Reader, welcome to Afternoon Tea! As a self-confessed hopeless romantic and anglophile to the highest degree, it is one of my deepest sorrows that I am not one to regularly partake in the privilege that is afternoon tea. Although I often enjoy a cup of Earl Grey on slow afternoons, my chipped mugs and sliced bananas are poor substitutions for the Spode china and brilliantly colored petit fours that would abound in an authentic ceremony. As such, I invite you to a virtual celebration of the elegant pastime that begs us to appreciate beauty and focus on being present. Here, you will find a somewhat jumbled collection of my revelations, reflections, and that which I relish from the week. So please, brew a warm pot of tea, procure for yourself an array of scones and biscuits, and peruse with me what is lovely in life.
Thanking the Academy
What does it mean to thank the Academy? To do so is to extend a breathless word of overwhelming appreciation to a higher power, to a force second only to the Universe in terms of its ubiquitous and enigmatic presence. As such, here you will find my own earnest appeal to make my gratitude known – a profound and dreamlike thank-you to that manifestation which is omnipresent, alluring, and all-encompassing.
- A scary, wonderful opening weekend of Romeo and Juliet at the Wimberly Players. What a brilliant privilege it is to play the heroine of The Bard’s most tragic love story.
- The kindest, most fun roommates I could have asked for. How I love sharing our little apartment!
- A post-show party at a friend’s (very well decorated) apartment.
- Giggling with a new friend over anything and everything.
- A clean room!
- Meeting BOB. IGER. I still have adrenaline!
- Sleeping at my parent’s house and having a ball spending time with them.
- Beautiful flowers, a gift from my grandmother and grandfather.
- Learning new skills in class.
- My most perfect dog’s tenth birthday!
- Coffee with a lovely, truly admirable new friend.
- Sushi. Always and forever.
These Are a Few of My Favorite Things…
In an unending effort to live just as my icon, Ms. Julie Andrews, below you will find my own weekly compilation of that which brings me just as much joy as “raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens”.
- Reader, let it be known that I am embarrassed to admit how much I love Airhead candies. They seem such a juvenile treat, and so when I discovered these, a socially-acceptable rendition of all my favourite flavours, I nearly died.
- This fabulous dress, a la a modern Jordan Baker.
- How have I never thought to turn on Grey’s Anatomy? Reader, I am so glad I did this past week. The program is addictive.
- Notability. I was sure the app would not live up to the hype, but alas, it is a wildly helpful tool I no longer can live without.
- Another life-altering discovery? The denman brush. I have never been so in love with having curls!
- Maybelline foundation…as contour. This may be the secret to a perfect base!
- A perfect gown for the late-summer golden hour.
Seven-Day Design
A word (or two) of wisdom to guide the upcoming week.
Immortal Echoes
- Every act of rebellion expresses a nostalgia for innocence and an appeal to the essence of being. – Albert Camus
Evanescent Intentions
- This week, I will be unshielded.
Reader, I have felt oddly nostalgic these last few days. I am not sure if it is my current obsession with the Lumineers, or the exhaustion of a show, but I have had a small, gnawing pain in my chest that just will not go away.
I have, of course, attempted in every way I know how to find out the root of such an unexpected feeling. I have revisited and reexamined that which may procure a sense of longing in my heart, and none ring true to what is actually being felt.
My conclusion is not an exciting one, nor is it truly out-of-the-ordinary, as I am prone to such bouts of unrest on occasion. I believe I am nostalgic for Juliet, and all that she is, and all that she represents, and all that I have learned and come to know over the course of being a part of this production. It is a beautiful thing, to love something so much you miss it before it is gone, to feel so fiercely for something it physically pains you. I am fortunate, indeed.
However, when in positions of vulnerability, I have a tendency to engage my brain and ignore my gut, to panic, or shield myself with excessive armor. This I will not do. This week, I am going to embrace and welcome everything, and see how I (and Juliet, this coming weekend) am changed as a result.
It will be frightening, to be sure, and uncomfortable. But this week I will walk unshielded, and relinquish control, and we will see where I end up.
I wish you a wonderful week, precious Reader.
Love,
Lettie Anne