May Bucket List
Happy May everyone! What do you love about the month of May? For those of us in Chicago, May is when things really start to come alive. Flowering trees are in full bloom, warmer weather seems here to stay, and BBQ’s plans are starting to be the hot topic of conversation. Everywhere I turn, the photographer in me sees moments to capture. From baby ducks, to beautiful crabapple blossoms, to the change in the way the sunlight hits the kitchen in the afternoon. May’s bucket list features warmer weather activities, holidays in May, how to incorporate spring into baking, and so much more! I hope you’re enjoying the sunshine!
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May Bucket List
- Visit a local farm or petting zoo to see baby animals like baby goats, pigs, and sheep! Lots of baby animals are born this month. During our spring walks we see baby birds, ducks, and rabbits and it’s very heart warming. To see baby birds, you don’t necessarily have to even leave your home. Each spring when we sit on our patio, we get to see lots of different birds take a rest in our backyard. If you pay attention, you may even see them feeding their babies! This celebration of the circle of life brings lots of wonder if you slow down long enough to take a look.
- Buy a few new sundresses for your summer events or just for any warm day. Since it’s colder here longer than it’s warm, I take the first chance I get to put dresses back into rotation. Putting on a midi or maxi dress takes less time in the mornings and can be paired with a light sweater or jean jacket. I’ve also been loving a long white skirt and pairing it with a white tank top and a baby pink or blue cardigan. It really makes me feel dressed for spring.
- Try baking lavender cupcakes with honey buttercream. If you have a baby shower, wedding, or fun outdoor party, celebrate with these delicious and fluffy cupcakes. I’d wanted to develop a spring-y cupcake recipe for awhile and I finally did (my recipe to-do list is longgg but I’m working through it). Add a light sprinkle of dried lavender buds on top!
- May is national BBQ month! Plan a BBQ with your friends or family and enjoy the warm weather BBQ vibes!
- Feliz Cinco de Mayo! If you aren’t familiar with the history about this holiday, take a few minutes to learn. A few ideas for celebrating are supporting your local Mexican businesses. Visit a local art gallery or museum that honors Mexican history and culture. Look up traditional foods that you can attempt to make yourself or enjoy at a local restaurant.
- Start planning a garden party. If you have a backyard, plan to string up flowers on fishing wire or create small bouquets for your outdoor table. Use a cheesecloth table runner for a rustic vibe and pretty colored glass bottles for mini flower bouquets. Or plan to lay out blankets and have a picnic in the yard. Buy enough supplies for everyone to make DIY flower crowns. Check out my garden party Pinterest board for more ideas!
- Make a DIY simple syrup kit for your spring/summer flavored drinks. Making simple syrup at home is a lot easier than you may think! Write a list of ingredients, gather everything, then spend an afternoon making the syrups. Check out my recipes for simple syrup, honey simple syrup, lavender syrup, and earl grey syrup. I make all my syrups on the same day and keep them in these 12 oz glass bottles or my favorite 8.5 oz flip top glass bottles (which look really cute). I recently bought an embossing label maker with water resistant labels so I can label each bottle for fun and they look aesthetically pleasing. Simple syrup can last a month in the refrigerator and it’s so easy to add to your homemade drinks when the syrup is prepared.
- Sign up for a magazine subscription. Archaic, I know. My personal mental health goal has been to stop doom scrolling on my phone. There’s something enjoyable about sitting outside in a comfortable chair on a warm day and flipping through a magazine. The best part is I find so much inspiration from physical magazines because I can cut things out for my junk journal, keep the page open on my desk, or just leave a sticky note to bookmark it for later. Often I’ll save things on my phone to try later but they get lost in the endless “like” archives of social media. Getting a magazine in the mail is something to look forward to.
- If you’re attending or hosting an engagement party, baby shower, birthday, flowery event, etc., try following my buttercream flower cupcake blog post and how-to video! You’ll learn how to pipe buttercream flowers on cupcakes, easy piping techniques, which piping tips to use, and I also share my recipes. They make a nice touch to a dessert table and will impress the guests.
- Happy Mother’s Day! My family gets together for brunch and we get to enjoy each other’s company! We cross our fingers every mother’s day that the weather is warm enough to eat outside. My mom loves flowers (probably where I got my interest from), so this year I’ll be buying flowers from Trader Joe’s to make my own bouquet to gift her. They really have some nice flowers that last awhile. I’ve also made this sugar cookie flower bouquet in the past which is a big hit.
- Get walking! Warmer weather is a great time to start walking outside for fresh air and sun. If you can, try walking with a friend or significant other to catch up on life things while exercising. I’ve been going for walks after dinner and it’s been helpful for digestion or a stressful work day. It’s important to invest in a good pair of walking shoes to protect your feet. These New Balance fresh foam shoes are my favorite shoe purchase last spring.
- Visit a local state park, a national park, or a nature center. We try our best to start our outdoor adventures early in the morning after a protein filled breakfast. It’s cooler in the morning and the UV is not as strong. Everywhere I go I carry SPF 50, and try my best to reapply it throughout the day (especially if you’re sweating it off). My favorite velvety textured SPF for my face doesn’t sting my eyes, doesn’t have a white cast, and doesn’t even smell like sunscreen. Win, win, win.
- It’s gardening season! In Chicago we usually plant after the last frost which is typically after mother’s day. It’s always an exciting day to head to the local nursery and pick out seeds or plants (if you know, you know). The thought of the garden coming alive again is magical.
