Leave it to Leonor #406

This week's newsletter is by Amanda Saviñón. She is a photo editor, photographer, artist, and the founder of Loyal Nana.

I first met Amanda over 10 years ago. Over these years, we have worked together at many places and in many ways. She is one of my most trusted creative collaborators, a Coven member, and a close and treasured friend.

This week I am thinking about moving. Growing up, I moved roughly 20 times and went to different schools every year. Chaotic A.F. Moving so much did give me a flex, though, and that is the sweet, sweet ability to adapt.

Two years ago, I moved to Miami from New York City, which felt similar to all the other times I had moved. Then, four months ago, I moved from Miami to Seattle, but this move felt different. Maybe it was because I was moving from one corner of the world to another. It might have been because this move came with a different timezone. Perhaps it was because I was a newlywed moving to the West Coast for my husband's job. Maybe we'll just never know. 

When we started our moving process in Miami, I had to look at everything I owned in my entire life and decide whether to pack it up so I could see it again on the other side of the country or donate it so it could find new life elsewhere. That was a lot. I love to purge and get rid of things, but I also like to keep things "just in case I want it later." This and all of the doing and undoing is why this shit isn't fun until you're finally settled in on the other side. The "settled-in" feeling finally happened this week, and I couldn't help but think of how I got here. 

In Miami, moving meant leaving my tennis community for good, canceling my gym and spa memberships, packing up my desk at work, returning Tupperware, forwarding mail… It meant my husband and I made lists of our favorite restaurants, bars, stores, and places we never had the chance to visit so we could go one last time before leaving. It meant setting up one-on-ones with friends over 6 weeks so we could hug and say goodbye. For me, it also meant getting married because we always wanted a small Miami wedding to honor the special place that brought us together. 

I felt good in Miami. I had the sun! I found a slower, more leisurely way of living. My muscles were always relaxed. Due to the culture and weather, I often wore very little clothing. I was tanned year-round. My favorite thing to do was go to the beach on the weekends, find new restaurants, and try classic ones on the weekdays. I thrived and grew. Miami is known as The Magic City, and for me, it sure was. 

Arriving in Seattle meant discovering a new airport, exploring neighborhoods, and touring houses to eventually find a place to call home. It meant visiting the DMV for license and car plates that will now read WASHINGTON STATE. It meant updating addresses with banks, trying out different gyms, seeing about a new dentist, OBGYN, lash lady, and nail tech. It meant finding restaurants and "spots" to frequent and, of course, wearing more clothing.

In moving, I have always found that nothing is right, nothing is wrong, and most importantly, it is all cumulative. The way of life I experienced and loved in Miami has not been lost on me. I still remember it, and it has not gone away. On the contrary, that way of life that has come to feel like a part of me has been heightened and enlightened, and with the new energy of the Emerald City behind it, my lifestyle has actually been fired up by the sweet and raw essence of adventure.

This week in listening. . .
In celebration of Vybz Kartel's release from prison after a 13-year bid, he dropped "First Week Out" during…well…his first week out.

Lotto's Sugar Honey Iced Tea is out, and she said what she said.

The Lox on Tiny Desk Concerts.

This week in pop culture. . .
Rihanna is back at the carnival after 5 years off.

Missy Elliot is touring with Ciara and Busta Rhymes.  

Sabrina Carpenter has a smoothie at Erewon now, too. 

Young Thug's YSL trial is live.

Adele was like oh, I'm engaged, by the way.

This week in TV. . .
I am rewatching Scandal (thank you, E.E.), and I cannot get enough!

Industry is back, and I am ready to dive in.

This week in movies. . .
I love anything starring Hunter Schafer. Can't wait to see the gruesome-looking Cuckoo.

Good One is not yet showing in Seattle, and I am itching to watch it. Coming-of-age films always touch my heart. 

This week in a gif. . .

This week in one good thing. . .
I recently quit my job to free up my schedule and reconnect with my creativity. So far, so good.

This week in artsy stuff…
New Banksy Murals. Very mindful, very cutesy, very demure.

A life-size Polly Pocket Airbnb in Massachusetts.

Mark Zuckerberg commissioned a sculpture for his wife, of his wife. 

Art Exhibitions to see while in Paris. 

This week on the internet…
American women dominated the Summer Olympics!

First woman from the Dominican Republic to win an Olympic gold medal. Ya tu sabe!!!!

I will never tire of talking about friendship breakups. (See the Loyal Nana x LITL collab on this topic from last year here)

This week in reading. . .
I am making my way through The Sentence, which I hand-picked from Leonor's Best Books of 2023 list. It is beautifully written, and I know I love a book when I think of the characters and the story whenever I am not reading it.

Crying in H Mart is my next read!

I read Fourth Wing so fast, but Iron Flame took a little longer. I would absolutely watch these if they were ever to become movies. So dang good. 

Me, working to wake up my creativity again, 
Amanda

Share the newsletter with a friend using this sign up link. You can also leave comments on older posts there!
https://leaveittoleonor.beehiiv.com/

Feedback is life! If you are a new or longtime reader and have some thoughts, please leave them here.

Every book I've ever mentioned in the newsletter is listed at this affiliate link on Bookshop, plus a book registry in case you want to send something my way.

Logo design by Josef Reyes