Tag Archives: fashion

Time to Head Home…

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Ah, yes, the dreaded “last day of vacation” has finally arrived. As much as I would love to stay in San Diego forever, I’m due to fly back to the East Coast early tomorrow morning (arriving just in time to catch the series finale of “Breaking Bad!”)

My last day of vacation usually involves packing, double checking that I packed everything about four to several more times, catching up on my (sigh) e-mails so I’m prepared when I get home and get back to business, double-checking that I packed everything another five times, and shopping. My mom, God bless her, loves souvenirs, so I always have to make a point to bring her back something cheesy to appease her, and even though I bring more than enough clothes and outfits for any and every occasion that should arise (you never know when you’ll need a cocktail dress… or a ball gown) while away from home, I always end up picking up a few more things that catch my eye.

Today, while stretching my legs, I stopped by a little store downtown to take a quick peek at a dress displayed in the front window that I had liked the pattern of. Instead, I ended up leaving with a bunch of fun-printed scarves and a crop-top I couldn’t resist buying:

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Yesterday, I spent a good chunk of the day catching some sun and salty ocean air down at the pier at Ocean Beach (O.B.) which is one of my favorite spots in San Diego. The overall environment and the people that frequent there, at least every time I’ve visited, are very laid back surfer, skater, and hippie types. When I wasn’t down at the water, I was walking along the main strip of surf-shops, bars, and food shacks, admiring the spray-painted murals and street art on display on the sides of most of the buildings. The entire look of the beach is like something out of late 60s/early 70s, with more modern cars and clothing, of course. I’m so smitten with the place.

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I met up with my longtime San Diegon friend, Duncan, at O.B., where we had a really nice little picnic by ocean before heading back to his beautiful apartment in Hillcrest. I met his three-legged cat (who is ADORABLE) and Duncan surprised me with an absolutely gorgeous Michael Kors watch. I’m still a little stunned by it. Every time I go to look at the time, I can’t help but smile.

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The night concluded with a visit to a rooftop bar, where I had the most breathtaking view of the city as the sun was setting, followed by some New York style pizza- which is really the only way to end a perfect day.

And now, as the sun begins to set here again (sadly, I have no pizza this time,) I’m preparing to bid farewell to SoCal, and to what was an entirely and thoroughly enjoyable weekend. It was so, so nice to see some familiar faces- and meet some new ones, over the past few days, and while there were a couple of people I sadly did not get the chance to visit due to distance or time constraints- there’s always next time.

It seems that the only thing left to do before I go is stuff my face with one last heaping amount of In-N-Out Burger. I’m craving animal fries like you wouldn’t believe right now.

See you all back on the East Coast!

xx

My Autumn Essentials.

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So far, at the beginning of every season this year, I’ve compiled a small list of some of the things I adore that get me through the cold (or hot,) temperatures and changing scenery. Autumn is no exception. I’ve already gushed, at length, about my love for all things Fall, but here’s a few specific odds and ends that make it even better.

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1. Starbucks’ Salted Caramel Mocha Lattes: The baristas at my local Starbucks are wonderful- not only because they know my name and my order without even having to ask anymore, but because they also knew that the Tuesday morning after Labor Day, I was coming in to dive headfirst into their Fall menu, and they were prepared for it. Screw pumpkin spice (which makes me gag.) I’m all about the salted caramel mocha lattes- hot, of course- 100%. Rich chocolate, creamy caramel, and a pinch (not an overwhelming amount) of salt, with a shot of espresso to get me going in the morning- or to give me a pick-me-up in the afternoon- or whenever I crave it, really. I’m so addicted to this drink that I’ve all but practically injected it directly into my bloodstream. It’s my absolute favorite until they break out the red holiday cups and the peppermint mocha & gingerbread lattes.

It tastes even better with one of Starbucks’ pumpkin & cream cheese muffins- another limited edition menu item I wish I could hoard in bulk amounts and enjoy all year long, and if you’re not into caffeine (or if you like me and should probably cut back on it-) Starbucks offers salted caramel hot chocolate, too- which is just as delicious and won’t give you the jitters.

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2. A Warm, Rich, Scented Candle: I usually have candles burning around my place year-round. In the Spring, I stick to light florals and “clean” fragrances, and in the Summer, I like to light citrus-y, tropical candles (think strawberry daiquiri  or coconut,) but I reserve my heavier, more musky and spicier scented candles for the Fall. I’ve been enjoying the above-pictured “vanilla chai” one from Yankee Candle (I’m from New England. Of course it would be a Yankee Candle) for the past couple of weeks. It fills my bedroom and adjacent hallway and rooms with this incredibly delicious, comforting vanilla and cinnamon fragrance.

