(just a cute photo of Dagny, and a look at the weird dried leaves/branches my step-mom sent me from Florida a while ago – aren’t they cool?? I don’t remember the name of the tree they come from, but I admired them at her house, so she collected some for me and sent them fed-ex)
Reading/Doing
Susan posted a link to this article in the comments this week, about implementing a 7-day “mental” quarantine on all purchases before they officially enter the house. It’s a very interesting idea, maybe something worth trying?
My husband and I listened to the On Being podcast featuring Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn in the car on our trip home from Atlanta. He’s a big Bela Fleck fan – me, not as much, but I love On Being, and it was a beautiful podcast. Of course I proceeded to download their album together and listen to that in the car as well (it won a Grammy for best folk album). It’s sort of an acquired taste, banjo and folk music, but I have a soft spot in my heart for “I’ve been working on the railroad;” I’m not sure why, I just remember signing it as kids with my mother, and I enjoyed it.
Susan is over over-sized styles, are you? I think I incorporate enough of a mix of more “fitted” with over-sized outfits for me not to get tired of one specific silhouette, but I think we may start seeing a swing back to more “traditional” looks for spring after so many seasons of exaggerated styles. Maybe.
Confessions of an Instagram Star – just in case you still thought everything you see on Instagram is “real”…
Goop does it again…I’m dying to try these gluten & dairy-free desserts, especially the molasses cookies. I have not made my grandmother’s ginger snap recipe this year yet, mostly because I’m trying really hard not to eat sweets at all much anymore, but I’m going to make an exception and try the molasses cookies. For thanksgiving, I always make my mother’s cranberry bread recipe and successfully “grechen-ized” it this year with gluten-free flour, coconut oil and coconut sugar in place of all the “offensive” ingredients. I made muffins instead of bread, but I loved the way they turned out. They’re not pretty because they’re quite a bit heavier than the usual (I used the cup4cup wholesome flour blend, which is pretty dense), but they suited me, and everyone but my sister, who doesn’t like the coconut taste, fine. So, I’m looking forward to trying all of these; I’ve tried many goop recipes and they are usually pretty good.
Shopping
I went to a press event/new store opening at Aveda this week. I will write much more about that later, but honestly, my mind was blown. First, it turns out my scalp is RIDICULOUSLY dry. The stylist there took a close up photo with her little thingie and it was horrifying. She suggested a few products to try, so we’ll see how it goes. Second, I was unaware of just how deep and complete Aveda’s commitment to environmental responsibility is until I did more research and really learned about the products/packaging/manufacturing processes. Finally, it makes me SO HAPPY to meet people who are as passionate about what they do as I am about what I do. And every single person there was a joy to talk to and learn from; their enthusiasm was palpable. Anyway, much more later, but I did get to take home (at no charge) three products to try and I chose the Damage Remedy daily hair repair, Dry Remedy moisture masque, and Stress Fix body creme, so I’ll report back on how they’re working out after a few weeks using them.
Mon Purse – I saw an article on this Australian brand just launching this week in the US, and checked it out. I love that you can completely customize your bag, and the prices are rather reasonable. This bucket bag is my favorite style, but most of all, I like that you can customize it with the choice of gunmetal hardware, and that it has minimal hardware to begin with.
My Domi organic cotton pajamas (I ordered mine with credit from Garmentory – if you use my referral link you’ll receive a $20 account credit and so will I) arrived this week and I’ve worn them every night. I ordered a medium and it’s a good thing, the small would have been too small, even though they’re labeled oversized. I went with Domi for the shorter length pants, and I like the double pockets on the top. My organic cotton robe by Couyuchi should arrive today, so I’m looking forward to lounging about in my pajamas and robe this weekend 🙂
Fortress of Inca (shoes/boots handmade in Peru) is offering 15% off with code grechen15 – I haven’t tried any of their shoes yet, have you? I’m most tempted by these flat booties, but they have very nice taller boots and shoes with heels. So cute if you wear heels!
