While spring is slowly coming to a close and the last of the cherry blossoms have long since been swept from the streets, the last few weeks have really felt like the best of the season. Food fests have started ramping up for summer, the weather has begun to sneak up to actual sandal-wearing temperatures, and there is a more positive vibe that falls over the city that is downright palpable. Beyond the increase in vitamin D and warm coats that can finally be stored for the relatively short season that is summer in Berlin, these are the things that have me in a spring state of mind...

Hindsight soundtrack | Whether you dig some older jams or were a teen in the '90s like me, listening the Hindsight soundtrack on Spotify will transport you back to the best of this decade. Not to worry, no awkward junior high dances or regrettable makeout sessions necessary. All the movie quoting and besties moments on the show did make me nostalgic for the days when me and my best friend were young and carefree like Lolly and Becca. *sniffle*

Blockshop Textiles new collection | I've been a big fan of these sisters' beautiful, handmade scarves for years, but I've held off on investing in one until I found the one just right for me. Thankfully this season, they introduced the Diamondback pattern and my smitten heart could not resist.

Simple jewelery | With all the shedding of layers spring affords, it seems a shame to layer on too many accessories. I'm all about simple gold things right now and the gorgeous dart necklace from Another Feather would be the perfect addition for necks finally freed from cold-weather scarves.

New sunnies | There's something about the first rays of spring sunshine that have my grey Berlin existence scrambling for my sunglasses - and this year I decided to treat myself to new prescription pair, thanks to the super affordable direct-to-customer brands out there. After much debating, I finally ordered Ace & Tate's Robin frame since every time I tried them on in a store, they made me feel chic and movie-star-esque. After all, isn't that how every pair of sunnies should make you feel?

Bright lipstick | My sister-in-law very kindly picked up a couple Bite Beauty lip products to bring during her stay last week and I have completely fallen in love with the matte crème lip crayon. I'm already plotting more from them when my mom visits later this year. There's nothing like a moisturized, bright lip to celebrate the shedding of winter layers. Plus, they're gluten-free and food-grade too!

Slouchy casual | After months of being stuffed like a sausage into layer upon layer of high socks under long underwear under pants and shirts under sweaters under coats, it's not hard to see the appeal of easy dressing in boyfriend jeans and slouchy shirts. I practically live in my H&M boyfriend jeans, but I wouldn't mind adding this Madewell courier boy shirt to my spring repertoire.

Ping pong | After nearly a year of passing by the ubiquitous ping pong tables at every park and Platz in Berlin, we finally bought a ping pong set and have taken to spending my hubby's lunch hour playing just two blocks from our apartment - as long as the wind and rain cooperate. It's such a great way to get us outdoors on most days and break that long winter hibernation. We're not terribly good, but it sure is fun.

Succulents | As much I dislike all the spring rain and grey here in Berlin, I am so appreciate how green it makes this city. I've always wanted to bring more of this greenery indoors, but my black thumb isn't having it. I have a few Ikea succulents that have miraculously survived my attempts to kill any plant that enters my home, so I'm shooting for some more of those to bring actual life into our flat. That, and those cute Ikea Kardemumma pots to put them in.

Strawberries | Growing up in California, it was always strawberry season. There was no waiting for the month when they finally hit the grocery shelves, they were always there. Now halfway around the world, the season must be patiently waited for, when all the little strawberry-shaped stands appear on every other street corner and the prices for a basket of the local stuff comes down to reasonably affordable. Then, I relish in eating strawberries with thick Greek yogurt or sliced on top of waffles or pancakes. But my favorite way to enjoy them has to be in a spinach salad, sprinkled with slivered almonds, crumbled feta and a glug of balsamic and olive oil. Mmmmm. Tastes like spring.

