Spring rituals and things
A lesson in craftsmanship through matcha (+ a proper recipe), chic spring bedding, and understated elegance the literal size of a fingernail—plus, an unplanned tribute to the color green
Spring has been slow to awaken. The earth is still shedding its winter coat, casting off the last remnants of frost. The trees seem hesitant, but I spot their bright green buds peeking through the crisp, cold air. Some days, the air carries a hint of warmth, but it's mixed with winter's fading breath.
In this tentative shift, I find comfort in small daily rituals and things that signal renewal. Whether it's slipping into a pretty new shoe that’ll go the distance or savoring a warm cup of matcha as the white-capped sparrow calls to his mate, these moments bring quiet joy. They remind me that change is coming, that life is stirring just below the surface.
Viani Milano x Lilly Sisto capsule collection: “Old world craftsmanship made for the modern girl on-the-go.” Their latest collaboration with it-girl Lilly Sisto makes me drool like Pavlov’s dog. No bell needed. Just these shoes in every color, size 41 (they run a tad small so size up one whole size).
Clean, well-manicured nails as the epitome of elegance: A friend of mine once said you could tell a lot about a woman just by looking at her nails. "Look at the lady under the canopy," she whispered to me as I relaxed by the pool at the Omni Scottsdale Resort, enjoying a cool mocktail. "That's class," she added with a knowing nod. I followed her gaze and noticed the woman's fingernails—short with a slight French tip, rounded, and impeccably clean. Sans color. It reminded me of that scene from The Princess Diaries, when Dame Julie Andrews, playing Queen Clarisse Renaldi, remarked on Princess Mia's chipped nails, politely requesting she return with "clean fingernails." It's a conservative and classic aesthetic that carries through to personal grooming, where subtlety and cleanliness reign supreme. Right or wrong, understated elegance is often associated with good taste. Fake nails or more extravagant choices can sometimes be seen as ostentatious, whereas simple, clean nails reflect a more subdued and classic approach to style. Leonce Chanel’s The Ultimate French Girl Manicure is in the same vein, with an added red for every season.
Spring bedding refresh: In the coming months, I have friends and family visiting and staying with us in our new home and I could not be more excited to show them all that we’ve discovered. Because of this, I felt the urge to invest in new bedding for our guest bedroom and I could not be happier with how it turned out. Here’s what I bought (or very similar) for ultimate comfort: SureGuard mattress encasement, The Duck and Goose Co. plush mattress topper, wave percale sheet set, Ralph Lauren blue and white striped pillow (but any of these would do), L.L. Bean organic cotton blanket, and lightweight quilted bedding for warm summer nights, either this one or this one would look chic.
A frothy matcha latte and an unexpected lesson in making one: My husband, Chris, a former barista, makes a damn good cup of matcha. He has an affinity for Japanese craftsmanship, where every detail is carefully considered, and every process is imbued with deep devotion. He uses any opportunity to practice this kind of measured commitment to excellence. Much like in Japanese craftsmanship, Chris has a deep reverence for tradition and respect for the materials used. He always says, “Take pride in everything you do.” This has helped me view the process as important as the final product, and to treat each process as a form of meditation and spiritual ease. When you take the time to bring something beautiful and harmonious to life, it creates a story worth telling. And a recipe worth trying (below).
Here's a matcha latte recipe that you can easily make at home, too:
Ingredients:
1 to 2 teaspoons of matcha powder (adjust according to taste - I like mine darker green, therefore stronger)
1/4 cup of hot water (not boiling)
3/4 cup of milk (we use whole milk)
Sweetener (optional; we prefer local honey or coconut sugar)
Instructions:
Prepare the matcha: Sift the matcha powder into a bowl or a matcha whisking bowl (chasen). This helps prevent clumping.
Add hot water: Pour the hot water into the bowl with the matcha powder.
Whisk: Using a bamboo matcha whisk or a small handheld whisk, whisk the matcha and hot water together. Move the whisk in a "W" or zig-zag motion to create a frothy consistency. It should take about 15-30 seconds to create a smooth and even matcha base.
Heat the milk: Warm the milk in a small saucepan until it's hot but not boiling. Add any amount of any sweetener to your liking; let is melt and combine with the milk. Pour into a Pyrex glass container, like a measuring cup.
Whisk the milk (practice makes perfect): Using a handheld whisk (the Zulay milk frother is a game changer), place the head of the whisk slightly above the bottom of the container and slightly off centered and start whisking. You should see only a hint of the whisk head. As you whisk, subtly move the frother up and down about half an inch, always keeping it slightly off center. As the milk foams, gently move the frother farther from the bottom until the foam encloses it completely. Once you have a cup of foam, pound the container onto the counter and swirl it with intention until there are little to no bubbles and you’ve achieved a shine like the top of the Chrysler building.
Combine and Serve (practice also makes this perfect): Hold the mug of matcha at an angle. This creates a "target" where the milk foam will pour in. Start pouring the steamed milk into the cup, aiming toward the center. Begin by pouring from a slight height to allow the milk to blend with the matcha. As the cup fills, lower the pitcher closer to the cup to control the pour and create a smooth transition from liquid milk to thicker foam. This is when you can start creating art or designs. Pour more slowly toward the end to allow the milk foam to settle on top, forming the signature layer of frothy milk.
Garnish: For an extra touch, you can add a sprinkle of matcha powder or a light dusting of cinnamon on top.
Enjoy.
xoxo, Kate
Love this! 💖 Ok, so, two things…1) I loooove a clean nail aesthetic and aspire to one day be able to rock it. Alas, my thin brittle nails straight up devolve when I don’t rock my acrylics. The last faux nail haitus was 2 years long and I just can’t do it anymore. Worse yet, my go-tos are pink and red! 😍🤣 So my heart breaks a little bit each time I remember I will never have that rich girl clean nail look…it IS the GOAT look. And 2) Your bedding looks and sounds soooo luxuriously cozy! I plan to take a look around your Substack but if you haven’t posted a room tour, you totally should! I bet it’s beautiful.