Allow Me To (re)Introduce Myself



Remember that first sip of coffee when the world is still quiet and hopeful? That’s the feeling I want visitors to carry away from this space.

I launched my original blog, My Moments of Whimsy, in the early days of the blogging era. It was a way to reclaim my identity. Somewhere while marrying, divorcing, and trying my best to raise my kids, I lost myself. In the years since that very first post, this space has grown alongside me.

At 51, I’m evolving once again. Life is different. I only have one kiddo at home, I’m now a grandmother, and I’m attempting to establish a career as a creative. So this space is changing too.

My original blog was safe, simple, and serviceable. But after losing my mother (my ultimate style muse) in 2020, I keep hearing her voice in my head cheering me on, encouraging me to try new things, be bold, and take up space. She bloomed in her 50s, and I’m determined to do the same. Courting Whimsy honors her spirit with unapologetic color, curiosity, and courage.

I say all this to say, please excuse the proverbial dust as this space undergoes a little bit of a renovation.

Whether you’re a new subscriber or an OG follower, in the words of Hova….allow me to (re)introduce myself!

Hi, I’m Courtnee!

  • Proud GenX wife, mom of five, and grandma (aka Grae)

  • Romance author (pen name Courtnee Chase) writing spicy, heart-heavy love stories for readers 40+

  • Maximalist at heart: dedicated to florals, polka dots, and the mixing of aesthetics

  • Planner nerd, bourbon lover, recovering night owl, and believer that small joys save lives

What You’ll Find Here

Style Outfit formulas, thrift-haul remixes, confidence tips for dressing for yourself in midlife

Home & DIY Colorful and eclectic deco, flower arranging, “15-minute glow-ups” for real-life schedules

Life & Story Vlogs, planner deep-dives, candid life chats, and behind-the-scenes of indie-authorship

My goal is simple: living authentically—without waiting for permission, perfect timing, or the elusive “someday.” You’ll leave each post or video with one of three things: practical inspiration, permission to play, or a hug in digital form.

How to Join the Fun

  1. Subscribe on YouTube for weekly videos.

  2. Sign up for the Whimsy Report newsletter—think pep talks, favorites, and first-look content.

  3. Say hello on Instagram (@courtneerae_)

Let’s curate wardrobes, spaces, and stories that feel like a wink to our younger selves and a high-five to our future ones.

With joy and whimsy, xoxo—Courtnee


Core Values Statement: At courting Whimsy, we believe in science, no one is illegal on stolen land, LBGTQ+ people have a right to live, love, and exist, black history is American history, and women’s rights are human rights.


Work of Art

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending Art In Bloom After Dark, a stunning event where art and florals make magic. Art In Bloom at The Cincinnati Art Museum allows the city to experience artwork in a fresh, vibrant way.

The concept was as lovely as it was creative, local florists selected pieces of art as their inspiration and then crafted floral arrangements to reflect their chosen works. Walking through the gallery, you could feel the dialogue between the paintings and their artists and the blooms and their artists.

One of my favorite moments was standing in front of Two Sisters, a painting by Kehinde Wiley, also known for her amazing portrait of President Barak Obama. The riot of color and textures of the tulips, snapdragons, and proteas bring the drama of the piece to life.

I couldn’t resist dressing up for the occasion. This skirt is one of the things I chose from my mom’s closet to remember her after her death in January 2020. I couldn’t think of a more perfect occasion to wear it. My love of flowers, fashion, and big, bold prints were inherited from her. I paired it with bright fuchsia heels that I know she would have loved!

Art In Bloom reminded me how powerfully art in all its forms — painting, sculpture, floristry, fashion — wakes you up and feeds your soul. It is one of my favorite spring events in the city. I’m already looking forward to it next year!

With Joy and Whimsy-

xo

Courtnee

I Think I'm in Love! 5 Reasons I Love My Ring Planner and Why I Think You Will Too!

Whether you’re a certified planner person or new to the world of planning, I hope that you will find a little inspiration in my set up for creative daily planning.

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The Joy Edit

Hey There, Ladybug!
It’s time for The Joy Edit—my monthly roundup of things I’ve loved, found fun, or just couldn’t stop smiling about. Think of it like a joy-filled highlight reel. Let’s dive in.

It’s a scientific fact that the perfect mug makes that first morning coffee more magical. And what makes the perfect mug? We’re a bit like Goldilocks in this house when it comes to finding it- it has to be just right. Heavy enough to feel substantial and tall enough to hold the perfect amount to wake you up plus room for cream and a nice foam to top it off. Bonus points for compliments like “Hello, Gorgeous”, words of encouragement like “World’s Okayest Mom”, or a call to action like, “It’s a good day to punch a Nazi”.

But sometimes you just want to live out your cottage witch fantasy before tackling your “to do” list.

