Fortunately —

The children are happy and healthy, and still willing to climb into my arms;

There is bonus coffee downstairs;

The only thing between me and my goals is effort;

My mother is a phone call way;

The sun will rise tomorrow, and the trees outside my studio window will dance in its rays while I work, and the redbirds in our yard will visit their branches, and I will continuously remember how immaterial my worries are in the face of these generosities;

The empty page is waiting for me;

The roses that remind me of Elizabeth will bloom again in the spring;

I do not need to prove myself to anyone;

Mr. Magpie will fold me wordlessly into his arms when I go to him;

and today is not the final draft.

Post-Scripts.

+This post started as a quick note on my iPhone (screenshotted below). I needed a little extra oomph to help me get into the ambitious fitness and writing routines I’d set for myself this month. I realized after I began expanding on it that the list was, formula-wise, a subconscious riff on this poem by Thich Nhat Hanh, which I wrote about previously here. Publishing the good news! Amen!

+More on the concept of bonus coffee!

+The concept of the sun still rising took on intense new meaning in the midst of COVID.

Shopping Break.

The following content may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through the links below, I may receive compensation.

+If you have a big event coming up this spring, or are just thinking ahead to summer festivities and/or family portraits, you must spend some time looking through the dress sale section at Net-a-Porter (up to 60% off). Some incredible buys: flattering dress for a summer family portrait that you will get a lot of everyday wear out of, too; spectacular option for fall family photos; the airiest summer dress for stagnant D.C. heat (I own this and love it); fabulous formal dress for a spring gala or wedding that no one else will have.

+Also think this dramatic Loewe scarf from the Net sale section is fun, and this floral Zimmermann blouse is ultra-dreamy, whether paired with the matching pants or styled with white jeans/white skirt or even as a cover-up. The pattern reminds me of De Gournay! (Speaking of: a very chic coffee table book.)

+New colors available for these chic, practical kitchen chairs. (We learned the hard way about upholstered dining chairs and small children.) Love the unexpected green! 20% off and free ship right now. Also love this simple bobble-base tea table (also 20% off and free ship). We have been waiting patiently for our Oomph tini table to come (to the tune of 24-28 weeks in production time…) but this would be very chic and quicker to arrive. This one is also really fun and more similar to Oomph — the quatrefoil shape of course reminds me of Van Cleef and Arpels!

+The Mother Science moisturizer I was raving about yesterday launched!

+Great exercise socks (also fun in these retro / varsity-style colors). I love these and these inexpensive ones from Amazon.

+Found my Varley longline fleece 25% off here! This is such a great piece because it covers the rear in leggings but cinches at the waist for a flattering silhouette.

+Micro-mini new year’s resolution: I WILL wash my makeup brushes more routinely, using this cleaner. Just created a recurring calendar invite to remind myself! (All my favorite makeup brushes here.)

+New popcorn bowl for my popcorn addiction. (Importantly, it’s melamine so my kids can enjoy it on the couch!)

+A great source for high-end looking shams / bedding with elegant monogram options.

+Loving the dramatic, affordable designs from new-to-me label Damson Madder.

+Eyeing one of these velour (!!!) sets from Suzie Kondi. Juicy revisited (and improved).