The unexpected thing I did last week
Also in here: what I wish I'd worn to my wedding reception
Hi everyone!
I did something I’ve never done before – I took a week off from this newsletter.
After I sent out my Deep Dive on why I quit Instagram, I called my friend Rachel. I was freaking out about the future of Handpicked and everything I need to do to keep growing. Rachel is my wonderfully wise mentor – you may know her as Rachel from Austin. (Also today is her BIRTHDAY.) She listened to me fret and soundly advised me to give myself a week off to calm down. Boy, was it refreshing! Creating a career out of thin air, while also running a household and mothering four children full time, is really hard.
I have big dreams of contributing more financially to my family, so right now I'm really focused on finding ways to get Handpicked into the inboxes of many more women of all ages. If you want to share Handpicked with your audience, friend, or other cool woman you know, here’s a link you can copy and paste: alexsteele.substack.com
It may well be that those whose work is their pleasure are those who most need the means of banishing it at intervals from their minds.
– Winston Churchill
And now, my dears, to the links! With a big fun thing at the end!
today’s bouquet
All the film I shot this summer: June, July, and August.
ILYSM – but make it French!
Made me look: people wearing every single piece of clothing they own.
Women’s sports are no longer interested in hearing why you’re not interested (via Nate)
This one is perhaps too-niche, but I was practically applauding throughout the episode: sex therapist Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife speaks on modesty and what it can mean. Again, maybe skip this if you weren’t raised in an ultra-traditional faith practice (like me), but if you’re a Latter-day Saint or similar, I’d call it a must-listen. Another great ep: how to talk to your kids about sex.
Random facts, illustrated!
Got my eye on: date night tops. I’m a sucker for a lightly puffed sleeve. Fancy in front, bow in back. This one is tied (lol) for my favorite back-bow. (Sorry, one more perfectly-done bow look.) Give this red cotton lace a gold medal! Would love one of Hill House’s iconic dresses, but as a top!
ALERT: Dolly Parton has joined the {Pinterest} chat!!
Losing my mind over these Delft-style porcelain objects.
The largest tree in the world doesn’t even fit in one frame!
A volcano that explodes with rose petals.
When Charlie saw this baby giraffe, his first question was, “Is she just wearing a costume?” Haha! Four year olds :)
Tried convincing all three of my school-goers to pick these adorable squiggly sneakers, no luck.
*Very* into Connections lately. (via Some Things)
New York readers, pleeeease go visit Salter House’s gorgeous new storefront! And ask them if I can move in!
Patiently waiting for it to cool off enough for this or this or this.
via Kule // Sezane // Maje Lately I’ve been keeping my phone screen black and white. It’s kind of boring and quite soothing. Here’s how to put your phone in black and white mode. (I set up a shortcut where I can triple-click my lock button to change it back and forth. Handy.)
HP reader Ashley shared these Van-Gogh painted sneakers. I’m *in love.*
This delicate cardigan would be so pretty paired with a wedding dress at the end of the night, don’t you think?
I’m short waisted, but I also have a four-baby souvenir bump, so finding the right top can be tricky. This cropped oxford and soft henley look promising.
We have a big blank wall in our family room and I wish so badly I could put up this hand-painted floral mural there.
For the kids: just passin’ through.
“We are all dreamers creating the next world, the next beautiful world for ourselves and for our children.”
–Yoko Ono
sneak peek: the men’s gift guide
In honor of Nate’s birthday, tomorrow’s Handpicked extra is a Men’s Gift Guide! I asked real live men what gift they’d totally love, but knowing they’d say, “oh, nothing really,” I asked: if you had a billionaire best friend, what would you want from them? Besides fancy watches and season seats for their favorite teams, they said:
comfortable crewneck sweatshirts
a projector for outdoor movies
top-notch grass fed steaks
And the two things they asked for more than anything else