Field Notes

 Anais and I are moving back to the Twin Cities today. I'm trying to be as chill as possible before breakfast, and then I'll shift into a higher gear. I'm really ready to be back in our own place, where we have cultivated/curated the vibe. 

I read this Autostraddle article about Music and Crystal Pairings in Taurus Season this morning and it inspired me to share with you all a little bit of the vibe I've been cultivating lately. 

So ... you may or may not know this, but I am obsessed with my houseplants. Like, talk to them obsessed. So much so that when we moved out to the farm, we made a special trip home to bring ALL 13 of our houseplants with us. I really want whatever home I live in to be a small jungle, with plants everywhere. Pro-tip: Plants also help refresh the air in your home. The times that we've gone back home and there haven't been plants it's just felt so still and gross. 

Because of my love of houseplants, I made them the theme for my Bullet Journal this month. This spread is greatly inspired by YouTuber AmandaRachLee, who is a professional bullet journaller (??). Here's her March Plan With Me video, which is incredibly soothing to watch even if you're not into bullet journalling. 

Also: Yes that is a link to my instagram! If you want to follow my personal instagram, it's @ _abbieplouff_

(It's weird to put my real name next to something on this platform! When I was a kid and hanging on livejournal it was something you never did, but like ... being a person on the internet now is totally fine? Whatever. Now you know my irl name)

As long as we're on the subject of bullet journalling, I've gotten into calligraphy/hand lettering/typeface. I picked it up as a middle schooler, but I didn't have the patience for it. There are actually kind of a lot of practical applications of it for me as a business owner (writing out cards for clients, creating hand-made signage for tables when I DO go to events (if that ever happens now), etc.). But also: It's just really nice to have a hobby I have no intention of monetizing. 

Here are some of the resources I've been learning from: 

YouTube:
Hand Lettering For Beginners: How to Hold a Brush Pen
The Basic Calligraphy Strokes Demonstrated
Beginner Hand Lettering Tutorial: 10 Things I Wish I Knew As A Beginner

Other: 

Downloadable PDF: A Jumpstart Guide to Brush Lettering (I haven't started this yet but will probably do a review when I've worked through some of it)
The Unique Book of Brush Lettering (ahhhh it's got everything I love in book arts: different paper formats, workbook style, and it's a really unique size)

I have not purchased the Unique Book of Brush Lettering because I want to work through some more (read: cheaper!) basics before I really get started on it. Will report back, and will update my personal IG with the stuff.

Oh! And also: In all this bullet journalling madness during quarantine, I've been thinking about what a "productive" day really is. It's not always about work and making money - I also am actively trying to track habits, moods, self care, and important notes to self in my bullet journal. 

Here is a very lovely (and lengthy) video about what "productivity" really is, and how to bullet journal outside of a capitalist mindset.



 

In terms of music, I recently discovered My Analog Journal, which is a YouTube station where a guy plays obscure jazz from around the world on vinyl. He does coffee break sessions. He definitely specializes in Brazilian, Arabic, Turkish, and Japanese jazz, but there's other stuff. I think he's based in the UK. 

Speaking of Media, I've also been watching a toooon of Studio Ghibli. My biggest quarantine "impulse" buy was a 6-movie set of Studio Ghibli films on iTunes, and honestly? So glad I did it. I've been wanting to watch Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke for literal years, but they aren't streaming anywhere. So I just said "fuck it" and bought the 6 movie pack.

Best. Decision. Ever. 

I need the dreamy, soothing vibes of Studio Ghibli right now.

So basically, my whole vibe this month has been soft, dreamy, plant-obsessed woman. 

Anyway! This got to be kind of long, so I'm going to leave it here because my mom is making pancakes and you gotta eat those when they're hot. This has been super fun, so I think I'll do more posts like this more often.