The Catch-Up | Vol 1
What caught my eye, heart, imagination and more this week.
Hello friends! Welcome to the first edition of The Catch-Up, a weekly column I hope you look forward to every Thursday.
Each week, I’ll be writing this as a way to, you guessed it, catch up with you. I’ll be sharing a collection of what caught my eye as I’m always on the hunt for things that add a little extra spark to life. You can expect to find beautiful objects and fashions, thoughtful recommendations, brands with meaningful perspectives, and lighthearted additions to your life. In addition, each volume of The Catch-Up will feature a collection of rotating categories of other items catching my attention… what caught my heart, what caught my interest, what caught my imagination, what caught my kids etc.
My hope is that The Catch-Up will offer up tools and ideas to help us all live a life that’s intentional, vibrant, and uniquely our own. I hope to share so that you can discover things that speak to you and you can run with them and make them your own! I know my blog readers and Instagram followers to be thoughtful women who value quality, tradition, aesthetics, little delights, and personal growth so I’m eager to build that type of community here (I’m excited to dive into the notes and chat features on Substack!). The Catch-Up is meant to be a place that feels like catching up with a girlfriend over a cup of tea or a glass of wine, “Have you read this yet?” “I can’t stop using this!” “This made me think of you.” “Oh my goodness, have you ever tried this?” “You’ll absolutely love this.” It’s time to dive in. I hope you enjoy!
If this post is ever too long for email, simply click through to read it in Substack. Also, if you’d be so kind, would you consider giving this post a heart? It helps me get a solid start out on Substack with the algorithm. Many, many thanks!
what caught my eye
what caught my heart
My heart really continues to be with Los Angeles. We talk to our family and friends there so much about it and it is truly so unimaginable how long the road ahead is for so many people and for the morale of the city. It has made me think and reflect so so much. Something I keep coming back to is the idea of losing things, objects, keepsakes, photographs, memorabilia that can’t be replaced. The idea of grabbing and running has taken on a whole new life in my head. Outside of my children and pets, what would I grab? I’m sentimental to a fault so this question could quite literally haunt me until the end of time. I have items of importance scattered all throughout our house - my boys’ art, special silver pieces, needlepoint pieces by my grandmothers, etc so I’d have to be quick on my feet with those things. However, I’ve decided a really easy way to take action on this is to fill Petite Keep trunks for my boys. I actually have one for Henry that my sister, who is one of his godmothers, gave me/him but I don’t have one for Rowan or Peter. I also need to add to Henry’s and round it out more with things that cannot be replaced. Things I want to take in an instant or an emergency. Things I want to cherish forever. Things I want my boys to have into adulthood. Things I want my boys’ children to have one day to remember their parents by. The legacy of it all.
Filling a Petite Keep trunk for your children (you can also do one for yourself or your wedding or anything really) is just so easy. What to store in it: meaningful keepsakes, handwritten cards from loved ones, generational baptismal gowns, prized preschool artwork, first shoes, milestone cards, hospital bracelets from birth, favorite rattles and bunnies, scanned photos, first locks of hair, birthday newspapers, letter to their future selves, the list goes on. They can be personalized too so it’s just a no brainer. It’s no surprise that a thoughtful mom started the company. Moms think of everything.
what caught my interest
The Charleston Show is around the corner (more here too). If you live in Charleston and aren’t familiar, it is our annual antiques show that features a wonderful collection of dealers from all over who bring antiques (furniture, smalls, etc.), contemporary design pieces, art, and jewelry. This year, it takes place from Friday, March 21st - Sunday, March 23rd. I am on the Young Collectors Committee who is helping put on the Preview Party and a marvelous panel called “Living with Antiques: A Meaningful Practice for Young Collectors.” The Preview Party is a FUN night. It kicks off the show with early night-before access to all The Charleston Show has to offer, benefits the Drayton Hall preservation Trust (the night includes an exhibit featuring some of the most treasured objects from the Drayton Hall collection), and is an all-around great cocktail party that brings out the best crowd. Anyone can come to the party! Tickets are on sale now here. The panel is a new event this year for the Charleston Show, created as a way to capture a younger audience to spread our committee’s love for antiques to anyone else who is interested or maybe even intimidated by antiques. We are breaking down any anxiety around antiques in the talk! It features local talents John Pope, Chelsea Handegan, and Aldous Bertram. Tickets are on sale now here. I hope to see you at both events! I personally can’t wait. It is one of my favorite spring weekends in Charleston!
what caught my imagination
If I read one blog daily, it is Magpie by Jen Shoop. Her writing is incredibly beautiful and resonates with me in so many ways. I always find myself nodding along and thinking “she captured that sentiment exactly right.” So, I was tickled to see her collaboration with the ultra talented artist, Inslee. Their collaboration came together as the most charming set of 6x8 prints giving Jen’s words a tangible way to be present in our daily lives. They would be the most delightful gift for a dear friend, a mother, sister, or for yourself and, as Jen said, can be “a stirring desktop reminder to make love the point.” Shouldn’t love always be the point? I just adore these! They recommend framing them in these acrylic frames.
what caught my kids
I’m so excited about the swimwear collaboration that came out yesterday between Stylest x Cecil & Lou! Are you familiar with the two brands? The easiest way to think about Stylest is that they are the spanx of swimwear. The brand was formed by three former fashion editors, stylists, and buyers and they have created something really special - shapewear body-boosting swimsuits (they have swim bras too!). The most genius idea! Cecil & Lou is one of the most darling lines for littles out there, making the collaboration so cute. The collaboration is so fantastic because Stylest mamas can now match or coordinate poolside with their minis. Just in time for spring break. I got Stylest’s bestselling silhouette, the DreamSculpt Squareneck Tank swimsuit from the collection and got the floral block print swim trunks for my boys! I can’t wait to wear these this spring!
Every day, I want to live a happy life that’s beautiful (even if that means a beautiful mess curated by my three children!), fulfilling, and connected. Let’s make that happen here! Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for reading The Catch-Up! It is my great hope that The Catch-Up will become a cherished little part of your Thursdays. See you next week!
