what i love in february

a monthly collection of the places, practices, stories and small things that bring joy.

lovesong coffee + market – north park, san diego

north park is full of little gems, and lovesong is one of my favorites. the ambience is light and airy with it’s open storefront and sweet retro-aesthetic interior, making it a wonderful place to study or read a book. i recently spent a lovely hour there reading a used copy of harry potter that i picked up at verbatim books across the street (another north park treasure). in addition to all the staples, lovesong’s menu is full of novel flavor combinations; i tried the jack johnson latte (banana, maple, coconut!) on my last visit and i highly recommend.

little italy farmer’s market – little italy, san diego

one of the many blessings that comes with life in san diego is the abundance of local farmer’s markets. they pop up in different neighborhoods almost every day of the week, and as spring starts teasing with multiple sunny days in a row, i’m excited to wander through aisles of local vendors again. my roommate and i attended little italy’s market for the first time this month, where we spent a sunny saturday late-morning meandering through stalls, sipping our latte and smoothie, sampling fresh, local hummus and orange slices and granola and tamales, and sitting on the curb sharing pastries. if you visit, keep an eye out for baba foods, salty lemonade, and french gourmet.

apricity by sian camille

i happily stumbled upon this podcast not long after coincidentally creating a pinterest board with the same name. apricity is an obscure word meaning the warmth of the sun in winter. i love this definition, and i love camille’s podcast just as much. she covers spirituality, self care, and personal growth with eloquence and intentionality – and with the most calming, beautiful voice! if you’re looking for a quick episode to get a taste, i recommend practices for when your heart feels heavy.

sex and the city

i have deep commitment issues when it comes to starting a tv series, but when i finally settled down for all six seasons of this classic, i couldn’t believe i hadn’t started sooner. the early-2000s fashion inspiration alone is enough to keep me hooked, not to mention the bustling new york city portrayal and unapologetic delight in stereotypical female interests. also, there’s something to be said for the escapism of getting lost in someone else’s boy problems for once.

down the drain by julia fox

i am a proud, devoted, and vocal adorer of julia fox. her fashion. her boldness. her intelligence. her power. even her melodic drawling valley girl voice is music to my ears. of course i eagerly awaited the release of her memoir, and lord, it does not disappoint. i spent numerous nights staying up late, unable to put down the raw and fearless recounting of her adventures: psycho ex-boyfriends, a short-lived dominatrix career, cross-country road trips, and harrowing glimpses into the darker sides of fame and nightlife to name a few. a natural storyteller, fox draws you into her whirlwind life story with unflinching rawness and honesty as she recounts the relationships, experiences, and cities that made her the pop culture icon she is today. check out indie bound to find your local independent booksellers, or order online here.

independent yoga practice

yoga can be one the most healing, adaptable forms of movement, and it provides unique mental clarity and rejuvenation that i rarely find anywhere else. lately my weekdays have been filled with school and work, so on evenings when i’m drained and tight on time, i’ve found solace in rolling out my mat and practicing at home. environment is key in a spiritual wellness practice, so make your space a sanctuary. as much as i love a studio class, i’ve been savoring the ritual of lighting candles, lowering the lights, and playing my favorite instrumental music. practicing yoga by yourself can also be a great way to reconnect with your body, allowing you to move freely without feeling watched or guided – an opportunity we’re so rarely presented with in our daily lives. i find an irreplicable freedom and release in solitary movement, and yoga has helped provide that. for beginners (or anyone looking to expand their practice), youtube offers excellent guidance and tutorials.

the candle i’ve been burning during evening flows:

anthropologie’s night gardenia ~ $18.

until next month,

sophie estelle