Mini sessions are here!

Also in here: an un-you thing about you, little weddings, and vintage Handpicked

Southern CA readers, I’d love to photograph your families! Here’s all the info.

All photos are shot on film (ofc) and delivered via online gallery within 10 days.

To book your session, simply reply to this email with the date and time you want. Oh, and by the way, paid subscribers automatically get $50 off (click to upgrade). Thank you, I love you!

today’s bouquet

• Did you hear about Big Salad? It’s the new Substack newsletter from Joanna Goddard and the Cup of Jo team. I can’t wait to read it, she’s probably the coolest person I’ve ever met. (Psst, if you’re thinking about starting a newsletter, DO IT!) 

• Cannot wait for this!

• If I had a Frame TV, I’d go with ancient trees for my default artwork.

• Last week’s most popular link: the freak sweatshirt (I want it so bad)

• So many homes in my neighborhood have cute house numbers, it’s making me think about adding some (we don’t have any!). Don’t you love these?

• Pretty little solution to a crowded bathroom.

• One of my favorite podcasts recently asked the question: what’s the most un-you thing about you? I have two. First, even though I like paperwork, I am *terrible* with tickets. Anything ticket-related gives me hives. Concerts, ball games, plane rides – I hate dealing with tickets. I’d rather clean the stove! Second one is that, despite 11 years as a vegetarian, I still love beef jerky. As a kid, it was my very favorite road trip snack, especially on visits to my grandparents at the ranch. I don’t know why it doesn’t gross me out like other meaty foods! Country Archer makes my all-time favorite. I’d love to hear what the most un-you thing about you is!

• I don’t drink coffee, but I can’t stand being left out, so during PSL season I order a pumpkin spice steamed oat milk at Starbucks. Itch: scratched.

• I know, I know, I know. I know it’s September. BUT.

• Just found a cool newsletter featuring film photos in Split, Croatia.

• Shoes made of apple leather! People come up with THE COOLEST stuff!

“We meet no ordinary people in our lives.”

— C.S. Lewis

• My friend Sherie, who’s a health coach and personal trainer, recently mentioned that she likes these supplements to help with deep sleep. (Someone tell my sons I’d like some deep sleep, please!)

• Helpful: when buying produce, you can skip the organic version of the “Clean 15,” but you’ll avoid pesticides on the “Dirty Dozen” if you go with organic.

• The other night I was crying and Charlie climbed under my work table, emerged after a few minutes, and handed me this.

  

“That’s the thing with magic. You’ve got to know it’s still here, all around us, or it just stays invisible for you.”

—Charles de Lint

• The artsiest way to turn $4.00 in $250k!

• Gorgeous bug tattoos.

• I’d like to nominate Chemistry as the best breakup album of all time. And also Kelly Clarkson as a presidential candidate. 

in my basket

• Screaming about this patchwork dress. Quite literally perfect and quite literally exceeding my entire quarterly shopping budget.

• If Handpicked were a shoe, it just might be a pair of platform floral Chucks.

• My sister wore this pretty top to her family photo session. It’s on sale!

• What I wish I were wearing today. What I’m actually wearing today. (Btw, don’t forget the easiest thing ever.)

• I hope I’m never too old for a great pair of mary janes. via OkYesPlease

• If you’re a themed pajama mom, now’s the time to grab your Hannas. These pumpkin ones are so cute. Mickey’s going to borrow Charlie’s old jack-o-latern pjs for his Halloween costume this year. But, um, maybe he needs to be a strawberry instead?! Or a little bb holstein?!!

• Wouldn’t this cotton botanical dress be great to bring on a vacation?

• CG shared this amazing vintage 1920’s ring, someone get engaged with it pls! Anddd I know just the girl to call if you’re planning a little wedding ;-)

“The female warrior knows how to fight without violence. She knows when not to raise her sword, but instead hold up her heart. Her shield is not a defense against others but a shelter for all.”
― Riitta Klint

last thing

• No link here, just a little note to sing the praises of a short, phone-less walk in your neighborhood. Bonus points for going alone. On my latest one, I smelled a plumeria, rosemary, and lemon blossom.

• Quick version of 5 things from Trader Joe’s:

  • personal size Super Spinach Salad

  • Cuban Style Citrusy Garlic seasoning blend

  • buttermilk

  • strawberries

  • new-to-me garlic and asiago dip

  • **Btw, I tried their butternut lasagna last week, it was pretty good! I give it a 7.5/10, might have been higher if I’d made it in the oven instead of microwave. Great flavors, very hearty, and extremely fallish. Not like any other lasagna I’ve ever had, but I’d happily eat it again.

• Some vintage Handpicked, from its alex emails days:

  

• Thank you so much for reading Handpicked. Every time you reply, click, shop, book, call, and comment, you are helping me grow. If you’re a fan of Handpicked, the best way to support it is to share it on your platform. Here’s a link you can copy and paste: alexsteele.substack.com