Sundaze 290: Spring, home updates and what I’m reading

Happy Sundaze, my loves!

I’m writing this weekend’s post from the cosy quietness of our bedroom. It’s 9.08pm and we’re both exhausted from busy weeks at work and a busier schedule as we furnish and decorate our house. I feel so content right now, and thought I’d check in since it’s been a few weeks since my last Sundaze update.

In the hazy in-between, I even turned 34! It was my birthday on the 2nd, and I didn’t manage to get my head together in time for a post. (There’s a free Substack essay though!) We celebrated my birthday in Cambridge this year and it was a lovely, special, sunny weekend – perhaps I’ll edit and share a photo diary, in lieu of anything too deep and meaningful to commemorate 34. I’ve also felt completely reinvigorated by these early signs of spring: suddenly I’ve been motivated to make plans with friends again, and slowly clamber out of my sleepy winter’s slumber.

How have you been doing lately?

Signs of spring

After what felt like the longest winter in existence – and the shortest, quickest February I’ve ever known – it suddenly feels like we’re on the precipice of spring! From no-coat walks and outdoor lunches with my colleagues to seeing tulips, daffodils and snowdrops blooming away, the first week of March has been so sweet.

Of course, a new season always means I get sick, and mid-week I had the oddest stomach bug – for a handful of hours. I took a nap and seemed to be fine after, but it was just so strange and really set me back. I also had my end-of-year review at work and it went so well! I left feeling very empowered and so proud of myself for putting in the work. It’s paying off!

Home updates

This weekend, we focused on ‘house stuff’. My boyfriend’s stepdad finished painting our library room and guest room, then we had our new carpets installed on Friday. Both rooms are looking so fresh now! We picked up a few new additions, including drawer handles, shoe racks and tea towels, and the house is really coming together now. In fact, when you read this, my sister and I will be building my beautiful bookcases. More progress! Hoping to update you all properly, soon, on house stuff.

Currently watching and reading

I’m spending so much time at home recently and it’s reflecting in a great batch of books and TV shows. Last month I read The Greenlanders by Jane Smiley and loved it – see my review right here on Substack – and now I’m reading an eARC of The Swell by Kat Gordon, which has a similar, slightly more contemporary vibe, only it’s set in Iceland. Reading the two in conversation with each other has been great – perhaps Nordic sagas are my thing?!

Like I mention in my ‘Birthday Reading’ post on Substack today, I picked out a few books for my birthday month, including A Magical Girl Retires which has the most beautiful cover. I’m enjoying it so far, although it’s such a short read at 160 pages that I’ll probably finish it by tomorrow night.

TV-wise, I’m back in my Disney+ era. I finished Little Miss Innocent in one evening, and also started watching High Potential on the recommendation of my colleagues. So far, I’m loving it! Fast-paced, clever and full of great one-liners, I even have an episode playing right now.

Find me on Goodreads and StoryGraph to see what I’m reading and reviewing in real-time.

Links I’ve Loved

Picked this up for my library. Completely unnecessary, of course.
Utterly obsessed with this sweet strawberry-embroidered dress.
Love seeing friends follow their hearts; Michelle’s Blythe doll Substack is a total joy.
Ella opened up a conversation on being in the in-between and ‘not having any’ life updates to share.
This piece by Amandine struck a chord too.