A Magpie responded to my post about my “analog-ish” summer by saying: “I’m a techie who’s into analogue because I’m seeking deep engagement with the things I’m passionate about. I like coffee table books and catalogues, things that let me daydream instead of scrolling to the next thing.” Another Magpie added that she rents DVDs and CDs from the library — the library being a place that specifically requires patience (while waiting for things to be made available, while waiting to check out in a queue) and a slower pace. (Is there anything better than a library visit on a Saturday morning?). These comments gave me a deep feeling of wellbeing. What else invites us to linger versus “click next”? What else is (to quote Mahmoud Darwish) “a sister of time”?
Antidotes to Scrolling
The public library on a Saturday morning
Playing cards while drinking gin rickeys with a girlfriend
Attics and basements — unfinished places that store memories and invite play*
Cordoning off a Saturday morning to dog-ear cookbook recipes
The Great Outdoors (the original dreamcatcher)
Taking photos on film and dropping them off to be developed
Poetry
Keeping your phone in the other room
Repairing/repainting a piece of furniture
Listening to music at top decibel while laying on your living room floor
Any baking project with a proofing phase
Sorting and styling a cabinet or coffee table
Writing a letter
Making out with your husband
Exercise (I’m convinced nothing feels slower/longer than a one-minute plank)
Taking the long way home
Teaching your kids a handicraft like gimp, perler breads, friendship bracelets
Attempting complex fishtail French braids in your daughter’s hair just because
Making the pie crust from scratch
Cataloguing the flora and fauna in your backyard
Post-Scripts.
+Poems that feel like a deep breath.
+Kindness, in its smallest denominations.
Shopping Break.
+Donni just restocked its viral taffeta SHORTS, which sold through in the blue and red in about 24 hours last time. (There are also a handful of sizes left in its popular gingham taffeta pants.)
+Speaking of shorts: I mentioned this last week, but ordered myself these Agolde Lyonne shorts. I couldn’t decide if I preferred denim or black more, but when black (more sizes here and here) — imagine with strappy sandals like this. Perfect. I also love these structured Frame shorts if you’re after something with a little more polish.
+Late to this FOJ (extended) weekend sale, but Mirth is offering an extra 20% off sale pieces. This caftan dress is one of my favorite pieces in my entire closet — I wore it for my book photo shoot! It is incredibly soft (like towel soft) and can be worn belted or unbelted. I love it so much I’m contemplating adding the same dress in a different pattern to my closet while discounted — love this blue or this coral, both under $200 in cart! Also love this fun little minnow-print blouse.
+Alex Mill’s new mini sized tote is perfect. With the one initial in a fun color!!
+Just picked up a few Uniqlo pieces, including this perfect-looking navy tee ($19!), boxer briefs for my son, and this white long-sleeved tee. (I also noticed it looks like they have a pair of Ruti looks for less…has anyone tried these?)
+WOW this white eyelet skirt with the matching shirt….SO GOOD. Also having a hard time recovering from the sight of this beautiful dress.
+Love the silhouette of these athletic shorts — the tennis ball pattern one is flying! Fun to wear a print while exercising (also love this gingham set).
+Two perfect summer blouses under $128: this paisley print and this white ditty. Over budget but fab: this bandana print wonder.
+Swear by this exfoliating bar for gleaming summer skin. Also, I’ve been testing this new water-based moisturizer from Loopha, The Ordinary’s sister brand, and am super impressed with the quality. It’s like a thin velvety layer that immediately absorbs into skin — no rub-in! Super luxe for $32.
+OK, this linen column dress is spectacular. Also love this white caftan.
+My favorite all-season cashmere cardigan just restocked in stripe. The fit is 10/10 and it’s that realllllly dreamy soft cashmere — could be worn against bare skin.
+Prettiest lil shift (almost sold out). While you’re there: no one does a shirtdress like Ann. I had to get this striped beauty! Always worth the investment.
+You all have been loving these new Negative lounge pants! Airy dreams!
+A really cool cocktail ring (under $250, but looks $$$).
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I have recently picked up needlepointing and it has been the best way for me to usher in having an offline/analog summer. I’ve also found it so relaxing and marvel at what I’m able to create (I am *not* an artistic person – I can’t knit/sew/draw/etc so the fact that I can do this is an achievement!). The finishing project potential also gets my creative wheels spinning – planning on a lot of ornaments for this Christmas!
Oh I LOVE this! Bravo!
I know you’re not one to read other blogs, but I just found Léonce and thought how much you’d love it, as a true Francophile, and how provoking you’d find it: https://leoncechenal.com/
I discovered Mathilde’s writing via a scan of a 1950s Christofle pamphlet on the French art of setting the table.
Anti-scroll for me: my real-life magpie treasures, I keep a box of beautiful and interesting papers and scraps to collage with, plus the John Derian sticker books. This weekend I let my son use the scrap box to make a play kitchen on the bottom of one of my shelf trays, we mod podged it, and then spent an epic day hunting treasures from other rooms and rearranging.
I’m not a tidy person but I find sweeping the porch, airing out and making all the beds, wiping all the mirrors and side tables to be deeply meditative. I always light my nice candles. Same goes for cleaning out the kitchen cupboards, wiping fingerprinted items and errant crumbs. Merchandising my house, turning all the labels frontwards and pulling g jars forwards on the shelf. « House hushing » and hiding away all the visual clutter that creeps in.
Oo thank you!! These are such great, specific antidotes to the “onto the next” feeling. Love the term “house hush.” I know you’ve shared that before but it is perfect!
xx
I’m so intrigued by the viral Donni pant, but sadly where I live finding a good dry cleaner is harder than finding a parking spot at Trader Joe’s. Wish they were machine washable!
LOL on the TJ parking spot reference :). Ugh, such a bummer!!