Next on my list of candles to burn is “salted caramel” (surprise, surprise) and “cozy sweater.”

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3. Bold Boots: I’m practically inseparable from my black Vera Wang knee-high boots. I wear them almost constantly (even when it’s not seasonally appropriate,) because they’re effortlessly chic and oh-so-comfy. I recently saw these colorful cowboy boots at the French Twist Boutique in Natick, and it was love at first sight. Not only are they comfortable, but the colors go with so many pieces from my fall wardrobe. It’s already started to get chillier outside, so I’ve been pairing these with tights, leggings, and, as pictured, skinny jeans. They’re just phenomenal.

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4. Darker Palettes: In the Summer, my makeup consists of mostly neutrals and bronze tones with the occasional pop of bright lip gloss or neon nail polish. In Autumn, I like to add darker, richer colors to my eyes, lips, and fingertips: deep violet, dark brown, charcoal grey, merlot, and, like my manicure pictured above, hunter green. I try not to wear too much of the palette all at once, since the “vampy” look never worked well for me- but minimal makeup with a vibrant purple smoky eye, or a wine-colored matte lipstick, as the focal point of the face? It looks stunning this time of year.

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5. The Dependable Hoodie/Sweatshirt: Sometimes, just sometimes, when I’m running errands on colder days, or lounging with friends on a patio at night, or going for a walk to look at the leaves changing colors- fashion takes a backseat to comfort and I reach for the good ol’ hoodie/sweatshirt. It’s a staple in New England, and Fall hasn’t truly arrived until everyone breaks theirs out of their closets. My go-to is my Dropkick Murphys zip-up hooded sweatshirt. It’s about 2-3 sizes too big, but it’s beyond comfortable and keeps me warm in the early mornings and evenings.

“Autumn Essentials” not pictured: All the scarves ever in a wide variety of patterns and colors, oversized cozy sweaters and jumpers, flannel-lined leggings, a heated blanket with a good book to curl up and read under it, a beanie to keep your head warm and your hair dry, an umbrella for those especially rainy and dreary days, an entire day to go for the longest of long drives to look at the Fall foliage, pumpkin ale and hard apple cider, a stack of horror movies for a marathon with your friends as Halloween approaches, a good facial spray for on-the-go relief in chillier temperatures, a sturdy tote bag to bring for apple picking, and the will to carry on when Winter arrives again.

What are some of your “Autumn Essentials?”

Closet Crushes: Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!

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Long after Michael Keaton rocked this pattern, and well before Robin Thicke let Miley Cyrus grind against his similarly designed pants , I had my eye on these black and white vertical striped tights. I kept the rest of my outfit simple, and office-friendly, with a black skirt (the tights are see-through, so the extra layer of fabric is necessary) and a black tank top since it’s been pretty muggy out these past few days. When the chillier weather eventually arrives, I’ll probably add a black or white cardigan to the ensemble to keep myself warm while staying color coordinated.

Although I’d never pair these tights with a matching black and white vertical striped jacket the way the aforementioned Keaton and Thicke have done, I DID play them up with my well-worn Vera Wang boots, a chunky black and silver bangle bracelet, a pop of bright pink nail polish, and, of course- my go-to, every day/every occasion accessory- my red curls. I kept my makeup light and neutral since, despite the title of this post, I didn’t really want to fall into Beetlejuice-esque territory. Light brown eye shadow and a soft rose-colored lipstick were more than enough to pull it all together.

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Closet Crushes: Anchors Aweigh.

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AnchorsAweigh1I’m a big fan of nautical, well, anything, really. Clothes, jewelry, prints, posters. You name it. I don’t know if it’s because I love being out on and by the ocean so much, or because I find boats and ships extraordinary, or maybe because I was a pirate in a past life or something. Truthfully, I think it has something to do with my grandfather, who was one of the most fascinating people you could ever hope to meet, and who was in the Navy and fought during WWII. Although my grandfather never talked about the combat aspect of the war much around us kids (for our sake, and I think for his, as well,) he DID talk about the happier times overseas with his comrades, and he proudly displayed photos around the home he shared with my grandmother of him in his younger years in the service.  Looking handsome and very serious (a sharp contrast to the joking, mischievous side we saw all the time,) I used to marvel at his old Navy uniform, and even more so at the idea of sailing to new and foreign lands for weeks and months at a time. The war aside, it seemed like such a thrilling adventure.

