Spring Journals & Accessories
Self-preservation and nurturing are essential if we are to bloom where we are meant to grow.
Journal writing is a powerful tool for discovering yourself, solving problems, managing goals, and documenting our lives over time. It’s a time where you become—to think, feel, reflect, discover, grow, and dream. It allows you to gather yourself, take a step back, and see how you’ve grown.
Spring offers new beginnings. Fresh sprouts appear overnight, and flower buds unfurl after each gentle rain. These journals celebrate the season while creating space to listen to the quiet whispers within—and allow them to live on paper, rather than creating chaos in the mind.
6-pack floral spiral notebooks with floral pens
6 Pack of Spiral Floral Notebooks with Floral Pens
These notebooks are perfect for spring journaling. The set of six makes it easy to explore different moods, thoughts, or topics—or simply keep a steady habit of writing all season long.
The matching floral pens add a small touch of beauty to the process. Together, the journaling experience is both calming and complete—making this set a thoughtful gift as well.
Pink floral sticker for journaling
Pink Floral Stickers for Journaling
These pink floral stickers turn journaling into something more creative and soothing. Add a single bloom to a page or fill a few to create your own little garden.
They’re a gentle way to make your journal feel personal, inviting, and uniquely yours.
Floral corduroy tote bag
I love this tote. The floral pattern is just colorful enough to pair beautifully with spring and summer outfits without feeling overwhelming.
It’s perfect for carrying your journaling supplies, a good book, your water bottle, and everything you need for a refreshing trip to the park. It also works wonderfully for quick grocery trips or peaceful library visits—simple, practical, and lovely.
Blue spring floral journal with ribbon bookmark
This journal is another sweet spring find. The soft blue tones and delicate butterflies make it just as fitting for summer as it is for spring.
The ribbon bookmarks make it easy to hold your place and return whenever you’re ready, while the blank pages wait patiently for your words to arrive. The elastic pen holder is a thoughtful detail that ensures your pen is always right where you need it.
Blue floral journaling stickers
Blue Floral Journaling Stickers
To carry the blue spring floral theme a little further, these stickers add a gentle touch of creativity to your journal pages.
Use them to highlight a single moment or create an entire page that feels like a quiet touch of spring within your journal.
Blue floral corduroy tote bag with matching pouch
Blue Floral Corduroy Tote Bag with Makeup Pouch
Another adorable tote—but this one includes a matching pouch, perfect for holding makeup, a wallet, or the small essentials that tend to get lost at the bottom of your bag.
The blue floral print pairs effortlessly with the journal, creating a cohesive and calming set. An everyday tote that looks great with your favorite pair of jeans.
Cream & sage green aesthetic spiral bound floral journals
Two Aesthetic Spiral Bound Floral Journals
A simple pair of journals that feel calm and quietly beautiful. The cream and sage tones compliment each other effortlessly, while the gold embossing adds just enough detail to keep them refined without feeling overdone.
They’re perfect for those who prefer something minimal—soft, neutral, and easy to return to day after day.
Green & cream floral journaling stickers
Green and Cream Colored Floral Journaling Stickers
These stickers carry the soft green and cream palette throughout your journaling, tying everything together in a subtle and cohesive way.
They’re perfect for adding a gentle creative touch that feels calm, grounded, and quietly expressive.
Set of 12 ballpoint pens with soft gel grips
Set of 12 Ball Point Pens with Gel Grips
I own these pens and truly love them. The soft gel grips make them incredibly comfortable to write with for extended periods. No cramping, no pressure from holding them too tightly.
They glide smoothly across the page and feel more consistent than other gel pens I’ve used, with no ink leaks or interrruptions. The variety of colors lets you choose softer tones or brighter shades depending on your mood, making them just as enjoyable as they are reliable.
Vintage-inspired floral journal
This journal brings a playful, vintage charm with its wavy green leaves and vibrant mix of florals. It leans a little more bold and expressive—perfect for those who enjoy something with personality.
The ribbon bookmarks add an unexpected detail, with one featuring a denim blue and white strip that gives it a slightly nostalgic feel. It’s fun, a little groovy, and full of character.
Purple floral journaling stickers
Playing off of the purple tones in the journal above, these stickers bring a soft, creative energy to your pages.
Journaling doesnt have to be centered around writing—sometimes it’s about slowing down, creating something beautiful, and letting yourself unwind. Adding stickers can turn a simple page into a small moment of self-expression.
And honestly…we’re never too old for stickers.
Warm-toned wildflower journal
For this final journal, I wanted to include something with a warmer, vintage-inspired palette. The rust, orange, and soft pink florals give it a cozy, sun-washed feel that stands apart from the softer neutrals and cool tones above.
