Déjà vu, anyone? For the second time in 2025, Venus will be roaming through the sign Aries from April 30th to June 6th. Venus’s retrograde from March 1st to April 12th in the signs Aries and Pisces had us backtracking on our romantic ideals. As the planet of love moves forward, we’re processing our desires and feelings, while relinquishing all that doesn’t seem relevant to our lives. We are reviving and revisiting relationships one last time to determine if we want to continue with them. Now is the last time to assess matters from the past months — particularly when Venus first entered Aries on February 4th. Are you ready? Let’s go!
What can we expect from Venus in Aries Part Deux: Firstly, the post-retrograde or retroshade cycle ends on May 16th (it lasts from April 12th to May 16th). This means we are going over the events from the retrograde that rocked our world. We have until May 16th to suss out matters and gain clarity. Also, we might revisit the past one last time and get closure with exes. Being able to form friendships with former partners could be challenging, so don’t put that pressure on yourself. Take it step by step, and be mindful of what you want. Self-reflection is key now, so we might take ownership of our actions and be accountable for the hurts we’ve caused others.
The only major drawback is that our confidence might start to waver back and forth until May 16th. Then we’ll be assertive and self-aware as we move onward through the Venus in Aries journey. And we won’t mince words. Oftentimes, Venus in Aries is straightforward and honest. Confrontation comes with this astrological transit, pushing us to speak up if a situation or relationship isn’t making us happy. The reason is that we are not willing or wanting to compromise. We dictate the rules and formulate the best way to proceed. We are in charge of our lives.
Venus in Aries doesn’t settle for second best. It knows what it desires on a carnal level and will pursue just that. Beyond that, it is known to chase relationships and do the work to get connections going. Venus in Aries sees tunnel vision in obtaining its visions of love, so we’ll only have the patience and gusto to dive headfirst regarding its passions. This astrological placement only focuses on the here and now, making it spontaneous without worries about the future. Being present-minded is essential for Venus in Aries because it cannot think beyond what is in front of it.
Now we get to make choices that are meaningful. Do not take this moment for granted. Use it to better your relationships and cultivate better understanding of ourselves and others. We may even have the chance to enhance our love lives, using the knowledge we now have, knowing versus finding ourselves in the dark before the retrograde.
This time around, Venus in Aries will be more docile and less rambunctious. It wants to believe in the dream of love and will not give to anything less than theidealized form. With Neptune in Aries forming a conjunction with Venus on May 2nd, we will see people fight for what they need and long for in relationships. The last time Neptune in Aries linked up with Venus in the same sign was in the mid to late 1800s, making this an unprecedented time to make personal history. In true Venus in Aries form, the effects of this transit are ours to define.
Important dates for Venus in Aries:
April 30th: Venus re-enters Aries, adding passion and desire to the way we pursue others until June 6th.
May 2nd: Venus forms a conjunction with Neptune in Aries, allowing us to get lost in the dream of our romantic ideals.
May 6th: Venus in Aries harmonizes with Pluto in Aquarius, creating power dynamics and jealousy in partnerships.
May 22nd: Venus in Aries connects with Mars in Leo, pushing us to take steps in building affiliations.
June 1st: Venus aligns with the centaur Chiron in Aries, offering us a chance to heal our hearts and spirits.
June 4th: Venus in Aries sextiles Jupiter in Gemini, expanding our personal worlds and universal philosophies.
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Welcome toMoney Diaries where we are tackling the ever-present taboo that is money. We’re asking real people how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we’re tracking every last dollar.
Today: an unemployed Airbnb host who makes $27,000 per year and who spends some of her money this week on her favorite vitamin C serum.
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Occupation: Unemployed/Airbnb host Industry: Tech Age: 52 Location: San Francisco Salary: $27,000 (I’m dipping into my savings at the moment). Assets: House: $1,400,000; 401(k)/IRA: $481,000; savings: $36,000. Debt: Mortgage: $1,064,989.20 Paycheck Amount (monthly): $2,250 (pre tax). Pronouns: She/her
Monthly Expenses
Housing Costs: $4,582 for my current mortgage — but it will become $4,867 in April due to home insurance. Property taxes: $1,338 Utilities: ~$400 (trash, water, electricity, gas). Cell phone: $56 Cleaners for Airbnb: ~$700 Streaming services: ~$30 Internet: $72 GitHub: $4
Was there an expectation for you to attend higher education? Did you participate in any form of higher education? If yes, how did you pay for it? My parents did not have any expectation that I would go to college — in fact, they let me know that they couldn’t afford to pay for it. Nevertheless, I managed to figure out a way to get financial aid and I worked to pay for my room and board. My parents only gave me $300 towards my degree.
Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have about money? Did your parent(s)/guardian(s) educate you about finances? We didn’t have much money growing up; we were even on welfare at one point. My parents had this thing where if we did yard work they would pay us, as I recall, a quarter. We were constantly scrounging around looking for money in the house and elsewhere. And so, I started working pretty young.
What was your first job and why did you get it? My first job was as a papergirl when I was about 12. I made good money delivering papers on my bicycle until men in cars took my job away.
Did you worry about money growing up? We did have a house and some food (although not much), but there was not much else by way of support. My friends helped me a lot: I ate over at their houses. As soon as I started working, I had more money and that helped, but I was always struggling. I was fortunate that many people helped me.
Do you worry about money now? I am worried about money at present because I have had to take on caregiving for my mother, and I lost my job. After extensive effort, I managed to get a full crew of caregivers for my mom, although they require super close management. I am looking for a new job but the market is very tough right now.
At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself and do you have a financial safety net? I have been on my own since I was about 15 years old. Unfortunately, I never had a safety net but that has made me very independent.
Do you or have you ever received passive or inherited income? If yes, please explain. I received an inheritance about two years ago of about $38,000, it’s gone now (due to living expenses — I’ve been unemployed for two years).
