· By Tarleton Walmsley
Maybe it's a book, perhaps it's a tv show or a favorite song. It could be an activity, a special product we carry at the shop, or even a state of mind. Whatever it is, we're digging it in the garden this month:)
1. Alexandra Auder grew up in the Chelsea Hotel with her mother Viva Superstar and little sister Gaby Hoffman. Don't Call Me Home is a must-read if you're into: the complexities of mother/daughter relationships, the Chelsea Hotel, tidbits of celebrity gossip, 80s-era New York, feminist art history, and pop culture references. Although the dynamics of living with an eccentric figure like Viva abound, there are also plenty of delightful remembrances of an era of New York's history that I've always found fascinating. I was especially delighted to read about Cindy Sherman as a stepmom to Alexandra and Gaby.
2. Season 2 of The Bear is out, and thanks to the end of the second episode I've got R.E.M.'s "Strange Currencies" on repeat. I've listened to it a thousand times in a row and I simply can't stop listening. I only lived in Atlanta from 2002-2009, but in that time even I learned the gospel of R.E.M., whose start began in nearby Athens in the 80s. Listening to R.E.M. can feel like a haunting of sorts, reminding me of my younger days. But sometimes it feels comforting to settle into the sound of something nostalgic for a bit. I'm not ashamed to say I love all the hits--the beginning of "Man On the Moon" feels so sweet and even the reminder that "Everybody Hurts" can be somehow uplifting.
3. I don't talk a lot about what it's like being a Bonus Mom, especially now that Finn is in his teen years. I suppose I want to be respectful of his privacy, and his interests and mine don't always align. But as the self-imposed Art Director of our family, I feel a responsibility to share arts, culture, and good ole retail therapy with my stepson as often as I can. I especially love introducing Finn to small businesses in town that I love, so this past Monday we went to Baby Bull for the Monday burger special, and afterward got coffee and flowers at Pollen. I have maybe an hour of time before he's ready to get back to video games and texting friends, but the time we share bonding over good food and a fresh flower bar is worth every minute that it lasts.
4. Edie Parker's Tabletop Grinder is perhaps my favorite thing in the shop right now. I love the bold colorblocking, which reminds me of late 60s mod furniture. Plus the functionality is a chef's kiss, grinding whatever herbs you choose ;) Its fun design means it can hide in plain sight amongst my collection of studio pottery without revealing its real use.
