Spring Energy, Birthday Celebrations & Fresh Starts

April has arrived, and with it, a long-overdue shift in energy.

The light lasts longer, the first proper warm days have people acting like it’s July, and suddenly, London feels like it’s coming alive again. There’s that undeniable flicker of possibility in the air—the one that makes you want to open all the windows, book spontaneous dinners, start an ambitious skincare routine, and convince yourself that a completely new wardrobe is a reasonable idea.

It’s that stretch of time where everything feels slightly romantic, from the way the light hits the pavement at 6PM to the smell of fresh tulips in corner shops. I caught myself smiling at strangers again—my tell-tale sign that the seasonal shift is actually doing its job. Also: I just celebrated my birthday in style. And yes, it was everything.

Birthday Celebrations: A Dinner Party Done Right

April 9th was exactly what I wanted it to be—effortless, intimate, but with just enough chaos to make it memorable.

Some highlights:

• A candlelit table that was meant to be rustic-chic but ended up looking like the set of a period drama. There were so many tealights, someone referred to it as “spiritually flammable.” Honestly, it was a fire hazard with vibes.

• Too much wine (obviously), mismatched plates, and just the right mix of old friends, new faces, and people who shouldn’t sit next to each other but always do. The kind of conversations that jump from deep vulnerability to absolute nonsense in the space of two sips.

• A menu that began with the idea of “simple sharing plates” and escalated into a semi-professional situation involving handmade pasta, a panic about the panna cotta not setting, and a risotto that became an unexpected crowd favourite. There was a moment when I genuinely considered plating with tweezers. I didn’t. But still.

• A playlist that started off chill and jazzy—think Norah Jones and soft saxophones—and inevitably devolved into early 2000s bangers. I won’t apologise for the impromptu kitchen dance party. It was my birthday, after all. There’s video footage. It’s haunting.

• And yes, someone brought a cake with an unreasonable number of sparklers. I fully leaned into my main character energy, made a wish, and grinned like a child. Then made everyone sing twice because the first round was “off.”

  
  

It was one of those nights that reminds you why hosting is always worth it. Even if it takes two full days to recover, and even longer to get candle wax out of your table runner.

Spring in London: That ‘Fresh Start’ Feeling

This is the time of year when everything starts to feel possible again. The city is waking up, and so is my social life.

Suddenly, it’s happening—rooftops opening, cafés spilling onto pavements, and the collective mood lifting like a well-timed curtain rise. People are lingering in parks until the sun dips below the skyline. Everyone’s group chat is full of vague plans involving “somewhere with a terrace.”

You can tell people are mentally planning summer holidays mid-conversation—pausing only to sip rosé and pretend they’re listening. I’ve seen a girl browse flights on Skyscanner during a date. She was wearing sunglasses. Iconic.

Also: the first real ‘no coat needed’ day? A spiritual experience. Like the city whispering, “You made it, babe.” I wore a trench and carried it most of the day. It felt performative, but I wasn’t mad about it.

Style: The Spring Glow-Up Edit

Current rotation:

• Linen blazers, but layered—because London is still unpredictable and I’ve been burned before (figuratively and literally). I love how they elevate anything from denim to bike shorts with just a hint of 'she has a Pinterest board for everything.'

• Slip dresses making a tentative return. Worn with trainers or boots, depending on what the weather decides in the five minutes between leaving the house and reaching the bus stop. I’ve now mastered the art of slipping a cashmere jumper over one when the temperature drops 7 degrees between Borough Market and Shoreditch.

• Fresh white trainers, because it’s officially that season. I give them one week before I step in a puddle. I clean them with micellar water. Don’t judge me.

• Gold jewellery, sunglasses, and the occasional silk scarf, loosely tied and completely unnecessary, which is exactly why I love it. Everything’s a little shinier right now, and I’m leaning in.

• Lightweight knitwear, because I refuse to be caught in the cold again. There’s a cashmere jumper tucked in my tote at all times. It has saved me twice this week and makes me feel like I have my life together.

  
  

Also: I am emotionally, spiritually, and sartorially ready to retire winter coats permanently. If I never have to see my puffer jacket again, it’ll be too soon. I’m currently mourning one wool coat that has served me well but needs to be boxed up before I start resenting it.

Wellness: Shifting Gears into Spring Mode

Lately, I’ve been easing into wellness without the drama. No 6AM wake-up calls or ten-day detoxes—just daily habits that feel good and make sense.