Day One: Wednesday
8 a.m. — I wake up a bit groggy; I’ve been having some trouble sleeping. I make a big pot of coffee and start checking the news. I read CNN, Reuters, Market Watch, Politico, the SF Chronicle, New York Times, Washington Post, and Guardian every morning. Plus I have to check my LinkedIn, the weather, and a few other sites for good measure! Finally, I settle down to work on my resume.
10:30 a.m. — I get in the shower and try to get semi presentable. With all the steps to my skincare routine, I know I might not be totally there before 11 a.m. I always try to go down and check the unit in between when my guests leave and my cleaners arrive. If I don’t do this and there are stains or other damages, I won’t know whether the guest did it or my cleaners. I found this out the hard way when I noticed that several tiles in the shower were cracked. I asked my cleaners if they knew when this happened and they were very circuitous in their reply. That’s when I realized it could have been the cleaners or one of the guests. This was a difficult repair and I wasn’t able to bill any one for the damages.
11 a.m. — My Airbnb guests check out. I run down to inspect: not too bad, no damages. I leave cash for my cleaners. With the way things have been going, I have been thinking of doing the cleaning myself, especially as the cleaners really don’t seem to do that much. There is never a time that I do not have to redo the pillows, straighten the duvet, check for stray hairs, make sure the toilet seat is down, and various other issues after they leave. But what takes them 20 minutes, takes me four hours. So… So far, I continue paying them. $50
2 p.m. — I eat scrambled eggs with quinoa, tarragon, and cheddar. (This was my first time adding fresh tarragon to scrambled eggs and it was delicious.) Then I have broccoli tossed with garlic and olive oil, dusted with Aleppo peppers, sprinkled with cheddar cheese, and roasted for 15 minutes at 425°F. I also finish off some carrot juice I have in the fridge. I add the garlic skins and some tarragon that was wilted to my bag of vegetable scraps in the freezer, which I’m collecting for a future vegetable stock.
3 p.m. — Though I don’t have anyone booked for tonight, I’ve learned to always be ready because sometimes people book at the last minute, although sometimes these are drunk people. If it’s a regular person who’s not problematic just booking last minute, I want to be ready and get the extra income. So I treat a vacancy list any other night, not a vacation, running up and down the stairs as usual, attending to the laundry, which my cleaners only start one load of and it’s always two. The dryer is “smart” and energy efficient, as much as a dryer can be I suppose, so it can take one hour plus to dry a load, and even then, I might have to add more time on to the end. Then there is the folding. I have three sets of sheets and towels because for one night stays, it’s just too difficult to make sure everything is ready for the next guests.
9 p.m. — I have a mozzarella stick snack, then chard gratin. I add the stems to the freezer bag. Sadly, no one has booked for the night and I go ahead and block the night off so I don’t have any surprise requests. Even though I enjoy it when I have the place to myself, I am conscious of the lack of income. After dinner, I settle down to watch a new episode of Prime Target. I was getting a lot of ads for this show and then I read good things about it in TheGuardian and I haven’t been disappointed. Even though it does seem a bit of a stretch at times, it is amusing and entertaining nonetheless. I love all the Cambridge stuff especially.
10 p.m. — I do my nightly skincare routine which at this time involves: cleansing with a salicylic acid gel cleanser and my Foreo device, then spritzing The Ordinary rosewater which is infused with powdered niacinamide powder. I wait for this to absorb, then I apply AQ Solutions serums: one for the face, another for the eyes. I also paint on a serum for my lashes that makes them grow. After this sinks in, I finish with a thick moisturizer and prescription tretinoin.
Daily Total: $50
Day Two: Thursday
8:15 a.m. — I wake up and have two cups of coffee with cream and sugar and a bowl of granola with extra flax seeds and vitamin D milk. After reading through all my news sites, I spend some time checking for new job listings, which is onerous because of all the different job titles and the fact that no one accepts boolean queries anymore — it’s super frustrating.
11 a.m. — I see that my favorite Timeless vitamin C serum is on sale for 40% off, so I buy a vial. I have been using this serum for some time — it’s a Skinceuticals knockoff. Very satisfied, although they’ve had packaging problems recently: they switched to plastic bottles, which are a disaster for the environment and also after some weeks, start leaking. But for the price, I live with it. $26.96
1:30 p.m. — I have a cup of Genmaicha tea then leave for the pool to lap swim for an hour and a half. I had been doing free home workouts from Instagram all through the pandemic, but the trainers aren’t putting up many new videos anymore — at least not free ones — and I’m getting a little bored of it. During a major heat wave last summer, I finally broke down and went to my neighborhood pool. It turned out to be free because of the heat wave! Now I’m hooked. I still do the home workouts, but not as much. $7
6 p.m. — Riding my endorphin high, I decide to celebrate the second 70+ degree day in February and a new episode of Severance by buying a case of Pacifica beer from Bevmo and making a big bowl of guacamole and nachos. I have leftover beer and guacamole for another day. $19.11
Daily Total: $53.07
Day Three: Friday
8 a.m. — I start the day with two cups of coffee with cream and sugar. I mix pumpkin seed oil with rosemary oil and rub this into my roots, then brush it out to the ends with my rapidly degrading Maison Pearson brush. Swimming in chlorinated pools is so drying for my hair, plus at my age, it is starting to thin, so this oil mixture is supposed to be good for hair growth. I don’t know if it’s working for that, but it does work as a deep conditioner. I usually do this every other day and let it sit for two hours.
10 a.m. — I’m prepping another résumé to submit — my goal is one a day — then I head to the bathroom. First, I suds up my oily hair with a prescription ketoconazole shampoo (again for hair growth) and let this sit for five minutes. Then I take a shower. In the morning, I use a vitamin C serum on my face, neck, arms, hands, and knees. After this has absorbed, I follow up with a retinol serum on the same areas. Face sunscreen, then body lotion on top. My body lotion is a DIY concoction, using a thick lotion I get in bulk mixed with lactic acid, vitamin c powder, niacinamide powder, and lavender essential oil.
