Okkk, so I think we’re back!
Not back, like Amelia writing regularly…but more like here I am, in this very moment.
It’s the little things in life, y’all!
Soooo…what the f have I been doing? Taking random trips for work, shopping a bit, working out a ton, being stuck in a two-week loop of snow hell and just trying to squeeze joy out of every day. I’m fresh off a fabulous trip to NYC, so obviously brimming with things to say about the things that worked!
- Pleasures in Pink— During a recent trip to Dallas, I did my regular Deep Ellum stroll to pick up a few pair of my favorite tie-dye socks from Sneaker Politics. If you don’t know this super dope TX/LA brand, please rectify that! I flipped through the racks and stumbled on a shirt I absolutely did not need, but fell hard for. A bubblegum pink l/s tee with all kinds of hilarious sexual inuendo via Pleasures. I paired it with a teeny tiny black leather mini for dinner in NYC and was the envy of every streetwear connoisseur. As I walked out of my hotel, “Is that Pleasures?” Yes, it certainly is!
- Against all odds, I have fallen into a DEEP hole of obsession for Love Story. Not sure why everyone was in such a tizzy last fall over the initial stills, because now anyone with a pulse and a Hulu account is…cues Tears for Fears’ “Head Over Heels!” I have been transfixed by almost every second of the first four episodes. (Okkk, maybe I don’t loooove Naomi Watts’ portrayal of Jackie, but why nitpick?) The styling is completely superb, I’m living for the JFK/CBK chemistry and the soundtrack has simply rewired my brain. The drop-in of a gospel song from my grandparents’ Memphis church shook me to my core. Don’t get me started on the New York-ness of it all! I was truly a rabid dog for the scene at The Odeon, because we know how I feel about the Big O. Watching two episodes at a time on a Friday night with a giant cocktail is self-care!
- FiloFiend— I have taken my analog existence to another level as the proud owner of a Filofax planner in shiny hot pink patent with three-rings, tabs and a pocket! It is so 90’s fantastic, it could have a starring role in Love Story. I accidentally double ordered the inserts, so have designated one section personal and the other for work. Just the sight of that big fuchsia girl peeking out of my purse makes me smile. Pen to paper is the forever vibe!
- Hometown Hero— I had the absolute pleasure of catching William Eggleston’s The Last Dyes at David Zwirner Gallery before it closed in early March. Eggleston is not only a legend in the art/photography world, but more importantly for me, a Memphis guy! I will say this until I’m blue in the face, but my hometown is one of the most culturally dense spaces on planet earth. We have contributed more to art, music, film, food and American history than we ever receive adequate credit for. But back to Eggleston’s incredible show, it was a showcase of the final dye-transfer prints ever to be made from his negatives. I was floored by the settings, the shadows, and the pure saturation of each shot. I visited the show the day before my Dad’s birthday– another fantastic Memphis photog– so felt his spirit with me the whole time. One print showcased church pews of brown-skinned ladies in varying shades of pink and focus, with the primary subject staring straight at the camera with such confidence I thought she was going to say, “Hey, lil’ girl,” in a decidedly Southern Delta accent.
- New Uggs— I mean that could be the entire bullet. I ordered my first pair of Uggs in 4+ years, and forgot what a thrill it is to place a bare foot into fresh sheepskin. Cinderella vibes, but wayyyy better! I caught this pair on deep sale during a deep freeze and waited with bated breath for them to arrive. They look delightful with baggy jeans and are simply begging to be paired with their OTL— black leggings!
- Daily Bread— So, I started doing this thing at the top of the year where I scheduled about half a dozen breakfast meetings over a three-week period. My metabolism went absolutely nuts- in a good way! I woke up ravenous, like stomach rumbling hungry, and ended each day with so much more sustained energy. Not that I ever equated eating more to losing weight (a whole other topic), but I have tightened up in a way that has blown my socks off. My nonstop workouts finally have enough fuel to carry them, and it almost makes me want to cry that it took me many, many years to realize how important it is to feed myself. My go-to formula: one soft scrambled egg with a little dollop of cheese, high-quality bread toasted in the skillet and hot sauce (Louisiana only!).
