Slivers of joy this week:
+Sifting through messages from readers, which included a link to this motivating and secret history of Mary Oliver’s success story and a video of people stopping to let geese pass on the street. Magpies, you are so my people.
+My son organizing our tupperware drawer. No one asked him to do this, but we discovered he had tidily restructured the drawer, and done a very good job! He’s always been drawn to puzzles and has strong spatial logic sense, so I think that appealed, but I was so touched by this small act of considerateness. We have been talking a lot about the concept of being “a man for others / a woman for others.” This qualified.
+The trees in our neighborhood — my goodness! I cannot stop commenting on them! One of those weird things in your 40s, along with peering out the window to investigate the mystery car parked on the block and fixating on logistics.
+A week of spending time with my brother, in town from Norway. You lose your parents too early, and you meet your spouse midway through life. Your siblings are the only ones along for the full ride. I love the silliness that my brother and I share when together — inane stories and shorthand, a lot of laughter, light ribbing. And I also appreciate the specific candor only a sibling can have. (Who else remembers the ice-cold truthfulness of a sister assessing your soft launch of a new hair style or outfit idea?) On his previous visit, my brother told me we needed a new mattress in the guest bedroom, which would have been presumptuous coming from anyone else but a sibling. He can somehow deliver the truth in a way that feels helpful, non-judgmental. (We obliged and invested in this mattress — currently 30% off, the lowest I’ve ever seen it! — and now I want one in our primary bedroom, too, having quarantined up there while sick a couple of times.) On this trip, he asked for more storage in the guest bathroom. (On it!) But truly, we had the most magical, soulful, laughed-until-my-stomach-hurt week together. One specific highlight was a long “walkabout” through the fall foliage, catching up about nothing and everything.
+Fall sports wrapping up. I love watching my kids play, and have learned to lean into this “bleacher season” of life by enjoying the conversations with other parents and the ample one-on-one time spent in the car with my daughter. However. I am ecstatic about a couple of weeks with no practices and no weekend games. Both things can be true! Celebrating this micro-season of more white space on the weekly calendar!
+A reassuring text exchange with my SIL about the ongoing frustrations of perimenopause. Magpies, as you head into your 40s, find a friend with whom you can be open about this subject. It is half the battle, I swear — the swap of information, the normalization of things, the safe space in which you can vent about the indecencies of figuring out your body all over again after decades of knowing it.
+An iced oat milk latte with honey syrup (from Grace St Coffee) after a long fall run. It was the only thing motivating me to move the dirt last Wednesday.
+Permitting myself to pause Understory and start something cozy and light instead. Let it be light when you need it to be!
+A new mouse, mouse pad, and keyboard for my “alumnus desk”, which needs a name (taking suggestions). The small sense that I have leveled up or crossed a threshold of some kind.
+A very hot shower when I needed one. I took it in the morning and I hadn’t exercised prior, which sort of ran against my religion / had that odd feeling like I was doing something with my non-dominant hand. But the way it turned my day around…! I am convinced a lot of things in life can be solved by water.
+My daughter’s excitement when she spotted a red-shouldered hawk on the way to school. I think we’ve firmly handed down the birding interest at this point. I love these small ways that children become extensions of their parents’ gestures.
+A Friday night martini, bowl of potato chips, and round of Wingspan with my husband. We hadn’t played in some time owing to house guests and a bizarrely busy schedule. Just what the doctor ordered. I am now firmly in my martini phase of life. I treated myself to one after each of my book talks this past fall — a little celebration, a little unwinding! — and I’ve learned that I like mine fairly dry, with cold Beefeater gin, and very dirty. Landon, by contrast, likes his wet (heavy on the vermouth) with a twist (no olive / olive brine). We like what we like!
What sparked joy for you this week?
Shopping Break.
+I snagged this fringed wool skirt when it was released in that gorgeous cherry red color this week!!! Cannot wait to style. Also comes in a slightly more wearable brown colorway. (Also obsessed with this cable knit jacket from their fall collection!)
+I like the idea of pairing that wool skirt with a knit like this.
+My other exciting recent orders: this mini pillow that people rave about and these tartan taffeta trousers. Have heard the fit on these is amazing and can’t wait to test. Use code WELCOMELOUISE for 10% off.
+SoldOut just released a “perfect skirt” that has captured my attention. Pull-on, minimalist, perfect length. You could style this a zillion ways. Intrigued. I feel like it would be great for travel — dress up with a heel and a blouse, dress down with a flat and a sweater or tee. Use code JENSHOOP.
+Gorge and fetchingly-titled “Sunday Morning” cardigan.
+Varley’s fall collection is so fab. I just noticed they released my cropped puffer in a new purple color (very on-trend for the season). I own in last season’s red!
+A friend of mine pulled out these mittens at our daughters’ final soccer game and I was so envious. (Why is it always 20 degrees colder on a playing field?) I got both Landon and I skiing gloves (these for me, these for him — a fantastic Christmas gift for a skiier) from this incredible Scandi brand, which has been run by a family for generations!, but I think I’m going to snag these for more casual wear. They also have cute and very high quality knit mittens for kids.
+Speaking of skiing. I am obsessed with this bandana capsule from Goldbergh: base layer, puffer, ski pants, neck warmer, fleece! So fun!
+Gorgeous, simple linen tree skirt for more of an organic/cozy look — Jenni Kayne or even Nancy Meyers vibes.
+I’m hyperfixated on these Roger Vivier slingbacks as my next designer shoe investment. Come in several fabulous color combos; this one might be my favorite.
+An aesthetic heating pad! This is so up my alley as a perennially cold person. Would also be great when sick, injured, struggling with cramps, etc.
+New burgundy velvet magic from Tuckernuck.
+Cutest kids cowboy boots!!! If you’ve loved the look of those baby-sized Miron Crosbys but want something a little less spendy…
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