Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers and mother figures out there!
There is a moment in Carley Fortune’s latest book in which the protagonist decides to do something out of character — something she never would have had the courage to do as her younger, more timid self.
She writes:
“I do it for younger me.”
What are the things we can do for our younger selves?
What are the things we can do for our future selves?
And what are the things we can do for the versions of ourselves we have today?
It’s interesting, because I think the answer to all three is the same: slow down and practice gratitude. How fortunate am I to have what I once dreamed of? How fortunate am I to have this normal day in front of me? How fortunate am I to have my children, only this-young today?
I get to have this day.
But let me dive into specifics. Here are some things I want to do for each version of myself:
+For my younger self: encourage young writers; give back to the people and organizations that started me on this lifelong creative journey; run into the other room and throw my arms around my husband and children; look around my happy albeit slightly messy home and tell myself “you did it, Jen”; express unabashed excitement that I will soon be a published author
+For my present self: get outside; look for the day’s lagniappes; find grace when I make a misstep; let people be wrong about me; approach the day as though everything is upside
+For my future self: move my body daily; stay committed to SPF and skincare and drinking more water and less wine; call my parents; keep writing; let go of grudges; date Mr. Magpie, and seriously; move mountains to be there for my children, both by showing up at school, at events, at performances and by laying with them every night, reading to them and reminding them that they are every good thing
Sunday Shopping.
OKKK so many of you swear by these Brooks Glycerin running shoes! You know I’m a Nike devotee but I ordered a pair after several of you chirped your enthusiastic support for them?! I also treated myself to a new Tracksmith outfit — these striped shorts and this session tee. I am so proud of myself for my consistency with running this season and I decided I needed to celebrate with a new ‘fit. I also just loaded up my cart at Vuori with these, this, and these. (I did a big purge of my summer running gear and I tossed a bunch of really old, ratty shorts, or shorts that I just never liked — too constrictive at the waist, too short, etc.) I think I’m going to “gift” the Vuori pieces to myself if I make it through all of May maintaining my workout commitment!
Meanwhile, how amazing are these monogrammed terry totes and pouches?! What a cute gift for a girls trip to the lake/beach? (Are are these!) Is anyone going to a lake house soon?! I’m so envious!
You’ll also note a couple of Gap items below. All 40% off! All my Gap favorites on sale here.
BROOKS GLYCERIN RUNNING SHOES // BODEN CAFTAN // WOVEN BIRKENSTOCKS // GAP RAINBOW SLOUCHY BAG // GAP CRINKLE GAUZE SHIRT AND PANTS // RMS LIP OIL // MONOGRAMMED TERRY CLOTH BAGS/POUCHES // BIOM MINI WIPES SET // LAKE LIFE FROSTED CUPS
And – I meant to mention this yesterday, but Anthropologie is running a promotion that ends tonight: 20% off orders over $100 with code ANTHRO20. There are so many fun finds for summer there right now! My top picks below.
DAMSON MADDER MINI // BEAD NECKLACE // FARM RIO DRESS // WOVEN CROSSBODY // SARDINE PLATE // SARDINE NAPKINS // GINGHAM MINI // STRIPED ESPADRILLE // JELLY FLATS // CHILI GLASSES
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