Note 24 - March Madness
By the time you’re reading this, I’ll have arrived in Hamburg after a week split between Montreal and Munich. I’m in Germany for the next month to accelerate my German learning, and I couldn’t be more excited. I’m truly enjoying the process of learning a new language, especially that sweet spot when communicating starts to feel more natural.
I’m looking forward to the day I can pick up a piece of local literary fiction and read it with confidence. Until then, there’s work to do.
As you can imagine, March is going to be intense but also incredibly inspiring. There’s something about being in a new environment that sparks fresh energy and perspective (hence the title of this post…not a reference to sports season, but to the state of my calendar). I’ve heard so many good things about Hamburg, and people often say it has Scandi influences, which is definitely a plus for me. I even have a few friends visiting me there, which I’m really looking forward to. And yes, I’m living out of a suitcase, which is always a fun way to challenge my creativity when it comes to getting dressed.
I’ll see you next week for a recap of my first week in Hamburg. Bis später!
What I Wore This Week
Coat & Bag - By Malene Birger / Knit - House of Dagmar / Jeans - Everlane / Sunglasses / Celine
On my last day in Montreal, I headed into the city for lunch and decided to have a little more fun with my outfit despite the freezing temperatures. I think I was already mentally dressing for the spring-like weather waiting for me in Munich.
I wore my oversized By Malene Birger Trullem coat and paired it with a bag from the same brand. I love the contrast between the slouchy, almost enveloping shape of the coat and the clean structure of the bag, and the contrast between the black and the beige. It’s all about balance.
Underneath, I kept things very casual because comfort is always key. I wore a knit I found secondhand in Stockholm from the Swedish brand Dagmar, along with secondhand Everlane jeans I picked up at a consignment store in Montreal.
I felt polished, comfortable, and completely like myself in this look!
Everyday Delights
My first ice cream of the year!
Sunny walk by the lake
Therese Bohman’s repertoire
For my delights this week, it was an absolute joy to arrive in Munich just as it was beginning to feel like spring. I had grown quite tired of the snow and lingering cold in Montreal, so feeling the sun on my face and even being able to wear a t-shirt outside in the afternoon felt so special. I was there visiting my boyfriend’s parents, and together we went out for our first ice cream of the year. It’s a simple ritual I look forward to every year, and sharing it with them made it all the more special. And finally, those quiet morning walks by the lake, with the sunlight shimmering across the water, were pure bliss.
I also finished the last unread book I had by Therese Bohman, The Other Woman, and it reminded me just how exceptional she is as a writer. Her prose is filled with such captivating descriptions, and she creates atmosphere and mood like no other writer. I’m very much looking forward to her new novel in English, Mount Verity, coming out this spring and her ‘advent’ book (with 24 chapters to read before Christmas) coming out later this year. And if I dare say it, I think she has become one of my favourite writers.
This Week’s Edit
My most recent five-star read. Into a Star tells the true story of a Danish journalist who lost her husband at just 27 years old. She was left with one child and pregnant with their second, and the book traces what that kind of grief looks like in the months and years that follow. I was in tears reading this on the metro!
My new favourite travel pants! The Butter Recovery Pants from Aritzia are made from their signature “Butter” fabric (which, in my opinion, is the softest material they make and is usually reserved for their leggings). They’re slouchy with an elasticated waistband, but they don’t look like joggers, which I personally love. They’re super comfortable while still looking put-together. You’ll love them when travelling!
Emma Stone wearing Louis Vuitton at the Baftas
I’m not usually that into red carpet fashion, but I loved the minimal look Emma Stone wore to the BAFTAs last week. The clean, simple silhouette feels very ’90s-inspired to me, and gives a subtle Gwyneth Paltrow aesthetic. I’m such a fan of this kind of effortless elegance.
I’ve been using this retinol for a few months now; it replaced the Murad one I was previously using, and it’s honestly been a game-changer. The difference in how bright and glowy my skin looks is noticeable, especially the morning after I use it. I apply it two to three times a week at night for skin aging prevention, and every time I wake up feeling like my skin is at its absolute best. It gives that smooth, fresh, well-rested look without irritation.
I’ve actually been impressed with everything I’ve tried from Medik8 so far. I also highly recommend their vitamin C serum for the morning and the Liquid Peptides Serum at night. Both have become staples in my routine. I’m also glad the brand was acquired by L’Oréal; it hopefully means their products will become more readily available.
Love, S.
