On My Radar — April
Places, pieces & feelings I’m longing for.
𖦹 Better on desktop, always 𖦹
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Casual Rituals
Small practices to make my days a little brighter, and my heart a little lighter.
Lighting small candles at my desk. A romantic way to measure time and add some ambiance without strong fragrance (which give me headaches lately).
Buying weekly flowers from the grocery store. A small treat to brighten up my office and let me play around with arranging. I like to reflex my tulip petals once they open up a bit to create a more unique shape — I love how this one ended up looking like an orchid!
Painting my nails. I’ve stuck to wearing a clear strengthening polish for the past year or so because I find it hard to keep up with chipped polish. Recently I’ve enjoyed making time to refresh my nails every week or so and create a new colour story to interact with as I go about my daily tasks.
This polish is Karma by BKIND, and my holy-grail nail strengthener is by Sienna which I got at my old work/fav small wellness shop Garden City Essentials!
Sorting treasures at the beach. When I’m feeling cooped up in the house, or have a sudden itch to shop (I love the thrill of the hunt) I’ve been trying to take myself down to the beach and sort through the pretty rocks and sea glass instead. I can get lost for hours doing this, and it’s a relaxing way to clear my head and ground myself when my thoughts are racing.
2. Now Playing
An album for every mood.
3. On the Hunt
The pieces I’m searching for (secondhand) this Spring, and the inspo behind them.
The Bias Cut Linen Maxi Skirt That Got Away
Update: I found one!!!
Vintage Cut Loose bias cut linen maxi skirt, which I sold in the last drop (left photo) and have been searching for in my size. I finally found one on Poshmark and am so excited for it to arrive!
Tanya Linen Twill Skirt by CP Shades, $378 CAD.
Vintage linen skirt from Bo Retro London on Etsy, $80.83 CAD.
Dydine Fitted Skirt - Sheer Linen by Baserange, $154 USD.
Livia Bias Skirt in Premium Linen by Jarbo, $248 USD.
The Perfect Brown Cotton Trench
Brown Pauet Trench Coat by Paloma Wool, $615 USD via Clothbase.
Long Pocket Leather Coat by Zara, no longer available.
The Modern Mermaid Pouch
Amal Bag by Soeur Paris, $355 CAD.
Inga Bucket Bag by Azar Studio, €330.
Lola Bag by Azar Studio, €245.
Small Tangle Bag by Jil Sander, $500 CAD via Poshmark.
Sage Medium Matte Twill Bag by Hvisk, $110 CAD.
Leighton Bag by Sonya Lee, $437 CAD.
The Cool Girl Capris
90’s Guess Low Rise Capris via Fever Dream Vntg on Etsy, $40 CAD.
Y2K Parker’s Belted Capri Jeans via Lover Boys LA on Etsy, $28 CAD.
Vintage Plaid Crinkle Pedal Pushers via sssggg on Etsy, $53 CAD.
Vintage Capris with Ribbon Detail via Style Vintage Clothes on Etsy, $55CAD.
The Effortless Cotton Poplin Outfit
Arles Top by Soeur Paris, $230 CAD.
Arielle Dress by Soeur Paris, $445 CAD.
Strapless Cotton Top by Deiji Studios, $154 CAD.
Ease Trouser & Pleat Top by Deiji Studios, $166 CAD & $144 CAD.
The Bow Dress by Deiji Studios, $197 CAD.
Bow Dress in Chocolate by Brooke Callahan, $155 USD.
Secondhand GAP dress with sweet bow details that I thrifted recently!
The Fascinating Fasteners
90’s Ralph Lauren Jacket via Ebay, $602 USD.
90’s Fireman Leather Jacket via Two Fold Vintage.
Nolan Leather Jacket by Paloma Wool, $2030 USD.
Mary Jane Weejun Flats by GH Bass, $205 CAD via Anthropologie.
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4. Longing for Home, Wherever it May Be.
