying I do still have bad days. Days I look in the mirror and point out my flaws. Days I struggle with my own self-worth. It's by no means an easy journey, but I'm working on it. I want to share my experience so maybe you can learn something -- take that first step to start healing. Realize you're so amazing and special and deserve all the happiness in the world.

Be Productive! My Favorite Quarantine Activities

My Favorite Quarantine Activities

If you had told me in January that I'd have to be stuck in my 400 sf apartment for at least three months without the option to get drinks at the Horny Ram I would have chartered a jet to Mars (I cannot afford this but would have found a way). Don't get me wrong -- the thought of just drinking wine and playing video games all day sounds very appealing, but it gets old FAST. And working from home? Certainly a privilege I am very thankful for but also there is no escaping work. I find myself logged on at 8PM sending emails...when did I become this diligent?! In order to keep my sanity, I have started some new hobbies to occupy my head space, and I'm actually having a ton of fun. Keep reading to uncover my favorite quarantine activities!

Happy Hour: Watermelon Sugar

Happy Hour: Watermelon Sugar Cocktail

We all know I'm ride or die for Harry Styles, and his latest single "Watermelon Sugar" is obviously on repeat all day while I crank out proposals at work. Seeing as how it's now summer, and watermelon is finally in season, I figure it's the perfect time to break out my cocktail shaker and get mixing. I present to you: Watermelon Sugar, a vodka cocktail that is as refreshing as seeing Harry in a low-cut button down.