simple matters.

December 3, 2014

tea cup I edited my About page yesterday. It wasn’t a huge edit. If we’re talking about word count, it was a tiny edit. Just a sentence to say that I’m writing a book. My first book. It’s scheduled to hit shelves in January of 2016 and I’m calling it Simple Matters. 

Sharp intake of breath. Shoulder wriggle. Squeal. Exhale. On repeat, every single time I think about it.

The book will be about paring down and whittling away and finding time and space for the things that really matter. The simple matters. Because simple does matter. In tiny spaces. And in much larger spaces. You with me?

The manuscript is due this spring and so I’m hunkering down to do the hard work of writing. In the process I’m doing my best to remember that heart-breakingly good line from the best heartbreaker of all time, Annie Dillard: “How we spend our days, of course, is how we spend we our lives.” I’m reminding myself not to panic about all of those words due in just a few short months. I’m making a ritual out of it. I’m making cups of strong tea before settling into the couch with my laptop. I’m reading inspiring books on the subway ride home from bringing Faye to our babysitter. I’m typing out sentences. Erasing them. Putting them back together again. And trusting that at the end of it all there will be a message that resonates outside of my own four walls.

I’m so grateful to have a platform to share my thoughts with you guys here. And I’m overjoyed to be working on a new project with the encouraging and whip-smart editors at Abrams. Lots more to come here, and in just a little over a year, a little book for you to curl up with. (Tea in hand optional, but recommended.)

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104 Comments

  • Reply oliviajamie December 3, 2014 at 2:18 pm

    Just my style, tea and a good read. Can't wait, Erin!

    4
    • Reply Diana December 4, 2014 at 7:30 pm

      agreed! congrats erin!

      4
  • Reply Hannah S December 3, 2014 at 2:18 pm

    I was just looking through your posts and thinking about how I wish I had a guide in my hand on how I can make my life and my home surroundings a little more down to earth and simple and then I saw your new post. This is so exciting! I would love to read this book in the works.
    Tea has always been magical for calming me down, i hope this new journey goes smoothly for you.

    4
  • Reply Katie Cotugno December 3, 2014 at 2:19 pm

    Ahh, congrats, Erin! I've loved your blog for so long, and I can't wait to get my paws on your book. Lots of good wishes from Boston.

    5
  • Reply Kellee December 3, 2014 at 2:21 pm

    Exciting news! I love everything you have to say and share – can't wait to own a hardcopy. xo

    5
  • Reply Jillian L. Schweitzer December 3, 2014 at 2:23 pm

    So excited! I love reading your blog and am thrilled that I get to read more soon!

    5
  • Reply Sarah Spitz December 3, 2014 at 2:24 pm

    That is a huge change!!! Congratulations!!

    Love from bella Italia,

    http://lasagnolove.blogspot.it/2014/12/you-dont-have-to-be-perfect-to-be-here.html

    Bambi

    4
  • Reply Rachel December 3, 2014 at 2:28 pm

    Congratulations! I can't wait to get my hands on it!

    5
  • Reply Kathleen December 3, 2014 at 2:31 pm

    Congratulations! I've really been enjoying your blog lately, especially the series on a minimalist wardrobe. Due to your great advice, I've really pared down my closet (it wasn't too bad to begin with but now I really do wear everything in there). I've also stopped feeling slightly guilty or weird about all my purple clothes. πŸ™‚ Best of luck on the book-writing process!

    4
  • Reply Anonymous December 3, 2014 at 2:33 pm

    Congratulations!! Can't wait!

    3
  • Reply lisilvestre December 3, 2014 at 2:33 pm

    Dear Erin, congratulations!
    I can't wait to have your book in my hands!
    Thank you for sharing your beautiful way of living!
    Love,
    Liliana

    3
  • Reply Norma December 3, 2014 at 2:35 pm

    I read that yesterday and loved the title immediately! Congratulations and I look forward to reading it.

    3
  • Reply ariana December 3, 2014 at 2:42 pm

    ah so exciting! congratulations! I'm certainly looking forward to the published product in 2016.