In my closet, I have an ever growing collection of nautical pieces. Sailor-esque rompers, navy blue and red dresses- whose precise cuts and embellishments echo the crisp, sharp look of my grandfather’s old Navy uniform- anchor-print shorts, khaki capris, high waist skirts with striped and preppy crop tops. My ensembles vary between classic pinup girl and what I can only describe as a member of a yacht club- and I love jewelry that pulls it all together.

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Today I put together an outfit inspired by this anchor necklace that I’ve had for years now. It’s nothing fancy- just silver and rhinestones, but I love anchors- so much that when I do eventually decide to muster up the courage to get a tattoo- I want to have an anchor incorporated into it.

I digress, I paired some bright cobalt blue jeans with a white tank top, some navy flats, and this lovely hooded navy & white zip-up sweatshirt with quarter-length sleeves for a casual day at the office. I would have loved to pair the top part of this outfit with a khaki skirt I’ve been meaning to mix and match with as of late, but it was raining for a while today and I opted for the jeans to keep my legs warm and dry.

I also still have my nails inc. “Baker Street” nail polish on for the next couple of days- which I think was a nice, color-coordinated touch:

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“With love in her eyes and flowers in her hair…”

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On Thursday night, in a last minute and unprecedented gesture of the utmost coolness, my boss invited both my co-worker and I to come see Robert Plant perform at the Bank of America Pavilion with him and some of his family after work. I’m a big Zeppelin fan, and although I’ve always been more of a Jimmy Page kind-of-girl myself, I jumped at the chance to see The Golden God up close.

My seat was incredible, and I had a wonderful view of Robert as he belted his heart out to some of his solo work, some blues songs, and a handful of Led Zeppelin favorites. He may not have been able to hit the high notes the way he used to, but it still sounded good. My only gripe, and it’s just a tiny one, was that during a few of the Zeppelin songs, Robert would sort of trail off in the middle of them and he and the Sensational Space Shifters would proceed to have a sort of jam band session while the crowd was anxiously waiting for the rest of the song. The most noticeable offense was during “Whole Lotta’ Love,” when the song seemed to have an intermission while he and the band improvised for entirely too long before finally bringing it back around and completing the classic.

Thankfully, “Going to California,” a song I treasure, was unscathed- and was probably my favorite moment of the night.

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If seeing Robert Plant wasn’t enough of a blast from the 60’s/70’s, then the “Hippie Chic” exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts definitely did the trick. I headed over today to see the collection, which is on display through November 11th. Between the music (I walked in just as The Beatles “With a Little Help from My Friends” started playing), the shag carpeting, and the wide array of vibrant colors and patterns- the exhibit was a sensory overload- in a good way, of course. I had a ball (and more than a couple of laughs) looking at the ensembles- some of which looked eerily similar to things I’d seen my parents wearing in photographs from back when they were my age.

For the most part, though, I wanted a majority of the pieces for my own closet.

I love the MFA, and strongly recommend those visiting the Boston area to check it out anyway- but this exhibit is a really nice addition.

Closet Crushes: American Woman.

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AmericanWoman1Happy Independence Day to my fellow Americans! Where I am, the sun is shining and there’s only a few clouds in the sky- which bodes wonderfully for this afternoon’s planned cookout at my mom’s house with some of my family. There might also be a trip to the beach afterwards to see some fireworks, but I’ll see where the day takes me.

To celebrate July 4th, I wanted to show everyone this vest, which belonged to my father in the 1960s. It’s one of my most treasured pieces, not only because it was my dad’s, but because even after all these years it’s still in perfect condition. Created by the Great Northern Leather & Tea Co. (which I believe has since closed down. I did a search for the name and for the NYC address printed on the tag with no results), this fringed leather & suede Americana-inspired vest was so coveted by my father that he hitchhiked to New Hampshire to purchase it when he was in his teens.

While both of my parents were the epitome of flower children in that era- my father, who thankfully wasn’t drafted into the Vietnam War, who went to Woodstock and would tell me about waking up to Jimi Hendrix’s rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner”, and who had his fair share of bumping elbows with musicians who would later become rock n’ roll icons while he hitchhiked around the country getting into trouble with his friends (my favorite story that I used to make him tell over and over was the time Jimmy Page came into a bar my father was in after a show in NYC. Jimmy had his guitar on his back, and while he was making his way over to a corner of the bar to have a seat with Robert Plant and some groupies, he accidentally cracked my father in the back of the head with his guitar. My dad proceeded to call him a “fucking douchebag”, only to have Jimmy apologize profusely and buy him a couple of beers as a peace offering,)- my father had the same free spirit that I see in myself. He & I were/are so, so, similar.

