23 Comments
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Sarah Miller's avatar

Heckedy Peg is SUCH a great choice for a group read-aloud! I'd wish you good luck, but you don't need it -- you're going to be awesome and they're all going to love it.

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Alex Steele's avatar

Thank you Sarah! I'm trying to decide if I should risk embarrassing my tween and reading it in my ridiculous character voices (why do I do a RHONJ accent for the witch? idk) or not! :)

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Alex Steele's avatar

Reporting back that I did do the witch voice and i did not embarrass the child and i am thinking I should have taken it up a notch. 😈next time🧙🏻‍♀️

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Kristin's avatar

Love, love, love your Polaroid paintings! 💗

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Alex Steele's avatar

ahh thanks Kristin :) what do you think I should paint next?

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Kristin's avatar

Oooh! A portrait? A pet/animal? Literally, everything you paint is 🔥

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Malia Z.'s avatar

Those paintings are far removed from very bad, they're lovely!

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Alex Steele's avatar

thank you malia that is so nice!! any suggestions of what other types of polaroid paintings i should do?

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Malia Z.'s avatar

I personally love to paint landscapes and florals, but something like a close up of a picture, just a detail like a small cluster of petals, would be a fun challenge.

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Christy Moyer's avatar

Alex, those polaroids are insanely gorgeous!! I'm of the belief that no art is objectively bad. Does someone love it? Do YOU love it? Then it's beautiful. I have a saying I repeat to my kids constantly: "there are no mistakes in art." It's all perfect in its imperfection.

Here's my popcorn secret: COCONUT OIL! Cook your kernels with a big dollop of the stuff (I use 1-2 tbsp for 1/3 cup kernels) and top with salt -- you won't regret it. I usually dress it with some melted butter but honestly it's tasty without it.

Last thing: did you see Meghan's new product line, As Ever? I'm waiting with baited breath to see how much the "raspberry spread in keepsake packaging" is going to cost. What a world! https://asever.com/

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Alex Steele's avatar

1. thank you so much christy that is SO NICE

2. *immediately adds coconut oil to shopping list*

3. i've been keeping very close tabs on Mrs. Sussex and her jams and shows and all of the things and i'm JUST WAITING for that raspberry spread. and the flower sprinkles. what i would do to get on her PR list...

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Katie Murray's avatar

Love the newsletter as always. Where is your dress from in the best friend picture?

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Alex Steele's avatar

thank you katie! it's from Marine Layer last summer. i love everything i have from them, it's great quality and not terribly expensive.

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Megan C's avatar

Love the Polaroid paintings!

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Alex Steele's avatar

thanks megan!! what should my next one be?

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Megan C's avatar

An ocean pic? 🌊

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Kylie's avatar

Oh wow, thanks for the mention! So glad it inspired you because I LOVE your paintings. These instax ones are so cute.

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Alex Steele's avatar

seriously i haven't stopped thinking about your interview with him! fantastic, and so cool that he's in your ward! his brother taught photography at byu right after i left, and, fun fact, he was the photographer on an ergobaby shoot where my oldest daughter was the model, ha!

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Kylie's avatar

No way, what a fun connection!

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Elissa Urban Bean's avatar

I have an insane amount of tabs open now...mostly of jeans from the jean substack you mentioned.

Your art set up and work are brilliant! So beautiful!!!

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Alex Steele's avatar

thank you so much elissa! please update us in your newsletter if you end up getting any jeans c/o jane!

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Lisha's avatar

Not related to a single thing in this newsletter BUT my local Safeway in Oregon just started stocking Jeni's ice cream and oh. my. goodness. What have you done to my wallet!?!?

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Alex Steele's avatar

oh lisha i am so sorry AND YOU'RE WELCOME. love that jeni's made you think of me. do not miss brambleberry crisp, the goat imho!

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