I’m taking a week off of work (sort of). I’ve been going really hard lately and felt like I needed to just re-group and do normal life things like clean my house and buy groceries. Turns out that when you commit to working during the week and on the weekends you don’t have time to do things that keep life going! I have never had a “staycation” before. We were supposed to go to New York this week to visit friends and family but I had a bit of a meltdown on Saturday and realized I just need some time to rest and regroup. I’m not embarking in any social engagements and I’m just trying to create space for creative play and things that sound fun to me. Some things that sound fun to me include going to see the movie Bottoms, drawing, finishing knitting a sock, sewing a pair of pants, baking a flourless chocolate cake, and going to bed early. Exciting stuff!! I’m grateful that my team can work in the studio without me and keep things going while I clean and organize my refrigerator and work on my substack newsletter.
What I’m Reading
The latest issue of apartamento magazine. Having a magazine subscription is my delightful indulgence. Every issue reads like a timeless art book and never fails to delight and inspire me. They interview creatives from all mediums and all over the world. I love the photography and art direction of apartamento. Whenever I’m feeling uninspired I can pick up a copy and come back to myself.
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen. I started reading this on the beach in Empire a few weekends ago. It’s the last Jane Austen book that I haven’t read. According to the introduction, she wrote this novel when she was a teenager and it was purchased and sat on for many years and then published it posthumously. I always feel comforted by the atmosphere of a Jane Austen novel. I just finished reading this on Monday and although it was not my favorite Jane Austen, I did enjoy it immensely.
My favorite book I have read this year was The Secret History by Donna Tartt. I simply devoured it- the characters, the setting, the vibe, the beautiful writing. I immediately wanted to pick up her other popular book, The Goldfinch. I had no idea what type of book this was going into it, and I honestly still don’t. I know it’s controversial, I know people hate the movie and that’s essentially it. I started reading it before bed and the opening part of the book was so jarring and upsetting I had to switch to the Jane Austen. I would still like to move forward in reading this but since I’ve been off the wagon of reading I think I need something shorter first to get back into the habit.
What I’m Cooking
Tomato tart - both Mathilde’s tomato tart by Smitten Kitchen and a puff pastry tomato tart that I improvised
Breakfast burritos - always a staple, especially for when you have guests visiting
Girl dinner aka crackers, cheese, jam, and sliced cucumbers from the garden
Thinking of Buying
more cropped tees
a new pair of jeans
I bought a white baby tee from Uniqlo and have been wearing it all summer. Of course now that I’d like a few more they’re sold out! None of my pants fit me comfortably at this time. Of course this creates a spiral of shame and negative emotions every time I get dressed. I need to just buy and make my own new pants so I can carry on with my life.
Thinking of Sewing
elastic waist pants
trousers
loose short sleeve dress
tiered skirt
bias cut skirt
I love sewing my own clothes. My body size and my style keeps changing and shifting. I like to take a bold outfit out on the town sometimes, but I also I like to be comfortable in a loose dress. I wish I could spend a full week just sewing all day. I enjoy it so much.
Smock Talk
I’ve been thinking a lot about smocks and creating a studio uniform. My plan is to sew a calf length button down long sleeve linen or canvas dress/jacket to wear as a smock with nice big pockets and a pair of elastic waist trousers to wear underneath as my studio uniform. I was looking up old painters’ smocks and feeling really inspired. I am always trying to find a balance of wearing something that I feel good in, am comfortable in and can get messy in at my studio.
That’s all for today. I recently watch Marlee’s Skillshare video about Substack and it inspired me to share on here again. Thanks for being here and for reading. I hope to keep sending these periodically. If you’ve read something you enjoyed lately, please leave the recommendation below in the comments.
Xo
Meg