Cherishing nectarines, curves, and July

Also in here: a dream come true

Hi! Happy July, my favorite month! I just got a ton of film back. Here’s me not being regular mom, but a cool mom:

I am fun

We’re fully into summer mode, which I love. I’m about to announce my Secret Art Project (I’ll include a hint at the bottom of the newsletter) and I’m photographing some extremely cool women next week. Eleanor and Lucy are in Ocean Safety Camp this week, Charlie is officially done with preschool, and Mick just sprouted his first tooth. Is that even allowed? (No.) And this week, we had something extremely rare happen…

dream come true

There’s so much more to it than this, but the quick version of the story is: three+ years ago we became friends with a wonderful family here in Manhattan Beach, they moved to Texas last Christmas, we cried our eyes out, then things changed, and yesterday they moved back to our neighborhood! Talk about wildest dreams come true. I keep telling my kids, “This NEVER happens!” Here’s a video where I reunite with and introduce Mick to my friend-who’s-more-like-a-sister Hannah.

And then it was just like they had never left! This was one of those surreal moments I don’t think I’ll ever forget. (By the way, I’m wearing these overalls.)

“Nothing is guaranteed, except this moment. Your only real choice is to cherish every exchange like it is your last — because it very well might be.”
–Andrew Anabi

today’s bouquet

• Planning a summer field trip to Art Supply Warehouse! (My Disneyland.)

• Mind blowing: the largest heart on earth belongs to a blue whale.

• Kelly Clarkson’s new album chemistry is a TEN. It’s like… if Taylor had given us Red in her forties. Or something. I don’t know, all I know is it’s the best breakup album maybe ever. Kelly for president.

• Podcast I’m really into: Wilder. If you grew up on the Little House series like I did – and/or wanted to actually be Laura Ingalls Wilder – I think you’ll find it fascinating. Another terrific pod you could binge on a road trip: Dolly Parton’s America, which I think about pretty much daily.

• Isn’t it funny how something small can totally change a room? I bought this $22 bud vase for our family bathroom, and now it feels bright and clean and cottagey. Transformed!

• These illustrations by a physician-turned-artist made me look.

• My body and I went to a restaurant last week…

• Got my eye out for: really good jean shorts. I like the option of a curvy fit, great for people like me with a permanent baby bump. My sister was wearing this flattering pair at family dinner, and we agreed that Old Navy’s 7” inseam styles are definitely slept on. These distressed ones look relaxed but elevated.

• Mother-owned hair clip shop Eugenia Kids just launched days of the week hair clips in Spanish. We're huge fans of this brand – my girls love their colorful, funny clips. (That's Eleanor in the first slide!)

• A beautiful 5-minute film from Know My Name author Chanel Miller. Gentle warning, sexual assault is mentioned; watch with care.

• Two women arrange flowers that represent how they feel during their respective menstrual cycles.

• Some thoughts on following your own curve.

  

  Kodak Portra 400 film // May 2021

“You keep worrying
you’re taking up too much space.
I wish you’d let yourself
be the Milky Way.”
– Andrea Gibson

birthday list

Two weeks left of 32! If I could have anything at all for my birthday, I’d probably ask for…

• This heart locket (it’s engraved with the words “freedom, equality, motherhood” in French!)

• Navy floral embroidered keyring to replace my crummy old lanyard. The matching makeup bag is cute too!

• An overnighter at this extremely cool new boutique hotel in Venice, or this one in Palm Springs

• Pink tea towels, just for fun

• A set of playing cards to add to our collection

• The thing I ask for every year

• A pound of my favorite chocolate and/or these dreamy lollipops

• This pretty Anthro top. My favorite thing I’ve tried on in a long time!

  

  first time in a fitting room with both of my boys. it was… loud. haha.

“I am building a fire, and every day I train, I add more fuel. At just the right moment, I light the match.”
–Mia Hamm

from the archives 🗄️

• 07/06/22 - Nectarines don't fix everything, but almost.

• 07/07/21 - Trying to be more like Jane. (And Oprah. And Maya.)

• 07/08/20 - 10 days left in my 20's

• 07/03/19 - This land is your land!

5 things from trader joe’s

1. Nectarines! “To whom it may concern – whether the farmers, the bees, or the Earth Herself deserve the credit for this summer's explosively delicious nectarines – thank you. Thank you for these gorgeous, red-and-gold, unfuzzy, juicy jewels you've produced for us this year. Oh, and Trader Joe, if you're reading, please and thank you for the four-pound boxes. Keep em coming.”

2. Mini mint ice cream mouthfuls. Truly the best movie night treat.

3. Brioche hamburger buns. Buttery, soft, and perfectly sturdy when toasted.

4. Organic frozen jasmine rice. We’re making turmeric rice for dinner tonight and this handy hack cuts down my prep time significantly.

5. Vanilla ice cream. For our Fourth of July root beer floats!

   

   Mickey’s first time in the cart. Not pictured: his first tooth coming in and apparently his college applications

last thing 💛

• Last week's most popular link: one for the girls who vote

• A little reminder: some of the links in Handpicked I share are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy something, at no cost to you. Thanks for your support!

• I can’t tell you how much it means to me when you read, click, and shop the stuff in this newsletter. THANK YOU for participating in this personal archive with me.

“We go through life. We shed our skins. We become ourselves.”
– Patti Smith

Here’s the hint about Secret Art Project: this photo will be part of it. Official reveal coming very soon!