(from Nate Berkus’ The Things That Matter)
Last week was…interesting. Full of emotional ups and downs, but overall, I was very grateful for the feature in the WSJ and the new readers & comments it brought. I hope you’ll stick around if you’re new, and join in on our conversation!
The image above is from Nate Berkus’ book, The Things That Matter, which I checked out of the library to look at. I heard him speaking with Oprah on Oprah Radio the day before I wrote my Minimal Closet: Things Matter post, which is where I got the inspiration for it. The book is very good, and besides being full of interesting stories and beautiful pictures, it got me thinking a lot about my life, and my home – specifically the things in it, and why I’ve always preferred to spend money on clothes rather than on my home. But I think I’ll talk more about that later this week; it’s quite a loaded topic.
Anyway I recommend the book highly, and of course, this image and quote from one of the contributors really stuck out at me, because that’s what I’m trying to do right now: guard my threshold and really be particular about what I allow to cross it…
What I Bought
I had been waiting for the Langley Fox drape tank to come back in stock at Everlane since I missed it the first time around – so I ordered two, one in size small and one in medium (I had credit there). I really like them, and think I’ll keep both sizes – the small is rather fitted, but fits well, and the medium is longer and a little bigger, though not drapey at all on me; will be good for wearing with leggings and big sweaters. I’m sort of disappointed they’re not WHITE WHITE, but I knew that when I bought them, and I do think the cream color is a nice departure from white; it’s not so harsh.
What I Got rid of
Nothing, but I’m still adding to a box in the closet to purge. I’m trying to not be a hurry to whittle down my closet much more right now…taking it slowly!
What I Did
Last week was sort of consumed by Dagny and being hot. We’re really trying to be more consistent with her potty training, because she still doesn’t quite get that she can’t go in the house. She’s spending more time in her crate (which she doesn’t mind at all) and more time outside (which I mind, when it’s 100+ degrees…), but I’m hoping with consistency she’ll “get” it. And she has times when she’s more likely to slip-up than others, so we’re paying more careful attention during those times.
I also do wonder if she somehow “feeds” off my emotions? I have noticed that she seems to have behavior “issues” when I’m hormonal, and last week I WAS HORMONAL. Like a beast.
What I Read
I’m reading a lot of different things at the moment, but I devoured The Husband’s Secret on Saturday because I was craving something light. It was pretty good; makes you think about choices and what you might do in certain situations.
I’m also reading The China Study (about nutrition), Spark (about exercise and the brain), and re-reading The Alchemist.
September Vogue was surprisingly good – and I’m not talking about the pictures. Also Elle had some good reading, but it always does.
What I Ate
I actually found some interesting recipes via the 7 day Body Reboot program on Net-a-Porter (I’ve only tried the sweet potato & tuna salad one, but it’s good, I’d make it again). And otherwise, I didn’t eat ANY CANDY this week. Which is quite an accomplishment, given my indulgences the week before. Although instead of willpower, I just chalk it up to being too hot to make a special trip to buy candy.
It’s interesting – I’ve always been affected by the weather/temperature, but it seems much more vivid this year than ever before. I’m literally drained of all my energy when it’s SO HOT and sunny outside. Is it age? Is it hormones? I don’t know, but I’m looking forward to later this week when it’s supposed to only be in the 70’s. I can’t even fathom that right now. I’ll have to get out my cashmere 🙂
How was your week last week? What are you looking forward to this week?
I’m 38 and over the last year I definitely noticed an upswing in my hormones right before my period. I got very ragey. And break outs! Those have been fun, too. Sometimes my PMS included vertigo, literally the day before my period. And occasionally I got night sweats.
I started Googling my symptoms and they seemed to fit perimenopause. Or, at the very least, just getting older and hormones shifting. I was most concerned with addressing the ragey emotions. After some research, I decided Evening Primrose Oil might be worth a shot. I’ve been taking 500 mg of EPO 2x a day (morning and before bed) and the rageyness is gone! It’s been several months and my hormones seem more balanced. My skin has cleared up, too. Granted, not perfect, but so much better. I take the NOW Foods ones.
Might be worth a try?
oh!!! thank you so much for that. i don’t really have any other symptoms yet, but the emotional ups and downs are just killing me. i just don’t feel like myself for a few days before. i don’t have migraines very bad anymore, which is weird (i’m not complaining), but i’d almost rather have those sometimes than the crazy emotions…
do you take the evening primrose oil all the time? or just around your period?
going to try it for sure. thank you 🙂
I take it every day, 2x a day. I figured between the emotions and the breakouts, it wouldn’t hurt to take it daily, as it’s supposed to be great for one’s complexion in general. I think some people just take it leading up to their periods, or at least increase their dosage the week before or so.
Hope it helps!