Amazon’s Cyber Monday deals week is still going – up to 30% off select items. You have to sift through a lot to find the good stuff, and most things you have to add to your cart to see the final price, but they have a nice selection of Rachel Comey shoes, and many are on sale.
Wardrobe Audit UPDATE
Don’t forget to fill out your wardrobe audit questionnaire if you haven’t done so already – which will enter you to win the Everlane foldover clutch. I will extend the entry period through the weekend and maybe longer to give more of you time to finish it; I know A LOT more of you were interested in doing it than I’ve received answers for!
I’d like to keep my wardrobe about where it is right now, or around 200. My wardrobe is at 198 items right now, after putting my Everlane Oxford shoes up for sale on SLOWRE (I kept trying to wear them, and just find that they come up much too high on my foot for my taste) and adding a pair of K Deer leggings for Pure Barre (I had $70 in studio credit for participating in a challenge and renewing my 12-month contract).
If you haven’t taken a look already, you can view my wardrobe items on my google spreadsheet if you’re interested, which is now complete with links to everything that’s still currently available. I will update it whenever I add anything new or sell/giveaway something, so the total count will change automatically. I’m not planning on adding anything new for a while, but you never know; I’m not putting myself on a shopping ban or anything so restrictive, but my goal is to try not to add or subtract anything for as long as possible.
Please, though, this should not be an exercise in frustration or make you feel guilty for having too many things; there’s no “right” or wrong number of items you “should” have in your wardrobe. Building a conscious closet and shopping responsibly is completely subjective, and each of us has to find our own place, and where we feel truly comfortable with the things we have.
I used the wardrobe audit as a push to write down and keep track of exactly what is in my wardrobe – knowledge is power. What I do with that from here, I’m not exactly sure, but I do know that I feel very pleased with the items I’ve chosen for my wardrobe, and I’m pretty comfortable with the amount of things in it. Everything is where I can see it all the time
And now I’m sort of excited for the challenge of trying to keep it at or around 200. Just because.
Of course wardrobe audits always bring up all sorts of emotions: guilt over spending too much money on things we don’t wear, anxiety when we think of getting rid of things we may need some day, and sadness over the “mistakes” we’ve made buying things that turn out not to work for us. As I was going through my multiple purges years ago, I constantly felt very overwhelmed by my multiple closets full of things, and like I would never see the light at the end of the tunnel. I felt every emotion there is. Now I am content. Mostly. I just want all of us to be mostly content 😉
But, here’s the thing: feeling guilty, etc., is certainly not productive, but also, I’m not sure we can always avoid making “mistakes.” What is a sartorial mistake anyway? I think each of us would define it differently. As far as buying things we “shouldn’t” or emotional purchases, don’t some of those emotional purchases turn out to be wardrobe workhorses? And so what if you really love something and never wear it? I read once a suggestion that you display the things you love but don’t wear very often as in a gallery, or boutique. Just to enjoy looking at. I’ve thought about doing that.
Just some thoughts for this Friday, and maybe some incentive to get in your closet and really look to see what’s there.
Have a wonderful weekend doing your audit if you haven’t already, or doing whatever else you’re doing !!!!
I never liked fitted clothes. The boxy, oversized trend will never cease to appeal. I think it’s very cool and nonchalant. I can’t say how much I love it. But I can imagine that it will not be trendy forever, which is fine—I’m not into trends anyway.
Oh I love Dagny’s ears! How sweet.
I have a love/hate relationship with the oversized trend. On the one hand, I love the looseness and ease of it and it appeals to the “art school” part of my style. On the other hand, I have broad shoulders and many of the items just make me look boxy. I have the ES Harper Tunic in Raw Silk (which looks similar to how your Harper tunic looks but with thinner fabric), and that’s about as oversized as I’m comfortable with. I oscillate between my “art school” style and a more fitted, french/preppy look, and that tends to be more fitted, but also more classic (to me) — and I think for me, fitted has a more classic look anyway. So I’ve got oxfords, skinnies, and a chambray shirt with a crewneck Everlane Cashmere sweater on today, and that’s my “standard” uniform.
