Five Things (5.18.18)

1. During my absence from this digital space, I filled all 249 pages of a red Leuchtturm1917 notebook and am currently halfway through my Clairefontaine. I promised myself that I would write every day since the start of 2018 no matter how navel-gazing the entry or amateur the writing. So I did—and in doing so, took a break from creating for public consumption (by which I mean, sharing in what’s meant to be a public space, but is only seen by the two people who accidentally land here) to rediscover my voice without agenda.

I haven’t found her/me/it yet. I actually hate how I write now, but the act of turning off the constant need to hit “publish” and instead, save something for myself, has been liberating. It’s a tale as old as 2012 so I won’t add to the tired commentary on how technology has altered our behavior, but I will say that disconnecting is chicken vegetable soup for the soul.

2. Part of this (lax) social media detox included sitting down for a few hours, sans tech, and making something with my hands. Last month I’d gone to the NJ Gem & Jewelry Show and left with a paper bag filled with semi-precious stones and beads—and it wasn’t until a few weeks ago that I finally made something with them. Minuscule beads were meticulously strung on silk cords one by one before I fastened each end with a gold clasp. This I did until I had four necklaces: one was made of peachy sunstone; another, multi-faceted mauve rubies from Sri Lanka; the third, rich rubies; and the final, an ombré strand of tiny, multi-colored sapphires (which I finally wore today). Each was more delicate than the next, designed to hang right at the base of my neck for a hint of shimmer from glittering stones. I dream of wearing them with this summer with my delicate gold pendants from Greece.

Once I’m beachside and bronzed.

3. Also during this hiatus was a prolonged period of, shall I say, exorbitant self-indulgence. Many things were procured over the course of two to three months, some of which I hope to share here soon. (Show-and-tell was one of my favorite activities as a child.) New acquisitions include, but aren’t limited to: my dream platforms (pictured above, the elusive Marc Jacobs Lust sandals), a baby Saint Laurent Sac de Jour I’ve been trying to hunt down for years, and some Pamela Love pieces.

4. Two years since moving into my first home and I’m still in the honeymoon phase. There are moments where I stop what I’m doing just to admire how it fills with sunlight in the morning, or cancel plans because I want to clean, preen, and perfect my space. It’s become my hideaway, my home, and my sacred space; I’m so grateful it’s mine.

5. I’m so grateful for the warm weather—because it means I can drink my smoothies and eat my beloved açai bowls again.

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xx