Arizona Dreams & Crystal Schemes

Photo by @seawrightonfilm in the heart of the Central Arts District

"We live in Arizona." Every so often, Honey B will say this as we go about our day. It's truly music to my ears, or even better, the pinch I need to remind me that we're living the life we once dreamed of. Back at Roehampton University, two lovebirds whispered about the joys the future would hold. Although Phoenix wasn't on our radar then, we're incredibly happy to call this city our home.

The Saga of the Drinking Glasses

Our kitchen after our impromptu Crystal haul. Photo by @seawrightonfilm

Did everyone have that one relative in their family whose furniture you couldn't sit on or whose cups you couldn't drink from? For me, it was the crystal in the china cabinet, perpetually collecting dust. If we even looked at the crystal too long, a "Don't even think about it" was slung across the room to interrupt the thought.

Any way, when Honey B told me we needed more drinking glasses, of course, I bought the crystal at the Goodwill around the corner. No brainer. I sent him a picture of four drinking flutes. He came home to twenty-eight pieces of crystal! Alguien me preguntó si soy una compradora impulsiva, pero like, ¡ay, déjame en paz! The crystals range from candle holders to vases, fruit bowls to cream holders.

Little did I know, crystal wasn't quite what hubby had in mind when he said he wanted drinking glasses. Even the largest glasses seem to shrink when he holds them in his hands. Needless to say, we had a discussion about what he truly meant and we picked those up yesterday. And… we kept the crystal! ;)

Making Our Home

A normal night with @drbseawright

Now we have an influx of drinking glasses and crystals, along with functional furniture to display our belongings. Take our coffee mug wall display, featuring special guests Mirabel and Vault Boy. Did you know Honey B has some great decorating skills? In addition to putting up our awesome bookshelf, he picked out some petrified rock that goes perfectly with the tapestry his aunt made.

There are still a few weeks before I start class, and sometimes I just don't want to leave the apartment. Not because of depression or social anxiety, but simply because I love the home we've created. Our home sounds like The Spinners playing on our record player, followed by "Los Feliz" by Johnnyswim. It smells like white sage incense and feels like a warm hug. This home drenches me in belonging and safety.

Joining the X-Factor Family

Still my favorite picture from our games (@seawrightonfilm)

What I truly love about our location is the PHX Arena. In the month we've been here, we've already been to five or six Phoenix Mercury games. Although it's becoming a normal activity to go to the games, there are times I still can't believe this is part of our weekly/bi-weekly routine. I remind myself to stop and take it all in.

Luckily for us, it's less expensive to become season ticket holders than to buy one-off tickets. Considering our team is currently number three in the WNBA standings, we just had to join the X-Factor family! Essentially, the X-Factor is what they call Mercury fans. I can think of one person who would call me a traitor for jumping ship and sticking with the Mercury. But, what can I say? Their team is doing better than the fever anyway. Aside from that, another perk is priority for playoff tickets. The top 10 teams are guaranteed to go to the playoffs, and I cannot wait!

Filming Phoenix

Outside of Grassrootz Bookstore.

No one, including me, is allowed to take a camera with a detachable lens into the arena. So, I try to take it with me on my walks before the sun starts trippin' with all this heat. Let's be honest, I rarely make it out before the sun is in full swing. By time I leave, it's already above 95 degrees. Did you see that it was 118 here the other week? Not that I'd expect you to check the weather here, but seriously, 118 was a new record for the city!

When I'm out, I take my camera with me almost everywhere. I'm most interested in the murals around the city because they illustrate the city’s personality. I'm currently reading a book called The Women Who Changed Photography: And How To Master Their Techniques. The little snippets they share in there influence how I see the city each day. These small lessons make it feel less like an aimless walk in the heat and more like an exploration.

As the Arizona sun shines down, our little haven here in Phoenix continues to fill with laughter, music, and that undeniable feeling of belonging. It's more than just a place; it's the culmination of shared dreams and everyday joys. Thanks for checking in with me & honey B. We can't wait to share what's next in this wonderful chapter.

With love,

Solène

(formerly Tara Nicole.)