Happy Medium Club: Volume 4
"Bruce literally turned back time."
Hello, Earthlings! This email has a lot of pictures and GIFs, so it may get cut off in your inbox. You might want to read it in your browser just in case.
We’re here to talk to you about plants, autumn aesthetics, book clubs, and Bruce.
And—drawing inspiration from plants, autumn aesthetics, book clubs, and Bruce—we created a playlist to elevate your reading experience.
Fall '22 Moodboard
By Sam
I wanted to marry the idea of a fall mood board & a PowerPoint night, which resulted in me & some friends describing our fall intentions to each other in presentation format. 😍
The best part was that there was absolutely no template — just your take on the vague prompt: “what is your fall aesthetic?”
That prompt took the form of wardrobe additions, eras, bucket lists, and for me: a 3-part edit.
Here’s the breakdown of my mood board - fall ‘22 edition:
Part 1: Style Edit
I have a long wish list of clothes that I want to add to my closet & not enough disposable income to buy them all. So I wanted to narrow it down to 3 things that would add/mix well with what I already have:
CHUNKY SHOES - The perfect statement piece for any outfit because of its in-your-face silhouette. Imagine a chunky, bright loafer mixed in with our favorite fall neutrals!!! *swoon
FLARE PANTS - Okay I’m late to this trend, because 1) I really don’t need any more pants & 2) straight-leg pants have my heart. BUT. Instagram ads have worked their magic on my heart once again because I don’t just WANT a pair of flare yoga pants - I absolutely need them!
MY BRIDAL STYLIST PERSONA - I just got a job as a part-time stylist at a bridal shop! In my everyday life, I dress casual with a strong lean toward comfort. But I’ve seen this as an opportunity to play occasional dress-up and add some pieces that elevate my wardrobe. Someone, please point me to the perfect cropped blazer!
Part 2: Home Edit
Joel and I bought a cute 1950’s midtown home a year ago, and we are tempted to knock down walls daily. Until we can get to our more significant home reno projects, we have a couple of projects, pieces, and potential DIY’s that will get our home closer to how we want it. (Let’s give it up for Westhighland White for being our favorite of the 4 shades of white we’ve smothered all over our sad, gray walls.)
Part 3: Lifestyle Edit
Aside from the pumpkin carving, baking, and binging Halloweentown, there are other things that I want to incorporate into my lifestyle this season:
EXERCISE - joining the pickleball train, “hot girl walks,” and training for the Turkey Trot that my mom signed us up for!
ACTIVITIES (or hobbies) - cooking (and more specifically, learning how to cut vegetables properly), signing Joel and myself up for a pottery class that we’ve wanted to join, and reading my leisure book, “Beach Read” by Emily Henry which gives me a dose of summer whenever I start to miss it (which is basically every day).
FOOTBALL - I have dedicated myself to liking football this fall, in the form of NFL, Fantasy Football, and College Football (which is extra fun because Joel and I root for rival teams).
CUTE DINNERS - this may seem like the same thing as cooking, but it’s not! I want to invite friends over for fun, themed dinners & delve into the beautiful art of table setting.
We’ll see what actually comes of this fall, but this was a fun way to ring it in. So, reader, I leave you with the prompt that started it: “What’s your fall aesthetic?”
The Planterizer
By Dom
Jo Ann Johnson (AKA the Planterizer) has about 350 houseplants and counting. And she has no problem picking favorites.
Her “first love” is a 12-foot Fiddle Leaf Fig named Figueroa. She’s especially proud of her collection of Varigated Monsteras, highly rare and nice to look at. She’s also partial to her prayer plants, which makes sense if you know her.
Notably, the Planterizer doesn’t keep count of her outdoor plants.
If you count the ivy, flowers, and shrubbery that grow in the front yard—or the fruit trees, rose bushes, herbs, and vegetables that grow in the backyard—the number is immeasurable.
There’s also a chicken coop. The chickens and vegetables are cared for by her husband/my dad, Farmer Brown.
You’ll meet Farmer Brown (and his gumbo recipe) later.
For now, absorb some plant wisdom and musings from Jo Ann “The Planterizer” Johnson.
