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Weekend plans, recently published stories, and a mood board for spring
This email is part of my Monthly Updates column, which includes my latest published stories, a mood board, and shareables like what I’m reading and making.
It is spring, bubbies! The prolonged daylight and warm sun has provided me with a renewed energy I didn’t realize I was missing. A month ago I was hating on it. Today I am basking in it. This past month has been full of movement. I’ve become entirely consumed with tennis, which I haven’t played competitively since high school. I’m in a league and won my first match last weekend. I have also rediscovered my love for climbing, spurred partly because we’re heading to Smith to touch real rock next weekend and I want to feel confident as a rope gun.
I had to look back at my calendar to remember what I did in March, and I don’t have too many updates to share. I tried a cute new wine bar in our neighborhood. I made ravioli for the first time. I discovered a new favorite fitness class. I got bangs. I hit a lot of tennis balls. I went to the dentist. I projected an 11a route. I broke a sweat in hot yoga. I kissed a llama. I declined an invite to Peru.
In my freelance digest for paid subscribers, I wrote about how I’m not going on any more press trips this year—or at least not ones that require me to hop on a plane. March was absent of work trips, and I liked staying home and falling into my own rhythm. I felt like I had more space for friends and my little family, and I also had more space to take care of myself and lean into my needs.
Today that meant taking it easy. I’m sitting on my front porch in the shade because the direct sun is much too hot. Kona is beside me in the grass. Later, some friends are coming over to get psyched for our climbing trip. We’ll eat pizza and watch a climbing film. Tomorrow Steve and I are working on the van during the day and I have my next tennis match in the evening. And then Sunday I’m hosting cookbook club. I’m making Earl grey scones and Spanish eggs. I hope you have an equally delicious weekend ahead.
Love and light,
P.S. Fellow freelance writer
interviewed me for her newsletter . I shared about balancing work hours, getting story ideas from PR pitches, searching for new stories, and the troubles with freelancing right now. Her newsletter is an excellent resource for all types of writers.
Latest Stories
Hikerkind Launched Its First Hiking Shoe, a Collab With KEEN (Field Mag)
Mud Season Is Coming. Here’s How to Survive It. (Backpacker)
The very first Yoga Diaries column for Yoga Journal is live, edited by yours truly. This one is about a student who can’t stop critiquing herself. I’m always open to submissions, so let me know if you want to send a diary entry.
Every conversation I overheard at the climbing gym last night was about tariffs, so I’m resharing my longform feature for Outside. I’m also reporting a news story about how tariffs are impacting the outdoor industry. Please reach out if you have any expert sources (looking at you, my PR friends).
Monthly Shareables
Reading: I needed a palate cleanser between nonfiction so I picked up Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter. DUDE. This book is violent and twisted AF. The synopsis does not prepare you for what you’re about to read. Not a nighttime leaf-through.
Meanwhile, this Oregon Humanities piece on motherhood, what our bodies can handle, what our minds remember by
was a joy.
Making: I adore this striped pair of Ruffle Brunch Pants (pattern by Matchy Matchy Sewing Club). I also made a pair of shorts out of a thrifted tablecloth. Other patterns I’ve made lately include the Boxcar Shirt and the Lilly Pilly Top.
Buying: These Izipizi sunglasses are what gorp girl dreams are made of.
Testing: As I mentioned above, Hikerkind collaborated with KEEN on some stunning leather boots. I’m taking these out into the Columbia River Gorge soon.
Listening: One of my editors (and new friends!) recommended this podcast about rediscovering and reframing your ambition. It came at the exact right time for me.
As for music, Jelani Aryeh is on repeat in preparation for a music festival. I think I’ve listened to this song Bleed about 100 times already. And HAIM’s latest bops.
April Mood
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