11:30 a.m. — I make two small breakfast burritos with quinoa, guacamole, and salsa macha. I’ve realized that you can’t root tarragon in water, so I shift over to trying to propagate my leftover tarragon in cactus soil.
12 p.m. — I finish my résumé and cover letter and send it in. These days, it’s very difficult because of AI systems. Intelligence is definitely a misnomer, as all they really seem to do is keyword matching. So for every application, you have to spend a lot of time matching the keywords and getting to the highest match rating possible. Otherwise, the robots reject you out of hand. It took me months to figure this out.
2PM — Dealt with a bunch of Airbnb messages. I have pretty much identified about 80% of the most common queries and I have responses ready to just paste in. I really wish they would open up their API to hosts so that these things could be automated. I do have an idea to develop automation for the door codes but so far I haven’t had time to actually do it. So it’s a highly manual process. I try to deal with them in bulk as much as possible.
8 p.m. — My dinner consists of roasted Brussels sprouts glazed with a balsamic and honey mixture and baked French fries dusted with cayenne pepper and smoked paprika, dipped in sriracha mayonnaise (made with non-fat yoghurt). I spot an ad on Craigslist Free for silverware and write to express interest. I have been thinking that I could use more for myself, and also for the Airbnb. This looks like a nice set — and it includes steak knives!
9 p.m. — Today, I’ve spent nothing! This is my goal every day but it was also important to me to participate in the economic blackout protest.
Daily Total: $0
Day Four: Saturday
8 a.m. — I wake up and have two cups of coffee with cream and sugar.
9:30 a.m. — I receive an automatic notification that one of my mom’s caregivers has submitted her timecard. She also texts me to say the same. I get super annoyed when she does this but I know it’s because she needs the money. There is another caregiver who also did this a few times and when I told her I couldn’t instantaneously approve her timesheets she told me that she literally didn’t have any food and I felt really bad.
10 a.m. — I heat up five leftover French fries for a quick breakfast (these are the large homemade fries from last night — they’re honestly quite tasty).
10:30 a.m. — I order three more tubes of my favorite lip plumper from Amazon, as I was running low. I can’t help but observe that in one year’s time, the price went up $2 a tube. Reward points helped a little! $41.28
11 a.m. — My Airbnb guest checks out, stashing her luggage in the closet. Simultaneously, my next guests arrive, putting their luggage in the same closet. There is also a chance that my cleaners will arrive now too, so I have to discreetly leave their cash payment somewhere neither guest would see or steal it: in the room, just after the guests had departed. All in all, a bit of a whirlwind through my tiny foyer (in which three people can barely stand at once). I have decided that the next time I have a turnover, I’m going to do the cleaning myself and see how long it really takes me. I just can’t help harboring the suspicion that my cleaners are laughing all the way to the bank having made $50 for 20 minutes of effort. I’m also keenly aware of how rapidly my savings are dwindling. $50
12 p.m. — I have a cup of sencha tea in an effort to become more energized. After reading that the organizer of the economic blackout was a convicted sex offender, I have some dark chocolate.
2 p.m. — I head out to pick up the silverware. Someone else had replied first, but then flaked! Stop at a mailbox to send off my mortgage check.
8 p.m. — Nachos again! Finish off the guacamole. Meanwhile, I caramelize shallots and garlic for many hours in preparation for the next day… To be continued. My mother’s caregiver texts me again about her timecard. It’s so frustrating, it’s like she expects me to approve it the moment she submits it. And she’s not the only one. But I can’t afford to lose her so I swallow my annoyance and I go through the Google camera events to verify her timecard. I also do another one as well while I’m at it.
Daily Total: $91.28
Day Five: Sunday
8:30 a.m. — As I’m making a pot of coffee, I get a message from my guests. They’ve checked out early, so I run down to check conditions. No issues. Leave cash for the cleaners. $50
9:30 a.m. — I return back upstairs to nurse my coffee and look at the job listings from last week. I have each one printed out and consider them one by one, sorting them to put the best ones on top so I can attack them in priority order.
12 p.m. — The cleaners finish, so I run down to see how it looks. As ever, they have the pillows backwards — I really need to try to talk to them about this. I basically readjust everything, then run a vacuum over the carpet (it doesn’t look like they bothered). Finally satisfied, I head back upstairs and return to working on my resume.
1 p.m. — For lunch, I have two fried eggs and one piece of toast with homemade bread and jelly. I also take vegetable stock out of my freezer to start defrosting for soup tonight.
2 p.m. — I take photos of various items I’ve toted from apartment to apartment as I moved around the city: towel racks, toilet paper holders, that kind of thing. These are all good quality but I don’t have any use for them in my new place. With everything that’s been happening, I have been thinking maybe I can convert these into cash by putting ads up on Craigslist. I get the ads up and sit back to wait. I have had limited success with this in the past. If no one buys anything, at least mentally I can console myself with thinking that I tried when I finally cart them off to Salvation Army.
7 p.m. — I make vegetarian caldo verde soup with the caramelized onions and garlic for dinner. The unit is vacant again tonight and for the next two nights so far. With everything that’s been going on with Trump and the tariffs and the mass layoffs, people have been cancelling right and left, the majority with no comment. People who had planned their trips way in advance, who were doing big events like the AIDS Lifecycle ride or concerts at the Chase Center, just canceled without a word. It’s gotten so I’m scared to message them until I’m within the five day cancelation window, for fear it will remind them of their reservation and prompt them to cancel.