8 months ago I packed up my life and moved across the country. Something I had been dreaming of for years, finally a reality. The main thing this move has taught me about myself is that I will always find pieces of Home in places I've left behind. I think this explains the sense of perpetual homesickness I’ve felt for as long as I can remember.
Growing up, I always felt stifled and unrepresented by my hometown and dreamed of moving to the Big City to start fresh. I felt unlucky to be born in a place that was so isolating when there were so many vibrant and comforting cities out there. After high school I made the big move and started a new chapter that, in hindsight, taught me so much about myself and my needs. I felt free to explore my creativity and found comfort in feeling small in a big place.
Unexpectedly, after a few years, I had to move back home and I faced a stillness and loneliness I was deeply unprepared for. I missed the independence I had in the city, and the feeling of limitless possibilities that it brought (along with the tender naivety that being a teenager brings). But in that period, I also found time and space to reconnect with myself in a transformational way. I was entering my 20’s alone, and content with being alone. Learning those things about myself gave me a better framework to craft new dreams and goals.
On my first trip back to Thailand since I was a child, I was overcome with a yearning to be surrounded the culture and family that I was disconnected from for most of my life. Being in Thailand with this new understanding of myself unlocked a deep sense of belonging that I had never felt before or knew was possible. I saw a glimmer of myself in the things I found important and beautiful. It gave me an appreciation for a slower way of living, and reminded me how simple it can be to feel at home no matter where you go.
I spent the following years building a quiet but enriching life very close my hometown. I enjoyed my routines, and cherished my stable, loving relationship. I had such a strong sense of Home within myself, that my location felt unimportant.
Last year my partner moved away and we did long distance. Though scary at first, this new independence gave me valuable time to be truly alone with myself for the first time ever. I’m very grateful that those 8 months of growth were a positive experience for us. At the same time, this shift sparked a familiar feeling of being stuck in my routines when there was so much out there in the world for me to experience. I found myself longing once more for a change of scenery, and started picturing a dream life on the West Coast where I was happier, healthier, enriched culturally, surrounded by likeminded community…the list goes on. I was convinced that life in BC would surround me with the mountains and sea that I loved and missed in Thailand, while still offering the possibility for a creative, quiet, and familiar daily life that I value deeply. It felt like the perfect culmination of all the places I’d called home before, and I worked tirelessly to make this move happen and finally find the perfect Home.
And here I am, 8 months later — Longing for the quiet, mundane life in my old apartment, going to my local bakery, and visiting the same grocery and thrift stores every week. This homesickness feels confusing, when I’m surrounded by the potential I had dreamed of for so long. Most of all, it serves as a reminder that no matter where I go, somewhere else will feel like home.
But that feeling isn’t a sign to run, to go back. It’s a reminder that with every move, every chapter, I am growing and learning about how I want to move forward. That homesickness I feel isn’t a longing for a place, it’s a recognition of myself in a new light.
I look forward to spending the next few years here, learning more about myself and deepening my understanding of Home without the pressure of finding the perfect fit.
𖦹 ꩜ 𖦹 ꩜ 𖦹 ꩜ 𖦹
6. Bits & Bobs
A few more things that I've dogeared this month.
Stella Blackmon’s nostalgic videography
I recently came across Stella Blackmon’s dreamlike video work on Instagram, and am in awe of this beautiful piece she contributed to in the New York Times.
‘Outfits and Interiors’ by Molly Blutstein
I’ve been following Molly for years, and have been loving her Substack newsletter In the Details with Molly. Her Outfits and Interiors series is so fun and inspiring!
Garbage Core
I found @garbagecore_ through Season Voice, a Japanese shop selling curated clothing and art that I also recently discovered and am obsessed with.
I love their playful but sophisticated upcycled pieces. Their use of lace, button, and ribbon motifs are so inspiring for Spring.
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That’s all for now! See you next time.
P.S. There’s a new vintage collection dropping this Sunday at 10am PDT! Sign up for my email list for more details.