“Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” – Lewis Carroll
I am determined to launch a new ritual this fall: I’d like to get up early and write one morning each week on the top floor, at the little carrel we’ve placed in one of the eaves of the guest room. The room wins the best light in the house, and has a restful view of tree canopy and sloping lawn and the dense brushstroke of the arbor vitae that line our property. Besides, I’ve noticed this about myself: I am at my most imaginative in the morning. Like Lewis Caroll, I can wander into believing any number of miracles by 7 a.m.
This plan intersects with something I’ve been noodling over lately. A friend recently told me that she will sometimes wake up and run through the day’s plans, imagining every single one of them going perfectly. I think the intent is “manifestation,” or pointing herself in a positive direction. I was a little skeptical, though; wouldn’t this set me up for disappointment? Aren’t expectations the forever-foe? Still, I tried it on for size the other morning, running through the day’s key agenda points: I was attending a parents’ event at my daughter’s school; I was hoping to laminate a rough draft into something richer and rounder; I had a couple of knotty logistics to work out with competing children’s events on the calendar. I realized, as I imagined myself moving through the day, that I was not so much focused on “I hope I get an ideal outcome out of xyz” and more interested in “I hope I feel relaxed and peaceful all day and remember not to let the petty frustrations and misfires get me down.” And so I found it helpful as a self-positioning touchstone. I thought back on my internal conversation multiple times throughout the day, even in the most trivial of matters. For example, I was trying to sort out a carpool for one of my children and, when I struck out at the first attempt, I immediately heard my earlier, before-breakfast self: “I hope you feel relaxed and peaceful no matter what happens.” I’ll be damned if I didn’t feel just a tiny wash of reassurance lap up and over me.
I’m learning that the before-breakfast self is a powerful woman. She is imaginative but grounded, unclouded by the language and nuisance of the day. I’m plan to hang out with her more intentionally this fall; she looks like good company.
Do you have any before-breakfast rituals planned for the fall?
Post-Scripts.
+Related: my morning things. (Just added this mug to my morning thing roster for fall.)
+Things we inherited from our grandmothers.
+Also: things that improve with time.
Shopping Break.
+The Gap bandana shawl cardigan was restocked, and in several new colors! Note that a Magpie reported this runs really big.
+Perfect striped fall statement tee, selling through in select colors! I love both of the striped colorways. Miu Miu coded.
+If you’ve been loving the bandana cashmere scarves (Freya, Kujten, and Guest in Residence all have fab options) I’ve been featuring but not the price tag, I found this great $60 option in three perfect colors.
+J. Crew is launching a 40% off LDW sale today! I’m writing this in advance of the sale markdowns but I am hoping the promo will include the Luna pants in corduroy and the tiny rollneck!
+Prettiest linen caftan. Also love this just-launched blouse and this lilac/pink dress might be one of the prettiest dresses I’ve ever seen. Try code ASHA10.
+20% off sitewide at Oak Essentials. I’m crazy for this hand wash! The scent, the lather, the glass bottle! Super luxe.
+I ended up ordering this knit scarf tee I mentioned! I had an almost impossible time picking which color to get – I love all three. I ended up with the oatmeal hue!
+Fresh new arrivals at Rhone! I’m IN LOVE with this colorblocked sports bra and leggings situation. (Use code SHOOP20).
+Leset launched a big sale! I dug through everything and my favorites are this chocolate pointelle (ugh, the best – I own in several colors and they are my favorite next-to-skin layer for fall/winter), the Kyoto overalls, and these wide-leg satin pants! A friend of mine owns the latter and they cut is eliteeee.
+This popular Marea sweater is available for pre-order again.
+OBSESSED with this new shoe brand I discovered called Posa. I love the Miu Miu vibes of these, but especially these shearling-lined ones! OMG! Also available at Smallable.
+Oooh this fair isle fleece! It reminds me of the SEA Linea one from last season. I’ve been working on a whole guide to cute fall fleece/sherpa jackets but had to share this now as I think it will be gone by next week.
+Intrigued by Lunya’s new “silksweats“: “Made with our crowd-favorite signature proprietary blend of silk and cotton, like always, they’re 100% reversible. One side feels buttery smooth, the other side, sherpa plush and softly textured. Finished with a raw edge hem for that perfect touch of relaxed and easy.” Looks divine?
+This cropped denim shirt/jacket situation! SO CHIC.
+Cutest embroidery on these socks — love the tomatoes and olives!
This content may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through the links above, I may receive compensation.
