Studio Sunday (no. 32)

Happy Sunday! This week I’m on a quick getaway with my husband to see the Grandma Moses exhibition and enjoy a date night (thank you Mom!). Seeing over 80 of her works in one show was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and so inspiring.

Here are 10 things that caught my attention this week:

I’m freshening up my journal for fall. If you’re new to journaling my advice is to write a little every day. I do a lot lists (favorite memories from the past, goals for the current season and bucket lists in every shape and size for the future. I also love having a section in my journal for watercolors and drawing.

This week I finished Under Story by Chloe Benjamin and it was 6 stars for me because (after chapter 5 or so) I couldn’t stop reading it and I’ve been thinking about it constantly since. If you like physics and sci-fi (like Interstellar) you will probably love this book.

I’m also almost done with The Parisian Heist by Jo Piazza and I’m obsessed with the art history in the story, but the modern day storyline is a lot of fun too (I LOVE how much time she spends talking about the Paris flea markets TRANSPORT MEEEE).

My older daughter has decided she wants to be EDWARD CULLEN for Halloween and in that moment all my timelines and fates aligned. (yesssssss!!!!!!)

This pumpkin, gingham baseball cap is so cozy.

I made some steps toward my cozy home goals this week. I ordered new bedding from this collection (cotton bedding is a must for us) and found several small paintings on eBay. I also deep cleaned our dining room, which made it feel fresh and new.

Out of all the nonstick pans I’ve tried I use my caraway pans the most, especially the mini fry pan.

When it comes to hidden conveniences I loved adding the hidden KitchenAid cabinet and a charger in the pantry closet for our dyson cordless vacuum. We also hid our microwave and air fryer in a pantry cabinet and it’s so nice for less visual cutter.

I’ve been trying a Suri Toothbrush and it’s great. I already decided the girls are each getting one in their stockings this year (best part: stays charged in the case for like a month so you don’t have to leave a charger out all the time). And on the subject of teeth I tried all the Marvis toothpaste flavors and my favorite is the licorice (I know how strange that sounds, but I extra look forward to brushing my teeth now).

This season I’m into chunky necklaces (mixed with tiny gold charms, always), hunter boots (although I ended up choosing the red ankle boots) and a good dress.

I’ve been doing a huge closet clean out (I tried on every single thing… gold star, right?) and now I am working on organizing. The number one thing I learn from cleaning my closet is always that I already have plenty of clothes I’m excited to wear. Also I need to see a tailor ASAP.

One of my goals right now is to add more family photos to our home. This photo strip frame and this photobook are next on my list.

I’m weeks away from being able to put my new revision into beta reading (and after that complete my query journey). It’s been ALL consuming and I’m proud of myself for being able to even talk about other subjects. I haven’t shared many updates throughout the process because I’m superstitious (or rather “a-little-stitious”) but I’ve been keeping notes and recording vlogs all year to share the FULL STORY when it ends. I can’t wait.

With that, I leave you with this beautiful Annie Dillard quote:

“One of the few things I know about writing is this: spend it all, shoot it, play it, lose it, all, right away, every time. Do not hoard what seems good for a later place in the book, or for another book; give it, give it all, give it now. The impulse to save something good for a better place later is the signal to spend it now. Something more will arise for later, something better.”

PS. Don’t forget, we have new podcast episodes going up every Monday and our blog is currently full of fall recipes.