The Pre-Spring Edit
What I’m Wearing, Reading, Watching, Taking and Dreaming Of for the In Between Season
Hi dear readers,
I hope you had a gentle start to the new year. Mine began with a small life update: we welcomed a puppy into our family. His name is Pauli, he is a mini dachshund and he has completely taken over our daily rhythm in the most chaotic and sweet way possible.
I am writing this from my living room with a feverish child resting on the couch (influenza is a bitch!) , Pauli curled up on her or my lap and my laptop balanced beside him on my knees. Not exactly the start of the year I had planned but very real nonetheless.
Still, I hope I can bring a little joy into your grey January everyday life with this new edit. Personally, I always start to struggle with the winter season towards the end of January and find myself longing for more sunshine, more warmth, lighter clothes, lighter food and all the things that will still take a few more weeks to fully arrive outside our windows and inside our wardrobes with the beginning of spring.
Right now, I am especially enjoying gathering inspiration for the transition from winter to spring. So I have collected a few beautiful new season pieces in my mood boards to make you look forward to spring, and also shared my current favourite reads, movies, beauty heroes and mood boosting supplements to help you move through this ‘in between season’ with all its emotions and with a little extra glow. I hope this gives you a small insight into what is brightening my days at the moment.
I linked all products directly below the moodboards, but this time I also highlighted a few of them with my personal experiences and thoughts in the copy underneath for a more personal review. I hope you like this approach.
Let me know what you think in the comments and enjoy!
What I’m Reading, Watching, Eating, Taking and Loving Right Now
One of my highlights during this grey month of January was being invited by one of my all time favourite magazines, Salon, to be interviewed for their podcast Our House.
Meeting their amazing editor, Antje Wewer, whom I had heard so much about before, in person in my own home, talking about a million inspiring things, drinking coffee with pea milk and recording the episode right here was the best possible start to the new season of Laura’s List I could have imagined.
We talked about our city house in Cologne, our interior, our art works, my journey from working at KaDeWe Berlin to running a deli, writing cookbooks, moving to Cologne and eventually creating Laura’s List, as well as all the things that inspire me along the way.
I hope you enjoy listening to the episode (available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts) and getting to know me and my little creative universe a bit better. I will be hearing the final cut for the first time myself today, as it was released this morning. So excited!
I just finished Lily King’s book ‘writers and lovers’ and liked it a lot.
It is a thoughtful and honest novel about finding your voice, trusting your own path and learning how to move forward after loss. Following Casey, a young writer navigating grief, financial pressure and romantic uncertainty, the story captures the in between phase of building a life and a career with great sensitivity. It is relatable, quietly reflective, funny and offers a realistic portrait of personal growth and new beginnings.
I went to the movies with my husband last week to see Sentimental Value, even before it was nominated for several Oscars, and I still cannot stop thinking about it. It is a deeply emotional, powerful and truly one of a kind film.
At its core, Sentimental Value explores relationships, memory and the quiet weight of the past. It tells a story about family bonds, sisterhood, unspoken emotions and the way small moments and shared histories shape who we become. The film feels intimate and raw, yet incredibly strong, staying with you long after you leave the cinema. It is one of those rare movies that gently unfolds rather than explains itself, inviting you to reflect, feel and observe.
It is not a blockbuster, but rather a slow and intense experience. If you allow yourself to fully engage with the story and the characters, you will be deeply moved by the end.
It comes as no surprise to me that both the film and all four leading actors have been nominated for an Oscar. A truly outstanding piece of work.
Speaking of family bonds….somehow I never read 22 Bahnen when it was published and everyone else seemed to be talking about it, but I recently streamed the movie on Amazon Prime and found it very moving.
It tells the story of Tilda, a young woman who carries the responsibility of caring for her younger sister and her alcoholic mother. Between studying, working at a supermarket and managing everyday survival, Tilda dreams of a different life and the possibility of escaping her difficult family situation. When she meets Viktor, new perspectives begin to open up and she is faced with the question of whether she can allow herself to choose her own path without leaving those she loves behind.
