One-minute painting, the cutest pillow, and a prayer

Also in here: two sneaky Mean Girls references

Jul 09, 2025

Hi y’all. First and foremost, a prayer for the souls who were lost at Camp Mystic and their beautiful families. I’ve just been sick to my stomach about it, it’s every mother’s nightmare. At times like this, life on this planet hardly make sense? If you know ways Handpicked readers can help, please let me know.

feeling stupidly lucky that i got to hug these two and send them to camp this morning. photo taken outside denton, texas in 2019. portra 400 film.

one quick thing

Tomorrow I’ll be in your inbox again with a Deep Dive answering your questions from last week’s AMA in audio format. It’s not too late to submit a question, if you’d like.

Here’s one quick thing to start:

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-5:25

and now here’s my neighbor’s giant hydrangea bush to soothe my nerves, bc talking about this stuff makes me worry you’ll all think i’m either too wimpy or a giant steamroller :’) “i wish that i could bake a cake made out of rainbows and smiles and we’d all eat and be happy”

today’s bouquet

A one-minute painting of Mick.

Our heroine Jacinda Ardern had some great stuff to say about empathetic leaders (the dream) in this pod.
Adding these to my collage supply box.
I’m so happy for the Parisians swimming in the Seine!
Anyone thinking about getting engaged?? Anyone?
This pretty baby got cut (barely) from last week’s Americana art batch.
Anyone want to join the 3-materials challenge with me? Thinking I’ll document mine on YouTube…!
“There is no shame,” hahaha.
Once upon a time, they were you. Made me cry.
Have you ever seen a six-generation family photo? (via Emily)

“I have two doctors, my left leg and my right. When body and mind are out of gear (and those twin parts of me live at such close quarters that the one always catches melancholy from the other) I know that I have only to call in my doctors and I shall be well again.”

—George Macaulay Trevelyan (via)

ad break 🌸

The top of my birthday list has read “Furbish needlepoint pillow” for yeeears, so it took about 25 seconds to respond when they asked if they could send me one to share in Handpicked.

They have a bunch of hilarious ones, like “cool mom” and “bless your heart,” but I went with this one in honor of my ranch roots. Delightfully, the pillow is even cuter in person than online, and it’s supporting my lower back literally as I type this. Which one should I add next? Perhaps “leave by 9” :)

Thank you for supporting the brands that support Handpicked. I love sharing them with you.

in my basket

Quick, somebody snatch this gorgeous gingham dress and the matching one for your bb girl.
A year-round red sweater for under $150.
Might get this with my kids’ initials while it’s on sale!
Looking forward to not wearing anything but this dress the entire month of July.