May I tell you the truth? Even that meagre smile I mustered for my mirror selfie a few days ago is more than I can manage this moment.
I’m feeling discouraged about a few things: the ongoing rain here, last night’s sleeplessness, the “behindness” that resulted from last week’s sick days. . . but most of all, the trouble I’m once again having with email subscriber posts not being sent.
On the other hand, I tell myself, some faithful readers found their way here anyway and left me encouraging comments — so that my tree did fall in that forest, my words, my observations did go out into the world and make connections.
And as sentimental as this is going to sound, I’ll risk saying it: as I wrote the sentence above, I felt the muscles of and around my mouth being to twitch, upward. Yep, an undeniable smile began forming. Which had probably been my tiny hope when I resolved to send out another post and see if it might fly. . .
We’ll see what happens. I decided a quick outfit post might be good for a “Testing, Testing” occasion, and this outfit had all the comfort elements going on for a walk last week. I’ve had the pleated wool tweed skirt (The Gap, surprisingly) over 15 years, and I love its bluestocking vibe more than ever, especially with my new yellow boots (Fluevog). . . .the (Aritzia) sweater is four or five (five or six?) years old and already needed mending. See the elbows? I’ve done some Sashiko-style stitching with coloured wool yarn, mostly fingering weight . . . I also darned holes and weak patches at the heels and toes of the ribbed wool tights I’m wearing for extra warmth. . .All about the comfort. And the slow fashion, I guess.
I think I combined the taupe and grey here after seeing Allyson/That’s Not My Age’s Instagram post on wearing beige and grey together. Her example is a brighter one, higher contrast than mine. I like them both, while acknowledging happily that mine trends more eccentric, more bluestocking. Guilty as charged 😉
Tried for one more photo, this time with my arms out of the way. . .
And then, of course, I had to bundle up even further to take it to the streets. . .
Tweed on tweed. . . The coat (Nygardsanna: patchwork, from colour-matched Harris tweed left over from earlier collections) was my first splurge at the beginning of this year, the boots (bought in October) will bookend the year’s wardrobe buys. Wool beret I’ve had for a decade, I’m sure, and those red leather gloves peeking out of the pocket, probably almost as long.
If you get this post by email, but didn’t get the last one, you could pop back and enjoy a walk through Paris streets.
Also, I had bookmarked a post I wanted to share with you earlier and then forgot to include it. I came across it when I was writing a post about returning home from Paris, thinking about the transitions we make after travel, the settling back in, thinking about how that’s different since Covid. . . and searching through earlier “Home again” posts, I found this one, written nine years ago. I’d completely forgotten the charming (to me, at least!) anecdote, my then pre-school granddaughter’s welcome. Maybe it will put a smile on your face as well.
Thinking of that possible connection (you and I, smiling together, here) has partially restored my equilibrium this morning. . . . Now I’m going to cross my fingers, hold my breath, and see what happens.
Post came through! Smile for the win.
Author
Smiling 😉
You look fabulous! I wish I could wear skirts but my personality can’t handle them! (long time rebellion with my father!) Anyway: cheers from cold sunny and soon to have an atmospheric river Northern California! Once again, our garage might get flooding…..
I love your boots and have the same in brown (so conservative). Keep your chin up. I’m about to go into the (very cold) garage to paint and exercise. Wish me luck.
Author
Great comment! Yes, those styles or outfits or garments our Personalities can’t handle!
Brown boots can be worn with so many more combinations than the yellow, no denying it.
Hope you eventually got warm in that cold garage!
Thank you for continuing to try with all the technology glitches and life challenges. Your yellow boots are enough to brighten any day.
ceci
Author
You’re welcome, Ceci — thanks for commenting!
It worked for me Frances & I really like your coat . Can’t go wrong with Harris Tweed & it usually copes with wet weather quite well . Handy for you just now !
Author
Thanks, Wendy — I like it very much and love the idea of Harris Tweed’s history and practicality and that Nygardsanna uses leftover fabric this way — patchwork harkens back to a long, pre-trendy history of Slow Fashion, respect for textxiles, etc.
And I especially like how well a good tight tweedy weave of wool shrugs of the rain — and if it gets wet, it still holds body heat. . .
I did receive this post.
Author
Thanks!