Dear Valentine, if you are feeling especially generous this year, you could make me a very happy girl with this very expensive but very cute Bottega Veneta passport cover, or this little wallet which is slightly more affordable. If not, I would also be more than happy with a fun little glass bead bracelet from my beloved label Aglaaglaaa. Or these cute leopard espresso cups. Thank you.
Most pieces from my beautiful co designed cashmere collection with Anna vom Berg sold out quite quickly, but this stunning poncho I am wearing in the moodboard is still available for spring. It is a soft, thick, timeless and luxurious cashmere piece in a beautiful colour that I love taking with me and wrapping around myself wherever I go.
The brooch is the accessory of the season and this beautiful golden shell could be your first spring accessory to manifest summer.
Tulip season is finally here and this vase has been on my wishlist forever. A beautiful classic that is worth investing in and also makes a perfect Valentine’s or Easter gift.
One of my favourite interior stores, Decorazioni from Hamburg, just launched a new cushion collection featuring beautiful fabrics and patterns. I already own a few pieces from their first collection in my home office and am seriously considering adding more. Which one is your favourite?
January is all about getting back into routines and I want to share what has genuinely been making a difference for me lately.
Every morning, I add these sodium reduced electrolytes to my lemon water (regular salt tends to give me a puffy face, welcome to 40). I then take two capsules of Sunday Naturals Multi Amino Acids Plus and WelleCo’s hormone balancing Goddess Elixir. Since starting this routine, I have been feeling noticeably more energised physically and at the same time calmer and more grounded on the inside.
I have tried many energy and hormone related supplements over the years (believe me!) and this is the first combination that truly feels right for me. Of course everyone is different, but for my body and my daily rhythm, this routine has become a real feel good ritual. Less anxiety, fewer mood swings, less pre period freaking out and more energy overall. Yay.
To start the new year with a glow, I am currently swearing by Susanne Kaufmann’s Glow Mask, followed by two drops of this natural bronzing serum (clean ingredients only in both products) mixed into my moisturizer to give that ‘just came back from a summer holiday look’ even in January. These drops make such a difference that they are absolutely worth ordering from the UK, trust me on this one.
Another little ritual I would not want to miss is this clean, natural and creamy rose lip balm made by my wonderful and spiritual friend Marie Sophie Kiepe. It keeps my dry lips moisturised and somehow manages to calm me down with it’s rosy scents on stressful days like today.
Saved the best for last. If your New Year’s resolution was to cut refined sugar, or if you already avoid it like I do, this one is my best kept secret for you.
A chocolate that is sugar free AND free from artificial sweeteners and still tastes absolutely heavenly. My husband and I are completely obsessed and I am pretty sure you will be too. Worth every penny. Thank me later.
On my Pre-Spring wishlist
I have always been a big fan of green accents when it comes to clothes. Is there any other colour that feels more beautiful as a hint of spring?
You can easily add a touch of green with small accessories and jewellery like this beautiful brooch, the green pearls and diamonds necklace which I would mix and match with a gold or silver one from my own collection, a pretty cool pair of Loewe sunglasses or this super cute little Prada pouch that fashion insiders have recently been wearing as a clutch on the streets of Milan Fashion Week. But a shimmery, lightweight oversized cotton shirt like this one is also a flattering classic you can wear from day to night for an effortless yet fashionable look.
The combination with camel suede, like in the moodboard above, is especially beautiful in my opinion. And since I am often my own best customer, I hereby admit that I will definitely have to invest in this insanely stylish suede coat which I recently saw in a similar version on Leandra Medine Cohen. And as for this Khaite belt that I have been eyeing for almost a year now but never bought because of the ridiculous price point, it must be fate that it is finally on sale.
Speaking of sales, I recently bought this tailored Jacquemus blouse (I’m wearing 36, but it runs small), one of my favourite designers and one of the most creative minds in the fashion industry. It is so elegant and cute that it makes me even more impatient for spring.
The cosy yet elegant creamy Toteme cardigan is something I would love to wear right now while cuddling up on the sofa but also take with me into spring and on every holiday. And the cropped long sleeve top is a chic basic everybody should have in their wardrobe.