- Play a round of mini golf. I’m not sure if this only pertains to the Midwest, but if you were to visit and ask to do something Midwest-ish, mini golf would be on a list. It’s a fun date idea, family outing, or if your friends want to try something slightly active. In true Midwest fashion, go to an ice cream shop after!
- Try to stay off your phone first thing in the morning. This has been such a mood lifter for me. Instead of waking up and revving up my nervous system with overstimulating news, images, and videos… I brush my teeth, prep breakfast, and change into workout clothes. It’s hard to try a new routine but it really helps to limit that overwhelmed feeling in the morning.
- Reflect on the goals that you made waaay back in January. Are you aligned with them? Have you been able to complete a small goal? We often forget to pause after we’ve accomplished something and quickly move on to the next thing. Maybe where you are now is where you wanted to be a few months ago. Or maybe you haven’t started your goals and that’s OK too! It’s never too late! Make sure to give yourself some much deserved credit along the way.
- Make an iced earl grey matcha latte. I was completely inspired to make this drink at home after I saw it in a coffee shop. Earl grey syrup + matcha latte = my two favorite drinks. Make a matcha latte and earl grey simple syrup. Use the earl grey syrup as the sweetener in your matcha latte. Seriously different and good. The earl grey isn’t overwhelming, it’s more subtle but adds a nice depth of flavor.
- Try bike riding along the local trails. If you don’t own a bike, many cities now have bike renting programs. It’s a lovely way to get some exercise and get out and see the neighborhood!
- Go out and get yourself some bubble tea or make it right at home. Bubble tea is one of my favorite drinks ever, but it can add up. I’ve followed this recipe online in order to make my own at home and it turns out great each time. I order these plastic bubble tea straws that I also use as supports when stacking cakes.
- With everything blooming and friends and family making summer plans, it may cause anxiety for some (raising my hand, does being hot and sweaty make anyone else overstimulated?). Sometimes the return of the long nights and busy warm days is really overwhelming. There’s this feeling that you have to be outside doing something, anything. Take some moments for yourself to find stillness and remember that you can choose what you want to give your energy to and that’s perfectly okay.
- Buy a new swimsuit for the summer season. I know, swimsuit shopping is not exactly a fun bucket list activity but once you have a swimsuit you won’t have to worry about it for the rest of the summer! I’ve been loving swimsuit cover wear because I’m very careful about my time in the sun. My favorite item last year was an oversized white button shirt and of course a wide brimmed sun hat (for protection and style). Get it over with and make future you happy.
- Plan your own manicure at-home. I followed this video on YouTube (I love her vlogs!) and the difference between prepping your nails and not prepping is really huge. My at-home manicure lasted for 8 days without chipping and I think that’s a new record.
- Make a healthy salad! As it gets warmer we crave light and cold foods. With famers market season here, the promise of fresh produce always inspires me to make a salad. I love this bright spring salad recipe! I’ve tried many recipes from this healthy food blogger, I love them!
- Go to the zoo or aquarium to learn about animals. Whether you go as a date or with young family members, it’s fun for everyone to be amazed seeing and learning about the creatures that live with us on our home planet. Getting educated about creatures big and small helps with the disconnect we may feel with nature. It helps to learn why it’s so important to care about all living things.
- Memorial Day usually kicks off the start of summer with a long weekend. We like to BBQ, get together, and enjoy a causal meal. It’s also important to acknowledge what this day means. Maybe you know a veteran personally that you can appreciate in your life, or show kindness to our hero’s who have served.
- Looking for a refreshing mocktail? Try making a strawberry basil fizz mocktail. Serve it to your guests in a chilled glass and enjoy a lazy hazy summer day. Muddled strawberries and basil, add strawberry syrup, club soda, and a strawberry on top. Mocktails are my new favorite thing to make at home, although I do think it’s all about the glass you serve it in. I’ve been loving these ribbed glasses! They’re heavy and good quality. We eat and drink with our eyes so while it may seem silly, nice glassware is a simple way to romanticize everyday life.
- Plant herbs in pots. This is great if you have a small space or balcony but still want a garden. You can have tons of success with potted herbs.
- Read a book outside. Grab your sunglasses, a hat, and sit down and read! For me, it can be hard to read because I’ll feel guilty for not being “productive.” Reminder for me and maybe for you, reading is not unproductive! It’s so healthy for the mind! I’m currently reading The Sirens by Emilia Hart.
- Go out for ice cream. There’s nothing as nostalgic as going to get ice cream after dinner, eating it outside, and having it drip all over you. Okay, maybe we can avoid the dripping (highly unlikely though) and enjoy a warm night with a sweet treat. If you’re up for a change, try a new flavor too. This summer I’m determined to find a lavender ice cream flavor made in a local ice cream shop.
- Plan to visit a U-pick farm! I had always wanted to pick my own strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, you name it. The whole experience of getting a little dirty, picking fruit right off the plant, and even sampling some…is a great and tasty experience. If you like taking pictures, some of the U-pick farms are very pretty and make for a summer photo opportunity. I went to my first U-pick farm in South Haven, MI, and wrote about it here!
- Practice your wonder during May. The way I see it is that we live in a fast paced world and are forgetful of the little things around us like birdsong or the way a sunset looks. That’s okay. We all have a lot going on, but sometimes you have to make yourself pause and get curious about something. Search up what rock is this? What bird looks like it has a mustache? (Not joking about that one, so cute!) Enjoy making a breakfast that looks pretty (garnish and all) or buy flowers for a friend. We can have fast moments and slow moments, it’s just about finding the in-between moments.
I hope you enjoy the month of May!
