I can't stop painting photos

Also in here: the Mormon Wives essay, a sexy sweatshirt, and my "America feeling"

Hi my lovely readers! It’s October, hooray! Which means lots of beach weather, the fifth grade student council race, and my once-a-year pumpkin spiced steamed oat milk from Starbucks.

First things first: as promised, here’s my conversation about The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, if you’d like to see…

Issue #72: A Mormon wife talks about "Secret Lives"

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Mine are still swirling. Anything specific you want me to cover in my follow-up Deep Dive?

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work in progress

You guys, I’ve been painting so much that my right forearm hurts, haha. Never in a million years would I have guessed I’d get into painting!

I finished the portrait of Leo, my sister’s pup — here’s a progress shot…

…and right now I’m in the middle of a temple piece I’ve had in my brain for months. I’ll show you soon!

Next up, I’ll be painting this flower photograph — you guys have loved this one in my digital print shop, and it’s one of my favorites, too.

arranged by the marvelous ashley beyer of tinge floral // kodak portra 160 // salt lake city, ut // april 2017

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today’s bouquet

• My sister Lizzy found a terrific photo essay about the famous lobby flowers in four New York museums.

• It’s the golden age of frozen waffles.

• Our little old house has no need for a dinner bell, but I love finding a tool that’s as beautiful as it is functional.

• In love with this little frame.

• A generous reflection on a celebrity encounter. (5 min listen)

• Did you know John Legend covered a song from a Fisher Price toy?

• Two fun games: art auction and Alphaguess (via COJ)

• One thing about me is that in my thirties I have become absolutely unabashed in my disdain for Halloween. However. Fall wreaths with harvest vibes, I do like. If you must make it Halloween-esque, you could ruin it add a witchy ribbon and some spiderwebs.

• Another thing about Alex in Her Thirties: she doesn’t believe in the saying “it’s too early for Christmas.” She also knows that the Anthro monogram ornaments sell out well before Thanksgiving, which is why she ordered them in September. We will not be taking questions at this time. (Related: if you need a laugh, watch this. The way she says, “mmercialism” I can’t.)

• Shocked and delighted to report that my girls asked if we could ever wear matching dresses sometime. Yes, yes we can.

• I rarely wear anything but drugstore makeup, but I cannot go without this actual miracle. I wear it in Magic Hour — I’m almost out so I’ll let you know if I decide to try a different color.

• Love this Clare V. coded bag for fifty bucks (via Jen, whose newsletter rocks!)

• Now these are adorable.

• Tell me I’m wrong: all of our husbands and boyfriends would look hot in this sweatshirt.

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“The older my children get, the more I understand that it’s all hard. Whether your baby is 2 months old or 20 years old, it’s all hard because it ALL matters to you. Because you are their mom. There is no one more invested, more committed, more fearful, more hopeful, more proud. And you so desperately want to get it right at EVERY age and every stage. It’s all hard, all of it. But incredibly, somehow, you would still choose this, over and over and over. You would always choose them.”

— Emily Solberg, via Linda E.

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america feeling

It’s funny, ever since I got off of Instagram, I have felt so much less inclined to share my political views. Make no mistake, my stance is stronger than ever (if you’re curious, I’m voting for Kamala). It’s just that I feel less panicky about needing to share/ repost like I used to.

In 2016, I proudly hauled both of my tiny daughters into the voting booth to cast my vote for the first female presidential candidate; I’ve never been so proud to be an American woman. I’m so grateful for this country, for my pioneer and pilgrim heritage. We have a long way to go, especially in exterminating sexism, prejudice, and corruption, and I am eager to make a difference, starting in my own home. 

• I found this conversation with Sharon McMahon really interesting and helpful.

• Here’s a site that will help you figure out if you’re registered to vote in your state, with additional tools for registering if you haven’t yet.

• Recently I heard about the “America feeling” on a podcast — it’s the feeling you get when you sing the National Anthem and or watch fireworks. I get the America feeling whenever I stand and sing The Star-Spangled Banner, especially in church. The feeling hits me at the beach on the Fourth of July, and whenever I see a gigantic American flag flapping in the breeze, and the moment I turn onto the dirt road at my grandparents’ cattle ranch in rural Arizona. I was surprised at how strongly I felt the America feeling at the Super Bowl, too. What about you? Do you ever get the America feeling?

broad stripes + bright stars // kodak portra 160 film // las vegas, nv // aug 2024

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three things

Three things from Trader Joe’s in my kitchen right now:

1. Nuts About Elote mixed nuts

2. French vanilla ice cream

3. Thai style peanut dressing

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last thing

• Most popular link from last week: the mixing bowls I want for Christmas

• Readers today: 1,773

• Grateful for you.