Hey there, First name / Friend! How's thinnnnnngs?

 

It's hard to put life into words lately. This poem by Lyndsay Rush stuck with me, and says it better than I can. I haven't stopped thinking of it since the second I first read it.

 

Everything has been a lot? And also just life? Question mark?

 

I've spent the better part of the last 6 weeks dealing with severe back and/or neck pain. Because I'm getting old, and I spend 90% of my day at this desk and I thought I could go out and do young person shit like single-handedly design, build and install a Haunted Hallway at the kids elementary school for the fall carnival (Side note: we rusty, but we still got it.) And while I always knew I'd become a Crone, I just didn't realize it'd be quite so painful. Funnily enough, this Did! Not! Work! 

 

I understand now how chronic, nagging pain can change people, because DAMN. And also, like, you don't realize that you have nowhere truly comfortable to sit or sleep in the entire house until you need to prop up all of your appendages juuuuust right to relax. I've become a master architect of supportive pillows.

 

But I can turn my head now!  And bend over to put on my shoes!  And there have been other moments of light, with rays of even just the tiniest bit of hope. And even though it's tougher to see them these days, some…

So here we are at the end of October.  It feels like things are building in good ways, and I have a feeling that these next few months are going to FLY by. 

 

Here are the Seven Things that have helped me get through the last few weeks - I hope they help you, too, wherever and however you might be:

High Fashion feels more exciting that it has in a long time.  But Anthony Vaccarello at YSL was a breathtaking standout for me. The COLORS! Those ruffled gowns made from TECHNICAL NYLON!? Just so LUSH.  

If I can cook it from memory, using only a wee bit of brainpower, perfect. If half of it comes from the freezer or pantry readymade, even better! (Blackened Salmon with Mango Salsa & Coconut Rice for reference, but see also: Shake and Bake Pork Chops with Mac & Cheese and Roasted Broccoli, or little Sirloins with Mashed Potatoes & a Green Salad. ZERO THINKING!)

Frankly, this is what I was expecting TLOAS to be. I listened to this and that back to back one afternoon, and was like, Oh…yes, this is it, not that. Silly but solid lyrics over genuinely interesting pop music. 

This book? DELICIOUS. The banter, the subversion of tropes, the slowest of slow burns. I catch myself rationing it so it doesn't end. It's just so good. Happy to hear it's already been optioned, because it reads like the best Rom-Com you've ever watched.

Redford's passing led us to a conversation of “Afternoon Movies”, that which get you to just sit back and enjoy a good damn movie for a couple hours, and like, actually watch it. He was in so many of them, but I have a soft spot for Sneakers, so we put that on in his honor. 

We watched Claire Saffitz make an over the top lasagna in a Pullman pan, and while she went crazy with it, it made us think, hmmm. We have that pan for sandwich bread, so why not? Made on a Sunday, it was a revelation. As long as you line it with parchment and let it rest in the pan for a full hour before you slice it, this pan makes spectacular lasagna. Traditional meat & ricotta or Italian sausage, chard & pumpkin, the possibilities are endless.

Changes & Updates continue! There are now four ways we can work together (& more importantly, four price points). I've already done a few of these new consults, and they'be been so goooood! I'm just happy to keep helping everyone feel a little less overwhelmed in some small way. And don't forget, you get 10% off with the code SEVEN10 at checkout.

First name / Friend, I'm so glad you're here!

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