The Heirloom Edit №3
August's Letter On Seasons of Rest, and Starting Again
Hi friend,
If you’re new here, welcome. And if you’ve already been around for a while, thank you—truly—for sticking with me, even through quiet seasons.
I had plans for July. I really did. I mapped out content, brainstormed ideas, and set reminders. But when the time came to write and share, I found myself… empty. Not uninspired, exactly, but spent. Like a well drawn one too many times without pausing to refill. I’m guessing it’s a bit of a delayed response to Maycember—finishing my draft, getting the kids through the finish line of school, getting through the finish line of school myself… it was a lot.
So this is my note to you (and maybe to myself, too) that sometimes the work we do needs to pause. Not because it doesn’t matter, but because it does. And because we matter. Our energy. Our presence. Our peace.
July became a month of quiet. To rest. To feel like a person again.
There’s a kind of pressure—especially in this online world—to keep showing up, to stay consistent, to perform productivity. But I need to remind myself that’s not the kind of legacy I’m trying to build here. And The Heirloom Edit, at its core, was never meant to be about hustle. It’s about preserving what matters, even when that looks like stillness.
So What Now?
Here’s what I can promise you this month:
A new Substack post or two, when the words feel real and ready.
More honest glimpses behind the scenes of a life being rebuilt on purpose.
I’ve been thinking about heirlooms a lot lately. Not just the tangible ones, but the intangible kind, too. The values we model. The stories we choose to tell (or not tell). The way we honor our limits, and teach the next generation that they can, too.
So maybe this month’s heirloom is simply this: the permission to rest, and the courage to begin again.
With gratitude,
Nina
If you enjoyed this peek into what’s inspiring me lately, please tap the ♡ or leave a note below. Your thoughts always make this space feel more like a conversation!
Here’s a little collection of things I’m loving this month! Some of the links in this section may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. I only ever share things I truly love and would include in my own home or routines. Thank you for supporting my work in this small but meaningful way!
It may still be iced coffee season, but I’ve felt a subtle shift, like the air is waiting for something just beyond the horizon. Maybe it’s the whisper of Practical Magic 2 filming (!!), or maybe it’s Terrain’s new “Natural Magic” theme that stirred something in me. And if you haven’t seen it yet: Anthropologie’s Whimsigoth Halloween collection is stunning. It’s everything I didn’t know I needed—Victorian silhouettes, celestial embroidery, and velvet moodiness that feels more like heirloom magic than novelty décor.
I’m not ready to light the fall candles quite yet, but a little seasonal shimmer—midnight glass, dried herbs, mossy textures—feels like the perfect in-between. If you know anything about the book I’m working on (and you might have a hunch from this blurb), you’ll understand why this enchanted aesthetic is calling to me. ✨
All that to say: this month’s Curio is a bit of a midsummer daydream turned moonlit ritual. A little mystical, a little moody, and just the right amount of magical.
Moon Plant Trellis
A delicate celestial trellis that brings just a whisper of magic to your climbing vines or nighttime container herbs.
Owl Garden Statue
This wise little owl adds a timeless, enchanted touch to your garden or porch. I have three different ones from Anthro in my cart right now, and it’s impossible to pick a favorite.
Gold Moth Bottle Opener
This whimsical bottle opener feels plucked from a fairy picnic—practical, yes, but with just enough mystery to look like it might unlock an attic door or apothecary drawer.
Capri Blue Volcano Matte Jar Candle
Smells like Capri Blue volcano, but it’s giving major witchy vibes. Ideal for moody evenings, but still smells like summer.
Metal Slinger by Rachel Schneider
Swordplay, sorcery, and slow-burn tension. This one has the vibes of Fourth Wing with a dash of darker magic and the best ending I’ve read in a while. A perfect midsummer escape. Can’t wait for book 2! Bonus: Available on Kindle Unlimited.
Favorite Blue Goblets
Because even iced coffee tastes better when served in something that looks like it came from an old apothecary cabinet. Bonus points for witchy dinner party potential. I pull these out every August!