Today: what our journalists swear by for a spring refresh. Plus …
8 things that help us mark the transition to spring |
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| NYT Wirecutter |
 | By Erin Neil Erin is a newsletters editor at Wirecutter. Springtime for her means a trip to the farmers’ market every Sunday morning. |
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Every season offers a chance for renewal, but perhaps none more so than spring — with its grand entrance of cheery cherry blossoms, friendly daffodils, and bashful tulips emerging from the once-frozen earth. As we start coming out of our own hibernations, it’s helpful to remember that sometimes all it takes is a tiny upgrade to wipe the slate clean and refresh our spaces.
Here are a few tips, tricks, and simple swaps that Wirecutter journalists swear by to start this sunnier season off on the right foot:
- Prep your outdoor space: Following a season of slush in Oregon, editor Erica Ogg told us that she knows the new season has officially begun when she breaks out the pressure washer to clean her back deck: “Ridding it of all the moss that’s grown during cold, rainy season is the thing that means it’s time to start spending time outdoors again.” Making a few small improvements to your outdoor setup — like this pretty, lightweight set of dishes or some moody lighting — can help too.
- Upgrade your tees for a better spring uniform: When we asked deputy editor Annemarie Conte in Slack what she was most excited for this season, she kept it concise: “SHORT SLEEVES.” We recommend plenty of versatile and layer-friendly options (for those still-chilly mornings), including this $15 tee from Uniqlo. The boxy-yet-shaping fit is exactly what style writer Frances Solá-Santiago has “long craved.” And it pairs well with just about anything.
- Swap your scents for something fresher: Beauty editor Jennifer Sullivan likes to replace her usual woodsy, autumnal candles with something lighter and earthier as soon as the days start getting longer. “In the past, I’ve burned and loved Flamingo Estate’s Roma Heirloom Tomato Candle, which has an amazing dirty-clean vegetal scent,” she says. But for a more affordable option, she also mentioned this soft, natural-smelling candle with notes of eucalyptus and lavender. “I’m counting on those clarifying herbal notes to make it smell like I did my spring cleaning, even though I haven’t yet.”
- Pick one overlooked spot to deep-clean: During the dark days of winter, it can be easy for grime to build up in nooks and crannies without us really noticing. Cleaning writer Caroline Mullen uses these mini brushes for odd jobs around her house, including scrubbing her shower. “This little brush ended up being the perfect tool for keeping the white grout lines clean,” she says.
- Oh, and don’t forget about the dogs: Pets writer Mel Plaut reminded us that spring is the time to transition from dog winter coats to dog raincoats. “It keeps the wet dog smell at bay!” Plus, they’re pretty darn cute.
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Plus: Our favorite pots for plants |
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| Connie Park/NYT Wirecutter |
Putting a houseplant into a really pretty pot is an excellent way to remind yourself to pay attention to it. After researching more than 100 planters and testing 23 of them, our experts found a collection of stunners that serve as lovely, functional homes for your flora.
Including a stout, stylish option and a hollow, hanging disco ball→
One last thing: A perfect baby lamb |
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| Doug Mahoney/NYT Wirecutter |
This is Hank. He’s one of several baby lambs just born on writer Doug Mahoney’s New England homestead. During the six days of his life, he’s been staying extra warm (and stylish!) in our favorite winter jacket for dogs. A product-testing prodigy.
Thanks for reading.
You can reach the Wirecutter Newsletters team at newsletters@wirecutter.com. We can’t always respond, but we do love to hear from you.
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