Month Ahead // May 2025
A TASTE OF THE MONTH AHEAD
EDITOR’S NOTE
Call it the curse of being a millennial, but every time I go to write something for May’s “Month Ahead” all I can hear in my head is “It’s gonna be Maaaaay!”. In Justin Timberlake’s voice, of course (What kind of unhinged millennial would I be otherwise?!). And that’s the extent of it. That’s all I can think to say for May. Brilliant, I know.
Ok, but also…how is it actually already May??! I feel entirely unprepared for it to be the 5th, YES 5th, month of the year. And also practically summer. It’s just too much to process. Please respect my privacy during this difficult time.
All jokes aside, it’s been a little bit of a crazy time around here (Then again, when is it not??!). We had family in town over Easter so we were out and about taking them around everywhere from Newport to Joshua Tree, which was so fun and the weather was beautiful. But that was immediately followed by a round of not so fun life things, you know, just the usual, cracked car window, sinking streets and no running water for a day (Yes, our street really did start to sink the other day and I think my love for California started to sink right along with it. I’m only kidding…sort of.). And the icing on the cake, last week marked one year since I lost my grandmother. I can’t even begin to comprehend how it’s already been a year, and not a day goes by where I’m not thinking about her, missing her and wishing I could spend just one more day in her kitchen with her.
As life carries on, I’ve been turning to habits and hobbies both new and old to bring me joy. I’ve added a new bird feeder to my collection and I now find myself starting the day in “retirement mode”, trimming my roses (the best scissors for trimming…my Mom still has the exact same pair she had when I was growing up because they’re that good), arranging flowers and filling my bird feeders while I sip my morning coffee and listen to classical music. Honestly, 10/10. Also, I now totally understand the appeal of retired life.
While we’re on the topic of the outdoors and gardening, I picked up some California wildflower seed mix to add to the yard and I also grabbed new gardening gloves while I was at (I was long overdue since my last pair has had holes in them for over a year).
I also purchased some new (old) cookbooks (via a great secondhand book site) that were favorites of mine growing up, and I have been thoroughly enjoying flipping through the pages and reminiscing on childhood favorites that I can’t wait to make again. Yes, I am that person that reads cookbooks like regular books. I’ve also been slowly getting back into learning Italian, practicing little words here and there while I look for a proper program (if anyone has recommendations for good language programs, let me know!). Dave and I have also been completely obsessed with playing Boggle. We got into it over the holidays when we played with my family and when we returned back to LA we remembered that we had Dave’s grandparents Boggle set, so now we play almost every day. It’s easy to play just one game at a time, or a few rounds, of course, and it’s been such a great way to challenge the brain while simultaneously taking our minds off the craziness of the world.
On the health front, I’ve been trying to increase my daily step count from 10,000 to at least 15,000 (or more). This means longer walks but I don’t mind as we’ve been walking over to this little waterfront park in Marina del Ray where there are always, without fail, so many sea lions sunbathing and playing in the water. It sounds silly but watching the sea lions has been so relaxing, so even if it’s just for a moment, it has became something I look forward, so much so that I’m getting those extra steps without even realizing it. Another health note- I don’t regularly eat a lot of sugar, but lately I’m being conscious to cut back even more for day-to-day life (save for two ingredient dark chocolate, granola and GoMacro bars) and so I have traded in many of my old treats for dates. So many dates. Dates with almost every meal. Mostly plain, but sometimes with a little nut butter and sea salt or some chocolate or stuffed with goat cheese or cream cheese or chopped up and tossed in a salad. I mean, I’ve always loved dates, but these days I honestly can’t get enough. I get mine at the farmers market and always get Medjool dates and Barhi dates which are absolutely divine (they taste like little caramels). Trust me, if you ever see them, you MUST try them! You won’t regret it. I’m also still very much loving acupuncture to keep me calm and keep my panic attacks at bay and lately I’ve started incorporating weekly infrared sauna sessions (A game changer!) into my life. I also recently got my first lymphatic drainage massage (Another game changer!). You know me, just doing all the LA things! Haha
I also recently joined a new networking group and have my first event later this week, which I’m so excited for because networking in LA has been, shall we say, more not-working?! Ha! And in true peak adulting, we finally updated our silverware and drawer organizer, and let me tell you, I don’t think I’ve felt joy like that since I was 5 years old and waiting for Santa to arrive. We are really living, let me tell you.
