There’s a quiet kind of burnout that hits when you’ve spent a year on red-eyes and hotel bathrooms. Not dramatic — just a slow dimming. I’ve been in it. Eight years buying beauty in New York, Paris, and Seoul taught me to see through the marketing. It did not teach me to slow down.
I’m the kind of person who lives out of a carry-on. So when I say something is a favorite now, it earned its spot. This is a new little series from me — the small, true things making this season brighter. From the silly to the important. Ten happy little sparks, straight from my life.
1. A family weekend that did its job
Nothing refills me faster than a weekend with my kids. We piled into my son’s house, ordered takeout, and I scrubbed what I could in the slow moments. I’m at the age where I want to feel useful when I visit — no hovering, just helping. We tailgated too, and met a few new sweet faces. Everyone’s adjusting; college is a big shift, and we’re learning to step back from coach to consultant in our own parenting. One day at a time. That works for us, and I think it works for the kids.
2. Homemade bread for fall
Everyone’s obsessed with sourdough. Mine’s not — it’s a simpler, softer loaf, and it’s my favorite thing to bake when the weather turns. We have a cinnamon version too, good enough to trade at Dollywood if you know a fan. It’s the little things, right? Plus, it makes an unbeatable addition to a college care package.
3. Jeans I’m not trading in
I don’t splurge often. When I do, it has to be a staple that outlasts the trend. These jeans are it. I’m 5’4″ and got the petite size so I don’t have to wear them exclusively with heels — a small mercy on my feet. They’re the kind of piece I’ll be reaching for years from now. (Jackets to pair with them: I’m testing a few this month.)
4. My new bed
Not gonna lie — it’s the best, especially after summer’s chaos. Forget the aesthetics (they’re great, sure). The real win: it doesn’t budge, squeak, or bounce you into the air like those water trampolines at the lake. If your partner sleeps like a perpetual alligator on spin cycle, this one is for you. We’ve been through many beds in our 24 years of marriage, and when we moved this spring, we decided it was time for something different. No regrets. I’m not sure I’ll ever part with it.
5. A slow Saturday: paint plus an audiobook
My favorite way to spend a slow Saturday morning, and I’m setting some aside tomorrow for a project I’ve been working on for a special client. Have you noticed the great debate about audiobooks versus physical copies? I’m not sure why it’s a debate. Audiobooks are the only way I find time to actually finish a book these days. If you can hold a coherent discussion about a book you’ve listened to… you read it. The end. My latest listening list is on my site, along with my tips for painting.
6. Farmhouse Fresh facial and body mousse
Organics with a good cause. The facial mousse is my little pick-me-up — a wash of glow with advanced peptides doing quiet work underneath. The body mousse, their Moon Dip, smells so good I’ve been known to skip a full routine for it. Treat yourself. (I keep the travel-size tubes in my carry-on for red-eyes — they don’t leak, which is the only rule that matters up there.)
7. Readers that don’t look like readers
I had LASIK years ago — an entire fiasco in itself. But time caught up with me, and now I wear readers occasionally. I’m grateful for these, because well… I’m old and my eyes hurt. But these are pretty cute. (I own a second pair I also love. I don’t do selfies, just like I don’t do TikTok dances — but here we are.)
8. Antiquing with a treat
Sometimes I get so caught up in work that I forget the little things that actually inspire me. A morning of browsing old shops with a treat in hand is the best thing you can do for yourself — with a side of fresh air. Also: we’ve been dating more lately. Turns out actually setting aside time for your bestie is kind of nice. Turns out we’re still pretty into each other.
9. Sketchbook and pens
Color-coded pens to keep up with my life? Yes, please. Simple, unlined paper? Also yes. My travel notes, product ideas, and to-buy lists all start here before anything gets written anywhere else. Again — it’s the little things.
10. Chonky necklaces
I had to replace my small collection when my daughter took all of mine with her to college. These easy Amazon finds add a little happy to my day — tortoise, multi-colored, and star styles. Anyone else relate?
What are some of your happy little sparks lately? Tell me below — I read everything.
The 2-Minute Fix
Keep one “spark” item on your nightstand or in your carry-on — the book, the sketchbook, the good hand cream. The point is that your small joy is never more than two minutes away, wherever the day lands you.
Glow doesn’t wait — and neither do you.