I'm not sure how April arrived then quickly left in the hazy blur it did, but it happened. And now it's the month of May. So let's forego cliche talk about how time is passing too fast, and instead, talk about this flower bouquet*. It's from a wedding of two friends I photographed last weekend, and I cannot stop staring at them. Is it weird I want to blow up someone else's wedding bouquet and get it printed to hang on my wall? Don't answer that...

Life lately has been all about the eternal struggle between enjoying the present and my deep need to have something to look forward to. With the help of a mindfulness meditation class, I'm working on bringing myself into the present moment instead of always focusing on the future. It's HARD. My natural inclination is, "What's next??" as I find it much easier to think about fun future things ( Beyoncé concert! Trip with my mom! Gilmore Girls revival! ) instead of the not-always-fun present. I'm trying not to beat myself up when I fail at this, and instead practice self-kindness. I'm quickly learning it's an necessary skill to cultivate. No one is going to do it for us.

With that mini ramble, I hope you all have a lovely weekend. I'll be selling some of my letterpress work at Madison's Gallery Night tonight, then heading north to my parents' house to celebrate my mama appropriately on Sunday.

Enjoy the spring blooms along with a few of my latest favorite links + reads.

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Bill Murray is the best.

Attn: DIY-ers! Purl Bee has such a lovely collection of projects.

Pretty shower curtains.

@_chicadeoro is my new Instagram crush. She describes her style as, "French tomboy with a hint of minimalist Japanese grandma."

The Girls season 5 finale was a few weeks ago, and WHOA! So good. If you haven't watched this season, catch up now. Our four friends are ( finally? ) maturing.

Happiness inequality vs. income inequality.

Emotional labor: what it is and how to do it. I cannot stop thinking about this article. ( via Rachel )

How walking fosters creativity.

How to travel the Earth, and protect it too. Heads up travelers!

The truth about your clothing donations. A short, necessary read.

I need to remind myself of THIS daily. ( via Kate )

Annndddd Minimalist Baker's Everyday Cooking is finally here! Did you order your copy yet?!?!

“To me it is really important to live in what I call the spaces in-between. Bus stations, trains, taxis or waiting rooms in airports are the best places because you are open to destiny, you are open to everything and anything can happen.” Marina Abramović

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*Wedding bouquet crafted by the lovely team at Daffodil Parker.

 

 

March has got me in a seriously spring-y mood.

I'm loving the brighter colors + bare ankles. Warm sunshine. Lighter layers. Cheerier moods of friends + strangers. Vintage-inspired spring color palettes (muted nautical, I dig). All these things. It's also important to mention my OCD-level obsession with cleaning out my apartment is in full force. One-eighth of my tiny studio is currently a stockpile for things to get rid of. It feels right to open up space in order to welcome new things in.

"Spring is the time of plans and projects," said Leo Tolstoy. Perhaps that's why the thawing of the earth brings with it fresh, renewed energy. I've been in a serious funk for the last month, but that cloud seems to be dissipating. I feel excited again. I'm making plans + brainstorming new projects, but also working to shift more of my focus to living in the present moment. It's something I'm practicing as part of a mindfulness meditation class I started this week.

I hope you've got plans + projects of your own up your sleeve. In the meantime, make it a lovely weekend, friends.

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The most adorable letter boards.

Endlessly inspired by the quirky Jean Jullien.

The Power of Buying Less by Buying Better.

Have you heard of ThredUp? It's online secondhand shopping—even Oprah recommends it! I just ordered my first kit to sell a bunch of clothes.

TRUTH.

These brussels sprouts are so, so good.

ALL THE LOLS.

I'm waaayyy behind the times + just discovered make-up tutorials on YouTube. Christine is my fave. Her Jeanne Damas + Chloe Sevigny tutorials are perfection.

Edible cutlery. This is genius + delicious.

13 Questions to Ask Before Getting Married ( via Cup of Jo ).

The secret to spring cleaning ( via Becoming Minimalist ).

If want to save extra cash without much effort, try Digit. The app withdraws a small amount ( $0.50 to $10.00-ish ) from your account every week or so and puts it aside in savings. It's small money you don't miss, but those benjamins add up.

And most importantly, I followed Sanrio on Instagram, and my 5th grade self could not be happier. Keroppi, Pochacco, Badtz Maru + the gang are still as cool as ever.

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