Studio Sunday (no. 14)

This week I’m theming my Sunday newsletter around things that feel like Spring. I’ve been spending all my time writing and painting this past month and the changing weather and blooming trees are giving me a boost. In the banner above is a floral fabric I found on Etsy to reupholster some vintage chairs.

Last weekend my mother-in-law gifted Marigold a potted flower, which she’s been caring for with a lot of enthusiasm. So I decided to do the thing I’ve been thinking about for years and start bringing plants into our home.

Before kids I had dozens of plants and was obsessed with it, but I took a long break from it starting around the time we moved. Yesterday, we visited a plant store and brought home two indoor plants. I’m going to ease into it, but super excited to keep growing our collection.

I feel like I order flowers for my friends constantly but for myself I always buy the same few grocery store flowers. So last week I felt inspired and I ordered myself flowers that I wouldn’t ever find locally. Now I’m so excited for them to arrive. It feels one part silly and one part genius.

I found the perfect Spring and Summer fragrance. It’s Cap Camarat It’s light and fresh and exactly what I would choose on a sunny day. I love it.

I use a lot of these rechargeable lamps in our home. They’re great for dining tables and coffee tables (any place where a chord won’t work) and my children like to use them in their forts. They’re also great for outdoor dining.

Setting a goal to eat dinner outside this week!

We’re having our house painted this Spring and I’m adding a few wood appliqué details to our front porch and breakfast nook before the painting happens. Last year I added quite a few to various spaces and it boosts the charm factor significantly. If your design taste leans historic I recommend researching appliqués. There are thousands of designs out there to mix and match. It really supports my obsession with symbols.

I’m working on a list of all the things I need to take care of before my kids get out of school for the summer. I tend to be panic-productive this time of year, because I want to clear my plate before Summer begins.

Also, I’ve been prepping a list of activities for my kids this summer. Last year they loved the Library reading challenge so we’ll do that and I was also going to make them a chart of all the old Disney movies they haven’t seen yet and get a bunch of audiobooks prepped. Also crafts! My kids have one foot in childhood and one foot in tween interests. Suggestions welcome!

I get a lot of messages asking where I shop for clothing, but I’m always hesitant to share because the places I shop are either expensive (Christy Dawn, Dôen and Loeffler Randall are spots I LOVE) or random (a band t-shirt from eBay, used stuff from The Real Real or purchases from a targeted).

I used to shop at Madewell and a bunch of other mid-tier places but the past few years I lost interest in their selections. I would LOVE to find a new place to shop that is both weird/unique/interesting and has accessible prices. I’d love to have a staple. Let me know if this unicorn exists.

Above are three books I haven’t read. Which should I start with? The choice are: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, The Shell Collector or the Most Fun We Ever Had. I’d love to hear what you’re reading (and loving!) as well.

My husband and I have been watching 2 movies every weekend and last night we watched Dr. Strangelove for the first time and it was so much fun that we decided to do the Letterboxd Top 100 together. It’ll take a long time to complete and I’m so excited.

Last month I shared that I was trying to read a poem before bed every night and I started off with a big compilation book and recently switched over to Edgar Allen Poe. It’s so fun.

PS. New podcast episodes drop every Monday! We’re currently taking requests for Summer episodes.