    3
  • Reply Renae December 3, 2014 at 2:45 pm

    So exciting! I can't wait to read it – with a cup of tea in hand!

    3
  • Reply Amanda December 3, 2014 at 2:46 pm

    LADY! Spectacular news–hearty congratulations from our tiny house to yours.

    3
  • Reply Sophia December 3, 2014 at 2:47 pm

    Yessss!

    3
  • Reply Kaylan December 3, 2014 at 2:52 pm

    how wonderful! You definitely have the talent to write a book and I look forward to checking it out!

    3
  • Reply T December 3, 2014 at 2:55 pm

    Hurrah!

    3
  • Reply Carrie December 3, 2014 at 2:56 pm

    Congratulations! That's so exciting <3

    3
  • Reply Jen December 3, 2014 at 2:58 pm

    Hooray! I can't wait. Biggest, warmest congratulations!!

    3
  • Reply Anonymous December 3, 2014 at 2:59 pm

    So cool, congratulations! And I love your tea cup, where did you find it?

    3
  • Reply Shivani December 3, 2014 at 3:03 pm

    Congratulations!! I can't wait to read it – I love your writing.

    3
  • Reply Ellen Platts December 3, 2014 at 3:16 pm

    That's lovely!! I am so looking forward to it. Congratulations!

    3
  • Reply Neurotic Workaholic December 3, 2014 at 3:22 pm

    Congratulations on the book, and I look forward to reading it! Is it going to be available in both print and electronic form? And are you going to include your photographs in the book?

    3
    • Reply Erin December 3, 2014 at 9:54 pm

      Yes to both! An electronic version and my own photos!

      3
  • Reply Adrian December 3, 2014 at 3:29 pm

    So exciting, Erin! Congratulations!!!

    3
  • Reply Txell December 3, 2014 at 3:40 pm

    Wow Erin !! Congratulations !! Don't panic please, I am sure you are so capable and writing is your thing. I mean, you have words for everything…writing is in your gens. There are other persons (like me) that write two sentences in a row and they don't know what else to say. So enjoy it !

    3
  • Reply Elizabeth December 3, 2014 at 3:41 pm

    Wonderful! And yes, it matters in every way : )

    3
  • Reply Courtney Chilton December 3, 2014 at 3:49 pm

    I am so excited to hear you're writing a book!! I so admire the style in which you write about your life, delicate honesty is the only way I can think to describe it. Looking forward to your book.

    3
  • Reply Jessica December 3, 2014 at 3:50 pm

    I think of that Annie Dillard line often. Congrats, Erin! I'm excited to see your writing in three dimensionsβ€”sure to be an object of beauty.

    3
  • Reply Jacquelyn | lark&linen December 3, 2014 at 3:56 pm

    I am not at ALL surprised! But many, many congratulations are of course in order!

    2
  • Reply Alexa December 3, 2014 at 3:57 pm

    so many congratulations, erin! counting down the days until your book is in my hands πŸ™‚

    2
  • Reply Lauren Seesel December 3, 2014 at 3:58 pm

    congratulations! that's terribly exciting. your tips and writing style will translate beautifully into a book.

    1
  • Reply kristin @ W [H] A T C H December 3, 2014 at 4:09 pm

    how exciting (and terrifying)! congratulations.

    1
  • Reply jitka m December 3, 2014 at 4:17 pm

    Congratulatins! Hopefully your book will be available in Europe. I would love to read it! πŸ™‚

    1
  • Reply Miyabi_Na December 3, 2014 at 4:23 pm

    I am sooo incredibly excited for this. Congratulations! I cannot wait to read it!

    1
  • Reply MK December 3, 2014 at 4:23 pm

    congrats! i will be one of the many people lined up to buy your book the day it hits the shelves πŸ™‚

    1
  • Reply Sweet Love and Ginger December 3, 2014 at 4:25 pm

    My word! This is so exciting. Congratulations all around!!

    1
  • Reply emilie nicole December 3, 2014 at 4:38 pm

    i cannot wait!

