The Week in Review

Craftspace

Earlier this week, I shared with you the almost-fail that was my work table (part 1, part 2). My studio is still half a disaster of a garage, but it's getting there. By the time I get the garage cleaned out and organized, the weather will have turned and I will turn my attention to creating an indoor studio.

Knot: A Book is written, designed, and illustrated by fiber artist Lise Silva. Her large-scale hangings and jewelry are beautiful and otherworldly.. She sees knots as meditation.

Practicing the cloud knot before going to sleep.

​Like many of you, I have tried a variety of meditation practices and none seemed right for me. My thoughts would continue to spiral. And, quite honestly, it was boring, and I felt no more relaxed than before. Sleepy, maybe, but not relaxed. Once I found macrame, I found a way to meditate and create. The repetitive movements, the feel of the fibers, the beginnings and endings. My mind became quiet. I became more mindful of my surroundings and actions. ​

Lise Silva's book contains lovely illustrations and simple-to-follow instructions for 14 knots, including the True Lover's Knot and the Rising Sun Knot.
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I've had a few works in progress this week, but I've reached a bit of a block. So I will set those aside and begin anew. I have some plans for macrame necklaces.

Stuff I Love

Like many moms and dads, keeping my coffee warm in the morning is a big problem. I have had mornings where I reheated my coffee in the microwave a few times before even taking my first sip. 

Then I bought this Ello travel mug from Target. Sure it wasn't a favorite mug like my beloved yet broken Jonathan Adler utopia mug, but it keeps my coffee warm, nay, hot!

This baby has save my mornings.

I found the perfect dress, y'all. The. Perfect. Dress. notPERFECTLINEN is a family business based in Lithuania. Everything is made by a person and not a machine. The colors are warm and earthy. And the linen is soft and perfectly imperfect. I ordered a sleeveless linen dress earlier in the summer. It was worth the wait. By adding a long-sleeved tee underneath or a sweater on top, I can wear the dress into fall. Add some wool leggings and it's good for winter. I love it so much, I ordered two more. I wish I had a photo to share. Keep a look out on my Instagram page.

Another incredible buy this week is a Danish secretary. I call him Mads. Mads is made from a gorgeous warm teak wood (that matches the wall a little too much, but I don't care). I still have to style and re-do the art on the wall. I can finally hang my Lisa Congdon and Ryan Berkley prints. The black-and-white painting on the top of the secretary is by the kid, from her dark period.

Isn't he gorgeous?

Readwatchlisten

​Read

• We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Watch

• Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later. Not as good as the movie or the prequel series.
• re-watching Playing House. I want to be friends with Emma and Maggie. 

Listen

• The Simple Show podcast
• One Bad Mother. The best podcast and online community on the planet.
• The kid did not enjoy me singing along to George Michael as I took her to school. But I will not be silenced.