Elva Fields Blog » shopping
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Latest Loves
A few things I'm loving lately:
1. On my wish list for the comfiest and most effortless way to get dressed up: washable silk pants. Like elevated pajamas I might actually be able to wear in public and even to a party, I have my eye on these in a few colors for pairing with a simple sweater, a big necklace (Elva, obviously) and flats.
2. Some mornings I just don't have it in me to wash my face. (Doesn't it count if you did it the night before?) A swipe of this moisturizing and cleansing toner with a cotton pad feels like a very solid substitute, refreshing skin and sometimes snagging the errant bits of makeup the previous night's official wash didn't get.
3. The BEST on a crusty baguette (bonus if it's from Blue Dog!) and no judgment if there is more butter than bread. (Louisville peeps: get yours at Paul's.)
4. I didn't know I needed a wildly-creative re-telling of Cinderella's tale, but this story of the famous princess and her infamous step-mother and sisters restored me in a way I never expected but deeply appreciated. (The audiobook was fantastic!)
5. Count me one of the thousands of fans eagerly awaiting the next installment of The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion (we'll have to wait until late February for number 9, sadly) as I've very quickly become a devoted reader of Beth Brower's clever series. Emma's (mis)adventures in 1880s London are joyful, hilarious, unfortunate, hopeful, and endearing, and we learn of her neighborhood of St. Crispian's, its quirky residents, unique charm, and especially the ongoings in and around Emma's home at the lopsided center of it all, Lapis Lazuli House.
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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. A mysterious woman washes ashore on a remote island near Antarctica and challenges the isolated family who lives there with confronting difficult truths about themselves, one another, and the natural world they strive to protect. I read this captivating book on a very different kind of island over spring break, but was drawn in by vivid descriptions of such a desolate but beautiful place and the unfolding dramas that took place there.
2. Lightweight, fast-drying, and sand-proof, these colorful towels have become a family favorite. Bonus: the drawstring bag in which they are packaged makes for a great carrier of all the sunscreen bottles and balms in the beach or pool bag. (I snagged our towels at my dear friend's boutique - bonus bonus for shopping small!)
3. My latest Instagram black hole is a super fun in-the-streets music game show called Track Star* in which the host (Jack, who seems like the most cheerful dude) asks the interviewee to "name the artist and win 5 bucks." I learn about new music or play along to old favorites as they (I?) try to double their money each round.
4. Circling back around to sunscreen, this has been a staple since I discovered it on a trip to Paris 14 years ago - soaks in, applies smoothly, no irritation or pore-clogging of sensitive skin, and - most importantly - really works. It might be for kids, but I can attest it's a fit for middle-aged women, too.
5. I've followed Morgan Elvington Walker (@bymelving) on Instagram for a few years now, and I find myself continually inspired by her work and - maybe more accurately - her willingness to flow with her own inspirations, trying new techniques and being open to the process and evolution of her own creativity. Her latest work came about after taking a marbling class in Italy, and the resulting collection - though entirely sold out - might be my favorite of hers yet. I can't wait to see what she creates next.
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Right on Time this Holiday Season
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