Willow in Winter

Growing up in sunny and too-warm Spain, autumn was my favourite season, followed by winter. I would eagerly wait for the endless summer to end, desperately hoping for cold air and the turning of the leaves. But when I moved to England, I discovered spring. A real spring, the one you see in movies and TV shows like Bridgerton, with flowers in all the possible colours and shapes. I’ve been learning the names of the flowers in order of their appearance throughout the year, and I love spotting the new colours every day.

While it’s still freezing in England, the cherry blossoms are thriving, and crocus and narcissus have taken over the parks. I bought tulips on the way home the other day, and they add a lovely contrast against my rain-stained window.

My 2024 mood board

Every year, I create a mood board for my favourite seasons, with a list of books to read and a bucket list to complete. This year is no different, though I did struggle to find a theme. I’ve been watching period dramas lately, and I’m still very much into cottagecore and fairycore.

For me, this spring feels like a combination of regency and cottagecore. I want flowers and purple, puffy sleeves and floral dresses, embroidering by the window and lots of herbal teas!

My TBR list for spring

As always, my TBR list is bursting at the seams, but I’ve reduced my Spring list to 8 books plus any second and third parts of their series, which should keep me busy during April and May.

I have a combination of romances, historical fiction, a murder mystery and a bit of fantasy.

• Ready or Not by Cara Bastone
• Funny Story by Emily Henry
• Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore
• A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft
• Bellegarde by Jamie Lilac
• Flowerheart by Catherine Bakewell
• Murder in Postscript by Mary Winters
• The Crimson Moth by Kristen Ciccarelli

Spring bucket list

I’ve spent most of my winter curled up on my sofa, watching TV shows and drinking too much tea. I desperately need some new activities and hobbies for spring. I’m ready for warmer and longer days. It’s still fascinating to me that it’s 5 pm and there’s still light out! I can do things after work again.

Here’s my bucket list for spring 2024:

• Watercolour outside: I’m a recluse who loves drawing from the comfort of my paint-stained living room table, but I am waiting to get the courage to paint outside. I want to start with small watercolour landscapes.
• Buy second-hand vases and add fresh flowers around the house: I live next to two independent florists and multiple charity shops, which creates the perfect combination for a new spring enthusiast.
• Do spring-inspired jigsaw puzzles: I love puzzles, and I can spend hours doing a puzzle with a podcast playing in the background. I’ve started a new spring one with art by Joy Laforme.
• Do a collection of tiny cross-stitch art paintings to hang around the house: I bought a few cross-stitch patterns on Etsy of famous Impressionism paintings, which is my favourite art movement.
• Go on nature walks and try to identify as many flower as possible.
• Embroider flowers on old clothes: There is nothing new about this one, just an excuse to add colour to my old jeans.
• Sew a tote bag from scratch with a book pocket on the front, and use a floral print for the pocket: This is the most ambitious item on my list since I haven’t sewed in years, and the sewing machine I bought a year ago is still untouched. But I always go to read at the park during the warmer months, and I want a new tote bag with a book pocket on the front.

I’ve been slowly refreshing my wardrobe for this new season even though it’s still 12°C outside and it rains more than it shines, but you can tell the spring spirit is already here, and I’m so ready.

Being realistic, I don’t know if I’ll complete my list, but whatever I don’t finish will be moved to my summer bucket list (I’m looking at you, new tote bag project!). It’s time to start my mandatory Spring reading!