no. 4: moxie, ceramics, vaseline
Hey, thanks for all of the really nice feedback about my last newsletter which featured a short, three-question interview with Angela Garbacz from Goldenrod Pastries. It’s part of a new series I am doing, bringing interesting guests into the newsletter. The next edition will feature another interview that I admire very much, so that’s something to look forward to.
About a month before All This Happened, I was at Johnny’s Cafe (the real one, not the chain) with Angela, and with our friends Sarah (who I owned the boutique with) and Rebecca (who does all of our hair). While we were all talking, I pulled a Vaseline All-Over Body Balm stick out of my bag, because I use this thing as chapstick and as lotion for the back of my hands, etc. But the size of this thing caused a distraction in the conversation. It looks like a regular chapstick, but about three times the size, and I got some teasing about it. Fast forward to today, Rebecca texted me a picture of herself holding five Vaseline Sticks. Angela said she ordered 9 of them and said she’d rather run out of toilet paper than this. So I wanted to pass that on to you in case you’re looking for a $5.99 impulse buy to add to your curbside pickup. It’s at Target, CVS, pharmacies, etc. At Target you can find it with the lotion.
Finally, I want to encourage you to attend an (online) event on Thursday this week: Moxie at Home, which benefits our regional Planned Parenthood chapter. The event will feature performances by Tim Kasher, Andrew Bailie, Aly Peeler, Ogikubo Station, Jonathan Friedman, Jake Bellows, Cameron Logsdon and Laura Burhenn. Moxie is normally my favorite fundraiser event of the year. It will look a little different in 2020, but the mission remains the same: to ensure that essential sexual health care and education are available to every person, no matter who, no matter what. There will never be a season where we can afford to stay silent about the need for the high-quality health care, sexual health educational programs, family planning counseling, and advocacy efforts that Planned Parenthood is on the forefront of providing, especially in red states like Nebraska.
I remove the labels of products if they’re ugly… but this is The Vaseline
Things I’m so glad I bought
This week I bought three vases and some earrings from Earthenjoy ceramics, based in Omaha and started by Joy O’Conner. There is a group called Handmade Omaha that typically has a Spring Show for local handmade artists, and this year’s was canceled of course. So instead they put together a virtual show which was very smart.
You know how once a month or so (because it takes so long to do) you go through all of the personal self-care stuff? I realized that I forgot about exfoliating for about four months and I am not too good to tell you that…it turns out I had quite a bit of exfoliation to do. If you are into this stuff or are curious, buy a pack of these things called Italy Towels, sit in the tub while you read a book, and then go to town after you spend some time soaking. It's a level of clean you have never felt. I don't care if you're already into body scrubs or washcloths or whatever you think you're doing for yourself—Italy Towels are another level. You can get them for $5.99 on Amazon here—I am not sure where they are for sale locally, and that shows my ignorance.
chubb vessels at EARTHENjoy.com
What I’m reading
The no-bid contract that the state of Nebraska entered into for TestNebraska because I have concerns that the private company we contracted with will aggregate the data and sell it…
The Diaries of Franz Kafka. I last read this in 2015 and forgot that sometime since then, I pressed flowers in the pages. I will probably read this book five more times in my life.
What I’m wearing at home
Muji is an under-appreciated source for simple linen shirts and tees. I have a few 100% linen sweaters that have had a great cost-per-wear return. Put-together, effortless.
My friend Deena went on a trip to Florida a few years ago and came back with a pair of taupe pleated silk chiffon pants for me. Elastic waist, drawstring, unhemmed. I had to cut about a foot of fabric off because I am very short. And they look perfect with linen.
Velvet scruchies. The fabric keeps my hair from slipping. I think I’m going to let it keep growing, btw…
kiln-fired earrings from EARTHENjoy
More to come. If you know someone who would like this in their inbox, forward it to them and tell your friends to subscribe. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter, too. Stay home, and stay safe!
Meg