March has always felt more like a new year to me than January 1st.
In January, we’re still in the thick of winter and seasonal affective disorder. February then feels like sleep paralysis while trying to wake up from a hazy, chaotic nap.
But March? She’s that first sip of water after shaking off the dream state. And by the end of March, I’ve arrived.
So, I’m excited to arrive with…
The Consultation – a monthly curation of recommendations based on four vibes, or personalities, for the month. It’s like your monthly horoscope, but for what to watch, read, and try.
THE PERSONALITIES:
The Dandelion: You’re floating, effortlessly spreading your seeds as you dance through the blossoming of spring. You aren’t stressed. You’re vibing. You may stay here for a while, or you may eventually land, but your whimsy is purposeful.
The Hermit: Sure, it’s spring. But you’re not ready to come out yet. Whether you’re in your feels, are just craving yourself, or are healing, you’re still in cozy mode. You’re embracing what feels good, and deprioritizing social engagements for now.
The Sponge: You’re soaking up new trends, ideas, philosophies, ways of dressing, and more. You’re in a discovery phase, leading with curiosity. You may be trying out aesthetics, shopping for a career change, or just enjoying being an observer. This phase is subtle foreshadowing for a rebrand or new era.
Cake Batter: You are in the mix. But you’re the good kind of mixy. Whether it’s your personality all the time, or just the phase you’re in, you are energized by people. Networking luck swings in your favor. You’re a joy to be around, and people love being around you. This may also be in preparation for a career change, a desire to cultivate a new friend group, or the result of seeking out community.
Can’t decide which resonates most, or want to be sure?
Now that we have that figured out…
Here’s what we recommend for March:
Starting with…
THE DANDELION
“I thought I loved you right when I met you, but I hadn't earned it yet, that feeling. Because I didn't know you yet. But now I do. I know your talent and how bright you shine. I know your worries and your fears, which you've shared with me, so bravely, even when I didn't deserve it. And I know you're not perfect - I don't expect you to be perfect either. But, sweetheart, you're a treasure to me all the same.”
― Elise Bryant, Reggie and Delilah's Year of Falling
Book: Reggie & Delilah’s Year of Falling by Elise Bryant
A whimsical love story marked by holidays and a year full of meet cutes, this book feels like a cloud – light and airy but also warm and fuzzy.
TV Show: Sex and the City (HBO)
Nothing is more delulu than this show. It is delulu goals and escapism at its finest.
Movie: The Idea of You (Prime Video)
Nothing makes you feel like you’re floating more than a romantic comedy. This film made me nostalgic for the heyday of 90’s and early 2000’s romcoms that were feel good, artful, and…actually greenlit.
Fashion: You’re craving light, airy fabrics that trail behind you. This L’Academie dress you can buy at Revolve will do just that. I love a piece that feels boho without having to go all in on the aesthetic.
Podcast Episode: Listen to Claire Mazur and Erica Cerulo: 831 Stories Co-Founders to hear about two women founding a company based on their love for romance and whimsy.
Art: Loewe’s Lunar New Year Campaign was light, airy and captivating. The brand also honored Chinese culture through its partnership with Chinese artists, something not all brands take the time to do.
Article: If you find yourself floating, consider the possibility that your purpose is not to eventually “land”. Maybe, floating is part of your calling.
Song: Come Away With Me by Nora Jones. No one elicits the whimsy of warm winds quite like Nora Jones.
THE HERMIT
“And don’t forget, I’m also just a girl standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.”
– Julia Roberts as Anna Scott in Notting Hill
Movie: Notting Hill
One perk of hermitting is that you can be cringe in peace, because no one is watching. Nothing screams corny like a romcom marathon. Julia Roberts was also so chic in this. The Chanel beret? I mean, come on.
Book: Our Shouts Echo by Jade Adia
This book about a doomsday prepper battling with her mental health and accidentally falling in love, is actually quite charming. And a doomsday prepper that prefers the safety of their own home definitely has hermit tendencies. I didn’t just love this book because I know and adore Jade, I loved it because it truly made me feel seen during a strange time in my life.
TV Show: No Good Deed (Netflix)
You just want something that’s going to keep you binging and entertained. This is the one. Lisa Kudrow and Ray Romano was also an oddly comforting pairing.
Fashion: When you finally venture outside, you’ll want to avoid decision fatigue. An easy set that’s comfortable and airy is perfect. As a Black LA native that supports Black LA natives, and is also prioritizing shopping small and/or resale, I recommend Supervsn. This brand is by LA legend Mizzle — someone I first met when making myself known in the artsy, music, and street fashion scenes in college.
https://supervsn.com/collections/outerwear/products/s-grid-anorak-cly
https://supervsn.com/collections/pants/products/s-grid-cargo-pant-cly
Podcast Episode: Holistic Help for Anxiety: The Nine Types of Anxiety, Practical Tools for Relief, and How to Uncover the Root Causes with Dr. Nicole Cain because as you prepare to resurface, anxiety is inevitable (if not already present and persistent).
Art: I first discovered Anna Weyant in Vogue. She painted Kaia Gerber for the cover in November, which prompted me to discover more of her artwork. Her work looks like painted porcelain – both eerie and soft. The images make me want to sit down and write a short story. They’re dark and jarring, but also so human.
Article: If your hermitting has involved doom scrolling, I’m sure you’ve witnessed the subtle but sudden shift toward conservative trends online. Whether you’re loving it or observing with caution, you’ll enjoy this article on it from The New Statesman.
