what i love in march
a monthly collection of the places, practices, stories and small things that bring joy.
consignment classics – this warehouse is tucked off the highway between san diego’s mission hills and the airport, and it’s a delight to explore. i spent a rainy sunday afternoon by myself wandering, favorite coffee in hand, through aisles upon aisles of vintage furniture, home décor, and gardenware, absolutely happy as can be. i have fond childhood memories of scouring goodwills and used furniture stores with my mother, searching for our next d.i.y. project to fulfill my sudden desire for a gilded mirror or a colorful new dresser on a budget. my love for interior decorating comes alive in vintage and consignment markets like this one. most pieces here are on the pricier side, so i personally prefer to just take visual inspiration from my browsings, but if you’re hunting for a perfect, unique splurge for your space, you might find it here.
vogue (in print!) & collaging
a two-in-one! one of my favorite luxuries on slower days when i have the time is reading vogue magazine over breakfast & coffee. compared to my typical rushed mornings of toast on-the-go, something about this ritual feels delightfully indulgent and carrie bradshaw-esque. i browsed through the articles on my laptop for a while, but at the beginning of this year i decided to invest in a physical paper subscription for two reasons: first, i was raised to value the experience of reading on paper. i’m reminded again of my mother, an english major and lover of literature who brought up her children in the era of the e-reader, speaking with a hint of wonder in her voice about the ‘magic of feeling the paper in your hands’! to me this small luxury is worth the fairly inexpensive subscription price (though it is available for free through the news app if you prefer). secondly, it provides me with materials for collaging, a method i’ve been loving to explore in my art this month. if you’re hesitant about art and not sure where to begin, this is an excellent medium to tap into your own creativity. it feels less daunting than drawing or painting with your own hand, but still allows you to explore concepts of design, color, shape, balance, and space on the page. sign up for a magazine you love, savor the joy of flipping through it, then cut it up at the end of the each month and create something new.
chani – i’ve felt called to seek out ways to connect with my spirituality lately, and astrology has served as an outlet for this energy. skeptics, suspend your disbelief for a moment - i’ve never been a diehard, devoted believer in the predictive abilities of star signs, but i dabble in crystals and witchy stuff so i downloaded this app when a friend recommended it. the graphics are beautiful and it’s full of thoughtful, high-quality daily content - not to mention it’s a feminist-led company. even if you’re not an astrology enthusiast, it provides thought-provoking wisdom, guidance, journal prompts, and fantastic daily meditations that are applicable to any of us. and if you are a follower of the stars, you’ll love the in-depth chart readings and rituals for various celestial events. i practiced the ritual for the new moon in pisces at the beginning of this month by lighting candles, laying out my crystals and offerings to the moon, meditating, and journaling my intentions, and the process was calming and opened my mind. whether you’re completely clueless about your birth chart, or you’re a full-on astrology junkie, I highly recommend trying chani’s month-long free trial and exploring what it has to offer. it might just provide you with some valauble insights, inspiration, and ways to connect to yourself and the universe.
lemon & honey – one intention i’m always honing is appreciating and delighting in the simple rituals and blessings around me. it helps me to be more mindful, grateful, and present, and i see a lot more magic in the world. one of these small gifts is the lemon bush in my backyard that grows the biggest, juiciest lemon i have ever seen (seriously.. so big that i was convinced they were some strange breed of unripe orange until my roommate made me sniff the tangy peel – lemons indeed). a ritual has been born from the lemon bush: i carefully pick one that pulls off the vine easily, taking only what nature offers up to me gently, slice it in half and cut off a sliver to drop in my teacup, and squeeze in the remaining juice. i pour in hot
water from the kettle and screw open the lid of my wild mountain honey jar, dipping my small silver honey spoon in and drizzling it into the water, sometimes sprinkling some iodized salt on top. it’s deliciously sweet and sour and it makes me feel like a gwyneth paltrow-type health goddess – an energy i carry with me into the rest of the day. small steps hold a great power to shift your mindset and influence how your subsequent choices unfold. something about this practice slows me down even on rushed mornings, giving me a sense of peace, gratitude, and abundance to have something so precious and simple; so whether you give lemon & honey a try or stick with your morning coffee, tea, or ceremonial matcha, take a moment to practice mindful immersion in the joy of a ritual that’s uniquely, specially, yours.
kobey’s swap meet – if you’re an avid san diego thrift shopper, you are likely already familiar with the chaotic, massive, amazing treasure hunt that is kobey’s. every friday, saturday, and sunday from 7am-3pm, pechanga arena’s parking lot fills up with hundreds of vendors selling vintage clothing, plants, furniture, produce, food, appliances, and pretty much any random assortment of items you could imagine. kobey’s advertises itself as ‘san diego’s largest outdoor marketplace’, and it does not disappoint. my most recent visit this month was cut short by a sudden downpour and windstorm (be sure to check the forecast, they will close down due to weather!), but not before I was able to find these carhartt jeans and l.e.i. shorts.
finding vintage jeans that fit feels like a once-in-a-blue-moon accomplishment. the feeling of finally zipping up the magic pair, like a gift passed on to you from a sister somewhere out in the world, and realizing they hug your hips perfectly? unmatched.
pack yourself a sandwich and grab a friend who loves the hunt as much as you do; there’s so much ground to cover that this can easily become an all-day excursion for determined shoppers.
can you tell i’m a sucker for back pocket detailing?
count your small joys, and i’ll see you next month!
sophie estelle
p.s. love secondhand finds? check out my depop! <3