I love researching and recommending products.
One of my favorite jobs I’ve ever had was sourcing (and styling) products for the Food52 shop. I’m 100% a maximizer for product research. I love digging deep into the landscape of a type of product, learning everything about it, and then making an informed recommendation on which one is THE ONE. This works in my favor for the most part, but it also means this can turn into “productive procrastination” if I’m not careful. I’m your girl if you need to know what necklace to gift your girlfriend for her birthday, or you want to know what duffle bag is the highest quality you can get for under $400. I wrote up a laundry list of gear for first time moms, it’s long.
Traveling brings out the best in me.
I’ve spent a lot of time traveling. In fact, I used to be a travel writer. The magic for me in travel is the part where it brings out the chillest version of myself. When I’m on the road I act with more trust, I feel more relaxed, and most of all, when I travel I find the highest percentages of serendipity.
I love being a mom.
Being a mom is everything I thought it would be, and more. I find my kids to be on the whole, fairly delightful. Seeing the world through their fresh eyes has brought more joy into my life than anticipated. Another unexpected side-effect of being a mom is that it sharpened my sense of time, and made it much easier to prioritize the goals in my life. I’m most interested in raising resilient kids who always want to come home. I think a lot about creating family traditions and instilling grounding rituals in our lives. I write each of my kids a letter on their birthday, inspired by the letters my father has written me over the years.
A reframe can change your life.
Things happen. That’s always true. But the interesting part is how you frame those things that happen. Are they happening for you or to you? I collect phrases and perennial questions that help frame events in my life and help me to move forward in a meaningful way. Here’s a few:
If you were the star of a movie, what would the audience be rooting for you to do?
If you were the best in the world at what you do, what would you do?
If not now, when? If not you, who?
Nothing changes if nothing changes
You can’t put the toothpaste back in the tube
Don’t go to the hardware store for milk.
Don’t talk about it, be about it.
The best compliment I’ve ever received was that I have fun wherever I go.
This is the thing I want to be true about myself. Sometimes it’s not true - but I hold on to this complement and use it as a north star. One of the phrases I use to push myself into this mode is “be the host” of wherever I am.
Want to know what I’m currently working on? Check out my Now page.
Want to know what I’m always working on? Read about my article detailing my 12 Favorite Problems (that I will never solve).
If you’d like to see my credentials and listen to some people sing my praises, check out my Resume + References.
