Today I’m sharing just a few of the things I’ve been loving this spring!
Weezer’s Teal Album. We all already know that Weezer’s cover of Africa is awesome, right? If not, please go listen to it immediately. It’ll make your whole day better. The way they transition into the chorus is better than the original version. I understand why they feel conflicted about Africa putting them on the map again, but it’s still so well deserved. The whole album is fun. Weezer picked a great set of songs. Hands down, my favorite is No Scrubs. The way Rivers Cuomo sings the first verse is one of the best things ever. It would be amazing to hear Weezer perform it live and watch the crowd’s reaction during that opening verse. Billy Jean is also fantastic. There isn’t a bad track here.
Ashley Daneman’s People Are Fragile. People Are Fragile is one of the best albums I’ve listened to in a long time. It’s one of a few new-ish albums my brother’s been part of, and I haven’t cycled through anything else yet because People Are Fragile is so good. Ashley has a fantastic voice, and the music is so rich. Every instrument and voice adds intentional depth. The album is also so well recorded. I’m sure that sounds like a weird remark. Most modern albums sound okay. They aren’t amazing. People Are Fragile is really well engineered.
Alouette Soft Spreadable Cheese. Alouette’s soft spreadable cheeses are one of my absolute favorite foods right now. They’re like cream cheese but better and make awesome dips for veggies, crackers, and chips. It’s my new go-to item when we’re having people over or I need something quick to bring to a moms’ group. The toasted everything flavor is my favorite, and I love the garlic and herbs flavor, too.
Jo Malone London Peony & Blush Suede Cologne. Thank you Nordstrom beauty product samples for helping me move past 2004 and my undying love for Japanese Cherry Blossom Body Spray. I think most perfumes are way too strong, way too expensive, and have a chemical undertone. I never would have taken a chance on Jo Malone without getting to use a sample for a few weeks. (And Nordstrom perfume sample bottles are the best. Most sample bottles are impossible to use.) Peony & Blush is so perfect for spring. It’s just the right amount of sweet.
Blue Light Blocking Glasses. Why didn’t I get blue light blocking glasses years ago? Honestly, I didn’t get them earlier because I didn’t know that they were a thing until very recently. Between writing work, photo editing, and general phone use, I spend hours in front of a screen every day. The blue light glasses definitely make a difference. I get a lot less eye strain. I bought a super basic black pair because I really only wear them at home. There are tons of options available if you want something more stylish.
Toasted sesame oil is nothing new in my kitchen. But I’m having a huge moment with it right now. I love using toasted sesame oil as a salad dressing or or as a finishing drizzle for Korean beef bowls (you have to make this recipe ASAP) or Ramen (I’m sharing my own Ramen recipe very soon!). Most recently I’ve been using the Napa Valley Naturals brand via Thrive Market, as I’ve had a hard time finding it in stores. There are multiple options on Amazon as well.
Clearly, I need to find a new TV show to watch because the thing I’m talking about watching lately is the MxR Plays YouTube channel. I’ll be honest: since Tommy was born, I’ve had a hard time getting into a lot of new series. I don’t have a lot of uninterrupted time for entertainment, and when I do, I’d rather be reading. So YouTube videos are nice sometimes. MxR Plays offers a hilarious perspective on life as an early 20-something. Funniest Senior Yearbook Quotes and Unforgettable Yearbook Quotes. Dead. Also, my inner band nerd completely lost it over the microphone in tuba clip from This Can’t Be Real. And we may or may not have bought the Fallout cookbook and tried some of the recipes after watching one of their recipe videos.
Thread & Supply Double Breasted Peacoat. I’ve mentioned this coat before but had to give it a shoutout again since I got it back into the regular rotation in March. Even though we’re at the end of coat season now, pick one up for the fall while it’s still available. This coat is so amazing. The fit and weight are perfect, the quality is great, and you can’t beat the price point.
Samsung Galaxy Note 9. No, I didn’t receive a free Galaxy Note and no, I don’t receive anything for promoting it here. I used a Galaxy 6 for the past three years, which I loved. It was a huge upgrade from the Galaxy 3 and performed fantastically for a long time. However, in recent months, the battery life has significantly deteriorated and the USB port was on the fritz. The USB port finally quit, so I took the plunge.
The battery life, screen, and camera are amazing. I can go two days without charging my phone. I can’t believe how much screen quality has improved in the past few years. (Remember how I talked about how I’m reading books on my phone now? It’s crazy.) And the camera is ridiculous. It’s really good. The max ISO is 800, so it definitely still has its limits. But again, it’s a huge upgrade from my previous phone and something that actually produces nice results in a pinch. I also love the pen. I don’t want Tommy to lose the pen, so I don’t use it a lot. But it’s definitely a perk of having a Note instead of a regular Galaxy.
For Tommy’s swimming lessons this winter and spring, I’ve been using the Longchamp Large Le Pliage Tote and the Bumkins Waterproof Wet Bag (as always, fantastic recommendations from Jessica). I’ve been so happy with both of these items. The waterproof wet bag is a must for all toddler parents. It folds up into nothing, so you can stuff it in any bag. It’s perfect to have on hand for wet clothes, used cloth diapers, messy snack cleanup, etc.
The Longchamp Tote is a ridiculous bag to buy for weekly toddler swim lessons, given the price point. However, it’s such a good investment. I’ll be using this bag for swimming with kids for the next decade. This tote holds so much, and it’s waterproof. I can fit everything I need for our swim lessons in it. Someday we’ll need multiple bags, but I’ll still be able to use it all of my own gear.
[Disclaimer: There are a few affiliate links in this post. Thanks for your support!]
What have you been loving this spring?
Feel free to leave links in the comments!
Previous favorite posts:
