I’ve written at the same little white desk since college. She is now water-warped and bow-legged, and she shakes when you tap too vigorously on the keyboard, a sort of weary rattling-back at my own exertions. You again? she seems to groan as I set her in motion. Yes, me again, I peck back, Blanche to her Dorothy. Two gals aging together.
On Saturday, though, I installed a new writing desk in my studio. She is wider, sturdier, much-better-made. She’s a lady’s desk, and she seems a fitting upgrade for this moment in my life, with my first book in the stable, and new projects in the rafters. A new seat for a new season.
Still, when I emptied the little-white-desk-that-could of her cards, stamps, sticky notes and receipts, I found myself wistful, and then chastised myself for my mawkishness.
Look, they’re just things, I told myself. In this case, just particleboard and peeling paint.
What is this attachment to the physical?
I suppose she’s a connection to my past selves, the rainbow arc between Jen of 18 and Jen of 42; I find myself thinking back on the many versions of myself she had accommodated. I think especially of the early mornings I spent in her company while in graduate school, sitting in my garden-level apartment on R Street in Georgetown, in that crescent of time in my life where I was at my most academically ambitious and vocationally lost. I think of tapping away on her beneath the window that overlooked 86th Street, how I found such relief in her fellowship at a time when I was stretched thin as mother to two young children in a bereft city, cloistered by COVID and the alienations of new parenthood. And I think also of writing Small Wonders with her this past year as a more seasoned and circumspect writer, more settled in to myself and my life.
I thought, in other words, of the broad brushstroke of it all: her unadorned, steadfast mark across the canvas.
But there are chapters yet —
So, cheers to the little white desk for her dogged fellowship,
and cheers to many empty afternoons of sunlight and script with the graduate version.
Post-Scripts.
+New desk (vibe for less here) and new office rug (use code JEN)! The lidded basket in the top photo is sold out (found at Quince of all places!) but you can get similar here. I have a few of the latter sprinkled throughout the house. Great for corralling the random things you can’t find a place for — kids loose toys or sports equipment, hats and gloves, spare shoes, etc!
+On shaking hands with the blank page.
+My best advice for disillusioned writers.
+What does good advice look like?
Shopping Break.
+This cashmere car coat just does it all. I packed it for a three day trip to the Inn at Perry Cabin and wore it over jeans, a Suzie Kondi athleisure set, with my Ruti pants, with a leather skirt, and also with my Donni taffetas. It somehow works with everything and over everything. A nice loose fit (accommodates bulky sweaters) but also soft and flattering with thinner layers beneath. I’m not usually one to go nuts over pockets but the pockets on these are INCREDIBLE. A nice roomy deep fit to hold and keep a cell phone, wallet, or even a water bottle (trust me, I wore mine on a walking tour with one in tow!)
+If you love the look of the Suzie Kondi sets but not the price, Rhone just released similar velour set for much less (use code SHOOP20).
+Love these longline velvet-effect jeans, esp in the brown — Veronica Beard vibes, but under $200.
+Three things the gals on this press trip have been talking about enthusiastically: this heated round brush (described to me as “a blowout extender — use on day 2 hair”), this cashmere cardigan, and these jeans, which everyone thinks are THE most comfortable jeans on the planet.
+I wore a last-season version of this caped sweater this week and can’t believe how deeply discounted it is here! She’s so dramatic and fabulous. Style with a full skirt or a pair of everyday-wash jeans.
+Fab evening ready top in new colors! (Love it with the matching skirt!)
+Currently wearing these and…LOVE. Like a cozy hug for the foot. Plus have a true sole that can be worn outdoors in wet conditions. I predict these are the new Ugg silhouette of the year.
+A fun under-$100 piece I wore with everything this week: this statement necklace from small business Logan Tay! I absolutely love the scale, size, colors! The wood heart! I wore with so many different pieces!
+Some of my top picks for gifts for sister figures for this season!
+Reminder: these kids snow bibs are 40% off. Now is the time to buy so you’re not scrambling at first snowfall.
+Reminder: La Ligne Colbys on sale (30% off in the BEST navy – these are a magical pant and especially in this color and fabric because they do not wrinkle and can be worn straight from a car trip to a business meeting and you will feel flawlessly polished!)
+Did you see this fringed SKIRT from Sezane?!
+Riley Sheehey’s perfect holiday blanket is BACK. This is the most beautiful motif and my favorite pattern of blanket to gift. Ideal for MILs, sisters, best friends for the holidays. I have to also rave about the midi size, which is new to me. Chappywrap gave me one as a part of my visit to Inn at Perry Cabin (they hosted me and a few other creatives — so incredibly special; pinch me) and it’s the perfect portable size for grabbing to wear on an outdoor adirondack, throwing in the backseat of a car, wrapping around yourself at an outdoor concert or sporting event. I actually just ordered this one for the dog that we hope to invite into our family soon. I couldn’t resist the print.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through the links above, I may receive compensation.
