chill out.

a song to set the scene // we belong together by ritchie valens

Facebook Marketplace is going to be the death of me.

Or so I thought, as my gem and I drove out to buy some goods I found off the internet.

It had been the result of the previous night’s 11pm doom scroll through my newest online obsession: Facebook Marketplace.

Facebook Marketplace is a wild ride, let me tell you.

Sketchy and sensational, you can find just about anything on there. And on this particular late night stalk of mine, I found myself thumbing through photos of someone’s rather impressive collection of Pyrex.

Now this was my first time experiencing Facebook Marketplace, and apparently, there are some things to look out for.

A man was selling it, red flag #1 why my gem wouldn’t let me go meet him alone.

The man’s name was… the most generic name, and their profile picture was less than comforting, red flag #2 why my gem wouldn’t let me go alone.

And the man was located in a rather sketchy part of town, red flag #3 why my gem wouldn’t let me go alone.

And so, on a regular old Tuesday, my gem and I drove out of town to meet someone we met off the internet to buy some dishes.

While the gentlemen lived in a legit barricade, complete with aggressive NO TRESPASSING signs, security cameras, and blinds completely drawn, the young guy was really nice; and did, in fact, have an impressive collection of Pyrex.

Of which I walked away with, safe and sound.

A couple of online purchases later, my gem told me I needed to chill out.

Noooooooo. Not what a girl who’s opening up a vintage shop needed to hear.

Well, it was then that I fittingly stumbled across a 1950’s Philco refrigerator.

“Chill out” was right.

Now this I had to have.

I mean, you just don’t stumble across working refrigerators from the 1950’s in Alaska. So when you do, you buy.

Even if the seller is located 3 hours away.

What’s a 3 hour drive when you can be the proud owner of a rare and retro refrigerator?

So, once again, but this time accompanied by my mom, I drove out of town to meet someone we met off the internet to by a fridge.

And just like the Pyrex, it turned out to be a real score.

While the creation and curation of my vintage shop is another story altogether, I’ll tell you one thing: shopping for it is the best part. It’s by far the most thrilling and rewarding; and sometimes, full of red flags that turn out to be real scores.

And now? It’s all part of my business.

So the next time someone says I need to “chill out” on my spending, or “cool off” on my purchasing?

I’ll just go looking for another refrigerator…

moments like this.

a song to set the scene // can’t take my eyes off of you (i love you baby) by ms. lauryn hill

My Heath blizzard was balanced precariously on my spoon.

Arm outstretched towards my gem, who was singing his heart out to Ms. Lauryn Hill, I smiled in awe as the ice cream made contact with his mouth.

The windows were down, the midnight sun was setting, and it was summertime.

We had nowhere to be and nothing to do.

Could there have been a more perfect moment than this?

Even sitting here, in my denim cut-offs, window all the way open, the wind allowing my blooming lilacs to waft into this room in which I write, I can feel it: summertime.

And damn I’ve never felt so good.

It’s days like these, moments like this, that remind me why summertime in Alaska is truly one of the most spectacular places to be.

After the longest, the coldest, the darkest and most depressing winter, we were finally graced with a weekend of heavenly heat.

As I took advantage of every possible minute to be outside and soaking in the sunshine, I also enjoyed the little things that make summer… summer.

Late night drives to DQ for a blizzard, afternoon delights before work, lunch on the picnic blanket, watching my gem care for his garden, and hikes on the hillsides and mountains that surround us.

The days are filled and full of all things we don’t get to enjoy for 80% of the year.

Because for us, we’re already halfway through summer.

Summertime in Alaska is short, perhaps the shortest season of them all. So while it can pass in the blink of an eye (like how is it already end of June?), it also makes its time here that much more rich, fulfilling, and special.

In the time it takes for a Heath blizzard to drip off the spoon as it makes its way into your lover’s mouth, summer comes just as quickly as it goes.

So cherish it, take advantage of it, and please clap for the man singing his heart out to Ms. Lauryn Hill.

Cause it’s moments like that that make summer… summer.