Dagny is really cute, and I was mesmerized by those dried leaves for a few minutes. They sort of look like large dried roses and I was trying to figure out what they were. I have a Rachel Comey purse (the round wool one with the outline of a nude woman) that I absolutely love, but it isn’t really suitable for everyday use. It’s hanging on a mannequin in my bedroom so I can see it all the time. I adore it and will use it eventually, probably once my kids are grown and I am not at their school frequently. Until then, it’s like a great piece of art that I get to see every day.
I’ll need more time to absorb most of this post but just need to say how incredibly cute Dagny is (those ears!) and that seeing her photo made a really craopy day so much better.
Quick thoughts too on oversized – I’m actually incorporating more boxy pieces in the past year or two as I’ve seen more styles that appeal to me and I think work well paired with more fitted bottoms that I have. I’ll always own a mix, I think. What doesn’t work for me is an oversized top paired with oversized bottom. What I’ve started to get tired of is the dropped shoulder. It’s ubiquitous, sometimes even uncomfortable, depending on where the seam lands, and really needs to stop.
Ugh. Typo in “crappy.”
she makes my days better too 🙂 glad she could help!! i took that photo the other day when i turned around from the kitchen and she was just sitting there like that. i melt when she does that!!
i have a hard time with dropped shoulders too lately, especially since they’re so hard to layer. i do love the look though, still.
i think that’s a brilliant idea. displaying your purse on a mannequin. i need to get around to doing that, but my office, where i would “display” anything is currently full of SLOWRE stuff…which sometimes i like to admire too LOL
i’ll have to find out what the name of the tree is where those came from. they’re so interesting. a little weird at first, but they make a nice point of interest there in our front area instead of the TV.
Thanks for the mention! That “instagram influencer” article was interesting.
Wow, I’m really impressed with your spreadsheet! I started one after seeing yours but it will take a while to actually accurately record everything. I did a post on just what I’d pack for vacation and it was revealing to me, like your spreadsheet, for what brands I actually wear and rely on (APC, J.Crew, Saint James) vs. own
Thank you for extending the entry time for the wardrobe audit! I’ve only just found time recently to start going through my wardrobe, and it’ll take me a couple of days. I am interested to see what my results will be (estimation vs reality) and what kind of information you glean from the survey.
I just finished the audit (have been moving this last few weeks) and it made me realize I need to do something! As for hair – I would HIGHLY recommend the Uma hair oil – I use it as a pre wash treatment and to put on ends after showering (you can buy from Detox Market OR you can sign up for Beauty Heroes and get it for 15% – I adore Beauty Heroes)- and my favorite hair wash lines are Innersence and Anhesti – I used to use Aveda – I lived in Minneapolis in the 90s and 00s and the original founder did wonderful things (Horst – who then founded Intelligent Nutrients when he sold in 97) – but then Estee Lauder bought them out, my love for them faded soon after – I have had an easier time switching to smaller independent brands for beauty than clothes! Always a struggle!!!!
I agree, Lori! Give me oversized or give me death!
Several thoughts: How sweet if your stepmom to send you the dried leaves!
Dagny… 🙂
Bella Fleck and The Flecktones…Good taste, Leo! They used to play in Madison a lot when we lived there…possibly still do.
Re: goop. I try, but I just cannot find empathy for GP. She recommends some great things, but then…WHAM! The woman “steams her yoni”! (Yes. I had to google it. It’s exactly what you think it is.) It’s her oddball advice that drives me nuts.
Fortress of Inca is on my “probably will buy from someday” list, along with Freda Salvador.
And that brings me to the Wardrobe Audit. I just ran out of time. I’m pretty danged impressed with your Google spread sheet, tho. I may try it!