April Monthly Musings // From The Inspired Abode
It’s official – the rainy days and “cold” weather we’ve been experiencing in Southern California is behind us, and we’re gearing up for a beautiful spring and summer! It’s been so nice having longer days with Daylight Savings, and now that the sun is shining through the windows, it’s inspiring us to spend more time outside or in light-filled spaces.
This month is all about resting & restoring for us. After an incredible trip to London & Rome last month to visit friends, we’re spending April at home. With babies on the way in a few months, we're each focusing on soaking up these last days as just a couple – and also getting some projects crossed off the to-do list before the third trimester when we’ll want to just relax!
Hope you all have a great start to spring & enjoy some time outside!
Credits (clockwise from top left): Ashley Kane; Emerson Fry; Cravings Journal; Amber Fillerup Clark; Lorenzo Pennati; Emma Webb Studio
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING…
The Masters were this weekend, and while we didn’t watch it all, we are more excited about golf after starting Full Swing on Netflix!
We’ve been watching Community as our go-to, 20-minute funny show, but now that we finished we’re trying out Silicon Valley. So far we’re really enjoying it!
WHAT WE’RE LISTENING TO…
Kel is always finding the best Spotify playlists to listen to while working (or any time!), and this week’s discovery is very coastal grandmother: Grandma’s Home.
We’re on the hunt for some parenting podcasts that bring on different experts/opinions, so if you have any recs, share it in the comments!
WHAT WE’RE READING…
At this month’s postponed book club, we’ll be discussing This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub. While we wouldn’t put it on our must-read list, it was definitely enjoyable & picks up about mid-book – especially if you don’t start out loving the main character (like us). We loved the concept, so would definitely recommend! For more book ideas, check out some of our book reviews!
WHAT WE’RE EATING & DRINKING…
After taking a cooking class in Italy, B is all about making fresh pasta! Next step: buying a pasta roller & pasta guitar (to “cut” into spaghetti) to get one step closer to making our own homemade cacio e pepe & fettuccine all’arrabbiata at home.
We’re obsessed with this burger, and we feel so gourmet chefy when making & eating it. The caramelized onion + fennel topping is SO delicious. The recipe calls for lamb, but since that’s hard to find, we use ground beef (for the guys) and Impossible meat for us vegetarians.
WHAT WE’VE BEEN BUYING…
Kel finally got the Pura smart fragrance diffuser, which is kid & pet friendly!! With the app, you can schedule a fragrance for daytime and nighttime to make your home feel even more curated. Highly recommend the Capri blue volcano scent during the day & lavender at night!
One thing we’ve been wanting to buy but are trying to avoid until after we have the babies (since we really miss this part of life/fashion from pre-pregnancy days): a favorite pair of jeans. That said, we’ve started putting together a list of jeans we’re excited to buy once we’re actually able to wear them:
Loving the casual elegance of Madewell’s kickout crop style with a classic or raw hem.
We can just picture ourselves at brunch (or the park) wearing these Levi’s ribcage jeans.
Our favorite Paige jean style has been discontinued, so we’ll have to give the Cindy a try!
We love the relaxed, yet tailored look of Mother’s Insider Crop jeans.
links we’re loving…
We’re super excited about Jen Atkin’s Masterclass in hairstyling! Here’s hoping we start doing more with our hair than what we’ve been doing every day for the past who knows how many years.
Love this reminder from Jules Acree’s Slow Brew Sunday newsletter:
This girl on TikTok has the fluffiest bed ever. Our problem? We already have a King-sized duvet cover, so what size duvet do we need?
Abercrombie is having a 25% off sale! Start shopping today before it’s all gone.
When we say eventually say goodbye to our gel manicure addiction, you can bet we’ll be trying out this French tip hack.
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO…
While we love to travel, we’re looking forward to spending every weekend in April at home!
B’s planning an Italian dinner party toward the end of the month for some friends & family to try out her pasta making skills.
We’re also heading to a Dodgers game with friends later this month & it’ll be B’s first time, which makes it extra special.