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The vest is pretty heavy on me (and my dad was a beanpole when he was younger. I don’t know how he wore this thing everyday), so I paired it with some denim shorts and a thin black tank top underneath. I wore a couple of bead bracelets I’ve collected over the years, and for my hair, to keep up with the hippie-chic look I was going for, I wore a headband designed to look like a crown of daisies.

I kept my makeup simple- just some mascara and a little blush, but I couldn’t resist adding a pop of red to my lips to match the fringed part of the vest.

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Apart from inheriting my father’s free spirit, it seems I’ve also inherited his fashion sense, as well. I love this thing.

Closet Crushes: Boom! Bang! Ka-Pow!

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In my last post, I had briefly mentioned this comic-book-inspired dress I picked up in NYC this past weekend while at the Wizard World Comic Convention. When I saw it on display on a mannequin within one of the vendor booths, I knew immediately that I had to have it. The colors, the cut- it’s just so unique and the material fits me like a glove. I love wild and bold prints like this.

I had every intention of wearing this dress to work, but with the sides cut out in such a way that reveals way more than what can be considered an “office-appropriate” amount of skin, I opted to wear a thin white tank top underneath to keep myself covered without making the dress look frumpy or feel uncomfortable. For these photos, though, I wanted to show how it fit and looked on it’s own without any additional layers.

To accessorize, I wore simple black peep-toe heels, minimal jewelry, as well as minimal makeup (just a thin line of black eyeliner across my upper lids and some coral lip balm). I’m currently sporting a brightly colored manicure and pedicure that fit the color scheme of the print well, but I figured the dress was loud enough- I didn’t need to add to it and overdo it.

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Throughout the course of the day, I was stopped numerous times by people who also seemed to like the dress as much as I do and wanted to get a better look at it or take photographs of it with their cell phones. I almost wish I had worn a cape so I would have looked like a real comic book hero.

I just need a good superhero name. I’m not quite sure “The Amazing Ashley” cuts it.

xx

Closet Crushes: Arachnophobia.

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ArachnophobiaBangle1Perhaps this should be called a “Jewelry Box Crush” instead of a closet one, but during a recent organizing spree of some of my clothes and jewelry, I found one of my favorite, and creepiest, accessories tucked away in my bracelet & bangle drawer. I fell in love with this bangle, a limited edition piece by Betsey Johnson for a Halloween-inspired collection, a couple of years ago- despite my overwhelming (and borderline irrational) fear of spiders- and had to have it.

The bangle is a little heavy, but it definitely adds an interesting twist to even the tamest of ensembles, and the crystal-encrusted body of the spider gives a really great sparkle in the light. Every time I’ve worn it, I’ve been stopped by people who want to get a closer look.

My only gripe with the bangle is the design of the fastener. A simple magnetic strip, it tends to open easily and fall off whenever the bangle or the spider is bumped against anything (which, in my case, happens quite frequently), so I find myself removing it occasionally throughout the day to avoid misplacing it while I’m busy working or running around.

Other than that minor inconvenience, though- it’s a great, unique piece.

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Closet Crushes: Orange Crush.

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OrangeCrush1Back in February, I had raved about my love for Bettie Page Clothing and their lovely staff at the Newbury Street location. I had purchased a beautiful high-waisted skirt with a simple, lovely print during my first visit that I’ve been longing to wear ever since, and even though today was a little chilly and breezy, I put it on anyway and couldn’t help but do a little twirl (or two) before I headed to the law firm. It’s just such a perfect fit. It accentuates my figure without sacrificing comfort, and the lining means no embarrassing see-through moments- which is a problem I’ve had with lighter colored skirts in the past.

I decided to play up the orange print of the skirt with a matching colored tank-top with a hint of lace along the neckline and straps, an intricate multi-colored beaded bracelet, and a big, bold ring. I kept my shoes (the same open-toed braided heels from my last Closet Crushes post) simple, and my nail color and makeup very neutral and minimal- some light blush, a little mascara, and some clear lip balm. I have a coral/orange matte lipstick by Clinique that I was tempted to wear, but I decided to let the skirt, and the accompanying jewelry, make a statement all on their own. I didn’t want to overdo it.

This was a great outfit for work, because while it was playful and even a little fresh, it was still very office-friendly. If baring arms isn’t appropriate for work, or in cases like today where there’s a nip in the air- wearing a basic white cardigan sweater would still look professional and pretty. Thankfully, my boss is lenient in letting me show off the guns (which aren’t really guns at all.)

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My Spring Essentials.

