Quote of the Week: “… At the root of our deep mistrust was the Yankee conviction that weather is a defining force in shaping human character—that harsh winters instill Calvinist rigor in those obliged to withstand them, that perpetual summer would inevitably corrode morals and the will to work. All those hillsides ablaze, those earthquakes rattling the china, struck us as fire-and-brimstone reminders that people were never meant to live in LA in the first place—reminders unheeded by the local residents, a bunch of confirmed hedonists who lived in the moment, turning their backs on Europe and the past, facing the sunset and the sea.”— Holly Brubach’s introduction to Eve’s Hollywood by Eve Babitz
I’m headed to Southern California for a girls’ trip tomorrow morning, so naturally my mind is chattering with Golden State literary references. California hangs hazily over my head as a reminder that I can’t trust myself; I visit and feel a weird sense of home only to think, weeks later, that I simply don’t belong on the West Coast. It’s a back-and-forth situation beyond my immediate comprehension.
Eating: Chicken sausage, mushrooms, and arugula sautéed in Bragg Liquid Aminos and za’atar + half a sweet potato topped with avocado.
Listening to: The Spotify playlist “This is ODESZA,” which may be my most reliable tool for sliding into some sparkly zone of transcendence mid-workday when my back hurts and my blood sugar plummets.
Feeling: Optimistic, like major shifts are in motion for me and my friends. Somehow the timing of our life changes aligned and we get to celebrate and support each other along the way. There’s no platonic love like that of inspiring women who take their work seriously, but never themselves.
For example: over the weekend I found myself in the giant, garage-like studio of a Philly photographer “modeling” for my friend’s streetwear brand. I’d barely slept and I hadn’t eaten a thing, but I threw on some mascara, packed five pairs of my coolest shoes, and told them to do their best with my awkward ass. Perhaps only a handful of the hundred-some photos came out useable, but I’m glad I did something uncomfortable and had fun.
Grateful for: … That brings me to gratitude. I have mixed feelings about the whole “influencer” thing (obviously a piece in the works), but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t cool to be considered when brands and entrepreneurs are building their vision. I have exciting stuff on the way in that realm that I can’t wait to share. (hint in the photo above!)
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