May 2023
School is almost out, spring elopements are bringing loving moments into my world every week, and our big family trip to Europe is around the corner. I love this time of year!
This month I will be back with some of my usual favorite things. Stylish spring fashion, some tasty and beautiful foods and of course, what I’ve been reading. I’ve also got a few newsletter recommendations and a few great words to think on!
Spring is quickly melding into summer, but there is still time to grab a spot on my calendar in the next few months to take advantage of this colorful season for your family photos. It’s a perfect way to avoid the rush of the fall, and have photos ready to go when it’s time to get holiday gifts and greeting cards checked off the to-do list later this year! Just reach out directly, or head straight to the schedule to book your session! Not sure? Check out a few reasons why taking summer photos is a great idea!
Ready for my five favorite things? Let’s go!
May Favorite #1: Spring Style
Spring & Summer Finds
Favorite thing numero uno… style! Here in Colorado we have been going through some rainy and cloudy days – PNW style! But on the sunny days it’s been nice to be able to don a spring dress!
Recently I picked up this beautiful set from Vici in sage green, which is sold out, but they still have a pretty peachy pink color, and I can tell you linen fabrics are IN everywhere. This set is so flattering and comfortable! In addition I grabbed this Silky Tan Skirt which works with almost any top, though I admit it’d probably look a little better on someone with a tan. 🙂
I’ve been enjoying wearing this Drapey Sleeve Sailor Striped Lightweight Sweater from Zara – which works with jeans, linen pants, or a mini skirt. I’m also excited to wear this Pointelle Knit Midi Dress from Zara which is so breezy, and sexy yet modest at the same time!
Consignment Wins
It’s always fun to buy new- but I have to say, I love, love, love shopping consignment. Some of my best and favorite pieces in my closet have been bought second hand. I’ve also been getting some return on my own investment in fashion by clearing out pieces I no longer wear, and selling them in local consignment shops here in Denver. Places like Common Threads and Rags Consignment, as well as online through Poshmark. It’s a wonderful way to keep a nice rotation of interesting pieces, not have to pay full price for items, and make less of an impact on the earth.
I was recently able to find the best one piece bathing suit I think I’ve ever bought. A Beth Richards One Piece Floral – retailing for $260 – for just $40 on Poshmark. Similarly, I bought some gorgeous leather Jeffrey Campbell Rodillo Cutout Wedges, no longer available new, secondhand for $22 on Poshmark. If there’s something you are eyeing at your favorite store, consider secondhand. My Pro Tip: See if someone is selling it on consignement (maybe even new with tags) on Poshmark or another reseller site first!
May Favorite #2: Gorgeous Food
By now, you probably know I love food, definitely a favorite thing of mine! I love to cook, and I love to eat! But, in addition to actually making and enjoying food, I also appreciate the art and beauty of food. How pretty and colorful it can be, how the melding of ingredients coming together in harmonious ways and become something else entirely as they bake, sauté or sear. And then there is my favorite part, making something look beautiful for serving!
Today I thought I would focus on some recipes that, while I have no doubt that they taste incredible, they are also just simply lovely to look at. While that may not always be the most important criteria in a dish, let’s face it- it doesn’t hurt!
First, I was stopped in my tracks when I came across this stunning Citrus Upside Cake, with it’s bright vibrant colors arranged in a ombre fashion. I also was majorly ‘wowed’ by these beautiful Homemade Rosewater Chocolate Truffles in a beautiful raspberry pink color. They get their color from freeze dried raspberries and look of-so-delicious. Next, I love the beautiful purple hue of these Blackberry Lavender Ice Cream Sandwiches with lavender flecks throughout the cookies, and tasty blackberry jam swirled throughout vanilla ice cream for the filling.
But it’s not just desserts that are pretty! I will never tire of the red, white and green beauty of a classic Caprese Salad or skewers. However these Marinated Mozzarella Melon Skewers are especially striking with all the bright melon colors; orange, red and green with white mozzarella and sprinkles of fresh herbs!
Sometimes it’s not just about the colors, but about the textures. I adore the way the layers swirl and meld together in beautiful patterns in this Backlava Babka. And could there be a prettier way to arrange a French Apple Tart? To to be honest I prefer this recipe which includes a delicious pastry cream layer, however I go ahead and arrange the apple slices like the NYT version when I make it.
May Favorite # 3 : Newsletters to add to your inbox
Next on the favorite things list – newsletters! I know, I know, you are thinking, that’s just what i need, MORE emails. But, wouldn’t it be nice to get a few emails each we that you actual WANT to read, amongst the truckloads of spam? Take a peek at these newsletters and I don’t think you’ll be sorry!
Erin Lassahn Photography
Ok, shameless plug here, but, well you probably expected it, right? I only email about once a month on average, maybe a little extra in the fall when things are busy and I have lots of good stuff to share! It’s the best way to find out first about sessions and sales, as well as stay up to date on special blog posts, fun tips and more. I hope to make it worth your while. Sign up here!