Daily Total: $50
Day Six: Monday
8:30 a.m. — I make coffee and then look at the latest news and happenings, then I start back on my job search. Even though it seems to be going nowhere, I have to try and stay positive. Memories of the other recessions I’ve been through are coming back and I start remembering the techniques that I used back then. It has been a while, but what’s old is new again, like the need to respond to an ad quickly, because the good positions are filled within weeks. I’ve almost forgotten how you used to even set up alerts to help with this. There is also the heightened need to compete, to say yes to everything, to claim skills you don’t have but imagine you could gain over the course of a weekend.
11:30 a.m. — I snack on a mozzarella stick and roasted seaweed, then spend a few hours getting in an Instacart order for my mom. It takes a lot of messaging: first with her caregiver as to what she’s got and what she needs, then figuring out the best store for the order, making the actual order on Instacart, and finally messaging with the shopper to tell them to check the dates and advise on substitutions.
1:30 p.m. — I eat some dark chocolate-covered espresso beans for energy, then head to the pool for lap swim. The swimming really helps me reset mentally. I think it’s a combination of being in the water, totally unable to check my phone, and endorphins. Each time I go, I try to get my money’s worth by swimming for at least an hour and a half, so in between the transit and the showering, I don’t get back home until early evening. $7
7 p.m. — I set some cannellini beans to soak overnight and remove a jar of homemade vegetarian stock from the freezer. I realise I’m running low on cream, which is the only thing making my cheap coffee drinkable, so I ended up making a Whole Foods run. (Maybe this was a good call as tariffs went into effect the very next day.) At Whole Foods, I notice that they have only one half pack of eggs left and it’s almost $8, whereas my usual grocery store has had no problem stocking eggs and they haven’t even seemed to go up in price. It’s another reason I don’t go to Whole Foods a lot, but I do like their sushi and cheaper produce like blueberries. In this city, it pays to shop around and buy some things here and other things there. I get Sauvignon Blanc, red wine, spaghetti squash, potato chips, cream, sour cream, sushi, spicy shrimp, blueberries, and some other fruit and veg. $87.49
Daily Total: $94.49
Day Seven: Tuesday
8:30 a.m. — Over coffee, I check the latest news and start back again with the job search. I have resolved to try to apply to one job a day, although I can’t help realizing that just finding jobs to apply to also takes time.
9:30 a.m. — After reading about the tariffs, I tried to think about what I should buy today that would cost more tomorrow. As I had already been planning to do, I order plastic feet from Amazon for an outdoor chair I recently repainted due to rust. After applying rewards points, it was only $1.19. $1.19
10 a.m. — I receive an email from GitHub informing me my monthly autopayment has been taken out (this is to host my work portfolio).
11 a.m. — I submit another résumé and cover letter and then hop into the shower.
12 p.m. — I have a late breakfast of granola and Vitamin D milk with blueberries and extra flax seeds. Also had an apple. Afterwards, I sautée a bit of onion and garlic with garlic powder, then add a little white wine. Once very soft and translucent, I scrape it into my slow cooker along with the vegetable stock, some water, presoaked beans, cauliflower, and a russet potato. Set it to low for eight hours.
3:30 p.m. — I run out to fill up my tank before the price starts to go up because of tariffs. It cost $4.39 a gallon, paid in cash. $18.03
6 p.m. — I do a home workout from one of my favorite trainers. Even though they don’t put out new ones very often anymore, I have a bunch from Instagram bookmarked and am cycling through. So far, there are still enough to where it doesn’t feel redundant.
9 p.m. — For dinner I have cauliflower, potato, and white bean soup with sour cream, chives, and crumbled potato chip garnish. This was an NYT highly rated recipe. Would I make it again? No. I delete all the bookmarks in my browsers referencing it. Waste of effort! (I think NYT is hit or miss —WaPo is better on the recipes, imo. I am suspicious of recipes that are super specific with various amounts). I end up with a ton of leftover soup though, so I freeze it.
Daily Total: $19.22
The Breakdown
Weekly Total $$ Spent: $358.06 Food & Drink: $106.60 Entertainment: $0.00 Home & Health: $165.19 Clothes & Beauty $68.24 Transportation $18.03 Other $0
Conclusion
“Taking stock of the week in expenditures, the mortgage payment really stands out, of course. It’s not every week I have to pay that, it’s every fourth week, but it is the biggest item. Normally, my goal is to spend nothing every day. I see that I hit that on only one of the seven days, so that raises the question, are my goals realistic? But I have a tendency to set high goals and it does create a constant sense of disappointment in myself. This exercise of actually documenting my expenditures and looking at things in black and white helps me see what’s really going on.”
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We’re stepping into a new dimension of Taurus Season now, and it feels like looking at the world through a freshly cleaned windowpane. The April 27th Taurus new moon strikes at 3:31 p.m. EST and marks a turning point, a quiet invitation to slow down and truly notice what matters. Not in the theoretical sense… it literally wants us to stop and smell the roses. Listen to your favorite album all the way through. Take your shoes off and walk barefoot in the grass. Cook your food slowly. Make love without watching the clock. Life wants to move through us more sensually, more intentionally. This is a week where every zodiac sign benefits from pacing themselves. What would it look like to choose pleasure as a path to presence?
But don’t be fooled — there’s also a cosmic contradiction to navigate. Venus, the ruler of Taurus, enters fiery Aries on April 30th, just three days after this very Venusian new moon. It’s like lighting a match in a velvet room: thrilling, energizing, maybe even a little chaotic. With Mars, the planet of action, now settled in Leo and Neptune currently also in Aries, part of you may feel ready to launch yourself into the spotlight, or initiate a new passion project at lightning speed. But another part — the one still basking in the new moon’s grounded energy — is whispering “not so fast.” This week is about holding space for both: the soft and the bold, the seed and the spark.
