"Whenever you are creating beauty around you, you are restoring your own soul."
Spring cleaning, prepping the garden, plotting warm-weather getaways—April brings excitement for fresh starts, plans, and ideas. It's the pivot to lifestyle changes that we collectively are ready for after fall and winter hibernation.
On a personal note, it's my final full month of my pregnancy, I can't believe it! I've started to slow down quite a bit and am going to be savoring the next month's quiet days at home. Resting and hopefully getting lots of good sleep, last bit of prep for baby girl, writing, reading, and taking good care of myself. I am just so excited to meet her. Just 35 days now.
Agenda
Last loose ends entail packing my/the baby's hospital bags. Finishing touches on nursery and Grace's room (will share this month, promise! Still waiting for G's new rug and both girl's custom roman shades to arrive). A few small projects around the house and garden. Getting all my work stuff organized and some things scheduled so I can take some time off. A few things I have refreshed around here:
I spent time cleaning up my site + homepage
Organized my Shopmy + added new curations
My home and garden links updated
My LTK is getting a big tidy up today
Everything I came across and loved in March
Amazon Storefront additions and updates
Updated all my latest codes for my readers here
And on to some noteworthy things as of late...
READS
LISTENS
WORDS
Reconsider how you spend time this year. Go for long, rambling walks. Write a poem. Try a new recipe just because. Paint. Read that big old book. Work on your novel. Water your garden. Our world is obsessed with productivity, but "unproductive" hours are the most soul-shaping of our lives.
Reads
I just started the Anya Hindmarch book which has been really enjoyable. The Book of Alchemy was a pre-order from many months back but just noticed it should be shipping soon, can't wait for that one! I probably should brush up on some baby books this month, too—need a sleep schedule refresher...
Listens
I loved the Rise with Roxie Episode with TJ powers (a neuroscientist) where he break down the four brain chemicals—dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins—that shape our happiness and mental well-being. I wanted to share as I think it's a conversation we can all learn and benefit from. A good reminder of natural ways we can bring these feel-good chemicals in rather than turning to quick fixes/hits.
Watching
The White Lotus (obviously) but also absolutely ate up Paradise. And not just because James Marsden was the love of my life when I was younger—just a perk. On the other end, I think I'm over Severance. The first season felt so strange and slow leading up to the final episode where they finally hooked me in and had me so curious. I felt like this season was a similar pattern. While I love the uniqueness and some of the characters are epic (Milchick)... I just felt like they love a slow drip til the last second. This finale, however, didn't have me thrilled for the next. More like... omg I just watched all of this for THIS ending? Anyone else??
The Moodboard
Back to garden living
We just recently washed all our outdoor cushion covers and set everything back out in the garden. Love this time of year when you slowly get to return to the luxury of outdoor living. Temps slowly rising so you can open the windows again and let in a cool spring breeze. I've also cleaned all the glass and screens, too, for clear views. I've been dreaming up what we want to do this spring and summer to continue to add to our garden. Planted lots of summer-blooming flower seeds and some fruit and veggies in our beds.
A few have asked me so thought I would share. For our covers, I just spray any stains down with a water, baking soda, vinegar mixture. I wash on steam whites and let them air dry outside. I also just bought this stuff to spray them / protect a bit better and wish I would have done this when they first arrived.
Warm weather attire
Excited to reunite with my closet soon! I have been saving favorite finds lately from new arrivals here. I get so excited about breezy white pieces—linen, embroidered, crochet. I love the attention to detail and whimsy of these kinds of summer ensembles. Perfect with jeans... I miss my jeans.
Simple, quality ingredients
This time of year is my favorite for cooking things up in the kitchen. I love simple, quality ingredients and spring and summer always deliver the most incredible bounty. The potato shot above made me want this for dinner! Still obsessed with Japanese yams — cooked with homemade butter and thyme from the garden and a pinch of sea salt... perfection. Farmers Market every weekend, if we can.
Everything in its place
This year, while amidst my nesting phase, I have been decluttering, organizing, and fine-tuning the systems in our home to ensure that we know where everything is—everything has its place. Shared some of my organizing favorites here in case interested — also an Amazon collection of organization finds I have and love here!
Picnic season
Something about spreading a big quilt out on the grass will always do it for me. Dreaming about warm days ahead when settled into newborn bubble and bringing the crew outside for fresh air and lunch on a blanket. Also, can't wait to feel comfy again simply sitting in positions other than propped with lots of cushions! My back is killin'.
Blooms galore
Always one of my biggest inspirations. It has been so fun to see my fall-planted tulips begin to pop up. I will be sure to share a capture of them, soon. Our lilacs have begun to burst and the roses are getting ready to make their debut soon, too. It's just so magical watching nature do its things in April.
And also — the bloom selection at markets are getting better and better by the day. I spent an afternoon in the city recently and picked up the most beautiful assortment from the Flower Mart. Forever bringing me so much joy.
That is all for me at the moment. Soaking up the beauty of the start of spring and all the splendor that comes with it... hope your month ahead is inspiring!
lately
