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.
- Mothers, of course – those wonderful women in my life to whom I aspire to be, and all of the people who acted as “surrogates” to me in the last twenty years. I am well aware it has taken a village to raise me.
- A trip to the grocery store filled with so many awkward encounters I can rest assured I supplied many strangers with several anecdotes about “a clumsy girl on aisle four…”
- An unexpected encounter with an old friend.
- Rain.
- Omelettes and apples.
- Friends who make me smile no matter how many miles separate us.
- Everyone in my family being at home, even if it is just for a few days while my older sister takes her finals.
- An awe-inspiring sky in which the clouds billowed majestically around an enormous hole in the heavens, through which rays of golden afternoon light shone down and illuminated the world with such grace and power I was affected to my core.
- A morning walk around the lake with my mom and sister.
- Seeing one of my greatest role models from high school in the grocery store and catching up in the cheese aisle (while causing quite the traffic jam, I admit. My apologies to any who might have been inconvenienced).
- Technology, for keeping us connected to one another when physical distance makes sharing experiences difficult.
- The first half of the film I Care A Lot, which was inspiring as an actress and utterly enthralling as an audience member, but too intense to watch alone at night (as I attempted to do).
- A night to myself, spent with no other companions but ice cream, quiche, Netflix, and an old favorite book.
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”.
- This charming painting of dancers, which reminds me of the stunning aesthetic of the film Rear Window (as if I needed a greater incentive to further clutter my walls with art, a portion of the proceeds made by this painting will be donated to Covid-19 branch of the charity Save the Children). So many of these prints are simply lovely, such as this depiction of one of the most magical moments for any performer, this perfect illustration reminding us of the importance of representation, this print which I would love to hang through all of June and beyond, and the artistic rendering of this brilliant scene from one of the greatest films of all time.
- I feel the universe is sending me signs that I ought to be living out my days as a country farmer in the south of France, dear Reader, for when I see a dress such as this my heart simply stops.
- The lunch tiffins I imagine would turn any ordinary weekday meal into a picnic by the sea – made by a company registered with the Fair Trade Association (so many of their products are just beautiful – I also love this sweet cake stand and their confetti glasses)
- This handbag which, while matching absolutely nothing in my wardrobe whatsoever, is fabulous.
- How simply glorious is this ensemble? “Perfection” is the only word of which I am aware suitable enough to describe such an enchanting outfit.
- The most lovely beaded pouch which I am longing to tote around all summer long.
- Donald Robertson’s longhorn design that would be perfect as a laptop case or tote bag for the University of Texas at Austin graduate.
- Ruby Granger’s Youtube channel, introduced to me by two of my wonderful friends, which is right up my alley with her English kitchen, fascination with the Victorian and Edwardian eras, and whimsical energy. Every time Ruby opens her mouth she names another of my passions – from tea, to Daphne du Maurier (niece to Sylvia Llewelyn Davies, mother to the boys who inspired Peter Pan) , to A Little Princess… I can not recommend her videos enough.
- Oh, Reader. To live my life in this dress. Such is the epitome of truly great design.
- The most impractical earrings. (And, if you do not want your ears to be adorned by various aquatic animals, perhaps you need a pair or two of bird earrings, or lighthouse regalia, or chilli pepper ornamentation, or trinkets in the shape of champagne bottles [which I admit I initially thought were meant to be bottles of Sriracha, and still am wondering whether I can wear as such].)
- As an avid watcher of the Great British Baking Show, I am eager to support one of my all-time favorite contestants in the launch of her label, Manon and Rose. How sweet is this apron? I would absolutely click “add to cart”, but I am too afraid it would only be ruined in one of my ever-disastrous baking exploits.
- I know not what inspired the smocked-bodice, puffed-sleeve craze, but I will be riding the high long after the styles have phased out. This dress is lovely (although it would appear to have just sold out, I was loathe not to include it in this roundup. Should I notice it come back in stock, I will update this post!), classic and quirky all at once.
Seven-Day Design
A word (or two) of wisdom to guide the upcoming week.
Immortal Echoes
- “The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.” – Dolly Parton
Evanescent Intentions
- This week, I will live with peace.
Allow me to first applaud Mrs. Dolly Parton, Reader. She continues to embody the values we as a society could stand to express with greater regularity and enthusiasm: generosity, love for ourselves and others, silliness, openness, and the pursuit of our dreams. What a wonderful woman. Who could possibly love Jolene when Mrs. Parton is wearing that iconic pink strapless gown, being her charming self?
Reader, you may have noticed I took a many-week hiatus from my writing, and when I returned it was with a so-called love letter to the idea of Release. Perhaps you thought nothing of the fact, or perhaps you sought to read between the lines and decipher what exactly prompted such curious behavior on my part. At any rate, it ought to come as no surprise, dear Reader, that at times I find total transparency and vulnerability to be frightening and rather difficult. The Actress Who Feared the Bearing of Her Soul – a satire play, and also my autobiography. However, in the spirit of seeking growth, as well as total honesty, I will not mince words as I reflect in this moment.
The past few months have been very challenging, Reader. My Freshman year of college was not what I expected it to be, and in many ways, I feel much of the experience was not for what I had hoped or planned. This is not to say that the year was all bad, or even mostly bad – truth be told, there were so many volatile factors that attributed to the sense of difficulty I felt, I am not even sure how to go about processing all that surpassed. I am not even entirely sure how best to move forward, but I do know that I do not want to stay stagnant in one place.
To that end, I will begin the next phase of my journey with peace. I have discussed trying to find balance, presence, and purpose, but I feel I searched in largely vain for those values. Today, I need to return to the basics. I need to be restored and find a place of contentment, and then take that sense and carry it with me as I pursue additional, equally as important but not as foundational, intentions.
All this to say, thank you, Reader. Thank you for your support, thank you for reading my long musings and clicking on links to pretty handbags. Thank you for coming along on my journey, and thank you for being your wonderful self. I appreciate and love you very, very much.
I hope you find a greater sense of peace this week, and every week beyond.
Love,
Lettie Anne