051325: Things that made life special this week
Plant identification, Bossanova, orange soda, continental breakfast, and more
Hello and welcome to Things That Made Life Special This Week, a celebration of the pursuits that add a little something extra to the everyday.
In case you missed Wednesday’s newsletter, it was a fun little spring decor shopping list.
Last month, paid subscribers got three renovation updates. Our French countryside kitchen plans, all the fun demolition details, and the first layers we put back in. This month, they’re getting a renovation update and a “come to the brocante with me” blog. Please consider upgrading to paid!
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This week’s recs
Using: The PictureThis plant identifier app
I mentioned the other week that I was trying to learn the names of local flora since I spend so much time strolling through the countryside while my baby sleeps. This app is a genius way to identify plants in the wild (you just snap a pic)—but once it identifies the species, it also tells you whether it’s native/cultivated/invasive, its toxicity to humans and pets, growing conditions, how often you should water and fertilize it, how to repot, prune, and propagate it, and other characteristics, instructions, and even FAQs.
I’m using it for plants I see in the wild now, but also to get familiar with the garden at the old French house. One of the only uses of AI that I can get behind!
Still wearing: Sézane spring
Sézane so generously gifted me some pieces from their spring line, and of course I purchased a few more myself. This is THE perfect shirt dress, in my opinion. I’m going to wear it over and over this spring and summer. Sézane, please make it in more colors! This is such a feminine, springy take on the classic oversized button-down, and this is the basket bag of my dreams. Those embroidered daisies make me so happy. I also love this chunky take on the fisherman sandal that’s everywhere this spring—they were so comfortable right out of the box.
P.S. Sézane opened a new store in Boston’s Seaport—if you’re local, drop by the store and check out the spring collection!
Drinking: Orangina
I still remember my first Orangina on my first trip to Europe when I was young. We were a no soda household, so it was a huge special treat. It’s still my favorite kind of soda and one of the only ones I occasionally indulge in—but only in Europe! (The other is the occasional Diet Coke on a plane.)
Listening: Bossanova covers of pop songs
May I recommend this playlist for cooking dinner?
Eating: A very French breakfast
My family stayed at a hotel over the weekend and they had the most quintessential French breakfast on offer: Espresso, fresh squeezed fruit juice, croissants, bread, butter, and jam, yogurt, and fluffy scrambled eggs. Could eat this every morning.
I also remember the first time I heard the term ‘continental breakfast’ at around 10 years old and thinking it was sooo chic despite not understanding at the time why it was called continental.
Have a great week ahead!
xx Jane
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