How to Physically and Emotionally Prepare for Spring
"Une Barque sur L'Ocean" is playing in my head.
Yesterday, I got an incredible text message: I found a possible dining table for us? It’s a little wobbly but I can fix it. My boyfriend found it on the street and it might actually be a desk, but we’re gonna see if it works. It’s long, wooden, and the perfect finish. I can’t wait to see it in person and decide if it’s a keeper or not.
Right now, I’m in Texas where it feels like I jumped straight into late spring. Summer, even. I have an age-gap sister (she just turned 16) and yesterday we spent the day at the mall, stopping by GAP, redeeming her birthday gift at Sephora, going to a coffee shop called La La Land, and talking about how to fix up her room. She wants to hang art up, but doesn’t know what feels right. When I was 16, I didn’t know what art to hang up either until I became obsessed with vintage cabaret posters. The first thing I ever hung in my room was a poster of Le Chat Noir (1896) by Théophile Steinlen.
Today, we’re going thrifting. Things I’m hoping to find: silver bowls, an interesting vase, a few light jackets for spring, fun blouses. Why is it so hard to find a fun blouse? Texas thrift stores rarely fail me, so I’m feeling hopeful. My apartment (and closet) are in need of something fresh. I haven’t shopped in months and honestly, I’m feeling pretty uninspired with my clothes at the moment. On the other hand, because I haven’t shopped, I’ve been challenging myself to wear old items in new ways and it’s helped me fall in love again with a few things, especially as we enter a new season.
Spring always feels bittersweet to me. I felt simultaneously chipper and uneasy the other weekend when I stepped out in just a shirt and felt the sun’s heat on me. Maybe I was mourning my hot candlelit showers on cold nights. But after a long walk around the neighborhood observing the contagious happiness from everyone around me, my weird emotions subsided and I felt hope for the new season. I am a May baby, after all. Also, my feed is feeding me “summer in East Coast small towns” videos.
As with any new season, I love the chance to implement some sense of newness into my life. In my home, my closet, my skin, my habits, everything.
Get some good spring movies in your queue: On the coldest day this past month, I saw Éric Rohmer’s A Summer’s Tale. Now that we’re entering proper spring, it’s only fitting to see the other movies in the installment, specifically A Tale of Springtime. You can just SMELL the scents of spring and summer when you watch his movies. A Summer’s Tale had me wishing I was sweating and touching sand.
Change the color of your sheets: I’m putting my unbelievably heavy brown quilt away and switching to something softer. I have this linen set in a soft green and this cotton set in a blue that makes me think of cold water. I also love this ribbed cotton set for texture.
Have early weekday hangouts: There’s nothing better than seeing your friends for a 9 AM coffee or tea before starting your workday, especially when the weather gets warmer. Earlier this week, I went to Paquita with a friend and it was the best start to my day. And a couple days after, I saw another friend and we met up at this unassuming coffee shop where a woman interrupted our conversation to give us backpack recommendations. We thanked her and she said, “This is how it used to be, people just giving recommendations like this.” A few weeks ago, I was eating tacos at El Chato and a girl randomly joined my conversation to give us history documentary recommendations. It made my day and maybe we all need to do this more out in the world.
Have evening weekday hangouts: Alternatively, it’s okay if you don’t want to wake up early to hang. Even on the days when I’m tired after work, I have never regretted an evening hangout. Seeing friends is always refreshing and invigorating and why do we have to wait until the weekend to do so? This week, I celebrated my dear friend (and incredible writer and photographer) Grace Ann for her book launch, Fig Spit. It’s the most beautiful book. Other ideas: go see a movie after work, get dinner with people you love, watch the sunset, have a Negroni or tangy sparkling beverage of choice, get ice cream at 10 pm.
Swap out (or stock up) on your skincare: I have really dry skin, so I was using this heavier (but still light) DAMDAM moisturizer all season. I ran out, so now I’m switching to my beloved Dieux Instant Angel.
Consider adding a vanilla perfume in your rotation: I’ve been an Aesop Rozu and Henrik Vibskov L'eau rouge Heirloom girl for a few years now, but recently, I was pleasantly surprised by Maison Louise Marie’s No.15 Vanille Infinie. It’s described as an “elevated vanilla” and as someone who normally doesn’t gravitate toward this scent, I love it. It’s not what you’d think and it’s joining my regular rotation.
Take a class for something you’ve always wanted to learn: I am FINALLY taking a sewing class!!! Some context: when I was younger, all I’d do is draw up fashion designs. In high school, I really thought I was going to go study fashion merchandising FIDM like all my favorite beauty influencers on YouTube. My whole life, I’ve wanted to learn how to hem my pants and replace a button. It’s wild to me that over the decades, so many people have lost that skill. I’m also hoping that once I learn how to sew, I can make my own little kitchen curtains and tablecloths. Absolutely cannot wait.
Go get the haircut or trim: This might just be a Me problem, but I struggle with keeping up with trims and haircuts. Every year, I say I want to be better at it and then I go a year without trimming my hair. This is my reminder to book my appointment.
Invest in proper rain gear: This thread in the chat reminded me of the importance of having a proper rain jacket. It gets so rainy in May and for once, I want to be prepared. I want to be able to step out in a cute rain jacket and rain boots and rain bonnet. Send more recs, please. <3
Feel excited about your dinnerware: If you don’t already have plates and bowls you’re obsessed with, I’d put it at the top of your list. This has made all the difference for me, no matter the season. But especially now as I think about all the fruit and vegetables that are going to be in season soon. The latest additions to my collection are two small plates from LES Collecton’s new Spiral Collection. I now want (and need) the entire set. Other favorites: my dinnerware set from Fable and these Flow plates.
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Have you smelled clue’s Warm Bulb? It’s really interesting. Base notes of vanilla. I love the smell of vanilla but struggle to find a scent that I can wear. This one might be it (currently working through the tester).
This is my sign to look for a nice rain jacket as I have yet to find an umbrella that doesn’t completely invert in the wind ☔️☔️☔️ very sweet article :~)