We’re in the final throes of March and I’m seeing the sunshine at the end of the tunnel. In fact – if I can make it through this work week, we’ll be in full 80 degrees and sunny by next weekend for a quick spring break of sorts! Here – a few things on my mind before dive into a new month..
ON MY MIND:
- I’m having so much fun on Substack. I had been wanting a home for more of my writing for years now and so far I’m really liking the freedom of the space. I haven’t set any real guidelines for myself besides committing to posting at least twice a week and so far I’ve published a spring style moodboard, an essay on my late grandmother and a list of my most memorable meals in Paris. The range! It feels like an endless blank page.
- In general, I’m really trying to be diligent about making time for writing and when I do, I am usually listening to this Jazz Vibes playlist on Spotify. Described as ‘chill instrumental’ I find it to be upbeat without being distracting.
- One of my goals for the year was to continue to practice baking. This weekend I found two new receipes to try from 100 Afternoon Sweets – a delicious treat-filled cookbook that Adam got me for Christmas. I brought the Sesame Blondies and Oatmeal Fudge bars to a Sunday lunch at my sister’s house and both were a hit – my favorites were the Blondies though.
- A night at the Opera is on my spring bucket list (I’ve never been!) – and a friend and I are eyeing tickets for the new show based on the life and relationship of artist Frida Kahlo and her partner Diego Rivera.
- Still checking off restaurants and bars from my ’25 in 25 list’ (aka try 25 new spots this year) – and I loved the Chelsea Hotel ‘Lobby Bar’ so much I already went back this month. A great, chic spot for a drink catch-up with a friend!
ON MY BOOKSHELF:
- I just cracked the spine of Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry – originally published in 1985 and deemed a classic of American literature. I’ve never read a true ‘Western’ and I don’t think I’ve ever read a single novel over 800 pages, but I refuse to be intimidated by its scale or genre! Especially after hearing a few similarly minded readers (Annie and Hunter of From the Front Porch podcast) rave about it last year. Luckily I won’t have to go it alone, as my book club was game to chip away at this with me over the next few months. We plan to discuss it in June!
- Last weekend I finished Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner and would give it a solid 4.5 stars. Set in a wealthy Long Island suburb the story follows a Jewish American family over the course of 3 generations, as they build wealth and inherit trauma. I imagine this book won’t be for everyone.. but give me a family story where all the characters are a little bit (or in this case quite radically) f*cked up.. and I’m in. I ended up liking it much more than her (also divisive) debut novel Fleishman is in Trouble. Read if you liked Real Americans by Rachel Khong or Commonwealth by Ann Patchett – and are okay with Brodesser-Akner’s particular brand of explicitness and unlikeable characters.
- I’m headed out of town for a couple of days next weekend packing books for travel is always a heavily weighted deliberation – so far I know I’m bringing Didion & Babitz by Lili Anolik and Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley. Plus probably at least one backlist paperback – maybe Ex-Wife by Ursula Parrott (published in 1929!).
ON MY CREDIT CARD:
- These raffia flats just arrived in the mail and I love them! Comfortable, flexible fit and I think they’ll pair well with everything from jeans to dresses.
- En route to me as we speak: this affordable swimsuit and separately, this slouchy striped long-sleeve shirt for spring weekends. It’s supposed to be just between the weight of a t-shirt and a sweatshirt – ideal!
- Once it gets safely into the 70 degree weather zone – I cannot wait to wear this linen vest and trouser combination. It’s so chic in person! I might swap the fabric tie belt for a contrasting leather one.
- This ruched green one shoulder dress that I wore in Italy last May – and love so much – is 25% off right now. I’m tempted to grab another color..
- Last summer I lost a perfect, cropped white ribbed tank top at the laundromat.. and it haunts me still. The particular style was sold-out so I couldn’t replace it and I’ve been searching for something similar ever since. I think this one might be it – only $19 too.
- This is my favorite easy cream blush and I love the new Bonbon color – the perfect pop of pink!
- These days I’m more likely to purchase fewer, nicer quality pieces (even if I have to get them secondhand) so that will arguably last me longer. One area where I don’t hold fast to that rule is activewear. For the price I think you really can’t beat Old Navy and I’ve had pieces that have held up years! I have this zip pullover and matching running shorts in a couple of colors and just grabbed the ‘luminous blue’ for spring.
- I was in the market for a simple pair of jean shorts – not distressed, not too short, just.. plain. Surprisingly hard to find.. but these delivered.
- On my birthday wishlist – this Taurus spinner pendant necklace. So chic!
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