Don't You Just Love To See It
The “it,” in the immediate sense, will be a video of a mushroom playing a keyboard for an audience of its mushroom friends:
According to the caption, the attached sensors measure electrical fluctuations in the mushroom, which are converted into signals that control the bionic arms, which are playing a keyboard/synth. I found the result to be brain tinglingly soothing, especially after the ongoing calamities of January, and I do not say such things (brain tinglingly) lightly. (I find ASMR, and its fetishists and practitioners, to be at best pretty offputting.) I sent the video to some friends and one responded: “Love it! It’s the primordial music of nature’s vibration! Innate!” I can’t really put it better than that. Innate! Natural. Honest. A good a place as any to start.
It’s almost Valentine’s Day. Do you celebrate? It’s a silly holiday, sure, and I understand its detractors, but I still like to acknowledge it, when I can, either by doing something special, or wearing something that makes me feel special, or surprising someone with something small and delightful. My dad used to for years send cupcakes to my office(s), when I worked in them, which was literally very sweet. Especially now, with everything so bitterly awful so much of the time, it’s a nice time to dig into the small sweetnes and surprises, the various sizes of available delights. Send some notes without warning, make a donation in someone’s name, call someone you haven’t heard from in awhile. There’s also the more traditional route: gifts. There’s so much delightful ceremony to gifting, the many deliciously considered steps between contemplation and presentation, including the hunting and gathering.
So here are some ideas to get for yourself, to get for a friend, a loved one, a family member. Yes, for yourself, too. Now is not a time for self-created limits. Not when the world is throwing down horrors left and right. Now is a time for small, special indulgences because. That’s the way I feel, anyways. Do as much as you can for your community and include yourself in the doing. Anyways. To the stuff!
If you are a person who believes in the power of crystals—and why not, my god, we need as much good energy around as we can handle these days—JiaJia has gorgeous, big rose quartz trays for placement around the home, encouraging love and tranquility and all sorts of good juju. They also make these sort of insane semi-precious jewelry boxes which I am pretty obsessed with (in laboradorite and rhodialite and malachite; I prefer the malachite). A jewelry box is a gift that can be very romantic or very practical. I like the idea of it being something substantive, already precious, beautiful in its own right. It goes without saying this is not for traveling. (If you use ALESSANDRA20 at checkout you get 20% off, too.) Products also arrive in a lovely gift box, which always helps.
If you’d like to update a jewelry collection (yours or theirs) while you’re at it, Dorsey earrings bring the heirloom-level glam without any too-significant swipes to the wallet. I also think there’s something very romantic about Starling’s adorable moon-and-stars baby signet ring, for the person you think hung the moon. (I mean come on, the card writes itself!) Or there’s this major pendant, which really requires no explanation.
As I write this, I really think we should lean into the lead-up to Valentine’s day. I mean from a wardrobe perspective. What about a button-down shirt embroidered with “amour” and high-waisted dark denim jeans with the subtlest hint of a flare? (These also have a very chic matching vest top, for warmer climates, or come spring.) Or a crimson cotton cardigan and chic patchworked jeans (you could tie the matching shirt on top) with a toothsome candy apple red tote, for a Jane Birkin-esque approach? Something strappy, velvet, with bows? I like the character-clash of a (must-have-for-spring) perfectly cropped barn jacket in the best tawny shade with a crocodile embossed shoulder bag the color of a lipstick kiss. A classic trench is always a good idea, and with the right accessories, romantic as hell—if admittedly a little weather dependent. This is technically a men’s sweatshirt, but that’s never stopped me, and it shouldn’t stop you, either, especially when it’s this cute. If you are shopping the men’s section, this flannel shirt is seasonal perfection, especially paired with a classic like an ultra-handsome suede jacket with ribbed collar and cuffs. (Heavier duty, no less handsome? That'd be right here.)
You could also give yourself the gift that keeps on giving, which is the gift of looking extremely snatched at all times. A friend recently told me that she learned (on TikTok, which I refuse to redownload) that if you wrap a rubber band around both of your ears for 10-20 minutes and then remove them your face “magically de-puffs.” I can only assume this is because all of the blood in your face rushes to your ears(???). I have no reason to doubt her but I’ll stick with what I know, which is this incredible sculpting set from no less than the gorgeous geniuses at Chanel beauty HQ. There’s a vaguely heart-shaped massage tool, a serum, and their decadent No.1 rouge plumping cream, all of which I use regularly and recommend highly. A very good gift for oneself, or one’s loved one, or to remind oneself that one is loved.
You could also give yourself pretend lip injections, via a big fat glossy pout, thanks to this plumping gloss which I’m not kidding, really works, and has a lovely little tingle that reminds me of the good ol’ days of like, 7th grade, when I used to wear lip venom. (Remember lip venom!!) If you want to, layer on my favorite Bisou Balm later to really take advantage, or RMS’ very fun new color-changing balm, which is like that Moroccan mood lipstick we used to get, which goes from green to pink depending on your pH… or a bouquet of all three…
My kind of date? Gato dates—nut butter filled, chocolate enrobed—are crazy-makingly-good. Don’t hesitate. Order one box for yourself (quality control!) and one for all your pals. Healthier and way more special than those heart shaped boxes of junk from CVS. And way, way more delicious.
I’ve had these gloriously realistic potted paper camellias in my Etsy cart since Christmas. So I suppose I may have to pull the trigger before you all beat me to it. But I do think these are a romantic, endlessly pleasing present. (Also, it’s paper, so a good first anniversary present, if you’re into such rules, and why not, that’s pretty fun.)
Speaking of mood-boosters, Vyrao’s new Sun Rae fragrance is like Clinique Happy for 2025, meaning not quite so strip mall saccharine (I say that with all due respect for a classic of the genre that I definitely owned and wore!), but totally delightfully bouncy.
For the high-end vintage collector: get this Tom Ford for YSL jacket, save me from myself, I want it so badly. It’s a life changer. I mean that. I believe your life will be changed by wearing it. People will treat you differently, doors will open, a more glorious future will unfurl before you…
The gift of R&R—especially now—is not to be discounted! (Literally it is rarely discounted...) I continue to covet these recovery boots, which boost circulation and reduce inflammation. These brightening, hydrating masks work wonders for someone who’s had a hard time sleeping lately. This bath soak is a prayer answered. And this oil does exactly what it says: calm the anxiety-wrattling vagus nerve, which plagues us all. I am also a big fan of Commune’s line of British-made, pagan-inspired bath and body care, which is as good out of the bottle as in it. And everyone loves this brush or wants one. I don’t make the rules!
Three gender-neutral quick indulgences that go great together: these silky pajamas, this perfect body cream, and this box of (healthy! scurvy-preventing! natural!) miracle citrus.
Somewhere out there is a pup parent aesthete who really needs this midcentury modern dog bed. Whether that’s from you or not is up to you.
If your gift is being crafty in the kitchen, I personally would be over the moon if someone made me this lemon tart. Just saying.
I personally want a fruit tree, or several, a week long stay at my beloved Golden Door with my mother and sister, peace on earth, and you all to read this excellently hilarious and cringe-worthy recollection of the horny magazine profiles of the late 90s and early aughts. May that particular trend rest in pieces.
Thank you, as ever, for being here. I hope it was as delightful as it was diverting. I hope you’re safe, and healthy, and happy, and feeling loved. If you ever want to talk about anything, just shoot me a note. I always love to hear from you.
Until next time—happy early Valentine’s day. I guess we’re Valentine’s now.
xx ATC