How did you get the name Planterizer?
“My husband and I were clowning around while we cleaning our house. After I spent several hours re-arranging my plants, he said ‘you can't decorate but you sure can Planterize.’”
What does "Planterizing" mean to you?
“When I start playing with my plants, I get lost in the experience, and they just seem to fall into the perfect place. It's also the time when my overthinking subsides, and I feel so much peace.”
When did you first become passionate about plants?
“When I was a little girl, I would hurry off the school bus and run to the front yard just in time to see the Four O'clock plants open each afternoon.”
What's your favorite thing about Planterizing?
“I love watching small changes happen in different plants.”
Can you share a few Planterizering tips?
“Don't keep all of your plants on the same level. Use something inconspicuous to elevate and stagger them.”
“Talk to your plants, touch them, and always smile when you’re playing with them. And when you think about them.”
“Don't listen to people that say you have a green thumb (or not), get to know your plants and what their individual needs are.
Start small and know you will make mistakes...it's part of the journey.”
The Planterizer will soon return with more Planterizing guidance. Drop a comment below or send us a DM on IG if you have any Planterizing questions.
Meet Bruce: Tulsa-Based Photographer & Earth-Based Friend
By Joel
Bruce Dixon (@gamerboibruce and @mediocreskillsdixon) is a close friend of Happy Medium Club. I've known him for almost ten years and have seen him grow his creativity and skills. Check out both of his Instagram accounts and give him a follow and feel free to slide into his DMs.
Bruce famously photographed my engagement for FREE because that is the kind of person he is. He then photographed our engagement photos which were easily some of the coolest pictures of two humans I have ever seen.
Bruce has camera skills along with editing skills to make his subjects look cooler than life itself.
Bruce was the first person that came to mind to do HMC’s first-ever photoshoot. He was prepared even though we weren't.
Dom and I lost track of time and almost ruined the whole photoshoot1, but Bruce literally turned back time so we could have a few awesome pictures.
Enough talking about him, please enjoy his work.
Joel Moisa’s Book Club
By Joel
When in elementary school, I checked out and read almost every book that related to the Los Angeles Lakers. But, when reading became a homework assignment instead of a hobby, I lost interest.
In honor of the younger me and looking for accountability to finish reading books, my friends and I started a book club. We've read two books together and are starting our third book this week (hopefully).
It's been super fun to get together at a coffee shop and discuss our assigned reading. It's what every English teacher wishes their classroom discussions would be. The only downside is scheduling — it's not easy to get six adults to meet.
If you're interested in starting a book club, you should do it.
Force your friends to read something you like and have awesome conversations.
The books we’ve read:
The Patron Saint of Nothing by Randy Ribay
The Victory Machine by Ethan Strauss
The book we’re currently reading:
If Cats Disappeared from the World by Genki Kawamura
If all you get from this is an excuse to hang out with your friends more — do it!
Trying new things can be fun but if you don't want to, it's okay :)
Happy Bits 😁
(Curated by Sam)
Do you know what your WFH setup is missing? Coffee shop ambiance.
French toast + Hawaiian Sweet Rolls = a match made in heaven. (& If you want to be festive, there’s a pumpkin pie version!)
We all have our year-round comfort shows, but there’s just something about the fall that makes so many of us want to transport to the cozy small town of Stars Hollow.
“omggggg the fenty bowl is coming.”
We had to wait 29 years for a Hocus Pocus sequel, but remember - they had to wait 300 years for a virgin to light the Black Flame Candle. (Now streaming on Disney+!!!!)
Need some courtside cappuccinos or after-practice affogatos? Jimmy Butler is NBA’s resident barista.
If you thought summer travel was crazy (and expensive), the holidays are predicted to outdo it. Save yourself & make sure you book your Thanksgiving/Christmas flights by mid-October!
We (dom) started a thread to share music/podcast recommendations to help folks (dom) power through the workday.
Thanks for reading! We like you.
You should subscribe if you haven’t already!
We were late because I got tipsy after drinking one (ONE) margarita. - Dom
This was my first volume to partake in and it lived up to the hype! Ready to sweetly caress my plants and become one with them.