It’s a lovely reminder that our moods shift with the seasons—and even from day to day. Some days feel bright and vibrant, others more quiet and muted, and having options like this lets your journal reflect exactly who you are.
7-piece spring floral ballpoint pen set with refills
7 Piece Spring Floral Ball Point Pens
This 7-piece set of floral pens brings a little shimmer and brightness to your writing. Each pen has its own unique design, making even the smallest notes feel a bit more special.
The included refills mean they’ll last throughout the season, and they make a lovely gift—whether you keep a few for yourself or share them with someone who enjoys the little details as much as you do.
As we step into this spring season, take time to care for your mental well-being. Journal the good, the heavy, the dreams, the goals, and the quiet moments in between.
Growth isn’t always loud—sometimes it’s found in the small, steady ways we return to ourselves. And there’s something gentle about putting it all onto paper.
Personal growth and self-love look good on everyone.
Thank you for taking the time to read this list, and happy spring!
Pretty In Pink Spring Outfit
Treat yourself to a spring outfit that makes you feel just as good as you look.
This fresh look is a perfect mood booster to wear as we eagerly await the arrival of warmer mornings.
“There is no such thing as too many books” Grey crewneck sweatshirt
For any book lover that lives by this phrase, this sweatshirt is perfect in both looks and functionality during this transition into spring. The colors within the floral detail are perfect for spring and delicate enough to not feel overwhelming.
Sidefeel Womens Wide Leg High Waisted Denim Stretch Pants
These pink denim pants compliment the sweatshirt and pull the outfit together in a polished way that’s not too bold or basic. The wide leg keeps you on trend while the stretch allows them to fit perfectly—no digging in or restricting your movements.
Reebok Womens Club C Platform Tennis Shoes
These Reebok’s are the perfect accent to balance out the light grey sweatshirt and the pink denim pants. White sneakers are always a fresh look for spring and the splash of pink keeps everything cohesive. The additional height helps add the illusion of longer legs while providing a little boost for those of us with a shorter inseam length.
Vintage Necklace Van Gogh Flower Style Necklace
I truly adore this necklace! This is such a unique necklace that adds interest to any outfit you choose this spring and summer. The green background brings out the green leaves on the sweatshirt that keeps the floral theme cohesive without over doing it on the pink color. This necklace also pairs beautifully with the earrings I chose for this outfit.
These adorable dangling floral earrings tie everything together in a fun and unique way. They match the floral colors on the tote and bring the color palette together in a way that’s perfect for summer. You can pull your up with one of the pink satin scrunchies in this list, so they catch the light—creating movement, interest, and light-hearted fun.
Miabella 18k Gold Plated Sterling Silver Mesh Link Bracelet
A timeless classic that can be worn with casual, work, and formal wear. This bracelet elevates the outfit in a way that’s grown up and a bit sophisticated. It can be worn alone or as a part of a stack. The 18k gold plating makes it that rich golden yellow that looks more expensive than it is as well.
6-Pack Floral Spiral Notebooks With Ballpoint Pen Set
This notebook and pen set is perfect for anyone that juggles school and work, family and work, or loves writing and journaling. They match the tote well and keep you organized while looking and feeling good. The matching pens are a great bonus that completes your writing needs in a lovely seasonal way too.
A corduroy tote that evokes the spring season in all of its beauty. It’s large enough to carry multiple notebooks, pens, books, your water bottle, a wallet, and all of the little essentials. The colors are perfect for spring and summer making it a practical and pretty purchase. It matches the florals on the sweatshirt beautifully keeping the entire outfit cohesive but not overwhelming.
Floral Cold Coffee Glass With Bamboo Lid and Straw
I was pleasantly surprised to find this floral glass. It’s another perfect floral match for this outfit but is also useful for both spring and summer. The bamboo lid adds a natural touch that is not only aesthetically pleasing, but extremely helpful in keeping nature out of your iced coffee. It comes with a straw and a straw cleaner so it’s truly a complete set.
Lotus Pink Silk Scrunchies Set of 3
We can never have enough scrunchies. This set of three allows you to always have one on hand—one in your car, one at home, and one in your bag. The silk is gentle on hair, looks elegant, and elevates any basic outfit beautifully.
Summer Fridays Pink Sugar Tinted Lip Butter Balm
Lastly, the perfect lip balm with a sweet pink tint to complete your look. I use three different brands of lip balm and this is one of the two I wear outside of the house. The texture is truly perfect—smooth, never sticky, long lasting, true to color, and they come in a variety of seasonal scents.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this “Pretty in Pink” look for spring. If you or someone you know would enjoy any of these items, save this post for later or feel free to share it.
Thanks for stopping by!
