Simple, Organic, and Sometimes Bold

On freeing the nipples and being impromptu. Plus, Trapper Keepers!

Sep 02, 2022

I went skinny dipping last week. During the day. In front of strangers. But they were also naked, which somehow made it more…comfortable? The best part, though, was that it was unplanned. In fact, much of the last month was unplanned, so thank you for allowing me to take a break here to create space for spontaneity—whether I knew it’d include freeing the nipples among other normally covered body parts following a morning hike with a dear friend near a nude beach. (It was glorious! Try it sometime!)

This August, I was truly able to be present, slow down, make last-minute decisions, and just see what I see. Like, you know, some old French guy’s nether regions. :)

It also included:

recreating an 18-year-old pic of me and my friend at spa pool in NYC
dancing with my nephew to Beyoncé in our PJs…at 8a.m.
ducking into a bouncy house with my bestie’s kid at a block party
practicing yoga in the backyard of my brother’s new waterfront home — and then getting a massage on the rooftop later that day
paddling out on a SUP from my parents’ dock at high-tide
eating dosas in Montauk, tacos in Long Beach, and Thai in Hyeres
floating in the canal on a firecracker with my Mom
sunbathing in a pool on a watermelon with my cousin
watching a lotus flower open in my Dad’s pond
catching “his” turtle slide into the canal
hiking with the Tribe/Mercrew in Montauk

Simple, organic, and sometimes bold.

That’s not to say many of the other things I planned to do weren’t also memorable—seeing MJ the Musical on Broadway, the Wallflowers at the Montauk lighthouse, Lord Huron at Forest Hills Stadium, and embarking on a private boat cruise of France’s Porquerolles island to name a few—but since I am a true Virgo and a forward-(over)thinking invidiual who makes itinerary spreadsheets for a living, it felt freeing to let go a bit.

To let the dozen or so tabs of articles I wanted to read linger open on my computer for weeks. (Hence all the links below!)

To leave said computer behind for not one, but two four-day weekends!

To see the sunset wherever I am, rather than set out to see it from a “sunset spot.” (That’s a thing we all do on vacation, right? Despite it, er, happening every night no matter where we are.)

To let the days unfold naturally in the most literal way. Again: see me wading into the azure waters of France’s le sud sans swimsuit.

The only kind of August planning I henceforth endorse is bringing sunscreen, bug spray, and tissues for any not-Covid colds that may materialize (super sad true summer story) and the inevitable post-vacation, post-family visit, post-birthday blues that manage to get me every. single. year.

With that, I’m back in Paris and ready to dive into September—even if it includes having to X-ray a rib that may or may not be broken due to my being so impromptu on a birthday boat ride that I nearly went overboard trying to showcase my seafaring skills.

So! Whether you’ve already begun la rentrée, or are about to embark on one last “official” summer weekend, may your upcoming days be full of playful (but not painful), cheeky wonder, awe, and joy. xx — Sara

Clickable

Much ado about hummus. | The Walrus
“The RealReal has created a monster in me.” | The Cut
Outgrowing the joys of discovering new music. | The Guardian
“Why, some women wonder, should I keep trying so hard?” | ELLE
Serena Williams is leaving tennis. | Vogue
And “Meghan of Montecito” has a podcast. | The Cut
Amy Schumer on Mom Life and Tour Life. | The New Yorker
On ducks, and how “the constant search for the new should never blind us to the value of the old.” | Medium
Lessons from a six-month sabbatical. | Thrive Global
“Futile branding on the part of parents” = name mockery. | The Cut
The much-maligned Kevins of France fight back. | The New Yorker
When disasters become tourist attractions. | WaPo Magazine

Watchable

My aunt sent me this video around my birthday. It’s pretty accurate, which made me giggle/weep—especially when the 40-year-old showed up...

ICYMI, the trailer for Wakanda Forever came out last month and I get chills each time I watch it. Between the somber cover of “No Woman No Cry” and knowing the film won’t feature the original Black Panther, Chadwick Boseman, it’s a moving two minutes that increased my anticipation for the film.

Currently Overthinking…

…whether I just misaligned my rib or broke it (Does it even matter? There’s nothing to do for it…) and whether I should go away for a week at the end of the month or settle in and stay local…

Souvenir: Trapper Keepers

It’s la rentrée here in Paris, and next week is back-to-school in the U.S., which got me thinkin’ about school supplies, which got me thinkin’ about…the Trapper Keeper! Remember the velcro binder that held all your essentials? There was a plastic pouch for your No. 2 pencils, pens and highlighters, looseleaf paper, and folders. I definitely had the one above with the water droplets. Do you remember yours?

Meanwhile, the inventor of the Trapper Keeper passed away last week, which I only discovered when looking for a photo! RIP and thank you, E. Bryant Crutchfield.

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