- No Reservations— I love NYC basically more than anything else on planet earth. And still, the dinner game has gotten out of control. Trying to get into Don Angie or Polo Bar or God forbid you want a Caesar salad or glass of water from The Corner Store. On my last trip to the city, I said fuck the ResX and the Resy and early-bird suppers. Well, I nearly said that. Full transparency, there was a 5pm dinner at Waverly Inn booked feverishly on Resy. But by Wed-Fri, all plans were made on pure instinct. Walk into a restaurant, tell them your name, wait and then be seated…or not. Go somewhere and try the whole formula again. We tried for Hillstone on a Wed night at approx. 8pm (the ring of fire time), and aside from stink-eyeing a girl taking up an entire high top table for solo sushi, I was easyyyy breezy. By the time the spinach and artichoke dip hit, I couldn’t fathom playing the ResX game for a spot I once frequented for post-work girl dinners. Corner Bar was the next night, and I did another wild thing and asked for our table of two to be converted for three. Their response— “Well, yes, we can do that!” We ended the week with a random pop-in to the Marlton Hotel and ended up chatting with the group we were smushed beside at a fireside table. Going back up top to the importance of IRL/analog living, sometimes you have to get off of a fucking app or computer and face the world as a living, breathing human being.
- Hundreds of Thousands of Tulips— So, remember when I came around on spring a few years ago? It was like I had just never seen spring before, ya know! Like I had literally been blind to its splendor for the first two decades of my life and now I’m just not. If you think I have gone all Snow White in the morning, please take a moment to go on a walk around your neighborhood and look for just one blooming flower. I promise, it will re-orient your entire day! Well, I was already gaga for spring when I pulled into Memphis’ Dixon Gallery & Gardens for their annual tulip show. In honor of their 50th anniversary, the Dixon planted 650,000 tulip bulbs across every corner of their grounds. Blooms in the most vibrant shades of tart orange, sunny yellow and dashing crimson mingled with the sweetest pastel shades of pink and lilac abutting an angelic field of all-white. It was a truly spiritual experience and I cannot stop thinking about standing among that many gorgeous flowers. I beg you– we have such limited time with nature’s supermodels– don’t miss one moment!
- Diana Ross, the Boss— My mom and a close girlfriend and I embarked on a journey Saturday night to celebrate an icon– The Diana Ross. From the first note of “I’m Coming Out,” I knew I would not leave that show the same person. For nearly two hours, Miss. Ross was effervescent, transcendent and just plain overflowing with joy. She is a woman who has always had full confidence in who she is as an artist, a mother, a fashion icon and in no uncertain terms– the Original Bad Bitch. All of that radiated from the stage. I left with a heart full from singing “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “It’s My House” at the top of my lungs, but more than anything, I left knowing that I can too be that woman who knows every inch of herself.
- General Shoppies — It’s not like I’ve been shoppppping but I haven’t been not shopping. YaknowwhatImean? Some quick hits of things I either have/love or love/want.
- My entire day revolves around slathering Prequel barrier therapy on every inch of my upper body. The tube is comically large (horny!) and $20 >. Most importantly, the shit just really works! My face was getting destroyed by the general disagreeable nature of early winter, so I took a chance on this guy and have not looked back. Next time I’m getting the duo.
- Want this J. Crew pointelle in black!
- Have this giant, Pepto Bismal pink zip hoodie via GAP and concoct new scenarios to wear it every chance I get! It’s the perfect weight, almost completely cotton and hangs just right with my less than giant activewear.
- I cannot even. The want is core of the earth deep. HALP! We all have the Blazys!
- A perfect woven leather bag in the best spring French vanilla. Will be stuffed to the gills for my upcoming trip to the Florida Keys.
- OPI has caused a Millenial frenzy with this one! Reporting from the frontline of a recent pedicure that it is indeed without parallel.
Happy almost spring, my babes! Xx
Mimi at The Shop 