The start of each new season affects our moods and gets us excited for different things. Winter makes us want to slow down and be cozy on the positive side, but it can also feel very gloomy by the end. Especially this winter. We have never been so bleak and over the month of February before, but with the weather starting warm up a bit and the first flowers poking out of the ground in Maryland, it feels like Spring is here and we’re feeling so much more optimistic and energetic. We’re like those kids who insists on wearing shorts as soon as the thermometer hits 45 degrees. We want to put all our black wool sweaters in the attic and wear bright colors and listen to happy music and do everything outside.

I’m (Eloise) reading Joyful by Ingrid Fetell Lee and it’s so interesting to read the science behind our love of rainbows and balloons and happy songs by Taylor Swift. The subtitle of her book is “The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness” and she breaks down what causes joy into categories like Abundance, Freedom, Harmony, Surprise and Renewal. For example, small things repeated many times create a feeling of abundance and therefore, joy. Think confetti, strands of Christmas lights, buttons or Skittles. Flowers and plants create a sense of renewal, but S curves in furniture and other design elements also do. I can’t recommend reading this book enough and I’m working this spring on creating as much joy as I can. (Without becoming that mom on the RHOC who threw glitter on everyone when she met them. On second thought, maybe I will take it that far…)

Here are some things that are bringing us all the joy right now!

1) Anything from The Tiny Tassel-we love the happy rainbow earrings and the bright and preppy prints and ruffles on their dresses and tops.

2) We’ve been listening to Taylor’s Folklore and Evermore all winter, but now that the weather is warmer, the girls and Eloise are back on Lover and have been driving around singing all the songs. Bonus Track: Dua Lipa’s Levitating.

3) Getting outside for walks and runs. Bright super cushioned sneakers from Hoka are motivating us and making it even more fun!

4) Flowers from a cheerful flower shop like Peaceful Petals might be the happiest thing in the world and the easiest way to brighten a space. We also love flowers from Trader Joe’s and plants from Amazon (seriously! the Costa Farms plants are great!) -the more the merrier.

5) Whenever the girls are having a low day, there’s nothing better than a trip to Fro Yo followed by watching Mamma Mia! The music, the dancing and the gorgeous scenery are always a mood booster.

6) Fun spring manicures - we are retiring her dark reds and greys, and switching over to brighter pastels, like Essie’s Slumber Party-On!

7) Dinah recently changed her phone background to a spring-y pale blue check that she got from the Fab Fit Fun IG account! It makes her feel cheery every time she looks at her screen. A cute new phone case would have the same effect like the ones from Minnie & Emma.

8) Puzzles! Since we aren’t all vaccinated and trying to continue to keep a low profile, we still need at-home activities. Dinah has been working on her Gray Malin puzzle, which is two-sided with bright, summery vacation scenes. It’s getting her in the mood to travel again soon!

9) Spring cleaning is another great way to reset your mood - nothing is better at the end of a season than getting rid of things that went unworn, or reorganizing your drawers so that everything looks organized. Dinah has a big, open closet, so she needs to keep things super organized. Her favorite trick (that she learned from The Home Edit) is to use plastic magazine holders or shelf dividers to store her clutches - it makes them look so cute!

10) Easter planning! We love a party with theme and Easter is definitely a family favorite. For dessert, we are super inspired by the candy board that Meg Quinn posted on Instagram - what a fun way to end a meal!