I’m not the best speller around, but I knew how to consult a dictionary long before that helpful squiggly red line that appears under words even existed.
If I were to look up “love” in the dictionary, it would be spelled L-O-V-E. Yet my mother has signed every single card that she has every written to me, my sister, my father, and her grandchildren “Luv, Me/Mom/Grammie.”
L-U-V. The spelling is different, but the sentiment is the same. My kids tease their Grammie and pronounce it “loove” (rhymes with “groove”).
Regardless of the way you spell it, there’s lots to love in April. Here are five things I love this month…
1. Pop Chips (brown rice, quinoa, and chia multigrain chips)
I found these at Costco before I did my sugar detox, and picked them up because they have no sugar added. They are gluten free, and 19 chips have 120 calories. I love that a serving size has 2 grams each of fiber and protein. I dip them in hummus for a snack. Yum!
2. Homemade produce wash
If homemade means more work for me, I’m buying it at the store. But when I ran out of produce wash and had a pint of strawberries to rinse, I found a super simple DIY wash at Barefeet in the Kitchen. Ready?
1. Throughly clean an empty spray bottle.
2. Add three parts water, one part white vinegar.
3. DONE.
If you’re not washing/spraying your fruits and veggies before you eat them, make a batch of this wash and use it. When you see the guck in the bowl after you’ve soaked a bunch of berries, you will be glad you did. Buying all organic produce can get expensive, and this is a cheaper alternative. Water alone will not get rid of pesticides.
3. Cute, casual spring and summer dresses.
Sundresses are the grownup version of onesies; throw on one piece of clothing and you’re done. Here’s one I bought from Old Navy this spring. Note my professional styling with a white denim jacket (also from Old Navy), a silver necklace and a pair of flip flops. Even more professional is the blanket I spread out beneath it as the back drop. Snap me up now, Vogue.
Everything is at least twenty percent off until Wednesday, and the prices are great. If you use Ebates, you’ll get a little cash back too. Disclosure: That’s my referral link; I’ll get some cash back of my own if you sign up (it’s free).
4. Map My Run app
I know it’s popular with runners, but it’s fairly new to me. I’m not a runner, but I went on two whole runs in preparation for the 5k I ran with my family yesterday. Map My Run calculates your speed and distance, and the nice lady inside the app talks to me after each mile, so I know how much longer I have to suffer run. What I love is that you don’t have to be a runner to use the app; it will map your walk, stroll, skip – at whatever speed you choose to go. I’d love to use it in Disney World, but it would be a major battery drain.
5. Easy Spring wreath
Now that I have a brand new front door, I want to wreath-ify it. On the first day of Spring, down came the evergreen wreath and up went this guy:
And I made it all by myself in less than thirty minutes. I bought the supplies at Michael’s for under $25. If you decide to try it, know that I needed six forsythia stems and one mini daisy stem. All you have to do is clip the flowers of the stems and tuck and weave them through the grapevine wreath.
And that’s my Luv List for April – what’s on your list?
the weather has been unbelievably and strangely warm here for san francisco! once the baby arrives, i’m looking forward to fitting into my spring dresses.
And dresses are very forgiving- perfect for that time right after the baby is born.
Ok very thankful for the fruit/veggie wash recipe. Do you soak the berries/veggies or just mist & rinse? Totally doing this…I am becoming increasing bothered by chemicals in our homes and on our bodies (especially my lil one’s bodies)
I spray larger fruits and veggies, and soak softer and smaller ones like berries. My daughter ears at least two apples a day, so I am concerned about chemicals too.
I love your wreath on your new black front door. Gorgeous!
Don’t you just love your MapMyRun app? Congrats on your first 5K finish! Now you’re a running mama, too!
Dying to know how the 5K went!! I discovered Pop Chips on my last business trip to California. Yum! And hooray for sundresses. I lived in them last week on our cruise. LUV!!
I luv them too, but I have to make sure I don’t buy too many – I can only wear one at a time, after all!
Seeing that sundress reminds me that I need to put away winter clothing like yesterday, Dana. Love the total look of the outfit. Those pop chips … I would inhale a bag of them, given the serving/calories ratio. And I’m a huge fan of washing fruit with vinegar. Only thing is, raspberries tend to get weird after I wash them that way.
That’s good to know, Alison. I’ve soaked blackberries and strawberries in a mix of the wash and water, but I haven’t tried it with raspberries.
I’m very impressed by the wreath!! I need to try the PopChips- seems like everyone who has tried them loves them! I mean luvs…
Yes, luvs. You may find them at the Trader Joe’s that’s hopefully opening near you. That would be awesome!
wow…so trying those chips next time I’m at Whole Foods and goign to make that veggie and fruit wash…very clever. Love the dress babe. Now I have to see what app I can get on my phone for tracking my steps all day.
If you find one, let me know. The problem is that leaving the app running all day is a huge battery drain.
Cute wreath and I love the dress! I usually buy organic produce, especially strawberries…I’ll give the wash a try!
I try to buy organic too, Michelle, but sometimes I can’t find what I want. Using the wash makes me feel a little better.
Is it weird that I didn’t even know fruit wash was a thing? Making this will be on my to do list for sure, now that I know about it!
