Hi from a girl just a few days from vacation. I am so excited to spend some time immersing myself in the culture of a new and foreign place - something that has lit my soul on fire since the moment I stepped off the plane in Norway six years ago. I can’t wait to get my hands back on the camera. It’s been a while since I’ve felt truly inspired to create, and I suppose I can attribute that to the pace of the last few months - everything moving at warp speed back to “normal” - meaning I’m on the road for work, catching every bug this newly maskless world has floating in my vicinity, rescheduling visits and weddings and dinner parties and funerals. I must note that I am extremely grateful to be returning to all of these facets of life and humbled by the simplest of human activities, like hugging my uncles after over a year without seeing them. I have a renewed gratitude for these moments, for having a job in a travel industry that’s coming back to life, for being able to see friends and make plans and celebrate each other. I suppose I wish they weren’t happening all at the same time.
But that’s making the notion of a vacation all the more sweet. Some time to reflect, explore, enjoy each other’s presence, read and write and just relax. As I’ve settled back into life post-pandemic (we think, lol), I’ve realized how my time has been relegated to doing things that make me money (work) and doing things that help me unwind from work (does sleep count?). Productivity, rest, productivity, rest. I haven’t made time for the activities that give me energy, like writing and documenting and observing what inspires me. Enter the Sunday List.
I’d like to use this as a tool to practice writing and releasing my thoughts into the stratosphere, something that makes me feel exposed in a scary way for little reason other than my own fear of imperfection. Writing has always helped me to become more acquainted with my thoughts and values. I always come away from it feeling more like myself (whatever that means) and a little calmer, more aligned with how I feel about something - a book, an argument, anxious thoughts, current events, a work of art. I don’t know exactly what value this will bring to you as a reader, other than maybe making you do something that you’ve been meaning to do for a while - something that makes you a little nervous - just for you.
So anyway - too much information - here’s what’s swimming in my brain this week.
IN THE DARKROOM
Nothing to report here. But I have a feeling that I’ll have a lot to share come next week.
CURRENT READ
I’m currently between two books - one fiction and one non-fiction - One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston and How to Do the Work by Nicole LePera. I fell in love with McQuiston’s hilarious, charming and progressive writing style in her first novel, Red, White & Royal Blue, which tells the story of the first son of a Latina female president of the United States falling in love with the Prince of England. HIGHLY recommend! I’m enjoying One Last Stop, which has an element of magic to it as the main character falls in love with a girl stuck on the Q train in NYC. It’s not Red, White & Royal Blue, but it’s highly readable and entertaining nonetheless.
How to Do the Work claims to be a treatise on holistic psychology. Michael got me this book at the recommendation of a friend (TYSM Sarah!) and at my need to self-heal after dealing with the long-overdue diagnosis of a panic disorder last fall (more on that at a later time), classic feelings of overwhelm and concern over who I *really* am, truly on a soul level. I am super familiar with therapy and psychology and the study of body-mind wellness, so many of the concepts in her book are not new to me. However, I’m really appreciating taking time every morning to read and re-emphasize the importance of practicing awareness and holistic wellness in my daily life. I feel like I’m getting to know myself better through it and I’m making strides to do things (like write this) that pull me out of a cyclical funk. I have some qualms with the book, but I’m not done with it, so I’ll wait to speak on them until I finish.
INSPIRED BY
Interiors by Beata Heuman, RF. Alvarez’s latest piece Quiet Witness (SO GOOD), 9 p.m. summer sunsets, the smell of fresh basil growing wildly on our back patio. But this week in particular I’m fangirling over upholstered Milo-Baughman inspired Parsons chairs. I’m obsessed with this pair covered in Kelly Ventura’s new fabric line, but a more classic blue (like these pictured in floral designer Brandi Bombard’s home) would suit me juuuust fine.
RECENT PROJECTS
I’ve been working with my aunt, the genius behind Winter Park’s The Heavy, Porch Therapy, Janet’s Dry Humor and more on a new concept coming soon (!). I’m realizing just how many side gigs I have in addition to a full-time job (photographer/content creator, co-producer for Michael, merchandiser/buyer for this new concept, and probably something I’m forgetting) and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I always felt jaded and confused by the concept of doing just one thing with my life. It’s led to a lot of existential crises (I fully respect and often wish I just “knew” I wanted to be a doctor or a lawyer, or some other career with a linear trajectory). I’ve accepted that I am what’s called a multi-hyphenate, someone with a multitude of interests and ideas, though the phrase “jack of all trades, master of none” does haunt me at times. Ah, the nuances of being an ever-changing human being! I feel like I could write a book on this.
CONSUMERISM
I admit I like to buy things, okay?! These hand painted Spanish ceramics from brand Pomelo Casa are even more beautiful in person. I love the colors and the delicate feel of the terracotta. They remind me of spending hot summer days wandering through Madrid and happening upon home decor shops, descending into a mercado for natural wine and practicing Spanish with the locals until evening falls and it’s time for tapas. I love summer and these vessels just feel like summer :)
PLATED
Unfortunately for me and Michael, one of the aforementioned bugs was a stomach virus that turned into an infection. Not going to elaborate here, but we haven’t had appetites as usual for the past couple of weeks. That being said, we always come back to this recipe by Half Baked Harvest, but we swap the feta for halloumi - if you know, you know. Halloumi is the GOAT.
That’s it for now. Cheers to you if you made it this far!
Rachel