one hundred and sixty-eight hours, the seventeenth one

easter dresses and ski jackets

Browsing through photos always takes me back to those brisk Easter Sunday mornings. Picture this: you've selected the very best pastel dress, complete with ribbons and bows, only to step outside and be greeted by 12-mile-per-hour winds and a brisk 48 degrees in the air. No problem, you think. I’ll just throw on my bright orange ski jacket, the one with a tear in the elbow and a lift ticket still dangling from the zipper.

It was a look.

fashion blogger imposter?

Speaking of looks, what are your favorite spring fashions? Here are some things I am loving lately:

colorful kerchiefs + bandanas - I love the brand Handker, formerly known as Hemlock. Their pops of color and beautiful designs always brighten my day. Tie one around your bag, like my sister loves to do, or wear it around your neck—like all the cowboys... and me!

fun sneaks - I'm a shoe lover—and I married one, too. We have a few sneakerheads in the family, and a fresh pair of shoes is just about the best way to make a fit feel perfect. I’ve always loved Nike, but lately I’ve ventured out and started enjoying brands like Veja, Reebok, New Balance, and Tretorn. You can see some fun styles: here, here, and also here. One pair still on my *wish* list are these beauties. After seeing Erica Stoll pair her Golden Goose sneakers with an adorable white dress at The Masters last Sunday, I’m swooning all over again.

sweater-weather (still) - I’ve never ordered from this company, but aren’t these sweaters cute? A real New England feel for sure. Perfect for an afternoon picnic this spring!

a great cotton shirt - Boden is always a classic choice. Their current Circus Collection is bursting with vibrant, playful colors—and I’ll take one of each, please! Take a look at this cutie shirt. Sign me up for the Pony Club!

bring the brooch back - I rarely shop at Anthropologie, but LOOK AT THIS, or THIS! They have some really fun brooches and pins on their website, but I’m sure there are plenty of other amazing brands bringing back these classic pieces of jewelry. Let’s make them a thing again. I still remember rummaging through my grandma’s jewelry boxes—touching the stones, pinning them to my shirts, feeling the glamour.

a white dress - They say everyone needs a white dress for spring—and this site will have you falling in love with its sweet, simple, and timeless styles. A few summers ago, one sister introduced the other two to the brand, and now we’re all fans. Can’t go wrong with any of these quaint dresses!

YES! cropped trench coats are IN - I love this idea. The style of a full trench coat, but so much easier to maneuver! This one from The GAP provides a classic look. I personally love the navy, but the riverbed brown is adorable too. And bonus—the trench jacket is on sale!

please, i need some good denim - Having a teenage daughter is such a gift. I never leave the house without her honest input—and for that, I’m truly grateful. I don’t need to be twenty-something again, but I do want to stay relevant and evolve with the trends!

We all know high-rise, wide-leg jeans are back (PTL!). I’ve waited for this moment—but somehow, I still haven’t found the perfect pair. That’s officially on my summer bucket list. I’m going to hit the stores, try things on, and finally find a pair I love! In the meantime, I’ll get excited looking at these. JCrew is my absolute favorite store, and you’ll also find some of their denim choices here! After a drink with a dear friend who mentioned Madewell, I now have heart eyes for these and these!

a few more ideas to complete the ensemble - think raffia bags, pajama-style pants, and of course—the fashion flip-flop everyone’s talking about this spring. Have fun, take chances, and wear what you love.

That was fun! I’m not a fashion blogger, influencer, or trendsetter—but I do love style, design, and colors. I’m also fascinated by trends. There are a million stuffed animals on the market today, yet somehow, Jellycat has taken over, and suddenly, everyone I know aged 2 to 25 is after a specific “Jelly.” What makes a trend a trend? It’s incredible to watch!

spring is springing

I follow a lot of creative people on Instagram—that’s my social media platform of choice. I love seeing how others mix patterns and styles, and spring feels like the perfect time to talk about clothing. After a long winter of black, brown, and navy, who doesn't feel the urge to snag that bright, colorful piece you spot in the store window?In the spring, things really do S-P-R-I-N-G! Baby animals are born. Flowers come up from the ground. People deep clean and organize. There is a special feeling that comes with the months of March, April, and May.

Photo by Dessy Dimcheva on Unsplash

For many, Easter Sunday represents much more than wicker baskets filled with grass, colorful eggs, or the latest fashion trends. I grew up in a family that attended a wonderful church, where I was immersed in Christian teachings and stories. While religion is a deeply personal matter for me, I’ve come to truly appreciate the historical significance of those stories, as well as the symbolism and themes woven throughout them to help us learn and grow.

Across the world, people of many different faiths celebrate meaningful traditions during this time of year—not just those of the Christian faith. If you’d like to explore more, feel free to click here for a chronological overview of various religions and the festivals celebrated throughout the year.

No matter how you celebrate today—whether through faith, reflection, or tradition—I hope you find a strong sense of hope for what lies ahead.

I hope the Easter Bunny finds you.

I hope the sun shines bright.

I hope you get to throw that ski jacket on over your Easter dress.

peace and love,

Steph

if I were jellycat age…

my favorite jellycat