Tastes change, and so have I.
I feel like 2021 has already had such an impact on me! Barely three months in, and I think I’m so different. It’s nothing utterly drastic or crazy that’s changed, but rather a handful of little changes that seem so contrary to how things were even six months ago. I don’t know if it’s the pandemic or if it’s the focus on myself, but I’ve reconsidered some previous opinions, and made some new choices!
Let’s jump into it: springtime favorites!
Fruity Pastries. I am a chocolate lover through and through, but lately I’ve been enjoying fruit-based desserts! I do mean DESSERTS, by the way, not FRUIT SALAD, which is NOT a dessert, but rather a breakfast side, at best. Strawberry and blueberry donuts have a place in my heart, but lately, I’ve been enjoying light lemon flavors. My preferred snack these days is Lemon Zest bars from LUNA. These energy bars are crunchy, sweet, and dare I say creamy? They have a bit of an iced topping that really adds to the deliciousness of it. The vegan bakery I love, Erin McKennas, has both a lavender and a lemon cupcake. The lemon cupcake has a raspberry dollop in the center that compliments it so well. Following with raspberry, I recently made my friend a Jammie-Dodger themed birthday cake, which was basically a vanilla cake filled with raspberry preserves! It was absolutely delightful. I am in no way saying that I will never eat chocolate again (I am 99 percent certain I have eaten chocolate in the past 24 hours), but these days, sweet, fruity desserts are reigning queen in my heart!
Green. For almost my entire life, if you were to ask me what my favorite color was, I would say, without hesitation, purple. I’d say purple is the color of royalty and magic. I’d point to the purple wall in Tomorrowland that fills many aesthetic Disney photos. Purple can be pretty, dramatic, and calming, depending on the shade. However, in the past few months, I’ve discovered a new love for the color green. I don’t mean lime or neon green, but more like a sea green. When I look at the color green these days, I am both tranquil and excited. I am at peace, but eager for the potential of what the day brings. I’m incorporating green in design choices more and more these days, when it comes to my personal development (or, if you want to use the word –which I really don’t– branding). I suppose it shouldn’t be too surprising– if you look back at my wardrobe purge from last year, I listed a green shade as one of the colors I’m keeping. On that list, purple is nowhere to be found!
Iced Coffee. Never in my LIFE did I think this day would come. I used to avoid coffee like the plague. I might occasionally enjoy a drink that’s more milkshake than coffee (think Mocha Frappes from Starbucks), but that was my limit. Coffee stunts your growth, ruins your teeth, and gives you bad breath. However, regrettably, between my actual job, my post-work work with coding, and my before-work workouts, I need all the boosting I can get. I’m not having coffee every day, by any stretch. However, Aaron makes me an iced coffee once or twice a week, and we often go to a coffee place where I get an iced vanilla Cold-brew coffee with oat milk. It keeps me alert, it keeps me awake, and I won’t pretend the slight appetite suppressant doesn’t come in handy for a girl who’s trying to avoid gaining more weight.
Like I said: seems so small, right? I still feel like a whole new woman. I guess that since it’s a such a big change for me, and I’d like to say that I know ME best, it seems so large. The changes feel good, like I’m only just beginning to learn more about myself. I like that feeling!