15 Children’s Books To Read On Spring Break
Spring break is the perfect time for family adventures—whether you’re heading out on a big trip or simply enjoying a few slower days together. A small stack of books can make traveling with children so much easier, giving them something fun to look forward to along the way. For younger readers especially, stories about vacations and springtime adventures can help ease travel jitters by showing familiar characters experiencing the excitement of a trip. From sweet picture books to activity-filled boredom busters, these books are wonderful companions for spring break journeys both near and far.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s First Spring by; Eric Carle
Ages: Baby - 3
Eric Carle’s beloved caterpillar returns to explore the wonders of springtime. With bright illustrations and simple storytelling, this book gently introduces little readers to the season of blooming flowers, buzzing bees, and fresh beginnings—perfect for toddlers getting excited about spring adventures.
Where Do Diggers Take Vacation? By; Brianna Caplan Sayres
Ages 2-3
Construction vehicles take a well-deserved break in this playful rhyming story. Little readers who love trucks and diggers will enjoy imagining where these hardworking machines go when it’s time for a vacation.
Family Trip with Peppa Pig by: Scholastic
Ages: 3-5
Peppa and her family set off on a fun trip together, sharing all the excitement of traveling somewhere new. For younger children especially, stories like this can help ease travel nerves by showing familiar characters enjoying the journey.
Maisy Goes On Vacation by; Lucy Cousins
Ages 1-4
Maisy packs her suitcase and heads off for a delightful vacation adventure. This gentle story intoduces young readers to the idea of traveling, making it a comforting choice for toddlers preparing for their own trip.
Ages 3-6
Packed with puzzels, games, and activities, this Highlights book is perfect for keeping little minds busy on the road or in the air. It’s a great companion for travel days when kids need something engaging between stops.
The Adventure of Busie Ladygo Spring Break by; Gregory E Morris & Ashlyn E Morris
Ages 5-12
Busie sets off on a cheerful spring adventure filled with exploration and discovery. Young readers will enjoy following Busie’s journey while imagining their own seasonal travels with their family.
Bad Kitty Goes On Vacation (Graphic Novel) by; Nick Bruel
Ages 6-8
Bad Kitty is back—and this time she’s heading on vacation! With plenty of humor and silly antics, this book is perfect for kids who enjoy laugh-out-loud stories during long car rides or quiet travel moments.
I Spy Spring by; FreeWill Press
Ages 3-10
This interactive book invites children to search for colorful springtime objects hidden throughout the pages. It’s a wonderful quiet activity that helps pass time during travel while keeping curious minds engaged.
The Berenstain Bears Go on Vacation by; Stan & Mike Berenstain
Ages 4-8
Brother and Sister Bear experience all the excitement and surprises that come with family vacations. This classic Berenstain Bears story helps children understand what traveling can look like—from packing bags to enjoying new places.
Vacation Fun Mad Libs by; Roger Price, Leonard Stern, Mad Libs
Ages 7-10
Kids can create their own silly vacation stories with this playful Mad Libs activity book. It’s a perfect way to encourage creativity and laughter while passing time during travel.
No Screen, No Problem: Spring Activity Book by; Verbose Vic
Ages 8-12
This activity book offers plenty of puzzles, games, and creative challenges designed to keep kids entertained without screens. It’s a helpful option for parents looking for quiet, engaging travel activities.
Brain Games: Big Book of Boredom Busters by; Stephanie Warren Drimmer
Ages 8-12
Packed with brain teasers, puzzles, and creative challenges, this book is ideal for curious kids who love a mental challenge. It’s a great way to turn travel time into fun problem-solving adventures.
Sweet Valley High Spring Break (Super Edition) by; Francine Pascal
Ages 12+
Older kids and teens can enjoy a classic spring break story with the Sweet Valley High crew. This longer read is perfect for relaxing moments during travel when readers want to settle into a fun chapter book.
How to Draw Spring Thing For Kids by; Alli Koch
Ages 7-12
From flowers to butterflies to baby animals, this drawing guide encourages kids to get creative with simple step-by-step instructions. It’s a wonderful quiet activity for long trips.
Would You Rather Book For Kids by; Stephen J. Ellis
Ages 7-13
Filled with silly and imaginative “Would You Rather” questions, this book sparks laughter and conversation. It’s perfect for family road trips or waiting moments during travel.
Travel days with kids are always a little smoother when there’s a good book close at hand. Whether you’re packing for a road trip, plane ride, or a quiet afternoon during spring break, these stories and activity books can help keep young travelers entertained and inspired. If you found this list helpful, feel free to save it for later or share it with another family getting ready for their own spring adventure. Happy spring and safe travels!
15 Fresh Books to Read This Spring Break
Winter asks us to endure.
Spring invites us to open the door.
