spring favourites

thawing after a season of seclusion

spring is here, thank god. birds sing every morning outside of my open window, green buds burst through the weather-worn tree branches. the air is sweeter and the blue light is slowly being replaced with gold. mother nature is waking, groggy, stretching her limbs after a long winter. and i’m no different, each day i thaw a little more. winter saw me busy, ill, and hermiting in my home, whenever possible. and today? well, today i’m showing up on spring’s doorstep hoping for a beautifully abundant, likely chaotic, highly enjoyable season. below are my loves, and lusts for the months head.

cotton: if you know me, then you know that cotton and i roll deep. i’m a woman with sensory issues AND eczema so i’ve been heart-eyed over the natural fibre since i was in diapers. but recently, the love has grown even stronger. i recently added this cantaloupe zippered cardigan to my closet, and this smokey blue is calling my name. i always find my way to the thrift this time of year and end up digging up delicious 100% cotton knits for no more than twelve dollars, highly recommend. i have the wool version of this, and the new spring version is giving cooler, younger sister to the iconic rollneck. polos matter to me, therefore this navy baby is high on my list.

fat salad: i ate the following salad 3x a week all winter. some roasted root vegetable (beet, sweet potato, squash), massaged kale, thinly sliced (sometimes quick-pickled) fennel, pear or apple, some kind of seed, goat cheese, and a dijon-infused dressing. it was simple, nourishing, and kept for days on end. i’m feeling into my spring salad fixation, but as of right now i’m seeing some hearty green, a white bean, feta, some bright, crunchy, green veg, mint, and potentially avocado.

romance: michelle from magnetism sourced the sweetest, floatiest vintage white tops in thailand and she’s sharing her bounty. love that this top has a classic shape and print, but everything about them together feels fresh + exciting. honourable mention to this tissue box cover that i now feel i deserve after surviving a cold. what’s more romantic than coloured glass? i’ve recently found myself fawning over these sweet rings, the perfect accent to any outfit. i love the lace cuff of this top, i’ve already worn it many times over. the 90’s minimalist silhouette mixed with punchy plaid makes this my dream spring skirt. i plan to wear these lace scrunchies all the way though summer, while carrying this crochet bag, no less.

beauty: i’m dealing with a bad case of nostalgia as of late, and part of that is returning to comfort foods, shows, and beauty products. love joy was one of my first blush purchases, and has been helping me look more alive/less anemic. i ordered this hair milk after trying my friends, and my waves gave the formula their stamp of approval. this gloss looks so juicy, and i can imagine that the aqua component stands out in the messiest of bags. the complimentary liner gives ‘your lips, but better.’ i love the look of undressed, naked nails, void of any polish. this travel-friendly kit looks like it’s got everything one would need for polished polish-free hands. my glossy blush stick addiction continues, with this dusty pink being my current go-to. between travel and health, regular facials and treatments are not in my realm of possibility. i’ve heard this is the best LED mask, and it sure looks like it can solve all my problems - skin and otherwise. i used this solid perfume all throughout my trip to mexico city, it smells like a vacation. matte lips make me look like a corpse, this light-reflecting lip crayon is on order for my upcoming hot-weather travel destination.

sips: i made a litre of this gingery, lime heavy, honey-laden green tea the other day. i’ve been quenching myself with tiny cups of it straight out of the fridge. last night, i mixed it with tequila and ginger beer for the most delicious getting-ready cocktail. every time my parents visit me, i ask them to bring me a few boxes of these canned non-alc aperitivos. they’re the most well-rounded, brilliantly balanced zero-proof mocktails i’ve. ever. tried. the apero is my favourite of the 3, with notes of rhubarb taking centre stage. they’ve officially dethroned ghia as my go-to. once in bloom, i’m determined to forage some local jasmine, make a syrup, and fulfill my unrequited need for an iced jasmine matcha. i had one in portland 4 years ago, and every spring she bubbles back into my field of consciousness.

not jeans: the colour of these carpenter pants single-handedly cured my lingering SAD. my track-inspired, lace trimmed capris hit the streets of mexico city and i couldn’t recommend more. i feel physically sick with lust over these side-tie leggings. i wore these white cotton pants 3x in mexico city, they wash well and will be a spring to summer staple. i saw a woman wearing bright magenta balloon pants and i haven’t stopped thinking about how i need magenta ballon pants. these charcoal ones fill a certain void - imagine them with a kitten heel, a tan and a strappy lil top. these thermal track pants are on my list for those chilly spring mornings that continue to show up. they remind me of a pair of gimaguas ones my husband shrunk in the wash… RIP. my pointelle obsession continnues, i went up 2 sizes in these boxers and have been wearing them rolled @ the waist, incredibly cute. i’ve worn these warm-weather cotton slub pants every other day since getting them in the mail.

