Dear May
A sourdough retreat, Japanese workwear blues, my Scandinavian capsule wardrobe, and three books worth discussing.
May was abundant with good company and connection. I spent my weekends travelling over to Salt Spring Island1 and Vancouver for some long overdue face-to-face time with friends. We met new babies, celebrated a few birthdays, and scheduled all the coffee catch-ups. Maybe it was the excitement of an upcoming trip, maybe it was the gorgeous summery weather we had—either way, I’m grateful for these sweet moments.
As I send this, we’ll be waiting to board our flight to Stockholm. My husband and I are taking our first real holiday together to celebrate his 40th birthday—something we’ve long saved and planned for. I’m excited to explore three new countries together (Sweden, Norway, & Denmark), eat our weight in pastries, and absorb as much beauty and inspiration as humanly possible. More than anything, I’m excited to release some heaviness from the last year and return to a more vibrant, creative version of myself. Something tells me Scandinavia has a little magic up its sleeve for us.
Alright, here’s how the month went. Starting with Suki’s new song that brilliantly sums up my current vibes.
A friend of mine hosted a sourdough retreat at Sea Cider Farm, so a couple of us decided to get tickets and try our hands at baking. It was so much fun—a beautiful setting, highly informative, and we were all treated to a delicious lunch.
We each left with our very own starter and the fermenting dough that we made in class. I baked mine in a Dutch oven and it turned out surprisingly well. Golden and airy with the perfect crispy crust.
I also hand-dyed one of my jean jackets this month. It was originally a pale beige colour that completely washed out my complexion (I’m a cool summer after all). The fit and shape of this piece are great, but I never reach for it because of the colour. It was time to fix it or ditch it. So I bought garment dye, cooked it on the stovetop like the instructions said, and crossed my fingers for something better than…warm biscuit.
I blended an indigo denim with pearl grey, creating this gorgeous Japanese workwear-inspired blue. The colour came out soft, mineral-rich, and complex. Even better, the threads didn’t take the dye, so the finished result looks like a custom piece. I’m quite proud!
In other garment news…
We’re only bringing carry-on luggage for our trip2, so I needed to be strategic while packing my clothes. Practical and comfortable were my non-negotiables, but I also wanted a little style for walking around Scandinavia.
Honestly, this was a very difficult task. Scientific almost. Keeping the weather and activities on our itinerary in mind, balancing layers and colours that could work together in endless combinations, and using as much from my current closet as possible… it was no joke.
I kept things very minimal—knowing I’ll find pops of colour, fun patterns, and unique textures while we’re travelling—leaving extra room in my wardrobe (and suitcase) for some shopping! With the addition of a light raincoat and a few soft layers, this is everything I packed to wear abroad…
My Ayla Baggy Jeans and Kyoto Carpenter Pants were no-brainers. Light, relaxed, and easy to pair with my favourite cotton tees.
A white poplin Midi Skirt felt necessary for Copenhagen coffee dates and afternoons at the art gallery. Same with this cashmere tee and oversized Oxford Shirt in a classic scandi-blue.
The black Lodge Pants and Cavalier Sleeveless Crop are cut from the same fabric and make a striking little set—comfortable (elastic waist) with just enough structure to look polished. *I also picked up the Lilac colour in this top because it’s so versatile.
Shoes were easy: Samba Sneakers for walking, Jelly Flip Flops for the sauna and warmer days, and Hatti Slingbacks for something a little fancy. All pulled together with my favourite polarized Sunglasses, simple silver jewelry, and opal Phone Necklace.
Recent Reads:
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov (1955). This is a complicated book to write about… and I debated whether to leave it out. Considered a literary classic, the unreliable narrator of this novel feeds us horrific subject matter wrapped in beautiful prose, leaving me somewhat overwhelmed by the experience. It’s dark, intelligent, obsessive, and manipulative. I approached it more as a study in narration than a ‘good read’—and I feel odd saying, but I enjoyed it.
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors (2024). Even though this novel dealt with heavy subject matter—addiction, grief, death, and the general messiness of being human—it never felt overly bleak. We follow four sisters whose relationships feel layered, flawed, and deeply genuine. I became attached to each of them and felt like I got to spend time alongside their lives each time I opened the pages. A great lit-fic read for those who love family dynamics. I really enjoyed it.
Ways of Seeing by John Berger (1972). This felt like required reading before a trip filled with art galleries and visual inspiration. It’s a unique collection of essays exploring how art, advertising, wealth, and identity shape the way we look at images. Not art history exactly, but thought-provoking for those of us interested in aesthetics, personal style, branding, and visual culture. Truth be told, I thought I would like it more. It left me curious to dive deeper into the language of images.
On The Screen Lately:
All the art references from the Met Gala this year—so good!
MadFit on YouTube has really approachable movement videos. I’ve been loving her Dua Lipa dance workout.
And speaking of Dua: This author chat with Claire Keegan is lovely.
We went to see The Devil Wears Prada 2 for date night. Loved it, thought they did a great job commenting on the industry 20 years later. Would now like a spin-off mini series just about Emily.
Beef Season 2 was highly addictive and completely unhinged. I binged it over a weekend and thoroughly enjoyed.
Remarkably Bright Creatures made me cry—in a good way.
And lastly, some art I’ve been loving:
I hope you’ve had an abundant May. Thank you so much for reading and as always, I would love to hear from you!
What’s one thing you never travel without?
Have you tried making sourdough bread or dyeing garments before?
x Lauren
Dinner at Cider House was 10/10.
Scratch that, Neumann will be taking up my whole suitcase. This furry angel is craving a trip to Scandinavia apparently, lol. Thankfully we’re leaving him in very good hands while we’re away. 🤍😽
I loved every bit of this, Lauren! Have a wonderful trip, you two deserve a getaway <3. I also have Blue Sisters in my to-read stack and I am inspired to try a sourdough starter again.
Very impressive dye job!!!
So excited for you and this trip 😍😍 Ernie and Neumann have the same pre-trip packing ritual 😉