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How I Pull Off the Perfect Sunday
Everything our Brand Editor eats, wears, watches, and does to make the most of the last day of the weekend.
I have always been a fan of Sundays. To me, it feels like a day with tons of potential. I can use it to prepare for the week ahead, catch up on Netflix, or take a long walk. It’s a slow day, meant for making intentional decisions, and I value it even more now that I work from home, as the days can bleed together if I don’t differentiate them in a meaningful way.
Here’s how I made last Sunday a great one.
6:30am
Babies don’t understand weekends, so I’m up at 6:30-7am no matter what. By “up,” I mean I am nursing my almost 10-month-old daughter, Simone, in bed, waiting for my husband to bring me coffee. This was our routine since the day she was born, but now that he’s back in an office and she’s in daycare, our mornings during the week move a bit faster. But we still have Saturdays and Sundays for now. I slept in my Keely joggers and my Paige T-Shirt, and when it’s time to go downstairs, I throw on my Snyder Jacket for extra coverage and warmth.
8:00am
I put Simone in her playpen and start making breakfast. Yogurt and fruit for her, egg sandwiches for us. We recently got really into Stone & Skillet English muffins. They’re a little more decadent than the usual supermarket brand, and they make mornings a tad more delicious. Speaking of decadent and delicious, one of the best investments I made during the pandemic was this milk frother. It’s the little things, you know?
I know that by giving Simone yogurt, I’m setting myself up for another load of laundry. How it gets everywhere—on her, on me, on the dog—is one of life’s great mysteries. Thankfully my Paige shirt is machine-washable, because it puts in a lot of work.
10:00am
While Simone naps for the next two hours (!!!), I hop in the shower while listening to an audiobook. Without a commute, I’ve fallen behind on all my reading, and I definitely feel my creativity slipping when I’m not engaging with new or interesting media on a semi-regular basis. Right now, I’m reading Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan, which was recommended to me by my friend Casey, who read approximately 150 books last year.
After showering, I slip into my Colby joggers, a Peggy top, and my fuzzy cashmere socks. We might go for a walk later, but I know we’ve got some cozy playtime ahead of us, so I need to be comfortable, not restricted in any way, and most importantly, in head-to-toe washable fabrics.
11:30am
I put on some music while preparing Simone’s lunch. I’m not going to lie: both of Taylor Swift’s 2020 albums get a lot of play around here. I also start prepping some dinner for later—turkey meatballs in the simplest but best tomato sauce.
Simone wakes up and eats lunch, and then we spend about a half an hour on our hands and knees chasing the dog around the house. This was probably not what our design team anticipated when they designed these perfect wrinkle-resistant pants, but here we are, and it’s a load of fun.
1:30pm
While my husband and Simone play with blocks, I head upstairs and curl up in bed to do some reading. M.M.’s Senior Project Manager, Sofia, recommended Zadie Smith’s Intimations, which she wrote in the first month of the pandemic, so I’ve been working my way through that. It’s a small book of short essays, which is perfect for my frenetic schedule.
3:00pm
Simone goes down for her second nap of the day (what a life!), and I pick up some toys off the floor. While tidying, I notice just how much tomato sauce, dust, and random dirt has accumulated on my clothes. I do a quick change back into the Keely joggers (it’s almost evening anyway), the Axam turtleneck, and the Collette jardigan for some warmth. When Simone wakes up, we’re going to brave the elements and get some fresh air.
4:15pm
My husband, Simone, the dog, and I all bundle up and head toward the park. The post-holiday winter months are my least favorite, and they’re definitely the hardest for me to get through emotionally. I know that sunlight helps, so I try to get as much of it as possible, even if I don’t leave the house until the late afternoon. We walk slowly—the dog needs to sniff everything—and talk about the week ahead. My husband is a therapist, and he sees clients a few nights a week, so we talk through scheduling this week’s life tasks and chores in advance so we’re not scrambling come Thursday. Sometimes it’s unavoidable, but we do our best. On our way home, we stop by the cute bakery in our neighborhood and pick up some treats for later.
5:30pm
Back at our apartment, we put on Stevie Wonder, and I finish making dinner. Simone loooves spaghetti—and we love watching her eat it. She’s drenched in sauce by the time she’s done, so she’s going straight into the tub.
7:30pm
Simone’s asleep, the kitchen is clean, and I’m under a blanket (technically two, if you count the cashmere Keelys) with a glass of wine and a giant pastry. We’re finally starting Bridgerton, and I seriously can’t wait. One of my 2021 resolutions is to be more deliberate with my screentime, so as long as I’m not mindlessly scrolling TikTok or Instagram, I feel like I’m starting the week on the right foot.
Written By
Caitlin Abber
Caitlin Abber is the Brand Editor at M.M. LaFleur, and an award-winning writer and content creator. Over the last decade she has held senior editorial positions at MTV, Women's Health, Public Radio International, and Bustle, and has bylines at InStyle and OprahMag.com.
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