spring favorites
things that bring me little pockets of joy
Hi newsletter friends!
Paris is getting warmer and sunnier, and I’m onto the last two weeks of classes before my study abroad time here ends…Sorry, I’ve been MIA on here! I’m swamped with schoolwork, traveling back to Edinburgh to find a place to live for September, and trying to make time to soak in the great weather, food, and culture. I figured this post doesn’t need to be a huge life update, but rather a list of things, experiences, and small details I’ve been loving have been making a busy spring more enjoyable. Onwards:)
I’m no social media influencer, so all the links I include are just to share ~ nothing is affiliate, but that’ll be so cool if I could get on the blogging game one day!
Le Specs Outta Love Sunglasses
I got two pairs of these sunnies last year in the colors Tort and Classic Black, and honestly, they’re the best things on earth. I’ve been rotating them non-stop for the past two weeks, and both colors go well with everything I wear. They’re fairly affordable and sturdy ~ I’ve thrown them in my bags way too many times, and they still hold up so well. It’s a good level of tint for a bright day out, and I’m all about protecting my eyes while trying to bring a bit of style to match up to par with the rest of the well-dressed Parisians in the city.
Pandan Scented Candle from Hush Singapore
Okay, this one is a splurge (SGD $35 for the large one), because as my mom says, buying expensive candles is literally like burning money. But this scent! Notes of lemongrass, pandan leaves, and wildflowers ~ this smells like home away from home. My best friend Nikko bought me one in February before I went back to Paris, and I’ve been cherishing it ever since. It’s a therapeutic scent to inhale before going to bed, and it burns evenly.
Poléne Bags ~ Cyme and Cyme Mini
Hear me out! I used to really want a Cyme bag from Polene a few years ago. Then I heard rumors that the quality had gone down, and I insisted to a family friend that I would never buy a bag from here, but…Now I have two. My friend Lilya put me on them again after I saw her bag, which she had had for four years, still looking great and sturdy. My mom was in town, so we managed to get a decent-sized tax refund at the store here by Palais Royal, and the sales associate told me they sold around 350 large totes a day. So, the hype is still real. I’ve been meaning to downsize my bag collection for when I pack my life up to travel this summer, so these two are the only bags I need. I have the large tote for school in Root, and the smaller tote for everyday carry in Taupe. Highly recommend for a mid-range priced bag, as it’s 100% calf leather as well.
Kujten Cashmere Bandana Scarves
These are definitely more to hop on the trend, but believe me when I say that even tracking them down in the fashion capital of the world was one of the most annoying shopping challenges because of how popular they are. There are 15 stores across the city, and they were sold out of the most popular colors (Avoine ~ Oat, Khaki, Brown, Navy, and Bordeaux ~ wine red) because literally everyone is flying in to buy them (yes, they’re just scarves… yes, let me have this hyperfixation too!). Apparently, because they’re triple the price in the US, people are buying so many at a time here that the stores now have a limit of 1 scarf per customer per week. I tracked down the oat color, and I can see why everyone says it “elevates any outfit and keeps you warm.” In short, that was my emotional justification, too lol ~ should I head back next week for the Bordeaux…?
Repetto Ballet Flats
As a former prima ballerina myself*, I’m obsessed with ballet flats and everything Repetto. Everyone in town and their sisters and mothers are wearing them so well this spring. I have the classic black leather pair in a EU size 38 (which I’m still figuring out if it fits me properly, and I have insoles for them), and I just picked up the limited-edition red wine suede color called the ‘Kaia’, made in collaboration with Kaia Gerber. Apparently, these have also been flying off the shelves because the 2cm heel height is not normally available. I got these ones in an EU size 37, which I’m currently breaking in. They’re a little tight in the toe box, but I have a feeling, like my Flabelus Spanish flats, they’ll stretch out with time. I’m planning to style the black ones for when I go to work in an office this summer, and the suede ones when I’m walking around Singapore. These are my Paris souvenirs I’ll cherish for a long time.
*I was like every other daughter who was enrolled in ballet class as a toddler, but could not dance gracefully for the life of me. So I'll be cosplaying in these ballet flats, and you all should just let me!
Natrue Oat Milk & Loveramics Embossed Tasting Cup
Onto smaller things. I found out that Loveramics, the supplier of many of the cups you see at your local coffee shop, has a store here in Le Marais. I make my coffee in this every morning, and it gives me the illusion that I’m actually sitting in a cafe (even though it’s just my trusty Nespresso). I also found a new oat milk brand at my local Franprix grocery store ~ this is the cheapest on the market that isn’t the Franprix house brand. It’s light, creamy, and less sugary than the Oatly brand that I usually get. Dare I say this is now the best oat milk brand in town?
Moom Health Super Ashwagandha
I’ve been diligent with taking my supplements, and this one from Moom has been doing God’s work for me. It’s helped me sleep through the night a bit better and maybe a little more relaxed during the day?? I’m not sure about the latter, but I’d like to think it does something. They’re affordably priced, and I’m thinking of picking up their curated daily wellness packs for Edinburgh in the fall when I’m back in Singapore this summer. Also, the packaging looks real cute, so it makes taking them fun.
Rhode Lip Boost & Snap on Lip Case & Salty Tan & Lip Liners
I’m a huge Rhode fan, so much so that I routinely check out their subreddit to look through what people are saying about new launches. I’ve struggled with dry lips in the past, and I take after my dad with a naturally darker, mauvey lip color, so once I got my hands on their lip boost, it really brought back the rosy color I’ve been lacking. I’ve also been loving storing my lippies on the back of my phone via magsafe (pictured is the color pretzel), and playing around with some lip liners (shades: balance, twist, lean, and lunge). They mix really well with the salty tan shade lip gloss, though I wish that was scented. Collecting Rhode is a small thing that brings me bits of joy, and it’s so fun to mix and match everyday:)
Charvin Watercolors
Last but not least, I’ve been spending bits of my free time in the Jardin du Luxembourg brushing up on my painting skills. I’ve been filling up my watercolor palette from Charvin (known as one of the oldest paint brands that supplied Monet), and have been sketching in my red passport-sized leather travel journal from Traveler’s Factory Japan - I picked up a watercolor paper insert in Tokyo back in February. I want to spend more time sitting in the park, but as I’m typing this, it’s raining…the weather is letting up though, so maybe!
If you made it to the end, thanks so much for reading! Hopefully you got the gist that I’ve been stocking up on every French souvenir before I move back to Scotland:) As mentioned, it’s been a little hectic, but I hope to share more as I wrap up my time here and bid goodbye to the city. In the meantime, I hope you liked this post!
~ Renee x