March 2021 Monthly Round-Up: The Spring Edition

We made it to March 2021!

This month is looking a lot better than a year ago.

Spring is finally here (even if the weather isn’t quite cooperating) and I’m so excited for the longer, warmer days. I know we aren’t out of the woods yet with COVID-19 but it certainly feels like brighter days are ahead. You can even feel it in NYC, A place that so many people wrote off during the worst of the pandemic.

In normal times, NYC is glorious in the spring. The city truly comes back to life, as if waking from a deep slumber. People come out of hibernation, (or their tiny apartments!) to flood the city parks and sidewalk cafes. And this year, it all feels that much more poetic and poignant. The joy people feel about the warm(ish), sunny weather is palpable. It’s almost like we are all waking up from a collective nightmare, or regaining our sight after passing through a massive fog. Actually, that’s exactly what’s happening, and I’m here for it!

I am so happy to be witnessing this awakening and I am excited to see how New York evolves and changes in the aftermath of the pandemic. Because if nothing else, NYC is that scrappy, comeback kid that won’t give up. This city is built on dreams, grit, and hustle. And when people leave, that just creates room for the newcomers to have their chance. The artists, the rebels, the upstarts, and the dreamers. It’s their time now to turn this city into its next iteration. I can’t wait to see how New York rises from the ashes of this latest crisis.

How about you? Enjoying spring? Are you making any plans? Escaping on a weekend getaway? Or maybe you just want to curl up in a patch of sun by the window (like my cats) and read a good book?

Whatever your plans are for March 2021 and beyond, check out the spring round-up I put together below for more ideas and inspiration on how to get the most of the season.

And just a reminder if you’re still in a lingering funk from this very long pandemic winter. Let’s revel in the fact that it’s spring, the sun is shining, the trees are blooming, and we’re all alive to enjoy it.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of them, I may earn a small commission (for which I’m very grateful!) at no extra cost to you. You can view my disclosure here.

The Monthly Round-Up for March 2021

Have you watched The Lost Kitchen yet on Discovery+? It is such a beautiful show and reminds me of Chef’s Table, another show I love on Netflix. (Can you tell I love all things food?!) I was crying by the end of the first episode and now I can’t wait to eat at this restaurant and meet Erin French, even if I have to send postcards for the next 5 years. (Watch the show if you don’t understand what I’m talking about!)

Speaking of Maine, I can’t wait to go back either this spring or summer. This time, I want to eat my way through the state. I’ll start off with a couple of days in Portland and then work my way north from there. If you want to plan a trip there this summer, make sure to check out my travel posts about Maine including, 10 coastal towns worth visiting and tips for visiting Maine during the pandemic.

I have started reading fiction again and it is bringing me so much joy. I’m so behind on new releases but I just finished Such a Fun Age and really loved this book. It’s a very timely story about race and class told through the relationship of a young mom and her babysitter.

I have been working hard to lose the COVID-19 weight I put on over the last year. (Tell me, is there anyone who didn’t gain weight during the pandemic?!)

So how am I doing it? Meal kits. Yep. I said meal kits. So far I’ve tried Marley Spoon which is Martha Stewart’s line of meal kits and Green Chef. What’s great about these kits is that you have so many culinary options, everything from vegan to paleo. The kits are also great for portion control. When you get a meal for two, it’s really just enough food for two people. It’s also been so nice to take a break from meal planning every week, trying to figure out what I’m going to cook. Sometimes you just want someone to do the thinking for you, and that’s what you get with meal kits! Plus, I’m down 6 lbs already and feeling more healthy and energized.

I promised myself I’d wear something else besides tie-dye sweats this spring, and I’m sticking to my promise. I’m excited to get a few new things to spruce up my spring wardrobe, like these adorable Urban Outfitters overalls, this super cute Banana Republic dress, this weekend button-down from Vineyard Vines, and a few more options linked below.

If you’re also looking to spruce up your home, Target has some amazing and affordable picks. I’m loving this caned headboard (caned furniture is certainly having a moment right now), these wood armchairs, and this fun outdoor rug plus a few other goodies!

My husband and I finally watched The White Tiger and it was so good. It also made me very nostalgic for our time in India. If you’re new here and not sure what the heck I’m talking about, read my post about moving to India.

I can’t say that I’m excited to read Mark Bittman’s new book, Animal, Vegetable, Junk, because it is a quite alarming and distressing topic. But, now that I’m learning so much more about food and nutrition with the course I’m taking at the Institute for Integrative Health, I know it’s a necessary read. Most people don’t want to hear this, but the food industry in the United States is literally killing us. The good news is that we have the power to change that. Some quick tips on how you can start doing that are by supporting your local farmers’ markets (when available), and shopping the outer perimeter of your grocery stores, where they put produce, meat, and dairy, rather than buying processed foods, which are in the middle aisles of the store.

Last but not least, I did a round-up of my favorite products on Amazon. These are the things that I love and use every day.

My Favorite Amazon Products!

1. This treadmill actually fits under our bed when we aren’t using it. That’s one of the reasons we love it so much. If you’re looking for a small, affordable treadmill to get in those steps, this is a great option.

2. I now have 3 pairs of these super-soft, yoga/workout leggings. That’s how much I love them. My friends who got them swear by them too. And priced at under $30, they are a STEAL.

3. This USB lighter is a total game-changer. I use it now to light all of our candles. No more annoying lighters that don’t work!

4. You know the tie-dye sweats trend isn’t over yet and this is one of my favorite, cozy sets.

5. We wanted to do some affordable updates to the house and I found these really cool sconces.

6. A great affordable yoga mat in my favorite colors.

7. How pretty is this water mister?

8. Been living in this sweater since I got it.

9. I can easily track my daily steps with my Fitbit, plus it tracks my HR when I’m on the Peloton.

10. My favorite new journal. It’s so pretty to look at!

11. I had no idea I needed a cell phone stand until I got one, but now I use it all the time.

12. We love this Corkcicle bottle. We fill it with wine when we head to the beach and water for our long road trips.

13. When I actually get dressed, I’ve been wearing these boots on repeat.

14. These shower steamers make me feel like I’m at the spa.

Are You Ready to Enjoy Spring?

I hope you enjoyed this March 2021 monthly round-up and you are as excited about spring as I am. I’m looking forward to spending more time outside in the sunshine, and taking in the world as things slowly become more normal….

Download My Travel Secrets!

Subscribe to get my FREE Travel Planning Guide plus inspiration about living your best life at home and abroad.

First Name

Leave this field empty if you're human: