My Mantra for 2022

Are you into New Year’s resolutions? I, personally, gave up on them a few years ago since I'd usually forget them around April (except baking-related ones, obviously). Last year I switched to an annual mantra, instead — I like that it doesn’t feel like homework, but instead guardrails steering you in a better direction.

This year my mantra is “Prioritize Deep Work,” very much inspired by Cal Newport’s book, "Deep Work." The whole premise is that in order to get good, hard work done (in my case, jewelry) you’ve got to have long, uninterrupted chunks of time to really dig in.

And I see how last year I used things like obsessing over “social media content” (I’m looking right at you, Instagram), fussing over envelope colors, and incessant email checking, to avoid the “staring at a blank page” anxiety that happens before I sit down to really get to work or when I've hit a stumbling block.

So “Prioritize Deep Work” this year will look like less time on Instagram (it’s off my phone and my soul already feels lighter), checking my email during designated parts of the day, and blocking out chunks of my calendar to just be at my jewelry bench.

More than anything I want to make beautiful things for you, and I’m hoping that more time away from the fluff means that I can do that. Think (spoiler alert!) new lapis lazuli pieces, delicate gold jewelry rings and earrings, and some old favorites using new stones.

Here’s to a better 2022 with less of what we don’t need and more of what actually makes us happy.

P.S. Does dis-entangling yourself from social media sound great for your own personal life, too? I highly recommend Cal Newport’s other book, “Digital Minimalism,” chock full of strategies to do just that.

A new summer reading list

It’s heart-breakingly disappointing that it took a string of killings and nation-wide protests for many of us to get a glimpse at what it’s like to be black in America. I’ve been trying to be quiet and just listen — I mean, no one needs to hear my opinion about the Black Lives Matter protests. I haven’t lived the black experience, and amplifying the voices of those who actually have is more important.

A week ago my cousin sent me an article about “mirror books” (where you see characters like you in their pages) vs. “window books” (where you get to see into someone else’s world), and I realized I need a lot more window books in my life.

Here’s a list of books, both fiction and nonfiction, that I want to dive into, and if you feel like you’re in need of horizon-broadening, too, I hope you’ll join me:

a list to start:

“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” by Maya Angelou

“Notes of a Native Son,” by James Baldwin

“How to Be An Antiracist,” by Ibram X. Kendi

“Sula,” by Toni Morrison

“Between the World and Me,” by Ta-Nehisi Coates

“Red at the Bone,” by Jacqueline Woodson

Have you read any books by black or minority authors that you’ve loved? Post them in the comments — I’d love to read and share them, and hopefully we can all become better, more understanding people in the process.

Finding joy

The new Halcott Necklace featuring oyster turquoise.

We’re so deep into this pandemic that it’s hard keeping track of time. Days feel so similar without dinner dates, birthday celebrations, and trips to new places.

Right now I’m leaning hard into surrounding myself with the things that make me happy in order to counter-balance all the not knowing. It’s why our house has has 3 times as many plants as it did in February, why I’m burning candles and incense non-stop, and why all I want are bright, fun colors.

Left: Collage Studs in an oyster turquoise and teal quartz combo; Right: a close up of oyster turquoise

Back before things turned upside down, I discovered a stone called oyster turquoise. I’d never seen it before and instantly fell in love with its cheery color combo, totally unique pattern, and bits of glimmering copper throughout. I’m so glad I decided to get more, because I just finished a new family of jewelry featuring this special stone, and it’s exactly what my soul is craving right now.

We’re all finding ways to cope — for me, it’s too many plants and everything oyster turquoise. I hope you’re finding your own ways to bring joy into your days.

Stay safe, stay sane

Image by Sara Shakeel

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While so much is uncertain and we’re all feeling a little more anxious these days, here are some ideas for distracting ourselves and making good use of our time: 

1. Buy gift certificates to your favorite restaurants or small businesses; they’re struggling with low foot traffic even though you'd be there IRL spending money if you could.

2. Bake something from scratch or try a complicated dish for dinner — I recommend these thin mint cookies or this delicious eggplant parm.

3. Rearrange a bookshelf so that things feel new, making sure to highlight your favorite objects.

4. Give your jewelry a spring cleaning.

5. Make a list of movies to watch and get started; consider adding “The Eye Has to Travel” about Diana Vreeland or “Donkey Skin” starring Catherine Deneuve.

Good luck, you’ve got this!

How to win at Valentine's Day this year

How about you take care of #1 this year, and treat yourself like your own Valentine? Indulge in all those things you love, and celebrate it exactly the way you want.

Might I recommend:

1. Splurge on your favorite treat, whether it’s those really nice chocolates, your favorite potato chips, or the best cinnamon buns in all of New York City. (And it’s not considered a splurge if you don’t get them delivered.)

2. Get yourself that piece of jewelry you haven’t been able to stop thinking about.

3. Order take out from your favorite place so you can eat a delicious meal from the comfort of your couch and cozy pants.

Pick your favorite or try all 3. And if it’s jewelry you’re eyeing, I’d love to help! Check out some of my favorite, ready-to-ship pieces that’ll arrive just in time for a you-first Valentine’s Day.