White sneakers | I've always been terrified of white sneakers. Perhaps the aversion had more to do with bad '80s memories of puffy-painted sweatshirts and leggings worn with ratty, high-top Reeboks or just my absurdly large feet, but I never felt like it was something I could pull off, let alone keep clean. When the Adidas Stan Smiths showed no sign of letting up this season, I figured, what the hell. Much comfier than Chucks, more substantial than Supergas, and at least the leather can be buffed back into decent-looking shape when inclement spring weather arises. I am a definite convert.


What about you? What has you feeling particularly spring-like these days?

There's something to be said about the whole package in music. Back in the day, groups not only had to have talent, but they had a look. Coordinating hairstyles and sparky dresses were de rigueur. Sure, it's all for show, but growing up in a time of flannel-shirted and stringy-haired musicians, I can't help but be smitten with band members that work as hard on presentation as they do on their pipes.

Lucius is all about this throwback style, complete with coordinating haircuts and a '60s-esque, lullaby sound to match. Their big hit "Turn it Around" begs you to dance and clap along, while this Lennon cover shows they have the vocal chops to be more than just two lead singers in matching outfits. I can't help but be a fan.

I for one will be slipping on a mini skirt and painting on some thick-winged liner - all the while fighting the urge to chop some super short bangs over my sink - and heading to their show here in Berlin next week, my first live music in far too long. Who's with me?

I've long been a fan of the strong female musicians with unique voices (hello, Nikka? I miss you), so when I first laid ears on "Into the Wild" some time last year, I was smitten. So after having the same few songs on repeat for months, I was supremely happy to finally have a whole album to listen to. That voice, the ukulele, - oh, how I love a good ukulele - and some mad whistling skills, LP seems like the kind of cool, laid-back chick you'd love to just hang with and have a beer or five.

Any time you're in Berlin, LP. Any time.

While I realize "Take Me to Church" is getting major play at the moment (pretty sure I heard it over a retailer's sound system the other day), I can't get enough of Irish artist Hozier's other big hit "From Eden". His voice. Those instrumentals. Swoon.

After having his entire Spotify offerings on repeat for weeks, I looked into this young man a bit more. Challenging the church he was brought up with and the powerful images from his "Take Me To Church" video portraying the deep-seated homophobia in Russia shows an impressive sense of self at such a young age, not to mention a great humanity. His talent extends beyond even his own music, as proven in his fantastic cover of Fun's "We Are Young". I for one am anxious to hear more from his first full-length album in October, or September if you're lucky enough to live in Ireland.

What about you? What have you been listening to lately?

While she's been around for a while, making big strides over the years opening for Aerosmith and winning a handful of awards, Canadian Serena Ryder only just popped up on my radar. This single won me over with its catchy sound and her slightly scratchy, old-school vocals that would be right at home in the era of vinyl. When I managed to listen to the rest of her latest album Harmony (2013), I was hooked and it's been on repeat ever since. There's a stirring emotionality packed into her songs that I haven't heard in awhile. I dare you to listen to "What I Wouldn't Do" and fight the urge to jump in the car, roll down the windows and feel the wind in your hair, or hear the throwback sound of "For You" and not make Adele comparisons. Or at the very least, want to shake up a very dirty martini.

And it appears I'm not the only one. Later this week in fact, Serena is up for Juno Awards in pretty much every category she qualifies for. So pop on the album, dance around the flat in your underwear (or, ahem, however you enjoy music) and cross your fingers for her to win. Here's to more albums like this one.

Enjoy!

Never one to be on the cutting edge of music, I often stumble upon artists who have actually been around for years, floating just under my radar. The plus side to this is that I almost never get sick of these new-to-me songs, as my ears are not constantly bombarded with with them on the radio and every other television commercial (not that I really listen to the radio or watch TV these days...).

Katie Herzig is one such musician to catch my attention and I must say, her latest album - albeit, three years old at this point - has just the happy, upbeat vibe I've been needing lately. The fact that we share the same name and hail from the same state may or may not have affected my affinity for her music. Either way, she's rocking my headphones right now. So until her new album Walk Through Walls comes out in the spring, I've got The Waking Sleep on repeat.