Playground Gossip: 6 Questions with Alex Steele
Plus: 3 things she thinks are worth mentioning right now
I can’t remember exactly how I came to find Alex Steele and her beautiful newsletter, —just that I can’t remember a time when her words weren’t something I looked forward to reading each week. I save her issues for moments when I have time to curl up with them, her links a feast for the senses, a treasure hunt for the soul.
Alex is a mother of four based in Manhattan Beach, California. She’s also an artist, a film photographer, a writer. Alex is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—you can read about her ever-changing relationship to faith and the church in this wonderful interview with —and is thoughtful, welcoming, introspective, and feels (to me) like an old soul with bright-eyed curiosity about the world. I was drawn to her for her creative sensibilities, the warmth in her words, and her conviction in creating a community through her newsletter. She was, simply, someone I knew I wanted to know.
So, I’m thrilled to have her as my first Playground Gossip contributor today! This monthly column is a short-and-sweet rapid-fire Q&A; a light-hearted but meaningful chat you might have with another mother at the park—the one you’ve been wanting to spark up a conversation with for months. To learn even more about Alex, be sure to work your way through so many great issues of Handpicked, and subscribe to get each new edition in your inbox.
Now: meet Alex!
What’s one children’s book that you love even more than your kids do?
AS: I have always loved the Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown and my kids don’t give a lick about it! They also don’t get why I love Eric Carle’s Draw Me a Star so much (it’s a masterpiece!!!) or why Where the Wild Things Are makes me cry. Someday they will!
Favorite motherhood/womanhood-focused book (fiction or nonfiction)?
AS: Invisible Women by Caroline Criado-Perez. If you’ve ever wondered why sidewalks aren’t big enough for strollers, or why more women die in car accidents than men, or why the line to the women’s bathroom is always longer, read or listen to this book. It’s a compilation of studies, stories, and global research that illustrate the hidden ways women are forgotten and the profound impact this has on all of us.
You have an entire day to yourself without kids and you can go anywhere and do anything you want. What does your ideal day look like?
AS: I begin early-ish with a 2 mile run/walk by the beach with my ridiculous running playlist blasting in my Airpods. On my way home I pick up an almond croissant from Tommy & Atticus, my local bakery, and make a pot of Crio Bru to sip while I paint. I finish the entire painting!! and right then, the team of professional home organizers arrive and help me get my entire house in order once and for all. A friend brings Sweetgreen salads over for lunch and we eat and chat in my driveway. Quickly I zip over (because I have no stroller) to the mall and grab something cute to wear on my date with Nate. We start with a sunset walk by the beach, then have appetizers at Elephante, cheeseburgers at Burgette, and dessert at Fishing with Dynamite. We get home in time to finish the finale of our favorite show and I fall asleep with my makeup on.
You have an entire day with your kids and no plans. How do you spend the day?
AS: While the baby takes his morning nap, we read tons of books on the couch, then pack lunches and head up to the Getty Center. Everyone gets to pick one thing from the gift shop. On our way home, we stop at In-N-Out next to LAX for shakes and fries and watch the airplanes. It’s nearly sunset, so we run down to the swings near Martha’s in Hermosa Beach and play on the sand until it gets dark. After dinner and baths, we watch a few Blueys or The Great British Bake Off and Nate puts everyone to bed.
What’s a quote or word of advice about motherhood that you’ve never forgotten?
AS: One of the best things you can do for your kids is prioritize your spouse.
When do you feel most like yourself? Where are you, what are you doing?
AS: At home, big kids are playing in the yard, baby is napping, Nate is in the other room, and I’m painting or going through a recent batch of film, listening to a book my sister recommended.
What’s your go-to kid meal that never fails?
AS: Dutch baby with my grandma’s buttery potatoes and a smoothie packed with hidden vegetables and vitamins. We eat this at least once a week.
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What are three things you think are worth mentioning?
Tangle. If you have friends or family members with diametrically opposing political views from you, this newsletter helps. It’s run by one guy in PA and a tiny team of support staff, and they truly just want to help make political conversations less vicious. They explain what individuals and media on the right and the left are saying and offer their take.
Kule cashmere sweaters. The Betty is my go-to, it’s thin but SO cozy and truly keeps me warm.
Trader Joe’s milk chocolate peanut butter cups. No, not the famous dark chocolate ones, THE MILK. Trust me.
Thanks so much, Alex! Now head on over to subscribe to Handpicked - it’s such a delight to get in my inbox every week, and I know you’ll feel the same.
Christy, thank you for introducing me to Alex and Handpicked! I’m excited to do a deep dive into her posts. Alex, I’m a huge Kule fan as well!
I could just cry. Thank you so much for this. I wish our kids played at the same playground !