Jen's Weekend Drafts: On Impressing People.

+THE ONLY PEOPLE YOU NEED TO IMPRESS: I’ve been thinking about this quote: “There are only two people you need to impress in life: your eight-year-old self and your eighty-year-old self.” I love the sentiment. Cheers to leaning into joy for both the younger and older versions of me. I just know Jen of 80 will be happy for the times I’ve pushed back and made space for my children, said “no” to more in order to be present for what is already enough.

Beyond that, though — let people be wrong about you!

+”I ONLY WANT LILACS WHEN THEY’RE HAPPENING”: I am continuing my fawning relationship with Julia Louis Dreyfus by making my way through the archives of her podcast series. I just listened to her interview with Alice Waters and while this is a theme I write about a lot (!), I was moved by Alice talking about eating hyper-local and in-season. She said: “It keeps me where I am in time and place.” Later, she added: “I only want lilacs when they’re happening.” I just love the sentiment–this undercurrent of appreciating and celebrating the things that happen in their own good time. The idea of waiting for the peach to be ripe, of looking forward to the root veg of fall and the brave crocus of spring. It gives me a deep sensation of rightness. (Also, Alice Waters starts her day with Puehr tea and insists this has reduced her cholesterol by 100 points. I ordered this from my sister-in-law’s favorite tea spot so I could also have the Alice Waters breakfast!)

+90S KIDS: I absolutely loved your responses to my recent batch of icebreakers — especially your comments on the things that shaped our childhoods that no longer exist. So many of these coalesced around the notion of “having to wait.” It’s so true! Looking at catalogs, driving to the store to see if a movie was available, watching commercials! We were so good at waiting in the 80s and 90s. How do we instill this in our children? A propos of that conversation: loved this carousel of “90s Kids Things.” I mean, Blockbuster on a Friday night!? Finding the final red box cover of a new release you’re drying to watch?! The thrill! (I’m technically an 80s baby but I related to these images deeply.)

+SUMMER IS THE TIME TO WRITE: A gorgeous and evocative poem to carry with us by Naomi Shihab Nye, whether you are a writer or not. I love its get-up-and-go, especially the question: “Why do I think of forty ways to spend an afternoon?”

+EYEING + BUYING: I just dug this waxed barn coat out of my closet. Can’t wait for an excuse to wear it! Really feeling this palette of creams, pinks, and browns!

BROCHU WALKER CARDIGAN // UNDO HAIR CLIP // NICOLA BATHIE NECKLACE // VARLEY PANTS // PEONY PERFUME // J. CREW WAXED BARN JACKET // BANDANA SCARF // BOMBAS SOCKS // TUCKERNUCK CASHMERE CARDI // DOEN TAP SHORTS (LOOK FOR LESS HERE) // GUCCI LOAFERS

+BESTSELLERS: The sweetest clover charm necklace. I’ve been layering this almost every day for the past few weeks! Other charms available. I’m such a believer in talismans.