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 watched the first spring flowers bloom – daffodils, crocus, and tulips. The April bucket list is full of cheerful flowery ideas to enjoy this time of year when everything comes 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, you can 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 healthy and refreshing 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 I try to walk outside as much as I can! The sunshine, birdsong, and break from the screen gives me a much needed pause 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 their layout. There’s many things to take into consideration such as what parts of 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 or 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 as 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 a long time.
- Go shopping for some new spring wardrobe pieces. This spring I bought a retro pair of leopard colored sunglasses to go with my outfits! Besides looking stylish, sunglasses protect your eyes from the sun. Speaking of sun protection, I’ve become a hat person! Hats can instantly change the vibe of your outfit while also protecting you from the sun! I purchased this wide brim sun hat and cannot wait to wear it all spring and summer long.
- Start doing some spring cleaning around the house. Instead of trying to clean the whole house at once, start with one room at a time. It can be a slow process and that’s okay because it’s just about getting started. Sometimes cleaning up a space will leave you feeling motivating to tackle other projects around the house. I like to watch a show or listen to music to help 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 nature needed. The perfect night for me is a warm 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 rain sound video in order to find 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 to rotate 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. Two new flavors that I also love are the strawberry hibiscus oolong and wildflower honey citrus green tea. It’s like drinking spring in a mug but not overwhelming.
- 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 having lots of time to research places to visit. Planning early makes it more enjoyable because I don’t feel 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 from searching on Pinterest. If you want some travel guides of places to go in the Midwest, check out my blog posts here!
- 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 gets together for homemade brunches and it’s really fun to see everyone during a causal mid-morning 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. Back when it was becoming harder to find eggs, I started looking to support local farmers. I try my best to support the small businesses around my city but farmers selling eggs aren’t very well known in my area. I did some digging using this website where you put in your zip code to help find local sellers. 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 which means we can break out our rain gear. I know it’s easy to throw up a hood and run 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 (plus it looks cute!). Personally, I love the rain and it’s fun to dress for it! It’s romanticizing the little things that make life fun!
- Get outside and notice the birds. Last year, A and I kinda sorta became birders (or bird watchers). Before this I couldn’t tell many birds apart. I know, some of you are thinking how silly, but it’s really the most mindful and peaceful activity. On a walk we spotted the bluest bird I’ve ever seen and wanted to identify it. This is when I really started stopping 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.
- Spring baking is here! Try baking my vanilla cupcakes and decorating them with flower shapes using American buttercream. There are perfect if you have a spring birthday, baby shower, or wedding and are looking for inspiration. This post and video will teach you have to pipe on buttercream. If you’re not quite ready for piping, check out my lavender cupcakes with honey buttercream recipe. These are some of my favorite cupcakes I’ve ever baked!
- 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! My favorite brand is KISS because they have cute designs and they always last about 10 days with proper application. These French tip floral press on nails are my go to when I don’t have time to paint them or get them done.
- 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 checking your phone. 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 constantly feel the need to check our phones. Looking up and around, or giving your full attention to your friend is refreshing. It might take some practice, but we don’t really 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! Wear a cute dress and don’t forget your sunglasses or hat if you want to take some cute pictures.
- 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 much more. Taking the time to learn how we can contribute our small part is a great step to taking care of our planet and one another.
- Make lavender honey scones! In my recipe, you’ll pulse lavender and sugar together to create a nice aromatic flavor, and brush the tops with honey for that perfect touch of sweetness. 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 up, 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 range 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 giving it a try 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 arrangements at home or when I put together bouquet for someone. There’s also books and online tutorials that can be really helpful.
- Make your own afternoon tea. I’ve gone to a few afternoon teas and they’ve always been so much fun. Plan an afternoon tea for friends or family! Start by preparing a list of treats you’d like to make or buy. Pick out teacups or mugs, and decide if you’ll decorate the with a tablecloth or flowers. You can buy or bake scones and cookies. Put together little finger sandwiches and present on a serving tray or a tiered cake stand! Brew a favorite tea and serve in a teapot to really get into the theme and enjoy a very 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 😅 Sometimes it’s just easier to go to the store with only 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 blooms and sunshine!
If you enjoy these bucket lists, find May’s bucket list here!
