Fires.

What do you even say.

Schmatta’s HQ, aka my home, is in Pasadena. But we are a stone’s throw — literally about three blocks north from Altadena. We are safe. Our house and immediate neighborhood is totally fine. A lot of people we know can’t say the same and I don’t know what you even say to someone who has lost everything. My mind just goes blank. It’s just unfathomable.

We’ve spent the past two nights at a friend’s home in Glassell Park and will likely be here for at least another day. We went back over to our house today to check on things. The air quality in there is awful and there’s ash dusting every surface thanks to our drafty, century-old windows and our broken fireplace surround, which is basically a gaping hole to the outside.

On Tuesday night, while the Eaton Canyon fire became a real threat, it took me no less than 10 minutes to grab what felt core and important: jewelry, important docs, middle school diaries, pictures. We stood around for a moment being like, “Are we sure that’s it?” I looked at all our furniture and and decor and suddenly felt that none of it really mattered. I even left the painting of my grandmother that hangs above our fireplace. I just wanted to get out without upsetting our 3-year-old daughter. I’m so glad that we were able to do that without freaking her out. Can’t say as much for the cat, but she’s settled in.

Nothing much else to say other than a) we are tired but ok, b) we’re looking for ways to help our community.

Ali LaBelle

, who I was supposed to see for coffee yesterday, at a place that has now burned down, has some resources.

Some other offers from the design community:

houseofhoney

A post shared by @houseofhoney

francescagracehome

A post shared by @francescagracehome

Help Victoria Morris rebuild her pottery studio:

victoriamorrispottery

A post shared by @victoriamorrispottery

Stay safe, much love.