A TASTE OF THE MONTH AHEAD

Spring is in the aAr, March Reflections and What’s Ahead for April

EDITOR’S NOTE

Last month we said goodbye to our little Venice bungalow of 5 + years. Since then it’s been a month of living in Ojai, I turned 40, spent my birthday in Big Sur, had a girls weekend in Sedona, we sold our car (and have yet to find a new one), completed a few big work projects, all while slowly unpacking boxes any chance we got in between the chaotic moments. Suffice it to say, March was a busy month and it’s been a lot to unpack, both physically and mentally.

While I’m excited for a trip at the end of the month to celebrate the wedding of some dear friends, I’m also very much looking forward to an April where my feet are firmly planted on the ground here in Ojai so that we can actually grow some roots and get to know our new home even better. Even though we’ve been coming to Ojai for years, there’s still so much to discover here (like this olive oil tasting we did at a local farm last week that had me feeling more like I was in Spain…10/10 could not recommend it more if you’re visiting Ojai soon!) and there’s definitely no shortage of events and happenings around town. Our mulberries are just starting to come in, we start every morning with a phone free hike and I now check my bird app more than social media (Who is she?!). It’s truly such a dream and I just keep pinching myself every day that this is where we live now! And yes, don’t worry, the Ojai Guide will be getting a much needed update soon.

Outside of staying busy around town, my big goal for this month is to finally have all our boxes unpacked, get window treatments sorted (Why is finding quality curtains and blinds that don’t cost your life savings and the donation of a kidney such an ordeal?!), get knobs on my new closet (I’m looking at these), finalize my wedding guest dress, get back to summer travel plans and the next steps of a big project I’ve got in the works, and, if there’s time, fingers crossed, start working on a bit of a garden.

Wishing you all a lovely spring and I hope April treats you well!

x

HAPPENINGS

WORDS TO LIVE BY //

“Enjoy being while becoming”- Unknown

WHAT I’M PINNING //

According to my APRIL BOARD on Pinterest I’ve got nothing but greens, gardens, florals and baby animals on my mind

WHAT I’M COOKING //

A few favorites for Easter and spring that are on my radar-

CARROT CAKE: Because is it even Easter if you don’t have carrot cake? Mine uses the leftover pulp from carrot citrus juice, so you can have your cake AND juice, too!

POPOVER EGGS BENEDICT: Only the most perfect spring/Easter brunch recipe ever!
CREAMY LEMON PASTA: Bright, cozy, simple, delicious! A perfect weeknight dinner paired alongside a simple green salad!
SPRING GREENS + TURKEY SAUSAGE SKEWERS: Simple, light and easy, perfect for a weeknight!
PAVLOVA WITH CITRUS CURD: An excellent way to take advantage of citrus season!
SLOW ROASTED TURMERIC SALMON WITH CRISPY COCONUT + NAPA CABBAGE: An lovely salmon dinner that never misses! It’s so flavorful and delicious you won’t believe how easily it all comes together!

If you’re looking for more ideas for what to make for Easter, specifically, here are a few other favorites plus I have a whole menu + tablescape ideas here.

OLIVE OIL COCKTAIL

WHAT I’M SIPPING ON //

A delightful little vanilla protein coffee every morning using this protein powder because it doesn’t taste anything like protein powder and instead just tastes creamy and decadent and delicious, wines from High Camp’s latest release and these for a fun mocktail option

WHAT I’M READING //

I wish I had the time to pick up an actual book, but lately the only thing I’ve managed in-between the busy-ness of life is Substack articles. *Insert shameless plug that I launched my Substack, Tasting Notes, last month so you should go and subscribe, please and thank you!* And lately, I unintentionally seem to be gravitating towards articles with similar themes, like this one, this one and this one (if I disappear off the grid, don’t say there weren’t signs!).

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO //

Can’t Sit Still by Lainey Wilson, Dandelion by Ella Langley, About Us by Le Youth and EMME and Quiet by Jué

WHAT’S ON MY RADAR //

Shopping for wedding guest dresses (something that is proving to be harder than I thought it would be), the pixie citrus beer launching at Topa Topa, this cutie little sweater top and these pants (that are soft and cozy but still put together) that I just got (and both are on sale!!), the wildflowers in California (hoping to take a day trip to see more of them this month) and this sunscreen that, dare I say, is maybe the most perfect sunscreen ever?!

WHAT I’M EYEING + BUYING //