Then, as May begins, we get a powerful transit: Uranus in Taurus forms a sextile to the North Node in Pisces (exact at 11:00 p.m. EST on May 1st). This cosmic collaboration between innovation (Uranus) and destiny (North Node) urges us to imagine a better world, and take steps to co-create it. Expect to feel a collective wave of compassion rise — like even the most detached among us suddenly want to do something about what’s happening globally. Whether that’s speaking up, donating, joining a protest, or making more ethical choices in your daily life, this is the kind of week that turns apathy into action. From the micro to the macro, the shift is real.
And finally, we’re approaching Pluto’s retrograde in Aquarius (officially beginning next week), and its shadow is already creeping in. We’re sensing that deeper personal and collective transformations are underway —especially in areas ruled by technology, society, and our own inner psychology. You may feel subtle tension brewing around your long-term goals or friendships, or get sudden downloads about how you want to show up for your community. Don’t resist these stirrings. This is a sacred pause —a week for grounding and activating, in rhythm with your truth.
Read your horoscopes for your Sun and Rising signs for the most in-depth forecast.
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Aries Sun & Rising:
This week’s new moon in Taurus activates your sector of stability and self-worth, Aries, and this time it’s less about “securing the bag” and more about slowly, deliberately building your nest egg. Think: long-term investments, sustainable habits, and reconnecting with your value system. You’re seeing money as a reflection of your energetic output — not just a number in the bank. You might be organizing your finances, cooking at home more, or even planting literal seeds in a garden. This week is about cultivating roots, not rushing results. And with this lunation arriving just days before a new month, your intentions carry weight. What do you want the next six months of abundance to feel like?
As Venus, the planet of love and money, enters your sign on April 30th, you’ll feel a subtle but powerful boost in confidence and magnetism. You’re coming out of your spiritual cocoon with more clarity and less shame. Venus direct in Aries inspires you to express your desires unapologetically— and to chase them with style.
When Uranus and the North Node align on May 1st, you may feel called to support a humanitarian cause or finally donate to a movement that speaks to your soul. That’s Uranus (in your sector of income) harmonizing with the Pisces North Node in your sector of compassion, meaning your wallet and your heart are in sync. As Pluto prepares to retrograde in Aquarius, your friendships and online presence may begin shifting. Have the convos now that future-you will thank you for.
Taurus Sun & Rising:
Welcome to your annual Taurus new moon week! Your new moon strikes on the 27th, and it’s like a soft yet stunning mirror is being held up to your spirit. Suddenly, you’re hyper-aware of your patterns — especially the ones you’ve been pretending are fine. But there’s no harsh judgment here. In fact, you’re meeting yourself with so much compassion it might surprise you. You’re starting to own your complexity. You’re less interested in being perfect and more focused on being real. This is the energy that births transformation. You might feel drawn to journaling about your past, sharing your truth more openly, or taking small, steady actions toward becoming the version of you that feels most free. Your life will transform for the better over the course of the next six months, so spend time this week visualizing and writing down your most potent intentions.
With Venus, your planetary ruler, sliding into Aries on April 30th in your sector of healing and dreams, you’re still in shadow integration mode despite the sun’s presence in your sign these next three weeks. This isn’t about suppressing your messiness; it’s about softening into it. Expect waves of inspiration (and maybe nostalgia) to hit you in unpredictable ways. On May 1st, when Uranus in your sign harmonizes with the North Node in Pisces, something or someone could unexpectedly show up and shift your trajectory. An email, a DM, a spontaneous invite — say yes if it aligns. As Pluto prepares to retrograde in Aquarius in your sector of career and legacy, you’re already sensing that something’s changing. Let your inner compass be louder than the noise.
Gemini Sun & Rising:
Gemini, the Taurus new moon on April 27th activates your sector of closure, dreams, and the unseen. You’re entering a subtle but powerful cycle of spiritual recalibration, and this week you’ll feel more attuned to your inner world than the outer one. Your dreams may be vivid. Your energy levels might fluctuate. And your desire to unplug from the constant stimulation of your feeds? It’s not a glitch — it’s divine timing. This is the part of the story where you step back, not to disappear, but to reconnect with your magic. So sleep in, meditate, take long walks with no destination. You’re clearing mental space for a rebirth next month.
On April 30th Venus enters Aries and revives your sector of friendships and long-term vision. After a few weeks of feeling more emotionally porous, you’re now ready to re- engage socially — but on your terms. Think intimate hangs over big events, and meaningful voice notes over group chats. When Uranus in Taurus sextiles the North Node in Pisces in your career sector on May 1st, you could receive an unexpected opportunity that affirms your path, even if it’s still forming. Keep your antennae up for divine synchronicities. And as Pluto’s retrograde shadow in Aquarius creeps in, you’re starting to reexamine what you believe in, what truth means to you, and what kind of mark you want to leave on the world.
Cancer Sun & Rising:
As the week begins, the Taurus new moon is refreshing your sector of community and collective vision, and you’re starting to feel what it’s like to belong without shrinking yourself. This week reminds you that you’re not here to do it all alone, Cancer. Whether you’re being drawn to reconnect with a long-lost friend or start a group chat with folks who just get it, this lunation is amplifying your desire for emotionally fulfilling connection. You might even surprise yourself by being more visible online or deciding to share something close to your heart. It’s not about likes — it’s about alignment.
As Venus moves into Aries on April 30th, your sector of career and recognition lights up, and you may feel like the universe is subtly placing a spotlight on you. But with Neptune also in Aries, you’re learning to tell the difference between ego-driven ambition and soulful success. Meanwhile, the Uranus–North Node sextile is activating your community and philosophy sectors. You might be pulled to speak out about something political or social that hits close to home, or to support a movement that reflects your values. And with Pluto preparing to retrograde in your intimacy sector, you’re starting to realize how much emotional energy you pour into others — and how it’s time to redirect some of that magic back to yourself.