Camille Styles
Camilles Styles is a Lifestyle blog covering everything under the sun from how to freshen up your home in the spring, find new make up tips, or try a new recipe and more. She’s been a go-to guru for over a decade and I am just sorry I didn’t stumble across her blog and newsletter sooner! Sign up here (Top right corner)
The Every Girl
Another great all around lifestyle blog with great fashion and beauty tips, home how-tos, posts sure to help your well-being and jumpstart any seasonal, holiday or vacation planning you may need help with! Their newsletter with send you posts highlights and tips! Sign up here (Scroll to the bottom)
Life Kit by NPR
Life Kit is one of NPR’s many newsletters but features a roundup of some of their lifestyle content that in their words feature ‘tools to help you get it together’. We all could use a little of that, right? Sign up here (Choose Life Kit or any of the others you want)
Austin Kleon
Austin Kleon is the author of the book ‘Steal like an Artist’ among others, and he delivers newsletters filled with creative and thought provoking musings, links and tidbits, both from himself and others. Sign up here
James Clear
James Clear is the best selling author of the book Atomic Habits and each Thursday he sends out his 3-2-1 newsletter. Each message includes 3 short ideas from him, 2 quotes from others, and 1 question to ponder. Very insightful! Sign up Here
Letters of Note
Featuring a letter each week, this email is a fascinating look into the minds of others, and often a time past when letters weren’t just email sent with a click of a button. Letters written in times of war, or from famous authors or politicians in history, or sometimes every day people that have extrodinary things to say. Sign up here
Atlas Obscura
If, like me, you love to travel and like to learn about different cultures and worldly things, interesting tidbits and historical wonders…this is the newsletter for you! The latest newsletter to hit my inbox talked about one of the worlds biggest heists that happened in Germany, a new show in Brooklyn, and what we can learn from cephalopods! Sign up here (scroll down a bit)
May Favorite #4: What To Read
As always, I have to share one of my very favorite things, reading! I’ve finished six more books and have started two more since my last post. A few have definitely stood out! I’ve mentioned before that I do lean towards the fantasy genre, but I am trying to broaden the horizons so to speak, so there’s a little variety here.
I recommend…
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel – Last month I recommended Severance, which was a book that seemed to foretell the Covid-19 Pandemic. This month I am recommending Sea of Tranquility, which also deals with Covid 19 and pandemics in general, but also time travel, and humanity. A really easy quick read that makes you think!
Weyward by Emilia Hart – A beautiful story of love, strength and sisterhood of women, across centuries and generations as they fight against those that would aim to oppress and hold them down. A tribute to witches and nature.
Sea Change by Gina Chung – This is a story of a Korean girl trying to cope with the loss of her father, and the impact it’s made on her life into adulthood, woven through her work, friendships and relationships, both with people and even the sea creatures she care for at the aquarium she works at.
turning pages…
In the last month I also read Well Behave Wives by Amy Sue Nathan, but wasn’t crazy about it -the writing felt elementary, as well as The Durrells of Corfu by Michael Haag. While I thoroughly enjoyed the Masterpiece TV series about the family, this particular biographical novel about the family didn’t really do it for me- I had a hard time following the author as he jumped around timelines and didn’t clarify who he was quoting throughout the book. I do hope to read some of the many books authored by members of the Durrell family themselves though.
next on the list…
Before then though, I have several books out from the library and a lot of reading I want to do! Here’s what’s up next: A History of Burning by Janika Oza, The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry, Yellowface by R.F. Kuang, Lone Women by Victor LaValle and In my Dreams I Hold A Knife by Ashley Winstead.
As always – Please friend me on Goodreads so I can follow along with what you are reading too!
May Favorite # 5: Inspiring words
A few thoughts to leave you with this month…
My fifth favorite thing are these inspiring words;
From author James Clear on problems:
“Your problems adjust to their true level of importance after a hard workout and a good night of sleep.”
Also from James, on the difference between ambition and entitlement:
“Ambition is when you expect yourself to close the gap between what you have and what you want.
Entitlement is when you expect others to close the gap between what you have and what you want.”
And on uniqueness:
“Many people won’t attempt something unless they can find an example of someone else who is already doing it. Rely on this type of thinking too much and you’ll never do anything interesting.
Your path through life is unique. It is important to extract lessons from the experiences of others, but you can’t wait for a perfect example to take action. You are the example.”
And lastly on knowing yourself, from Carl Jung, the influential psychiatrist, on the value of knowing yourself:
“The world will ask you who you are, and if you don’t know, the world will tell you.”
Source: Paraphrased from Memories, Dreams, Reflections
Until Next Month…
Make some beautiful food, snag that perfect consignment piece, and read your next favorite book! Add a few new reads to your inbox, and get ready for summer! I’m looking forward to sharing more with you in June. Until then, please share this post with your friends, and check out my post on how to prepare for family photos! While your at it, get your next session on the books this summer!
**The links included in this newsletter are not affiliate links. Therefore, I do not receive any compensation for any of the links or products posted within.
