Little Things 002: A breath of fresh country air

Blue and white and ooh-la-la all over.

Jun 26, 2025

Hello from the thick of the haze. I can’t quite tell where it’s coming from lately—whether it’s the sudden summer heat baking off weeks of rain or the fog of my own achy brain. I’m eight months pregnant and have been bracing for this very stickiness, for the gritty kind of sweat that collects in your bra and slow-drips down the backs of your legs. Just days ago we wet our lips in celebration of the solstice (a fizzy lime seltzer and a misty Catskills drizzle for me) and already my clothes are clinging to me. And they’re not the only thing. My son’s dirt-caked little hands are constantly reaching up! up! up!—his flushed face buried deep in my belly. Perhaps even more than us, he senses something’s coming.

As for me and Gregg, we’re living in a sort of denial state. The nursery’s not prepped, the pump parts and the bassinet are still stowed away, and we’ve booked out our weekends like we would any other July and August. I guess it’s true what they say about having your second.

At the very least, I’ve been trying to wrap up a few final freelance projects as we approach our delivery date. I never really share that work here (I figure sporadic newsletters are enough of my voice in your ear), but if you’re curious, here are some recent links.

Here’s the thing. After eight years on staff, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that I’m still getting tapped to create content about Etsy. And don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy researching and telling these stories about design, craftsmanship, creativity, and yes, shopping. But I’m also craving the opportunity to write about other topics, and the space and time to work on pieces that are personal to me. With the new babe coming, though, that particular dream feels pretty much on hold indefinitely.

So! Putting a pin in all that …

The few little things still swirling around my mind right now are (lucky you!) a bunch of leftover Etsy finds from recent assignments. As I searched for shops to feature in Country Living, I tucked countless treasures away in my favorites for safekeeping. Looking back through them now, it appears I’ve entered un petit French country phase—and with a sweet lil’ Bovina bumpkin in the ol’ oven, I suppose that makes sense. There’s something about softly billowing curtains and romantic blue and white pottery that’s quietly comforting, particularly on a stifling summer’s day.

Anyway, here’s hoping you, too, enjoy that type of thing! (Best served with a slice of strawberry rhubarb pie and a scoop of French vanilla ice cream.)

1. A rustic linen runner for casual indoor/outdoor entertaining.