Song: “Unluck” by James Blake. James Blake’s voice makes me want to stay inside.
THE SPONGE
“If you don’t take money, they can’t tell ya what to do kid. That’s the key to the whole thing. Don’t touch money. It’s the worst thing you can do…They don’t own me, you see? Money’s the cheapest thing. Liberty, freedom is the most expensive.”
- Bill Cunningham
Movie: Bill Cunningham: New York
If you’ve never heard of Bill Cunningham, arguably the first street photographer and an anomaly in the fashion industry, allow this documentary to introduce you. His career is a case study in living a life dedicated to art. It also raises questions about definitions of success and our perception of it, and provides a history lesson on fashion photo journalism. Oh how I wish he was still with us. The quote shared above is my favorite snippet from the man that slept on a mattress held up by books, amongst file cabinets of his negatives for his entire career.
Book: Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon
When you’re soaking up a lot at once, you need strategies to organize, digest, and implement everything you’re learning.
TV Show: The Perfect Couple (Netflix)
As a TV writer, I’ve been heavily studying Nicole Kidman’s universe. The tone she strikes is addicting, and something I can only find in the films and series she produces. If you’ve not yet had the chance to dive into her catalogue as a producer, start here and then watch the other works by her production company, Blossom Films.
Fashion: During this phase of curiosity, use your energy to discover new brands. People will ask questions and you’ll solidify yourself as someone who knows how to find hidden gems. People love keeping people around that have their finger on the pulse and can discover new talent. One of my favorite small brands right now is Ru by Rupal.
Podcast Episode: Ronnie Fieg - Building Kith was equal parts a brand marketing master class, fashion history, and hip hop history. You’ll learn so much.
Art: If you love to geek out, then you’ll definitely want to study the way Jacquemus and Apple teamed up last month. Jacquemus’ art direction and marketing, particularly on social media, strikes that fine balance between daring, maybe even aspirational, creativity and relatability. Finding that sweet spot is an ode to the brand ethos itself. In the tech world, Apple is both everyday and aspirational as well. So, it’s no surprise that the brands found partnership in one another. Jacquemus, with all its risk taking, is the perfect luxury brand to film a campaign entirely on iPhone. This one take film, which every filmmaker knows is an art form of intricate choreography, was a genius way to show off the iPhone’s seamless (pun intended) focus and zoom capabilities. The choreographed one take let Apple users know: we’ve got you from any distance, at any angle – and the image quality is so good a luxury brand can use it.
Article: While discovering, be weary of soaking up trends without discernment.
Song: Betty Carter. An unsung hero of jazz, Betty Carter’s catalogue is fun, daring, and historical. She has duets with greats like Ray Charles, but also can stand on her own two. Takes Two To Tango and Can’t Be Friends are two of my favorites.
CAKE BATTER
“Teenage girls, please don’t worry about being super popular in high school, or being the best actress in high school, or the best athlete. Not only do people not care about any of that the second you graduate, but when you get older, if you reference your successes in high school too much, it actually makes you look kind of pitiful, like some babbling old Tennessee Williams character with nothing else going on in her current life. What I’ve noticed is that almost no one who was a big star in high school is also big star later in life.”
― Mindy Kaling, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?
Book: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling
This is particularly for those in their cake batter phase that also are managing social anxieties. Or imposter syndrome. Or insecurities. You are not alone. And Mindy turned out pretty successful, if you ask me.
TV Show: White Lotus (Max)
As Severance rounds the corner toward the finish line for this season, White Lotus is going to take lead as the most buzzy show of the moment. And if you’re in the mix, you want to be in on this. What’s great about this show is that each season is standalone so you can start from season three, episode one, then hop into the previous seasons later.
Movie: Anora
If you want to contribute to any conversation about film over the next month, then you should watch the film that swept the Oscars. Anora took home Best Screenplay, Best Editor, Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Actress in a leading role. This is…rare. There are mixed feelings about the film. So, any person wanting to be in the mix this month should form their own opinions to add to the conversation.
Fashion: One thing the girlies at Who What Wear are going to do is find unique, it-girl pieces that are on trend without being too trendy. Take your pick from their roundup.
Podcast Interview: You can turn your love of people, connecting, and events into a business like Imani Ellis. Listen here - Imani Ellis: The Creative Collective and CultureCon Founder and CEO.
Art: Nothing says in the mix quite like Miu Miu. Their Lunar New Year campaign was fun. Viv Chen at the Molehill had her critiques, stating: “It also feels like a bootleg Wong War Kai film with lots of green and red color grading.” But, as someone that likes to be ahead of conversation, here’s a tip: in art direction and fashion, keep your eyes peeled for how heritage and popular luxury brands honor significant holidays. You’ll always have a unique, topical conversation starter if you do.
Article: You’re observing, witnessing, and participating in trends left and right. If you want to better understand them, dive into this:
Song: Nosebleeds by Doechii. Doechii is hands down one of the it girls right now. But she also makes some great get-ready anthems. This song immediately boosts my confidence.
Now, enjoy watching, reading, and trying new things in March! Comment your March vibe below, and what you’re excited to try.
Every month the personalities will shift, because, well, we shift. So, take what resonates and we’ll see you in April.
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Thanks for visiting the Njoy Salon. See you at your appointment next week!
xoxo, Neima
pls do more of these they’re so fun!!!!
and now I simply need to consume everything for every personality type because your curation is so excellent