Suspend yourself from financial realities —
if you could do absolutely anything for a year, what would you do?
This is a complex one for me to answer, as my “work life” is so intertwined with my creative and personal ones that I very much feel as if I’m doing what I’d want to do on a daily basis. Having just returned from essentially three weeks of vacation, during which I barely touched pen to paper, I am itching for my vocational routine. This has made clear to me that I don’t so much write because I want to (although there is great joy in its choosing) — but because I have to.
Still, if we can chase this conditional to its frothiest extremes, I would love to —
Rent a cottage with a water view, and position a small, simple wood writing desk in front of its biggest window. I’d wake with the unsparing sun, walk through grass dressed in dew, and then sit down to the blank page with a cup of cream-lightened coffee by 7 a.m. Seven a.m. is important. Having the full, uninterrupted brushstroke of a morning that starts at seven feels impossibly indulgent. I feel giddy thinking of its unimpeded longitude.
And then I’d like to write with no deadline or intention.
Maybe not for a full year, but for a lavish couple of months.
I’d need my children and husband close at hand, at a main house a short walk from the cottage.
I’d like to take long walks on weekend mornings and learn all the flora and fauna in the vicinity. I’d like to be on a first-name basis with blackgums and blackwings. Which is basically saying: I’d like to pray in the outdoors.
I’d like to swim in a cold, private body of water after lunch. I’d like to walk into a small nearby town for provisions (grocery and bookstore/library alike), an occasional glass of wine, and iced coffees in the afternoon (caffeine having no impact on my sleeping in this fantasy).
I’d like to make and then enjoy long meals at a long wooden table with Landon across from me, records playing and candles burning low. I’d bring my sisters and brother and their families to the property a couple of times. We’d play card games and drink rose on the back porch and make our inside jokes.
I’d like to have a dog at my side for all of this.
I’d like to learn photography. Maybe take a class, maybe just tinker. Probably a combination of the two.
I’d like to spend aimless afternoons with Landon and my children, reading on hammocks, picking berries, filling in the crossword puzzle alongside one another.
No laundry, no email.
An uninhibited amount of reading.
What about you?
Post-Scripts.
+Related: my analog-ish summer.
+Make bad art!!!!
+What is your best silver lining story?
Shopping Break.
+Seriously cute wrap cardigan for fall.
+Have this neutral rugby shirt and these impossibly cool sweatpants in my cart. Would wear the latter with a boat shoe, as shown! (And are these the most perfect pair of retro sweats you’ve ever seen?)
+If you’re traveling to Paris this fall…I just feel like Ulla’s entire fall collection is meant for you. These pants are absurdly chic and different, this lace cardigan is coquettish but sophisticated (esp with black trousers or a full black skirt for dinner), and this soigne dress just feels oui, un autre verre de vin SVP!.
+Topseller yesterday by a landslide: this Rue-de-Verneuil coded tote, on sale! Grab while still in stock.
+We’re also loving these Luna pants in the new brown color. Predict this has a high sellout risk!
+The fit on these jeans is excellent! Sort of a hybrid between a kick flare and a relaxed/barrel fit. I have good luck with this denim brand. The size notes advise us to take our smaller size in this style.
+Love the look of a henley/polo sweatshirt for fall. Eyeing this in pink (on sale!), this in gray, or this in any of the colors.
+Essential for fall: a cashmere bandana scarf. I love the ones from Kujten but they’re pricey to ship to the US. Freya has a great option in cream or a gorgeous denim blue.
+My Julia Amory toiletry set finally kicked the bucket on this last trip — the lining ripped in two of my bags and now they’re sort of useless, as the lining makes them incredibly functional. I love those sets because the sizes of the bags are perfect (largest one is REALLY big), the interior is lined and has pockets, and you can just toss them in the laundry machine and dry inside out when they get dirty. But she currently has none available! I am looking for an alt and contemplating this one from Afform. Has anyone tried?
+Back to Julia Amory – HOW FAB are these monochromatic cord looks she’s serving in rust and ivory for fall?! Mais j’adore! Use code JEN-15 for 15% off sitewide.
+Speaking of cords: these are on my wishlist for fall.
+Everything Rag + Bone does is so cool. This is on sale and very tempting. Imagine with leggings and loose hair for carpool this fall.
+20% off my current favorite everyday serum.
+THIS WOOL COAT!!!!
+This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through the links above, I may receive compensation.
