April from the porch: Bluebird and rituals of renewal
along with farm-fresh hostess gifts, a new recipe, and the joy of moviegoing
Hi! I hope you’re enjoying this sunny week. Welcome to Dream Sequence, where I share inspiration for a simple, intentional life, vintage treasures, interiors, and ideas for building a home that feels like a haven of comfort - along with life in my own tiny space in the West Village of NYC.
Finally! Last weekend, I experienced the first moment of spring bliss: slipping into a new Dôen sundress, opening a cold bottle of rosé, and enjoying it in the sunshine on the porch while Lana’s ethereal new track Bluebird played in the background. It’s been the soundtrack to my spring. This winter was long and relentless - but moments like these remind me why I love New England. We savor every bloom and sun ray; nothing is taken for granted.
Other spring things included enjoying a breakfast at the Bleecker Street location of Kerber’s Farm (also a perfect place to pick up hostess gifts - homemade jams, fresh honey, baking mixes, lavender sea salts…) purchasing a pretty top at Dôen that I’ve been eyeing for a while, and lots of flower coffee walks. It’s simple and grounding: walking around with a coffee and simply noticing the flowers. The parks or streets, if I’m in the city; barefoot around the yard, if I’m in Connecticut.
I also found some vintage cake tins at the cutest thrift shop in New Canaan, and soaps from the wonderful Adirondack Store. The owner there is so kind, and made me a cappuccino on the house as we were chatting.
Back in the city, my group of West Village friends and I had our first stoop evening. My friend Chris brought our favorite sake. Another friend brought caviar + the most delicious potato chips, which was fun. We people watched, made plans and told stories until the sun started setting and it was time for me to head to dinner. Every time we’re on the stoop, a passerby inevitably stops to comment and appreciate our little gatherings - it’s so sweet.
Around the apartment: making margaritas + more flowers.
Along with my new espresso velvet curtains, which add such warmth & privacy to my living room.
Currently Loving
Sinners. I saw it in 70mm at the beautiful Angelika East theatre. It’s a wild ride, and the most captivating film I’ve seen in a long time. It had me thinking about how the movies are such an impactful experience - how wonderfully human to sit in a room of total strangers and laugh, and feel afraid, and cry together. You need the movies, and the movies need you.
Speaking of movie theatres, I go so often that one day I should do a definitive ranking of the best theatres in the city. The coconut oil popcorn at Alamo is addicting, and the specialty food & beverage program at Nitehawk is so fun (they do themed cocktails for each movie). There’s no better feeling on a weekend night than settling into a recliner, ordering up your favorite treats, and letting life fall away as you lose yourself in a new film. I’m seeing Sinners again this Friday at Nitehawk. And I’ll probably see it again after that.
The 1923 finale had me crying for hours. That final sequence of Alex & Spencer - nobody talk to me about them ever again!!! I’m not emotionally strong enough.
A friend of mine just sent me this muffin recipe. She’s been making these for her kids every weekend, and they’re heavenly. She cuts the sugar in half and uses one cup flour, 1/2 cup protein powder. I plan to try them out this weekend.
These whole food, seed oil-free protein bars.
Wearing a CGM to track my blood sugar. It’s interesting to experiment what my blood sugar does throughout the day, and how it impacts me.
Trying to lift weights 2x a week; this new workout class makes it easy.
This song lyric:
We’re always only one turn away from freedom and a completely different view.
Lastly, how wonderful is this sentiment? I’ve been thinking about it often.
Interior photos that inspired me this month.
Dream Sequence Finds
This Art Nouveau floral double wall candlestick.
Antique silver plated egg cups.
Vintage mirror with delft tiles.
What are some spring rituals that you love? What’s a recent moment that truly felt like the arrival of spring to you? I’d love to hear. I hope you enjoy the rest of this week as we transition into May.
To warm and blue days,
Carly
p.s. this + love letters or nothing:
🫶
a moment that felt like spring for me was finally hearing the birds chirping and singing while walking to class !