When the cake craving hits: It’s not my birthday, but that won’t stop me from making this cheery, fluffy, extremely pink Mexican sheet cake from Esteban Castillo.

I can’t stop reading: Y/N, Esther Yi’s smart novel about a staunchly anti-stan culture Korean-American woman whose unexpected obsession with a K-pop idol sends her to Seoul on a journey of darkly hilarious self-destruction.

For the soul: Expand your horizons with the latest episode of Generational Anxiety, where jazz musicians like Grammy winner esperanza spalding discuss music’s regenerative power. Stream for free on ALL ARTS.  *Sponsor 

*Adds to podcast queue*: A funny and fascinating episode on the origin of those Bioré nose pore strips. (Remember Anne Hathaway wearing one in The Princess Diaries?)

Make the most of that bouquet: Buying cut flowers is my favorite springtime treat, but I always feel a little sad composting the blooms after a few days, which is why I was excited to stumble upon two smart tricks: A low-waste bouquet project to turn dead daffodils into pretty garlands, and two techniques for perking up tulips.

Not even water: It’s Ramadan, and I loved reading this helpful (and aesthetically gorgeous) guide to the holiday aimed at helping non-Muslims understand and support those who are observing.

The coziest tea trick: Use an orange half as a tea strainer to infuse your favorite tea with sunny citrus flavor. 

Morning listening: I start every day with The Breakfast Show, a good-vibes-guaranteed radio show on the free streaming platform NTS. Bonus: No ads, just sunshiney tunes.

Celebrating child-free: Women Without Kids is a new, fiercely feminist book exploring the unsung sisterhood of women living without children today. Download a discussion guide and enter to win a “Sisterhood of the Selfish C*nts” tote if you buy your copy before April 13th.  *Sponsor 

Just trust me: The most wholesome site on the internet is De Visdeurbel, or The Fish Doorbell. Volunteers watch a livestream and press a virtual doorbell to open a canal in the Netherlands for fish to safely migrate. (You can read more about it in English here.) I helped a fish to freedom yesterday and it truly felt like an accomplishment.

Low-waste gardening: I’ve been collecting my empty tofu containers to reuse as little potting containers for my first-ever garden since I saw this helpful DIY video. (P.S. Did you see last week’s issue on plants and gardening?)

For the knitters and crocheters: A genius video that proves yarn and pool time can mix—at least if you’re careful.

People Started Buying Crocs During the Pandemic. They Can’t Stop. (New York Times). *gift link*. Raise your hand if you can’t stop, won’t stop, wearing Crocs. 

How BookTok Makes Money (Vox) BookTok drives serious sales. But how much of the profit goes to BookTokers?

Reality TV Fame Used to Guarantee a Career as an Instagram Influencer. That’s a Thing of the Past (Time). A stats-heavy deep dive into the decline of the reality TV-to-influencer fame pipeline.

How to Foster Your Purpose Wherever You Are in Life (Vox). A non-stressful approach to figuring out what guides you…because asking “what is my life’s purpose?” isn’t always easy. 

Want to Love Your Body? Try Swimming Naked. (New York Times) *gift link* In which the luminous writer Jenna Wortham goes searching for herself at a queer nude beach in Mexico.

Please note: Some of these reads may be under paywalls depending on your reading habits! We believe quality journalism is worth paying for, and strive to offer gifted links when available.