Standing on Mars.

This morning, republishing an essay on the other-worldly experience of falling head over heels in love with someone. I have been re-working this essay quite a bit over the past few months, trying to capture the specific spacewalk I experienced after I met Landon all those years ago. My feet would be walking the familiar path to my dorm while my head was somewhere between dust devils and cirrus clouds. Below, version 2.0 of the essay: better-burnished. (And, I can’t help but add, releasing version 2.0 of anything is a welcome inconvenience: proof of obsession, proof of determination. In this case, proof of love.)

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Here is his hand in mine, 

Here are his eyes on me — 

Here, too, the din of the football stadium muffled, a featureless kaleidoscope of orange and blue,

But I am 143 million miles away.

I was wearing the colors, too, but there were girls beside me who understood the third downs and penalties and threw their hands up in dismay at bad calls, their cheeks pink with outrage, the orange ribbons in their hair signifying spirit I only borrowed for the purpose of finding him.  Because I had known I would find him that still-warm fall day, can remember looking for him, full of sibylline sense and swoon.  In a stadium of thousands, the odds were stacked against us, but still, I’d craned my neck. 

And then he was there, other-worldly and sun-crowned, by the exit onto Alderman and Whitehead, and he turned twice, the second time in recognition. 

Then: the shortest Hyperion greeting, a half-hug, half-hand-grab, and his friends were paces ahead of him, wandering into the fracas, and he offered something to me over his shoulder — have a good first semester!, maybe, the brim of his hat low over his hazel eyes, but there was his hand in mine, as though blotting out the sun.

After, my companions were talking about some yard line or the muddy grass beneath their sandals, and I was wandering extraterrestrial, on a dizzy course past the high noon.  I think of that, often, the way someone might have just heard terrific news, or enjoyed some private windfall, or fallen in love, and she’s orbiting several million private parsecs away, and you’re making a comment about the sod.  The way you can be standing next to someone on Mars, and not know it.

Post-Scripts.

+Remember when we took our time?

+When Landon visited me in Lyon.

+Beloved.

+More on falling in love at UVA.

Shopping Break.

+Obsessed with this novelty sweater. So cute thrown over a gingham dress or paired with a striped tank and white jeans. See below for styling inspo.

+Hill House is launching a Farmer’s Market inspired capsule collection today at 9 a.m. EST. I need more HHH like a hole in my head but I have to say, this little capsule has captured my imagination, especially in the wake of my “soft girl summer” intention. They have a Margot in the most perfect pattern ever (see a preview here in case you’re reading this before it goes live) but I’m really going to try to snag the Tessa suit in the same pattern (preview here).

+A perfect cleanser if you like something with a little exfoliation but need it to be soft / gentle. Has a great creamy but gritty texture that leaves your skin feeling so soft and refreshed. If you want something very gentle (no exfoliation), I love this one from The Outset.

+A great new arrival from J. Crew. Also love these mesh espadrilles. They remind me of the ones from Loeffler.

+Fun new mesh espadrilles over at TB!!

+Inexpensive rash guards for toddlers in great solid colors, plus $20 swim trunks for boys in great patterns. Also impressed with the kids’ swim at Quince. These are a lot like Minnow and I like the color options, and my daughter is obsessed with this tankini ($19 and really cute patterns!). These ruffled one-pieces are also darling.

+Apparently this eye cream had a 3,000 person waitlist? Very intrigued.

+Ordered one of these bras after several Magpies reported liking it! Also picked up one of these!

+Jenni Kayne does it again — this dress is so incredibly chic in either (both) colors. I also love these suede slides — like elevated Birks.

+You can get the look for less on those sandals with these.

+These 6-oz juice glasses are my absolute favorite for drinking everything from juice to wine. We call them “stubs” in our house. Ha! For water, we love these cooler glasses (in the taller height) from CB2.

+My new obsession: these summer terry slippers I keep by my bed.

+Some chaises I love: these ($300!) and these.

+Byrdie Golf just released a bunch of cute things: this athletic dress, these gingham heels!

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