haley on the daily blog

If you have seen from the abundance of photos I have posted on Instagram, I have graduated law school! It is still so weird to say out loud. I can officially add those little letters, J.D. at the end of my last name.

These last 3 years have been some of the most challenging yet rewarding years of my life with some high highs and low lows. I will admit there were some tears and times where I doubted myself and seconded guessed my path and what I was doing. But in the end surviving those obstacles made me a stronger person and made the rewards all the more worthwhile.

While there were definitely some challenges and road bumps, law school was also full of some pretty great and happy memories too. I met some of the greatest people, made amazing friends, joined some exciting student clubs and organizations, and had a bit too much fun at times with my law school ladies. After getting a taste for the fun side of law school the pandemic definitely put a damper on the second half of law school. I unfortunately never got to experience the softball UVA tournament or have a final barristers ball or one last spring break but we did what everyone else did in these unprecedented times and made the most of it with zoom happy hours and socially distanced hikes. I will forever remember and cherish all the memories from the first two barristers balls, to spring break in Miami, to softball fridays, late nights at the shack, trivia, just hanging around school and karaoke at Side Street.

I loved my first half of law school being in person, constantly being around people to meet, chat and study with, and being able to meet in person. It was definitely a learning curve and drastic switch to zoom school. It taught me to be able to adapt and switch gears and make the most of a not so great situation. I tried to look on the bright side of not having to commute to school each morning and spend from 9 am to 9 pm at school. It was nice to dress in comfy clothes (but towards the end there I did start to miss getting dressed up) and sometimes for those late night classes attend class from my couch or bed (#guilty)

Overall I had a very positive law school experience. I learned so much and while at times it does not feel like I am qualified, deep down I know I am ready for any challenge and have the skills and training to do it! At points over these last three years I have sometimes felt stuck in limbo. Seeing my other friends live exciting lives in new cities, working and having money to travel and buy houses and cars, while I have lived at home and spent the majority of the time studying. I have learned that comparison is the thief of joy and everyone is on a different path in life. These past three years of incredibly hard work have been worth it and I’m so happy I went to law school.

As I sat at commencement and listened to the Connecticut Supreme Court justice give the address I couldn’t help but swell with pride. For all the dedication and work that went into this achievement. He talked about a plaque on his desk that says “what’s the rest of the story” a question he often asks about each case, and then proceeded to ask us what the rest of our stories are going to be. I sat there and wondering what mine would look like 5, 10 even 15 years from now. It was an incredibly inspiring speech and has me so excited to go out into the world and make a difference in the lives of others. His words invigorated me and set a fire and passion to set out and do some good.

So now it’s on to the final leg of this marathon of a journey. The big bad bar exam. It is a giant hurdle to jump and just a week in I am very overwhelmed and nervous but I know this is the final push to actually finally being able to add the last letters to my last name, the ESQ. and be able to refer to myself as attorney Haley Paetzold.

So if you have read this far into my late night typo filled, jumbled, word vomit of a post, props to you. While I have not been consistent with my blog my Instagram has given me great joy and respite from the mentally draining world of law and gave me a place to flex my creative muscles and love for fashion and creating. Here’s to passing the bar and finally having some more time for fun things!

Xo,

Haley, J.D.

Hi friends! Long time no talk….it’s been almost a year since I showed my face on this little corner of the internet and I have to say it was the nicest break. I know I have never been totally consistent with blog posts but tried to stay regular on Instagram and taking a year off of feeling pressure to create content and share all the time was very refreshing and gave me time to focus on what is and was truly important and what needed to come first which, was law school. Soo since it’s summer and I have some more time on my hands I am back. I have missed using my creative side and excited to be letting the creative juices flow again! But, I figured I would give a little recap on what I have been up to this past year to catch you up!

Jumping into 2L year like…

August 2019: I started my second year of law school! And I tried out for and made the Mock trial team!

September 2019: I went with my international human rights class to the Nobel Peace Laureate Summit which was held in Mérida, Mexico. (Will try to have an entire post on that experience at some point this summer!)

October 2019: I turned 24! And enjoyed fall in New England

November-December 2019: Finished my first semester of 2L and officially was half way done with law school!

January 2020: started my second semester of 2L. Went skiing with friends for the first time in over 10 years! And it was a success! No falls or injuries haha

February 2020: Attended Barrister’s Ball (aka law school prom) and had a blast getting all dolled up.

