just add a little whimsy
the value of collecting things
Floor Time
/flôr tīm/
noun
the 15-60 minute time period spent laying on the floor in the middle of the work day, typically as a relief from the soul-sucking reality of corporate America.
I am a tchotchke girl through and through. I love a trinket. I love a tiny little glass animal that has no purpose other than to add some whimsy to my life. Back in September, I was exploring the shops in Portland, Maine—hopping from store to store looking at random gifts, seeking snobby/superfluous kitchen tools, and creative magnets. In one store (overpriced but fun to look at), I spotted a childhood relic in the corner. It was one of those vending machines that takes 4 quarters, you push, and when you pull a little treat comes out (in the old days, it was always a sticker). This little treat was a tiny linocut print made by artist Anastasia Inciardi. And it sparked a summer of print-hunting.
The hunt began in Maine at that overpriced (but adorable!) store. Unfortunately, I had no quarters or cash, so I couldn’t acquire a print that day. But on the last day of our trip, I convinced Andrew to drive 20 minutes away from the airport to Allagash Brewing (a Maine staple we wanted to visit anyway) so that we could get some prints. The absolute euphoria that hit when I opened that cardboard bifold brought me back to being a kid. We had to take turns being outside with Klaus, so when we met again at the table we opened them together and exchanged, “OooOo what did you get?!”s—I think we even ended up trading a couple.
Turns out my roommate, Lizzie, knew about these prints too, because there’s another Inciardi Machine at the Whitney Museum here in New York. When I got home from the trip, she showed me all the ones she’s collected and it got me so excited about hunting down the machines in the city—kind of a gotta-catch-em-all situation. In October, my friend Alex came to town and we went on a hunt through Brooklyn. I got to show her some of my favorite establishments (including the best ice cream in the world, found at Caffe Panna). Following the machines created an entire day’s itinerary for us. And as my collection started to grow, so did the joy. When I went to Haricot Vert, a charm/craft shop in Williamsburg, I acquired my favorite print so far (the teacup shown above). The shopkeeper happily exchanged my dollar for quarters and said brightly, “which one are you hoping for??” Something about the collective excitement over these tiny prints washes away my troubles and makes me think, yes, more of this energy always please.
Of course, I’m not alone in that feeling. “People who collect items say they are less stressed and better able to unwind. When we are focused on something, we most likely are not thinking about the stress in our lives.”1 Having hobbies is good for you! Having a mission is delightful! Getting little prints to decorate your wall for only $1 is a steal!
The artist recently opened the Inciardi Machine in Grand Central Station, and I hear it has been clearing out so quickly that they’ve been asking people to limit their purchase to 5 prints a person. Clearly, we crave the unpredictable joy that delightful treasures like these prints deliver. May we all seek out and savor the whimsy that makes life fun—whether at an Inciardi Machine or elsewhere.
Something I Thought of in the Shower
It’s STILL the Wicked Soundtrack.
Something To Laugh About
Here are this week’s gems:
This is literally what it feels like to get a tiny print.
I have never seen a cat sit as still as this—very decent, very mindful.
Christmas at my house be like this.
$3K in caviar and $30 in In N’ Out is the culinary heaven I want to live in. If being thirty is supposed to look like this I’m doing it wrong so far 🤑
Something for Clarice
Hey! This newsletter is free and I intend to keep it that way. That said, if you love it and want to show your appreciation, buy me a coffee :)
Something Pretty
Winter is officially here! During my week off I celebrated Thanksgiving in the city, whipping out my sheep sweater for its season debut, christening my mint-condition derby shoes I thrifted in Philly, visiting the Neue Gallerie for the first time, and capping it off with the world’s best martini at Bemelman’s. So New York! So UES!
By the way…I’m reading this.
Hehehehehehehehehehe.
And I’m watching this.
I saw Wicked again in 4Dx which was…it was. And I am so thrilled that after years of missing the boat, I have finally started Arcane in time to watch the new season. Holy shit you guys, you were not lying. This show is unreal. Shoutout to everyone’s favorite Barden Bella, Hailee Steinfeld, for being a great voice actor and for getting engaged to that very average-looking man.
Have a great weekend of winter frolicking, everyone! It’s below freezing in NYC so I can finally flaunt the best pieces from my closet (my sweaters and coats).
‘Til next time, print-hunters. Your friend,
Clarice
Source: Dr. Richard Stride via The Chronicle