My dear mother recently sent me this lovely needlepoint pillow. I love everything about it–the colors, the design, the square shape. It totally works with my decor. And I paired it with my Mary Englebreit ‘Snap Out Of It’ pillow circa my childhood. I think this was the first thing I purchased in a mall (with a gift certificate). Even as a child, I was an old lady.

Anyway, these pillows make me happy. And even though most of my things are perpetually covered in dust and my tiny apartment sometimes feels cluttered, I like having a lot of pretty things that remind me of home or people or things I’ve done. But, seriously, the dust is a losing battle.