A legendary useful box, double-tipped markers for doodlers, and artwork that rewards looking

Plus, parrot lamps and more at Leland Little's upcoming auction

Feb 15, 2026

∙ Paid

This was a week that galloped; I’m so happy to be in my pjs and writing to you. The upside to lots of travel and being out of my routine is that I saw so many new-to-me things in the real world - from funny tote bags on chic women at a nail salon to the amazing selection at the NYU Langone Tisch Gift Shop - hats off to their buyer - to a great paper craft at my son’s Valentine’s Day party. I have the funny sensation of being both completely drained and that my creative cup is full to the brim. I guess it’s just another reminder that life is never only one thing.

A. In a bout of late-night clicking around, I came across the artist Richard Nadler. I find this series deeply satisfying - a cross between the aesthetics of Good Night Moon (my forever interior decorating touchpoint) and …. maybe a sort of midcentury sumptuousness. This is art that rewards looking.

B. Leland Little has a banger of an auction coming up on the 19th - so many lots to love - like these dendritic Limestone panels, these parrot lamps, and a charming landscape.

C. These swirling bowls up for auction also caught my eye - perfect for ice cream sundaes and piles of strawberries with whipped cream. Sigh. I’m really, really, really ready for summer.

D. I stumbled on this paper frame in the Union Square Barnes and Noble. Would make a sweet gift with a favorite snapshot of a pal inside.

E. Alex and I bummed around Union Square last Sunday and looked at literally everything inside Paragon Sports. We spent so much time there that we even ran into friends (something that never happened to me in all the years I lived in NYC). This lime green Swiss Army knife winked at me hard. I also snagged the last pair of these sneakers.

F. I bought these very cheery hair ties at the NYU Tisch gift shop. They’ll look nice in my wrist stack, too.

G. I’m a real doodler - it helps me focus during meetings. I couldn't resist these seeing double pens.

H. It’s been a long, cold (dry!) winter, and I’m in full hibernation mode. I kept getting annoyed that my favorite sweatshirt was in the laundry and realized there was a simple solution: own two sweatshirts instead of one. I ordered this camo crewneck and will report back. I’m picky about sweatshirts; if it were easy to find one that felt comfortable, I’d obviously already own more than one.

I. Another Paragon Sports find: you had me at “legendary useful box.” I didn’t buy it in the store, but then regretted it and spent some time browsing the internet, reading reviews (I’m hesitating to purchase because none of the reviews specify whether it’s “leak proof”). However, I loved reading about all the things people store in theirs (snacks! camping supplies! Grooming supplies!). Truly a tiny delight to read other people’s happy reviews.

The summer view down the driveway of my childhood home in VT. I was searching for another photo to use here, and this one made me gasp - not quite with longing - but in recognition. Also, I’m really ready for summer. May 26, 2007.

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