Spring Lifestyle Guide, Spring Book Club Picks, Home Refresh Ideas, Spring Beauty & Fragrance Trends, Fitness Motivation, Seasonal Living Inspiration, Entertaining & Decorating Tips
Paris House Book Club
The Croaking Machine by Michele Rosenthal
The Croaking Machine by Michele Rosenthal is a very excited little toad who croaks very, very loudly when he gets excited about something. This doesn’t always go over well with his friends and classmates - especially when his loud croaking gets the class in trouble. Through all his troubles, his best friend Stella is always there for him.
This is a story about being different than everyone else - and accepting the differences of others. It shows that sometimes our unique traits and qualities can save the day and make us true heroes in the end.
Workhorse by Caroline Palmer
This book started out slowly for me; however, around page 100, it picked up the pace and pulled me in. As a magazine editor, I was intrigued by the inner workings of a Manhattan fashion magazine—even if the idea terrifies me, to be honest. Turning to the characters, I found each unlikable for distinct reasons: some were ruthlessly ambitious, others manipulative or self-absorbed, which, while adding complexity and realism, made it difficult to connect with them. If pressed, I might say I disliked the protagonist slightly less than the others because her internal struggles felt somewhat more genuine, but none truly won me over. Ultimately, it's a more venomous read than The Devil Wears Prada can ever dream of being.
How to Commit a Post-Colonial Murder by Nina McConigley
This book stands out for its emotional impact, tracing the struggles of two sisters, their Indian mother, and their white father, who leaves for long periods to work on Wyoming oil rigs. Their livelihood depends on oil prices; the family faces troubling events during his absence. Set in the mid-80s, the narrative evokes anger, sadness, laughter, and reflection, urging readers toward compassion and understanding. Although readers may hope for a happy ending, the story shows that real life is often unresolved or bittersweet, reminding us that resolution is not guaranteed.
Trad Wife by Saratoga Schaefer
This novel is one of my favorite books from recent years. My main argument: it stands out by satirizing social media influencers and unexpectedly blending horror and gore. Together, these elements transform a familiar narrative into an immersive, unforgettable experience. From the start, the book mocks the curated lives of online influencers, blurring the line between authenticity and performance. As horror creatures and chaos emerge, it keeps readers hooked, as it did for my husband and me when I read him chapters each night. The mixture of satire and genre surprise made it hard to put down. Although I don't usually read books with scary creatures or gore, Saratoga Schaefer's sharp mockery of influencer culture and clever writing made this unforgettable.
Audiobook: Funny Story by Emily Henry
Looking for a fun, audio book to pass the hours on a solo road trip? This is it! It follows the aftermath of a breakup, a broken heart and a few little lies along the way. This adorable audio book will have you at your destination in no time!
The Book Club Dinner Party for the Opera Lover
Inspired by Francine Segan
Curated by Paris House
Binge Watch: Love Story
The series reimagines a story that once captivated the world, weaving real moments from the lives of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy and John Kennedy Jr. with dramatic flair. Back in the 90s, I was mesmerized by them, drawn especially to CBK’s effortless elegance. Her classic style inspired me to fill scrapbooks with magazine cutouts, treasures I still keep. When news of their tragic plane crash broke, I, along with millions, mourned their loss. Love Story takes these threads of truth and legend and spins them into a compelling, dramatic tapestry.
“Your Fresh Start: Spring Fitness Made Simple”
By Tina Baker
Spring is the perfect time to reset your routine and reconnect with your body. After a long winter of heavier layers and often slower days, the shift in season naturally brings more energy and motivation. You don’t need an intense overhaul, just start small and stay consistent. A daily walk in the fresh air, a short strength session a few times a week, or even stretching in the morning sunlight can make a meaningful difference. The key is to build habits that feel good and are sustainable, not overwhelming.
This season is also a great reminder that fitness isn’t about perfection, it’s about feeling strong, capable, and confident in your own skin. Lifting weights, moving your body in ways you enjoy, and prioritizing your health are powerful acts of self-care, especially for women in midlife. You are not too old, and it is not too late. Spring invites growth, and that includes you, so step into it with intention, grace, and just a little bit of grit.
Here are five simple ways to embrace spring fitness:
1. Take your workouts outside, fresh air can instantly boost your mood and energy.
2. Add light strength training 2–3 times a week to build muscle and support bone health.
3. Set a small, realistic goal (like moving your body 20 minutes a day).
4. Find movement you enjoy, walking, biking, gardening, or dancing all count.
5. Stay consistent, not perfect, progress comes from showing up, not doing it all.
“The Spring Home Refresh”
By Linda Harbrecht
Fresh warm breezes wafting through the home puts everyone in a mood to embrace the special joys of this season. We asked Linda of @stonecottage2250 on Instagram to share her suggestions for inspiring spring rituals, and she suggested the following:
- Clean and polish. “I always like to have some additional sparkle around the holidays to reflect candlelight and all the twinkle, and I love seeing freshly cleaned surfaces in spring sunlight,” said Linda, who polishes up any silver pieces or copper cookware, oils vintage wood cutting boards and cleans windows and mirrors. “Seeing all that sun bounce around the house instantly changes the environment.”
