Hi lovelies! First of all, thanks for sticking around — lots of folks have unsubscribed since the launch of Buy Art and I’m happy you’re here. Subscriber numbers are something I try not to fret about, and I’d still send this newsletter even if there were only two readers (my parents lol). But I’d be lying if I said your readership isn’t important to me, because it absolutely is. And I love hearing from you, so please leave a comment or reply directly to this email any time.
Two special moments to share — I’ll save them for the end of the newsletter — and before we get into the links, here are six unfussy gifts for dads:
A portable charger ($87) the size of a soda can that’s gutsy enough to power a laptop. Even better: pair it with a travel charger roll ($49) stocked with cords
Green glass artwork ($80) because it’s cool to, ahem, buy art 😉 Even better: order a custom glass print of his favorite photo
An ever-so-slightly slightly violent new craft to work on with the kids: rubber block carving mats ($26) + cutters ($15). All you need is a stamp pad and paper.
Nate’s favorite t-shirt ($35).
Not-a-dad-hat, but kind of: Ralph Lauren corduroy trucker hat ($145).
All Nate really wants ($43). Even better: pair it with planet coasters ($22), seems like there’s a dad joke waiting to happen here
today’s bouquet
How cool: a wavy brick house in London.
This episode of Happier with Dr. Becky and Samantha Bee gave me some terrific parenting tips right when I needed them. Funny, given the podcast title, that my big takeaway was that we actually don’t need to make our kids happy at all times.
Bookmarking this: art supplies for traveling (not just for kids!)
Actually snort-laughed. (via Big Salad)
Babies are the best.
10 secrets to creating your dream flower garden.
Favorite link this week: a guide to printing artwork on fabric(!!!) to give your home museum energy. [My mini guide to free archive pieces here.] Should I do an edition of
featuring all free art…?Our song of the summer (the video makes me cry)
God bless our pediatric dentist for being the bad guy who informed the kids no more sugar except on Saturdays. Loophole: these protein bars are feel like dessert, with a texture similar to Rice Krispies and a fraction of the sugar.
Happy Pride Month! So grateful to the brave human beings who have helped me expand my beliefs to realize that, not only can you be a devout Latter-day Saint and love your gays, deep down you really can’t be one if you don’t. Here’s a fun little batch of rainbowy stuff to shop for.

in my basket
Well these are cool. It’s the summer of butter yellow!
Trying to dress like a grownup every day, got my eye on this belt.
Wish I could get all of us this tee!
Adding this top in both colorways to my birthday list.
I own and love this locket and am still eyeing more charms, like a cherry blossom, pacifier, bee, football (Nate!), farfalle…
This would be fun for a summer wedding.
Christy Dawn made a perfect dress from perfect fabric.
two sparkly moments
* My sister Sarah and I brought our kids to the beach this weekend. Her husband helped all the kids fly a kite while she and I walked in the shorebreak! Our family has been visiting the same beach since I was in kindergarten, but we had a first: Sarah’s daughter, who is basically Jane Goodall v. 2, spotted a cluster of crabs devouring a fish in the tidepools. Albeit slightly disgusting, it was one of those marvelous childhood moments where we felt lucky to be moms.
* Eleanor turned 11 yesterday! We gave her eleven envelopes with various birthday gifts inside, including wish paper, letters from each of us, and gift cards to Jack’s and Kendra Scott. I’m still unsure how it’s legal for my tiny little baby to start middle school in ten weeks? (You may have noticed I have stopped sharing current photos of my children’s faces here. It’s been a weird thing to navigate as a photographer and a mother, but I just want to do right by my kids. Anyone else feeling this way?)
last thing
Most popular link last week: that dream of a baseball hat
I hope something good happens to you today!
Woof, the sharing of kid photos. I also have a lot of thoughts and some worries about it and avoid sharing their faces too (though I couldn’t resist one in my recent post…I still might take it out 🙈). Lovely newsletter as always.
Thanks, Alex. Loved it all. Love Buy Art. Really love that strawberry Christy Dawn dress! 😍🍓