Last week, I found myself in an out-of-the-blue funk. No real source, no real reason. I pondered the tea leaves — why was I so out of sorts? The results were inscrutable. I reached for my own advice: sometimes you can solve with the simple. Get outside. Unplug. Drink a tall, cold glass of water. Etc. This go around, I was surprised to find my entire mood change after I sat down in “my happy corner” (the top step of the stairs leading down from our back patio) with a bowl of summer cherries and bare feet. I don’t know if it was the birdsong or the feeling of the flagstone still-warm with the memory of sun or the unique perfection of eating a ripe fruit at the peak of its season, but this small moment outside healed something in me. I felt like a changed person, my entire day re-shaded in softened pastels.
This made me think about other underdogs — the tiny but mighty things you should never underestimate. The Davids that stare down Goliaths. Etc.
Underdogs
An everything shower (can cure a lot of what ails ya)
A good, long cry
Moms operating on little to no sleep (they can and will get the job done)
A well-timed joke when things feel desolate
A small voice that asks questions (versus a loud voice that issues statements)
The rehabilitative effects of morning sun
Cherries in bare feet — immediate, deep sense of summer satisfaction
Toddler determination
“How hard can it be?” after watching one Youtube video of a professional doing something
Pocket talismans — not necessarily for magical properties, but for that tactile reminder that you can and will get through this
The amount of laundry one family of four can produce
Three deep breaths
Watermelon juice stains (shockingly unrelenting)
The wrath of a woman whose sister has been scorned — Enyoic, I tell you*
How far you can get with time and trying
What would you add?
Post-Scripts.
*Per Edith Hamilton, when Enyo is enraged, she moves with “the voice of groaning behind her and the earth streaming with blood in her wake.” LOL.
+My love story with Landon, written many years ago. And then a more recent stab at running into him at Scott Stadium at UVA.
Shopping Break.
+ALERT: our favorite Faherty shorts are ON SALE. Top magpie seller for weeks now.
+Doen sale ongoing; pieces have been flying. I still contend these knits are the move. J. Crew prices for much better — heirloom-level — quality. Your fall self will be thrilled with you for picking up this $128 fair isle (originally $428).
+This dress is just so perfect in its pretty simplicity.
+This cashmere wrap is spectacular in that new melon color.
+Always updating my Shopbop hearts. One of my favorite “can’t sleep” activities, along with prowling The Real Real for deals. Recent finds here and here and here.
+A lot of you ordered my rain jacket when I mentioned last week. It’s perfect! Great colors, great length, great weight. Love the cord contrast!
+Cute $40 ribboned sunhat.
+New in and fab at J. Crew: this shell pink dress and these suede fisherman sandals.
+Cutest mini wrap skirt. Love the look and the colors!
+Chic solution to corraling your sink clutter — this stone is quick-dry!
+LOVE this $104 statement necklace. SO chic on. Currently wearing!
+Speaking of fun summer jewelry: this reminds me a lot of the Dorsey paracord collection, but is under $100. These leverbacks are their bestseller though! The kind of thing you can wear with anything.
+Want to wear this white white shorts right now.
+These patterned to-go coffee cups!
+Only a handful left of this gorgeous striped maxi dress. I have this — it’s SO pretty, and reads a little dressier than it looks online. You could wear this to a cocktail party.
+Swooning over these linen blouses. Want them in every color and pattern!
+New statement denim jacket from VB!!!
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