What Are You Up To?

We could all use bits of joy or activities to help us appreciate our time at home, whether it's being creative, chilling, or keeping busy. For when we need to take a break from reading the news on our phones and when, for some, we're not stacked with Zoom calls and need a pause from WFH or kids (or both), or you simply want to zone out from what's happening around the world. 

Self-care materializes in different forms for all of us. Here are a few things I find helpful, many of which I'll be doing more of this week (scheduled and impromptu).

If you want to keep your hands and mind preoccupied:

-Jiggy, frame-worthy puzzles, because Where's Waldo is not fun anymore. Or these chic tabletop jigsaw's that are welcome to linger upon completion as decorative motifs - lips or rainbow?

-Bring back your penmanship and let someone know you're thinking about them on Cheree Berry Paper's array of boxed stationery + throw in a pack of pearlescent gel pens. Maybe you're a ROY G BIV kind of person. Write now, mail later. 

If you appreciate joy and beauty:

-Forsyth studio has long sent out their weekend cartoon series, saturday marnin cartoons - it includes swoon-worthy images of design, interiors, art, fashion and quippy quotes to re-post on social, your inspo board, or scroll and sip with your morning cafe - sign up for a weekly weekend delivery to your inbox.  

-Last week, Summersalt launched Joycast - an on-demand text line dedicated to spreading joy, creating connection, and inspiring hope in a new and needed way - Text JOYCAST to 24321 (Msg & data rates may apply. T&C here)

-For floral and travel lovers, Natasja Sodi, founder and creative behind @cakeatelieramsterdam, recently spoke at Saint Louis Art Museum. Try to guess which of her flowers are real and which she hand-crafted from sugar! Continue scrolling through her feed to stroll through the canals of Amsterdam.

-Christina Bryant, founder, and CEO of St. Frank, has been sharing daily outfits of fluttery dresses on her IG stories with the hashtag #goingnowherebutfuckitimgettingdressed. Bonus, for at-home fragrance lovers, St. Frank also just launched a new line of handmade candles this week. 

If you're seeking self-compassion and mental calm: 

-Daily dose of journaling in a recycled leather notebook & my favorite pen. Start by drafting 1-3 things you're grateful for, followed by 1-3 daily self-affirmations; you'll feel the love grow after sharing this on paper. 

-Headspace app is offering free 'Weathering the storm' meditation, mindfulness, sleep, and movement exercises. 

If you want to learn something new: 

-Expand your language skill, complimentary of Duolingo app. Anfangen ist leicht, Beharren eine Kunst.

-Yale is offering its popular 'happiness' course for free via Coursera, titled, "The Science of Well-Being."

If you want to dive into spring cleaning:

-Wrap up sweater season with these easy steps & tools, including the ever satisfying Conair fabric shaver.

-My favorite shoe resource, Jim's Shoe Repair, is temporarily closed in NYC, but in the meantime, Forme shoe stretchers can slide into your heels, sandals, and flats to stretch and shape your favorite pairs while tucked in your closet. 

If you're feeling artsy: 

-Saint Louis Art Museum and Barrett Barrera Projects (email) are both delivering a dose of art.

-The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam is bringing the institutional and creative experience to you with various tours and activities for everyone at home, along with the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. 

-Calm coloring to get lost in Enchanted Forests or Secret Gardens, don't forget the markers.