Last, but certainly not least, I’ve been turning to even more reflections on the prayer and meditation app that I use and love, Hallow, and they’ve been truly so grounding, so poignant, so beautiful. Whatever you’re going through or dealing with in life, I swear they seem to have a prayer or challenge to help support and guide you through, and everything they put out is just so well done. Can’t recommend it enough! (I believe they offer free trials if you’re interested in checking it out.)
While I’d like to think things will slow down this month, I know better, especially as we head into the summer season. However, I’m looking forward to working on some upcoming travel plans (a few weeks back east and NYC first, then a special Europe adventure for someone who is turning 40 *ahem Dave* and then Italy to work on an upcoming project), spending more time outside (those wildflower seeds aren’t going to plant themselves) and cooking with as much rhubarb as I can get my hands on.
Hope this month is good to you and may your May be filled with good flowers, good food and good times…
x
HAPPENINGS
WORDS TO LIVE BY //
“To not dance when you had the health and could hear the music could be the biggest regret of your life.”- Unknown
WHAT I’M PINNING //
Leaning into simple dishes, warmer weather and sunkissed European aesthetics over on my MAY BOARD on Pinterest
WHAT I’M COOKING //
A few new and old favorite recipes that I just can’t get enough of this time of year-
RAMP MIGNONETTE SAUCE WITH FRESH OYSTERS- This recipe may be simple but it’s such a delightful and elevated way to savor those ramps, especially for an aperitvo hour, a weekend afternoon in the sun or as a dinner party treat
RAMP AIOLI WITH STEAMED ARTICHOKES- And speaking of ramps, this is another one of my very favorite, very spring-esque ways to enjoy it.
GREEK SALAD- I’ve been making some variation of this salad to have with 2 (if not 3) meals a day; I pair it with eggs and cottage cheese for breakfast or lunch and enjoy it with some sort of protein (chicken, sausage, steak, shrimp or fish) for lunch or dinner.
CAESAR SALAD WITH CRISPY CHICKPEAS AND CAULIFLOWER- If I’m not making a Greek salad, you can almost guarantee that I’m making some variation of this salad with lightened up caesar dressing. It’s hearty, nutritious, protein packed and so easy to riff on.
CREAMY LEMON PASTA- Light, fresh and springy, this pasta is super simple to make, easy enough for a week night, but definitely still special enough for a weekend, dinner guests and date nights.
SALTED CHOCOLATE COCONUT GRANOLA WITH CHERRIES AND PECANS- I’ve been on a real granola kick lately for everything from breakfast to snacks to dessert and this recipe still continues to be one of my absolute favorites year after year. It’s just such a perfect combo of flavors and textures, with the saltiness, the tartness, some decadent chocolate and, of course, the crunch.
RICOTTA PANNA COTTA- I can’t get enough of this simple and elegant dessert; this month, I want to make it and top it with fresh passion fruit in place of the raspberry sauce
THE CYPRIOT OLIVE OIL COCKTAIL- A light, bright cocktail that’s vibrant and fresh and perfect for this season
WHAT I’M LISTENING TO //
Another relaxing classical spring playlist that I can’t stop listening to. And on the podcast front- loved this podcast episode about finding your purpose and that it’s never too late to do so, this Goop episode on building a lasting brand and this podcast with one of the founders of Camber. We’ve also been doing the Easter Challenge on the Hallow app about interior freedom, which has been really lovely.
WHAT I’M READING //
Continuing with last minute’s cookbook theme, when I realized one of my favorite spots in London, Ducksoup, had a cookbook I immediately snagged it and honestly haven’t put it down since. The writing, the simple yet elevated food, the details, the minimal yet lived in photography…it’s a dream and honestly could not be more up my alley.
WHAT I’M WATCHING //
I’m a bit late to the party, I know, but we finally started this season of White Lotus and so far I’m loving it. And speaking of shows we’re late to the game one, we also finally started watching The Chosen, or more like I should say binging it, because we truly can’t get enough. It’s just so well done and so moving and impactful to watch the stories of the Bible brought to life in such a humanizing way.
WHAT I’M EYEING + BUYING //
I’m on a real chocolate brown bag kick (then again, when am I not on a chocolate brown anything kick?!) and Coach has so many beautiful options right now, including this gloriously large carryall, this bag (which is a smaller version of the carryall), this beautiful structured bag that can moonlight as a chic workbag if needed (it’s big enough to hold a lap top), and, of course, my personal favorite, this shoulder bag (I just love the shape of the bag!). Linked them all below, along with a few recent purchases and things I’ve got my eye on this month-
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