It’s true that whenever I write a blog post, you, Dear Reader, could be going through anything. It could be a tough time for you, or a joyous one or one filed with anxiety. Weirdly, writing during COVID-19 is sort of still like that. While we are all under threat of serious illness (some more than others), our experiences are often wildly different.

Are you struggling because it’s hard to be isolated from friends? Or are you working from home and find yourself surprised by how much you actually enjoy it now that you’ve adjusted? Maybe you are you hoping Congress will get it together and make sure that you are able to pay the rent next month or keep your car. It’s possible that you are mourning the life of someone you’ve lost or other awful unexpected stressors thanks to this unprecedented time. Perhaps, you are surprisingly watching your bank account grow as your expenses have decreased. Maybe you are trying to perform logistical jujitsu to create a successful fall as your kids prepare for online school while you may or may not be working.

And then, of course, there are the protests that are still continuing, despite a lack of news coverage about them. It’s a lot.

On my end, I haven’t been as interested in talking about clothes. I guess that’s an understatement. I’m not at all interested in talking about them. BUT, I am interested in sharing good news with you, because after reading the paper this morning, it’s clear we all deserve it.

So, that’s what we’re doing today, my Dear. We’re having some good news updates. I hope you enjoy them. I hope that your COVID experience is one filled with silver linings and that if you need help, you make sure to ask your community for help. After all, isolation and mask wearing also means that sometimes your friends don’t realize that you need some extra love. It’s important. Go get some love.

All Good Things (20 of them, in fact)

Finally, a chance to Take back your power. You can vote from home right now!

Oh my goodness. If you wake up every morning appalled, please make sure to vote by mail in Washington’s Primary on August 4, 2020. That’s right around the corner! And make sure to remind your friends and family to vote, too. AND ask first time voters if they have any questions navigating the process.

Our Friend, Glenda Breiler, is running for the Washington State House

Glenda is a force for good in the world. If you live in the 22nd district (consisting of parts of Thurston County, Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater), or have friends who do, check out her website with all the details on her commitments to the environment, education reform and more. If she is elected, she will be the only Washington State Tribal member currently elected to serve in the State Government. 

Two Local Favorites Making Masks for People Who Need Them

I have always been a big fan of the OULA Company’s vibrant African prints and simple patterns. But, when the visionary behind the local brand, Erika Dalya, offered to make masks for those who needed them in March, I shamelessly made a plug for YouthCare. Erika delivered big time. Her donation helped YouthCare provide essential support to young people experiencing homelessness. Since then, the OULA Company has sold over 4,000 masks. Order yours now to support sustainable design, inclusivity, a company that gives back, and a great product. Check out Erika’s perspective on designers right now in Crosscut.

Need another reason to feel good shopping Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale right now? Nordstrom challenged itself to make one million masks for those who need them. Here are some photos from the Flagship Store team working on this extraordinary project. As an aside, I’m also a big fan of their local fearless leader, Mohammad Rahman, because (a) he’s amazing and (b) he often reminds me that despite having two cats, our house doesn’t smell like cats, which is pretty much the greatest compliment ever.

You Can Get Your Hair Cut in Your Backyard

I finally did it. I went to get my hair cut and colored. It was the first time since December and I only did it because I trust my stylist, Lindsay, so much. She assured me that all precautions were taken and she was right. I’m not sure when I’ll head back to an indoor experience, but I am sure that having Lindsay offer to come over and cut my hair in the backyard is a godsend. She’s now offering this affordable, delightful mobile experience to the public. It’s especially helpful if you schedule a number of folks one after the other so she can see more people while still socially distancing, wearing PPE, etc. And if you aren’t ready to interact with a stylist to get your hair done, enjoy Lindsay’s tutorial videos for bang trims and so on.

Gorgeous Collages from Maggie Ramirez Burns are at Venue Ballard

Looking for a way to liven up the same walls you’ve been looking at for months? How about a new piece of art. re-souL owner, Maggie Ramirez Burns is also an accomplished artist. Her newest collages are breathtaking and available for purchase (and viewing) at Venue Ballard. By the by, if you are looking for some retail therapy, Venue is great choice featuring all local artists.