Leo Sun & Rising:
The Taurus new moon is illuminating your sector of career and public image, Leo, and suddenly you’re craving more meaning in the way you show up in the world. You’re not trying to just clock in and clock out anymore. You want to make moves that align with your purpose and nourish your spirit. This week is ideal for resetting your goals and reconnecting with the why behind your ambitions. Maybe it’s launching something you’ve been sitting on, or admitting that you’re ready to change directions. Either way, your values are calling the shots now, not your resume.
With Venus entering your fellow fire sign of Aries on April 30th, your sense of adventure returns in a bold, flirtatious way. Your sector of expansion and risk is lit, and you may feel pulled toward new teachings, road trips, or spontaneous opportunities to speak your truth. Uranus and the North Node align in your sector of career and shared wisdom, which could open unexpected doors — like a conversation that leads to a mentorship, or a project that reaches global audiences. As Pluto retrograde approaches in your relationship sector, you’re sensing that some partnerships are evolving. Trust what’s shifting. Let your boundaries grow with you.
Virgo Sun & Rising:
How does it feel to leap out of your comfort zone, Virgo? The week begins with the Taurus new moon on April 27th, landing in your sector of expansion, belief systems, and learning. This is your invitation to stop clinging to the map and start following the pull of your intuition. You might feel called to study something new, travel somewhere unexpected, or say “yes” to a perspective shift that used to terrify you. The path ahead may not be fully laid out — and that’s the point. You’re planting seeds now for a six-month journey of mental, spiritual, and creative expansion. Dream beyond your current reality.
Then comes April 30th, when Venus enters Aries and activates your sector of transformation and intimacy. Suddenly, your desires are louder, your curiosity sharper, and your passion deeper. This is a good time to be honest about what turns you on — and what you’re done entertaining. As May 1st arrives, Uranus in Taurusforms a sextile to the North Node in Pisces, harmonizing your spiritual growth with your relationship sector. This could lead to unexpected conversations that shift how you relate to others and yourself. And as we approach Pluto retrograde on May 4th, you’re starting to realize that your routines and work habits are evolving. Something in you is asking for more soul, less autopilot. Listen.
Libra Sun & Rising:
What if surrendering is the most powerful move you could make, Libra? The Taurus new moon on April 27th lands in your sector of intimacy, shared resources, and emotional transformation. It’s giving “release and rebirth” energy, but in a soft, grounded way. You might find yourself reevaluating who and what you pour your energy into. Are the exchanges in your life reciprocal? This new moon is your chance to set boundaries from a place of self-love, not self-protection. You’re also learning that real closeness doesn’t require you to abandon yourself — it asks you to root deeper in your truth.
Then on April 30th, Venus, your ruling planet, enters fiery Aries and ignites your relationship sector. Let’s just say: things could get flirty fast. But this transit also brings a bold honesty to your connections. You’re more inclined to say what you really feel — and expect others to do the same. On May 1st, Uranus sextiles the North Node, activating your emotional healing and day-to-day reality. Something as small as changing your schedule or saying “no” to a pattern can have a ripple effect. And as Pluto retrograde in Aquarius approaches on May 4th, your inner artist, romantic, or inner child might be stirring. Get curious about what wants to be reborn through play.
Scorpio Sun & Rising:
Can you let yourself be seen without the armor, Scorpio? The Taurus new moon on April 27th activates your sector of relationships and one-on-one dynamics, and you’re feeling ready — for more connection, more honesty, more realness. This lunation offers you a chance to set new intentions around how you show up in love, business, and friendship. If you’ve been afraid to let someone in (or let someone go), this is the week to face that fear gently and intentionally. You’re not who you were six months ago. And neither are your standards.
By April 30th, Venus enters Aries and activates your sector of service and routine, making your daily life feel more charged with creative energy and motivation. You’re more likely to move with purpose and clarity, especially if you’re aligning your actions with your heart. You’ll feel bolder and more energized during this transit, but also make sure you’re reacting from a heart-centered place rather than leading with your pride.
The May 1st sextile between Uranus in Taurus and the Pisces North Node helps clear out any stagnant energy in your relationships, potentially bringing an unexpected conversation or reconnection that reminds you what healthy collaboration feels like. As Pluto prepares to retrograde in Aquarius on May 4th, you may feel subtle pressure to redefine your relationship with “home” — not just your physical space, but your emotional foundation. Let what’s outdated fall away.
Sagittarius Sun & Rising:
What if slowing down actually moves you further, Sagittarius? The Taurus new moon on April 27th activates your sector of routine, healing, and wellness, and it’s asking you to recalibrate. You’ve been operating on high-speed lately — maybe even autopilot — and this lunation invites you to reimagine how your day-to-day supports your long-term peace. This week is ideal for revamping your habits, recommitting to rituals, or making your to-do list more soul-aligned. Slowing down doesn’t mean falling behind… it means honoring your body and time as sacred.
Venus enters Aries on April 30th, igniting your sector of pleasure and creativity. This is sexy, spontaneousenergy, and it’s giving you permission to follow your joy. Whether it’s dating, dancing, or diving into apassion project, let yourself have fun. Then on May 1st, the Uranus–North Node sextile opens the portal between your wellness sector and your expression sector — aka, taking care of yourself helps you show up more boldly in the world. This could also be the week you start advocating for something that matters to you publicly. As Pluto retrograde in Aquarius approaches on May 4th, your mindset begins to shift. Pay attention to how you speak to yourself— your thoughts shape your reality.
Capricorn Sun & Rising:
What would it feel like to live with more softness, Capricorn? The Taurus new moon on April 27th lights up your sector of romance, creativity, and pleasure. This is your permission to pour more of your energy into the things that make life feel beautiful. Whether it’s getting back into a hobby, spending more time with kids or loved ones, or just letting yourself be adored, this week is about choosing joy. Your inner child is ready to come out and play — but only if you allow it. This is your invitation to open up to life’s unexpected pleasures and bask in daily synchronicities.
