March smelled like toasted baguette and salty smoked salmon, like coconut milk heating on the stove for a morning latte. It sounded like Florida Kilos and Sweet Carolina playing on repeat, the fizz of sparkling water being opened for the third time that day. It looked like shades of purple, deep, moody, or a faded lilac.
March was full of cravings. It was full of cafe dates and filming snippets instead of just taking photos. Mornings started early, filled with plans that stretched into the afternoon, but most evenings were spent at home. March moved fast, but in between it all, there were things that made it linger a little longer. So, before I fully step into April, here’s a look into everything that made up the past month.
@David Ligare
Perfumes
These three scents sum up exactly what I go for when it comes to personal fragrance, clean but not soapy, floral but not overpowering, something that lingers without being too much.
Glossier You Fleur - I’m not a fan of the classic Glossier You, but this one is different. It’s soft and fresh with a slight creaminess that keeps it from being too sharp. A scent that feels easy to wear but still special. It’s definitely my favourite out of all the Glossier fragrances.
Yves Saint Laurent Libre - the perfect balance of warm and cool. It’s lavender and orange blossom but with a rich, almost vanilla-like depth that makes it feel expensive. This one makes me feel so confident, especially for nights out.
Diptyque L’Eau Papier - a skin scent in the best way. It’s delicate and musky, notes of rice steam and blonde woods, the kind of scent that makes someone lean in closer just to smell it again.
Perfumes of the month, easily.
Skincare Favourites
After a few months away from home, it was time to get my skin in check. I’m the type of person who sticks to a certain routine but isn’t overly attached to specific products, so when I travel, I usually just use whatever my mum or sister has. Last month, I actually wanted to test products properly and find ones that truly suit my skin. These are my top three:
Haruharu WONDER Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner - I originally bought it because I love anything to do with black rice but huge win, my skin drinks this up. Definitely suited for dry skin.
Tatcha The Camellia One Step Face Cleansing Oil - melts of everything without leaving a weird film. Smells incredible, love Tatcha, my face feels so smooth after.
Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser - late to the game, but now I get the hype. It’s fresh, non-stripping, and makes my skin feel properly clean without being tight.
What I Wore
Once I find something I love, I’ll wear it on repeat without a second thought. Last month was all about uniform dressing, reaching for the same pieces over and over without hesitation. Although I found myself drawn to purples, yellows, my outfits told a different story, mostly monochrome, if not entirely black or white. No matter how much I admired colour, I kept reaching for the same neutral pieces.
7 For All Mankind High Waist Ali Jeans - worn on repeat in both blue wash and black. The perfect fit, the perfect flare.
Doen Henri Top in Black - obsessed with how this makes me feel. Doen truly has my heart.
Isabel Marant Im3 Ankle- Length Heeled Sneakers - Shockingly comfortable. I can easily walk 10,000 steps in these, and the extra height is a bonus.
Tony Bianco Sheba Black Vintage Boots - flattering, sleep, and perfect under flared jeans
Good Basic Long Sleeves - been rotating between Adanola and Sunspel, simple and comfy
Food
A lot of inspiration came from @ally_wong #allisonplate
Like clothes, once I find something I like, I could eat it every day for a month without getting tired of it. March was no exception. I found myself at the same café five, maybe six times, ordering the same thing without hesitation. The weather played a role too. At the start of the month, it was hot enough to make me crave fresh, simple meals. Things that took minimal effort.
Smoked salmon on toasted baguette with fresh dill
Figs!
The same simple salad on repeat: rocket (arugula), cherry tomatoes, lemon olive oil, and feta
Orange poppy seed loaf from the cafe I kept going back to
Vodka pasta because some cravings never fade
Whitebait fritters, perfect with buttered sourdough
Oyster mushroom tempura from my favourite Japanese restaurant
Sparkling water, especially in the yuzu flavour (Almighty I’m your biggest fan)
Couscous salad, easy and exactly what I want in the heat
Home
Small changes made all the difference. Lots of rearranging happened (moving my bedside table to the left side of my bed, opening up more space for my desk), just small tweaks to make my space feel lighter during the day and softer at night. No big overhaul.
New Tekla Bed Sheets - easily my best purchase of the year so far. The colour is exactly what I’ve been drawn to, and they make getting into bed feel like a luxury. 100% worth it.
Carafe Water Set - always on my bedside table. It makes drinking water feel more intentional, and I like having something that looks nice but is actually useful.
1. Tekla Percale Duvet Cover | Mallow Pink Stripes 2. Tekla Cotton Percale Fitted Sheet | Mallow Pink 3. Tekla Cotton Percale Pillowcase | Shaded Yellow 4. Maison Balzac Carafe & Glass | Azure
Things I Did
Puppy yoga with corgis. Easily the highlight of the month. Imagine trying to hold a downward dog while a tiny corgi waddles up to you, or attempting a stretch with a puppy flopping onto your mat for a nap. It was the best kind of chaos.
Filming over photos. I’ve archived so many Instagram photos at this point, I barely recognise my own profile. Who knew Substack would end up feeling like my main account. Lately, I’ve been filming more than taking photo. I even opened a Red Note account, maybe for vlogs or GRWMs? Not sure yet, but it feels way less daunting than YouTube. All I know is, I like the idea of looking back at videos instead of stills!
Wishlist
A running list of pieces I can’t stop thinking about, whether they’ll end up in my wardrobe or just live in my saved tabs. Right now, it’s a mix of feminine details, structured silhouettes, and pieces that feel just as good dressed up or down.
Maje Pinafore Dress with Velvet Collar - the perfect mix of preppy and polished
Sandro Velvet Tweed Cropped Jacket - velvet and tweed? The dream combination. I feel it’ll look really nice with high waisted jeans!
Sandro Maxi Pleated Dress - flowy but not fussy, something about a pleated dress always feels right
Doen Henri Top in Salt Eyelet - I already love this top in black, so of course, I need the white version
Helsa Nadinne Mini Dress - simple, structured, and exactly what I’d reach for a night out but more fun and colourful!
Helsa Elvira Cardigan Top - a little cropped, a little slouchy, the ideal throw-on-and-go knit.
Photos and Videos I’m Bringing Into April
The photos and videos I saved, screenshotted, and rewatched too many times. Ones that stuck with me enough to carry into a new month.
1. @paulinejchoi - this Frankies Bikinis dress!
2. @tvf - the outfit, the hair, the makeup
3. @maddiefrancessca - this set!
4. @jeanneducourau - hoping for a Spanish summer
5. @alicemoireau - love Japanese dessert and tea
6. @biancafinch - romanticising golden light, romanticising early mornings
Tiktok
@lifebylaurenralph - dream dessert bowl!
@ally_wong - I love Allison’s videos so much!
@givenchyglam - motivation to learn Spanish again, any tips from Spanish speakers!! I really want to learn another language this year.
March came and went, leaving behind songs I’ll keep on repeat, an outfit formula I won’t be letting go of anytime soon, and a few new favourites that made the everyday feel better. Some things like corgi puppy yoga were fleeting joys, while others like finally finding skincare that works for me are here to stay!
I quite liked how fun this post was to write! Maybe this needs to become a series. From the Files, a weekly roundup alongside my usual Friday posts?
We’ll see. For now, onto April.
Chat soon!
Nancy Xx
Those Tekla sheets!!!! 💖
Love this sm ❤️