El Porto, 9/7/26
Hello friend! It’s been a minute. 👋 Hope you had a wonderful summer staying cool (for my Californians) and dry (for my East Coasters). What’s up with the weather, huh?
So the reason I’ve been mostly offline this year is because… I got pregnant! 🐣
I had big plans to keep writing and practicing my video editing this year, but life had other plans. Instead I’ve spent the last 7 months quietly growing a little human in my belly. Crazyyy! Thankfully, I’ve had a smooth pregnancy and have felt incredibly supported by my friends and family along the way. Here are some BTS pics from our baby shower a few weeks ago. 🩵
With my baby due in just a few months, I suddenly felt this urge to get back online and start creating again… So I’m here! Let’s get into what’s been inspiring me lately.
✨ 5 THINGS INSPIRING ME
1. ARTIST: Ella Kasperowicz
Ella (aka @ellastrated) is an illustrator and print designer based in England who creates whimsical, colorful portraits of families going about their everyday lives. As an expecting mother myself, her simple and heartwarming illustrations of motherhood (like this one) give me all the warm fuzzy feels.
Check out her work here.
2. BOOK: Strangers by Belle Burden
This memoir follows a NY-based woman whose twenty year marriage unexpectedly ends during the pandemic. Her family’s socialite background made the story especially interesting, but what stuck with me the most was how the book is inspiring me to document my own life as I enter this new chapter of motherhood.
Check out the book here.
3. PODCAST: Jessica Williams on the IMO Pod
One of my favorite actresses, Jessica Williams from Shrinking, recently appeared on IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson. I loved listening to their tall girl talk (I’m 5’9” so I can totally resonate), and Jessica’s love for crafting and appreciation for a great boss she once had (aka Jon Stewart).
Check out the episode here.
4. SMALL BIZ: Loaf on Paper Stationery & Cafe
If you love cute stationery, this is a must-visit in Brooklyn! I stumbled upon this cozy cat-themed stationery shop this summer when I visited NYC. They sell adorable stamps and stickers, home goods, books written by local writers, and yummy lattes. It’s also a sister store to Niconeco Zakkaya in the East Village.
Check out the shop here.
5. VIDEO: Mini Piper Surfboard by Matt Pagan
I spotlighted my surf coach Matt Pagan last year in this newsletter, and this time I want to share a short film he created in collaboration with videographer Cameron Nelligan and pro surfer Hunter Jones to tell the story behind his latest surfboard model, the Mini Piper. Lots of sick action shots from Malibu. 🤙
Check out the video here.
📺 IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
I’m Going to Be a Mom… and I Finally Feel Ready | Notes From This Season Ep. 2
In this episode of Notes From This Season, we’re talking about big life changes… pregnancy!
This month we’re reflecting on my creative journey, uncovering how my priorities have shifted, and why I finally feel excited and ready to become a mother. → Watch here
☀️ CHEERFUL NEWS
Last but not least, I wanted to share the latest Coco Moon Hawaii Christmas PJ Collection I designed with my favorite brand!
We came out with two prints this year — Merry Musubis and Mistle-Toes On The Nose. 🍙 🎄
Many of the sizes sold out in less than a week (😱), but there’s still a few available that you can mix and match!
Check out the collection here.
