Over the years, I have slowly changed my tune about spring. I think it’s become my favorite season. I love going on daily walks and looking for buds on trees and new flowers pushing through. Last year, at the beginning of the lockdowns, those daily spring walks were what got me through March and April. I feel a lot lighter this year, but it’s still bringing me so much joy. The flowers are already starting to poke up around town and I am *here for it*.
I haven’t done one of these bucket lists in a while. I’ve been in the mood to break up the monotony of everyday life over here though, and I thought it could be fun to put together a “bucket list” for the spring season. I’m taking advantage of this second trimester energy, longer days, and warmer temperatures.
I’m not putting pressure on myself to, like, one hundred percent complete everything. But I thought it was fun to go through and think about what kinds of things I would like to do. Great to have a list like this ready to go for weekends with no plans.
SPRING BUCKET LIST
ONE // Plant our garden
I am so looking forward to getting our garden going again. (I should note: we have no idea what we’re doing. But we knew even less last year so we’re just rolling with it for fun.) I have our vegetable seeds germinating in our house right now and then we’ll replant them outside when it’s warm enough. Planning on doing the vegetable seeds in our raised garden beds and I think I’m going to do an herb garden in containers…. Kind of excited to see how it goes.
TWO // Visit my parents
Really, really looking forward to going down to Tampa to visit my parents sometime in April. It’s been harder than I expected to not get to see my family during my pregnancy.
THREE // Sew a new dress
I have not had the time, nor the energy, to pull my sewing machine out lately. I want to attempt to make a dress (or two) this spring! It’s been months since I touched my machine so I think I’m going to ease back into it this weekend by making a new batch of masks that feel springy and fun.
FOUR // Host a proper barbecue
I am itching to “open” our backyard up for the season. I think it’s going to require one weekend of work to get everything in tip top shape. And once we do that, I would love to do a proper barbecue. I know barbecues are usually for the summer months, but I am eager to kick off our outdoor activities again.
FIVE // Visit a new-to-me town
There are so many cute towns nearby. I haven’t really done a lot of exploring of New Jersey and feel a little shame for it! Would love to find some place with an active downtown; small businesses and restaurants with outdoor dining just to do a day trip. Any recommendations? Bonus points for one with a bookstore and/or amazing cafe!
SIX // Clean out our basement
This is less fun…. however, it’s necessary and could be lumped into a spring cleaning category. Our basement was so nice and organized. And then we got married. I pretty much gave up the month before our wedding and it became a dumping ground for any and every thing. It’s bad. Like, really really bad.
SEVEN // Play more tennis
Back to fun! I want to start picking up the tennis racket again. It’s one of my favorite low-key ways to get some movement in. I’m also including pickleball in this too. We got suppppper into this past summer. (Very competitive and very addicting.)
Visit Red Bank, NJ! Just a short drive away from Madison
I love bucket lists!!! I can’t wait to see how many things you accomplish!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Come down to Princeton 🙂 Small World Coffee gets the most buzz but Rojo’s is my favorite.
I second Princeton! Sakrid is also a wonderful spot for coffee.
If you haven’t explored Lambertville/New Hope, that’s another great place to spend the day!
I also recommend Princeton! It’s more central Jersey, but so worth the drive. Great downtown and lots a history (bonus points – we even have a self guided Hamilton tour! It covers lots of local places referenced in Hamilton)
Second Lambertville/New Hope! (Only not seconding Princeton because I feel like you’ve been there before but if you haven’t definitely visit Princeton first!)
Come down and visit Clinton! Tons of bookshops and cafes!
You should look into visiting Haddonfield. It is south of you and will be a bit of a drive but there is a cute downtown and a bookstore called Inkwood Books!
We had an Inkwood Books in Tampa.
We love tennis too! Please do a post after you do the backyard. I feel like you’ve done so many great things piece by piece. Will be nice to see the whole thing.
NJ, in my opinion, is the best state so there are so many fun towns and pocket neighborhoods. Frenchtown, Ridgewood, Montclair. Enjoy!
Definitely Ridgewood 🙂 Sook is an incredible cafe, and there are lots of other great restaurants and shops (including bookshops!) too.
Red Bank and Princeton for sure! Cute, great cafes, and definitely nice Jerz towns.
