improvise

3 Rules for Writing and Life (Denis Johnson)

From The New Yorker ‘s brief, compelling tribute to novelist Denis Johnson, who passed away last week at the age of sixty-seven: his three rules for writing that ANYONE can use.

A Cheap Chic Black Bag to Rival Ikea’s and Balenciaga’s Tote

After the designers at fashion house Balanciaga knocked off Ikea’s iconic big blue 99-cent tote (in leather for $2,145), frequent contributor Susan Dworski jumped into the fray with a chic, cheap black bag that we hacked to perfection.

Finding Your Fuel

Having just turned a BIG birthday, I’ve been thinking hard about what fuels me, and what I pursue that is not powered by good strong fuel. Fuel to me equals meaning, as well as pleasure. Taking stock is useful; it’s simple process, really, that you can do throughout your day.

As Life Gets Longer It Gets Shorter. Celebrate!

Every person who ever lived feels Time. These days, the general rule when turning a big number birthday is to freak out. But there are other routes to take…

How to Make the Most of The Delicious End of Asparagus Season

Asparagus season, usually a fleeting few weeks in Spring, is peaking now. I recommend REVELING in them while you can. New asparagus has an extraordinary pea-like flavor that you can unlock by simply steaming them until crisp-tender. Add butter, or a fried egg and Parmigiano.

A Secret Celebration for Memorial Day Weekend

For some, Memorial Day is a time to remember and honor people who perished fighting in America’s wars; for others it simply means “the beginning of summer”. Then there’s this rather secret way to celebrate…

A Chef’s Artful Reimagining of Military Rations Reveals an Essential Principle of Good Food

When chef Chuck George applied Michelin Star approaches to dreary military rations from around the world, he reminded me of a essential principle of good cooking.

Dept of Unintended Purposes: Soapstone Tile as Flame Tamer

In a moment of random small-stakes invention that occurs often around here, the soapstone sample that I ordered when considering the material for countertops proved the perfect flame tamer/heat diffuser.

How to Fight a Mall-Like Internet!

When long-time blogger Tina Bray described the looming probability of a mall-like internet, it hit home HARD. There’s a simple, inexpensive way to stem the tide….

Pure Wonder: Milky Way TimeLapse with Rilke

While piloting a long overnight flight, Sales Wick filmed a wondrous timelapse of shooting stars and the Milky Way. Right after we watched it, we stumbled on the perfect poem by Rilke.

Wabi-Sabi Soliloquy for a Squashed Summer Drink

Every passage we read in our treasured Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers seems to apply to the unexpected marvel we found…by looking…

Honey from a Weed: Simple Rice or Risotto with Dandelion (or other Greens)

It is weed season. Dandelions make me hunger for a simple dish I first read in Honey From a Weed, a cookbook I’ve continued to enjoy for over thirty years. The elemental Macedonian dish morphs into a splendid risotto.

Three Words that Transform Anxiety or Fear into Excitement

After many years of suffering stage-fright in certain situations, I wonder what would have happened had I known neuroscientist Ian Robertson’s “magic trick” that transforms certain forms of anxiety and fear into excitement.

Etsy Studio for Hard-to-Find Project and Craft Supplies + Ideas

When we were searching for hardware for a bag we are prototyping, we scoured New York City’s garment district and the internet for sources. We were surprised to find the most complete offerings at Etsy. The digital marketplace of crafters and sellers has expanded…

Instructions on Not Giving Up (Ada Limón)

Some time ago, we published a PDF Toolkit of Questions to Ask Before Giving Up. Perhaps as good or better is poet Ada Limón’s wondrous, to-the-point poem “Instructions on Not Giving Up”, which provides powerful instruction of another sort.

Sara Berman’s Closet: The Tenderness of Creating Your Own Life

A tiny yet extraordinary exhibit at New York’s Metropolitan Museum is evidence that we “are free to change at any age”.

Very Surprising View from the Bottom of a Water Bucket (Emily Dickinson + Randall Jarrell)

The Bucket is one of the sweetest, charming and curiously refreshing videos we’ve seen in ages, and presents a serious shift of view.

Drape Stuff, Like That Scrap of Beautiful Fabric or Vintage Rug

We always scouring cool home ideas the are easy to do. Are we secretly lazy? We sew but try to avoid it or having carpenters come or buying major pieces of furniture. We just want to have a pleasurable, unencumbered time making something fresh out of what we have. Here are two three examples…

Morning Poem, Meditation, Mantra: Jamila Woods’ ‘Holy’

We find Jamila Woods Holy a lovely day to orient the day: meditation, mantra, big expression of joy and selfhood.

Rei Kawakubo’s Creative Manifesto

In this rare manifesto designer Rei Kawakubo of Commes des Garcons reveals some of the paths she follows to find absolutely NEW paths, her rigorous challenge to herself.

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