This morning, republishing an old favorite essay of mine. Each time I sit with it, I think how ridiculous it is that I permit the tiny stresses of my life to derail an otherwise great day. I experience a radiating gratitude for the people in my life who sometimes seem peripheral — neighbors, carpool pick up line moms — and who turn out to be the magic glue that keeps me together. I re-center on how extraordinary the very ordinary is. A great reminder for me this week.
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Leave the door ajar,
enough to let joy sneak up on you
so that you laugh when you are washing the dishes and notice that your husband is carrying a Barbie doll in his back pocket,
and you remember that you are on a moonwalk, living out the exact space fantasy you dreamed about when you were on that Jetsons ride in Orlando at the age of eleven, watching the young families around you.
Stay open to the neighbors,
who turn out to be guardian angels in disguise,
treating you tenderly when you’ve fallen, and bringing by dinner and crates of activities for the children
when illness visits.
It is so easy to ball up like a fist, to coil inward, to rush by acquaintances while wearing AirPods and an air of focus,
but really,
what is life but a string of surprises anyway?
And so what use is it to pretend you might hide from its inevitable shower of thunderbolts?
I often run through the rain with my shoulders raised to my ears, forming a provisional and profitless umbrella with the flat of my palm, as though I might force the droplets away by sheer willpower, by drawing my body taut against their fall.
How ridiculous, I think —
the contortions to which I will go
to avoid a little water.
Let me lower my shoulders, let in the rain,
and permit myself to be surprised by joy.
Post-Scripts.
+On how comparison steals our happiness.
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Shopping Break.
+A new sleeveless version of our favorite linen set.
+Absolutely can’t live without these wipes. They tone, cleanse, hydrate — they do it all! I always pack a handful of these for travel but also sometimes use them post-workout (when in a rush) or after a hike. My SIL has been visiting and I gave her a few of this brand’s other products to test — she was raving about this toner (now ordering for myself, too). I also just opened a bottle of this cleanser and am already hooked. Love the botanical scent of all of their products and — more importantly — their straight-forward efficacy. I find all their products do what they say. Chic new branding doesn’t hurt either!
+Gorgeous ombre crochet dress, on sale for under $200!
+Speaking of crochet: this under-$100 red top! Ordered to try! Also own and love this tomato red crochet top (on sale for $29!), but it has a very different vibe.
+Follow Suit restock here and here! Runs TTS – so cute.
+I know we’ve been talking lots of swimsuits lately, but OMG this new Marysia print…!
+Seersucker MZ Wallace! Thanks to a reader for flagging this. I still love mine!
+Gauze shorts in a rainbow of colors. (I also love my Alice Walks but they are spendier!)
+Ordered this dress.
+Obsessed with both this and this from Pam’s new collection!
+More fun fish charms and pendants!
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On the topic of cute socks, I have to upvote Tara’s suggestion of Falke — I restock every time I pass through the Frankfurt airport, as they have a lovely store and they’re so much cheaper! But I actually do think they are worth it in USD, too, because they are lovely, high-quality socks that last and last.
Otherwise, I love Anonymous Ism (Japanese brand that mostly makes socks in men’s sizes but I cherish the ones I have), Hansel from Basel (great quality, but I am choosy with their line, as some of their designs are a little too playful for me), and for thicker ribbed socks, Nishiguchi Kutsushita! This brand is run by the nicest people — I met them through work and they are so sweet. They are starting to grow their presence in the US but are currently sold at smaller boutiques, I think.
Oh, and for basics/cheapies, I swear by these two from Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006L3V91E/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1&psc=1 (Hue is great + affordable and I have seen a few people I really respect, style-wise, recommend these!)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075FKYDHB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1&psc=1 (for a playful. girlish moment, which I especially like with chunky loafers or mary janes)
xx
These are SO great! This is legit gold!! Thank you so much for sharing these smaller brands.
xx
I love this. Thank you for sharing! xo.
So glad it resonated with you, Joyce! xx
Loved this reminder to stay open!
Thank you! Needed it myself today.
xx
These are my favorite socks with loafers! They are perfect and the best socks I own. They stock them at the Shoe Hive in Alexandria and also at Saks. I am obsessed with them.
https://www.falke.com/us_en/p/active-breeze-women-socks/46189_2000/
Oo – these look divine. Thanks for sharing! Going to order a pair!
xx