Feel Good Flow: Episode 16
Hi Friends,
I’m writing this late at night (past 10 pm!) because I took a pottery class tonight. It was my first time back in class since the holidays. Because of Saoirse’s illness I have paid for, but been unable to attend two different courses. But this week I made it! It required carpool rides and babysitters and training said babysitters how to give injections of blood thinners. During all the preparation I thought, it would be so much easier to just stay home. But a truer voice cut through all of the noise to say, I need to touch clay. I need to be with friends. I need to get out of the house and make something.
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Quick Hits for the Week:
1) Listening
Alabama Shakes + Mon Rovîa
Ok, so not only did I get out of the house once, but TWICE this week.
The night after pottery, I went to see Mon Rovîa open for Alabama Shakes. I ended up going with my friend Mary Kay and it was just what two moms needed. Brittany Howard is a presence and it was exciting to see Mon Rovîa on their upward trajectory. Alabama Shakes will be in Minneapolis in August and New York in September. Recommend.
2) Reading
Take Me To Your Bookclub Leader
I wish I was in a book club (do we have interest in a Good Energy book club???) because I can tell that I’m going to want to talk about all these books.
Strangers has everyone buzzing, Patti Smith shares her memories in prose, and I love Lena Dunham for never knowing what’s going to come out of her mouth (usually the naked and profane truth). Last week I got a huge thrill when I commented on Lena Duhham’s substack and she commented back with a joke. For a moment we went back and forth! I took it to mean that she’ll be casting me as the cool older friend on the Girls reboot.
3) Wearing
Popping Off
Usually it’s a color or a cut that sparks a trend, but this year it’s the fabric that is the uh, common thread.
Cotton poplin seems to be the IT thing for this spring/summer. From button downs (fitted or loose) to drawstring pants to matching sets, everything popular seems to be poplin. I remember a few years ago this happened with cotton gauze. Although gauze is easy to care for, it can be heavy and warm in summer. Poplin is still 100% plant based fibers, but have a smooth, crisp feel and are lightweight and breathable. It wrinkles more easily than other fabrics, but not as much as linen. I have a natural fabric criteria for anything I buy and I’ve loved poplin for years for its ability to hold bright colors without easily fading. The drapes I use for color analysis are poplin. It’s also a joy to wear as it softens over time and has a cool feeling on the skin. I have rounded up a few of my favorite poplin pieces. The Kyoto pants are on my spring wishlist, but I’ll likely settle for the JCrew dupes. I could have gone on and on with all the poplin for this catalog. EVERY retailer is offering it up this season and this turn to natural fiber has me excited.
4) Making
On Your Mark
At pottery, I am making plant stakes similar to this.
And when I say similar, they won’t look remotely as cute, smooth and may be misspelled. But I will have made them mah-self. If I were to ever open my own Etsy shop, I have the perfect name picked out… Wonky Pottery. Which apparently is the IN thing?
5) Cleaning
‘Tis the Season
This was the AFTER (can you imagine the before?). Behold all that negative space.
I have been clearing out drawers and it’s been so refreshing. I wrote a little piece on Substack about the connection between clearing out our stuff and the health of the planet. Whenever I clear out a space I feel like a treasure hunter. It’s amazing how many lovely things can get lost in chaos. Who knew I owned all those white strips? It also makes me less prone to impulse purchases when I have a clear idea of what I already own. Read more here.
Now let's get out there and touch grass 🌱
Shine on,
Maggie