Stop, Breathe, Trim Thorns

Hi y’all 👋

Happy Thursday and welcome back to The Midmod Corner. My mind is still buzzing from last night's Ikebana workshop. Who knew flower arranging could be so meditative? Though my arrangements are far from masterful, I'm finding inner calm in the practice.

But enough about me, how’s this working for you? Enjoying the content? Consider this an emotional check-in. You can reply right to this email to gimme your thoughts. Til then, let’s talk about:

• Ikebana: An Ancient Japanese Ritual to Slow Your Scroll 🧘🏻

• Snippets: Seth Rogen's Green Thumb ☘️

• Around The Web: Jay-Z's Life, IRL Barbie house, and your dream home hit the market 🌐

📰 The Story

The Art of Slowing Down and Finding Stillness

My life is dominated by distraction - between the ceaseless pinging of my phone, the Slack notifications, the flickering lights all around and the thousand thoughts ricocheting around my brain, I sometimes feel overwhelmed. Frazzled.

I needed stillness. Focus. presence. And I found it in the most unlikely place - the ancient Japanese art of Ikebana.

Yep, flower arranging. I know, I didn't see that one coming either.

Slow Your Scroll and Stop to Smell the Flowers

Ikebana, which translates to "making flowers alive," has its roots in Buddhist rituals and dates back to the 6th century. The premise is simple: create a harmonious balance between heaven, earth, and humanity using flowers, branches, and leaves. But it's so much more than decorating your home with pretty blooms. Ikebana is a meditative practice, a ritual that brings your mind into the present moment - a great fix to mindless scrolling.

In our fast-paced world where "more is more" seems to be the mantra, Ikebana invites us to pause and find beauty in simplicity. It nudges us to observe, to feel, and to immerse ourselves in the quiet dance of nature. And trust me, you don't need a green thumb for it – just an open mind.

Find Joy in the Ritual

Just as the organizational queen Marie Kondo sparks joy through folding shirts and tidying drawers, ikebana artists find joy through the ritual of flower arranging. The goal isn't the finished product - it's the mindful journey it takes to create it.

Constructing the perfect asymmetrical arrangement is an act of slowing down and focusing amidst the chaos of modern life. It's a chance to mute the messy clutter of your mind and find stillness.

Turns out there's tranquility in focusing on flowers instead of freaking out about your endless to-do list. Who knew?

Grab Your Shears and Snip Your Way to Serenity

And the best part about this whole "flower zen" thing is that you don't need to be a Japanese monk or master practitioner to benefit from it. With a few simple supplies, anyone can tap into this meditative art.

Here's what you need:

1. Flowers - opt for seasonal blooms with interesting shapes. Ask your local florist for stems with character - curvy branches, spikey leaves, drooping buds.

2. A vase - look for an elegant vessel that complements the flowers. Shallow, asymmetrical vases allow you to better construct a dynamic arrangement.

3. Trimming shears - invest in a small, sharp pair to carefully trim stems. Look for ergonomic handles for comfort. This set from Amazon will do it.

4. Kenzan - this is the "frog" that anchors stems in place. Kenzan are made of metal or glass with pointed spikes. You can also get there from Amazon.

Once you've gathered your tools, find a quiet space and and put your phone on Do Not Disturb. Consider the mood you want to create Then mindfully trim and arrange your stems, appreciating the simplicity of each flower. Notice the snip of the shears and the scent of sap. Mindfully construct your arrangement, appreciating the simplicity and beauty of each stem.

When you're finished, don't worry about the end result. The final arrangement is just the artifact of the journey. Find presence in the process and discover stillness.

Now you can make Ikebana part of your self-care ritual. Whenever your mind feels cluttered and chaotic, pull out your shears, arrange a few stems, and restore stillness.

Wishing you tranquility,

🗃 Snippets

Customize or Compromise? BenchMade Modern, a furniture company, begs this question with its modern, tailor-made sofa program. Forget about settling for an off-the-rack sofa; now you can design your very own lounging experience.

Diving into Tranquility: Who said pool houses are mere storage spaces? Dezeen invites us to rethink this with a roundup of serene pool houses that amplify garden luxury. Fancy a dip into the world of elegant design and tranquil retreats?

AI Meets Iconic Design: The DottoD collective pushes the boundaries of design by combining AI with iconic modernist furniture in an inspiring exhibition in Barcelona. It's a unique exploration, showcasing a fascinating intersection of technology and artistry.

Crafted by Cannabis Connoisseur: Seth Rogen, known for his love of leafy greens, introduces a unique houseplant side table. A delightful blend of his dual passions for pottery and plants, this design piece adds a quirky, naturalistic touch to any space.

😎 Cool Corner

Attention, savvy shoppers! This week's Cool Corner is serving up some serious design finds, and guess where they're from? That's right, Target! We're showing that design-forward and budget-friendly aren't mutually exclusive.

We've rounded up five stellar picks from Target that promise to sprinkle some style magic into your spaces:

1. Rattan Ceiling Light: Create a warm, welcoming ambience with this unique rattan piece. Talk about a conversation starter!

2. Metal Utility Cart: Not just for utility, this vibrant metal cart is a stylish addition that infuses color and functionality into your space!

3. Ceramic Table Lamp: Illuminate your spaces with a dash of boho flair. This ceramic table lamp, a result of a stunning collaboration between Opalhouse and Jungalow, is a brilliant blend of design and function.

4. Acrylic Drinkware Set: Sip your favorite beverages in style with this vibrant acrylic drinkware set. Another gem from the Opalhouse and Jungalow collaboration, this set is perfect for both indoor gatherings and alfresco celebrations.

5. Audio-Technica Turntable: For the audiophiles out there, this sleek, fully automatic turntable from Audio-Technica is a game changer. Bring back the nostalgia of vinyl with the added convenience of modern technology.

🌐 Around the Web

• 🎀 That’s interesting: Spend the night in an IRL version of Barbie's Malibu Dream House.

• ☀️ Weekend plan: Discover the influential journey and work of Shawn 'Jay-Z' Carter from the Marcy Houses to the music industry's zenith

• 🏘 On the market: In the serene San Gabriel foothills, California, there is a property designed by Frank Lloyd Wright’s son waiting for its new owner.

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