Hi – I’m a new subscriber, and I got this email and the one before it, if that’s helpful. Great outfit – I love the long sweater over the skirt, and the yellow boots! Hope your spirits continue to improve and that the sun comes out at some point.
Author
Thanks Anne, for letting me know — and welcome as a new subscriber. Very happy to have you here, reading!
Of, if we could only solve the sleeplessness issue. For me, Tuesday night awake at 2 am and never back to sleep; Wednesday slept all night; Thursday awake at 4 am and never back to sleep. It takes its toll. I’m still working full-time, so the toll seems more difficult to manage sometimes. If I was retired I’m thinking I could take a short nap during the day to refresh a little – maybe?
It may sounds ditzy but something I have started doing when I wake in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep is to pick any letter of the alphabet and start naming things that start with that letter. So say I choose “B”, I might think banana, boots, Beethoven, bass, books, blocks, Bonavista etc. Your brain has to think about something so it doesn’t go overboard thinking about what you need to do, have forgotten to do or should do – its kinda like falling asleep in class. If you run out of items for your letter, simply pick a new one. It does work for me!
Author
Not ditzy at all! In fact, a BC psychology professor Luc Beaudoin came up with a method for overcoming insomnia that incorporates this technique. He has the Disturbed Sleeper choose a word that has no repeated letters and then go through that word, letter by letter — and at each letter making a mental list of all the words they can think of that begin with that letter. I do this occasionally as well and it works most of the time.
Author
Yes, that sounds like me some weeks — and I remember how tough it was when I was working full-time, so you have all my sympathy! I definitely take naps during the day if I need them now. (Truth: I’ve been a napper since waaaaaay back! 😉
Love your posts! Very cool outfit!
Author
Thanks, Claire! Such encouraging words.
I am glad to hear that your sick days are behind you.
If it helps at all, I think we are all feeling a little bit fragile these days. I try to focus on gratitude, as my life is really very nice, but every little upset pushes me over the edge. I am one of those lovers of winter (bring on the snow!), but I fell on some hidden ice while taking the garbage out this week and bruised my knee. I had already delayed my flight to Italy until I can have a booster, so I will miss Christmas with my partner. It’s also way too late (and not appealing, given everything), to fly to Vancouver at the moment, so won’t see family either. I finally put up some Christmas ornaments yesterday, thinking that I’ll “have to muddle through.” I feel a bit like I did when I was a little girl and a sleepover was canceled: downcast and a little bit childishly grumpy.
Anyway, chin up! I love the patchwork coat. That is a very interesting combination with that gorgeous Harris tweed (one of my favourites). I sewed a coat last year and finished it up this spring that is a similar shape, using an old YSL pattern and a piece of dead stock tweed I bought from an old tailor in Florence a few years back. It felt great to use that old fabric (the tailor had tried to convince me that it would make me look youthful..err, no, but not the gal) and I love the final result. Unfortunately, such a coating weight is only suitable for the springtime here and and not the winter.
Take care. (I am going to touch the earth right now, although come to think of it I suppose my knee did that already for me on Tuesday.)
Author
Ouch! I’m so sorry about your fall and even more about you having to miss Christmas with family and loved ones. I’d be downcast and grumpy as well. But then I might decide I needed a special treat for myself and use some of the travel money saved toward some self-indulgence. . .
Nope, this coat wouldn’t do in Montreal. But then, I wouldn’t last long myself in your winters 😉
I like the way you think!
It works,Frances! I’ve got an email but the post is not in my feed yet!
I’m so sorry about your under the weather condition last week,as well as for the tehnical problems (I hate them indeed)
Lovely outfit combination-I might use it as an inspiration for tomorrow’s špica coffee (although it won’t be exactly on the “špica”, it will be in the caffe where we had prossecco together. I’ll wear my black (leather with patent leather) Pollini knee high boots (they must be 10 years old),because I don’t have yellow ones!
I was thinking about you,but didn’t comment on the last post,sorry,-I do everything from the list almost daily indeed,but am afraid that all I’m creating is usually the mess !
Take care,
Dottoressa (Saturday evening)
Author
Thanks K! Feeling better and better again, with all you lovely people chiming in here. And a big smile on my face thinking of you in that swanky spot, all that glamour — those boots will happily fit right in, as will you, of course!
