Kate's Five Things
This old dog has some new tricks.
Catching up…
I find myself busy again! Schedules are full, to-do lists are long, and there is lots of work to be done.
There have been plot twists in life lately. The stomach flu (a nightmare). Break-ins at the neighbors. Unexplained vibe shifts. “Repositioning strategies.” Unexpected bills. A toilet that smells like sewage.
During the years I spent burnt out, when my overly full plate was met with an unexpected issue (or two), the rickety scaffolding of my routine crumpled. That did not happen last week. Did I take time out of my day to cry in my car? Yes. Did I have panic attacks? Yes. But then I got on with it. I got on with the hard stuff—the stuff that keeps life moving.
Looking back at my journal this past week helped me identify what shifted: I wasn’t trying to control life. Instead, I rolled with the punches.
I guess what I want to say is this old dog has some new tricks. I am learning to roll over and focus on my own bone. I can watch the neighborhood go by, keep doing my thing, and then get some high-quality sleep.
Last week’s House Call…
Last week’s House Call newsletter touched on home envy. In my essay, “We All Experience Home Envy—Here’s What We Can Do About It,” I discussed why I’ve been curious about and open to the emotion of envy.
Here’s an excerpt from the post:
“We think of envy in simplistic ways. Example: I want what they have and I can't have it. The reality is envy is much more complex and ingrained in the way we view ourselves and our environments.
Let’s take a look at judgment for a second. Have you ever found yourself a bit pleased to see a successful person stumble or fail in an endeavor? Have you ever made excuses about why you were wishing for someone’s misfortune? Have you rationalized hurtful and judgmental comments by knocking someone's character (“Who does she think she is?”)?
We may not want any part of their life or even respect them, but where there is judgment, there is envy. So many of us miss this, and once I started to explore where judgment and envy showed up together, I started to understand why I felt so trapped in my own life.”
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.
What I’m reading… Getting Lost by Annie Ernaux. I stumbled upon this book in an article a girlfriend sent me on the virtues of being bad. Having found other writers' journals to be as interesting—if not more so—than their bodies of work, I gave it a shot. This review does the premise more justice than I could in a few sentences. Annie’s writing cuts right to the feeling, sparing no fluff, and never waivers in conviction. I have found this read deeply intimate far beyond the rawness of the passion between Ernaux and her Soviet lover.
What I’m watching… All of my comfort films. As I gear up to “get out” there again (I am already here?) I haven’t felt compelled to watch anything new. So the list goes as follows: Lost in Translation, Annie Hall, Best in Show, Pride and Prejudice (2005), Four Weddings and a Funeral. I play them in the background while working in bed.
What I’m eating… I’m still on my girl dinner shit. I ate two rotisserie chickens myself between Monday and Wednesday of last week. I was just picking the meat from the bone, drudging thick chunks through Dijon, and popping them in my mouth with a small slice of havarti. The thought of cooking has not inspired me in some time, though I have the itch to throw dinner parties again.
What’s in my cart… I am searching for a dress to wear to a wedding. I haven’t attended a wedding in three years, so it feels like an event. The wedding is in Maine (on my bucket list) and it will be fall and lovely. I was thinking this one, this one, or this one?
What I’m looking forward to… Driving up north by myself next weekend! I’m swinging through the Duluth antique shops and grabbing a solo sandwich at Northern Waters.
Reader Question:
What are affordable sources for homey touches? I have no time to thrift.
My Answer:
Homey touches are the result of items curated over time. Consider the hunt a hobby. If you are lacking time to get out and shop in person, do your hunting online.
Here’s how to save time:
Get clear about what you are looking for. Look at your inspiration photos—the ones that are really close to the look you want to achieve—and write down the pictured items you want to find for your own home.
Pop the description of each item into a search bar or do a reverse image search.
Take the information you find (e.g., product make, designer, year) and set up searches on Etsy, eBay, and Chairish.
Use the tools these sites have to your advantage.
Use the search filters: Narrow down your search results by applying filters such as era, style, or materials. This helps you find specific vintage items that match your preferences.
Save your searches: Etsy allows you to save your search queries, so you can easily revisit them later. This saves time and allows you to quickly check for new listings that match your interests.
Follow favorite sellers: If you come across a seller who consistently offers unique items you love, consider following their shop. This way, you'll be notified when they list new products.
Set up saved searches: Similar to Etsy, eBay enables you to save your searches. Set up specific search alerts for the items you're looking for, and eBay will notify you when new listings that match your criteria are posted.
Utilize advanced search options: Take advantage of eBay's advanced search options to refine your results. You can specify item condition (e.g., "used" or "vintage"), price range, and other relevant variables.
Check out auction listings: Keep an eye on auction-style listings, as they can sometimes lead to unique finds at lower prices. Be sure to set a maximum bid limit to avoid overspending.
Explore curated collections: Chairish offers curated collections that highlight unique and one-of-a-kind pieces. Browse through these collections to discover hidden gems without spending too much time searching.
Utilize the "Make an Offer" feature: Some sellers on Chairish allow you to make offers on their listings. If you're short on time, this feature can help you negotiate a price quickly and potentially secure a great deal.
Follow your favorite designers or styles: Similar to Etsy, Chairish allows you to follow specific sellers or styles. By doing so, you'll receive notifications when new items matching your preferences are listed.
Space of the Week
This light-filled home studio, featured in “Rose Uniacke at Work” and in an interview with @tillymacsmith for @wallpapermag.
Image credit: François Halard
I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Love all the dresses! The colors! The red dress is my favorite.