April Life
Inside | Outside Things + more!
Hello!
First, thanks for all the emails and comments you sent about last month’s question. I was surprised by the response, but not surprised by how kind/funny/cool your feedback was. It was the confirmation I needed. THANKS.
It also inspired me to make some changes here…
Being outside, gardening, and nature is such a huge part of my life right now - and something I’m working to bring into other people’s lives. The research on how it can help recharge us, calm us, help us focus, and even feel safer in our neighborhoods is so remarkable. And because so many of you have told me you are seeking more calm and feelings of safety, I want to add more of that to this newsletter.
I’m very aware that nature is not everyone’s thing. So I will continue to share all the TV, cookbook, interior, design, and business links here, too. You’ll get a dose of inside things and outside things (I changed the name of this newsletter to reflect that). And since it was already the name of my new podcast that’s launching, it all just made sense.
To all my Basker newsletter people, you’ll now just receive one email from me (here). We’re already doing the Inside/Outside thing over there, so you won’t really see any changes.
Again, thank you for all your feedback and messages last week. You all are truly the best, and I’m really excited to keep connecting here.
Get all the goodies below!
And look out for some new recipes later this month.
Love,
Jessica
The Things That Freaked My Week
Some things I’m currently into…
INSIDE
Why Voice Notes Are A Small Act of Love via Time
As a voice-notes person myself, I loved this.
In Your Face: The Brutal Aesthetics of MAGA via Mother Jones
I’ve been so fascinated with “Mar-a-Lago Look” content and this piece dissected it in a much deeper and meaningful way. Great read.
Favorite line: This is the real brutality of the Mar-a-Lago aesthetic. It’s not the makeup or potential plastic surgery, but the eagerness with which its adherents capitulate to the whims of their king. American politics, like our faces, may never recover.
Survival Of The Thickest
Season 2 is here! (on Netflix)
Some artists I’m loving (discovered via Stephanie Gerson)
Stephanie H Shih
Tatsuya Tanaka
Kathleen Ryan
EEEEEK!
Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams
Currently on hold and ready for pickup.
OUTSIDE
For the topiary obsessed via House & Garden
NEED
All Muppety and perfect.
Touch Grass
I want one for my phone.
An Environmental Approach to Positive Emotion: Flowers (a study by Jeannette Haviland-Jones, Ph.D)
The proof is pretty cool. Abstract: “In three different studies we show that flowers are a powerful positive emotion “inducer.” Flowers have immediate and long-term effects on emotional reactions, mood, social behaviors and even memory for both males and females.”
Also NEED
Plant Sale!
My college’s Horticulture Club is this coming Friday. Lots of cool plants at REALLY good prices. We priced them lower than most plant sales, so they’re more accessible (which means you can get more!). I’ll be there from 9am to noon helping out. Come say hi if you’re in Charleston.
Things I can help you with…
Learn to Grow Cut Flowers
Now’s the time to get your summer garden going! We can do this virtually or in-person. I swear you can do it, even if you don’t think you have a green thumb.
Workplace Well-Being Sessions
Through Horticultural Therapy, we’ll create a program to help with: anxiety + stress reduction, team building, sense of ownership, increased focus, calming and / or creative breaks, and increased engagement.
Reach out to hello@baskergardens.com to learn more.
And some books by me:
One Part Plant: A Guide to Eating Real One Meal At a Time
Know Your Endo: An Empowering Guide To Health + Hope With Endometriosis