Before the bags are packed and the sunscreen is uncapped, I like to carve out a quiet interlude—a book tucked into my tote, a story that lets the shoulders drop and the breath deepen. Not to escape my life, but to soften it.
Spring Break reading, for me, is sun-drenched and transportive. It carries warmth, but not noise. It offers hope, even if that hope arrives gently—in the turning of a season, in the warm returning gently, in a landscape coming back to life.
These are the books I’d bring into that light. Stories that feel like warmth on skin after months of cold wind. Stories that remind us to blossom—even if it looks different than we expected.
A lonely caseworker is sent to evaluate a mysterious orphanage filled with magical children on a distant island. What begins as an assignment slowly becomes something far more personal as he discovers belonging, acceptance, and unexpected love. It’s whimsical, warm, and quietly hopeful—like salt air and chosen family. An emotionally satisfying read that feels like stepping into sunlight after a long winter.
Valancy Stirling has spent her life quietly following the rules and pleasing everyone around her. When a shocking diagnosis changes her sense of time, she begins to make bold choices for the first time in her life. The result is a gentle but powerful story about courage, freedom, and choosing one’s own happiness. It feels like spring rebellion in book form—soft, surprising, and deeply satisfying.
Remarkably Bright Creature by; Shelby Van Pelt
After the death of her husband, Tova Sullivan finds companionship in an unlikely place while working the night shift at a small-town aquarium. There she forms an unexpected connection with Marcellus, a remarkably perceptive octopus who may know more about her life than anyone realizes. The story blends quiet humor, grief, and healing with surprising tenderness. It’s a warm, hopeful read about connection and the strange ways friendship finds us.
When Mary Lennox arrives at her uncle’s lonely Yorkshire estate, she discovers a hidden garden that has been locked away for years. As she begins to care for it, the garden slowly awakens—bringing life back to both the land and the people around her. This beloved classic is filled with themes of renewal, friendship, and the healing power of nature. It’s perhaps the most perfect literary companion to the arrival of spring.
Jean Perdu runs a floating bookshop on the Seine, prescribing novels to heal the hearts of his customers. When a long-hidden letter from the past resurfaces, he sets off on a journey through France in search of closure. The novel blends travel, literature, and emotional healing with a gentle, reflective tone. It feels like drifting down a sunlit river with a stack of beautiful books.
A.J. Fikry is a grumpy bookstore owner whose life has quietly fallen apart. When an unexpected visitor arrives in his shop, everything begins to change in surprising and tender ways. This short, literary novel celebrates books, second chances, and the quiet ways lives intertwine. It’s a thoughtful and uplifting read that can easily be finished over a long spring weekend.
Set during a languid Italian summer, this novel captures the intense awakening of first love between a teenage boy and a visiting scholar. The story unfolds slowly, filled with sunlight, longing, and the vivid sensations of youth. Aciman’s writing is deeply sensory, immersing readers in heat, music, fruit trees, and fleeting moments. It’s a reflective, atmospheric read that lingers long after the final page.
A mysterious circus appears without warning, opening only at night and filled with impossible wonders. Behind the scenes, two young magicians are locked in a secret competition that will shape both of their destines. The novel is lush, imaginative, and steeped in atmosphere rather than speed. It’s perfect for readers who want to disappear into something magical and dreamlike.
Four very different women escape their ordinary lives by renting a small Italian castle for the month of April. Surrounded by sunshine, gardens, and sea air, each woman begins to rediscover joy and possibly. The story is light, charming, and quietly transformative. It’s a book about women blooming again in the warmth of spring.
This lyrical retelling of Greek mythology follows Circe, the misunderstood witch of ancient legend. Banished to a remote island, she discovers her own strength while crossing paths with gods, monsters, and heroes. Madeline Miller’s writing blends myth, solitude, and feminine resilience into a deeply immersive story. It’s mythic, powerful, and surprisingly accessible.
Santiago, a young shepherd, sets out on a journey across the desert in search of a hidden treasure. Along the way he encounters teachers, omens, and quiet moments that reveal deeper truths about destiny and purpose. Coelho’s story is simple, philosophical, and deeply reflective. It’s a wonderful “reset” book when you want something short that leaves you thinking long after you’ve finished it.
Set on a small Nordic island, this quiet novel follows the tender relationship between a young girl and her wise grandmother. Through small daily moments—storms, shells, sunlight, and conversation—the two navigate life’s joys and sorrows together. The chapters are short, thoughtful, and filled with gentle observation. It’s a peaceful book that feels like sitting in warm sunlight beside the sea.
Two writers with completely different styles find themselves spending the summer in neighboring beach houses. In an effort to break through their creative blocks, they challenge each other to swap genres and write something entirely new. What begins as a clever literary experiment slowly turns into something deeper and more personal. It’s witty, thoughtful, and a perfect balance of romance and emotional depth.
