Happy Sunday everyone! This week I’m writing to you from from somewhere over the United States of America (in an airplane, for safety), and by the time you read this I will be in Chicago! I’m so so so excited to be back :) but boy am I sleepy at present! Does anyone else have the kind of disease where every time you leave for a trip you are compelled to get ALL of your affairs in order before you can even consider packing? I am a chronic sufferer and didn’t so much as locate my suitcase until approximately 11pm.
Was my day jam packed? Thank you so much for asking. I actually had the entire day off, but instead of doing anything to prepare for my actual, literal trip that I’ve known about for months, I remembered that I needed to scrub the whole house top to bottom for no reason whatsoever. I weeded the ever-encroaching ivy on our patio, downloaded a new app to tell me what plants are living in my yard and whether or not they are FULFILLED (apparently we have some radishes and they’re doing just fine?), and worked on a watering schedule for every single one. I cleaned out the fridge, polished all of my silver jewelry that had gotten dingy (have you used this easy method? It’s so satisfying, but also why was I doing this at 10pm), and washed my bathmat because it was probably time.
Before other trips I have felt compelled to look through as many old journals as I (don’t) have time for, scour boxes of family photographs, and pull tarot cards to check in on my general situation. Is it a fear of leaving my space, perhaps connected to my childhood fear of sleepovers, like I need to touch base with all the elements of my Self before I become untethered by travel? Was I killed in battle in a past life and wished I had only gotten to reflect on my old diary entries before it was my time to go? Is leaving home actually the perfect reminder to get your space in shape and take stock of your beautiful life as you’ve known it thus far?!?
No therapist has cracked the case- or seemed entirely interested tbh- so I finished packing around midnight and was up at 6am to prepare to be launched into the sky. I’m sleepy today, sure, but boy did it blow Jesse’s mind to find out that we have mystery radishes planted in the yard. And who else was going to tell him about that?
Bits and Bobs
I think that I first heard about Little Ripper from Ali LaBelle’s instagram, which is how I find out about most cute places in LA. A great follow if you like design, LA recs, and beautiful things in general (her substack is fantastic too)! We went twice last week- once for a coffee and brunch, and once for a late night snack and glass (ok two) of red wine. It was great for both, but I think it particularly shines as a daytime spot- the decor is so cute and seeing it in the daylight is an additional treat for the senses. I have been deeply coveting the curtains they have there, which the manager swore she just found on amazon but that I can’t find anywhere!! It’s just a sheer and opaque white plaid but somehow....I haven’t stopped thinking about it. Go for the curtains, stay for a flat white at the communal table!
During quarantine, my friend Alison and I co-created a humongous playlist called QUARANTEAM that was exclusively comprised of songs that described what our lives looked like at the time- either in the title or hidden somewhere in the lyrics. Even though it was created in a dark time, it is so fun to listen through and hear why either one of us was inspired to add it to the list. Plus, it’s over 10 hours long so the sense memory of a 2020 listen is not a potent one!
Before I moved to California, I wasn’t acquainted with my perhaps-favorite flower du jour, which are the feathery and joyful cosmos. Jesse and I were at Fig Earth the other day, getting some strawberries and squash to round out our veggie bed, and some marigolds and basil to keep our tomatoes happy (did you know plants have friends?!), when we spotted some happy white cosmos, which I was amazed that I could pay $5 for and just....bring home. Like, such beauty?? In my own yard?? Am I the richest woman alive??!!? We planted them in a corner that is a little stark at the moment, but I hope becomes overflowing with wild flowers soon. Crossing my fingers!!
I first found an Osso Ceramics mug at Prelude and Dawn and fell so instantly in love- the size! the shape! how fun it is to run your fingers over the rough body of the mug and then trace the smooth glazed designs! But I was shopping for a gift for Leila and absolutely couldn’t justify buying a second one for myself. Besides, I “have mugs at home.” Then my friend Serena got me this one for my birthday and I am SO OVER THE MOON I use it every single day. It’s the perfect mug! It’s the love of my life!!
I hope you have a gorgeous week! No Honeypot next week so I will see you next on May 12th which is MOTHER’S DAY but of course you knew that already 💖
xx Olivia
Good one. I've noticed the same tendency in myself! Lol. - Chuck