Today on the blog, I’m going to share a few things that have been bringing me joy lately - I hope you find joy in them too!

Dean Martin Playlist

Lately, I can’t get enough of Dean Martin’s crooning. As soon as I get home from work, I pour a glass of chilled orange wine and put on this Dean playlist while I cook dinner. It’s an instant mood enhancer, guaranteed. Listen to my King of Cool selection here.

Walasse Ting’s Cat Paintings

The newest of my feline art obsessions: the vibrant (and adorable) paintings of Walasse Ting. Ting was a self taught painter from Shanghai, who moved to Paris in 1952, where he spent time with the avant-garde group, CoBrA. He ended up in New York City a few years later, and further developed his gestural and spontaneous style. Ting’s cats are sumptuous and colorful, cartoonish but elegant, and extremely joyful. I can't get enough! Learn more on Artsy.

Blooming Flowers: A Seasonal History of Plants and People by Kasia Boddy

Like many people, I got into gardening during quarantine and have become addicted. It was a bit of a rediscovery for me, since I grew up on a ranch and spent most of my time outdoors. I have very fond memories of my grandparent’s garden - particularly my grandma’s patch of carefully tended roses. She would harvest the flowers and display them throughout the house and she would make paintings of them too! As I got into gardening more over the past year or so, I wanted to learn as much as I could about plants. I became fascinated with not only the practical information, but also the cultural history and rich symbolism associated with them. This book, Blooming Flowers, by Kasia Boddy is a fun and fascinating read on the meanings of certain flowers to us humans. Grab a copy here.

Ceramics by Satchiko

I discovered the work of Satchiko, a Brooklyn based ceramicist, through one of my favorite shops, Lolo NYC. Satchiko’s dreamy ceramics are playful and colorful with a touch of nostalgia. I recently treated myself to a cozy cat themed candelabra and it brings me joy every time I look at it. Check out her work here.

Kedi Documentary

Speaking of cats (when am I not?), I highly recommend watching this 2017 documentary about the cats that roam the ancient streets of Istanbul and the people who love them. This is a heartwarming exploration of the connection between nature and the city. It’s a bit of a tearjerker, but more than anything it’s a magical reminder of the good in the world, something we all need more of right now. Get the tissues out and watch the trailer here.

Current Joys