Spring equinox edition, 2024
In pursuit of things that make life special this spring
Hello and welcome to spring (!!!) seasonal recommendations from The Bell: special content for paid subscribers. Thank you so much for supporting my work—you are the ones who make it possible for me to dedicate so much time and love to creating this weekly newsletter. I’m absolutely thrilled you find it so valuable!
This is the fourth and last of a quarterly series where I’ll share a long list of my best tips for making life special and living well during each season—78 this time! Think of it as a much expanded edition of the Friday recommendations newsletter.
As always, I love to hear from you. Please share your best springtime recs in the comments, Substack chat, my Instagram DMs, or by hitting reply to this email.
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Wearing
Trench coat - sold out but set an alert for restocks
Classic crossbody bag - love it in cream
And don’t put away your warm base layers just yet: Uniqlo Heattech or Intimissimi modal cashmere ultralight
Treating
Buying a potted flower for your windowsill
It’s time to bring color and fresh floral scents into your home! In earlier spring, go for hellebores or daffodils. Later go for anemones, tulips, and ranunculus.
Buying bouquets of cut flowers
Of course, if potted plants aren’t your thing, spring cut flowers are appearing in grocery stores—more every day!
Ordering a matcha latte
Maybe it’s the beautiful green color of the drink, but I love to switch up my usual decaf coffee for matcha in the springtime. Even though it’s caffeinated, it doesn’t make me jittery like coffee. Next time you’re out running errands, grab a matcha!
Snacking on roasted, salted pistachios
Again with the green food theme, but I find myself putting chopped pistachios on everything this time of year: cakes, yogurts, pastas, salads. I also like to munch on a bowl of shelled pistachios while I’m cooking dinner.
Lighting an herbal scented candle
I live for Trudon’s Abd El Kader (Moroccan mint tea scent, I also pick up some basil), and was thrilled to discover the more affordable (unintentional) dupe, Tatine’s Garden Mint. These two will be lit in my home all spring!
Buying a pretty new cotton or terry robe
I have had this tab open for weeks, but I already have a cotton robe I love. Somebody buy it, it’s on sale!
Going for a spa scrub treatment to reveal soft, hydrated skin
Like a facial, for your whole body. Get rid of that dry winter layer!
Getting a pedicure
Who among us doesn’t need one after hiding our feet in socks for months?
Picking out some new stationery
A reader recently recommended Cambridge Imprint, a new-to-me stationery shop. The designs are so modern and pretty! How about these patterned envelopes? It’s the perfect time of year for some fresh writing paper, notebooks, or even paper ribbon for wrapping little gifts.
Joining a yoga studio
Springtime can be busy and stressful even though it’s an exciting season. I also find that the sudden changes in weather and high winds can be kind of unsettling. A regular yoga practice can help ground you during a chaotic time.
Trying some bright spring ice cream flavors
Loving the sound of brambleberry crisp, wildberry lavender, pistachio and almond biscotti, or strawberries and shortbread cookies!! I’ll be looking for these in the aisles of my local grocery store.
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