The Fluff Stuff #88: May Holiday Triumvirate

🌷 A seasonal living recap, May the 4th (be with you), the Met Gala, and the perfect Spring salad (from Trader Joe's).

Welcome to the Seasonalist, a happy place to land, where you’ll find all things seasonal and seasonal-adjacent (books, movies, food, and fun) from Austin, Texas. If you’d like to subscribe, click below.

Seasonal living last week

"Not everything blooms in spring. Your season might be autumn. Keep going."—James Clear¹

Happy Sunday, y’all.

I took a week off from the Fluff Stuff—I was off traveling (Chicago and New Buffalo, Michigan) with college friends (Miami University—OF OHIO).

Welcome to The Fluff Stuff-a quick seasonal recap and a reminder to live your best seasonal life. And a few Fluffy Things—read on for The Fun!

Each week, I recap how I lived seasonally this week, and I encourage you to do the same. Why? Your life can be so much better if you follow the formula.

How I lived seasonally last week (pictured above)

1. An Austin FC game on a beautiful spring night (they lost)

2. Trader Joe’s Lemony Arugula Basil Salad Kit (10/10, no notes). Yes, I used a leftover container to bring said salad to work (compostable!)

3. The first bounty from my vegetable garden!

4. The Seasonalist in Chicago with TULIPS (excuse all the burnt orange, it was unexpectedly cold and I had to buy the vest, and decided to get the orange for Longhorn events)

Now for…

🌎 Seasonal PSA Stuff

• May the 4th Be With You. Last year, I ordered Millennium Falcon pies from Tiny Pies for May the 4th, but I’m overextended. Oh well. One must pick and choose their seasonalness.

• However, it is time for my annual repost of my favorite reel ever (if you’ve seen Revenge of the Sith, you know). Not everyone can recreate an iconic scene with marshmallows.

aysokas

A post shared by @aysokas

• Cinco de Mayo is Tuesday, take a peek at last year’s Fluff Stuff for a little background on why it’s considered a minor happening in Mexico. I don’t need any reason to celebrate with Mexican food, but as I stated in my May Seasonal Super Stack, I will make Caro Chambers’ Flautas and Roasted Corn Salad.

• And last but NOT LEAST, the absolute nonsense of the Met Gala is upon us (I will be glued to the TV). One of my favorite Google search terms I encountered…”What is the point of the Met Gala?”

• Answer: to raise money for the museum’s Costume Institute. Huh. Tune in this Monday. It’s a bit like the Papal Conclave—”guests must abide by a no-phone (and, therefore, no social media) policy once they’ve entered the museum.” WHO KNOWS WHAT HAPPENS IN THERE.

📚 Book Stuff

I read Cara Bastone’s Promise Me Sunshine, and I give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Lovely author and writing.

I also read Broken Country, ⭐️⭐️⭐️. It was fine—but perhaps my expectations were high because it has been the pick of several high-profile book clubs.

I’m halfway through the Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins, and while not earth-shattering stuff, I took notes! And have sagely whispered, “Let Them, Let You” a few times to myself. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🌅 Chicago & Michigan Stuff

I spent 5 days in Chicago and New Buffalo, Michigan last week with a few of my college besties. I haven’t laughed like that in forever. What a bond we all have. I am blessed to have them in my life.

Chicago and New Buffalo, Michigan

Highlights:

1. The Architectural Boat Tour (I have been to Chicago many times, but have never done the boat tour. It lived up to the hype).

2. Drinks at Tavern on Rush (part of the Viagra Triangle)²

3. Daffodils in the wild in Michigan! NOT PURCHASED AT TRADER JOE’S!

4. A sunset on Lake Michigan.

5. Enjoying family-style brunch each morning with my friends. No pics (I WAS PRESENT IN THE MOMENT), but it was a reminder to have more at-home brunches.

6. My friend had this coffee machine. It was the best. I wanted to buy one until I saw it was $999.95 (less than a thousand dollars, what a deal).

*I pour-over.

🎥 Movie Stuff

I prewatched The Accountant 1 at home, then saw The Accountant 2 at the movies (I liked The Accountant 2 WAY more—but is it because I viewed it on the Big Screen? Note to self: Go to the movies more). For those who haven’t seen either—it’s about a neurodivergent accountant with a particular set of skills and sketchy clients. Trying to visualize the pitch meeting for this. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🤣 Laughing Stuff

theonion

A post shared by @theonion

💙 Wrap-Up

May your weekend be fluffy.

• Newsletter Shares of the Week: From the Lunch Break, a May Produce Guide. From Refined Life Studio, Traveling Light: How to Pack for Travel Using Only Carry-On Luggage. One of my dirty little secrets, I like to wind down by watching YouTube carry-on packing videos. So soothing. I think it’s all part of the fantasy of living smaller.

• For those wondering, The Great Conclave Secret: What do Would-be Popes Eat? In last week’s New York Times Flashback Quiz, one of the clues was about the first conclave in 1276—they may have restricted their food to “hasten” decision-making.

• For information regarding the Met Gala, go to the only source that matters…Vogue. Everything to Know About the 2025 Met Gala.

1. From James Clear’s (of Atomic Habits fame) Thursday newsletter. If you don’t subscribe, you should.

2. What is the Viagra Triangle you ask? My friend who lives in Chicago described it as the triangular corner with fancy bars where rich old men take their “nieces.” You can even buy a shirt!