What I changed into yesterday since I couldn’t wear the Everlane tee:
Thank you/VEDA t-shirt | proceeds go to the Women’s Prison Association
Ichi Antiquities poplin pants | no longer available
Birkenstock Arizona sandals (mine were secondhand)
Wearing/Buying
So, here’s an update on my summer no-buy: it’s still in effect, but I’m not really following it. Haha. I know that doesn’t make sense, but for some reason in the back of my head, even though I HAVE bought things, and I’m actively trying to figure out what to order from Elizabeth Suzann (with the generous gift they sent me), I keep hearing a voice saying “but you don’t WANT anymore clothes…” and I’m grateful for it. I don’t want any more clothes.
And speaking of that, WTF was I thinking with those Kamm pants? I did wear them more that day, to work at home in the office, etc., and yeah, they’re GREAT for walking around and standing, and I loved getting a glimpse of my body in the mirror walking by, but sitting was a whole other story. I tried to ignore the camel toe when I sat and the waistband cutting into the front of my waist when I was sitting working at my desk. And I told myself they would stretch and get more comfortable the more I sat, they are stunning pants and Leo likes them, so I should buy them.
UGH. WHAT THE EVER LOVING HELL. WHY DO WE DO THIS TO OURSELVES??? I refuse to suffer to “look good”. I never really have, eschewing high heels while I was working in an office and pretty much always choosing to be comfortable above all else.
I almost fell for it though. THEY LOOK SO GOOD. Maybe all the other bloggers and women on Instagram who wear these pants all the time don’t have the problem that I do when I sit. Maybe it’s my shorter waist and larger upper thigh area that’s causing the discomfort? Also, the pants are not stretchy at all, Jehanne mentioned an alternative by Creatures of Comfort that has a little stretch in it that she likes a lot.
Never mind, I’m not going to let myself fall into the trap of having a great pair of pants to wear for pictures or special occasions during which I don’t have to sit (as if there would be any…). No thank you.
It is SUCH an easy trap to fall into though. Especially with items that are so expensive; we feel bound to them somehow, as if we owe it to this “perfect” garment, this piece that literally EVERYONE is raving about, to make it work for our bodies and our lifestyles.
no. no no no. (if you don’t seem to have “sitting” problems with high-waisted pants, I do still recommend trying these. They’re beautiful, and extremely well made)
Moving on. I did decide to keep both James Perse dresses I ordered during the Shopbop sale, but only because I’m selling my two least worn JP dresses to make room for them. I will wear the new ones much more than the ones I’m getting rid of because the new ones have 3/4 sleeves – something I always seem to wear more than sleeveless or short sleeve dresses.
Speaking of JP…if you’re a fan just make sure you don’t miss any posts any time soon. That’s all I can say about that 😉
Reading/Watching
I read Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Lies I’ve Loved (another book from Bill Gates’ summer reading -list that I also had already in my wishlist). I was underwhelmed. It was pretty shallow actually, which I found deeply disappointing. I thought she would talk more about the idea people have that “everything happens for a reason” and her own feelings/thoughts about it, not examine it in such a scholarly way. But she is a religious scholar, so perhaps I should have expected it. It was written well I guess, and an interesting look a dealing with a serious illness AND the reactions/advice from both strangers and loved-ones alike.
I don’t know what she could have done differently actually. As a person who absolutely does NOT believe that everything happens for a reason, maybe I was looking for validation? ETA: I didn’t express my disappointment correctly : I think what I wanted to understand is how, if you shift to the belief that “everything happens, period,” as she did, you reconcile that understanding with a belief in “God” or some higher power that has a purpose or guidance for you. Those seem to be contradictory to me, and she continued to speak of “God” quite a bit without addressing any questions she might have grappled with was disappointing to me.
I also read The Year of Less I first heard about on the Luxe Strategist and then I think Michelle mentioned the podcast? And the book was $1.99, so I thought I’d give it a try. Eh. It didn’t do much for me. It’s all things I already “know” and have written about, in terms of my struggles with over-consumption and trying to shop more mindfully. She did remind me of some things I thought were relevant, and want to write more about later, but mostly the book helped me really come to terms with the fact that my job/career/passion is clothing, style, and independent designers, so I need/want to shop periodically to DO MY JOB. I just have to approach it in a more sustainable, un-soul-sucking way.
Now, I’ve started The Overstory, a completely different book entirely 🙂
Doing
Working? We’ve also gotten into a summer routine of playing Catan every evening after dinner that I really like. We even ordered an expansion pack for it because we thought we needed more. My step-son loves to play board games, and so do I. I’m not sure how much Leo enjoys it, but he’s a good sport – he likes card games better I think. Anyway, does anyone have any other good board game suggestions for three people (including a teenage boy??)
Have a great weekend!! What are you reading, watching and doing lately?
YES The Overstory!
The author is a close family friend.
I hope you like it!
Oh how wonderful! I’m so excited to read it. Only a few pages in so far…
I had a similar experience as you with my own kamm pants. I LOVED them on me but as a child therapist I’m sitting, crouching, doing all sorts of things that don’t involve just plain standing, so they ended up not being the workhorses I thought they’d be for the money. I’m still thinking of trying the ranger pants though since I still steer towards slim fitting pants. I just love where they hit on the waist, it’s so flattering!
