Mood is: -TION
“-TION” AN ENDING WITH VARIABLE BEGINNINGS. WHAT BETTER TO BE THE SUBJECT OF THIS EDITORIAL THAN A SUFFIX INDICATING ACTION AND CHANGE IN A SINGLE VARIABLE. IT IS NOW SEPTEMBER. IT’S BACK TO SCHOOL. IT’S TIME TO PICK OUT A NEW OUTFIT AND DECIDE WHO YOU’RE GOING TO BE FOR THE YEAR! IT IS A TIME OF TRANSITION, AS WELL AS INSPIRATION. HERE, I’LL BEGIN THE RESURRECTION OF MOOD IS:____, AN INDEPENDENT NEWSLETTER OF MUSINGS AND OBJECTS AND THINGS AND PEOPLE AND PLACES AND SUCH THAT INSPIRE ME. WEEK IN AND WEEK OUT, I HOPE YOU FIND JOY IN THE OBJECTS OF MY AFFECTION.
INSPIRATION
Yes, I still use Pinterest. But I am continuously and recently inspired by:
The globally known accounts of @samyoukilis, @olympiamarie, @sarahillenberger, @retrouvius, and @slow_roads.
The large-and-in-charge (and worth it, IMO) Donald Judd Spaces coffee table book.
Cooking from – what we call in my house – “the blue cook book.”
The morning walk I take with my dog.
RENOVATION
My personal home renovations have led me down a path of sourcing wide and deep for good deals and quality products. Some favorites to date:
Matt Alford Studio – where I purchased the “Duet Double Wall Sconce” and installed it with these “Vintage” amber bulbs from my local hardware store.
Another hardware store hack: a turnbuckle, a cotter pin, and some brass nuts and bolts to make your own adjustable drawer pulls. See HOME highlight for the visual makeover of my 1970’s kitchen cabinets.
Tractor Supply. May I just say, the appreciation I have for a place that can sell me Carhartt, a corn broom, a waxed canvas tarp, wood-handled tools, and NOT force a credit check… my hat off to you.
FICTION
This is a stretch, but I needed a book category. Read and liked:
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow – This might be my favorite book, although I think I have loved it more than anyone I have convinced to read it. Except my mom, who recommended it to me.
The Guest – A beach read if there ever was one.
Bird by Bird – Not fiction, but includes fictional stories. Not new, but new to me. Not comedy, nor a book preaching life advice, but one that gave me both.
MOTION
Late this summer I became a person who paddle boards and it has been a recent and joyful meditation.
CREATION
As a person who has defined most of her life around creative experiences and communities, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the art I’ve seen, would like to see, and am inspired to make:
A Particular Kind of Heaven – a Karma gallery group show with a theme and a title and an installation so synchronous you couldn’t find a fault.
I only have five more days to see the ceramic intricacies created by Dominique Ostuni, on view at Dowling Walsh Gallery. I am determined!
This silver door has been on my personal mood board for years. Turning my front door into such an admiration is the next non-essential house project on my list.
MOOD IS: IS AN INDEPENDENT NEWSLETTER CONCEPTED AND WRITTEN BY ELIZABETH MCAVOY. EACH EDITION FEATURES A NEW MOOD.