After a disastrous wedding leaves an entire party sick with food poisoning, two sworn enemies unexpectedly end up taking a luxury honeymoon trip together. Forced proximity quickly leads to hilarious misunderstandings, awkward moments, and surprising chemistry. The story is fast-paced, playful, and filled with vacation energy. It’s pure spring break fun with plenty of laughs along the way.
Told through letters, this charming novel follows a writer who forms an unexpected friendship with a group of readers on the island of Guernsey after World War II. Through their correspondence, the story reveals how books helped a community survive hardship and rebuild their lives. The tone is gentle, warm, and deeply human. It’s a comforting reminder of the way stories bring people together.
If you’re gathering books for a quiet spring break afternoon, I hope this list offers a few stories that feel like sunshine returning after winter. You might save this list for later or share it with a fellow reader who’s ready for something fresh and hopeful this season. Happy reading, and happy spring!
The Seasons of Our Lives
As I sat in the car watching the rain gather on the windshield, the squirrels returning outdoors, digging through soil for treasures they buried long ago. I thought of how the trees created their food and provide shelter from brutal weather conditions. Nature mothers wildlife in ways that keep them at peace—it’s really no different from how nature can provide for us, if we simply slow down to take notice.
Spring Blossoms & Sprouts
Life has seasons that beautifully mirror nature’s own. Spring is a season full of new life. Things sprout and bloom from dawn till dusk. Beautiful blooms unfurl and intriguing sprouts reveal themselves. Seeds are planted with no guarantee of being a good seed—one that grows. And, some seeds we weren’t even aware of their existence—because nature planted them.
It can be difficult, even impossible at times to fully take notice and feel the beauty around us. The interesting sprouts offering new growth can go unnoticed.
We get caught up gathering bouquets as haphazardly as puddles gather rain—collecting what we had time to notice, the energy to gather, or what our eyes found beautiful. Only when we pause to reflect do we notice the details of our boutique and realize we picked flowers that don’t belong, or ones we know nothing about. And that’s okay. The ultimate goal is to grow.
Before long, the quiet sprouts of spring stretch toward the bright abundance of summer.
Summer Sunny Skies
Summer brings us moments of blissful sunshine. A time when our skin is free to feel the kiss of the sun and a breeze that feels like silk. Everything is alive and thriving. The dull grey is replaced with bright, bold color. Local pools are alive with kids splashing, teens laughing, and adults lounging. Communities gather to celebrate freedom and fun. Kids and animals play tag. Fireflies put on a golden light show as they waltz through the air at dusk.
Life is as sparkling as the fireworks on the Fourth of July. Mother nature is showing off.
Life brings us moments that can stretch on for long periods of time that are blissful, bright, energetic, and alive in ways that make us thrive. It’s important to bask in these moments like a turtle basking on a sun-warmed log. Hold these moments in the front of your mind so they carry you through brutal storms—like a lantern glowing on a front porch that guides you home in the dark.
Yet even the brightest summers eventually soften into autumn.
Feel Good Fall
Autumn brings change. The skies take on moody hues, leaves go from bright green to shades of brown, orange, and red. The last of the crops are harvested, leaving the landscape bare. Autumn apples change form into a canned treasures, extending their life and nourishing you well beyond their season. Animals shift from casual grazing to hurried gathering. Once-thriving plants and animals shift their rhythms to prepare for the changes yet to come.
As the colors fade from warm and cozy to grey and spiritless, we anticipate the arrival of brutal, hostile, frigidness. We know it’s coming and we try to make it easier this time by remembering what we forgot, learning from mistakes and preparing more wisely than the year before.
Nature never questions herself—she adapts. Change is a necessary part of life in all forms. To fight against change is to choose to be left behind while everything around grows and you become lost in the forest. You can protest all you want—nature will still do what she must to thrive.
And once the harvest is gathered, winter quietly takes the stage.
Wicked Winter
It begins with family gatherings, giving thanks, celebrating traditions and being generous. We move into creating magic in our homes, gifting our most special, handmade creations, and ensuring our loved ones feel our love by taking the time to pick gifts with meaning and purpose.
It’s easy to overextend ourselves by pouring ourselves out to everyone in the hope they feel special and loved. This season can be draining, yet it shimmers beautifully. This shimmer fades—it was gifted, and never truly belonged to us.
Once the magic is packed up, the wickedness blows in, temperatures drop, the shimmer isn’t as noticeable since it was gifted away. The sky is thick with grey, the world has gone silent, people and animals are hidden, darkness visits more than the light. Its wind stings the skin, a violent force fighting us against our goals. It can feel as though nature has turned on us, leaving the world dark, lonely, and wicked.
