Small Updates + What Caught My Eye (No. 46)
I know I still owe you all some things, including my trip to Germany and my book tour. But I’m not quite there yet, to be honest. I want to tell the story right and, right now, I’m running on fumes, mentally. So all I can give you today, dear Reader, are three small updates to share. Don’t worry, they’re all good thing I’m sharing. I’ll be better next week, I promise.
Five New Cats
If you follow me on Instagram, then you’ll already know that there are a handful of new members of the farm: a mother and her four kittens. They live in the abandoned potting shed and are, objectively speaking, about the cutest fucking things I’ve ever seen. They just showed up four days ago and the kittens are still nursing. We’ll have them all fixed and take care of them until we can find them homes. But for now, they’re getting food and lots of baby-talk. I do love them quite a lot already.
Tennis Lessons
Did we sign up for tennis lessons after seeing Challengers? Yes and no. I’ve gotten bored of the gym, as I do every time I join, and have been looking for a new way to exercise. I used to play casually with my friends in high school and was quite close to courts when I lived with my parents, so I’ve dabbled enough to know I like it. But now, there’s a proper teacher and the lessons cost an arm and a leg, so I feel as though it’ll force me to stick with it beyond just hitting the ball, quitting early, and grabbing an ice cream cone (which I am wont to do in the Summer).
Time on Screen
I was fortunate enough to talk with my friend and editor, Zach, on this week’s Time on Screen podcast. Ostensibly, the topic of the episode was about the film Sideways, but we got deep into my own writing career and process. If you’re curious, give it a listen here.
La Chimera
I haven’t seen a movie lately that I’ve enjoyed as much as La Chimera. I’m famously not a huge movie person, but this one stuck with me for quite some time. It was so perfectly paced while being enchanting in all senses of the word. Josh O’Connor portrayed a moody, lovesick Arthur beautifully while the remainder of the cast each added the right amount of comedy and drama to their respective roles.
Watch: Here
Buck Mason Linen Hopsack Carry-On Suit
The wardrobe of La Chimera featured a dirty linen suit that I really loved. With some upcoming events this Summer in the works, I think I may just need to get one for myself. The Buck Mason carry-on suit is top of my list, but a Quince makes an affordable option, too.
Buy Jacket: Here
Buy Pants: Here
Cubitts Hemingford Frame
As you may remember, I was invited to see the new Cubitts store while I was in NYC for my book tour last month. I picked the Hemingford frames and they came in this week. Reader, I have to say, I don’t think I’ve ever loved a pair of frames more.
Buy: Here
O’Douds Conditioning Cream
Sadly on that same NYC trip, the TSA agent threw away my (nearly full!) conditioning cream from my carry-on. Of course, it was my own fault, so I don’t begrudge the agent from doing his job. But I have missed this product since and have reordered this week after trying (and failing) to find alternatives. It’s so lightweight and adds just a touch of structure to my hair. As I’m still getting used to it being so long, I’ve found that I’ve been using way too much product when styling and this one cream does all the work for me.
Buy: Here
KOS Spirulina Powder
Okay, guys. I’ve been a bit embarrassed to admit, but for the last two months or so I’ve been on a smoothie-juice-supplement kick. Every morning, I have a smoothie and have been finding the perfect balance of supplements to mix into that a) works for my body and b) doesn’t taste like absolute garbage. This spirulina powder has been top of the list. I’m always a bit weary about giving any sort of dietary recommendations, but I do find my energy and skin both improved since adding this. Coincidence? Maybe. Placebo effect? Probably. But, hey-ho, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Buy: Here
Moleskine Cahier Notebooks - XL
I currently have three — three! — novels in the works. One is a sequel to my first novel, Arthur (which you can buy here!!!). One is a series of short stories, which brings me back to my fiction roots. And the third is a new novel which I’m very excited about, taking place across India, Italy, and the UK. I’ve since been experimenting with these Cahier notebooks, a bit cheaper and not as “precious” as their other Moleskine cousins. So far, I like them a lot and hardly mind that they get banged up easily.
Buy: Here
TOPS Docket Gold Legal Pads
Some of you may remember — or have forgotten — that I was in law school when I was 20 (and quit when I was 21, haha). Since then, I’ve long been a fan of scribbling in legal pads; but, for reasons unbeknownst to me, I stopped this practice a couple years ago. Luckily, I found what might be the perfect legal pad. It’s a nice, solid yellow and the paper is thick enough to work with fountain pens. And at a reasonable price (especially compared to the Smythsons I have been buying), it’s worth stocking up on a six-pack.
Buy: Here
Jenni Bick Monogram Services
Speaking of Smythson, I had a navy blue Soho collecting dust that I wanted to get monogrammed to match the other notebooks I have from the brand. In doing a quick search, I saw that DC-based Jenni Bick actually can monogram a notebook that you mail into them. And for just $15, it was a steal. Often, I’ve found the process to be more expensive, or some shops won’t monogram outside notebooks. Suffice it to say, I’ll be using them again, I’m sure.
More Info: Here
Louis Vuitton Document Holder
I have to say, next to my book, this may have been the Instagram Story that has gotten the most feedback from anything I’ve posted. I know it’s insane, but I have so many notes, print-outs, maps, etc. when researching a novel and with three of them in the works, I really wanted to keep it all in one place and not, frankly, at the bottom of a bag. So far, I’m loving this document holder by Louis Vuitton. I got it from a Japanese dealer I use often and it’s even better than what was described online. The ones on Louis Vuitton’s website right now are labeled the “Mark folder”, but look on eBay for older versions called “Sénateur” (with or without the accented E).
Fields Outfitting Bushcraft Knife
I’ve really committed to being outside more and more present on the farm this Summer. Last year, I was holed up in the studio for so much of the season, I hardly got to enjoy the property at all. This year, I’m looking forward to handling small projects, gardening, landscaping — all the chores that add up on five acres. You never know when you need a good knife to get some of the work done and this one by Fields is top of the list for me (and it’s on sale right now 👀).
Buy: Here