listen (!) to the newsletter here~
I wrote the words THE SALON in my notebook a few days ago.
For some reason it transported me to Paris. Maybe because my dear friend had been texting me from the city, wishing we could walk the uneven streets together, drink too much coffee together, laugh and squeal with embarrassingly touristic delight together.
I was craving one of those Summer days when you arrive home and collapse on the bed, legs aching, realising you’ve walked more than 25 000 steps in eight hours. I was craving one of those Summer evenings. A light dress, a late sunset, a few extra freckles, eating dinner really slow.
And so: I looked up Salon, French and found these words have a more complex history than I could ever begin to understand. However, the simplicity of the below struck me:
A salon is a gathering of people… During the gathering they amuse one another and increase their knowledge through conversation. These gatherings often consciously followed Horace's definition of the aims of poetry, "either to please or to educate"
I have been re-reading Pussy: A Reclamation over the last week, a book some hate with a passion and others adore (I get it, but I’m on team adore).
Again, the word Salon appeared.
I knew I had to do something with this word.
I knew it was the title of new project to pour into. A project with the intention to share intimately and hopefully (maybe?) to delight and amuse.
I’ve always been a writer. It’s the only thing I’ve done consistently, forever, aside from worry about my hair and always see the glass half full.
I’ve had this substack account for almost a year now.
Last Winter, I was doing laps around park in the sun, probably listening to Dua Lipa, my Saving Grace in a season of breakup, solo business expansion and an unhealthy level of solitude, living alone during lockdown after lockdown after lockdown.
But I already have an email newsletter - why create another?
For years I’ve been sending email newsletters. They are long, winding and personal.
They also take me a really, really long time to write. Because writing takes time. Because they need to make sense. Because I need them to be well edited (I laughed out loud writing this, my version of well edited is still not great). Because the purpose of those newsletters is to inform. I run a business and the simple fact is, people need to know what I’m offering, where to sign up, how it all works.
I love being a business owner. I feel a deep satisfaction from breaking all the marketing rules and doing it in my own way. I love writing those newsletters, but I have more to say.
In my heart I am a poet and a mystic and romantic as hell. I love beauty. I love to write about nothing and everything. I am extremely observant. I love to see through lines and untangle threads. For my entire life, whenever a *moment* occurs, I immediately begin to ‘write’ the scene in my mind. I have pages and pages and pages of notes on my phone.
There’s so much I want to share, but felt it was inappropriate in the container of my business email newsletter. I wanted to create something quiet and sacred. Like we are having a conversation in a comfortable space. I want there to be an exchange, I want everyone here to actually look forward to receiving these letters, not just be on the list because they bought their daughter a Human Design Reading three years ago. Which is why I will put the majority of The Salon behind a paywall.
Here, you can expect words that swim and ramble and perhaps don’t come to a logical conclusion.
You might find personal stories.
You might find the long response to a question I’ve tried to answer on IG and found I had way more to say than the platform has the attention span for.
You might find poetry that doesn’t quite fit in The Daily Rest.
You might find reflections on the everyday.
Meditations on coffee making, reading, falling in love. On being sensitive and feminine in an increasingly loud world.
This is an intimate space, with words I’d like to keep between us.
Quiet, small, safe. As if we’re gathered together.
Lounging on velvet couches in low lighting, holding a fragrant drink decorated with flower petal sugar, frankincense smoke and conversations floating late into the afternoon.
Thank you for being here.
Welcome to The Salon.
I’m in heaven! Love this space you’re creating! The intimacy, the ritual, the warm and evocative words dripping through my mind! 💕
( really enjoyed hearing your voice reading to me!)🔥
Could this be more beautiful? Love all that you create from your heart and so excited to see what magic unravels here 😘💫