By April 30th, Venus in Aries awakens your sector of home and family, and you might feel a shift in your emotional landscape. You’re more protective of your space, more intentional about who you allow into your sanctuary. On May 1st, Uranus in Taurus sextiles the North Node in Pisces, activating your creativity and communication. Maybe you write something that resonates deeply, or have a heart-to-heart that unlocks a new possibility. As Pluto retrograde approaches on May 4th, you’re reevaluating how you relate to material security and self-worth. Let yourself question old programming. Just because something’s been your truth doesn’t mean it still serves you.
Aquarius Sun & Rising:
What are you building that will truly last, Aquarius? The Taurus new moon on April 27th roots into your sector of home, family, and emotional foundations. You might feel an urge to clean, nest, or reimagine the space you live in. But this isn’t just spring cleaning — it’s soul-level clearing. You’re releasing emotional baggage and making space for a softer, slower version of you to emerge. This is a beautiful week to set intentions around what stability and belonging actually mean to you, and how you want to embody those energies going forward.
On April 30th, Venus shifts into Aries and lights up your communication sector, bringing more fire and flair to your words. Your voice becomes a magnet — so be intentional with what you say and how you say it. The May 1st sextile between Uranus and the North Node bridges your home life and your income or values sector. Maybe a family connection or living shift unlocks a money breakthrough. Maybe you decide to use your voice for something political or community-based that aligns with your values. As Pluto prepares to retrograde in your sign on May 4th, you’ll begin feeling a deep inner evolution. Your identity is changing. Let yourself be transformed.
Pisces Sun & Rising:
Are you ready to say what’s really on your heart, Pisces? The Taurus new moon on April 27th energizes your sector of communication, self-expression, and curiosity. This is the week to write the thing, say the thing, or share the idea you’ve been holding back. You’re starting to find more confidence in your voice — and more clarity around what messages you want to put out into the world. You might even find healing in small talk or beauty in the details of everyday conversations. This lunation brings a gentle but powerful shift in how you connect.
Then on April 30th, Venus leaves your sign after an extended stay (due to that infamous retrograde, whew) and enters Aries, activating your sector of income and self-worth. You’re learning to see your value more clearly and to ask for what you deserve without guilt. Whether it’s raising your rates, applying for a grant, or simply affirming your abundance, you’re moving with less doubt.
On May 1st, Uranus in Taurus harmonizes with the North Node in your sign, creating a potent moment of intuitive downloads and magnetic breakthroughs. Say yes to unexpected insights or collaborations — they’re fated. And as Pluto retrograde in Aquarius approaches on May 4th, your inner world is ready to go through a deep spiritual upgrade. Let the quiet guide you this weekend. Something sacred is taking shape, and you’re hearing and seeing yourself more clearly than ever.
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There was a time when slip dresses were strictly reserved for the bedroom — worn with curlers, fuzzy slippers, and a robe. But fast forward to the ‘90s and even now to 2020s, and this lingerie-inspired style has shed its pajama past to become a full-blown wardrobe staple.
The slip dress has evolved with endless silhouettes, from minis to midis and maxis — in every size, shape, color, and print. It’s a year-round must, just as appropriate for weddings as happy hours and, when styled correctly, the office. You can wear it solo in summer, layered with a tee or cardigan in cooler weather, or top it off with a faux fur jacket in the dead of winter. For 35 slip dresses that take you from day to night in style, keep scrolling.
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Bubble hems had their big fashion breakout moment in 2024, and this year, they’re only getting bigger (literally and figuratively). What started with mini dresses and skirts has blown up into full-on mania, with the voluminous look now bubbling up in just about every category imaginable. We’re talking bubble-hem tops, matching sets (skirts! pants!), and maybe the cutest twist yet: bubble shorts. (No surprise there — we did call pantaloons as a major spring 2025 fashion trend, and these sweet bloomers are right on cue.)
Just like at the start of last year’s resurgence, these puffy silhouettes aren’t just a fleeting trend — they’re sticking around because they’re fun, wearable, and surprisingly versatile. Whether you’re after crisp poplin minis, floaty printed midis, denim bloomers, or a vacation-ready two-piece set, there’s a bubble-hem moment waiting to round out your spring and summer wardrobe. Ahead, the very best ones to shop now.
From left to right: Alaïa, Khaite, LaQuan Smith
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Bubble Hem Tops
The bubble hem gives spring and summer classics a twist, turning tanks, cropped blouses, and cotton and eyelet tops into standout pieces thanks to bold colors, sculptural silhouettes, and special detailing like peplums.
Bubble Hem Shorts
Shorts, but make them Victorian. This look is all about taking boudoir style into the daylight — whether it’s a lace-trimmed bloomer or a classic gingham print. The trick? Balance the sweetness with a longer trench, tall socks, and Mary-Jane flats to give the silhouette a more substantial, styled-up feel.
Bubble Hem Sets
Double the bubble, double the fun. Sets are always a dream for taking the guesswork out of getting dressed, and now bubble hems are giving the formula a playful upgrade. Think oversized button-downs with balloon shorts, cropped tanks with full skirts, and two-pieces ready for everything from OOO days to office hours.
Bubble Hem Mini Dresses
Bubble-hem mini dresses made their mark last year, and this season, the trend is leveling up with even bolder volume and new silhouettes. Whether a sleek mini, puff-sleeve frock, or smocked number, this season’s newest arrivals show just how versatile the look has become.
Bubble Hem Mini Skirts
The mini skirt is no stranger to a reinvention, and the bubble hem is its latest upgrade. Crisp pleats, ballooned denim, swingy A-lines — whatever your vibe, there’s a mini ready to add some literal bounce to your step.