March 2020: Went to Miami with my law school friends for spring break! …but ended the trip on a low when I found out the mock trial competition I had been preparing so hard for in Chicago was cancelled…and then later that day we found out school was cancelled….indefinitely due to corona and would be on zoom. Two major blows…

April-June 2020: Had to unfortunately cancel my trip to Spain with my abroad friends which was a major bummer. But kept myself busy with school and fun projects around the house. I also am the quarantine cliché in that I did a lot of cooking, baking, have become quite the fancy drink maker, sewed a bunch of masks for friends and family, spent time at the beach, and even started a garden!!

So now you are all caught up on what I have been up to this last year! Get ready for a recap of the fun DIY projects I have completed over quarantine, and an Intro to gardening post on what has worked for me so far!! And probably a recap of my travels this past year.

Happy to be back! Thanks for reading

~H

This past June (yes you are reading that right…more than 6 months ago…better late then never right?!) my family and I traveled for the first time to Bermuda.  I had done extensive research on the island and the must see places and am finally getting around to sharing it here on the blog! (buckle up for a lengthy post full of all of the photos and recommendations haha)

Also before we dive in a little disclaimer: Bermuda is a relatively expensive island so just prepare yourself that you will most likely be spending a decent amount on any sort of trip to this beautiful island. Hotels, taxis, and food all cost a pretty penny and for some can be a little bit of a shock.  When planning the trip I tried to find the most economical prices so I will share what we did to cut down on costs!

We live in Connecticut and while we have an airport really close to us it isn’t a hub and we wanted direct flights so we drive two hours to Boston to catch just a short hour and a half flight to paradise! (there are direct flights from New York City too!)

Transportation:
Because Bermuda was a British colony at one point, cars drive British style, meaning on the other side of the road. Tourists are also not allowed to rent cars on the island. Fun fact: families are only allowed one car per household because the island is not large enough for that many cars on the road.  Therefore there are a couple options for transportation. Taxis (which are VERY expensive), public bus and moped.  We took all three! We took the taxi when we were traveling to and from the airport, we rode the bus into Hamilton and to some of the surrounding beaches and we rented mopeds for one day to explore the island.

A little about the buses- we loved taking the buses. We like to really immerse ourselves in the culture and this is one way to do it. Our hotel sold bus coins and then when we were in Hamilton, if you go to the central terminal you can buy a 12 pass book for a very discounted price.  Here is a website that gives you a little more info.

We rented mopeds from Oleanders.  We did both single and two person mopeds.  They advertise for only $75 a day but then you have to get insurance and also pay a non refundable security deposit so it comes out to be around $115.  The mopeds were really fun to rent but just beware you have to get used to driving on the other side of the road. It was really nice to be able to stop whenever though to check out locations and or grab a bite to eat.

Where we Stayed:
I did a TON of research on where to stay. We looked into Airbnbs and decided against that too because there weren’t many options that were either right on the water or that had close water access. There were some cool locations but we wanted convenience so we opted for a hotel. I looked at the “IT blogger hotel” the Fairmont Princess and with its prices being so steep and it not even actually being on the beach (you have to take a shuttle to their private beach which is a good 15-20 minute drive depending on traffic) we decided against it. That is when I stumbled upon Coco Reef.  It got great reviews, was close to a bus stop, and a grocery store. My mom is gluten free and it was nice to be able to stop and get some snacks and things that she could eat during the day.  The hotel also had mini fridges in the rooms so we could get yogurt and things for days we wanted to eat breakfast quickly in the morning and just go off exploring.  Coco Reef is located on Elbow Beach which is a great location, sort of in the middle of the island.

I found a great deal on the room and we just sort of went for it. The only negative thing I read about the hotel before arriving was that it was sort of outdated, decor wise, and after looking at other resorts, the price and location just couldn’t be beat so we decided to go for it.

Coco Reef met our expectations and then some and we will definitely be returning. While the reviews on the decor were correct (there were a lot of gaudy gold statutes all over the property and the foyer/entrance felt like you were in a palace in France- think big mirrors, tons of chandeliers and interesting paintings haha) the rooms were very island-y with wicker furniture and tropical patterns.  The hotel was also in the process of painting and updating things while we were there. It was also not a HUGE resort like a lot of the others are which was a big plus in our book. The staff was so friendly and helpful and by the end of the trip got to know us. There was even a hotel cat that would lounge out in the sun and greet us each morning as we left to explore.  The beach was breathtaking with comfortable lounge chairs and striped umbrellas. There was also a nice pool over looking the water.  My family and I loved the hotel but just kept saying that it could be truly something if they updated the decor a little.  That was really the only negative thing. I highly recommend for a more budget friendly option.