    1
  • Reply Jana | One Drawing A Day December 3, 2014 at 4:54 pm

    Congratulations!

    1
  • Reply Maria Zizka December 3, 2014 at 5:04 pm

    Congratulations, Erin! I had been thinking for some time that you would write a terrific book. I'm thrilled that it will be out in the world soon! xo

    1
  • Reply Jennifer Allison December 3, 2014 at 5:09 pm

    thrilled to hear it. overjoyed for you. can't WAIT to read (with a mug of tea, of course). paring down. i like it.

    1
  • Reply Ash December 3, 2014 at 5:13 pm

    HOORAY!! I too have loved you a long time and can't wait to get the book in my hands. Congrats! πŸ™‚

    1
  • Reply Nuraan December 3, 2014 at 5:13 pm

    ah congratulations! How exciting. All the best and I'm sure it will be an amazing read. I'll probably buy it of course πŸ™‚

    1
  • Reply Jessica December 3, 2014 at 5:22 pm

    Wahoo! Go you…congrats!

    1
  • Reply Lucy December 3, 2014 at 5:26 pm

    Congrats!!! This is such good news. Can't wait.

    1
  • Reply Lena December 3, 2014 at 5:30 pm

    That's great news! Congratulations! I'm looking forward to reading it πŸ™‚

    1
  • Reply Emily Crowder December 3, 2014 at 5:48 pm

    Oh, Erin, congratulations on the book and the quiet writing days and strong cups of tea. It sounds like this is a winter you'll remember for a very long time.

    1
  • Reply Jen December 3, 2014 at 6:11 pm

    Congratulations! I'm happy for you,and look forward to the book.

    1
  • Reply Malgorzata December 3, 2014 at 6:35 pm

    Congratulations! I'm sure the book will be subtle, elegant and beautiful just as your blog and yourself

    1
  • Reply Abby December 3, 2014 at 6:37 pm

    Congratulations! Best of luck on the writing, and I can't wait to read it.

    1
  • Reply becky :: accooohtrements December 3, 2014 at 6:46 pm

    That's amazing news, congrats!

    Becky :: accooohtrements.wordpress.com

    1
  • Reply Kate December 3, 2014 at 6:50 pm

    Congrats, Erin. Your writing is beautiful. I have no doubt the book will be too. Glad to have your blog posts to tide us over until its published.

    1
  • Reply Abigail December 3, 2014 at 6:51 pm

    holy smokes! so proud of you for going for it! and so excited to read the book when it is out!

    1
  • Reply Emily Schmader December 3, 2014 at 7:04 pm

    I'm so happy to hear it! You are a voice of simplicity in my life: this blog space always reminding me to not only simplify possessions, but to also enjoy the simpler things of life. I can't wait to read it!

    1
  • Reply Desiree Fawn December 3, 2014 at 7:09 pm

    Oh gosh this is so exciting! πŸ™‚ Congrats! Can't wait to read it!

    1
  • Reply JennieLynn December 3, 2014 at 7:10 pm

    This news completely made my day! I will be sending you mountains of happy thoughts as you plug away at creating delicious sentences.

    1
  • Reply Anna December 3, 2014 at 7:40 pm

    Congratulations! Sounds amazing, like a great challenge and maybe a dream come true. Best of luck!

    1
  • Reply blog December 3, 2014 at 8:08 pm

    Looking forward to your thoughts.

    1
  • Reply dervla December 3, 2014 at 8:17 pm

    congratulations, Erin. You deserve this, and your book is going to be incredible. I'm really happy for you.

    1
  • Reply Rachel December 3, 2014 at 8:26 pm

    Congratulations, Erin! So exciting!

    1
  • Reply Rennae December 3, 2014 at 8:41 pm

    Congratulations Erin, sounds wonderful. Something I'd love to read. So very exciting x

    1
  • Reply Sasha December 3, 2014 at 8:50 pm

    What bright news – a big congratulations! Simple does matter, and I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts in book form, with a cup of tea in hand.

