bread + butter
Vol. 01 | The Analog Archive
This volume was born from a craving for friction. In a world of wireless convenience and ultra-glossy digital interfaces, I found myself searching for the 'tether'—the corded headphones, the heavy paper, and the slow, deliberate rituals that remind us we are more than just users of a machine. This issue is an exploration of the beauty found in the grain.
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the love letter
I’ve been thinking about the moment we collectively decided to start designing for algorithms instead of humans—prioritizing the "pixel" over the "thumbprint" until our digital spaces became optimized, sanitized, and, if I’m being honest, entirely soulless.
COLLECT THE THOUGHTS -
the composition
Design is never an accident; it is an assembly of parts. For Vol. 01, we are exploring the tension between Heavy Linen and Bitter Cocoa, anchored by the raw signature of Beth Ellen and a saturated pulse of Pressed Vermillion.
OPEN THE ARCHIVE -
the soft edit
Most beautiful things aren’t brand new; they are the ones that have been cared for and polished. This month, we are reclaiming our digital territory by shedding the third-party Linktree in favor of a custom-built, high-fidelity concierge page.
VIEW THE EDIT -
from the pantry
A necessary pause for the nervous system. Before the deep work begins in the studio, we return to the physical world to regulate: two Medjool dates, a thick slice of cold butter, and a pinch of flaky sea salt. It’s five minutes of intentional silence and a blood-sugar-stable anchor to reclaim your focus from the digital noise.
PREPARE THE PALATE -
the cultural index
What we’re seeing, hearing, and wearing in the studio. A curated record of this month’s most refined influences—from the architectural silhouette of a vintage blazer to the singular track on repeat that defines the current mood.
BROWSE THE INDEX -
the studio classifieds
An open door to the studio and a transparent record of commerce. We currently have two openings for The Editorial Edit this month, and I’m personally seeking a recommendation for a family photographer on O’ahu.
ACCESS THE LEDGER
the love letter
A note on intentionality.
I’ve been thinking about the moment we collectively decided to start designing for algorithms instead of humans—prioritizing the "pixel" over the "thumbprint" until our digital spaces became optimized, sanitized, and, if I’m being honest, entirely soulless.
This space is my response to that shift.
If you have been following my work for a while, you know that my eye is my most trusted tool. This zine is an invitation to visit the internet with intention—a curated archive where my aesthetic standards meet your digital strategy. Whether we are discussing the architectural silhouette of a blazer, the specific grain of a film-inspired image, or the technical refinement of a website's "Soft Edit," every piece of this is here to help you make your digital home all it can be.
This is for the women who are doing it all—the business owners, the mothers, the creators who believe that the world is a better place because their vision is in it. You deserve a space that isn't just "functional," but beautiful. A place that honors your time and your taste.
Welcome to Vol. 01. Let's reclaim the grain.
the composition
Design is never an accident; it is an assembly of parts. In this section, we break down a singular aesthetic into its core elements—type pairings, color stories, and digital artifacts—giving you a blueprint to refine your own brand’s visual vocabulary.
The Archive | Vol. 01
The Visual Spec Sheet
The Strategy
The effectiveness of this composition lies in its intentional friction. By pairing high-contrast tones with grainy, analog textures, we create a digital experience that feels grounded and permanent. This isn’t just about "pretty colors"—it’s about using visual weight to slow the viewer down, inviting them to linger rather than scroll. We use Bitter Cocoa to anchor the eye, Heavy Linen to provide breathable space, and Pressed Vermillion to command attention exactly where it’s needed.
The Creative Kit
We have curated a technical kit to help you bring this aesthetic into your own digital space. Inside, you will find:
The Visual Anchor: A curated Pinterest board featuring the "grit," heavy textures, and silhouettes that define Vol. 01.
The Studio Assets: A Canva Archive containing our foundational color palette, typography pairing standards, and our signature Digital Polaroid template.
Note: To maintain high-fidelity textures and custom font styling, a Canva Pro account is required for the Studio Assets.
the soft edit
Most beautiful things aren’t brand new; they are the ones that have been cared for and polished. This month, we are reclaiming our digital territory by shedding the third-party Linktree in favor of a custom-built, high-fidelity concierge page.
A link-in-bio is often the first point of friction for a high-end brand. It feels temporary, cluttered, and disconnected from your visual territory. By bringing this "lobby" onto your own site, you are inviting your audience into a controlled, architectural experience that you own entirely.
The Basic Steps for Squarespace :)
Create a new page: Start by adding a new blank page in your Squarespace "Not Linked" section.
Add a heading: Use your logo or business name and pair it with a fun photo or a grain-heavy GIF to set the mood.
Build your navigation: Add Button Blocks for each of your key links.
Prioritize the top link: Place your most important current offer—whether it’s a new service, a booking link, or a recent project—at the very top of the list.
make it stand out
Once the basic structure is in place, you can use the Squarespace block library to add layers of personality and function:
Custom Image Buttons: Instead of standard buttons, you can design custom graphics or textures in Canva that match your brand’s aesthetic. Upload these using an Image Block and attach a click-through link to create a completely bespoke, tactile navigation experience.