Where we ate:
(Sorry in advance I know the food photos aren’t the best quality. Guess you could say I don’t have a calling for food blogging 😉

Coco Reef Restaurant-
We ate here our first night and had a great meal. Very fresh seafood and great views of the ocean. WE loved this calamari, it was not breaded so anyone gluten free could enjoy. The prices we thought were very reasonable compared to other restaurants we ate at (however, in some travel books this restaurant has been ranked as being pricey so who knows).

1609– dinner menu here
This restaurant is located at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess in downtown Hamilton.  It sits on this concrete box out in the harbor and is enclosed in glass making you feel like you are on a boat. (Views from the restaurant above)  We really enjoyed the food here too. They had great sangria, the watermelon salad and fish tacos were delish! Also their sundae for dessert was so yummy! You got to pick what ice cream and toppings you wanted too!

Marcus‘- Dinner menu here
Marcus’ was also on the Fairmont Hamilton Princess property. Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s  take on Bermudian food with a twist of Southern comfort food.  I had the Tomato Burrata Salad (to die for) and the chicken and waffles and not only was the presentation of the dishes works of art, but the food was soo delicious. And the drinks were works of art too!

Blu- menu found here

This restaurant is located at the Belmont Hills Golf Course in Warwick Parish. It is not really accessible by bus so you will have to take a taxi here. There is also a dress code of smart casual and it recommended that guys wear a shirt with a collar. The views overlooking the great sound and Hamilton Harbor are stunning! Especially at sunset, so try to get a seat out on the patio. I believe we called ahead a day or 2 to make reservations. There is a wide variety of options here and have a great fresh sushi bar. One sort of odd thing we noticed was that if you want to split anything (for instance a salad- it was noted that there was- if I recall correctly- a splitting fee- just as heads up) This restaurant was on the pricier side but worth it. This was our last hurrah meal as it was our last night so as you can see we sort of went all out (especially in the dessert department lol) The food was delicious and the atmosphere was what really made it something special!

Swizzle Inn- this is a classic spot that has been around forever. My dad ate there when he was on the Island in college in the 80s. It is your classic pub that is famous for its rum swizzles. We ordered the nachos, a salad, and a couple of frozen rum swizzled and were completely content.

Mickey’s Bisto-
This beach side restaurant is located at the Elbow Beach Resort but anyone can eat here. Elbow Beach was located right next door form our hotel so we strolled down the beach one afternoon for lunch. The views of the beach were beautiful as you were right on the sand and the salad and octopus we ate were delicious.

Since we were only in Bermuda for 4 full days we did not do a ton of activities. We spent  two half days in Hamilton (one of the mornings was rainy so we decided to do a little shopping).

St. George/Mopeding around the island

Horseshoe Bay

The Third day was spent at Horseshoe bay, which is named one of the most beautiful beaches in the world with his stunning pink sand.  We took the bus to from our hotel to get there. I would recommend getting there early before the crowds get crazy. There is a little beach side restaurant and chairs and umbrellas are also for rent. When you walk on to the beach, to the right is this little cove, which is perfect for children and great for snorkeling along the rocks. We saw a lot of cool little fish and some big ones! Then there is a big opening where you can just enjoy the sprawling beach. If you go to the left of the beach there are big rock formations that there are trails to follow so you can climb up and get stunning views! I highly recommend stopping at this beach.

Our last day was spent solely at our resort beach, snorkeling and sunbathing and taking dips in both the ocean and pool. This trip was the perfect mix of exploring and relaxation. We wish we had a couple more days to do some more snorkeling and just beach lounging but hey guess we will just have to return soon! 😉

Hi! Do you still remember me? Sorry for the radio silence.  Law school has been an adjustment to say the least and I sadly don’t have much free time on my hands these days.

But first, a little life update. I survived my first semester of law school! Whewwww. I never thought I would say those words. And am more than half way through my second! There have been some trying times (and maybe a couple tears) but I can honestly say I am for the most part enjoying it. There are obviously classes and topics that aren’t the most exciting/not what I am interested but like anything you get through it. Law school has pushed me in ways I didn’t know and humbled me. I enjoy all of my new friends and LOVE my school. Honestly the laughs and people are what make getting through it all bearable! Since this was a major life change I haven’t had much free time to do anything but school work (did I mention how much reading. Okay sorry I will stop now haha) And on top of the work is all the club activists and meetings to attend. So any break I get I typically use to just veg out and not use my brain for a little haha. So to get the motivation to do more work (even though this blog is something I truly enjoy) is sometimes hard to muster when your brain feels like mush.

Everyone says the first year is the hardest so I am hoping that is true as I continue to chug along. One day at a time. That’s what I keep telling myself haha Other than that there isn’t much to discuss because basically law school consumes my life! (But I am not complained because it will all be worth it in the end!)

