GOOD VIBRATIONS 〰️ HOLIDAY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
• HOLIDAY FEELS
• #follow
• GIFT LIST!
• PLAYLIST
• PODCASTS
• IN THE STARS
• SALAD
• MANTRA
HOLIDAY FEELS
ILLUMINATED, WISTFUL, CONNECTED, COOL, LIKE LOVE
First of all, apologies. I skipped out on writing to you last month because I was feeling called to do this:
“Honor the seasons of life.”
You see, something (or rather, someone) entered into my life that I was beginning to think wasn’t out there. This person came at a time when I’d been very single for a very long time. So long that I honestly wondered whether I was capable of letting another person see me…see my vulnerabilities…see me goofy and quirky and boring and unmakeup-ed.
But this fiercely independent girlwoman knew she was desirous and capable of loving more/wider/deeper. And it was in the intersecting space of A) owning and honoring my "imperfections," B) feeling true contentment in the quiet of my own company, and C) being READY that this cosmic match materialized.
And it didn’t happen in a swanky New York bar, or a sweaty concert, or emerging from the waves on a tropical beach. It happened humbly but magically in a small town in Massachusetts.
So I’ve been honoring the start of this relationship -this season of my life- by meaningfully eschewing social media, my website, and my cellphone most days. See, I don’t believe an absolute balance exists in our day-to-day, or even month-to-month. I believe that if played in harmony with our highest good, life will strike an equilibrium at the end. We will have traversed varying stretches of exhausting work, elated bliss, triumphant accomplishment, and unspeakable grief, but the grand point will be having learned equally from all of them.
☯
Now I’ve basked in a brilliant streak of previously-unknown love, and I’m totally juiced to return here: to this letter, site, and skincare line…my cherished outlets of joy and creativity.
Thanks for reading to this point and indulging my story (and oversharing, perhaps/for sure). Let’s get on with it and relish in the twinkly-lit, nostagia-rich, convivially-blissed, chillingly-brisk, mistletoe-kissed holiday. Scroll on for my merriest roundup of gifts, guidance, and internet goodies.
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN IN THE NEW YEAR, BABEZ!
I like you and I love you,
Merc
↷
#follow
GIFT LIST!
THE BEST GIFTS A STAND OUT BABE COULD WANT:
(Clockwise from top left)
If you want your home to vibe with great smells and GOOP-level fanciness.
Step 1: You should probably own a record player. Step 2: You should definitely own this album.
Coziest $9 you’ll ever spend.
2019 is the year I will grow my hair down to by butt and this will keep the need for trims at bay. Great for all the women in your life with hair (butt-length or not).
This lipstick + great skin (see #10) is all you need to look epic this -or any- season. I like color Thrillist.
I’m just now realizing my obsession with a good-smelling casa. If you want to forego diffusers and incense for candles, please check out the absolute bestest out there (until A STAND OUT makes one…coming soon!): KOBO #1, JANE MOTO, KOBO #2.
Who’s got $600 to throw around, loves to boogie, and wants to ask my hand in marriage??
Folds up to the size of a (Vogue September issue) magazine = namaste on vacay!
The perfect resource if you like vegetables, cheekiness, and skirting authenticity.
Shameless plug (you knew this was coming, right?). Yes, I make this exfoliating mask and serum, but they’ve also given me the best skin of my life. Btw, check back in a few weeks because I’ve been BTS working on a bunch of new and (imho) very exciting products.
Fan of French-Scandi-Unisexiness? Maybe a g’damn ladyboss uniform? So am I. Get thee a flightsuit.
PLAYLIST
Coming in frosty this month with a funky-festive mix of new stuff, secular stuff, and a strong showing of NSYNC’s Home for Christmas.
PODCASTS
IN THE STARS
‘Tis the season for celebrating the holiday lights we string about and around our homes and the twinkling sky show we’re gifted EVERY DARN NIGHT if we simply take the time to glance up.
As always, our astrobabes have deciphered the (Sagittarian) stars for our betterment.
GUIDE TO KEY COSMIC EVENTS by Bess Matassa, The Numinous
SAGITTARIUS SEASON ASTROCAST by Bess Matassa & Sandy Sitron, The Numinous
TAROTSCOPES by Melinda Lee Holm, The Numinous
TAROT FOR THE WILD SOUL: MONTHLY MEDICINE PODCAST by Lindsay Mack (October is: The Garden)
SALAD
While visiting my bestie, Brookie, in Brooklyn last month, we got extremely late lunch at The Butcher’s Daughter in Williamsburg. The menu changes all the time, but since they rule at salads get whatever’s on offer if you’re there.
In the meantime, make this one!
…because I screen-shot the menu description and took a freaking photo of it (despite being quite opposed to at-the-table-photography…should speak volumes for its tastiness).
(and those are scrambled egg-whites on top)
MANTRA
This month, I encourage us all to think of ourselves like this:
“An impeccably beautiful human being.”
- description of Mary Cosimano, MSW by her introducer at the 2017 Psychedelic Science Conference, where she led a talk titled,
Love and Connection in Psilocybin-Facilitated Mystical Experience Research
PLEASE
WATCH
THIS
♡
Mary Cosimano was a childhood friend of my mom’s as they grew up in the progressive, politically-charged, socially-active streets of 1960’s Washington, DC. She was also one of my late grandmother’s absolute favorite humans.
I remember her ebullient charisma infectiously permeating every square inch of her family’s epic Italian-American Christmas parties. She’s now become one of the leading research psychologists in the experimental field of psychedelics, performing her trailblazing work out of John’s Hopkins University.
Her talk is 28m47s and I promise that you’ll be heightened and heartened for watching.
