May - Between the Seams

Everything is alive

Hello friends, and welcome to Between the Seams, where creativity, routine, and self-care intersect. This newsletter is where I share the inspiration, musings, and insights that keep me going. Inside, you’ll find a mix of book recommendations, rituals, vision boards, playlists, and even a little sustainable fashion inspo.

At the beach in my ARQ undies — my favorite underwear and bra brand, because I forgot one of my many Youswims — I still have a code for them : TAYLORRANDAL10

Routines and Rituals

I haven’t been going to the gym. But honestly, that’s okay. I’ve been camping, finding beautiful waterfalls, taking long walks with the boys, admiring the roses and flowers, and also knitting on the beach. It feels harder to justify working out indoors when Portland is warm and everything is alive again.

I also just realized I’ve been wearing Lululemons to the gym this whole time, and then I saw a reel explaining how sweating in synthetic fabrics can absorb plastics into your body… which unfortunately makes enough sense to send me spiraling. So I ordered a bunch of workout clothes from Mate the Label after reading most of their stuff is primarily cotton. Now ya know. It’s silly, but I do think once the new outfits arrive, I’ll feel inspired to get back into a routine.

People ask me all the time, “Wait, where is this spot?” whenever I post rivers, camping spots, or beaches. And I’m not trying to gatekeep, but honestly… just go outside. Go for a drive. Find some BLM land, dirt roads without “No Trespassing” signs, or random pull-offs near a river. Open Google Maps, switch to satellite mode, and start wandering around. I know there are apps now that share locations and hidden spots, but I still prefer the old-fashioned method: fuck around and find out.

What’s I’ve been listening to:

Ora Cogan’s new album has been on repeat for me lately. I bought it on vinyl at her show, which made it feel even more special somehow. I love seeing a band live and hearing the songs come alive in front of your little ears. I’d listened to the album a few times beforehand, but hearing it live completely shifted it for me. I love when that happens — when a performance unlocks something in the music you didn’t hear before. She rips on the violin.

a blurry 35mm film photo of Ora Cogan at Mississippi Studios

I’ve also been super into Babehoven lately, and they’re coming to Portland this month, so maybe I’ll go see them too. I’ve been craving more live music

Outfit Inspo:

I accidentally cut my bangs too short. SO might be rocking hats for awhile until they grow out. Whatever, it’s just hair and I guess micro bangs ARE A THING.

Current staples:

• I’m a sucker for overalls, and right now it’s not too hot so I can wear my carhartt ones

• I ripped my gel nails off by hand (and mouth), so my nails are RUFF but I want to do cherry red next time. I just havent had time to make an appointment. Getting your nails done is not actually relaxing and can just be another thing on an ever growing to-do list : ) but it’s worth it looks wise.

• my gardenheir clogs

• Mixing metals by incorporating gold rings in with my silver. My all time favorite jewelry maker is Mountainside Made

• I am bringing back my classic cherry red lipstick vs the darker pomegranate shade. You can find both on either my — link tree and I also have a SHOPMY now! which I share my favorite sunglasses and outfits on.

• The Mary Jane shoe’s I wear are also on my shopmy!

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I’ve been cleaning up my back yard so I can host a cute picnic bbq party for my girls. All the dogs. Candle lit when it gets dark. Cute tablecloths. Mixed matches wine glasses. I bought string lights and in talks on market place for a picnic table. I am not doing a garden this year because my waterfall last summer was over $300 and for what? a fuck ton of cherry tomatoes and some stubby carrots? I think I will wait until I get my own property one day and can do rain barrels or whatever!

What I’m Working On

The next Middle Makers IRL meetup is officially moving to Honey Latte Cafe! It feels like a much better fit for the coffee and matcha lovers among us, especially since the café closed at the last location. I’m still working out dates for June and July, but I’ll share them soon.

If you would like direct updated about my Middle Makers meeting, you can join the email list on my website, under MEETINGS : )

I’ve also been thinking about starting a Wednesday night Middle Makers meetup once a month for the folks who can never make the Saturday hangs. I know weekends don’t work for everyone, so it could be nice to have a weekday option too.

I’ve also been sewing a quilt that I genuinely think might break the internet. It’s become one of those projects I can’t stop thinking about — all I want to do is work on it. I honestly don’t even know if or how I’d sell it at this point because I’ve already put so many hours into it, and there’s still so much left to do. I’m planning to dye it with tea bags, which hopefully turns out the way I’m imagining in my head. I can’t wait to share it.

If becoming a monthly subscriber here isn’t your thing, you can always buy me a coffee instead 🤍 Thank you, always.

Take care. OKAY BYE.