Long Live This Little Newsletter
On our 1-year (!!!), what's to come, and the power of restraint
We did it! The little newsletter that could triumphantly crosses the one-year anniversary threshold. A little over a year ago, I was wrapping up my tenure as a nanny, writing more beauty stories than I could keep track of, and dreaming of an outlet where I could explore my fascination with secondhand clothing.
I was stepping out into the Wild West of fulltime-freelancing (sound familiar?) with loads of optimism and a closet to cling to. I wrote every week for almost six months, waxing poetic about camel coats, really good tees (reminder: this is still my fav white tee), the wedding industrial complex, and whatever the hell I meant by “the basket effect.” The best part, and any writer will agree, was that writing these dispatches from my dining table never felt like work.
With all the nostalgia comes heaps of optimisim for the year ahead. We’ll stick to the once-every-other-week cadence because, well, I’m more than a newsletter writer. I’ll be launching a product this year—very confidential, reader-only news. No hints, expect, maybe this one. I’d like to introduce you to one of my more fashion-related new years resolutions: The 2023 Fashion File.
What you’re looking at, if you’re unfamiliar with the platform, is Notion. Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? This website is the best thing that’s ever happened to this list-obsessed person. This page in particular, within my Notion board, is all the clothing I hope to thoughtfully acquire in this calendar year. I know. It’s a lot. Or rather, it’s not a lot! But that’s the point.
Let’s annotate my choices for a little clarity.
(+ thrifting while traveling as sport) This means if I want to commission a pair of leather sandals on my upcoming Florence trip, I’ll count it as a souvenir.
Travel backpack upgrade ($120)After much research, I purchased this bag on eBay. Review pending!Custom Bode shorts ($560) Don’t worry, we’ll get into this.
Custom double-breasted suit from Ramon ($600) Again, this will be a whole thing.
Work celebration crossbody (Proenza?) ($350) Set a secret work goal. This is my reward.
Chava cropped tuxedo top ($285) Investing in Chava pieces until it’s all I wear.
Better jeans for Long Live ($75) Insert detailed newsletter on how I buy vintage Levis online. You’re welcome for the R+D.
Ski bib pants ($50)Boring as hell, but a ski trip awaits.Plain black baseball hat ($50) Very Succession of me.
White cotton button down for hot, hot days ($90) Another attempt at surviving summer with some semblance of style. I’ll order an XL and wash it 100 times.
Tailoring (unlimited) The caveat! I’m allowed to spend whatever I want updating pieces I already own.
So that’s that! Long Live continues to be a warm, fuzzy corner of the internet where eBay bids and Poshmark bundles reign supreme. I hope you feel inspired to shop secondhand before clicking 2-day shipping elsewhere. I promise you’ll feel amazing.
Last little update: Long Live will always be free! I think we all know by know I love a deal. Wondering how you can support? Subscribing is a great place to start. Shopping the newsletter, which is connected to my affiliate account, is a massive high five. Forwarding to a friend or tagging me on Instagram is fab. Long Live is accepting sponsors for the first time (!!!) I can’t wait to partner with brands I love to bring you secondhand stories.
Honorable Mentions
Books! We have a lot. I’ll keep these short.
Flight—long-winded family drama set upstate New York
Motherthing—must have high spookiness threshold to advance!
Dear Dolly—buy it for yourself. Buy it for your little sister. Gold advice.
All Adults Here—you know I’m an Emma Straub stan.
The Science of Storytelling—narrative nerds unite.
The Lady In White—Emily Dickinson through a lyrical POV.
I wrote about pajamas for Vogue and about my wedding dress for Cov! Christian was thrust into husband-dom by photographing me in feather pajamas. I’ll see you in two weeks! Long Live forever x
The list is brilliant, writing my own now!!
So happy you’re here, and delighted to be sharing this bananas-and-extremely-amazing second-hand journey with you....happy new year!