Social Connections: Use the Social Links block to display a clean, minimalist row of icons. This keeps your external platforms accessible without cluttering the architectural flow of the page.
Location & Presence: If you have a studio, storefront, or home base, dropping in a Map block is a thoughtful touch. it provides a physical sense of place and helps your customers find you easily in the real world.
Live Content: To keep the page from feeling static, add an Instagram feed or a Summary Block. This ensures your latest visual notes and updates are always front-and-center, making the "lobby" feel active and lived-in.
Boutique Shopping: Turn your concierge page into a curated storefront by using the Product, Digital Product, or Scheduling blocks. This allows clients to book a session or purchase an item the moment inspiration strikes, without having to hunt through your main site.
from the pantry
A Note from the Studio: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, or registered dietitian. This ritual is simply a reflection of how I live my life as a mother and business owner. These are my personal opinions and observations on what helps me maintain focus; please consult with a professional for any specific dietary or medical advice.
The Studio Medjool.
I chose the Studio Medjool because it is my personal go-to snack—the one thing I reach for when I need to feel grounded and steady. High-fidelity work requires a regulated nervous system, and for the woman who is "doing it all"—running a business, managing a home, and holding space for others—energy crashes are the enemy of intention.
This specific combination of fiber from the date, healthy fats from the cold butter, and trace minerals from the flaky salt creates a blood-sugar-stable anchor. Unlike a quick hit of caffeine or a processed sweet, this pairing provides a slow-release fuel that prevents the mid-afternoon "digital fog."
The Timing: When to Regulate
The Afternoon Transition: This is not a morning fuel; it is a mid-day boundary. Eat this at 2:00 PM or 3:00 PM when the morning momentum begins to fade and the "noise" of the inbox starts to feel heavy.
The Deep Work Buffer: Enjoy this exactly ten minutes before you sit down for your most creative task. It signals to your brain that the "busy work" is over and the "deep work" has begun.
Avoid Late Night: Because of the natural sugars in the date, we keep this as a daylight ritual to keep your focus sharp without disrupting your evening wind-down.
This is more than a snack; it is a five-minute boundary. Even if the house is loud or the inbox is overflowing, this plate is your "Analog" moment. Sit down, put your phone face-down on the table, and let the salt and sweetness reset your focus.
the cultural index
Observations from my corner of the internet
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the sound
Sonic Rewiring.
We are trading high-tempo "work" playlists for music that allows the mind to expand. We are noticing a move toward instrumental tracks that strip away the distraction of language, providing a steady, meditative backdrop for deep focus.The Dive: Hermanos Gutiérrez - El Bueno Y El Malo. There are no lyrics here to pull your focus. Instead, the hollow, desert-wash of the guitars works to physically rewire the brain, lowering the "noise" and moving you into a state of calm, creative flow.
Spotify
Wiki -
the page
Tactile Literacy.
The "digital tip" has lost its value. There is a return to dense, physical theory and visual anthologies that require a slow read. We are seeing bookshelves used as active archives of inspiration that demand our full, offline attention.
The Dive: "Ways of Seeing" by John Berger. Whether you read the book or watch the original 1972 series on YouTube, this is the definitive deep dive into how images are used to sell, persuade, and manipulate our sense of reality.
*check you local library
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the wave
Architectural Formality.
The "athleisure" era is finally receding. We are seeing a move toward the structured silhouette—heavy wools, sharp shoulders, and "uniform dressing." People are choosing to dress up every day as an act of composure.
The Dive: Wear the damn dress. Stop saving your "best" pieces for a hypothetical event. Invest in a structured wool blazer or that silk slip and wear it to the grocery store. Dressing with intent is a visual response to digital chaos.
THRIFT IT
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the space
Soulful Maximalism.
We are shedding the "clinical beige" and "minimalist-only" interiors. The new high-end is a space that looks lived-in: mismatched textures, overflowing stacks of books, and objects that carry a personal history rather than a brand name.
The Dive: The Uncollected Table. Start mixing vintage colored glassware with mismatched ceramic plates and heavy linens to create a table that feels assembled over a lifetime, not bought in a box.
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the tether
Intentional Friction.
Perhaps the most significant shift is the return of the Analog Wire. We are seeing the revival of corded headphones and handheld camcorders. The "tether" has become a symbol of status—it signals that you are choosing "slow and high-quality" over "seamless and convenient."
The Dive: Koss Porta Pro corded headphones for a raw, physical connection to your audio that Bluetooth cannot replicate.
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the social
The Unhurried Feed.
The "Clean Girl" era and its hyper-polished, sterile standards are out. We are seeing a return to the "Messy" aesthetic—unfiltered, lived-in photos that feel like Instagram used to. It’s a move toward authenticity over performance.
The Dive: The Analog Dump. Start posting the blurry dinner table, the unmade bed, or the grain-heavy snapshot. Capture the moment as it actually felt, not how you think it should look.
the studio classifieds
An open door to the studio and a transparent record of commerce. From editorial services to community requests, this is where we invite collaboration, share our current availability, and trade recommendations for the finer things in life.
FREE
- j