    1
  • Reply Debs December 3, 2014 at 8:56 pm

    Best wishes for good ideas to come your way easily.

    1
  • Reply Niamh Roisin December 3, 2014 at 9:38 pm

    Good luck with it and congratulations! Looking forward to reading it! Just finished one, so the need for strong tea will continue, but it's all worth it in the end!

    1
  • Reply Jo in London December 3, 2014 at 9:44 pm

    Congratulations! Your blog just gets better and better and now there's a book to look forward to. Hope that the book will feature your lovely photographs in addition to your thoughtful words.

    1
    • Reply Erin December 3, 2014 at 9:53 pm

      Thanks for your kind words! And yes! My photos, too!

      1
  • Reply Elizabeth Duvivier December 3, 2014 at 9:51 pm

    SO SO SO happy for you! What great news — TWO babies in two years πŸ™‚ ha . . don't stress the writing. have fun with it– we are your readers and it's all good . . .

    1
    • Reply Erin December 3, 2014 at 9:53 pm

      Thanks so much, Elizabeth!

      1
  • Reply Jillian Punska December 3, 2014 at 9:57 pm

    Congrats, Erin!

    1
  • Reply Micaela December 4, 2014 at 12:12 am

    I commented on your Instagram thank-you post but just wanted to comment here, too. RMTL has been a daily source of inspiration for me over the last few years, and I'm thrilled that there will soon be a book on a topic so dear to my heart. And as a publishing nerd, I'm happy to hear that you will be published by Abrams — they have some of the best people in the business! Congratulations to you and enjoy this exciting time πŸ™‚

    1
  • Reply Ruth December 4, 2014 at 2:02 am

    congratulations! and any time you want to share tips on the writing process/being productive with it/keeping that routine, keep us posted!! (this girl, for one, has got a pesky PhD in progress that ain't writin' itself.)

    1
  • Reply Beth December 4, 2014 at 2:14 am

    AHHHHH, that is so exciting!!!! Congratulations; I can't wait to read it!

    1
  • Reply Laura Johns December 4, 2014 at 2:37 am

    it will be brill! good on you πŸ™‚

    1
  • Reply nadia khaerunnisa December 4, 2014 at 3:22 am

    i'm so expecting the simple matters! But will it be there in Indonesia? hmm…

    1
  • Reply Jane December 4, 2014 at 3:36 am

    Yay! I am giddy with anticipation!

    1
  • Reply Kat December 4, 2014 at 7:26 am

    Your writing is so thoughtful and always inspiring! I have no doubt your book will be a wonderful read! πŸ™‚

    1
  • Reply Sophia moreno-bunge December 4, 2014 at 7:55 am

    Ohmygoodness!! That's soooo exciting! Can't wait to read it. Congrats Erin!

    1
  • Reply Aude December 4, 2014 at 11:41 am

    What wonderful news. You're such an inspiring writer and your perspective on life has influenced the way we do some things at home. I very much look forward for more.

    1
  • Reply Laura Fenton December 4, 2014 at 12:48 pm

    Congrats! I am a relatively new reader of your blog, and it makes me happy that the book publishing world thinks there's a place for books like this!

    1
  • Reply Anna December 4, 2014 at 12:51 pm

    This is exciting news! One day I'd love to write a book too. I'm already looking forward to yours.

    1
  • Reply jsdill December 4, 2014 at 1:07 pm

    How wonderful! I love your blog and will most certainly look forward to your book.

  • Reply claudie December 4, 2014 at 1:34 pm

    Salut Erin! I'm veru happy for you. I really look forward to read it. I love the topic. Thank you for all the inspiration you are giving me, it feels also good to see other people searching in the same direction.

  • Reply Maci Britt December 4, 2014 at 2:58 pm

    This is the best news I've read all week! Congratulations; I'm SO excited for this book πŸ™‚

  • Reply Angela S December 4, 2014 at 3:06 pm

    So happy for you! I am writing a book as well, actually two- but the second is for my daughter:). Good luck to both of us!

