Some Happy Scribbles
Earlier this week, after discovering an intriguing TikTok trend, I texted Sadie, who at 15, is an expert on all things TikTok:
Me: Do you know what a Coastal Grandmother is? I think I am one.
Sadie: you are not one
Me: Why not?
Sadie: you’re not coastal enough
Me: You can live anywhere and have the vibe. [wink emoji]
Sadie: You don’t have the coastal vibe
Me: How do I get it?
Sadie: more blues and whites
Me: I’m close though, right?
Regardless of Sadie’s opinion and my lack of blue and white attire, I feel quite sure I am a Coastal Grandmother, because according to Lex Nicoleta, the creator of the viral trend:
“…if you love Nancy Meyers movies, coastal vibes, recipes and cooking, Ina Garten, interiors and more, there is a good chance you might be a coastal grandmother…It’s about romanticizing your everyday life and finding beauty in the ordinary moments.”
Facts: I own all of Ina Garten’s cookbooks, my wardrobe overflows with turtlenecks, I have a kitchen garden and two small fluffy black and white dogs; and most evenings I listen to Madeline Peyroux while sipping Sancerre in a beautiful spot, as pictured below.
Just kidding! Most nights I am supervising homework, doing laundry, catching up on emails and making dinner – but I keep the Coastal Grandmother vibe alive by pouring a glass of wine and turning on a jazzy playlist.
One of my all-time favorite things to do in New York City is pretending I am a character in a Nora Ephron or Nancy Meyers movie: strolling through Central Park, meeting a friend (or Jim) to sip a cocktail at the bar of a classic restaurant like Balthazar or Gramercy Tavern; walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, and of course, spending time in a bookstore…
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I feel slightly ashamed of my yearnings and therefore keep them secret, so it feels validating to know that other people (LOTS of other people!) want the same things – that I’m not weird and alone!
Most of all, I find great happiness in celebrating the small, easy-to-miss details of life, and I especially enjoy sharing them here.
Read on for some more things that made me happy this week. Thank you for reading, and I hope these scribbles bring joy to you, too!
Amelia
Bomb Sheltering and Dreaming of Dinner
This week, to my surprise, two hardcover books arrived in the mail. I had apparently ordered and forgotten about them, which is a scarily regular occurrence I am choosing not to dwell on, for the sake of staying happy!
One was Bomb Shelter by Mary Laura Philpott. If you haven’t heard of her, I recommend you start with her first book of essays, I Miss You When I Blink, which is beautiful, hilarious, and heartbreaking all at the same time.
The other was I Dream of Dinner (so You Don’t Have To) by Ali Slagle.
I love a wittily written cookbook, and I especially love one that takes into account the obstacles and realities of the home cook’s life.
I am forever avoiding the chore of going to the grocery store, and there are many occasions when I don’t feel like cooking; so the recipe index (see below) at the back of the book is perfect for me!
Watch Out Pamela Anderson!
On Saturday night, Sadie, Jim, and I watched several episodes of Baywatch, because, drum roll please… Sadie is going to work as a Lifeguard at a local pool this summer!
We are thrilled that she will be gainfully employed and I am hoping Sadie gets as much out of her “real” first job (apparently the babysitting she’s been doing for years doesn’t count) as I did.
I started working on weekends in a fancy chocolate and gift shop when I was 14, and I still can’t believe I got so lucky. The owner and my co-workers were all young, stylish, and kind, and I spent my days taste-testing and packaging chocolates, wrapping gifts in crisp white paper, and ringing things up on the pre-digital cash register, which made that satisfying ding when the drawer opened and closed!
I learned the importance of showing up on time, working hard, putting the customer first, owning up to my mistakes, how to deal with boredom, and of course, how to budget my wages. I can’t wait to watch Sadie take this step toward independence, and to see what she discovers about herself and other people.
In other news, I was proud to find I could still sing along to the Baywatch theme song (see the music video below - you’re welcome!) and had completely forgotten how handsome David Hasselhoff was! No wonder my friend Jack had a crush on him…
Cashmere, Wallpaper & Scandal
This week I’ve been watching Anatomy of a Scandal, and while I cannot vouch for it as intelligent, high-quality television, it is fun to watch with a glass of wine after dinner.
The show has The Undoing vibes, which makes sense because it’s made by the same people - it’s essentially a British version, with a slightly different storyline, starring Sienna Miller instead of Nicole Kidman and Rupert Friend instead of Hugh Grant.
I enjoyed listening to the upper crust British accents while admiring Sienna Miller’s cashmere turtlenecks and jewel-colored collarless coats; while fantasizing about living in her gorgeous London townhouse with numerous wallpaper patterns, and fires cozily burning in every room!
Have a wonderful weekend, from me and the ultimate Coastal Grandmother, Diane Keaton!
