The Moodboard No. 03 | The One About My Plants
In which my intuitive medium confirms what my credit card already knew
Past Lives, Present Plants
Yes, we're going there. And according to my intuitive medium, I have several. During my most recent quarterly check-in (it's LA, let me live), she dropped a very aligned bombshell: apparently, past-life-me was an herbalist and witch who healed her entire village with flower essences. Given my rather complicated karmic history, this is definitely my best past life yet. And I'm fully leaning into my botanical roots. Don't worry, this isn't a hard sell for DoTerra, I promise. Just a girl creating the indoor plant corner of her dreams.
Plant Parent Reality Check
With this new knowledge, the current state of my indoor and outdoor plants became unacceptable. Aesthetics had certainly overtaken ethics in my plant parenting. Turns out my lovely variegated pothos that looks so cute in a sunny hanging basket absolutely hates its life. And that's just the start. So, as the newly awakened and now conscientious plant mother that I am, I spent the past week with ChatGPT creating a detailed care plan for each of my twenty plants.
At first glance, my plant count seems ambitious for someone who admittedly has very few applicable skills. But some are doomed (lavender, RIP), others suspiciously unalive (looking at you, albuca "bulb"), and four are fresh arrivals justified entirely by retail therapy. Financially irresponsible? Maybe. Emotionally necessary? Absolutely.
Serial Home Improver
I'm deep into another home-upgrade phase, systematically transforming every part of my apartment so it doesn't scream "backdrop of my latest crisis." Last time it was stained glass doors. This time, I'm moving to the opposite corner: a small spot of unrealized potential by my 8-foot windows. There's no grand reveal yet (sorry), but there's something deeply satisfying about channeling difficult emotions into meticulous planning, moodboarding, and plant hunting. The promise of progress I can control, an outcome I can almost guarantee. And right now, I'll take progress in any area of my life that I can get it.
Aesthetic Organization
In search of a way to manage this and all my various projects, I started looking into project management tools. Having done plenty of project management in a corporate past life, I knew exactly what I didn't want. I swore off Notion due to workplace trauma, Google products have always been lacking in vibes, and the last thing I need is some complicated tool meant for office settings. So what's a gal to do?
Enter Milanote: clean, intuitive, and refreshingly minimalistic. (Not sponsored, tragically.)
If you find Canva’s endless options exhausting, Milanote could be your minimalist bff. Exactly five clean fonts, essential tools only, and zero temptation to spiral into unnecessary graphic flourishes. Intentionally simple, deeply satisfying.
I've already mapped out boards for upcoming kitchen tweaks and a desk revamp. DIY addicts, consider yourselves enabled.
The 2AM Vision
The overall vibe of the space should be part editorial tableau, part lush botanical sanctuary. Here's a peek at the vision: sculptural silhouettes, artistic propagation setups, and as much vintage glassware as I can get my hands on.
Of course, the inspiration hit at 2am when my overactive brain loves to do its best work. I'm talking about dramatic height variation, unexpected textures, and a mix of plants that give aspirational yet attainable energy.
Speaking of the plants themselves, here are the divas who'll be calling it home:
Stars, They're Just Like Us
Bertha (Dracaena Massangeana): My actual rock. The first plant I purchased in LA over four years ago. Emotional attachment is an understatement. If anything ever happens to my low-maintenance queen, I won't be okay. Thank god this plant can't talk because she's seen some things. Bertha’s facecard never declines and i believe that in an alternative timeline she’s an Onlyfans star. Loves: Bright light, frequent compliments. Hates: Scorpios
Romy & Michele (Orchid Duo): Never to be outdone, these girls exude the unshakeable optimism and fashion-forward looks of their namesakes. They recently took a transfer to semi-hydroponic like it was just another party (meanwhile I'm waking up in the middle of the night checking on them). Loves: Chic glass vessels, the humidifier. Hates: Christie Masters
Bella Hadid (String of Hearts): Named for her supermodel stature, this girl must be highlighted because she just bloomed three flowers! I obviously cried. And then immediately gave her a bitchy bob and propagated ten strands in hopes of a future fuller plant. Loves: A refreshing mist, getting attached. Hates: The photoshoot we had today (paparazzi trauma, obviously).
Understanding my current plants’ personalities has me thinking about what’s missing from the family dynamic. Which brings me to my carefully curated wish list:
The list is long and growing by the day but, if i get my way, the jewel of my indoor garden will an orchid collection. Each one feels like a living sculpture and there are endless varieties and display options. The internet told me that growing orchids teaches patience and lord knows i need that.
Another plant i must highlight is the chocolate flower anthurium. It’s almost too decadent to be real. Bold, moody, and elegant, it will need a thought daughter-esque name. For now, though, I’m content to let these dreams live in Milanote while I perfect the art of keeping my current group thriving.
If you made it this far, you're probably as plant-obsessed as I am. Thanks for reading and feel free to send this to someone who needs permission to buy that monstera they've been eyeing.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have seven new propagations to obsess over and a snake plant that's probably judging my life choices from its new LECA home.
Catching up on my fave stack and each one is exactly what I needed! Love your thoughts, style and each sprinkle of sarcastic optimism