What To Say?

Sale PSA: The Longchamp Le Pliage Club tote, now 40% off (have you ever seen them this cheap? Here are the more neutral colors, but it’s only 25% off), a sexy sheath dress from Reformation (yes, I don’t know where we’ll wear this right now, but still), now 40% off, and simple espadrilles from Steven, now $78.

Also – for anyone looking for lounge (or any) gear – the entire Everlane site is 25% off right now.

What a crazy time, when the days feel both horrific and banal. I feel thankful to be healthy and frustrated to be stuck at home cooking and cleaning and child minding and working in between and late at night and what a stupid thing to complain about because if I were in the hospital I’m sure this would seem wonderful. And it’s a pitiful complaint compared to all the front line workers, medical professionals, grocery store workers, going out and doing their jobs each day. Thought about editing out this entire complaint but decided to leave it in because I’m sure many of you are dealing with similar frustrations. And it is OK! We are connected, we can get through this together. To that end, all I can do is try to maintain a balance of normalcy and CRAZY – I’m updating you all again on some little aspects of my life, and please tell me how you are doing!! I want to know!

First:

Shopping: I’ve been shopping a little less, but actually made some orders at some smaller businesses I want to support, including a few local bookstores. Note that Amazon isn’t even shipping a lot of books right now – are prioritizing “essential” orders. My local bookshop, Books Inc, is offering free shipping with no minimum, are so are a lot of other independent booksellers. Check yours!

Weather is getting a little warmer so I also bought two of these Uniqlo sets, so I can continue to lounge for the next month (at the very least…). Other favorites are these Gap modal joggers for $20, and I was thinking of wearing a nice chic pair of linen pants instead but they reminded me too much about nice days walking outside so I gave up. Maybe once warmer weather comes. To that end…

Food: I don’t think I’ve ever cooked so much in my life! Like many of you, I’m both struggling and getting better at it. For some reason I spend a LOT of my day thinking about food. All the usual suspects: ramen, sushi, but I also think a lot about PIZZA. We’ve been getting lots of takeaway pizza. And pho. Oh gosh, do I miss having pho at a restaurant.

For outings, we go once a week for groceries – usually my husband, sometimes me, and we are lucky that the other can stay home so kids don’t have to go. On that note…

Kids: Our preschool went to a reduced tuition model in exchange for about an hour a day of Zoom classes. I like seeing all my kid’s friends and hearing the teachers, but I will say it’s not a free hour for me to work, which I originally thought it’d be (ah, ignorance!). Instead I’m helping with art classes, settling fights between my two, etc. By the way, I’m hearing stories all over the map on preschools, and how they are charging tuition or not during this period. What are yours doing (if applicable)?

Also, I have bought all sorts of toys and books for the kids during this period but my most successful purchase BY FAR has been this trampoline. They are bouncing every afternoon and it gets out energy (which means better sleep). Worth every dollar.

Reading: Some new books, and also re-reading some favorites. Will be posting some favorites when I get time but honestly I have very little time these days I feel….am always doing something, something to clean, something to do. Wish I was bored but also understand that it is its own torture under these circumstances.

To that end – running off. How are you doing?

PS – also sharing this wonderful post, written by a reader, a love letter she wrote to all the medical professionals out there. If any of you are out there on the front lines – thank you so much!