If you have been one of the followers who has been asking about my sold out YSL knot earrings from the Anna vom Berg cashmere campaign, this is your chance to buy a much more affordable but still beautiful alternative.
Stylish No Matter the Weather
I hope we can finally get rid of our puffer jackets soon and swap them for chunky cashmere sweaters in spring colours. Like this super soft and cosy butter yellow one from COS (I’m wearing S), styled under fancy barn jackets such as this affordable but very stylish light green version with a short, cute cut and a pleat detail at the back.
I received compliments everywhere I went wearing this butter yellow crewneck. But since COS cashmere tends to sell out quickly, I also linked an alternative from another favourite label of mine, Loulou de Saison. Or you can go for this equally beautiful cardigan which I might have to buy as well.
Those who know me well might expect that I always pair a cashmere sweater with a statement necklace, this one being very special and very cool in my opinion, and try to add a twist to an otherwise casual look.
Pieces like these perfect and affordable leopard boots (these casual leopard pumps are also a great option for spring) and the most beautiful golden hair pin give the outfit a chic, French touch.
When the days finally get warmer, I would swap my chunky sweater for this cosy yet chic wool jacket (pretty alternative), add a new pair of Prada cat-eye sunglasses, slip into cute and easy moccasins and head out for a coffee walk.
Almost Spring in the City From Day to Night
Brown, beige and navy is another colour combination I absolutely love and consider one of the most elegant and timeless options for both day and night. As you can see in the picture below, I have been wearing brown and navy as my personal feel good uniform this season wherever I go. This photo was taken in Paris while shooting for Anna vom Berg, the turtleneck is linked here (only a few left in XS&S). Whenever I need a classy, chic and warm look, this combination never fails me.
The navy blazer in the moodboard above is comfortable, classy, modern and affordable at the same time. Can we ask for more? For reference, I am wearing size 8.
The Arket suede blazer is another wardrobe staple that looks incredibly chic with jeans or black trousers, whether you wear it on the streets, to the office or out for dinner. If you’re looking for more relaxed option, this chocolate brown suede shirt might also be an option.
The Chloé leopard bag sold out almost everywhere while I was writing this newsletter, but I managed to find two last pieces for you here and here. So it really is first come, first served.
Can someone please buy this super sexy off-shoulder cardigan by the beautiful Dutch brand Rohé for me and add the golden dream necklace as well? What a hot spring look that would be.
I bought the Miu Miu bandana and sneakers in a beautiful Milan store in November and have been wearing the bandana on my handbag ever since as a little souvenir. The sneakers are incredibly light and elegant and you can even switch them up with colourful laces or add small charms if you like. I would recommend sizing up as they run rather small.
A nice pair of flat, but elegant ankle boots for every day is hard to find and I think I just did that for you with these. Add this beautiful and timeless YSL belt and you’re good to go!
And that’s it for today, dear readers. And honestly, that’s all I could manage this week with a sick child, a puppy and a husband away on a business trip.
I am finishing this edit completely exhausted but happy and I would absolutely love to hear your feedback on this edition and on the podcast interview in the comments. If you leave this edit a little heart below, it would also mean a lot to me as it helps make this newsletter more visible on the platform.
The next edit will be full of spring feelings.
Take care,
lots of love,
Laura
This newsletter contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using the links above, I may earn a small commission, which helps me continue writing this newsletter for free and invest so much time into this little project!
So, if you decide to buy something from this issue, please use my link—it won’t cost you anything extra. Thank you!
Laura Koerver is a cookbook author, creative mind, and mother, writing her Substack newsletter from her home office in Cologne. She previously worked in fashion marketing in Berlin before opening her health food restaurant Laura’s Deli in Düsseldorf in 2015, which she successfully sold in 2022. Along the way, she published two healthy cookbooks.
Today, she dedicates her work to creative writing, mood design, and content creation around fashion, design, culture, travel, and a fun yet healthy lifestyle — which she shares on Substack and Instagram @laurakoerver.
Kann mich nur anschließen, love to read your edits, und warte sehnsüchtig darauf😊. Liebe Grüße
Absolutely love your picks. The Loewe glasses are so fun and so chic!