Some of the best things from the first month of the year (because we have to look for joy or I’ll cry):
Reading: Ina Garten’s Memoir: Be Ready When the Luck HAPPENS
Have you ever wanted to live in Paris? Host your friends in the Hamptons? Before reading I honestly knew nothing about Ina Garten outside of her drinking giant Cosmos during the pandemic. Her writing voice is so authentic and entertaining and her life story is as fabulous as it is incredible. Not to mention it will make you want to book a trip to Paris immediately. Bonus: she includes a few of her favorite recipes too! Find your copy here!
Eating: One Pan Creamy Lentils, Japanese Sweet Potatoes, + Kale
We have been making this almost every other week since I saw Gathered Nutrition’s recipe come across my FYP on TikTok. How are there still potatoes I havn’t tried? Japanese Sweet potatoes are key - we find them regularly at Whole Foods. I tried the recipe the first time with yukon golds - good but not great - the Japanese Sweet potatoes were life changing.
Playing: Dopamine by Madeline
This song has big cool french girl vibes. I especially like the “Split Brain” Version where she sings in French and sings in English over it at the same time. Tres chic. (Can you tell I have Paris on the mind?)
Obsessed: Ruffles and Skirts
I can’t stop adding skirted sinks to my instragram and pinning ruffle edged pillows and pleated skirt sofas. Striped ruffles, floral ruffles, give it all to me. It softens a kitchen, adds another texture or pattern.
Recommending: Create Academy
If you’re an Anglophile and life long learner like me you’re going to love this one. I joined in January of last year and have taken several courses. One of my favorites was Dan Pearson’s Naturalistic Garden Design Masterclass, which, in addition to endless valuable takeaways it has the most beautiful imagery of the English countryside. Currently I’m taking Tess Newall’s Introduction to Decorative Painting. I’m seconds away from painting flowers on every surface in my house (tastefully of course). It feels good to stretch that learning muscle.
Treated Myself To:
New kicks! Spring is already kicking down the door here in Texas and these Vince sneaks have been haunting me. I finally pulled the trigger and I can’t wait to wear them with skirts and light wash jeans and dresses. Next on my list is a fun colorful pair (sambas? goyas? alohas? …red? burgundy? cobalt?).