I disagree about your creativity — your life is full of it! We will have to talk about this in person some day (oh, I hope!!) but the creativity of your cooking, your home, the ways you create experiences for visitors to your city, your personal style, just for a start. . . .
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday and may you have a good week ahead of you. xo
Aw,thank you
And,fingers crossed 😉
D.
Well, hello! This one got here, while the last one did not. But, have regularly been checking out your Instagram posts. Always beautiful photos there, and captions, too. Admiring your new yellow boots. Color in drab weather makes such a difference to me. Am starting to crave hot pink accessories. And why not? We grown ups can do most anything we want-within reason, right? Maybe that explains why I had, by choice, cold pasta, and hot coffee as my breakfast today?!
Hope you have a cozy weekend.
A.in London
Author
Hot Pink! Why not?! Absolutely why not?! And if cold pasta and hot coffee is what it takes to get our morning off to a good start, then be a rebel and go for it! 😉
xo
f
I’m loving your blog and I’m all in on the “ blue stocking” moment. What joyful boots.
Author
I’m so pleased to hear you’re loving the blog — thanks for the encouraging words!
This has reached Wales and I’m glad to receive it. I suppose there’s no point in telling you not to beat yourself up about being ‘behind’? I find that ‘life’ often gets in the way of best laid plans and sometimes something better can come out of it. I like the peek of darning that we can just see and you’ve inspired me to patch jeans in the same way. The patch proved to be sturdier than the surrounding fabric 🤣 but at least I got a chance to practice. I hope you can resolve the email problem, must be frustrating, but I’m sure your regular commenters and readers like me are always glad to see a message in our inboxes. Please keep going! Very best wishes from a grey, wet but mild Wales.
Author
Good to know, thanks! I wouldn’t say there’s no point telling me this — yes, I absolutely know it already, but always need to remind myself 😉
And I appreciate your other encouraging words as well — so pleased to know that I might have inspired your jean-patching. It can be much easier and even more enjoyable than we thought when we were hung up on trying to hide our stitching.
Today’s email came through just fine, but your earlier post didn’t. I happened upon it via another blog and am so glad I did.
Love those yellow boots – they’re bound to brighten up a dreary West Coast day!
Wishing you cheerier days!
Author
Thanks, Frances! It’s been dreary and stormy in turn, on repeat, hasn’t it?!
I love that woolly turtleneck with that skirt. The outfit has an artsy bohemian vibe. And the coat is appealing too. Living in Edmonton, the only kind of coats I can use in the winter are parkas or puffys. Sigh. Besides there isn’t much choice of clothes for older women here. Once a year or so, I find something at Talbot’s – but I find the designs have dowdy undertones.
In Italy in early November, I relied on a navy blue dress (Layfette 148) navy blue tights , and a navy blue leather jacket. I have relied on this outfit so long over the last few years that I am now sick of it.
I don’t think I received your last Paris column. I will check it out.
Author
Thank you!
I’m glad you got to your conference and back and hope it all went well. Those reliable outfits might eventually weary us, their wearers, but they’re so useful to have in the closet — and a good example of Slow Fashion, right? Choosing quality for longevity . . .
Hello! I hope you enjoyed your walk. Thanks for posting.
Author
I did! Thanks for commenting!
Love reading your posts!
Author
Aw, thanks for letting me know!
Thank you, post arrived – and made me smile.
Author
Your comment made me smile, truly!
Received this post, but not the previous one.
I have not commented for a while, but do read all. It’s a funny
old year, everything thing feels slightly strange, almost like a collective breath is
being held. I like your gentlewoman style, bordering on edgy….
Ali
Author
Thanks so much, Ali! Gentlewoman, bordering on edgy — I’ll take that 😉
Hope you’re staying dry! Such a contrast from our summer, no?!
I’m a recent subscriber and very much enjoy your literate style of writing. I also like that you let us know how you live and are not focused on the next new fashion trend. If we lived close by, I would love to be your friend!
Nancy
Gainesville, GA
USA
Author
Nancy, this is such an encouraging and thoughtful comment — thank you! I’d stop by for tea! 😉
those boots are great. they would really make any neutral outfit pop. I would bet they are not only funky stylish but comfortable. I know you have mentioned this brand before but I have never seen them in the US. thinking I might seek them out. I can probably get another season out of my trusty La Canadienne ankle boots but a replacement is in the cards.
