April Bucket List
Spring has finally arrived! What’s that? More snow in the forecast…must be Chicago weather. Although snow is still a possibility, spring has once again made its way to us. It’s such a wonder to see small green buds suddenly appear out of nowhere in March, only for them to grow fuller and plenty in April. We saw the earliest snowdrops poke through the cold ground and get to watch the first spring flowers bloom – daffodils, crocus, and tulips. The April bucket list is full of cheerful ideas to enjoy this time of year when everything starts to come alive. Spring is my favorite season because of the anticipation of whats to come!
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April Bucket List
- Decorate a cake with edible flowers! During the summer I plant lavender, chamomile, and nasturtium. I grow these both in pots and directly in the ground. Since summer blooms are still a bit far away, I buy edible flowers from trusted sources. I’ve found fresh edible flowers at local grocery stores in the refrigerated section, or I’ve bought dried flowers from trusted stores. Don’t buy flowers from the floral section of a grocery store because they’re often sprayed with pesticides and you don’t want those chemicals on your desserts!
- Start taking walks during your lunch break. If you sit behind a computer all day, it’s nice to get up and stretch the legs. If you’re able, try to get outside for a walk. If you work from home you can walk around your block or go to a nearby park. With the weather getting warmer and more sunny days ahead, I try to walk outside as much as I can! The sunshine, birdsong, and break from the screen gives me have a much needed break to carry on with the rest of my afternoon.
- Plan out your garden! This is always such an important (and a little stressful) part of gardening. Each year we’ve got a little more ambitious with what flowers and vegetables we want to grow and the layout. There’s many things to take into consideration such as what parts the garden get full sun, what gets shade, the aesthetic layout, and your vision for the future of your garden. It’s okay to start small with potted plants and a small vegetable patch!
- Buy flowers for yourself or a friend just because. One of my favorite places to buy flowers is Trader Joe’s. They’re reasonably priced and have a great selection to choose from. Many of the flowers types are sold individually instead of a mixed bouquet which means you can create your own bouquets! When I take care of the flowers by cutting the stems, changing the water, and adding the flower food packets, I find that most of the bouquets last for two weeks!
- Go shopping for some new spring wardrobe pieces. This spring I bought a retro pair of leopard colored sunglasses to go with my outfits! I’ve been really wanting to wear midi and long dresses. The longer dresses give me some sun protection while staying cool! I’m loving this midi dress from A&F and it comes in different colors! Even though I love the long dresses, I also love this active wear dress too! It has hidden shorts and pockets, which makes it perfect for running errands.
- Start doing some spring cleaning around the house. Instead of trying to clean the whole house at once, try to start with one room at a time. Or try to start with just a counter or desk! It can be a slow process and that’s okay because it’s just about trying to get started. Sometimes cleaning up a space can be motivating to tackle other projects around the house. I like to watch a show or listen to music to help me enjoy the process a little bit more.
- Listen to rain sounds or nature sounds for sleeping. You know what they say, April showers brings May flowers! I personally love the rain especially during the warmer months. After a good rain everything looks greener and brighter and it’s just what the Earth needed! The perfect night for me is a warmer night with a soft rain that I can listen to as I try to sleep. Of course this doesn’t happen every night so I like to use this video in order to find that comfort.
- Spring clean your skincare products! I was obsessed with the Korean 10-step skincare routine when it first became popular. My shelf of bottles and tubes grew and I tried and rotated products often. Although I still like to try new skincare products, I’ve created a more simplistic routine that proves to work just as well. I try to make sure to finish my current products before buying new ones. If you have products that you don’t use, expired ones, or even ones that caused breakouts or bad reactions, it’s okay to do some spring cleaning. This will give you a refreshed space!
- Try a spring tea blend. One of my favorite online tea shops is Tea Forte. I’ve been purchasing from them for a long time and I’ve tried so many of their blends because they’re just that good! My favorite spring inspired flavors are cherry blossom, blueberry merlot, and cherry marizpan. I just ordered two flavors I haven’t tried before, strawberry hibiscus oolong and wildflower honey citrus green tea. It’s like drinking spring in a mug.
- Go get a sweet treat with a friend or family member. We like to go to a local café to meet up and chat. If we have nicer weather then it’s such a treat to sit outside! I search for cafés that are in cute areas or that have a relaxed atmosphere.
- Time to start planning your summer trip. If you’re anything like me then you might like to have lots of time to plan and research places to go. Planning early makes it more enjoyable and I don’t have a sense of feeling rushed. This year we plan to go a few places and I’ve been doing lots of researching/reading blogs about fun things to do. I find a lot of “local” spots just by finding blog posts!
- Plan a spring brunch with your family or friends. Whether you plan to go out to eat or want to have a brunch at home, you can get dressed up in a cute spring outfit! My family sometimes gets together for homemade brunches and it’s really fun to see everyone for a more causal meal. We decorate the table with a cute spring tablecloth, flowers, and pretty glassware. It doesn’t have to be too over the top, just whatever makes you happy!