This is when it’s important to remember this is a time to replenish, restore, and nurture ourselves. Life can feel like it’s eating you down to the bone so take the time to notice how nature strips trees down to their bones—they’re not dying or dead, they’re working on themselves internally and underground, where it’s unseen by the outside world. At times we also need to retreat from the world in order to work on ourselves internally. Trees aren’t ashamed when their beauty is stripped away—they simply endure and return strong once again. Resilience is mandatory.
As you live out each day, try to notice nature and compare its rhythms to your own. You’ll find we have more in common than we realize—the way our lives change, the way our needs change, what we give, what we receive, and what we must provide for ourselves in order to truly thrive rather than just simply survive.
Be kind to yourself, be patient as you grow, and take time to stop and smell the roses.
Time is precious, and by choosing to spend a little of it in this quiet corner of the internet, you’ve chosen to sit on my front porch and reflect. I hope you’ve enjoyed a moment of peace and come back again soon!
Affordable Spring Skincare Products For 40+
It takes nurturing for blossoms to bloom, so why not do the same for yourself?
I invite you to take the time today to love yourself.
You deserve it.
My Spring Routine at a Glance
AM
Gentle Cleanse (CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser)
Thayers Milky Toner
TruSkin Vitamin C
Drunk Elephant Protini
Medicube Jelly (light layer)
Sunscreen (CeraVe Tinted or Shiseido Stick)
PM
Oil Cleanse (CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil)
Gentle Clense
Thayers Milky Toner
Paula’s Choice BHA (2x weekly only)
Drunk Elephant + Nivea or Vanicream
Medicube Jelly to seal
With Spring and Spring Break almost within reach, I’d like to share the affordable skincare products I use daily to welcome this budding season. These are gentle staples that truly serve those of us living in the Midwest, caring for skin that has seen forty years and still intends to bloom.
I want simple. I want what I know works. I want to be able to find it - and yes…I want a bargain. The products in this list can all be picked up at Walmart, Amazon, and two at Ulta or Sephora.
It has been brutally cold, windy, and dry, so these products help combat those conditions in a way that lets me step into Spring looking refreshed and feeling bonito. If you live in a more humid climate or tend to have oily skin, my exact formulations may not be your perfect match - but each of these brands offers options suited to different skin types as well.
Face Care
CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser
This oil cleanser is great for dry skin and removes stubborn pigments from long-wear makeup with ease. As one of your double cleansers it doesn’t dry skin out in the dry winters. All makeup is removed without over drying your skin.
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
A cleanser my dermatologist approved and one that can be recommend for men, women, tweeens, and teens. It’s nice to have something simple, affordable, easily accessible, and cleanses without being harsh or drying.
Medicube Zero Pore Facial Pads
I saw this product trending but wasn’t convinced it would be more beneficial than the popular brand of facial pads I used for about a decade. I ran out of those and decided to try this cheaper alternative. I’ve not been disappointed after eight months of use. I love that they offer the same results at a lower price point. They offer a wide range of facial pads that each promise something different depending on your skins needs.
I’ve tried many toners over the years but was rarely impressed with the results. The ones I found beneficial didn’t last long and weren’t cost-effective. My favorite was a Korean rice toner sold on Amazon, but the bottle was small and the formula so watery that there was more waste than I was comfortable with.
The Thayers Milky Toner is thicker formula, doesn’t drip, and offers better coverage - a little goes a long way. It’s moisturizing, leaves skin feel refreshed, and gives a healthy glow at a wonderful price.
TruSkin Vitamin C Super Serum+
After years of using a well-known expensive anti-aging serum (the one in the brown bottle) and not seeing benefits, I decided to give this a try. I’ve gotten what I expected from the expensive brand: brighter skin that looks youthful and refreshed. If my skin is irritated from a peel or sun exposure, I skip this active to prevent additional irritation.
Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Moisturizer
This is one product I can’t replace. I’ve tried nearly every peptide moisturizer on the market, but nothing compares. It makes my skin look healthy, youthful, and soft, - wiithout feeling overly greasy. It’s my year-round moisturizer.
Sephora carries the refill for the 1.69 oz. size, and it’s the most affordable option I’ve found. It also goes on sale fairly often. The packaging is another reason I love it - no contamination, the perfect amount dispensed each time, and less plastic waste. It lasts about eight months, so the price is well worth it.
This thick moisturizing cream is really one of those quiet, dependable classics. It’s consistency is ideal for overnight moisturizing, extra-dry days, or after a chemical peel. It melts like a mousse that transforms into a refreshing, watery moisturizer.
The fragrance is clean, soap-like. It has never caused a reaction for me, but keep in mind it does contain fragrance. I use small face spatulas (found on Amazon) to apply it without contaminating the tin. During warmer months, I switch to Vanicream, which is fragrance free and lighter.
