Hello!
One week of “shelter in place” down, and an unknown number to go!:) Strange times for sure, so we need connection and consistency now more than ever to stay sane. I didn’t put anything out last week because frankly, I wasn’t feeling very creative and the daily schedule disruption was a bit weird. We had some kids at home that were in school, some that were not, and one on the way home from college. It was an odd mashup of schedules and changes and unknowns, and on top of that, it was cold and rainy. But it’s a new week that has brought a new normal and positivity is the name of the game.
Classes for the other two kids officially kicked off yesterday, and some shell of a schedule has been carved out to define our days. I hope everyone is able to manage the stress, embrace the stillness, and balance the solitude during this uncertain time and make the most of what I believe is truly a gift. The new normal is a little mind-boggling and I hope I can send some fresh ideas to your inbox and Insta that give you inspiration about what to read, watch, eat, drink or do this week to keep you going.
In the spirit of togetherness and positivity, here’s what I’m liking this week.
No question we’ve all been sipping and savoring a little more than normal this past week, so here are some food and wine suggestions that won’t break the bank. Support your local retailers by ordering something pretty to wear to dinner at home and gather your family around the table for some familiar comfort food and use this opportunity to start some meaningful conversations.
If there was ever a reliable lineup of wine needed, it’s right now, and look no further than Cannonball Wine Company! They produce a varietal for every taste, meal and mood and the price point is shelter in place friendly for all those Zoom happy hours filling our otherwise open calendars. If you’re looking for something a little more elevated for (stay at home) date night, check out their Eleven line for limited production offerings of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot from Sonoma County. Grab a bottle or a few from your local market when you venture out for your daily food run, or stock up online and have it delivered right to your door. Hunker down, turn on an episode of Little Fires Everywhere on Hulu, Mc MIllions on HBO, or Good Girls on NBC and share a splash with the one you love.
In the spirit of savoring all things home right now, our family (well, the Mr. of the family) decided to embrace togetherness by preparing a Thanksgiving meal for Saturday supper, because, why not? We (he) cooked turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes ( I almost think these are better than the real thing and have been feeding them to my kids since they were little), peas, and gravy. It was a wonderful gesture (plus an all-day cooking and shopping extravaganza) and gave me a reason to “dress up” and actually set the table. But of course, the event didn’t come off without the usual holiday drama. After a week of being “sheltered“, my nerves were a touch fried, which means I showed up to this beautiful meal a little bit like the Crazy Aunt that nobody wanted at the table. In spite of my exhausted (but very grateful) mood, everyone seemed to enjoy the novelty of savoring a favorite meal in the middle of March. Hopefully, I’ll be invited back to the actual holiday next November.
Leave it to the Swedes to really know how to slow it all down and enjoy life. Fika, they call it. I’ve long had this notion of Fika on one of my Pinterest boards, so it stopped me in my tracks when someone wrote the meaning in blue chalk on the sidewalk of our street. It was a really lovely reminder, so thank you to whoever took the time to set the tone for the neighborhood during this time.
I must admit, there were a couple of days last week, in the bizarre bubble of sheltering in place, I forgot to wash my face (or get dressed for that matter, but we won’t get into that). This is really odd for me because I LOVE my daily Vintner’s Daughter ritual. This luxurious face oil is the ultimate potion concocted from whole plants that “accelerates it’s own powers of regeneration, repair, brightening, and firming.” Vintner’s Daughter Botanical Serum, coupled with their Active Treatment Essence is the ultimate nutrition for your skin. With a family background in fine wine, April Gargiulio was “inspired to apply similar world-class standards: exemplary quality, methodical formulations, and region-specific ingredient sourcing.” This little bottle of liquid gold has transformed my skin with its secret superpowers, beautiful subtle scent, and silky texture. Game. Changer.
It may not feel like it at the moment, but we will go out into the world again. And we will make sure to dress the part! There are so many sales at the moment, and so many opportunities to support our local retailers and independent brands. I chose this dress from Rent the Runway a couple of months back for an event in San Francisco and loved it so much I decided to buy it directly from Ramy Brook. It’s a brand I’ve grown to love since I wore a shorter version at our wedding welcome dinner. The simplicity and versatility of her pieces make them so easy to dress up or down, pair with heels or boots, jean jacket or jewels. This is last year’s model so I got it for a steal, like $90 (on top of the sale they offered $50 to first-timers to the site) including tax and shipping, down from $445!
We all know what the conversation du jour is, so all I’m going to say is, be well. Take care of yourself and your people. Enjoy the quiet time, embrace slowing things down, and eventually, life will return to “normal”. The question is, will you want the old normal or the new normal? 😉
Have a great week!
xo. klm
