Thanks so much for your thoughtful responses to my last post. Especially these challenging days, it’s important to acknowledge a range of emotions, and I’m grateful to be able to facilitate a community that allows that — without implying, of course, that our acknowledgment or conversations are sufficient against a more prolonged sadness or depression.
Nor do I want to imply that sadness can be banished through Retail Therapy.
But sometimes, in tandem with more responsible actions. . . . and I shopped at a local, independent business, a shop that sells ethically made garments . . . and I bought clothes I know I’ll be wearing for years (still trying to be mindful about Slow Fashion, but hey, I’m no saint).
I posted this photo on Instagram a few weeks ago, taken in the waiting room of the Hearing Aid clinic, and the cheery pattern on my new wool skirt (by a Serbian company, Ivko) quickly collected “Likes.”
And Rosie asked what I wore with it. . . .
I’ll admit to playing it safe with a simple cashmere v-neck in navy. . .
The saleswoman in the shop had suggested a sweater or blouse in any of the skirt’s brights: that turquoise, the orange, pink, yellow, rich cherry red. . . . Once upon a time, that would have appealed to me, but these days I want it simpler. . . Between the skirt’s colourful pattern and my shoes’ metallic finish I found enough already. . .
But the saleswoman had also suggested that a scarf or even just a brooch in one of those colours could work against a more sober top, and I’d just pulled my winter scarves out of storage. . . .
I made this one over 13 years ago, probably the first knit I ever posted to the blog. It’s been such a treasure — it can be pulled through my wedding ring smoothly (just like the classic Shetland wedding ring shawl) which means it will also scrunch up to take up little room in my bag if I get too warm, weighs very little but the alpaca makes it scrumptiously cozy. Sadly, some ambitious moths have been admiring it, and I’m not sure I’ll bother repairing it. For now, it’s still wearable, but I might have to start thinking about a replacement. . . maybe this time using a Cashmere Laceweight yarn. . . .
Realistically these days, the only OOTD anyone outside my home sees is my coat. . . . I try to vary the look regularly by switching out scarves
and
and sometimes footwear. . .
Yep, those trusty Blundstones. . . again!
Sorry for the mediocre photos — I’d never make it as a Style Blogger! Our condo has limited possibilities for mirror placement and given that our exterior walls are almost entirely glass, reflections are impossible to avoid. . . But I know that many of you are interested in seeing OOTD posts, and so I try to oblige, hoping you’ll accept and forgive the limitations.
Now, I know that many of you have all kinds of preparations to make for your big Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. As different as this year’s will be, I wish that you may all find cause to be grateful, somehow, and that you stay safe.
As for me, I’m about to chop and mix together the first Christmas pudding I’ve ever made, decades after my dad put his last one together. My ambition was stirred (see what I did there?!) by Penny of Homemade Heart who posted photos and video of her pudding-making — and was ever so helpful in her comments. She even offered to try sending me packaged suet from the UK, but luckily my guy tracked some down yesterday. I’ll let you know how it turns out. . .
xo, f
Oh… love, love that navy coat with the navy sweater and hose with that skirt. Plus the red? scarf. Looks wonderful. I can imagine the coat open showing a flash of colour supplied by your skirt.
Good luck with the Christmas pudding. I had pondered making my mum's fruitcake recipe this year. A few years ago she sent me the recipe and detailed instructions all neatly typed, with the correct pan, for my Christmas present, and shamefully I have never made it!
The laciness of the scarf and the intricacies of the skirt echo your curls beautifully. Harmonious–and gently invigorating.
Such a lovely skirt-I love it just the way you styled it! I have similar colours woven scarf as in your skirt,usually too thick to wear.
This bluish/greenish colour from your skirt would make a beautiful scarf as well
We are,from tomorrow,with closed restaurants (I was last time in a restaurant once this summer-only time this year!)and caffes and a lot of things as well,maybe not stores. Our numbers are high and it was only sensitive thing to do.
Dottoressa
Oh, imagine being able to say "I'll make another one"! That looks like an Ivko skirt? They are popular here because the knits are a good weight, and most of what they make is hand-washable. I super agree with you, rather than the saleswoman, not all women want to be in all-brights. And sharing the love for Blundstones!
I've had to bag all my woollens that I'm not willing to provide as moth snacks, even during the winter. It's more work but I got tired of pulling out a good sweater and finding holes. Those sticky traps seem to control them. but a few are always around.
Gorgeous skirt. Has to make you happy just looking down at it. With you on companion navy sweater and tights look…and the added touch of colour of your scarf. Coat is the perfect topper.
My scarf collection (truly, a bit massive) saves my daily outfits from being boring more often than not–even when I am not going out. Since many were purchased over the decades on travels, they also add a touch of nostalgia.
Sue: You should consider making that fruitcake — she'd be pleased, no? I'm only making my pudding because Penny posted her process on IG. Before that, I'd seen my sister's request (in our family FB group) for my Dad's recipe (never was such a thing — he made i up every year, I suspect). No way was I going to follow her impulse to make one, but somehow . . . and I think it will be good to do something old but new this year when it will just be the two of us and such a different Christmas.
Elle: You always have such a good way with words — I will henceforth think of my skirt as "gently invigorating" 😉
Dottoressa: I know you miss your dining out and, maybe even more, your coffee sessions. Let us all hope that these current restrictions help bring numbers back down and keep them down until the vaccine is a feasible solution.
Duchess: It is fortunate — although when you imagine me saying it, remember that I may never find the equal in weight, colour, and softness of this particular alpaca laceweight. And yes! It is an Ivko skirt — there was a matching cardigan, but oooh, that was much too much for me! (Sticky traps, duly noted thanks)
Mary: Thanks! And yes, wearing it makes me happy! With you on the scarves, even when I'm home — and I find if my neck is warm, I'm more comfortable.
I would have gone for the dark sweater as well, but my first thought was to play up that turquoise. Depends on one's mood, right? Nice to have a skirt that can play to any situation. It is gorgeous and I love that it's handmade.
Now I am thinking about what to wear today. I'm going to donate plasma, which requires an hour, and is the first time in over a month that I will be out of the house besides for running or groceries. A skirt is less than ideal though, because one must recline on a bed. Maybe a sweater tunic (sleeve must go up easily–another requirement) and leggings? Anyway, I'll make a better effort thanks to you.
I feel like getting older is time to see ourselves in very small increments, so that SAD becomes sad or wistful or mourning or whatever its small and more precise nature is. By settling down into ourselves we can maybe move more quickly through that which torments.
I love your skirt. Elegant and playful and referential to your travels all at once.
Lovely skirt, and I can see how it is a happy skirt. Glad to see that it brings you joy. I think we need to treasure these things, and also that as we get older perhaps it is simpler to just acknowledge that things are not always what we want. Let sadness be. When I was young I was so prone to forcing on a happy face whatever happened, and I think now that this just made the crashes more severe. You are so generous in sharing the ups and downs and articulating feelings I can barely wrap my head around.
That skirt is lovely. I am impressed that you are still wearing skirts! Seriously, when I put on a bra with underwire it's a big day 🙂