Fruits and veggies, NJ. I especially need it when we start getting things from the CSA. The greens are usually straight from the earth and really dirty.
Omg…I have wanted a recipe for a fruit wash ever since I started using one a few years ago they don’t make anymore. THIS IS SO AWESOME!!!! It has totally made my day! (and your wreath is so bright and springy! I love it!) –Lisa
Thanks, Lisa! The fruit wash is so easy. I was worried that the fruit would taste like vinegar, but as long as you rinse it well, there’s no aftertaste.
I LUV pop chips, but have yet to try that flavor. I’ll be on the lookout at Costco. And your spring ensemble is cute. Living in So. Cal, I hate to report that I live in my flip flops ALL THE TIME. Not in the office, but everywhere else. Enjoy the warmer weather!
You really do have the perfect weather, Kerry. I’m jealous, but comfort myself with the fact that I really don’t need a pedicure between October and April. It’s little comfort, but it’s all I have.
Cute dress! I recently bought two dresses from Old Navy, but I’m waiting for the weather to warm up so I can wear them. Strawberries and grapes are so dirty. Everytime I see people eating unwashed grapes at the grocery store I’m grossed out.
I know – besides the pesticides, who knows how many grubby hands have touched them by the time they get to the store. Eeeew.
Oh – I luv spring dresses, too and I like the way you styled your’s!!!
I’m super impressed with your new wreath- it looks awesome!!!
I’m loving that the weather is starting to be a bit warmer – we still need to use our heater but it is getting better!
I’ve actually been having a hard time finding produce wash at the grocery store recently – I don’t know if they’re out of it, or they moved it or what but even I can master that vinegar wash. And I LUV your dress ensemble and your wreath – so pretty! Even a gray day like today would look more happy springie with that! I need a map my nap ap. Because it would help me figure out what hurts my neck and my nose when I sleep and also it rhymes so it would be very popular I’m sure. Or, I could start running. Bleh.
Lovely April Luv List!!
Map my Nap app – brilliant! Much better than Map my Run. I prefer napping to running. And I do love driving up to my house to be greeted by the yellow wreath – I can see it through the rain.
Oh I like this list. I never knew Pop Chips came in quiona. I’ll have to get some of those. Love how your mother spells “luv”. My grandmother always signed cards Love, Gramma. I really thought that’s how grandma was spelled for a bit!
It really should be spelled that way, Jenny. Who pronounces the D anyway? As for the Pop Chips, I haven’t been able to find the quinoa ones anywhere but Costco, but hopefully they will make their way to regular grocery stores.
I LUV that dress! And the comparison of sundresses to onesies.
I just think it’s the perfect comparison – no thinking about matching, easy on and off. I do appreciate that sundresses cover my thighs; a onesie would be too revealing for my taste!
Sundresses. That’s ALL I wear! Well..maybe underwear and sandals too. Maybe. (kidding)
And produce wash is brilliant! I need do make that.
I love pop chips but I’ve only ever had the plain flavor and the BBQ one. I’ll have to look for this one!
I thought of you when I added the dresses to my list – I know you love them. As long as you don’t wear them with your rainbow socks!
I get so excited when I am mentioned in your blog! What I luv about April is that it’s my birthday month and, I LUV birthdays!
I know you do! I looove them too.
That wreath is so pretty! I love popchips, but not have tried these particular ones–will have to check them out. And white vinegar has the most magical cleaning abilities! We use it to make a home cleaner.
I’ve always heard about white vinegar being good for cleaning; I’m going to have to start using it more. I’ll have to add a scent to it though – I can’t stand the smell.
What’s on my April luv list? I am sure I could come up with a few things but everything this month is put in the shadows as we are celebrating 2 birthdays at home + 3 family members in USA have their birthdays and we also have a spring break coming up! Talk about a busy month-at least for me since I will be making birthday cakes, cards and packing a few Croatian tidbits to ship to USA!
April is a busy month for you! We have spring break coming up too – can’t wait!
I will totally have to try the vinegar wash and so true about Old Navy, being able to dress up their clothes and make them look much more classy for the price. Luv your list, too!! 🙂
Thanks, Janine. Old Navy has the cutest girl clothes too. My girl is in the women’s section now, but at least I don’t go broke keeping her stylish!
Popchips are dangerous for me… I will eat the whole bag in one sitting if left alone with them! I seriously need to start doing that veggie wash thing. Your forsythia wreath is so pretty! I got a new front door this year and I need to figure out how to put a hook on it for wreathes, they always look so cheerful. LUV your picks!
I’m on it with the vinegar – ewww I don’t wanna know! I’ll be on the lookout for the pop chips too. Luv your love list.
Thanks, Kenya! It’s fun jotting down all the things I love every month. I’m also loving the rain, because it’s warm enough to not be SNOW!
Ah so much to LUV! I have yet to try those PopChips but they seem to be very popular. I also love that wreath! I’m in desperate need for one on my door and you make it seem very easy. I may just try it!
You should, Allie. I just stood at the kitchen island and did it while my kids were doing homework. And if I get tired of it, I can take out the flowers and do something else.