analog: in a feeble attempt to become less reliant on my phone, i’ve transferred from writing all my notes in an app, to a journal. it’s cathartic, slows me down, and i’ve noticed my memory improving through one simple habit shift. one of my proudest gifts of late was giving zeke a vintage watch from his birth year. we check our phones less as a result, and as the great-grandaughter of a watch maker, it fills me with pride to see him enjoy the piece so much. i’ve got ‘strangers’ laying next to me - taunting me. i can’t crack the spine of a fresh book till i’m done writing this, delayed gratification baby! i’ve also got the mad wife on my mantle, with joan didion and a pile of mysteries residing on my bedside table. i’ll devour those on my deck the next time i’m blessed with a sunny weekend.

outerwear: as we turn to spring, and are hunting for new seasonal jackets, this red canvas bomber speaks to me. I <3 100% cotton, and a pop of colour. i know i’m biased, but this is such a fun take on a cropped trench. this vancouver-owned brand somehow made a cotton/canvas bomber feel sexy and elevated.

stripes: one print i’ve gravitated towards since i started dressing myself (2.5 yrs old), has been stripes. i’ve been wearing this oversized cotton long sleeve regularly since september. they made a sweet spring update. 100% cotton terry raglan with contrasting stripes?! made in canada?? it’s real, and i wear it often. my rugby obsession continues, and this shrunken, zesty one keeps finding it’s way into my thoughts. i understand that everyone and their dog has a rollneck, but something about this aqua stripe that just screams summer to me.

@ home: this algae oil is my new go-to for higher temp roasting, and these immunity-supporting manuka honey sticks are needed for my travel-heavy spring and summer. perfect for mainlining, adding to hot water and lemon, or sweetening matchas on the go. i am pro-animal print in the home, this zebra-adjacent jute runner is on the shortlist for my guest room. i’m using these mismatched colourful bowls to death, and my cute vintage diner-inspired mugs. my living room has a bizarre configuration and while i hunt for a *very specific* vintage love seat, i’m considering ordering a colourful linen couch cover to liven up the space. maybe baby pink? despite my early-season tan line, it’s still barely spring, which is to say that soup continues to be on the menu regularly. i became very fond of making a norwegian-inspired smoked salmon soup spiked with lots of fresh dill, lemon, fennel, and slow cooked leeks. the ever-classic pastina with chicken bone broth, lots of garlic and toasted black pepper is my go-to when i’m feeling rundown. i spike the italian penicillin with carrot, celery, shallot, and turmeric. i’m still dreaming about caldos de gallina luis even after a month of being home from cdmx. something about the creamy chickpeas and silky broth - i would douse mine in lime and chiles, HEAVEN. the ruffled nathalee paolinelli plates are on my mind, and will be on my birthday wishlist. i had a day bed made and i’m in the fabric hunting phase. i’m feverishly pulling inspo from vintage patterned furniture, think mismatched stripes, gingham and complementary solid hues.

shoes etc: these snakeprint flats are in my weekly rotation, and give me the same euphoric high as wearing a vibrant colour. these classic ballet flats remind me of mint chip ice cream, and would look insane with a tan in the summer. these pink cuties are in my cart, i just know i’d wear them to death with denim. these suede loafers are daily drivers, and unfortunately i have the urge to find some lacy.. strips? for my feet to wear under my flipflops. french tip pedicures are on the menu for me again this sunny season, with my usual bright orange-y red pedicure peppered in there as well. when i get my piggies painted, i just try to echolocate any colour that comes close to clambake. i’m still coveting my final bottle, it was my signature colour for eons - i wore her through highschool, at my engagement, and beyond. i’m blister-prone so i’ve been hunting for some mules to give my heels a break. these black leather studded clogs caught my eye, and i’ll continue to wear my mesh chinese slippers that i bought for $2. i’ve nearly worn my stussy x birks bostons from 5 (?) years ago into the ground. i’ll always be an advocate of having some classic clogs in my closet, these chocolate suede ones would go with anything.