The Amuse Bouche of a busy girl who hates being busy.
Dear Substack, it’s been three weeks since my last confession, er, I mean post, and er, Is this a writer sin? IDK. It’s been an age I know, and to the hundred odd of you who read this little experiment of mine, I know it’s been too long. Part of it was that I was actually busy in a way I haven’t been since pre covid (and I hate saying I’m busy - it’s so empty), but I went to London and saw some plays! By the way - Jonathan Bailey in Richard II is really THAT girl.
And I had a bit of a lightning bolt moment, where I realized a line from the play is actually the heading of the outline of my next book which I’ve started outlining. (The line was there before I saw the play, but Because I’m feeling generous, it’s, “I am my crown, but my griefs are mine” Good stuff. *Rubs hands together with an evil, maniacal laugh*) I shot a video project for this first time in six years. It was really refreshing to be back on set, (at The Frick no less) to get back into that saddle so to speak. And I got to work with friends and really talented professionals. That’s coming soon.
When false spring sprung , then of course there is the plethora of social plans, because the weather has been gorgeous, and everyone is coming back out of hibernation from the winter now. There was that fun little thing at the Vogue Vintage Market two weekends ago about how ANNA WINTOUR REMEMBERED ME??!?! I’m still not over it. And I”m so glad my friends were standing right there to verify this did indeed happen.
(AW also convinced me to buy a Fornasetti x Louis Vuitton Bag, which like, I was going to do anyway, but now with the story attached, I had to of course. She’s an icon for a reason.) Oh, and I guess I started dating again? But that’s all you’re getting from me on that subject for now. Then The Frick opening gala was last week (amongst others), and I got to fulfill a lifelong dream of having dinner in my favorite room - The Fragonard Room. I jokingly told them I would only agree to co-chair if I was able to be in that room. Look at these fun pics of me sneaking a picture on a (truly atrocious) iPhone pic from 2014 to getting snapped by Nina Westerveldt of the NYT in 2025. I made a bunch of new friends too, who I’ve gone on some cute friend dates with, just by being social again. It’s almost shocking to be running at full capacity after the years of grief restricting you.
But then as I am wont to do, I tricked myself into exhaustion. It started probably Friday or Saturday of last week when I took to my bed like Mrs. Bennet in a fit of nerves because of an email from my Lawyer about creative project trademarks that I did not like. I texted several friends that I was throwing a fit, and fully acknowledging it. So I slept off the exhaustion. And read a bunch. Then I just struggled with the idea of what to write. I’m starting Writer Wednesday now where I offer little snippets of insight – because it is such a solitary activity. And for better or worse this mercury retrograde did stymy me a bit.
The other part of it is also spending all of my time maladaptive day dreaming – and deciding which one of those bon mots or stories are good enough to twist and turn into a novel or a screenplay. That’s at the core of the answer I give when people ask how you come up with stories. It’s that, it’s just letting my imagination’s engine run, even if it’s not going anywhere. It’s asking what if, when confronted with a situation. It’s slowing down enough to let my Gemini brain to maybe write down some of the the whims and ideas that pass through it. And I have so many things I want to learn! I want to take a music theory class so I can understand why music hits so hard ion my soul. I want to take a drawing class so I can learn how to storyboard. I want to take an acting class to get over my fear of public speaking. You’re telling me I’m supposed to put myself back in a box so a man can find me attractive? No thanks.
In a very obvious change of subject: I’m heading to my first show for Bridal Fashion Week shortly (Tanner Fletcher - the cutest design duo are making their first entry into the Bridal space) (Actually I’m literally writing this in the car on the way to the show). I’ve been thinking about that cute scene in the parent trap with the bridal photo shoot too. I had a conversation with a few designers the other day who are CFDA rising stars and the conversation du jour is tariffs tariffs tariffs. I know as of today the president has technically walked these back because of the chaos wreaked on the markets (or something) but it has the fashion world at a standstill. Most of my friends who are designers or work at smaller brands (aka not with a big parent company behind them) are worried. Listening to their fears in the midst of these uncertainties has renewed my thoughts about how Private Equity should stay far away from fashion ( a thesis I’ve been working on for a while so in light of this renewed interest it’s coming next week!)
that’s all for now friends.
Xoxo
Casey