An unexpected Etsy find for Easter
Also in here: paper plates, our new art supply, mom jeans I spotted at Costco, color game, what we're reading
Bonjour mes chers! Next week, we’re having a special Handpicked by my French-expert sister Lizzy: her guide to Paris! I can’t wait. Today we’ve got a springy batch of links — sending warm vibes to you northerners who are covered in snow right now!
A note on Easter: this year, my family is celebrating Easter more similarly to the way we celebrate Christmas. We’re putting up decorations all over our home and getting into fun traditions like egg painting, baking shortbread, planting wildflower seeds, and making flower crowns. This year I’m observing Lent as well.
Easter is under-celebrated, both in American culture and in my religion: shockingly and disappointingly, our church services will be cancelled on Easter this year because a general conference is scheduled for April 5 — I’m quite upset (and ragey) about it. So I’m solving my own problem and bringing more Easter into my life on my own, including an Easter section in Handpicked :’) And, to our lovely Jewish readers (Elizabeth, Audrey, Alexa! Who am I missing?), I’d love your Passover-inspired links to share here as well!
easter basket
Etsy find: Did you know you can buy grapevine tendrils? How romantic! I want to create some kind of springy basket planter for our porch.
Unexpectedly pretty: paper plates. These will be perfect for Easter dinner. (via Olivia)
Decorations: yes, I have over $1000 of items in my Terrain cart, no I will not be buying them all. Top contenders: carrot candle holder, felted flower basket, embroidered carrot and daisy ribbons, pressed flower mugs, and, obviously, a floral platter.
home + motherhood
Art supply: I have a child who is very particular about getting artwork just right, so we bought this light pad for tracing. Oh, the relief. Art is a joy once more.
Tantrum: a helpful video on handling a toddler meltdown wisely. (via Sarah)
Open the windows: Two creators I admire, Amelia Wilson and Austin Kleon, shared this article about “house burping.” No need to purchase another electronic doohickey when we can purify our air the old fashioned way!
Cooking tips: 21 things Aja Frost learned over a year of cooking. Tips 2, 10, and 14 were my favorites!
Salad: my mouth is watering just from the photo.
Currently reading: Theo of Golden; A Month in the Country; Harry Potter 5. Every night I read Harry Potter out loud to my girls; we just finished chapter 35 and, shocks no one, I cried my eyes out. (I also cry at pretty much everything Neville says and does.) Just finished: Heart the Lover; Demon Copperhead; Taste: My Life Through Food.
Handmade: this red-and-white chair is perfection. If you don’t know the shop Green Row, treat yourself to an online stroll.
shopping
Costco mom jeans: Last week I noticed the mom in line next to me at Costco wearing really cute loose jeans with lots of pockets. She said they were from Free People (ahh, of course) (only $98!)
Details: Find me a prettier rugby shirt, I’ll wait!!
Makeup: rarely do I include skincare or beauty products in Handpicked (you’re already beautiful, duh). BUT I saw Hunter Harris recommend this $9 eyebrow glue in Big Salad, so I decided to try it because I have basically completely ignored my brows since covid. Y’all, I’ll never buy another brow product again.
Rosy espadrilles: I luuuvv it when shoes are slightly different from each other, like these rose embroidered mules.
extra extra
LOL: if you can’t say something nice… (via Emily)
Made me cry: Alyssa Liu’s own reaction to her gold medal performance (at 04:15). THE JOY. Related: This journalist should have his press pass revoked, barf. (Heads up, some cursing). Eileen Gu for president!!!
Color game: Did so well at this five-color memory game that I just might be feeling smug enough to apply to college and finish my undergrad? (Lmk if you beat 43.98!)
last thing
Most popular link last week: the $4 stoneware IKEA bowls
I hope something good happens to you today.
P E A C E
So many lovely picks (as always)! I want that rugby shirt and those cabbage plates.