Present Joys: Mosaics, Fogs, Peaches and Product Descriptions
Week of July 1, 2025
Aunt Margaret’s Mosaic
A few weeks ago, I visited my uncle in Detroit and noticed a mosaic on his wall. When I asked about it he said, “Oh yes, my aunt Margaret made that!” I connected with my great-aunt Margaret’s mosaic instantly. It was a beacon: “I am here. I am creative. You can be again too.” What’s more uncanny, was when I got home and looked at the painting that sits in our living room—it echoes Margaret’s mosaic in more ways than one. It made me consider why we tend to limit ourselves so much in life when we should really be leaping at it? Margaret leapt! I hope she would be happy to know that she’s encouraging me to leap too.
Embodying the Fog
Joyce gifted me this card as we sat down to dinner in Toronto. She has a way of knowing what’s ticking in one’s heart, bubbling in one’s brain. I appreciate the reminder and it’s been fun to experiment using it 🌫️.
Beaver Sticks
It’s been hard to feel like humans are doing very well right now, so, at least for me, it’s the little things that give me hope. Like these sticks CalTech students leave for their bronze beaver mascot named Bernoulli. I don’t know why, but this gives me hope.
Summer Nights
Had such a fun time at Barnsdall on Friday evening. There is something so special about settling into the weekend with friends outdoors. The event is very well-run and the views from Barnsdall are wonderful. 100% of the proceeds from this series support programming within Barnsdall Art Park which is great too!
Miry’s List
If you’re looking for an opportunity to volunteer and make a meaningful difference to refugees and immigrants in our community and nationwide, I highly recommend reaching out to Miry’s List. They have opportunities for all types of commitments and skill sets. I’m in awe of the work they do and the impact they make. Present will be writing Welcome Letters as part of our Present Walks series in July, so please follow us on IG for more news about when we’ll be hosting that community letter-writing event.
Chaekgeori
In researching minhwa art for a recent client, I learned of chaekgoeri, a genre of still life painting from the Joseon Period which features books/bookshelves as the primary subject matter. Whether at a friend’s home or an estate sale, I love to skim the bookshelves both to discover new reads and to gain a new understanding of the books’ owner by way of the titles collected. It always feels so special to be invited in to experience the intimacy and expression of the spaces people create for themselves. Uncovering these paintings felt like a beautiful, satisfying snoop.
Nalata Nalata’s Product Descriptions
Whoever writes the copy for Nalata Nalata, I salute you. Dad joke enthusiasts, you’ll be absolutely tickled by the product descriptions on their website. A few whimsical examples:
Leather Apron - I am a Leather Apron. I can’t help but find myself with my arms wrapped around your waist. I think this is the start of something more than a friendship.
Noodle Bowl - I am a Noodle Bowl. I can always count on Ichiban but my closest companions are Pad, Dan, Laksa and Udon. My soul Mate? Well, that would have to be Tom. Yum!
Petit Forks - I am a set of five Petit Forks. I’m allowed to be picky, right?
Peaches
PSA to eat a peach! I had my first of the season this past weekend at the Montrose Harvest Market and immediately filled a bag to take home. A few favorite farmer’s markets around the city to stock up on stone fruit:
South Pasadena on Thursdays from 4PM-8PM - A hometown favorite. So charming and a rare evening option.
Hollywood on Sundays from 8AM-1PM - Nancy Silverton sighting highly likely.
Mar Vista on Sundays from 9AM-2PM - I’d definitely frequent this one if I lived closer!
Cake al fresco
Second Michelle’s joy of summer nights spent with friends! I was feeling frivolous and wanted to bake a (somewhat involved) cake for our picnic at Barnsdall. I chose a
recipe which included an olive oil cake soaked with orange syrup, layered with cream cheese frosting and orange marmalade, and topped with rosemary honey buttercream. A highlight of the night was when a woman walked by and asked, “Is that a cake?” Loved the niche reference of a shared baking role model, so I had to share some slices with her. So cool how baking can serve as a mode of connection. :)
Spill-proof Wares
I purchased this Flared Top from Japanese brand BBBLLLAAAHHH recently, fully charmed by the premise of the garment:
It was inspired by this one time I spilled a cup of coffee on a white t-shirt. I got a coffee to go, and the lid wasn’t closed properly. I tried to take a sip but coffee spilled from between the lid and the cup and my t-shirt turned light brown. This happened early in the day so I ended up spending most of the day in a coffee-stained t-shirt. Had I been wearing this Bbb top, I would have just laughed the situation off. All I would have had to do was wipe it down with a napkin from the coffee shop.
Michelle and I are always telling our clients how important it is that their audiences be able to self-identify within their brand’s messaging. Clumsy coffee spills? Consider myself seen. Add to cart.
And a bonus Bruce joy…
Currently Reading
“I picked this up because I had heard Charlie Munger had an interesting way of thinking. I’m about halfway through and can confidently say that it’s broadened my perception in more ways than one. This one is good for anyone interested in moving about the world tangentially to, but markedly not in line with, the mainstream. Curious to see how I feel when I finish it.” —Michelle