A new that product for me that smoothes textured skin and minimizes the appearance of pores. This is my final step. It locks in moisture and can be used AM and PM. in my skincare routine. It initially dries like a primer, then settles into smooth, soft, glowing skin. It works beautifully under tinted sunscreen - but less is more. Using too much can cause pilling.
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
At first, I wasn’t thrilled about the size of this bottle for the price, but I discovered you only need a small amount on a cotton round - and I use it no more than twice a week. It resurfaces the skin and reveals a smoother, more radiant appearance.
It can be drying or irritate skin if overused, so be gentle the morning after. I rinse it gently with CeraVe oil cleanser, apply the milky toner, moisturize (Drunk Elephant and Nivea or Vanicream), lock it in with Medicube Jelly, and apply sunscreen. After this chemical exfoliant, I avoid additional actives - only moisture and protection.
RoC Revive and Glow Vitamin C Stick
Like a midday coffee for your under eyes. This convenient stick lives in my purse for touch-ups. It brightens and moisturizes the under-eye area while you’re on the go. It can be applied over makeup to erase dryness and caking that develops throughout the day. Swipe, pat lightly with your fingertip, and you’re refreshed enough to power through.
d’alba Piedmont Italian White Truffle Facial Spray Serum
This is the best facial spray I’ve used. It does what it claims. I use this on days I don’t need the heavy Nivea cremé but I need a little more moisture than the Drunk Elephant and Medicube Jelly. I also use this on those days I skip actives to avoid additional skin irritation from the Paula’s Choice BHA or when I’ve gotten too much sun.
CeraVe Tinted Moisturizing Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
This became my go-to tinted sunscreen during the cold, dry months. Its moisturizing formula comes in three shades and can be blended with your foundation for fuller coverage. It performs just as well as the more expensive brand I used for years in winter. Like Nivea, I don’t use it in warmer months because it provides more moisturize than I need.
Shiseido Clear Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+
This is the second luxury product I can’t replace. A great sunscreen is essential at any age, and this is mine. I use it year-round on sunny days, applying it after my serums and focusing on the high points of my face - nose, forehead, chin, and ears. It’s helpful to have two: one at home and one on the go. It goes on clear and works for anyone. Sunscreen is the most important step in preventing signs of aging, so don’t compromise on quality.
These are all of the products I’ve found that truly work for my skin. If something feels too heavy for you, try another option within that brand that’s formulated for your needs. This list is simply to show that effective skincare doesn’t have to be expensive.
Skincare changes with the seasons. These work for winter turning into spring in the Midwest. When I lived in Georgia, my needs were different. What matters most is loving yourself. How we each go about that is personal - but the results of care and consistency are universal.
When Literature Becomes Restoration
There are stories that history carried forward, and others that had to wait patiently to be heard in their own voice. Everett does something rare. He returns the voice to the person inside the story all along. He allows James to exist fully. Not as he was seen, but as he was.
From the first page I found myself recognizing literary art in a raw and pure form. James tells his story unapologetically as he lived it. The songs woven in carry a painful inheritance. They echo the minstrel tradition - songs that were used to reduce human beings into caricatures, forcing performance where dignity already existed.
What struck me most was not just the presence of these songs, but James’s awareness of them. He understood what was being performed, and why. His compliance was not ignorance. It was strategy. His inner self remained untouched by the performance required of him.
Mark Twain allowed readers to see the injustice through Huck’s awakening. But Percival Everett allows readers to inhabit the consciousness of the man who lived inside that injustice.
Twain revealed the moral failure of a system. Everett restores the intellectual and emotional sovereignty of the person forced to endure it.
I don’t believe one perspective replaces the other. Both are necessary. There is value in hearing from those who witnessed history, and equal value in hearing from those who lived inside it.
One helps us understand how injustice was seen. The other helps us understand how it was endured.
Together, they create something closer to truth than either could alone.
Some books entertain. Some books inform. But some books walk quietly into the cabin where history has been waiting and open a window that had long been closed.
James is one of those books. And I will return to it again and again.
When the Sandhill Cranes Returned
Some sounds do not belong to the present. They arrive carrying the memory of something older than ourselves.
As I ventured outside this afternoon to welcome my girls home from their day at school, I was met with an unusual sound coming from the sky. I looked up to see what I thought were geese flying in their usual V-formation, except these birds were not making the typical honking sound we’re familiar with. The sound they made as they flew high above in flocks of thousands demanded my attention. They carried the sound of something ancient.
As we walked home, we took in the sight and sounds of this mysterious species flying too high to identify. We questioned what we were seeing, what we were hearing, and why we didn’t recognize them. A neighbor happened to be outside tending to his gutters and offered an answer to our bewilderment.
