One of my favorite things about writing this newsletter is how it helps me mark the passing of time. This was particularly useful when I started out last fall during the depths of quarantine and when there were few markers to distinguish the cold winter months. Now that I am pregnant, I have a very different relationship to time but one that still doesn’t feel “normal.” I was talking about this with my new friend Haylee yesterday. She is also expecting in October. We are both so acutely aware of each week — each day really — that time feels like it’s barely crawling.
Whether the months lack definition or take an eternity to pass, this newsletter forces me to see each month as its own. Each is framed by what felt worth highlighting and the stories that lay beneath each choice. Themes have begun to emerge, and I am eager to see how new ideas and the stories that catalyze them will take shape.
Here we are in June (!). Below, see some of my best finds — ‘chal we dive in?
Twelve Good Things
A pretty birdhouse.
The Royal Cinnamon from Burlap & Barrel is a game changer. I don’t have a sophisticated enough palette or vocabulary to explain why, but it is just better than any brand I’ve previously tried. Next time you need to buy cinnamon, I recommend this upgrade.
I am a total fangirl of Edith Young. She used to work at Man Repeller and Rowing Blazers, and is now on her own doing all sorts of cool things, including releasing limited batches of her Palette Prints series. Aman gave me “The Blues of Hockney's Pools” edition for my 30th birthday, which I adore. She also recently began publishing a newsletter called Powers of Observation, which is a series of visual essays. Personally, I just find everything she does so cool and interesting — I am constantly inspired by how her brain works.
I am obsessed with the sauces from Basbaas. I first ordered the Coconut Cilantro Chutney last spring, devoured it in about a week, and have been waiting for a restock ever since — which finally happened. I received an email at 1:04pm alerting me that they were now available to buy, and had already placed an order for two of the variety packs by 1:06pm. I recommend acting quickly — they are that good. Some use cases: as a finishing sauce on grilled meat or veggies, as a base for salad dressing, drizzled over eggs or cooked grains, or mixed with plain yogurt or hummus for a delightful dip.
All of these pieces are under $25 dollars and all of them are beautiful. Add to cart.
The Alice Neel exhibit at the Met will blow your mind. She mostly does portraiture (even if she doesn't like that term), and ya know those little cards next to the art that you usually gloss over because they always seem so esoteric? Read every single one of them because this time, they are filled with interesting tidbits, like who the subject was, the context of the person in that time period, and even why certain brushstrokes were relevant. Yes you’ll probably spend ~45 minutes in line, but it’s worth it. Go go go to this one if you can.
Lately, I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about the topic of commitment and accountability, the theme of Pete Davis’ book, Dedicated. He talks about two concepts I find interesting and highly relevant to our generation — infinite browsing culture and liquid modernity. I recommend reading his book, or at least this summary of it.
I don’t know what it is about a striped shirt that just gets me. This one feels infinitely versatile. Or this one for a more eccentric take.
Helpful relationship advice: if you would like to do something considerate for your partner, pay attention to what they put off doing. Aman has always done this but I wasn’t able to articulate it exactly until I read this post on Reddit. Instead of asking if there’s anything he can do to help me on any given day, he’ll notice the tasks I am procrastinating — returning a package, mailing a thank you note, or making me an appointment at the DMV — and just cross that thing off my to do list without even asking. It’s such a simple, considerate act.
When people ask me what I miss most about non-preggo life, they expect me to say cold cuts or alcohol. The answer: denim. I wish so badly that I could wear this perfect pair of denim shorts or these straight-leg jeans from Frame. Yes, I know maternity jeans exist, but they just aren’t as good as the real thing, IMO.
I love produce — literally, fruits and veggies, but also anything that takes inspiration from it. So obviously I have been eyeing this bag and these sandals.
Drooling over all of these summer dishes.
Thanks, all, for being here! As always, please forward this onto anyone who you think might enjoy it. I love new subscribers.
Or, if you’re reading this but aren’t yet a subscriber, you can do so by clicking this strategically placed button:
Until next month,
Marichal
M, too many things to compliment on... love reading your incredible finds, keep at it 😍😍😍