My boyfriend was born & raised in Maplewood, NJ! The Maplewood village is adorable – filled with bookstores, coffee shops, restaurants, gift shops, & more! I also used to work at Anthropologie in Montclair – downtown Montclair is a fun place to be on a Sunday morning! (some of the best brunch spots!)
Definitely check out Maplewood! The independent bookstore, Words, is owned by a local family and has an amazing mission of employing and providing job training to individuals with autism. Plenty of cute cafes, shops, and restaurants too.
Spring Lake, Lambertville and Ocean City, NJ should be on your list. All very cute in different ways!
If you have not been to Red Bank, you need to visit! I am also from NJ (Middletown) and there is a reason why they call Red Bank a “cool little town”–you would love it!
Another vote for Montclair here. Church Street in particular is a great street to explore, and Raymond’s restaurant is THE place for brunch or lunch.
Check out Princeton, NJ for a small, college town feel. Fun shopping, some nice places to eat and you can walk around campus to see some beautiful architecture. And there’s a bunch of historic sites nearby and it’s fun to drive around the area
You MUST visit Westwood, NJ! Ridgewood is also super cute. Westwood is home to Conrad’s Confectionery, where I worked in college. They have homemade ice cream and chocolates – the best!
Ocean Grove! Cutest little town just a few blocks wide. Relaxed and quiet beach/downtown.
My favorite NJ bookstore is the Bookworm in Bernardsville. If you haven’t been, the dogs would love going for a walk at Natirar Park in nearby Gladstone
Love those vases/pitchers! Where did you get them? Sorry if you said and I missed it!
The tall one was an Anthro find I bought during a Nordstrom anniversary sale and the short is a Burleigh pitcher!
I definitely recommend checking out the Sea Bright and Monmouth Beach areas now – Tommy’s Tavern is a favorite of mine. I’ve see a few people already recommend, but Red Bank is my backyard and fav. place to go out with friends all year round! Red Rock & Robinson Ale House are two faves.
Tommy’s is my favorite too!! Sea Bright is such cute little Shore town!!
For a cute NJ town, you could try Red Bank/Shrewsbury! Tons of cute shops and outdoor dining in Red Bank and The Grove at Shrewsbury has some great stores! Sea Bright and Longbranch are good ones on the shore if you need some nice beach views 🙂
Westfield and Summit have great downtown shops and restaurants!
Clinton and Lambertville! Clinton is a really small town but with some great places to visit. Check out Stone Bean for coffee, Clean Plate for lunch, and JJ Scoops for ice cream! Also, the Red Mill is beautiful.
Lambertville is a bit bigger with a lot of stores to pop into. Definitely check out Owowcow (AMAZING ice cream) and the canal path for a walk!
I second Clinton!! It’s my hometown, so I’m biased, but it’s gorgeous (albeit tiny). Heartstrings is just the cutest little store and Fourchette is the most wonderful French cheese shop (the owner is amazing and they also have gorgeous home goods/linens)! There’s not a ton to see in nearby High Bridge, but it’s worth a stop if you come to Clinton just for the coffee at Scout’s. And a stroll along the Columbia Trail is lovely too!
Visit Red Bank , NJ! There’s also a cute bookstore, River Road Books, in neighboring Fair Haven.
Labor & Delivery nurse here- please just be mindful of toxoplasmosis risk with gardening while pregnant. If you wear gloves during and wash your hands after you should be in the clear. Sending lots of good vibes your way!
One positive thing about hating getting my hands dirty 🤣 I would never touch dirt without gloves ha
Have you explored New Hope and Peddlers Village? Lots of fun. I hear good things about Clinton but haven’t made it yet. Words Bookstore in Millburn is super cute with a good children’s book section and by Liv Bakery, a good falafel place, and a nice park. West Orange can be fun. And of course Princeton and Westfield are great. I’m on maternity leave so would love to see a post of good NJ towns to explore!
Visit haddonfield nj! Beautiful Victorian town near philadelphia with woman owned bookstore and so many cute boutiques and cafes
Asbury Park! Downtown has a darling indie bookstore (Asbury Book Cooperative), great coffee (Cafe Volan), and the best brunch I’ve ever had (Cardinal Provisions). Very walkable + less than a mile from the beach/historic boardwalk. I moved here two years ago after a decade in Brooklyn + it’s been a dream.
Cannot recommend Lambertville, NJ enough! Truly the cutest town ever, and my home to my favorite restaurant in the world — Anton’s at the Swan