You Can Support Local Nonprofits (including YouthCare!) When You Get Your Seattle Kraken Gear

Did you know that YouthCare is the primary charitable partner for Seattle’s Official NHL team AND that the Kraken will be donating $10 million over 20 years to the nonprofit that helps homeless youth locally? Did you also know that if you purchase your Kraken gear in the next couple of weeks, 100% of net proceeds will go to local nonprofits? That’s a lot of good news.

Anderson Paak is Making Music During the Pandemic and Released a must-hear Song Documenting the Protests

This.

Outschool provides some structure for your kids that’s fun, too

It’s cheap. It’s easy. It’s fun. Our 9 year old really loved the Minecraft Architecture class.

What I’ve been listening to

These are some of my fav podcasts (in general) and books (from the last few months): Such a Fun Age, The Gifts of Imperfect Parenting: Raising Children with Courage, Compassion and Connection, Fleishman is in Trouble, Maybe You Should Talk to Someone. On the Media, The Daily, CodeSwitch, The Week in Review on KUOW, The Cut on Tuesdays (this one is over now, but it’s worth listening to), Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me, Throughline.

The best beverage of the day

OMG. This will make everyday a vacation day for you and your kids. Our son likes vitamin water. I like coffee and creamer. Everybody wins.

The best toy of the summer

We’re spending virtually all of our free time building outside (decks, fences, oh my) so we get pretty hot. Now, we appreciate a great water fight as much as our son does. Pick up some water shooters for endless free fun.

The best way to plan ahead for fall

We’ve been treating our outdoor spaces like additional rooms in our house. We eat outside in the front for breakfast and in the back for lunch. When the rain comes, that’s going to change. We bought a pop up shelter that can sit on our deck. When fall arrives, we will still be able to have socially distant friend time outside. I know it sounds crazy, but ordering masks and water shooters in March also seemed kind of insane at the time. If you have outdoor space that can accommodate a pop up tent, you might want to pick one up.

Huzzah! You can get some skin love at Cake skincare

Whether you are learning from tips on the blog or heading into an appointment (when you feel the time is right), Cake is back!

My Favorites on the small Screen for your various moods

Looking for something great? Try: The Morning Show, Queen Sugar, Home, A Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Grand Designs, I am Not Your Negro, Shameless, Late Night with Seth Meyers, Black AF, the Leftovers, Friday Night Lights, and of course, one of the greatest shows ever on TV, the Wire . Feeling more like some guilty pleasure action? Watch: Revenge Want to cry in a good way? Love on the Spectrum. And the in betweeners: The Politician, Backyard Envy.

Some new scenery without driving for hours (TrailLink)

Honestly, we never biked before the Pandemic. Now, it’s a favorite hobby and this free app makes it easy to find new places to go that are appropriate for all skill levels.

Going Green (Solar + electric heat pump)

We are just wrapping up getting our house off of fossil fuels. We’ve been working on it for years and it’s finally coming together. We now have an electric heat pump (and air conditioning!) instead of an oil tank and we’re having solar panels installed. If you’ve considered solar, tax incentives make this the right time and we worked with SolTerra, a local company with a female CEO. In the end, our house will be powered exclusively by solar power. Also, your solar loan can include other energy upgrades (like a heat pump).

Uniqlo is your go to for Pandemic Style

If you are looking for a collection of comfortable, affordable, hip pieces for this especially casual time, try Uniqlo. The Marimekko collection is on deep discount.

Cle Tile

Instead of clothes, I’m getting my creative fix shopping for tiles. I’m obsessed with this affordable and bold brand out of California and this tile shop in Australia.

Family spa time

We’ve found a fun new activity that everyone is equally enthusiastic about and can be done at home- Family Spa Time. The three of us sit with various electric massage tools and chat or watch TV while we each get a massage. Then, we rotate. Highly recommend.

Paper plates

I don’t know about you, but I’ve lost my enthusiasm for washing dishes and we still aren’t eating out much. Compostable paper plates for one meal a day have become my favorite thing. You’re welcome.


There you have it! I hope you are feeling better than when you started reading. Enjoy the sunshine and take good care of yourself and the ones you love.