Women helping women
Also in here: apple crisp and bookends for a newly-tidied work table
Yesterday I chatted on the phone with Sarah Miller from Can we read?, the newsletter about children’s book and raising readers. While we talked, I came to a huge realization about Handpicked, which I’ll share next week. Sarah has been a cheerleader, mentor, and true internet-friend to me every since I moved to Substack (which has been quite the undertaking, if I’m honest!). Sarah’s generosity with her advice and time has impacted me so much. She’s just a pay-it-forward person – I want to be more like that. There’s nothing as powerful as women caring for women, right?
today’s bouquet
I’ve seen so many people talking about how Substack is the new frontier of blogging. I wasn’t going to share the article, because I work really really hard to find unique links for Handpicked: the things you send me, my IRL treasures, and other uplifting stuff that you haven’t seen on the internet yet. So, hesitantly, I share this article about the blogging renaissance I’ve read in a dozen other newsletters this week, because I’m really curious to hear what you think. Are you excited about it? Does it feel like the popular girls are just swooping in on our thing… again? Does it make you want to join the platform? I wish I could say I’ve figured out exactly how I feel, but admittedly I have not. Also, I would like to note that the article doesn’t include a single micro-newsletter, and some of those under-10k subscriber newsletters (or under 5k, or under 200) are the best things in my inbox.
Hot take: it’s super boring – and anti-feminist – to call Ballerina Farm anti-feminist. Sincerely, a bleeding heart feminist SAHM. (Y’all, I’m on one this morning.)
Lightening it up with my favorite mirror ball blossom piece. Don’t tell the others.
Now here is some Halloween decor I can really throw my weight behind. You bet your buns I’m doing this with my girls *once Halloween season starts.* *In a week.* (via Jenny)
Thank you, Levain, for this gorgeous (pumpkinless) fall cookie! The children and I will be making our way over to the Larchmont location this very weekend.
Believe me when I tell you that Nate and I were actually crying when we watched this. It just gets better and better. (1 min)
Ah ha, a fall mug for a cheesy millennial mom mug collector such as myself!
Never realized how much I could love a chubby, pink glass butter dish?!
Last week my cousin Cali came over to help me clean my house. Is there any greater kindness? I should have taken a before and after photo of my work table – she’s a magician – now that it’s free of the entire family’s clutter, I get to keep my art books closeby. And so! I need some bookends! Being me, I couldn’t link just one set: brass scallops, also a vase, looks like parm, obviously, marbled, and maybe this dreamy art book to add to the pile.
“I don’t go to the hardware store for milk.”
– Sarah Miller, on female friendships
If you look closely, you’ll spot my next big adventure here.
An elegant wedding dress for under $1000.
Following this guide for sympathy cards and other kindnesses.
My sister made me this crunchy/ creamy salad on Monday and I could DRINK the dressing.
Absolutely howling over some temporary tattoos.
The witching hour made more pleasant by tea, for one mother.
“If you’re going to make a dream come true, you’ve got to work with it. You can’t just sit around. That’s a wish. That’s not a dream.”
– Dolly Parton
Wouldn’t it be fun to knit your own strawberry sweater?
It’s still warm here but I reeeeally want to make my favorite apple crisp from last year (click and scroll for my notes).
A family of five makes it work in a two-bedroom home. Raise your hand if you’ve never had your own room, either!
View an entire day and night in one image.
Priya Parker does it again: mistakes we make when we gather, and how to avoid them. The Friendsgiving one! Copy, paste.
in my basket
The Hand Me Doen Sale is on! They have a bunch of beautiful pre-owned items available, not heavily discounted, but slightly on sale. I love that they do this – the best way to shop sustainably is to shop second-hand! This puff-sleeve floral dress is (obviously) in my cart. This fabric is a work of art. I own this cardigan in a rosewood color and wear it several times a week in cooler months.
My friend Kennedy was wearing these corded sandals this weekend and I 100% thought they were custom. They’re sold out in the tan color (my favorite), here’s a similar tan style.
Just ordered these tiny pearl earrings :)
last thing
Most clicked link from last week: that adorable step stool.
Reader count: 1,150
I’m still booking family sessions! (And little weddings, btw.) Just reply to this email if you’re interested in booking or more information.
Thank you so much for reading Handpicked. Please email me anytime, I love hearing from you. 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
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