Long Live A Spring In Your Step
On the hope of the season, little things, and my trip to Florence.
Life in New York feels dramatically different once temperatures start hovering in the 70s. I’ve gone on record as Not A Summer Person, but this is the kind of sun I can get behind. My pilates uniform changes from leggings to nylon shorts, iced coffee, pleasurable walks to the bodega, all the regular trappings of the season.
Last week, I visited Florence with my little sister and best friend. I made a Tiktok of the best vintage places we visited, in case you’re curious. I may have gone a little overboard, but my shopping rules for the year did allow for any thrifting on vacation as sport.
I had a blue cowhide belt fit for me at the leather market. I bought a vintage French nightgown and a white tshirt from…Zara…A striped dress at Cos was too good to pass up. And I fell in love with a cashmere coat with a removable fur collar. A wonderful time was had by all. Much pasta was consumed. I’m still, somehow, jet lagged.
In celebration of the sunnier days and general hope of the season, I decided to share four habits I’ve adopted recently that bring me joy. They’re random! And not related to vintage clothing! But I have some fabulous guests in the pipeline for all your secondhand clothing needs in the very near future.
1. Supporting My Partner’s Green Thumb
Before Christian, I tried to keep plants I collected from well-intentioned Lowes trips and generous friends alive to varying degrees of success. The first time I saw my partner’s apartment, I was shocked to discover an intricate tomato net rigged in his backyard, complete with a fig tree and curling stalks of beans. Opposites attract?
Ever since installing our new Soltech Aspect™ LED Growlight, Christian has been ushering our house plants under its glow. Jury’s out if they’ll ever return to their posts on the bookcase again. Everyone looks noticeably perkier. Bonus: they’re offering 15% off for readers with the code LONGLIVE.
2. Upping My Beverage Game
I’ve been experimenting with drinking a lot less over the past year or so. As a result, I’ve been exploring non-alc options that make me feel just as excited as I did as a 21-year-old working in a wine shop who didn’t even know how to use a wine key. Here are my favs:
Figlia—for fans of Ghia or Campari. Athletic Brewing Golden Ale—beats the IPA, in my opinion. Ginger tea—best served in the bath with a New Yorker. Sanzo Yuzu—get into Sanzo! It’s our favorite seltzer.
3. Reading To Mark The End of The Work Day
I love a lot of Daphne Javitch’s content + this screenshot especially has been really inspiring as I combat the blurred lines between freelance work hours and rest. I remember reading about a writer I admire’s daily routine years ago, and she mentioned that she read from 4-5 every evening. How decadent! And when you’re a writer, reading is a part of the work. So I’ve been trying to toss my laptop in a corner and start my night with 50 or so pages.
4. Prepping For The Next Morning
Another writing update! My routine has always involved writing first thing when I get up, after a meditation and tea. During my MFA, I was really great about settling in, staying away from my inbox, and writing for at least a few hours. That habit became a little muddled (freelance life, again) and I knew I needed to get back to the flow state I so ardently aspired to. Now, I open the window where I keep my novel draft before closing my laptop. Inboxes and socials are hidden. I stay in the window until I turn on a pilates video or have to start work. It’s made a huge difference.
Archived Outfit
I’ve been thinking about this outfit on Helena Christensen, a Danish model, a lot. What really works for me, as a person nervous around color, is the way it’s a twist on a classic formula. Baggy pant plus sandals plus striped tee. Easy! But when the pants are cuffed and purple and belted, the equation feels fresh. Here are some springy pants in the same genre.
Ilana Kohn—a brand I love! And they’re $80.
Same brand, a little spendy, but COME ON. I love this shape.
Send it with matching purple pants.
Ok, hi vintage Urban Outfitters! These look so easy to wear for $35.
These are black, so, yes, a little boring. But they’re under $20 and vintage Cabela’s.
Honorable Mentions
How To Be An Artist—A short book I’d love to give a copy of to someone graduating or pursuing a creative career.
Goodbye Without Leaving—I find Laurie Colwin as soothing as a bowl of chicken noodle soup.
People We Meet On Vacation—The Emily Henry binge continues. This is my favorite so far.
The Lost Wife—Susanna Moore might me by favorite new-to-me novelist. This book is very intense, so read the description, but OMG it’s good.
It’s A Shame About Ray—Really moving memoir about grief, fatherhood, and music.
Thank you so much for reading x