Snapshot is a periodic series about what’s going on in my life right now—what I’m eating, reading, doing, loving, and my favorite links from around the web.
I’ve done it again! Gone so long without writing a Snapshot post, that I’ve collected a million gazillion awesome links for you to read.
Buckle up, there’s some good $h!t in here.
The food that has my heart this week is Grandma Norma’s caramel bars…made by Grandma Norma herself (and Karen, my dear mother-in-law). They are gooey and delicious and after I write this post I’m going to reward myself with one.
Once upon a time I shared this recipe on the Vintage Etsy Society Team blog. You can find it here. NOM.
Oh, so many things! My favorite find of late is Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. If you liked her Ted Talk about Your Elusive Creative Genius, you will freaking love this book about having a healthy relationship with your creativity. It’s filled with stories and practical advice about her own experience being a career creative—and experiencing the unexpected smashing success of Eat Pray Love, and how she got back to work after such a wild rollercoaster like that.
Also, the cover is just the prettiest thing. I give you permission to judge this book by its cover.
Creating a print version of The ever-so-reasonable Meal Weekly Meal Plan! So here’s the thing: I created this Meal Planning Kit with its corresponding weekly meal plan. I know it works (really well!) and makes meal planning way quicker & easier, plus it’s lovely to look at. HOWEVER…I, the creator of the thing, am too lazy to actually print off the weekly meal plans most of the time, so I end up using scratch paper. If I’m doing that…I’m guessing some of you are having the same problem.
It’s going to be a printed pad featuring Leyton Parker’s beautiful illustrations. The front of each sheet will have your week’s meal plan, and the back of each sheet is printed with a shopping list, so we aren’t wasting paper. (We don’t like wasting paper, now, do we?) I plan to have it printed in time for holiday gifting, wheeee! Be sure you’re signed up for my mailing list if you want to get a preview and hear when it’s ready to order.
Florals. I’ve always known I love floral patterns, but it’s really hitting home lately that florals are my signature style. (Are any of us surprised? Probably not.)
I’m finding that the bits and pieces of my home and wardrobe that make me happiest are the ones adorned with lovely, multi-colored flowers. The more mis-matched patterns, the better!
One of the places at home where this is working particularly well is on our bed. We have a rather plain comforter…and solid color sheets…but the most vivid and eclectic collection of pillowcases you ever did see. Mostly vintage, all floral, rarely matching one another. Each week is a brand new mix of colors, and sleeping on them makes me SO. HAPPY.
- Sweden is shifting to a 6-hour workday! Bravo, Sweden. Everybody is working way too hard for their own good. (My workday now is generally 6 hours, and I highly recommend it.)
- Did you know organic tampons exist? They do, and you can get them delivered to your door. (I bought two boxes. No more synthetics for my time of the month!)
- This might be one of the best pieces of marriage advice I’ve ever read: “In wise love, each divines the high secret self of the other and, refusing to believe in the mere daily self, creates a mirror where the lover or the beloved sees an image to copy in daily life.” I absolutely love this—not only because it gives us a framework for seeing beyond the inevitable human flaws of our partners, but also to see how we can help bring out the best in one another.
- HANGER IS A REAL AFFLICTION. Look, science says so!
- This made me cry, because I am broken and furiously happy, too. (Also I read Jenny’s last book—she’s amazing and hilarious and insightful and wonderful.)
- This article by Brigid Schulte on why time is a feminist issue really made me think—and reaffirms my commitment to making SPACE in my life. Not only because it feels good, but because it’s a way of taking back sovereignty and power over my own life.
- This post introduced me to the idea of “crappy dinners”…and really drives home how odd it is that we so rarely allow people into our homes unless they are picked up and pristine. I want more friends who will come over when my house (and I) are a mess…and I want to become a person who is comfortable with letting people actually see my messy reality.
- This discussion of paid parental leave is so, so important. It needs to be a reality in the United States, does it not?
- Shoulder stands are my faaaavorite. Here’s more reasons to do them!
- “There are times in life that are meant to be survived, trudged through, just one foot in front of the other into and through the gray.” It’s a nice reminder I’m not the only one who has those times. (via Janelle Hanchet at Renegade Mothering)
- If you are tired of hearing about “mindfulness!” this and “be in the moment!” that…you will like this theory of distraction. “What if we actually don’t value distraction enough? It may be that, with our mobile games and Twitter feeds and YouTube playlists, we’ve allowed distraction to become predictable and repetitive, manageable and organized, dull and boring—too much, in short, like work.”
- I love this post by Kate Northrup about how finding freedom in getting your shit together. There’s a balance between allowing chaos and enacting organizational logistics. Sway too far either direction and it feels stressful…but that sweet spot feels good.
- How to navigate the horrifying dystopia that is Target’s new genderless toy section. I’m just gonna let this one speak for itself.
- Science has uncovered rogue cells in a recently-pregnant mother’s body…that belong to her child. How amazing is the miracle of procreating?!?
Oh my goodness, I finally ran out of links. Happy weekend, errbody!
xo