- Check out local egg sellers. Around the time it started becoming harder to find eggs, I began looking into local farmers who sold eggs. I’ve try my best to support small businesses but never bought eggs directly from local farmers. The farmers aren’t very well known in my area unless you do some digging to find them like using this website to put in your zip code. The eggs always taste so much better and I feel happier to support these businesses.
- Buy yourself a raincoat and rain boots! April brings much needed rain and with that we can break out our rain gear. I know it’s easy to throw up a hood and run inside to your car, but there’s something nice about dressing for the weather. When I have a pair of rain boots and raincoat on, I feel like I can take my time walking to the car or doing my errands instead of a mad dash for a door. Personally, I love the rain and it’s nice to dress for it!
- Get outside and notice the birds. Last year, A and I kinda sorta became birders (or bird watchers). Before this I couldn’t tell any birds a part besides the popular ones. I know, some of you are thinking how silly, but it’s really the most mindful and peaceful activity. We love going for hikes but it wasn’t until I saw the bluest bird I’ve ever seen and wanted to identify it that I really stopped to notice the creatures around me. The Merlin Bird app helps you identify through recording birds, pictures, and descriptions – it really is cool. Slowly down and looking at birds has helped me in so many ways as a reminder to stay curious and mindful.
- Try baking and decorating flower cupcakes! Maybe you have a spring birthday, baby shower, or wedding and are looking for inspiration. Or maybe you want to learn how to pipe some buttercream flowers! Check out my buttercream flowers tutorial that has my vanilla cupcake and vanilla buttercream recipe.
- Try a spring nail design by treating yourself to a manicure! If you’re unsure of a pattern you can look for inspiration on Pinterest! Or try cute press on nails. My favorite brand is KISS because they have cute designs and they always last about 10 days with proper application.
- Open your windows and let in the fresh air. It’s especially wonderful on a slightly breezy day and the curtains gently move in the wind. After a long winter it feels amazing to let in spring and let out the stale winter air.
- Go sit in a park alone or with a friend and enjoy the day chatting without a cellphone. Try leaving the phone in your pocket or purse and just take in the world around you. It’s easy to get absorbed in our own worlds when we have so much to do and look down at our phones constantly. Looking up and around, or giving your full attention to your friend is refreshing. It might take some practice, but we don’t need to look at our phones so much!
- Find a clear space in your home to roll out a yoga mat and exercise! Some favorite at home yoga videos are from this creator on YouTube. One thing that I love about these at home yoga videos is that you can find one for almost anything. Whether it’s morning yoga, yoga for mobility, yoga for stress, or yoga to wind down at night, there’s something for everyone.
- Host a picnic for your friends or significant other! Pack a lunch or your favorite snacks in a cute picnic basket, grab a blanket, and head to the park or beach for a picnic!
- Celebrate Earth day! There are many ways to raise awareness about how to take care of our planet. Have an open mind and learn about pollinator friendly plants to add to your garden or balcony. Plant a tree, help clean up your local spaces, learn about composting, invest in a rain barrel, and so many more ideas.
- Make lavender honey scones! My recipe uses my favorite scone base, pulsing lavender and sugar together, and brushing the tops with honey. They aren’t too overwhelming with lavender so there’s no “soapy” floral taste! They bake up into soft and crumbly scones with a crisper outside. Perfect for enjoying on a nice spring day with tea and a book or movie!
- Eat outside in your backyard or on your balcony. Once that warmer weather starts we are outside every chance we get! I work and read outside, eat brunches outside, and enjoy our backyard space. It’s something to be truly grateful for!
- Here in Chicago, our spring flowering ornamental trees are starting to bloom! I always look out for dogwood, crabapple, magnolias, and Eastern redbuds trees. Even though every spring I take pictures, I can’t help but take more. The blossoms don’t last long which is probably why it’s such a special time. The blossoming trees are beautiful and ranging from white and shades of pretty pink. The delicate flowers are such a joy to see!
- Visit a local botanic garden or nature center. We love to take long walks through our local botanic garden, especially when it’s a lovely day outside!
- Find a flower arranging class! I’ve been obsessed with learning how to arrange flowers ever since I started buying them and trying myself. Learning from a florist in person was the best, and it was such a nice way to spend a few hours on a weekend afternoon. It gave me more confidence to make arranges myself for my home and to give as gifts. There’s also books and online tutorials that can be really helpful.
- Make your own afternoon tea at home for yourself or plan it with friends. I’ve gone to a few afternoon teas and always wanted to try to recreate them at home! You can buy or bake scones and cookies. Put together little finger sandwiches and serve on a serving tray or a tiered cake stand! You can brew your favorite tea and enjoy a special afternoon.
- Visit a nursery or plant shop to start gathering ideas for your garden! Being in a garden shop always gives me lots of motivation to pick out plants. Although sometimes the options are very overwhelming 😅 That’s why go into the store with the intention to browse and gather ideas! It’s also a great place to pick out a hanging flower basket, or to add a new houseplant!
- Take a long, leisurely stroll to enjoy the fresh air, sunshine (or rain), and the blossoming trees. With the anticipation of spring and it’s true arrival, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the excitement! It’s okay not to do everything on a to-do list, and to just enjoy being present. I hope you have a lovely April and get to enjoy some blooms and sunshine!