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Spring in New England is a funny thing. Some days are sunny, beautiful and warm (we hit 69°F at the beginning of the week), and other days are rainy, gloomy, and cold (we capped off at 37°F today, for example). With warm weather struggling to fight it’s way through the remnants of what has proven to be a harsh winter, I’ve compiled a list of seasonal products and items- some long-time favorites, and some newer discoveries- to help me prep for when the flowers finally bloom- much like my small “Winter Essentials Post” back in January.

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1. Olay’s “Fresh Effects” Cleansing Brush System: This is a newer find for me. My lovely friend Imogen linked me to a beauty blogger’s YouTube review of this product one night while we were discussing Clarisonic skin-cleansing brushes, which although work wonderfully- are a little pricier than most people would feel comfortable spending. The review was a glowing one, so on a recent trip to the drug store, I picked up a package (retail value was about $15 USD) to try out for myself.

In the winter, my skin was pretty dry, but with temperatures rising and falling at the drop of a hat, and April showers aplenty, my skin is starting to lean towards being on the combination side this season. Olay’s rubber-bristled brush (which makes it so easy to clean) is small enough to fit into my palm, and is triangular shaped, allowing me to get alongside my nose and hairline with no difficulty. The cleanser, “Shine, Shine, Go Away” is a metallic colored cream that lathers up nice and doesn’t smell too perfume-y, which is a plus if you have sensitive skin like me.

I only use this brush at the end of the day, after I take my makeup off (I feel using it more than once may prove to be too drying), to give my pores a deep clean. After I rinse the lather off, I’m left with smooth, glowing skin that better absorbs my clarifying lotions and moisturizers. Even better? The brush only takes one AA battery to run and you can use any facial cleanser of your choice if you don’t particularly like “Shine, Shine, Go Away”.

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2. The Body Shop’s Coconut Body Scrub (6.9 oz for $20): My face isn’t the only thing I want to keep glowing and smooth in the Spring. I love wearing flowy, flirty dresses and skirts this time of year, which means I have to keep my legs and my arms looking polished and soft. This particular scrub is packed with nutrients, coconut milk, and coconut oil (which is one of the most versatile of the all-natural beauty miracle ingredients). Coconut shell and husk pieces that are mixed in help buff away imperfections and dead skin cells while the milk and oil conditions and moisturizes. I always feel so sparkling clean when I rinse this off- and it smells delicious, too!

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3. Garnier Fructis Sleek Finish 5-In-1 Serum Spray ($5.99): This was one of those “stumbled upon by accident” products. I had forgotten to pack hair care products when I went to San Diego last month, and ended up stopping by a local pharmacy for some color-safe shampoo and conditioner that wouldn’t break the bank or potentially be a waste should anything happen during my travel/flying (like a spill, or a broken container, etc.) This spray caught my attention, and I grabbed some, having flat-ironed my hair and desperate to keep it shiny for a night out. It’s been a style-saver since, especially with Spring rainstorms being as unpredictable as they are.

The formula applies, tames frizz and holds down fly-aways like a typical aerosol hairspray, but the serum mixed in makes my hair very, very shiny- NOT greasy- and soft- NOT stiff. Best of all, I get the same result when I leave my hair natural and curly, too. This particular spray doesn’t just apply to those with straight or styled hair.

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4. Flowy, Flirty Dresses: As I’ve said before, I love breaking out the softer colors and florals for my Spring wardrobe. The dresses pictured above, three of my favorites from ModCloth, are just a snippet of my style when the nicer weather peeks it’s head out. Short, ultra-feminine, and fun to accessorize- these are the types of frocks I covet for picnics, walks in the park, and afternoon shopping on the warmer weekends.

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5. Pastel Polish: If winter is resilient, kind of like it’s being right now, and I can’t show a little leg in a dress without risking catching pneumonia, it helps to keep my spirits up if I at least have a pretty pastel polish on my nails to look at from time to time. My go-to color is O.P.I.’s “Bubble Bath”, a beautiful ballerina pink that can be played up in a variety of ways with other colors and designs. It’s just a lovely shade that goes with pretty much anything.

“Spring Essentials” Not Pictured: A good pair of nude colored pumps, my nude/light rose toned matte lipstick, a lighter, more floral perfume (Calvin Klein’s “Euphoria Blossom” has been my signature Spring scent for years now), a gym membership I can’t ignore anymore because “it’s too cold out” or “it gets dark too early” are no longer valid excuses, fresh cut grass or clean linen-scented candles to help freshen up your place and get you ready for Spring cleaning, and a relaxing playlist, fan, or earplugs to drown out the sounds of chirping now that the birds are back to making noise at an ungodly hour in the morning.

What are some of your “Spring Essentials”?