Week In Review 13: Celebrating the Sun, Spring and New Stuff
If you need me, I'll be recharging in the sun until further notice.
Today is the first sunny day we’ve had in a week, so I am writing this from the back patio, basking in the sun like a cat — one that’s learned to use a computer, anyway. I’m sitting on the concrete, which is still cool from the last seven days of rain and clouds, and trying not to get distracted by how enticingly the fifty year-old wisteria bushes are swaying in the light breeze. Everything is blooming, the grass in the fields that surround our house are thigh-high, and the birds are whistling and singing. In other words: spring has sprung, and with it comes the renewed sense of hope and prosperity that defines this gentle season.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the Vernal Equinox, which takes place in March, symbolizes the beginning of the spring season. In contrast, according to Assyrian, Hindu, and Persian (or Iranian) calendars, the Vernal Equinox symbolizes the beginning of the new year. I also hold this belief. To me, it makes no sense to have a new year, and all of the hopes of productivity and change associated with it, begin in the dead of winter, when ambition and energy are at their lowest. Starting fresh in the cold, dreary dark of winter feels to me like an exercise in futility. I’d much rather start anew in spring, when the natural world comes out of its wintery cocoon and begins again.
Although I don’t think our culture will be shifting its New Year’s celebrations to March any time soon, I do think it’s worth creating rituals of one’s own to celebrate the shift in seasons and the fresh start that spring symbolizes. To me, that looks like fresh flowers in the house, spending as much time as I possibly can outside and a critical assessment of my habits and schedule. Seeing as how one of my habits includes writing this newsletter, without further ado, here’s the latest Week In Review1.
What I Wore
In my mind I’ve been putting together exciting and novel outfits to share with you, but the harsh reality of my camera roll revealed that I have been dressing for comfort this week (as evidenced above). More satisfying outfits that I didn’t take pictures of included my vintage, camel-colored cashmere overcoat with my Salomon XT-Whispers and a pair of sweats from American Giant; these slouchy jeans with an oversized vintage sweater and my go-to gingham pants + cardigan ensemble I featured in my last post.
What I Saw
I loved the bright colors in this remodel, even if I would never choose them for myself. Patagonia introduced the lightest addition yet to its Nano-Air family: the Nano-Air Ultralight Hoody and Pullover. Craft Sportswear dropped some new shoes, including this pair. Salomon updated what were my favorite pair of hiking shoes ever with a new version. Topo Designs launched its Spring/Summer 2025 collection — I’ll be testing a few pieces this spring. Stay tuned for feedback!
What I Ordered
I had a Madewell gift card from Christmas I hadn’t yet used, and the brand had a sale this week I happened to stumble upon. I got the last pair of these boots in my size for $70 (I KNOW) and this pair of drapey pants I’m excited to try out. I also got this pair of sunglasses in tortoiseshell, which is my favorite pattern in terms of sunglasses.
What I Wrote
I attended the Overland Expo SoCal show in March on behalf of The Compass, which I write for weekly. Here are a couple pieces from the show:
What I’m Testing
These compressive leggings from Branwyn. This very cool little water bottle sling (it fits a Nalgene!) from Topo Designs. Also, these shorts from Topo, these pants from Seniq (pictured above) and these two-tone hemp shorts from Astral.
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