Elva Fields Blog » latest loves
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Latest Loves
A few things I'm loving lately:
1. Both books on this list tell a heartwarming story of family - created and connected (even if they had no idea at first) by blood, mistakes, secrets, shame, sadness, and - ultimately - love. With a deeply lovable (though frequent poor-choice-making) main character in this gem of a book (or audiobook, as I listened to it) you'll be rooting for this family as they make their way across the country on what you know is a fool's errand of a road trip.
2. One of my favorite writers, Kevin Wilson has crafted yet another quirky, laugh-out-loud tale of family and connection, and - in addition to the learn-to-love-them-along-the-way family members - a PT Cruiser is almost a main character itself. Until it's replaced by a Chevy HHR.
3. Our gift to you with any purchase of $150 or more this month, we made our Lucky Charms totes by hand with the help of some iron-on designs. Enough for many projects to come, I cut the various lucky shapes out by hand from a roll of golden-hued vinyl sheeting that I then affixed to the fabric with the swipe of a hot iron. T-shirts or sweatshirts might be next!
4. One of my teenagers (read: the age largely unimpressed by most things) proclaimed this was one of the top three meals I had ever made for her. (And I feel like I've made a lot of meals for her and her sister.) Easy, quick, and delicious - I'm liking and making A LOT of Pinch of Yum's recipes lately.
5. I know I've shared about gardenias before, but this one I grew myself from a small potted plant I snagged at Trader Joe's two or three years ago. (They sometimes offer them around Mother's Day, so look for them mid-late April!) I've been curious about how to keep these blooms healthy since three appeared just in the last few weeks, and I'll be doing my best with these tips to keep my thumb (and this plant) green.
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Latest Loves
A few things I'm loving lately:
1. I crafted our latest Spotify Playlist after a gals trip to West Texas with my college girlfriends, inspired by the beautiful landscape, country music playing on our evening ranch rides, and some of my favorite Texas artists.
2. Both book picks this month feature a main character I'd like to be a little more like - and this tremendously-beautiful gem of a story introduced me to a small southern town called Golden and its handful of residents who are all touched by the love, intentionality, wisdom, presence, and kindness of mysterious Theo. I am FLOORED this incredible book was originally self-published and almost never came to be at all.
3. A story told entirely in letters, this unexpected novel made me want to buy a beautiful set of stationery and set aside time each day to hand-write a note or two. After all, we never know what a difference our words might make - in ourselves and others.
4. I couldn't wait to gift these cute crustaceans to my favorite little ladies as a tiny and fun reminder that they are loved and supported. The delight was immediate. (And the customer service impeccable - when my original order was lost in transit, they immediately replaced them!)
5. A dear friend sent this to me as a gift a few years ago, and it was the morning appliance I didn't know I needed. I love its sleek look and fast heating to the temperature of my choice (and even the timing of my preference.) And even though I'm not crafting pour-over coffee every morning, I still love the kettle's stylish spout.
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Latest Loves
A few things I'm loving lately:
1. Our latest Spotify playlist is inspired by the handful of live shows we've had the joy of attending in the last month or so, including the Indigo Girls, Tyler Childers, and The Head and the Heart. (And there are a few new-to-us favorites mixed in, too.)
2. I'm nearly halfway through a year of The Flower Letters, one of the most unique and fun gifts I've ever been given. Every couple of weeks, I receive a letter and accompanying printed materials in the mail that reveal a bit more of a charming love story that unfolds throughout the course of 24 letters. It's a joy to receive mail (that isn't a bill!) to slowly absorb a playful narrative, and to learn more about a particular time and place - in this case, Regency England.
3. Roomy, just the right amount of warmth for these early autumn temps, and a very reasonable price for classic style, this is my favorite find for fall so far.
4. Between its balance of bitter and tang, its beautiful color, and its alcohol-free appeal, I find myself often re-stocking the Phony Negroni for weeknight sipping.
5. Sally Mann and I both attended Hollins College (now University) in Roanoke, Virginia, (though years apart) and I studied her photography as an Art History major there, admiring her incredible, engaging work displayed on the walls of our small art gallery outside the art lecture hall. Though I'd been given her memoir Hold Still years ago, I didn't pick it up until late this summer, and the timing was fortuitous: her follow-up book, Art Work: On the Creative Life, was published just last month. The stories she tells about her family of origin, her children, her husband's family, and her path as a thoughtful, curious, searching artist reminded me - among many other things - that some artists are given many gifts and talents; that the artistic pursuit can infuse so many facets of our lives. Sally Mann is a remarkable photographer AND a spectacular writer. A storyteller in all craft, and I can't wait to read her next musings.
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Latest Loves
A few things I'm loving lately:
1. Though my fingers are crossed I won't be needing to wear it much longer this year (we're ready for you, Spring!) I've been staying warm in my new winter coat from Costco. Lightweight and just roomy enough for heavy sweaters and extra layers, it was less than $20.
2. Perpetually late to the party, I didn't catch on to this beautiful gem of a show until its third season, but I am a quick and total convert. Healing, hope, humor, authentic portrayals of the awkward, figuring-it-out-ness of adulthood, the joys and struggles of real and intimate friendships - this is truly one of the most wonderful shows created.
3. Mind-blowing and expanding in the very best of ways, this podcast offers a beautiful and profound perspective on how much we can learn about our world and beyond from a population often deemed incapable of communicating: non-speakers with autism.
4. The latest Spotify playlist from Elva Fields includes some old favorites from my college years (thanks to a recent reunion 25 years after our graduation!) and some new songs I've only recently discovered. The Samples take me back to a summer spent in Colorado in the late 90s and Freddy Jones Band is straight from nearly every weekend road trip we took to see the boys "up the road" from Hollins, while the Lucy Dacus song is a new find from my local public radio station - so much love for 91.9 WFPK. Enjoy!
5. Lest you think the reunion weekend was a wild party, I will share that there was needlepointing, pickleball, soup and sourdough making, and an endless game of Rummikub on the coffee table. I'd never played, and now I can't get enough. (Thanks to my thoughtful mom for my new set!)
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Latest Loves
A few things I'm loving lately:
1. New music from local favorite Ben Sollee, new-to-me awesomeness from a Scottish band that formed in the 90s, a hint of 90s country, and even some RHCP after catching them live this summer with my favorite 15-year-old - just a few of the gems on our latest Spotify playlist to close out summer and get you prepped for fall fun. (Playlist image courtesy of the incredible carpet at The Graduate Hotel in Nashville.)
2. Thanks to my new pal Perry, my skin is Sahara-like and needing a new, more moisturizing makeup option. I'm trying out the Miracle Balm from Bobbi Brown's venture Jones Road Beauty and digging it so far. (And word on the street is that the sold-separately brush is essential for application, so I snagged that, too.)
3. Joyfully washing my hands because of this spectacular soap scent and now coveting the spray cleaner, too.
4. I'm not a baker, so you know a recipe is easy when I'm willing to take it on AND produce delicious results. I gave this cookbook to my favorite 13-year-old who LOVES to create in the kitchen, and I tried my hand at these addictive treats that combine sweet and savory in an unexpected, delicious way.
5. Though I'm not yet finished with this book, I am thoroughly enjoying the vibrant and hilarious women in this book as they bond over business loans, complicated marriages, and even murder in their small Indian village.