I’m a photo editor, producer, and passion-project enthusiast. I was born and raised on the Upper West Side in New York City and now I live in Brooklyn. I have a weekly newsletter that I’ve been writing for over eight years. — Leonor M.
PHYSICAL
Carhartt beanie - I treated myself to a cashmere beanie one year (while it was on sale) and then lost it before the spring, so I replaced it the following year, and lost it again. I refused to buy another. I got one Carhartt beanie as a gift and then a second because I wanted another color. They are incredibly warm and I have managed not to lose either over several years. There is some sort of lesson here, but I haven’t decided what it is.
LED tapers - I have a lot of anxiety about open flames in the house, so when I saw these recommended by Virginia Sole-Smith, I immediately bought a pack and I love the way they look in my assortment of taper holders. I put them on and we instantly feel like we are having "fancy" dinner.
Lakewood Pink Grapefruit juice - I became hyper-fixated on pink grapefruit juice last year. I thought I’d be over it by now, but I’m decidedly not and I have an icy glass every few days and it is just absolutely delicious.
DIGITAL
Storygraph - I made the jump to Storygraph after years of using a competing book app. I am a voracious reader (I read 106 books in 2024) and even though I keep a detailed spreadsheet, I like that Storygraph will give me interesting stats and graphics as well as the dopamine hit when completing a book. And it is Black-woman founded!
Texts & group chats - I love having places where I can go to complain or celebrate or gossip or send a meme or go on a rant or speculate about celebrities. Community is so important and while meeting in person is obviously wonderful, it is not always possible when people are scattered around the country and the group chat is a fun and supportive place to convene. (Plus you can mute them when they get too unruly!)
INVISIBLE
Bearing witness to my child learning to read has been the latest in unimaginable heart-stoppingly beautiful moments that have come along with parenthood. It is hard and exhausting, but watching this small human become a person has been such privilege and to see her learn this particular skill has brought me to tears on more than one occasion.
What’s in your NOW?
We want to know what’s in your now — a list of 6 things that are significant to you now — 3 physical, 2 digital and 1 invisible.
If you’re interested in contributing an issue, use this form to submit: https://forms.gle/Pf9BMuombeg1gCid9
If we run your submission in our newsletter and blog, we’ll paypal you $25.