Kate’s Five Things #17

Soups, Sales, and Subconsciously Planning Your Own Breakdown

Oct 05, 2023

Catching up…

It is officially the last month of my thirties! Truth be told, I’ve subconsciously been emotionally and mentally prepping for the big 4-0 for a few years now. This week I went through journals and pictures from this time last year, writing the lessons I’ve learned along the way. Something inside me then knew a shift was coming and I needed to buckle up for the fallout. I will share more of these thoughts and lessons with you at the end of the month!

Last week’s House Call…

In last week’s newsletter, I wrote about the merits of a mismatched home. This design approach has felt like a small glimmer of hope amid the burnout I’ve experienced as an influencer in the home decor space. Writing this essay was like blowing oxygen on the fire.

Here’s an excerpt from the post:

“Eclectic spaces can also stimulate creativity. The seemingly chaotic environment encourages the mind to break free from convention and explore the unfamiliar. It helps us to bridge connections between unrelated concepts, sparking fresh ideas and unique solutions. Just as a child's imagination runs wild in a playroom strewn with toys, an adult's creativity can similarly flourish in a space that isn't meticulously organized.
In a way, a mismatched and ‘messy’ space can become an external representation of the spirited chaos and vibrant complexity of our minds. It breaks the monotony, challenges the status quo, and serves as a constant reminder that perfection is neither realistic nor desirable. After all, it's the quirks, idiosyncrasies, and ‘flaws’ that make us—and our spaces—truly unique, inviting, and alive.”

If you like topics like this one, please consider upgrading to a House Call paid membership! Sometimes I share bonus content like a peek at my interior design projects. It’s how I’m able to do more of this (writing and creating) and less sponsored content. Thank you to everyone who has become a paid supporter of my work.

How I'm feeling this week…

Is it just me or is everyone a bit… on edge. We’re at that part of the year where school and work are often the busiest. In years past I have felt resentful for having the brunt of the work fall on my plate, but now I realize if I’m in charge, I get to decide what matters. The prickliness of this week reminds me how important it is to move toward less, not more, in busy seasons.

What's in my cart…

J.Crew Passport members get 40% off select full-price styles this week so I’ve been looking at my closet and assessing what item (or two) is missing from my fall uniform. I bought these pants last week and feel great in them! I also have my eye on this faux leather mini skirt. So many ideas came to mind for how to wear it… with a relaxed tee and loafers, or paired with a chunky sweater and oversized barn jacket. Very ‘90s.

I’ve found some fun decor at Etsy that I’m tempted to bring home. Like these colorful hand-lacquered bobbin picture frames and these frilly yet masculine pillows.

What I'm consuming…

The temps have been unseasonably warm this past week but have finally dropped again (probably for good) and that means it’s cozy season—which also means it is soup season. I literally dreamt about making my family’s favorite soup recipe and cozying up for a movie marathon night. (I’ve got a great roundup of recipes here if you’re looking for inspiration.)

What resonated with me…

I love this post on Consistency > Perfection. I often find myself editing, pivoting, and throwing out great ideas. I do this before following through toward action solely because I’m not pressuring myself to hit a ridiculous set of expectations.

A question I've been asking myself lately…

When I started challenging societal programming, I found myself overwhelmed by how much we cannot change about the circumstances we’re born into. And on a collective scale, it’s impossible to comprehend and pretty depressing! But we often forget we have a choice when it comes to the day-to-day aspects of our lives. It’s easy to point to all the outside factors that make it difficult to change or create something that takes a lot of courage and perseverance. We can be honest with ourselves without beating ourselves down in the process.

Space of the Week

Adolf Loos’ lesser-known interiors in Pilsen in the Czech Republic, featured in this summer’s Kinfolk magazine. “His buildings represented an important rejection of both the 19th-century historicist architecture so beloved by the monarchy and the then-fashionable art nouveau, which celebrated ornamentation through the ostentatious application of florid and geometric design elements.”

Photography by Christian Møller Andersen