Next Year in...
Jerusalem? LA? New York? Paris? Plus, Jon Batiste, Adidas and more!
Every year, at the end of the Passover seder, we sing, “L’shanah Haba’ah B’rushalayim.” Next Year in Jerusalem. And every year I say that next year will actually be the year I celebrate the holiday, which begins tonight at sundown, in Israel. And while for some reason or another (pandemic, life, etc.) it hasn’t happened yet, I still say it with such intention. Not only because it’s tradition (“TRADITION!” *cue Fiddler music*) but because it’s a realistic option for me.
Since going freelance 9 years ago (this week!) I’ve managed to fashion a life that is “footloose,” as they say; where my personal and professional lifestyles blend fluidly. I send and return emails from bed. Take a yoga class at midday. Pop into a museum expo on a Wednesday. Slack from the train. Spend three weeks in California getting to know my nephew while editing someone else’s book and writing a proposal for my own. Sure, sometimes that means staying up way past midnight to meet a deadline in a different timezone or having to take a phone call while your entire family is waiting downstairs to pop a bottle of bubbly to celebrate your brother closing on his new house. (True story, this happened yesterday.) But the wishy-washy, hustle-and-bustle freelance lifestyle still feels rewarding enough to stick with as long as I’m able.
So while I didn’t make it to Israel for Passover this year, the fact of the matter is I’m actually going there next month (for work and fun!) and I get to spend the holiday with family here in New York. Considering the state of the world these days, when so many innocent people have been uprooted for reasons far beyond their control—not unlike the Jewish people who were forced out of Egypt all those years ago—I feel extremely fortunate for the choice to wander where and when I please. May you all be blessed with freedoms of your choosing and find peace and comfort in whatever holiday you’re celebrating this weekend. See ya soon back in Paris. xx Sara
Clickable
What women carried out of Ukraine. | The Cut
A planner’s gift is “logistics and coordination.” | Forge/Medium
All hail Mindy Kaling. | Time
Gossip on “sponsored content” in mainstream media. | Gawker
When you want to make a difference, but you’re also tired. | The Cut
The best new hotels all over the world. | T&L
A newspaper columnist with political ambitions. | Intelligencer
Watchable
I’ve been watching a lot of commercials lately (damn you HULU!) and I found this one’s music, message, and delivery extremely powerful. Pretty sure it may have subconsciously motivated me to order these dope new pair of kicks for spring… and these ones, as well. Still TBD on which ones I’m keeping—if either. (Hello, I’m Sara, and I suffer from Buy-and-Return Syndrome.)
On Repeat: Jon Batiste, “We Are”
I’m a total Old when it comes to discovering new music. I watched the Grammys a couple of weeks ago and had no idea who half the nominees were. There’s an artist named H.E.R.? And Bruno Mars is in a supergroup now? I also didn’t know much about the big winner, Jon Batiste, who I am now obsessed with. His soulful, groovy album, “We Are,” is totally my jam and I’ve been listening to it on repeat ever since.
Currently Overthinking…
…jeans and sneaker sizes…
Souvenir: Beanie Babies
Thanks to Cal, I’ve been spending a lot of time with stuffed animals, “lovies” and teethers, which got me thinkin’ about… BEANIE BABIES! I know they’re still around, but they were new when I was a teen. (I had the unicorn, which still tracks in terms of my personality, dontcha think?) How many did you have???
Don’t forget: Sponsoring a souvenir is a perk of being a paid subscriber.
Those Marimekko sneakers!!!!