I am trying to get some content lined up but with so little time and rarely getting home before dark there is not much time to shoot photos. But the days are finally getting longer! So I promise I will get some fun stuff together. Also I was thinking of starting a law school series because I have gotten several questions about what it is like and what not so let me know in the comments below if you are interested.

Hope all is well with you all! Let me know what you are up to in the comments below!

xoxo,

H

I have some super exciting news that I have mentioned or hinted at briefly in some of my instagrams but I have not formally announced my plans for post grad! While most of my friends are in the midst of moving and beginning jobs in the real world, I have just started my first year of law school!!

From the time I was a little girl I looked up to my dad (who is an attorney) and wanted to be just like him. When I was in high school I decided that I wanted to be a lawyer. I took all the law classes my high school offered and even started a mock trial team that competed against other schools. In college I majored in psychology, which is a good basis for learned about human behavior and was a rigorous major to prepare me for law school. While my school did not have a pre-law track per say, I picked my classes based on what would give me an edge or prepare me for law school.

I took the LSATs in the fall of my junior and senior year and finally began the application process the fall of my senior year. I was accepted into a local regional law school called Quinnipiac and accepted the offer so that I could save money by living at home and commuting.

It has been a bit of a weird transition. While I do have friends who are moving back home and living at home the majority of my friends are moving to fun new cities or into cute new apartments. They all are making money while I am making none. I keep telling myself that this education is an investment and that it is all going to pay off down the road but it is going to be a tough 3 years of being frugal and trying not to spend money so that I can afford school. So while it is a weird time to feel like I am still in college going to school full time and seeing everyone begin their lives as real adults I just remind myself that everyone’s path is different and I can’t compare mine to others.

I am so excited to start a new chapter of my life and begin what I can only guess is going to be one of my wildest journeys yet. I know these next 3 years are going to challenge me in ways I don’t even know yet but I am ready for that challenge because it is going to make me a stronger person.

I took the summer to work my beach job one last year and just relax and enjoy because these next three years are going to be a wild rides and I can’t wait for all there is to come!

I have already finished my first week and have to say it went pleasantly well! That isn’t to say that there weren’t moments where I was completely lost or frustrated or questioned if I could keep up with all the work. I have to admit this first week has honestly felt like 3 weeks. There has just been so much packed into such a short time. It has also been an adjustment commuting 35-45 minutes based on the traffic but I have to say I don’t mind it quite yet. I just put on a poppin playlist or a podcast and it is actually a nice break. Anyways I should probably get back to reading because that is what my life consists of now! Haha

Anyways, look out Elle Woods, Haley Paetzold is coming through! Haha

Hope you guys enjoyed this little life update!

Xo,

H

When packing and deciding what to bring on my trip to Bermuda the first thing I wrote down on my packing list was this Sailor-Sailor SOS flag print dress.  I knew it would be the perfect dress to wear while explore the island and the bright colors of the print would fit in perfectly with the colorful island.

I have been a long time fan of Sailor-Sailor clothing and my collection of their adorable clothing just seems to keep growing!  Sailor-Sailor is a ladies lifestyle clothing brand based in Connecticut and proudly American made.  I love that their motto is “Summer lives all year round” because who doesn’t want their clothes to make them smile and remind them of summer?!?!  I think that one of my favorite aspects is the type of fabric they use in their clothing.  It is a performance wicking fabric that feels so great on and the perfect material to travel with because it really doesn’t wrinkle.  It wicks moisture away from your body keeping you cool, which is a win while walking a lot in a tropical location!

A fun fact about this print is that the nautical flags actually spell out Sailor-Sailor!

I already own several of their dresses and imagine myself reaching for them all summer long! (I even pulled a Lizzie McGuire move on this trip and was an outfit repeater…I actually wore this dress two separate times while on my trip! This dress is THAT good! Sshhh, but don’t tell!)

All of the dresses have really cute names.  This is the Dockside Dress  in the print SOS.  This style is a modern twist on a classic shift dress.  The dress is so flattering and comfortable and the ruffle sleeve is such a fun detail! And I mean who doesn’t love a fun nautical colorful print!?! Unfortunately this exact SOS print is not available in the Dockside Dress style online at the moment, however, there are 4 different similar styles that come in the same print (psttt..2 of the dress styles in this SOS print are even on sale!), and there are soo many fun patterns that come in the Dockside Style! There are no shortage of options!

Definitely check out the adorable brand Sailor-Sailor if you are on the market for super cute, amazing quality, fun dresses! I will be rotating through my Sailor-Sailor dresses all summer!

Thanks for reading,

xo,
H

A big thank you to Sailor-Sailor for generously gifting me this dress!  As always all opinions are my own!