Introducing something new
Also in here: three earrings, grocery store flower trick, John Lithgow's poem, the crazy thing I wore to the Brandi Carlile concert, a $30 bag, my Easter wreath
Hi my dears! It’s A GREAT BIG newsletter today — go grab a snack because we’ve got links for days! First things first, some exciting news:
fun announcement
I started a new shopping newsletter! It’s called Always Cold. Each issue is quite unserious, filled with warm finds, and will take you less than two minutes to read. If you’re wearing a hoodie right now, this newsletter is for you.
A couple weekends ago, we saw Brandi Carlile perform at the Forum and oh my gosh it was so amazing. The Head and the Heart, one of our favorite bands from our Chicago days, performed too, which rendered me into a sculpture of nostalgia and — shocks no one — I cried multiple times. And can you believe this? Brandi was chewing gum THE ENTIRE SHOW. She is an actual rockstar. For the finale they did a cover of Viva la Vida because it’s her daughter’s favorite song, so presh.
I wish I’d gotten a photo of my outfit because I wore a really cute blue knit top. You guys… it’s from the boys’ section at Target. And it’s $20. Probably because of my short waist and flat chest, it was honestly so flattering! I feel kind of silly sharing this but whatever! Haha!
easter basket
Sunday best: this sweet pea dress would be pretty for church — and/ or this summer’s weddings.
Lent surprise: Eric Carle’s adorable Walter the Baker had an unexpected fun fact about Lent at the end that Charlie and I were thrilled to learn! Here’s a hint.
Easter menu: Whatever we end up eating on Easter, you bet your buns it’s going to be topped with a tiny little flower.
Holy Week: my friend Bekah recommended these printables for teaching the Easter story to kids.
Easter wreath: Y’all know I’m a wreath girly, so I whipped up this one with an extra grapevine wreath I found in the garage and a few other supplies. This peony wreath is a stunning (non-DIY) alternate!
shopping
Shockingly chic: a $30 bag that my sister and eye both have our eye on.
New Christy Dawn: The whole Spring Chapter One collection is marvelous, but this dress takes the cake.
Giddyup baby: Betcha $20 we’ll spot Kacey Musgraves in these sometime in the next year. (via Cynthia — happy birthday!!)
Earring #1 and #2: these are my idea of a perfect earring, and these are a very close (more affordable) second.
Earring #3: My aunt Kathryn was wearing these silver padlock hearts at family dinner the other night. I fully expected her to say they were vintage Tiffany, but they’re from Gorjana and under $100!
Two words: jelly wedges. Gosh aren’t they amazing?
Feeling free: looking forward to wearing this easy red dress and star clip.
home + motherhood
Real talk: the cost of hiring a nanny. So well written.
Perimenopause hack: legumes, babe. Read all about it. (via Lynn)
Bookmarking: this article on strength training. Sigh. Gwyneth says we have to lift heavy things.
Peanut butter-miso cookies: what do we think, can I vegan-ize these? Should I? Or just make this lemon pistachio cake instead…?!!
Setting the table: my kids LOVE making name tags out of index cards when they set the table. Kind of want to surprise them with these special strawberry place card holders!
extra extra
For the art nerds: What 100-year-old lettering manuals can teach us about design.
Arranging flowers: foraged from the grocery store :)
Made me cry: John Lithgow reading his poem, The Mighty Colbert. (via Nate)
Never not thinking about: Rachel McAdams’ dress at the UK premiere of About Time in 2013. Related: GP’s 7 personal favorite red carpet looks. Agreed on all but the last!
LOL: “Do you know what this means? Shopping for gold is not shopping anymore.” (via Lizzy)
Happy ending: what an amazing story of an abandoned baby rescued from a grocery cart, reunited with the women who found her, fifty years later.
last thing
Most popular link last week: Cyrillus on the Left Bank
I hope something good happens to you today.
P E A C E
THE STRAWBERRY CARD HOLDERS
I love Always Cold