I found a new spot to write this week. The Caffè in downtown Oakland, a beautiful little place only a ten minute walk from Otis's school, which meant I could get a matcha, get an hour of real writing done, and still make pickup without rushing. I've been using that window for the fashion Substack I’ve been dabbling in.

I also spent some time this week just cleaning up and organizing my sewing label stash, which turned into the real kickoff for Otis's Halloween costume. Ayrn saved me a box for exactly this purpose, and I'm building him a Lord Garmadon costume, which has been a solid three plus month obsession of his at this point. No sign of it fading, so I'm fully committing.

Saturday morning I made it to the farmer's market at Lake Merritt for the first time since moving here. I got a fig and vanilla matcha latte that might be one of the best things I've had all year, and then spotted something out in the wild that stopped me completely: a crocheted bag shaped like a rat, tail and all, slung over someone's shoulder like it was the most normal accessory in the world. I had to photograph it so I could go home and hunt down the pattern. I'm thinking of making one for my favorite little girl as one of her birthday presents from auntie, because if anyone deserves a rat purse, it's her.