Hi there,
March is almost over… we know, shocker. With it came the first true signs of spring. Sunlight that actually warms the skin, a collective mood shift, and that subtle but unmistakable urge to start again. Whether that meant spring cleaning our playlists, wardrobes, or thoughts, one thing is certain: This month brought a fresh wave of favourites, obsessions, and small joys worth sharing.
We’re back with our first Editors’ Picks of the year. Let’s consider January and February write-offs: those months were about mere survival. This is a candid glimpse into what’s been on our minds and filling our shelves. From what we’ve been reading, tasting, and smelling to the things we may or may not have splurged on, here’s what made it into our lives and earned its place.
Keep on reading to see what stuck.
Xx, Aa
Awa’s Picks
- Hojicha by Oficina – On a fateful day earlier this month, I found myself at Oficina and had the pleasure of trying their Hojicha. Let me tell you, it was wonderful. Its rich, nutty, almost savoury flavour felt like a warm hug for the senses and a welcome crutch in my ongoing quest to wean myself off four flat whites a day.
- Cheese dessert at Sebonsa Bodega Restobar – Soo, our affection for Sebonsa should come as no surprise to longtime readers. On their latest venture in collaboration with chef Ciaran Patrick, Amsterdam’s three musketeers have struck gold again. The menu is a spectrum from delicious to downright scrumptious (technical term). But what really stood out was the dessert. Quince, something cream cheese adjacent (vocabulary failing me here), and a crunchy brioche moment. Perfect for those who want a dessert but don’t have a sweet tooth.
- ‘The Book against Death’ by Elias Canetti – I loved having this as my March read. A collection of sharp fragments and furious reflections on the one thing none of us escape: death. Canetti obsesses, resists, and questions why we ever accepted it in the first place. Unsettling, but strangely comforting and humane.
- Le Labo Bergamote 22 Eau de Parfum – The other A (from this team, hihi) gifted me this scent a while ago and it hasn’t left my side since. Now that spring is officially here, I catch myself reaching for it daily. Fresh, uplifting, and just the right kind of lovely, it has me stepping out the door with a pep in my step.
Christina’s Picks
- Tiramisu at Pastificio Luzzi – Picture this: your favourite comfort show, sat on the comfiest couch, and this velvety, delicious tiramisu in your lap.
- ‘Sputnik Sweetheart’ by Haruki Murakami – How beautiful it is to love, and how beautiful it is to have lost. A story that yearns for love and admiration told in an intricate yet familiar way.
- The goats in Amsterdamse Bos (lol) – The coolest goats. Come here solo, or bring a date, you’re definitely gonna leave wanting a farm.
Anastasia’s Picks
- Archive.today – I might get into legal trouble for endorsing this, but I couldn’t not share. If you’re into reading articles but cba to subscribe to 20 different news outlets, this is the best tool for circumventing paywalls.
- Kylie Lip Kit in 808 – I know I’m so crazy late to this trend, and it feels insanely irrelevant to include this, so please don’t judge me 🫣 but hear me out. I recently got the lip kit as a birthday gift, and I swear the liner DOES NOT FADE. It stays on for like 24 hours. I’ve been on the lookout for the perfect lip liner for a while, and I think she’s the one. I just don’t get how no one had personally recommended it to me before: MINDBLOWN. Hence the decision to include it here.
- Palais des Thés Long Jing – This year brought change I never saw coming. Suddenly, I went from drinking five cups of coffee a day to none, swapping it out for green tea as my morning boost. Long Jing from Palais des Thés has been my favorite so far—thanks, grandma, for the rec 😉
- Maha Amsterdam Basic Sweat Washed Black – I’ve been straight up living in these sweatpants. The shape is honestly perfect, and I just don’t feel like wearing any other pants anymore.
Chiara’s Picks
- ‘Ikigai’ Matcha by MICHI – When life gets a little too chaotic, and there’s already enough adrenaline pumping through my veins, I try to avoid a potential heart attack by choosing matcha over coffee. Well, March has been somewhat like that, and this matcha by MICHI kept me floating!
- Rice Ceramide 7 Hydrating Barrier Serum by Anua – I’m not a huge skincare girly, BUT HEAR ME OUT: ever since I started using this serum, people have been asking me about my ‘glowy’ skin! I usually get tired of using the same product, but with all these compliments rolling in, I might just stock up on this for the rest of my life.
- Americano at Bar San Francisco – I know, I know… it’s a classic, but I rediscovered this drink at Bar San Francisco on a night out. My new hyper fixation drink for sure!
- Detox Supplement by Philo – After a night out, and arguably too many Americanos, I like to gaslight myself that I’m still in my ‘health girl’ era. These, and some peppermint tea in the morning, definitely get the job done!
Xx,
Aa
