What brings you joy, Jenna O'Brien?
On butter yellow daffodils, library visits and Jenna O'Brien's small joys.
If the colour palette template below looks familiar, it’s because you’ve probably come across it while scrolling through your Instagram feed. During the pandemic, one of the glimmers on social media for me was Jenna O’Brien’s Instagram account, Jenna is Feeling. The New York-based designer and illustrator creates calming, cozy and whimsical colour palettes evoking a mood, memory or a feeling. They were a hit of dopamine anytime they appeared on my feed and still are.
Jenna also has her own Substack, called
that offers long-form content in the style of a digital publication. My favourite post recently was about how to become the creative director of your own home. I love her thoughtfully created and joy-inducing work, and was so excited to have her share her small joys for this newsletter!Three things that are currently bringing you joy:
1. Homemade syrups: I've started making all my home-café syrups myself! This year I made a goal to make my kitchen my favourite restaurant in an effort to encourage creativity and also keep our eating-out budget low. I wanted some seasonal flavours for my morning matcha. It is so easy that now I cannot stop. I've made cherry, strawberry, lavender, and blueberry and am now scheming what I can make next. Earl grey syrup is on the docket.
2. The Notability app: I am someone who collects journals and books. I love pen on paper, but moving into a 700 sq. ft. apartment made me get a little creative and slower to purchase anything that will take shelf space. I make daily to-do lists and tear through full notebooks pretty quickly, but feel too nostalgic to toss them...but...I have nowhere to put them! I ended up transferring all my daily journaling to my iPad with the Notability app. It has been a joyful, organized new rhythm.
3. Longer walks with my dog: Genevieve and I have been taking longer strolls now that the weather is nicer. I've loved listening to music or an audiobook and walking around our neighbourhood. It is a great reset for my brain (and spirits!) in the middle of the work day.
A few things that never fail to bring you joy and why.
A book you love: I like to read five or so books at once, which I understand would make some people want to throw up and I'm so sorry. I always like a variety of non-fiction, business, and fiction going at the same time.
The book, Love Does by Bob Goff changed my life more than I would ever think a non-fiction chapter book could. It is my very favourite and I revisit it almost every year.
I am on a fictional roll right now and just finished up Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt, The Maid by Nita Prose, and I just started Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. I will be honest with you—my taste in fiction is warm, cozy, and happy. I like fictional books that feel like they could exist in the Wes Anderson world, without the trauma. (I like my movies to be the full Wes Anderson experience, though). For non-fiction, I'm currently enjoying Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, Scaling People by Claire Hughes Johnson, and Deeper by Dane Ortlund.
Feel-good TV show or movie: Right now, I love watching the old sitcom, The Mary Tyler Moore Show. It is incredible fashion and design inspiration. I have always enjoyed indulging in old sitcom dialogue and laugh tracks.
A meal that brings you comfort: Pad See Ew is my very favourite meal! Specifically, the Pad See Ew from Thai Dinner off Mott Street in Chinatown. Not only is their website and brand design absolutely dazzling to me, but that meal feels like a warm blanket or a hug to me—the ultimate comfort dish. Unfortunately, when I try to make it at home, I get nowhere close to the real thing. I'm working on my technique! For now, if I need to whip up my own comfort dish—I've been doing a turmeric and ginger rendition of chicken noodle soup.
A place you love to visit: I love New York and even though I live here, I often feel like I'm on my dream vacation! I can't get over that we can just hop on the subway and be transformed to a completely different part of the city.
Here are a few spots across the city I love to visit:
Náko and Cloudy Donut in Brooklyn Heights for the most superior breakfast (and then a walk around the water's edge while you chow on your donuts)
Big Night in West Village for the most magical retail experience.
Orchard St. in Chinatown for finding new clothes (make sure to go by Bon Bon so you have a bag of gummies to enjoy while you browse).
Risbo for a breakfast sandwich and hot chai latte, then a walk to Prospect Park down the road.
The Greenmarket at Grand Army Plaza on Saturday mornings has a lady who sells marshmallow root tea that makes me feel like I'm floating on a cloud! Plus, everyone is selling beautiful flowers right now, there is so much to see!
A smell/scent that makes you happy: I wear Riddle's Milk lotion oil and get the most compliments of any perfume I've ever used! Other favourite spring scents include: steeping earl grey lavender tea, fresh tulips, and pistachio croissants.
Something in your closet: I am a big fan of Things Between's colourful button-up Piper cardigans. I have collected a whole fleet of colours and do not plan on stopping my collection anytime soon. They are light enough for spring, or you can add an extra coat for chilly nights. And they look good with shorts, jeans, pants, skorts—all of it!
Dreaming of daffodils
Come spring, I’m usually on the lookout for tulips, cherry blossoms and magnolias, blooming in all their colourful glory. This year, however, I’ve been noticing daffodils a lot more. Maybe it’s the butter yellow shade or how they remind me of the William Wordsworth’s poem—you can’t not feel happy looking at them. I see you, daffodils and I’m sorry I never paid much attention before.
A tote bag of his own
Growing up a voracious reader, libraries were a special, magical place for me and I really want to pass that love onto my son. Our visits have already become a special ritual for us. Part of the fun is looking for books to read and the other is putting our spoils in a bag to take home. That was made even better with a Very Hungry Caterpillar tote bag that my son received as a birthday present (you can personalize it with stickers!). On our last visit, he brought his tote bag and I brought mine. I helped him scan his books and he put them inside his little bag. At home, we sat on the floor, going through the books we brought back. When people talk about core memories, this is what they must mean.
Jasmine Guillory about her new book in Vogue. More romance author interviews in Vogue, please!
On my beauty shopping list: Korean fragrance brands worth knowing.
I love the slightly moody pink walls in this apartment.
Seven ways to feel less tired after a long work day.
Thank you so much for such a joy-fueling interview! 🤎 This was so fun!
So fun!