A digest of things I genuinely love, use and recommend. A lot of what I know comes from other moms, which is why sharing is so valuable. If you have any recommendations, feel free to use the comment section or message me! ❤️
It’s Spring, it’s always been a new energy for me, when the nature comes back to life, it does feel a bit magical. I step outside, my kids are playing with the mud kitchen and are busy making mulch cappuccinos that I will sip on with great joy.
As a mother of young children, I seem to move through strange time loops where everything feels rough and overwhelming, then get sudden bursts of pure happiness and Love, and sporadic chills of total aliveness. All this led me to investigate: what does it actually mean to feel alive? Does feeling alive means to notice life as it happens, the small, ordinary moments, instead of rushing past it?
Nothing beats dunking my head under the Pacific blue, especially in these frigid March Ocean temperatures - Celeste.
A girlfriend’s weekend in Vegas to see the Backstreet Boys at the Sphere and just go wild - Liza
Going to work at my studio downtown and straight to dinner from there - Jenna
Last weekend, my 7-year-old daughter and I had a date night: mall shopping and boba like teenage girls. I wanted to give her my full attention (which is near impossible with three kids) and make it a kind of “yes” night. I was dialed in, listening to her stories, asking questions, letting her choose clothes she loved (despite my aversion to pink and loud patterns 🙃). We got ridiculous boba and skipped through the mall playing “floor is lava”. I felt like I really got to know her, and it reminded me how important it is to give her space to become herself. Before bed, she told me she wished she had a time machine so she could start the night all over again. - Jennie
During a yoga retreat with friends, we had a lot of free laughing that was very liberating, and on a recent hike, I collected one of every kind of flower I saw and made a small bouquet, and that just made me feel present. - Mary
When I do a solo hike, I feel both tiny and powerful in this world. Sometimes I get a moment when the landscape really hits me, and it feels so vast, but I also feel like I know myself so well in those moments. - Jeevhan
I picked up knitting again and started a vest. It’s a small shift, but it made me feel more like an individual again, not just a mom or a wife. I’ve been feeling way more energized at the end of the day because there’s something that I want to work on - Emily
I felt alive jumping in a swimming pool on a scorching day in LA recently. The rush of cool water around my hot skin reminded me how much I am restored and renewed by swimming. It felt like a temporary escape. I swam under the water back and forth until my arms grew heavy, holding my breath for as long as I could just to zone out in the quiet. The pool or the beach is my happiest place - Chloe.
Two things never fail to make me feel alive and inspired: A sunset walk to go look at the rising moon over the mountains and smell the flowers. And going out for dinner in a fun place, without having to do the kids’ bedtime routine.
Paris Street Report by Frosso: Because spring in Paris has always had the best “Feeling Alive” vibes.
Silver Ballerinas: Porselli is the Italian classic version of Repetto, and you can find them at Alex Mill. A good second-hand option from Ayde.
Midi Tube Skirts: Lately, I have been into skirts, longer and tighter, so I can wear them with oversized tops or T-shirts on top. For every day, a pink evening, blue crinkled
When routine takes over, I find one of the most effective ways to “feel alive” is to break it, by doing new things, walking new streets, tasting new foods, and breathing in new air.
My daughter’s favorite pants to wear for Spring-Summer by Atelier Zuzu.
Villa Tacos on a Friday evening: If you go at 5:30/6:00, there is just a short line. You can wait while drinking agua fresca to the beat of the music.
A visit to Skylight Books (don’t miss the Art Annex a few doors down). My daughter picked out a book for her brother’s birthday that she thinks he will like, about planes, and we added some flower seeds to the gift wrap.
Pino’s sandwich: This lives up to my Italian standards. I order mine without the pesto sauce because I think it just kills all the flavors. The breasola one or the mozzarella prosciutto are really good. Grab them to go and head to Barnsdall park.
La Decima Vittima by Elio Petri: One of my favorite movies, the badass Ursula Andress, the futuristic decor and costumes, and the humor. It has everything. A must see!
Maybe if we all practiced the essential skills of being human, our relationships would be better? Being curious about each other, asking questions, and listening actively is such a superpower. It’s really not easy, and it’s definitely a practice.
We are the gardeners by Joanna Gaines. This has been a favorite book, especially during spring, for a few years. A beautiful story about how to take care of plants and grow them.
In an attempt of making something new to break the routine, these baked fish and chips from Melissa Clark were delicious. Paired with a good wine and music on a Saturday night it made all of us feel very much alive.
Finally, I have a song for you: Bowlly goes dancing drunk into the future, hope you have a dreamy spring weekend and are able to celebrate those chills of aliveness!
Much Love,
xxx
Marina
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