✦ Digital Cameras
After last week’s collection of film cameras, a bunch of you asked for digital camera recs, so here are some thoughts.
I feel like digital cameras are on the rise for two reasons:
As an extension of the Y2K aesthetic that took off post-COVID in 2021–2023
As a rejection of using our phones for everything!! especially photography
Using a digital camera feels like the same mindset as using film. It helps me be more present in the moment, instead of everything defaulting to my phone. The mid-2000s digital camera aesthetic is also its own vibe. The images are crisp but hazy, slightly dreamlike. If you love that look, this is a super easy entry point compared to film. More accessible, and no printing fees.
I think we’ve kind of become numb to the novelty of taking photos. Every phone camera is basically the same now, Apple or Android, it’s all optimized, smart, and sharp. But digital cameras each have their own character, and some can even give you higher-end photo quality without much effort. Plus (obviously), you can take as many pics as you want and delete the ones you don’t like. That’s part of the charm with film, not knowing what you’ll get, but for someone like me who’s snap-happy, I love being able to go wild and not worry about wasting film.
Before buying one on eBay, ask your mom/dad/grandma/aunt/etc. if they have an old camera lying around. There’s a good chance one’s collecting dust in a junk drawer somewhere.
Things to look out for
Low End / Fun!
Sony Cyber-Shot and Cannon Power Shot
$50-$150
Can be found at thrift stores and estate sales for MUCH cheaper
Sony Cyber-Shot 1 | Sony Cyber-Shot 2 | Sony Cyber-Shot 3
Cannon Power Shot 1 | Cannon Power Shot 2 | Cannon Power Shot 3
High End
Fuji Film X-T2 Mirrorless Digital Camera + Pancake Lens
$700+
I’m not recommending this as an entry-level camera, but if you know a bit about photography and want a smaller point-and-shoot, I highly recommend the Fuji XT2. Several people asked what I was using when I went to Europe - it was this camera with the 27mm pancake lens, which gives it the feel of a 35mm film camera. I wanted something that let me take a ton of photos and process them during the trip without waiting for film. The customizable settings give the images a film-like quality, and I’ve been obsessed with the results. The price tag is an investment, but it’s comparable to any entry-level DSLR.
✦ Auro Rings Roman Collection
My sister just wrapped up her collection for her class abroad and I’m so proud of her. All of the work is so beautiful and I wanted to share it here. Below is her inspiration and process in her own words.
In Ancient Rome, door knockers were symbols of power, protection, and identity. Often crafted as lion heads, gods, or mythical figures, they represented strength and served to ward off evil spirits. Their design communicated a household’s status, hospitality, and connection to the divine. Knocking wasn’t just about entry—it was a ritual of respect, asking permission to cross an important threshold. Handles and latches, though simpler, also carried meaning. They represented access and trust along with power and prestige. By the Renaissance, knockers and door handles became artistic statements. Today, many Roman homes still preserve these historic pieces, reminding us that a door is never just a door—it is an invitation, a boundary, and a symbol of the self.
The process of making jewelry from a wax mold begins with a vision and a simple sketch. With measurements and details in mind, the piece is precicesly carved by hand out of a jewelers wax, a soft, workable material. Once the design is complete, the wax model is casted using the method of lost wax casting where molten metal is poured into the space, capturing every carved detail. Once cooled and broken from the mold, the piece is returned to the artist for a process of sanding and polishing, transforming it into a lasting work of art.
✦ Community Garage Sale August 9
Come to our garage sale next weekend! Our neighborhood is doing a big community sale and there will be lots of cool stuff and good deals!
✦ Garden Pasta
We have SO many tomatoes right now! I’m trying to keep up with the abundance so I made a big batch of homemade sauce. Funny enough, our biggest harvest isn’t from the main garden but from a random plant on the side of the yard. It must have come from one of our neighbor’s seeds blowing over because I’ve done nothing for it. I just let it grow and now it’s huge and producing way more than the plants I actually tend to. Go figure.
I started by cleaning all the tomatoes and gathering fresh herbs. Then I sautéed onions and garlic in plenty of olive oil until they were fragrant, added all the tomatoes and let them cook down slowly.
Once everything was soft I tossed in the herbs, blended it all with my immersion blender and strained the sauce (not pictured) to catch any seeds or skins.
I bottled it up and stored it in the fridge for the week and it turned out so good.
If you’re not embarrassed of your past you're not making any progress.
