Hi! Lots of fun in here today, including an enormous pumpkin, one parenting thing I’m stumped about, and a guest curation!
But first, a snapshot of grief this week:
It’s been about a month since we lost our friend Jonathan. I am still swimming through the sharp sadness and utter confusion of it all. The other day while the baby was napping, I was sitting on the couch drinking tea and reading the weekend news, when I came upon this video of the winner of the Chicago Marathon breaking the world record as he crossed the finish line. I found myself in tears as he kept up his incredible speed, encouraged by everyone cheering him on, digging deep and then the moment when he realizes what he’s accomplished.
I can’t explain it, but there was something familiar to my soul when I saw his coach waiting for him behind the finish line, so proud of him, so eager to hug him and hold him and celebrate his triumphant return.
Sending you a hug today.
And now, some links, including some extra special ones from…
I’m excited to have a Handpicked guest curator here for the first time in *years!* Today’s curation comes from Amy DeCicco, creator of the niche shopping list newsletter, OKYesPlease. Here she is!
Hi there! I’m Amy and I curate weekly collections of fun and delightful things on my blog OKYesPlease. I love to window shop and source gifts for my friends and family, so I recently started this blog as a way to organize what I find and share it with folks.
If you like what you see, please check out OKYesPlease and sign up for a weekly dose of window shopping delivered to your inbox!
I can’t resist the October birthstone, opal. Opals are formed from hydrated silica, and their play of color is due to the way that light diffracts within the stone, the result of which is a kaleidoscope of hues that shift and change as the stone is viewed from different angles. Here are some finds inspired by the glowing iridescence of my favorite gem:
Caitlin Mociun creates absolutely gorgeous jewelry. This opal Five Triangle Ring is particularly covetable.
These little side-dish bowls by French designer Sarah-Linda Forrer have a stunning opalescent interior.
For when you want to lounge in beautiful undies, these silk-and-cotton opal-blue briefs fit the bill.
When I think delicate opal jewelry, I think of WWAKE, a Brooklyn-based jewelry studio founded by designer Wing Yau. These opal and diamond hoop earrings are so elegant.
Every room needs a little pop of color, and this Shimmer Side Table designed by Patricia Urquiola would easily be the most delightful piece in any room.
Twig makes textiles in a traditional woolen mill in the UK using natural yarns. This 100% lambswool throw in opal-inspired colors looks extremely cozy.
Thanks Amy! I hope you’ll sign up for Amy’s terrific newsletter. Keep an eye out for my feature on OKYesPlease this week! I rounded up a bunch of my favorite humble object…
If you’d like to be considered as a Handpicked guest curator, fill out the form!
Heavyweight is a new-to-me podcast about attempting redo’s on regrets. Loved this ep about finding a long lost photo. (Heads up, some cursing)
HOW COOL: a Malibu home literally embraces the boulder nest it’s built on
Artwork made of conversations, by deaf artist Joseph Grigely. Watch them installing it: incredible. (via AK)
A link from my mom(!!): Costco Next. It’s like a secret online Costco (though you still have to be a member to shop). Bonus find from my mother, the queen of bargain hunting: the world’s easiest cash back. My pro tip = install the Chrome extension and get cute a little ping when you’re shopping at a cash-giving site.
My younger tree-hugging self could never. (Sorry, self.)
Last week I got to help two readers with their newsletters. I’m so proud of Elissa for publishing her first one! If you sew, you must read it. If you’d like to chat about starting a newsletter, you can schedule a call, I’d love to help.
It’s been a minute since we had an audio snippet! Here’s a life lesson I learned on the People’s Court that I’m using this Halloween.
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“The sea can do craziness, it can do smooth, it can lie down like silk breathing or toss havoc shoreward; it can give gifts or withhold all; it can rise, ebb, froth like an incoming frenzy of fountains, or it can sweet-talk entirely. As I can too, and so, no doubt, can you, and you.”
—Mary Oliver
in my basket
Boden is breaking my heart with these two perfect sweaters: all three colors of this embroidered crewneck are gorgeous, and I don’t think I’ve ever gasped the way I did when I spotted this blue flowered cardigan.
Alright, I’m officially a Somerset convert: I tried on Anthro’s famous silhouette on a whim last week, and I immediately realized what the hype is about. I still struggle to find pieces that work with my body type – no curves except a souvenir baby bump – and it felt good to like the way I looked in such a pretty piece of clothing. (Plus, remember the story of the couple who eloped?!) I love this shorter version of the dress in shimmery navy floral (or in white – on sale!), and this velvet one is really elegant.
last thing
Most clicked link from last week: famous quotes, debunked.
Reader count: 1,147
I’ll be shooting family photos all season! (And I shoot little weddings, too, btw.) Just reply to this email if you’re interested in booking or more information.
Something I’m stumped about: How do your kids refer to adults? By their first names? Mr./Mrs. So-&-So? I’ll share my not-great answer in the Substack comments and would love to hear yours, too.
Opal is my favorite! My little Hazel was born this month, two years ago (today, actually!) and so every time I see one, I get to think of her.
I will accept being called ANYTHING by a child, except for Mrs. Zwahlen, haha.
OPAL! My goodness.
We do that very southern thing of Miss/Mr. First Name. But my kids are still little...I wonder if they would switch to last names in teenagerdom.