- Switch out darker, heavier throws for lighter versions. “Winter wools are packed away as soon as we start getting a string of warmer days,” she said. “But I know people still like snuggling up with throws in any season, so have stacks of lighter weaves in spring colors accessible – maybe piled in a large basket or slung over the backs of sofas and chairs.”
- Fill the home with spring flowers for both their beauty and their scent. “An inexpensive six-pack of annuals is a great low-cost way to add a little spring color,” she said. “Thickly planted in a weathered terra cotta pot, for example, they can really pack a punch.” She also uses containers she collects throughout the year – vintage baskets, pottery, copper pots, white ironstone – to add a little charm to pots of tulips, hyacinths and hydrangeas. “And I love cutting flowers like lilacs or forcing blooms from flowering trees, which can make a really dramatic display.”
- Change the look of rooms with slipcovers, pillow covers and paintings with spring and summer themes. Linda covers her green velvet chairs with ticking stripe slipcovers in spring and switches out pillow covers to work in lighter colors and patterns. Winter-themed paintings go back in the attic and florals, landscapes and seascapes come out. “You don’t have to change every piece of art in the home,” she said. “But a lush green landscape over the fireplace, for example, is a quick way to reflect the freshness of this new season.”
- Switch out decorative displays to spotlight spring and summer themes, such as majolica, shells, nests, botanicals, florals, garden objects and plates with spring colors and patterns. “It might seem like a significant effort,” she said, “but it makes such a difference. The whole home feels fresh and new.”
- Make sure your entranceway feels welcoming. Linda changes front door displays throughout the year, and spring is no exception. Starting in early March, the front door could have a moss wreath, a hanging basket of forsythia branches, a bike basket of pansies, a straw gardening hat or a wreath holding terra cotta pots planted with garden center blooms. “And we usually have two large topiary on either side of the door, with maybe a smattering of smaller planted pots to add a little color,” she said. “Whatever the color and plant theme, it gets repeated in our window boxes, which change with the seasons.”
- Organize table linens and entertaining supplies to be ready for opportunities to dine al fresco. “I can’t resist a lovely tablecloth,” said Linda, who readies spring- and summer-themed linens early in the season so that they are handy when an opportunity arises. “I like to organize them all in fall/winter and spring/summer categories and just switch them out as soon as it starts to get warm out. Having them all ready to go means you don’t have to scramble when an unexpectedly warm evening can turn into dinner in the garden with friends.” She also stocks up on candles, tests patio lighting and hauls out rattan serving pieces such as placemats, flatware and ice buckets so that they are easily accessible for impromptu gatherings.
- Freshen up porches, patios and indoor/outdoor spaces. Power-washing the home’s screened porch is a spring ritual in her home, as is touching up the painted vintage patio furniture. “A little bit of effort goes a long way here,” she said. “We also recover the cushions on our vintage wicker set, which gets a lot of use over the season. We mostly use basic ticking stipe fabric. It doesn’t take much time, but everything feels fresh and ready for a new season of enjoyment.”
Linda Harbrecht is an award-winning former journalist and communications professional who now focuses on freelance writing and editing, primarily for home and design publications. Through her Instagram account at @stonecottage2250, Linda indulges her passion for interiors, gardens, food and historic homes. She has a particular fondness for cottage style, artful living and a nature-inspired seasonal approach.
Spring Beauty By Lisa Gonzalez
Fragrance Thoughts on Spring
Spring perfumes tend to feel like a reset—lighter, brighter, and more alive after the heavier, cozy scents of winter. Perfumers usually lean into notes that evoke freshness and renewal, like citrus, green, and soft florals. Citrus notes (think bergamot, lemon, grapefruit) are often used at the top of a fragrance—the “top notes” are what you smell first, and they are designed to be uplifting and quick to evaporate. In spring, they give freshness and sparkle, like the first warm day after a long cold stretch.
Floral notes really come into their own this time of year, but not in the heavy, powdery way you might find in classic perfumes. Instead, spring florals tend to feel airy and natural—like peony, lily of the valley, rose, orange blossom, and jasmine. These usually sit in the “heart notes,” which form the core of the fragrance once the top notes fade. Each flower carries a kind of emotional tone: rose can feel romantic or fresh depending on how it is treated, jasmine adds a soft sensuality, and lily of the valley gives a clean, almost dewy innocence. Perfumers often blend several florals together to create a bouquet effect that mimics a garden in bloom.
To ground all that brightness, spring fragrances still need base notes—the deeper elements that linger on the skin. But instead of heavy woods or resins, you will often find lighter bases like musk, soft woods (like cedar or sandalwood), or subtle amber. These give the scent longevity gwithout weighing it down. You might also see green notes (like freshly cut grass, tea, or herbal accords) woven throughout, adding a crisp, natural edge. The overall goal is balance: something that feels fresh but not fleeting, soft but not dull—like wearing sunlight, but with a little structure underneath.
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Additional Reading
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