DreamCloud

Hi, my name is Eleanor.

I have worked in the book business or in publishing for most of my life. My kids are all grown and out of the house, so I am enjoying the free time to focus on mindful journaling, writing, and creativity in general. My husband is a chef, an artist, and an award-winning barbecue pitmaster. On the weekends, we go “thrifting” for art supplies, books, boho odds-and-ends, and vintage items for our outdoor tiki bar.

-colors: orchid, lavender, violet, deep pink

-books, reading, libraries

-mindfulness and meditation

-crystals

-afternoon tea

-writing and journaling

-tarot

-Stickii or Pipsticks stickers

-cottagecore

-dopamine decor

-all types of tea except for vanilla flavored and chamomile

-stationery, note cards, postcards, and stickers with magical, book, or tea designs

-decorated envelopes. (I make pockets out of them to glue into my junk journals and I keep the letters or cards in the pockets.)

My favorite genres are classic literature, science-fiction/fantasy, and personal growth/spirituality.

Favorite Books of 2025:

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson. A hilarious novel about a rather uptight middle-aged woman who suddenly is plunged into glamour, love triangles, and a pleasantly dissolute high-life.

The Pursuit of Love and Love in a Cold Climate by Nancy Mitford. A delightful semi-autobiographical set of novels by one of the notorious Mitford sisters. Captures the secret seriousness of the experience of love.

Caucasia and Colored Television by Danzy Senna. Moving, tender, insightful novels about the reality and politics of biracial life.

All Fours by Miranda July. Captures the insanity and rapture of a mid-life sexual awakening.

Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley. Illuminates the life of Jane Austen through what we know of her daily life.

Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Warner. A novel of how all women possess a magic of their own.

My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Otessa Moshfegh. A young women peels away the layers of her privileged life to find growth and release.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. Elinor’s tough exterior begins to crack and she lets friendships form that allow her to face the trauma that has haunted her.

Excellent Women by Barbara Pym. Mildred Lathbury faces the dichotomy of society’s double standard and finds a third option.

I appreciate each and every envelope I receive! If you are interested in a list of things I would probably not use, here goes: classroom reward stickers, Disney, things with artificial scents/flavors, things that smell of cigarette smoke, free advertising postcards, or religious things unless they are buddhist or pagan in nature (classical art depicting things like angels or madonnas is fine.) I have a great respect for the religious choices of others and desire reciprocity.

If I find myself in the unfortunate position of sending a swap more than one or two days late, I will notify you. If, due to an unexpected emergency, I am unable to let you know that a swap will be late, I will contact you as soon as possible and send the swap then. I rate upon receipt of a swap and I don’t abuse the rating system. I hope my swap partners extend the same kindness and consideration to me.