November
Between the Seams
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.
Routines and Rituals
It’s that time of year again. My busiest season for work. The time when I usually clock on and go full throttle. But this year, I’m feeling a little resistance to the grind.
I want to only sew a little, walk the dogs, make a matcha, read a book, put on a crime show, and write. I don’t want my days to revolve around how much I can sew. Not like the past few years.
Yesterday, I had planned to prep for the weekend ahead. When I’m about to go into a full on “sew mode” I dedicate a day just to prep. (Cutting fabric is my least favorite part…it’s wild how little actual sewing goes into making a garment?) So I’ll usually spend one day cutting out all my pieces, the next day sewing, and then another finishing with buttons and pockets. Another part that feels like such a chore.
But yesterday, I woke up and decided, nope. I needed a long drive instead.
I went to a small town outside of Portland. One I used to visit twice a week when I lived at the Lakehouse, on the way to Astoria. That drive fills my cup in the most delightful, inspiring way: old barns and crumbling buildings, thrift stores with actual thrift store prices (not filled with fastfashion bull).
Along the way, I stopped at my favorite pull-offs by the river so the dogs could run. The leaves are still changing. The forest alive with color, mushrooms hiding around every corner. I forgot how much I need this. Nature isn’t optional for me; it’s a must for me to function as a normal human being. Between thrift stops, I had to touch moss, smell dirt, let the dogs get wet paws.
Now I’m craving the ocean. I need to make a trip to the coast soon, or else. Maybe I’ll book a stay at Sou’wester before December. Visiting there at least three times a year has become its own kind of ritual. Its necessary.
What I’ve been listening to :
I’m in the process of switching from Spotify to Apple Music. Or at least, trying to. I just need to sit down and actually do the damn thing. Spotify lost me with their fucked up ICE ads.
Lately, I’ve been listening to a lot more vinyl anyway. There’s something grounding about flipping a record, hearing the slight crackle, and actually sitting with an album from start to finish.
Records I’ve been spinning on repeat:
Fog Lake — Dragonchaser
Florence + The Machine — How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
Ethel Cain — Preacher’s Daughter
Title Fight — Shed
Currently Reading:
I just finished God of the Woods. I didn’t care for it! Not that it wasn’t good? I just felt like it dragged out, and all the different names were confusing until 2/3rds of the way through it? And, yea I guess the end was a surprise, but it just didn’t grip me the way other books have.
Right now I’m reading a Kristin Hannah paperback. I like to switch it up and have something easy and a little lighthearted to devour in between heavier reads. I loved her book The Great Alone, but this one… not so much. That’s okay though. I’ll see it through.
I’m also slowly making my way through Braiding Sweetgrass as well.
Outfit Inspo:
A deep maroon gel nail color. Denim on denim. Thick beanie. Shifting to more gold rings vs silver. Wool socks. Waterproof Blundstones. Overalls. Grandpa’s wool plaid coat. Retiring the bright red lip, and going for a deep pomegranate.
Products : I made a SHOP section on my link tree to share my favorite lipsticks etc.
What I’m working on :
Middle Makers Meeting on zoom and real life!
🗓 Next In PERSON Gathering: November 22nd 10AM
📍 Where: Moody’s Coffee PDX
💌 Suggested Contribution: $10 @softpawvintage on Venmo. This gives me an idea for headcount & covers the cost of supplies for crafts! if this is not in your budget, shoot me an email.🗓 Next Online Gathering: November 29th 10am PST
📍 Where: Zoom
💌 Sliding Scale: $5–$10 suggested contribution for online sessions to cover zoom cost. Email me if this is not in reach for you and I can add you to the list <3It was suggest to me to sign up for the “Buy me a coffee” App. As someone who shares so much of myself, and struggles to run this small business all by myself, it all adds up and I am grateful. If you don’t want to sign up to become a monthly subscriber on here, you can always buy me a coffee <3 thank you <3
Next restock — 11/14 @ 6pm PST
2/5 of the crowns I needed for my teeth are done! and that has nothing to do with work, but just had to share! Teeth stuff sucks, and I am BRAVE!
Alright, that’s all for now. Take care! If you enjoyed this little newsletter, please consider becoming a paid member or “buy me a matcha” ! <3 OKAY BYE