+A POWERFUL REFRAME: We’ve talked about reframes over the years (six of my go-tos here), but this week I picked up a new one: “How fast can I get this done?” vs. “How relaxed can I be while doing this?” I think this is part of the importance of seeking out the whimsical and joyful. Whenever I am dreading a specific task (folding laundry, filling out forms, etc), I try to make the situation as comfortable and pleasant as possible. Put on a favorite tv show, treat myself to a latte, light a candle, open the windows to let the sunshine in, move locations (I love to sit on the floor of our family room while doing some of these tasks!). I also think even the act of measuring out my coffee beans in a little decorative porcelain dish in the morning is a hyper-specific, hyper-narrow way of “being relaxed” while doing something I do every single day. Provocation for this upcoming week: how can we be as relaxed as possible while moving through our everyday chores? What small changes can we make?
+A POETRY WORKSHOP WITH YOURS TRULY!: My friend Jacqueline Bond invited me to run a list poetry workshop via her membership-driven virtual (and sometimes in-person) literary salon, Lit Society. You can sign up here (use code JEN_LS for $5 off — Jacqueline just set it up for us!) for a range of different literary events and conversation spaces, including my workshop! I am a paying member, too! The workshop is at 7 pm on 4/20. I have been having a complete blast planning and shaping our time together and cannot wait. Join whether you consider yourself creative or not (of course, you ARE!) I’m going to share more about this on Monday, but taking a screenshot of the event’s details below, and have also added this to my Small Wonders events page. This is not specifically about Small Wonders but we will touch on how the techniques we explore shaped my book.
+DAFFODIL MAGIC: I was swooning over these photos from Floret Flower. The modest daffodil shining! I love the determined helmet shape and the shock of their color against the late-winter grays and early-spring greens. And hhere they are, looking spectacular in bouquet form:
+GOODREADS EMBRACES BAD BOOK GIRL ENERGY: Did you see that GoodReads added a “DNF” option to its menu of book statuses you can select from? I love this! Bad book girl energy through and through.
+EYEING + BUYING: The chicest $59 gingham shorts! LOVE the silhouette. Also swooning over this ladylike eyelet skirt and top combo — especially paired with these Hitchcock heroine shades and a slender wristwatch.
Tanya Taylor’s spring collection is next level. This jacket! This gingham dress! This sirt! I truly love each piece!
Reminder that Chappywrap has given us a rare and covetable 20% off code — JEN20! Love this blue stripe. Perfect for reading outdoors with a glass of wine when there’s still a faint chill in the spring air.
Finally — Nancy Meyers’ favorite affordable sheets!
ZARA GINGHAM SHORTS // MARCH HARE WATCH // BODEN SKIRT AND TOP // GUCCI SUNGLASSES // BUTTERFLY PAPER PLATES // TANYA TAYLOR JACKET // CHAPPYWRAP BLANKET (USE CODE JEN20) // LANDS END 700 COUNT SHEETS // MARIA DEL ORDEN PANTS // PAM MUNSON AZALEA CLUTCH // GINGHAM BOAT TOTE
+A GORGEOUS SPRING COFFEE TABLE VIGNETTE: How gorgeous is this snap from an interior designer I met back when in Chicago, Jenny Holladay?
+COPENHAGEN HOTEL RECS? Bald ask — has anyone traveled recently to Copenhagen? Any strong hotel recommendations? We’re visiting in July and mapping our itinerary. We’ll have our two kids with us!
+GOOD BOOK NEWS: New Barbara Kingsolver book about classical music coming October 6th!
+LEARNING ITALIAN SLOWLY: Absolutely obsessed with this poem by David Shumate. “So willing to make a fool of himself. Over and over again.” Love, and learning a new language, in a nutshell —
+FURTHER PROOF WE NEED A RECORD PLAYER: How Olivia Dean’s album sounds on a 1960s Magnavox Astro-Sonic. Divine; as it should be! I feel transported just listening to this via an Instagram video. The texture!
+BESTSELLERS: This striped tee! A perfect weight for right now — slightly heavier cotton, but the olive green pairs so well with pastels.
01. STRIPED TEE // 02. LA LIGNE ANDIE DRESS (COMFORTABLE AS A TEE BUT SO POLISHED!) // 03. CHIC NAVY DRESS (PAIR WITH A PASTEL PINK CARDIGAN!) // 04. KNIT POLO DRESS // 05. MORRIS & CO RUG // 06. STAUD ROMY DRESS (AVAILABLE IN WHITE HERE) // 07. DOEN VIBES FOR LESS // 08. BEST UNDEREYE PRODUCT, PERIOD // 09. WOVEN FLATS // 10. BANDANA PRINT PANTS
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Also, in terms of restaurants, some of our favorites: Baest (great pizza, not what you think of for Copenhagen but it is so delicious). Would be good with kids. Juno the bakery (of course). Such a charming neighborhood and if the weather’s nice, waiting in line outside will be fine. And Sanchez. Casual but amazing Mexican food. I guess it depends how adventurous your kids are with the menu for that one, though…
Love – thank you so much for this! SUPER helpful! x
We are going to Copenhagen in July with our kids as well (first time!). We were looking for 2 bedroom places and worked with an agent who suggested these: Venders Copenhagen, Rosenborg Hotel Apartments, 1 Hotel Copenhagen, and Kong Arthur (beautiful lofts but layout did not work for us!). I was advised that Tivoli is a bit further out so we chose to stay closer to the canal and travel to Tivoli on that day.
But take all of the above with a grain of salt as we haven’t gone yet!
Oo thank you SO MUCH for sharing these names! Really helpful! xx
I’ve been to Copenhagen 3 times and just love it so so much. I second the Villa Copenhagen rec, and also recommend Coco Hotel, which is a smaller, less high-end but still nice boutique hotel that offers family room accommodation (two bedrooms connected by a living space). It’s slightly less central than Villa Copenhagen but a bit quieter.
Amazing – thanks!! I knew the Magpies would know! xx
I stayed at the Admiral Hotel Copenhagen, but that was for a business trip in 2010. It was nice then, I liked my water view and jogging along the waterfront (RIP my running days). It was walking distance to Nyhavn and public transport at Kongens Nytorv. I regret not taking a canal tour!
Ooh good to know about the canal tour – thanks for that tidbit! And thanks for weighing in here! xx
I loved staying at Villa Copenhagen. We stayed for 6 nights in April 2025. It’s a big hotel, but still charming in many spots (it’s the old post office).
The best parts: 1). perfect location. So centrally located and easy to take the (amazing) public transportation nearby. Fun detail: we could see some of the rides of Tivoli Gardens from our window.
If Disney is a Cadillac Escalade, Tivoli is a 1970s Mercedes perfectly restored. It was not an an obnoxious presence at all. Understated and charming (like everything in this city).
2). The breakfast every morning. Amazing food with many options. Really kind and courteous waitstaff. Even though it’s a buffet we found staff very attentive. Good options for children but you will enjoy the selections too.
Even if you don’t stay at Villa Copenhagen, definitely eat at Rug, their in-house bakery. Delicious and super spacious, with beautiful bathrooms. A great place to have a soft landing after a redeye.
Oo – thanks! Love the “soft landing” description. xx
Love – thank you so much!! xx