  • Reply Gabrielle Lizette DuBois December 4, 2014 at 3:40 pm

    Very exciting! I love your writing so I look forward to checking out your book.

  • Reply Bethany R December 4, 2014 at 5:52 pm

    So excited for you! And excited to read it- I love your blog.

    Have you heard of the book "Celebration of Discipline" by Richard Foster? It's a Christian book, but one chapter is entitled "Simplicity" and he has some really beautiful things to say in that chapter about living a simple life (as well as some practical suggestions for how to do just that). It might be worth checking out from the library.

  • Reply jane December 4, 2014 at 8:25 pm

    so excited for you and your book! you write beautifully, with the same spirit as the aesthetic you promote. i love this topic as well and love to be reminded of its beauty even as i live it. it keeps me on track.

  • Reply Kim B. December 4, 2014 at 8:28 pm

    Erin — that's so great. What a season for you as you write and raise your daughter and love your husband and the rest of your family. Can't wait for the anticipation of your book this time next year (I'm a January baby so it can be my 46th birthday present to myself).

    Congratulations.

  • Reply Annie December 4, 2014 at 10:03 pm

    Congratulations! I'm looking forward to reading it!

  • Reply Briar December 5, 2014 at 1:39 am

    Oh my, this is excellent news, indeed! Congrats, sweet lady!

  • Reply Shoko December 5, 2014 at 2:22 am

    YAY! Congratulations, lady! πŸ™‚

  • Reply Kate Harvey December 5, 2014 at 3:24 pm

    I can't wait to read it! Your writing is so elegant.

  • Reply Sarahbeth December 5, 2014 at 3:43 pm

    My Friday morns consist with catching up on all the lovely internet things I missed in a whirlwind week. Your blog is always the first thing I sit (with cup of hot strong coffee in hand) to peruse. Reading this made me so very happy for you & for me! I think "preorder Simple Matters" will definitely be on my next years santa list! I love what you share about paring down and living more simply. I feel like I'm always always an aspiring minimalist falling short but your blog really helps me to stay the course as it were. I think it's a very important course. It's not just about pretty, simple, smart design -it's a needed change in every American life for sure – many others as well. We have to consume less. We have to live with less. We have to make less & better items. I certainly am aware of this every time I sit down to sew or throw a pot. Best wishes on your endeavor and I can not wait to read it!

  • Reply Mary December 5, 2014 at 5:34 pm

    This is great! How exciting!!! It's a read I'm looking forward to!

  • Reply Erica Midkiff December 5, 2014 at 6:44 pm

    SO looking forward to this, Erin! Congratulations on a well-earned honor. I look forward to reading your thoughts in a longer format, and wish you the best of luck with the writing process.

  • Reply Buccaneers and Ball Gowns December 5, 2014 at 8:21 pm

    Oh yay, I am so excited for you and will most definitely buy your book!

  • Reply tors grantham December 6, 2014 at 12:08 pm

    Oh congratulations! Good luck with the writing, I'm sure you'd do wonderfully, just remember to breathe πŸ˜‰ I hope you'll update us periodically as you go, I'd love to hear about your process. Look forward to reading it once it hits the shelves!

  • Reply kate December 6, 2014 at 7:57 pm

    Yay!!! How exciting! I cannot wait! πŸ™‚ congratulations

  • Reply Inge December 7, 2014 at 10:06 am

    How wonderful! Congratulations Erin, so looking forward to reading it.

  • Reply Steph December 7, 2014 at 8:48 pm

    That's amazing news! Congratulations!! I'm looking forward to digging in.

  • Reply Shruti December 12, 2014 at 3:31 pm

    Congratulations! What an amazing accomplishment!

  • Reply Brie December 14, 2014 at 5:23 am

    You mean, we have to wait more than a year for this?! Torture! Pure, torture. πŸ˜‰

  • Reply Serviced Apartments London Lady January 6, 2015 at 4:14 pm

    We're overjoyed that you're sharing your thoughts with us, big congratulations! You deserve it!

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