To start today’s Note I wanted to share a fun guest post I was a part of for I love reading this newsletter and this week I was featured in ’s series called “Hyperfixations”. It was so much fun to be a part of and you can be a part of it too!
I remember being around 11 or 12 years old and wildly unsure about sharing what I genuinely thought was interesting or beautiful. Being different from the majority was not cool, so I kept silent about most topics. The only people I would share them with were a trusted select few, but they would swear to secrecy in public. I was a chameleon around most people because it was just easier and helped me blend into the crowd.
A little later in my life towards the end of high school I started to get a lot more comfortable sharing my ideas and opinions and grew more confident in who I was. The best friends I made in high school were the ones who knew the real me and celebrated her. Having that connection, acceptance and a safe space to just "be me" was truly a gift. I have since made a promise to myself to always find that safe space within myself and with the people I surround myself with.
This week I came across a passage in the book Funny Story and it resonated with me:
Because there, in their gorgeous, lightning bug–filled garden, with all of their longtime friends tipsy and flushed and happy in rattan patio chairs, a part of me had still ached.
Could feel that I was standing outside of things, waiting for the moment I would finally become a part of it.
Here, tonight, though, I’m in the center of everything. This moment, though fleeting, belongs to me too.
The narrator, Daphne finally found her safe space and was no longer the outsider looking in.
All this to say, the older that I become, the more I feel the freedom to share my voice, revel in my place in this world and sing from the rooftops. I hope you feel that way in your life too.
*this is a longer issue so if you’d like to read in full make sure you hit expand or read in your favorite browser
Let’s get into the third chapter of B.U.T.T.E.R.F.L.Y. Notes!
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Bewitching
I somehow discovered Natalie’s photography work through randomly scrolling the infinite universe of the internet. Her work is incredibly captivating and unique in exploring her two muses: mother nature, especially water and the human figure. In all of her work she combines these two elements with an exquisite use of composition and intimate detail.
In her words, “My ideas start from nature and take shape when I add a human into the environment. I may notice the shape of a rock, and see how it mirrors the female figure. I may see an animal in its wild habitat and remember that we were once wild too. I may swim through plastic in the ocean and wonder how it feels to be a fish with trash in its home.
My art is a result of my desire to reconnect with the natural world — especially through water, the element we all came from. My art is also a movement — to inspire appreciation and passion for taking care of our planet and ourselves.”
To view more of her work you can visit her Instagram feed here.
Underrated
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The best gifts I’ve received throughout my life have been unexpected and sentimental. I came across this article that reminded me of those gifts and the beautiful meaning of them - that I will cherish forever. It also is a great reminder to GIVE these gifts to loved ones - it seems so much more meaningful and fulfilling.
Tasty
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Among the many perks of Substack, I have found like-minded people who love food and love to cook really good food to boot! Thanks to
who writes After Hours I cooked this amazing Hibachi Chicken recipe for dinner this week and it was an instant family favorite. I can’t wait to try more from Erin at the Wooden Skillet.Think Piece
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The New York Times has a new series called The Interview and the second installment is with one of my favorite actors, Julia Louis-Dreyfus. I admittedly didn’t watch much Seinfeld but was a super-fan of her show Veep. In fact, if you haven’t watched that show yet - I am actually jealous that you get the opportunity to watch it with fresh eyes (go watch it, seriously).
I am also a huge fan of her podcast Wiser than Me which has just wrapped up it’s second season. Julia is endearing, funny, smart and incredibly wise. I admire her in many ways and always want to share her work with people I care about.
You said that you were interested in exploring these ideas. Can you tell me why? Well, they’re fundamental. It’s funny how we’re all going to die, and everyone we know is going to die, and yet we do not waste any time really thinking about that. And I probably shouldn’t use the word “waste,” but we don’t think about it a lot. And maybe it’s a good thing, but it is amazing because we all have that in common. And it’s not something you go through life considering a lot. I’ve lost people very close to me in my life. And those losses are hard to reconcile. Still are. I’ve given birth to two children, and I don’t want to be misunderstood, but there’s something about giving birth and the awesomeness of that, and then when my father died and I was with him when he died, there is a similar thing, the waiting. I was struck by how similar that was, in certain ways, to waiting for a baby to come. It has a mystery to it that is undeniable, as does the birth of a person. And, you know, I myself had cancer. The idea of that sort of coming to knock on your door was alarming, shall we say, which is the understatement of the century. So for all those reasons, I was intrigued by this film.
Educate Me
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I’m having a really hard time wrapping my brain around this but the average cloud weighs over 1 million pounds. WHAT IS LIFE? 🤯
Recommended
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One of my favorite things to treat myself and shop for is jewelry. I have my eye on this beautiful, minimal necklace from the Charleston, N.C. based jewelry shop, Hart. I love all of their custom charms and mix and match chains and cord necklaces as well.
Fresh Takes
"Guilt lives in the past.
Worry lives in the future.
Peace lives in the present."
Listening to
The reason I discovered this song is because I randomly came across this duo on Instagram and their reaction to it.
This clip itself is worth the watch…and I pretty much feel exactly the way they do about Chappell Roan. I’ll be deep diving into her music now!
Yes, Please!
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I loved reading 8 pieces of life advice from dads and in-particular loved this quote the most via Clifford Whitney:
1. Learn what you love
Dad said: "Learn everything you can about what you love, and no one can take that from you."
I did — and have had a wonderful career in television engineering.
To all the fathers on Sunday, I wish you a Happy Father’s Day!
Until next time -
Flutter On,
Sara
P.S. My photography course, COMPOSED is live and ticking over on the website! Have questions about it? Please don’t hesitate to reach out! I’d love to see you there.
Thank you for the mention!! Also, I friggin love your BUTTERFLY notes!
The weight of clouds ☁️ is mind blowing.