My word for the year
Also in here: winter white, rainbow film, and seeking book recs
Happy Wednesday, my dears! A warm welcome to our new readers!
Thanks for your kind words and encouragement of Buy Art. I’m absolutely bursting with more buyable art to share with you all! Back with more on Friday.
My word for the year is “produce,” meant two ways: produce as in create, and produce as in fruits and vegetables. 2025 is my year for more painting and less processed food. Here’s the photo I’m using for my next painting:
today’s bouquet
How to make a charm necklace. I’ve always been a charm person — when I was in middle school, my mom bought me a silver charm bracelet and she helped me choose charms as souvenirs from family outings. I wish I still had it!
Speaking of charms, I want to add this to my baby sapphire necklace.
“Our homes are morally-neutral spaces, whether you’re organized, clean, or messy, I don’t care” — loved Laura’s tips from a home therapist.
Yearning for two cardigans: this sleek mauve and this cute embroidered one (via Sarah H).
Rare that I ever share pop culture stuff here, but I can’t stop thinking about this episode of Pop Apologists that made me unexpectedly switch teams.
This mashup had me choked up. (via Nate)
Watching: We just started A Man on the Inside — it’s cute! We needed something light and fun after watching Black Doves and The Day of the Jackal back to back, yikes.
Reading: over the weekend I scarfed down The God of the Woods (omg has anyone read it can we please talk about it) and I just started Good Energy, recommended by the family librarian/ my sister Mary.
In search of: Non-fiction chapter books for ages 8-12 ish. My girls need something to mix up their usual fare. Because I am a Mean Mom, no re-reads or graphic novels allowed until after spring break. Also looking for new series in the middle grade range. Help.
My friend Cynthia was wearing a cream cardigan over a white dress at church, it was such a chic look (and then she peer pressured me into buying these adorable Row dupes, squeal). Now I’m all about winter white. White sweater + white Levi’s on repeat.
If you’re planning on shooting more film this year, give Dubblefilm a try! It’s pre-exposed with various light leaks, so it gives your photos a rainbow glow you can’t get any other way. It’s wacky and pure fun. My other favorite film is Kodak Portra 160 overexposed by a full stop. Yum.
We love a niche internet tool, such as a phonetic alphabet converter!
Gorgeous color charts.
Still plenty of gems left in Rhode’s store-closing sale.
Trader Joe’s announced the winners of their customer choice awards. Fun!
My friend Erin gave me this luxurious le PÈRE candle. How to describe it — boyish, bookish, mysterious? Usually I’m a very fruity/ floral candle person so it’s been quite dreamy to have a unique new scent floating around my house. Oh, and le père means “the father” in French, isn’t that the coolest brand name?
last thing
If you’ve thought about starting a newsletter/ have q’s about Substack, I’m happy to chat! Email me anytime, alex@alexsteele.co
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Love those photos! I don't have a film camera, but if I didn't, I'd try that. As for books, you captured my heart. I'm such a bookworm. I have The God of the Woods on my TBR. I'll have to move it up to the top. I've seen lots of great reviews.
For your kiddos: Here are some ideas 💛 (these are affiliate links because it was easier, but feel free to use your links. And, of course, the library is my favorite!)
Misty Copeland (young readers): https://bookshop.org/a/7812/9781481479806
Here's a list that has some great ones my boys have read: https://everyday-reading.com/nonfiction-books-for-kids/
As for series, what do they already read and love? Fantasy? Girlie? Do you have any family rules about the type of content? I am very lax about what my boys can read, so if you have more strict rules for your family, Common Sense Media can offer content considerations.
My boys love:
Rick Riordan books (he has a bunch of different series where he co-writes with other authors too) - on the older eng of that age range
Mr. Lemoncello series (6 or more? books): https://bookshop.org/a/7812/9780307931474
Land of Stories: https://bookshop.org/a/7812/9780316480840 - author Chris Colfer has lots of books for this age group - older end of your age range
Wings of Fire series - dragons
Magic Misfits by Neil Patrick Harris: https://bookshop.org/a/7812/9780759556256
City Spies: https://bookshop.org/a/7812/9781665946728 (this one is definitely on the older end of your 8-12 range)
Wild Robot Series: https://bookshop.org/a/7812/9780316566742 - my ten-year-old LOVES this series.
Wilderlore Series.
That's the list off the top of my head. If I think of others, I'll add them.
For some, I included the box set to see all the books in the series in one spot. I hope this helps. I love recommending books. Can you tell? 💛
God of the Woods was nuts in such a good way! I inhaled it.
Middle grade recs from a middle school librarian: Ferris by Kate DiCamillo, Olivetti (a typewriter narrates the story, I mean!?), Light and Air is all about a mother and daughter who both get TB (which is hitting wayyyyy too close to home here in good ol' Kansas ), Not a Ghost by Anne Ursu (a modern take on The Yellow Wallpaper), Alone by Megan E. Freeman (verse AND dystopian). I have so many more but these were some of my favorites from last year.