My husband and I like playing board games. Has your husband ever tried Fluxx? It’s a card game that has different rules, etc on each card so it’s essentially a new game each time…. could be a fun alternative. If you like Catan you should try Seven Wonders or I think another one is called Dominion? I’ll see if I can find other recs, but I like Seven Wonders and Ticket to Ride!
We love the games Wizard and Sequence. Both are very fun with 3 or more people. Love your thoughts about the pants! I have also been tempted because everyone loves them. Have a great weekend.
I’ll second ticket to ride! Bananagrams/Scrabble?
Thanks for the honesty on the Kamm pants. Honestly, every time I see someone wearing them online, all I see is camel toe imprint and that’s a sign they don’t fit/aren’t cut well. I agree that expensive things make us justify our choices. Sometimes that’s a good thing, but sometimes it’s just a mind game.
Yes SAME. From what I’ve read they don’t fit comfortably when they’re loose so people buy them like a second skin and then all I see is camel toe. They look beautiful on some people but those people are never sitting down.
I had the exact opposite reaction to Kate Bowlers book. As she says, it isn’t that everything happens for a reason — it doesn’t. “Everything happens, period.” I’m surprised you didn’t find validation in that sense. She discovered too, that her faith didn’t depend on outcomes. I found it hugely insightful but books are experienced differently by different readers. I loved the book and found it gave me much to think about.
yes, you’re right about that. i didn’t express my thoughts correctly – i think what i had a hard time with then, is reconciling that notion, that “everything happens,” with a belief in God, or gods, or any “higher power” at all. i don’t see how you can believe both that there is a “God” and that everything just happens, without some sort of guidance, a “purpose,” or a “good reason.” i wanted her to address that, and explain the contradictions i guess. i’m super-curious about that actually, how many of us can believe seemingly contradictory things…
My teenage sons love to play Risk, I suck so much at it-they always beat me-so I don’t love it. Quirkle is a super fun game. Its not a board game, you play with tiles. Lots of strategy involved but also not, you can play it at any level. I also just had a carload of boys in the car today and they were talking about how fun Dungeons and Dragons is-they acknowledged its “nerdy” but they don’t care because its a lot of fun.
I feel like my cancer diagnosis absolutely happened for a reason. It is an answered prayer for me as it finally made me the person I have always wanted to be: appreciative, kind, forgiving and gentle. I am much happier now, even though I have been through hell and back and will live a life of constant testing as my cancer is likely to come back.
So after years of reading your blog, I think I am now a (semi) convert to PureBarre! Six months before I moved out of California, I had found a great gym–it was a woman personal trainer who did small group classes, and most of the women were “of a certain age” and it was a very collegial, non-intimidating, and even fun place to work out, and for the first time in my life I had a regular exercise routine that was really working. When I moved, I tried a couple of gyms, but just didn’t find anything that worked with my schedule, location, or that just felt comfortable.
Almost on a whim, I discovered a PureBarre studio very close to my office, and went in for a trial class. I can’t say it was awesome, but I signed up for the two week trial and kept going. And did 7 classes in the first two weeks, and am now on my trial month. I did my 10th class today and I plan on making this stick–I’m back in the space of wanting to go work out because I feel better and have a better day when I do, which is great!
oh my gosh!!! i love this!!!! this makes me so happy 🙂
don’t you feel like after 10 classes you sort of “get it” better? it’s so overwhelming in the beginning and weird, but over time you really come to understand what you’re doing and why, so then you can focus on making a little progress every class.
keep us updated and let me know when you hit 100 classes!!
I think it is difficult to reconcile, but I think her faith rests exactly within that contradiction. I have no formal religious affiliation but I too am extremely interested in these ideas. You might find her more interesting to listen to. There are interviews online. I’ve actually reserved the kindle edition again from my library because I wanted to take another look at it.
My husband and I have decided we want to start playing board games together. We really like Forbidden Island. I’d love to get some recommendations for other games we can try.!
My Catan-loving daughter also likes Pandemic…
Love Fluxx, Seven Wonders…need to try Dominion. We’ve been playing “Grimm Forrest” at our house and having a blast. Also love Hive and Onitami as two player games go. 🙂
I’m super excited for the JP announcement.
Just read the part about a teen boy: We have one of those in the house (16) who enjoys games.
Here are some: Hoax; Welcome to the Dungeon; Munchkin; Imperial Settlers; Harbour; Zombie Dice; Splendor…Those are off of the top of my head, the ones that my son prefers over my daughter. 🙂
Thanks so much!! His dad and I are tiring of Catan lol
Have you listened to any episodes of the podcast Everything Happens? I haven’t read the book but really like her podcast.
Kamm Pants – Another blogger once mentioned it was one of her best pants except only on days she didn’t have to sit too much lol. I wrote a comment about how I spend my week days at a desk doing work or on the weekends at brunch so pants I can’t sit in wouldn’t be great pants IMHO (for me, to each her own). I usually do a practice sit whenever I try on any pants (or dress/skirt, etc).
I love that T!
Bought the Kamm Pants on Slowre and love them! They fit loosely on me and this is key. I’ve always loved high waist pants and these feel no different- they’re pretty comfortable when seated and the booty looks great! Looks fabulous with a belt and looser top or sweater tucked in. I think it’s a huge mistake to buy these as a “second skin.” Of course they’d be uncomfortable! I advise anyone still on the fence about these to definitely size up and then tailor or belt the waist to fit. The waist should have an inch extra to accommodate when seated.
i’m so happy!!!!!
yes, i think the key is getting the sizing perfect.
so glad they’re working for you 🙂