Wearing bright colors, all the patterns, and generally dressing like your 10-year-old self has been rebranded as dopamine dressing and I couldn’t be happier…no pun intended. If we’re going to live under an oppressive regime, you might as well break all of those ridiculous fashion rules. Wear whatever tickles your fancy and sparks joy my friends!

My closet is colorful and chaotic. I’ve often described my personal style as 70s art teacher/librarian who got dressed in the dark but I’m happy to have an “official” name for it. This outfit, like one of Steffon’s nightclubs, has everything- colorful plaid, leopard print, and a graphic t-shirt (if you don’t know, now ya know…)

I spent a weekend binge watching With Love, Meghan

BTW, this is a Meghan stan account we ride for both The Duchess and The Stallion! Anyway, it reminded me of all the things that I love doing that I stopped doing somewhere along the way because, if I’m being honest, it sometimes felt a little too much. I didn’t want to be that friend, wife, mother. I also realized I don’t really care if people don’t like it. I like it and that should be enough of a reason.

We may be having takeout for dinner but that doesn’t mean we can’t eat it by candlelight at a nicly set table in the dining room. And after years of tucking them away, I decided to break out my apron collection because I like them!

So wear the red lipstick, use the real china, ink up your fountain pen!

I’m not sure who said it but my new motto is “If I’m too much, go find less”. Cheers to being in our Too Much Era, my friends!

I love this appearance by Dove Cameron on The Jennifer Hudson Show because she absolutely nails it! I’m so happy that women are embracing this message younger and younger.

 

Revelation and Revolution

I’m writing this on a gray and rainy day. It's safe to say that fall is here. I was ready for cool, rainy days where I could make tea and settle in with a good book, but now that they’re here, I’m having second thoughts.

These days I’m seeking joy in the little things- favorite places in the city, listening to Purple Rain on vinyl, and fancy shoes on a weekday just because. With the shift from fall to winter and the familiar replaced by uncertainty, I think it's important for everyone to find little joys and bright spots.  


I’m not suggesting we ignore everything happening around us or walk around in a “good vibes only” state of toxic positivity. I’m suggesting that finding joy and celebrating little things is keeping some of your power when many of us feel helpless—a revolution of one to disrupt the status quo.

Vive la révolution

Living In the After

These photos were taken two weeks ago. And what a year these two weeks have been. It now feels ridiculous to post these photos on my silly little blog where I document outfits that I wear and why I wear them.

I remember the first few days after my mom died. I felt like there had been a seismic shift in my reality. With one phone call, everything I thought I knew to be true vanished. My life went from 4k technicolor to black and white.

And then, it happened again last week when ‌it was clear he would win another term. The sun, the lightness that I felt a few weeks ago when my daughter took these photos, was gone. Everything I thought about the world we live in- good triumphing over evil, that more people want to discover and delight in our similarities than fear monger about the ways in which we are different, and that most of us want to turn the page and get back to normalcy- vanished.

I woke up the day after the 2016 election hurt.

I woke up on Nov 6, 2024, angry. We are now entering their version of this country with eyes fully open. People looked at everything that happened under his term, the civil case that found him liable for rape, the 30 plus felony convictions, the impeachments, the racism, the outright disgust for immigrants, the transphobia and said “yep! more of that!”

I worry for my sons and daughters. I worry for my trans and LBGTQIA friends and family. I worry about the world my grandchildren will inherit. I worry that history is repeating itself.

There are no more dog whistles. They are using blow horns. They are not saying the quiet part out loud, they are shouting it in the streets through bull horns.

It feels like the loss of a parent all over again.

And, no one is coming to save us. There is no one to slay the monsters hiding in the closet. No one is rushing into our rooms in the middle of the night to tell us this is all a bad dream.

I haven’t even started to process things. I’m living in a self-imposed bubble without news, social media, and doom-scrolling. Perhaps I’m attempting to hold on to a little of “before” because I’m unprepared for life in the after.

There is very little I’m sure of these days. The other day in a state of despair and uselessness, I pulled an oracle card. It said “Your existence is the resistance”. So, I’m going to hold onto that truth while I figure out what comes next.

 





Worn|| She's Overboard and Self-Assured

Confession time.

I was never the grungy, edgy teen with heavy eyeliner and a fuck the establishment attitude. I was much more United Colors of Benetton, Polo popped collar kind of girl who attempted to charm authority. 

Now that I’ve hit 50, aka the land my ‘give a fucks’ went to die, the brooding, angsty in me has been dying to express herself.

That’s the beauty of middle age…the power to reinvent yourself and not a single worry given to what anyone has to say about it. Quoting the wise Sheree Whitfield, "Who gon' check me, boo?"

Because I never had a pair of Doc Martins as a teen, I decided I needed a pair or something similar. I stumbled on this pair in near-perfect condition and in my size for $10 during a recent trip to the thrift store. The rest of the outfit seemed obvious. Nothing says “smells like teen spirit” like fishnets and combat boots.  

boots: similar shorts: similar shirt: similar tights: here