He stated, “They’re Sandhill Cranes. They’re migrating to Canada. Some of them are coming from as far south as South America and will only stay here to rest, or they’re too old or injured to travel that far.”
I was stunned by not knowing about these cranes. I knew what cranes looked like. I’ve seen them throughout my life at small ponds. I’ve been in awe of the few I’ve seen, but these seemed new to me. Their sound and the sight of so many of them flying overhead all day was new bird behavior in Indiana for me.
A few moments later, we went for a walk to soak up the long-awaited, gentle air that was briefly visiting. As we walked to the park, we continued to be amazed by the flocks of Sandhill cranes making their long journey to their chosen destination. Their unique sound played as our background song along the way.
Upon walking home, the sky was no longer filled with that magic. The cranes had completed their journey over this small path we call home. I was happy for them. They knew instinctively, of course, that this was their perfect time to travel over Indiana. It was a cool mid-60-degree day, sunny, and only a slight breeze flowed through the trees. But the next day was set to be relentlessly windy, with the wind chills making it feel like a bone-chilling 7 degrees.
Once home, I looked the cranes up online, and waves of memory washed over me like high tide as I recalled my dad and me stopping each time we could to watch these exact cranes. We had witnessed them together many times and even seen a couple of the more rare (and nearly extinct) Whooping Cranes.
I can still vividly recall the look on my dads face when we saw the elusive white crane. His smile that was as golden as the sunsets in Georgia, and the twinkle in his eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky.
There are days such as this one that gently remind us how beautiful life can be. How one ordinary day can become filled with wonder, magic, and loving reminders that memories we once held so vividly -even those that quietly slipped to the back of our minds - still exist and still evoke the same joy.
Memories transcend time if we just slow down enough to notice.
And to the neighbor who rekindled memories I had locked away, I’m thankful he offered his knowledge to us. It’s very fitting that a dormant memory of mine was awakened by the Sandhill Cranes returning from their winter escape.
Some migrations happen in the sky. Others happen quietly within us.
Foggy Mornings
There is beauty in the grey. A peaceful exhale from Mother Nature under a veil.
This morning brought with it the magic and mystery of fog. As we opened our blinds, my daughter noticed it immediately and excitedly asked if there was a school delay, only to become rather deflated when I told there was not. While fog doesn’t promise school delays, it does promise something else - magic, mystery, and a quiet calm.
As a child, I imagined unicorn flying freely and unseen behind its veil. As an adult, I share that same mystery with my children in hopes they keep that childlike wonder with them into adulthood. We call foggy weather, “unicorn weather.”
Fog isn’t just something you see. It’s something you step into. It wraps around you gently, like a hug from the morning itself. The world softens inside it. Edges disappear. Sounds grow quieter. For a moment, everything feels suspended between what was and what will be.
You’re no longer standing apart from the world. You’re inside it. Held by it.
Maybe the magic comes from its reminder of what it feels like to belong to something we don’t need to understand. Fog doesn’t demand clarity. It invites stillness.
To witness it, and feel its embrace, is enough.
Gathering the Fruit: A Guide to the Categories
Where everything begins—a gentle guide to the categories you’ll find growing here.
Here, things are gathered slowly.
This blog is a home for the stories I’ve carried with me—the soft ones, the sharp ones, the ones that cling like morning dew. I’ve shaped it like a quiet orchard: each branch holds a different kind of offering.
-
Everyday stories, recipes, community news, donation drives, and behind-the-scene glimpses.
-
Reflections on motherhood and children, rooted in love and family life.
-
Gentle reminders of gratitude, blessings, and beauty in the everyday.
-
Honest, unflinching writing on life’s heavier and more difficult themes.
-
Book reviews and recommendations for children and adults alike.
-
Nostalgic reflections and memory-rich storytelling.
However you arrive here, I hope you’ll feel the slow sweetness of things planted with care.
Welcome to The Longing Peach
Welcome, friend. I’m so glad you’ve found your way to The Longing Peach. This corner of the internet is where I gather stories, memories, and reflections - the kind of notes you might share while walking through a field or sitting on a porch with a cup of coffee.
Here you’ll find everyday life tucked into Field Notes, the beauty of motherhood in In the Orchard, the heavier truths in The Wild Peach, and soft blessings in Small Graces. There are book recommendations blooming in The Library Garden, and bits of nostalgia in Sketches from the Porch. Each category is its own branch, but together they form the orchard I hope you’ll feel welcome in.
I don’t promise polished perfection. What I do promise is honesty, warmth, and stories offered in the hope they resonate with you. This is a space for depth and texture, for remembering and reimagining, for small graces and big truths.
So take your time here. Wander a little further into the field if you’d like. There’s always room for another chair on the porch.
