A Dose of Pretty | a dose of pretty

{My favorite type of American takeout: a veggie burger + extra truffle fries + a bourbon caramel cake with extra caramel, candied pecans, and vanilla ice cream for dessert.}

And just like that, it’s April. This week moved by at the perfect pace. Fast enough to not feel like the weekend was never going to reach us, and yet slow enough to truly savor each day. From making pizza from scratch and playing card games to spending an afternoon at the nursery to shop for new houseplants, I found the week to be equal parts fun and productive. I’m excited for a relaxing weekend with no plans at all, after a fun day in San Francisco tomorrow. We try to go for a day every couple of months to explore the city, eat at our favorite restaurants, shop at our favorite stores, and walk across the Golden Gate bridge at sunset. I hope you have a great one as well. x

{My new go-to warm weather Starbucks drink {for winter it’s always been a hot chocolate or their caramel apple spice}: an iced London fog + lavender}.

{New springtime orchids to help romanticize my life {as per #4 on my list} this season.}

{My afternoon pick-me-up: peppermint, pistachio, and chocolate macarons.}

{What I’m most excited to see tomorrow night: My favorite stop on our drive home from day trips to San Francisco – Belvedere Island. The view at night is unparalleled.}

{Pink blossoms growing on a tree trunk + late morning light. Fun Fact: The botanical term for flowers growing on a tree trunk instead of new growth {like with this Eastern Redbud tree} is called cauliflory.}

x Paris

{My afternoon pick-me-up: a classic lemon bar made a smidge prettier thanks to the edible gold.}

This week went by in a blur. I managed to clean and reorganize my closet, take care of my houseplants {even though it seems like they thrive on neglect}, and get in a morning spin or strength training class in everyday. But my favorite part of this week was getting to plan out some longterm goals {things I want to accomplish, subjects I want to learn, and dreams I want to see come into fruition}. Tomorrow I plan to make my famous sourdough pizza {something I’ve been doing since the pandemic, but haven’t made in quite awhile thanks to pregnancy and an infant at home}, and this weekend I am excited to get a deep tissue massage + cupping. I hope you have a great one as well and see you back here in April.

{My new mantra at our favorite Mexican restaurant.}

{My new go-to comfort meal: warm, cheesy pesto pasta + hot tea & lemon.}

{Finally lighting a candle a dear friend sent me with gifts for my son and I when I was still pregnant.}

{My new favorite way to workout: strength train followed by a recovery smoothie {organic cookie crunch} at the gym’s juice bar. Bonus points for getting it for free thanks to points earned from going to the gym.}

{A happy surprise to discover the orange I was excited to eat was actually a delicious grapefruit.}

x Paris