Bubble Hem Midi Dresses
Bubble-hem midi dresses are leveling up with fresh twists, too — from ruffled strapless styles to bold patterns and punchy colors. Bright hues demand attention, while striped ruffles and delicate thin straps make these midis truly stand out.
Bubble Hem Midi Skirts
Last year’s bubble-hem midi skirts leaned crisp and classic in black and white — the perfect base for any wardrobe. This season, the trend is expanding: colorful cottons, bold prints, and breezy neutrals like khaki are bringing new life (and movement) to the silhouette.
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You know when you have two friends from different groups finally for the first time, and you (being the common link) knew they would get along? Learning about Amika’s new collab with indie fragrance brand Ellis Brooklyn felt exactly like that — but in beauty product form.
For starters, both brands have roots in NYC, and as I chat with both Shapiro and Amika CEO Chelsea Riggs, it’s immediately clear this isn’t just another beauty collab — it’s a friendship. (“Amika” actually means “friend” in Esperanto, the world’s most popular international auxiliary language.) The fact that I also happened to find the dry shampoo I’ll be using nonstop this summer? A total bonus.
“Perk Up has been in the market for almost 15 years, and it’s also ranked as the number-one premium dry shampoo,” Riggs tells Refinery29. “We knew we wanted to have a moment for that, and fragrance was where we wanted to lean in.” Ellis Brooklyn was a natural fit; during our conversation, Ellis Brooklyn founder Bee Shapiro shared that she was a former client of Amika’s (sadly, now closed) salon in Williamsburg. Kismet!
Just in time for summer, Amika has reimagined its bestselling Perk Up Dry Shampoo with the scent of Ellis Brooklyn’s Miami Nectar. The result? The same instantly refreshing dry shampoo, now with tropical notes of pink pineapple, coconut water, and amber. “We tested a bunch of different fragrances that Bee and the team sent, and I really thought we were going to end up with Sun Fruit, given the color and it feeling very Amika,” Riggs shares, adding that it was a lab sample of (then-unreleased) Miami Nectar that wont the team over. “It smelled as if Amika had gone to the beach.”
But this sun-soaked version of Perk Up isn’t just a way to refresh your roots and add a boost of volume; it’s an invitation to layer your fragrance for a unique blend of good smells. I’ve been using it nonstop in my hair, adding a floral scent like Aesop’s new Aurner Eau de Parfum when I’m feeling more feminine, or leaning more into the warm, woody notes by wearing something like Le Monde Gourmand’s Santal Supreme.
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“We were thinking about what exactly is ‘functional fragrance?’” Shapiro tells me. “And at the end of the day, what’s more functional than my favorite dry shampoo with our amazing scent?” While Amika products are already beloved for their fruity-floral scents, Shapiro says this limited-edition collaboration was a chance to take things to a whole new level. “There are already amazing scents in hair, but we’re coming at it with a little bit more complexity [with this launch],” she adds. Miami Nectar Perk Up retails for $28 (the same as a full size of OG Perk Up), and is available at Sephora, as well as Amika and Ellis Brooklyn‘s respective websites.
If you’re not already using Amika products, chances are you could spot a brightly-colored, patterned can from across the room and know it was the brand’s. A closer look at the packaging reveals Easter eggs that nod to the fragrance (coconuts, pineapples, groovy florals) and Miami’s sun-and-fun lifestyle (pool slides, ice cream cones, seashells, and even a few dolphins). In the few weeks since I received an early sample to test, I’ve been using it nonstop — after workouts, to add texture to my style, or simply as hair perfume. (BTW, I’m a dark brunette, and this stuff disappears into my roots without a trace.) I was already a fan of Ellis Brooklyn’s Miami Nectar fragrance (especially as someone living in Miami) and Amika’s dry shampoo, so to have them combined into one? Nothing less than a match made in beauty heaven.
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Bubble hems had their breakout moment last year. But if you thought they were a fleeting trend, think again.
What started with a few puffed-up skirts and dresses in the fall of 2024 has officially snowballed into a full-blown takeover: bubble-hem tops, shorts, matching sets — you name it. But if you’re a purist (or just love a good aughts throwback), the bubble skirt remains the gold standard for making a voluminous statement.
Designers have doubled down for spring 2025, delivering everything from Chloé’s dreamy high-low dresses to Alaïa’s sculptural duvet-like skirts, diaphanous draped versions at Stella McCartney, and cocktail-ready takes (hello, wedding guest season) at Emilia Wickstead and Dries Van Noten.
The best part? Bubble skirts are surprisingly wearable and easy to style. Pair a midi with a simple tank and loafers, layer a mini with a spring jacket and ballet flats, or throw one on with sneakers and a sweater tossed over your shoulders (so street style coded) — the drama’s built in.
Ahead, 16 bubble-hem skirts and dresses that’ll have you swishing through spring and beyond.
Bubble Hem Mini Dresses
From Free People’s bright red stunner to Reformation’s gingham drop-waist and Gap’s tie-strap mini, these bubble-hemmed dresses deliver maximum impact with minimal effort. Crisp cottons, airy prints, and easy silhouettes make them feel light, playful, and ready for every spring plan.
Bubble Hem Mini Skirts
The 2000s fashion favorite is officially back — and looking fresher than ever. Think utilitarian-inspired pleats, pinstripes, and pouffed-up color pops made for movement (and a good twirl).
Bubble Hem Midi Dresses
Bubble midis are getting the 2025 upgrade: dreamy draping, voluminous hems, and punchy tones built for sunny days and RSVP season alike. Whether you’re after floaty pastels, sleek sheers, or something in between, there’s a bubble midi for it.
Bubble Hem Midi Skirts
The silhouette that started with crisp black and white is getting a colorful refresh. This season’s bubble midis come in bright cottons, bold prints, and easy neutral shades, made for spring days, rooftop hangs, and everywhere else you want to make a sartorial statement.
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