• Outdoor walks, because it finally feels good to be outside again. I’ve rediscovered my favourite park route and walk it like it’s a runway. Sometimes with music, sometimes in silence. Both are medicine.

• A mix of strength training and pilates, but with no pressure. Just movement that makes my body feel capable and light. I’ve fallen back in love with mobility flows and the smug satisfaction of a post-shower stretch.

• Lighter meals, fresher ingredients—because spring produce is elite and my cravings are changing with the sun. Tomatoes that actually taste like tomatoes? Revolutionary.

• Hydration is back on the priority list. I’m not perfect, but I’m trying—and I’ve upgraded to a very aesthetically pleasing water bottle that helps. It matches my nails. Yes, I planned that.

• I’ve also reintroduced SPF into my daily routine, and honestly, I should’ve never stopped. Consider this my public apology to my future self. The sun is not your friend, it’s your frenemy.

  
  

Wellness is less about intensity and more about joy. Joy in the little things: the post-walk stretch, the scent of citrus hand cream, the extra time spent doing nothing, the unbothered scroll pause when you read something genuinely inspiring (rare, but it happens).

Mindset: Making the Most of the Shift

Right now, I’m focusing on:

• Appreciating the now, less rushing to the next. Life doesn’t need to be earned—it’s happening already. Spring reminds me to stay soft, curious, and more open than I’m usually comfortable being.

• Saying yes to the things that feel good, especially if they come last minute or require red lipstick. I’m not afraid of bold anymore—be it lip colour or decision-making.

• Romanticising the little things—the first iced coffee, the sun catching in my earrings, the smell of fresh laundry on a Saturday morning. If it makes me smile without trying, I’m writing it down.

• Staying open, even when I’m tempted to retreat. It’s so easy to get stuck in safe, quiet patterns—but spring wants to pull us forward. I’m letting it. I’m actively choosing possibility over protection.

  
  

Also: summer is coming, and I am ready. Not in a “hot girl transformation” way—just in a way that says I’m here, I’m glowing, and I’ve made peace with my thighs. I’m not shrinking to fit anything anymore—not clothes, not rooms, not expectations.

Pop Culture, Trends & What’s Happening Right Now

• The ‘clean girl aesthetic’ is evolving into ‘coastal chic’—picture striped knits, tousled hair, and an unreasonable amount of white linen. I’m mentally in Positano even if I’m physically on the District line.

• Quiet luxury is still everywhere, and I am so here for it. Understated, expensive-looking, and all about the details. It’s not minimalism, it’s intention. A vibe. A way of walking.

• Fashion Week left us with a lot of neutrals, relaxed silhouettes, and the triumphant return of the belt. Honestly, I’m inspired. And slightly overwhelmed. But mostly inspired.

• London is collectively debating whether April is iced coffee season, and the answer is: yes, if you’re emotionally strong enough. Bonus points for oat milk and a sprinkle of delusion.

• BookTok is obsessed with messy women again, and honestly, it’s comforting. Complexity is trending. If your protagonist isn’t spiralling with perfect skin and questionable choices, are you even reading contemporary fiction?

  
  

Also trending: ballet pumps, the return of the eyebrow pencil, oversized headphones as accessories, lemon yellow as the colour of spring, and pretending we weren’t all deep in hibernation three weeks ago.

The Month Ahead: What’s Coming?

• More spring social plans—brunches, rooftops, and a suspicious number of birthday dinners (not all mine, I swear). At this point, my calendar is a rotating wine list.

• More leaning into the lighter, brighter energy. Saying yes to last-minute plans, fresh flowers, random adventures, and spontaneous gallery visits just because it’s sunny and I need a moment of silence surrounded by sculpture.

• Possibly a little birthday getaway? TBD. I’ve been eyeing Lisbon, but let’s see what the flights say. Also considering Marseille. Or somewhere remote with just Wi-Fi, wine, and no one asking what I “do.”

• A wardrobe clear-out and a slow rotation of storage-drawer discoveries. Every spring I forget how many linen trousers I own. It’s alarming and impressive.

• More mornings with sunlight, fewer alarms, and maybe even a new journal (with no pressure to fill it). Just a place to jot down the good stuff before I forget.

  
  

April, you’ve started beautifully—let’s keep this going.

Sophie x