Author
It’s true, they are stylish (I think so, at least!) and comfortable as well. Fluevog is a Canadian company (began right here in Vancouver, actually) but they do have stores in the US and, of course, are available online (although to be honest, I can’t imagine buying shoes that way unless I were way better at returning things on time!)
Yellow boots for the win!
BTW, I subscribe via a feedreader (Feedly.com) and I never miss a post. I wish I were there to cheer you up, as your yellow boots have done for me.
Author
Okay, I really need to understand more about technology in general and maybe feedreaders and such in particular. And you always cheer me up, just by being there 😉
Hi cousin, You look great and your outfit looks smart!
I really admire your interesting travelling stories. I’m not a big traveller (too stressful unless Hawaii is the destination), but your stories make me feel like I need to reconsider. I have a wonderful photo taken in 1962 of my mom and dad sitting on a bench with cheese, wine and baguette and the Eiffel Tower in the background. How I’d love to relive that moment with my husband!
I try not to think about the weather. My desk at home faces a wall and I’m surrounded by knick knacks and photos that make me smile.
Hope you’re feeling better!
Author
What a great image you’ve sketched of your mom and dad — I can picture them clearly from this — two lovely people, very much in love, and what a big deal it must have been for your dad to be back in Europe after the way he had to leave. You should post that photo on the family FB page!
Works like a charm. Technology problem solved. Kudos to you! Winter weather has a way of putting a damper on things. At least my Christmas decorations are cheery and bright. Enjoy the build-up to the holidays.
Author
Thanks, Susan! Maybe I just need more lights here, and Christmas greens, and floral arrangements 😉
This one arrived I’m happy to say. I was wondering what had happened to you , am pleased that it’s only the annoying technology .
Author
Yep, I’m still here. Thanks for checking in!
Smiling back from Melbourne, Aus, long time reader but others voice my feelings and thoughts
sooner and better than I. But I’m here xx
Author
Happy to see your comment here, Jules, thank you!
I don’t subscribe, email tends to be hit and miss as it often lets spam through but puts things I want to see in the spam folder! I check every now and then to see if a new post is up, as yours is one of the few blogs I still read and enjoy.
The days after returning from a trip, especially if it was overseas, always seem a little flat to me after the excitement of travelling. Although catching up with family and friends soon restores my equilibrium.
Your outfit puts me in mind of one of Dorothy Sayers intelligent and independent women. The yellow boots make it contemporary though.
Our local art gallery has just opened an exhibition featuring Coco Chanel with the emphasis on how her clothes worked for the new roles womens were taking on which I am looking forward to seeing.
Author
Pleased to know you will get here even if emails don’t work — thank you!
And the Dorothy Sayers reference — wow! Thank you! 😉
What a great exhibition to have locally — so often it’s the particular slant of a curator that gives a whole new perspective on work we thought we knew.
So sorry about the returning technical problems – how annoying and discouraging for you. I’ve found it to be a tough year for persistent technological and mechanical problems. My 8-month old desktop computer won’t load new emails once or twice a week without a reboot – not a big deal but irritating when I’m in a hurry, and my car sometimes stalls when reversing, mostly in the morning. Our computer guy and mechanic have done their best to solve the problems. The car is currently behaving itself but who knows for how long? The computer is stubbornly misbehaving. Like you, I’m also struggling with insomnia, though some nights are better than others. When it strikes, I tend to fall asleep the next day while watching tv in the evenings, and this annoys some family members. Perhaps some of these pesky problems will ease next year.
Love your bluestocking outfits, especially the yellow boots and mended woollens. Neutrals with a pop of colour are perfect for winter. We’re experiencing a La Niña summer and it’s the coolest and wettest lead up to Christmas I can remember. But it does feel a tiny little bit like what I imagine a northern hemisphere Christmas might be like and I’ll take that.
Author
Thanks for this perspective, Maria! It helps to see the little glitches here as not being so personal 😉 Although then my mind drifts back to the E.M. Forster story we read in high school — “The Machine Stops.” Too eerily prescient. . . . won’t help us overcome our insomnia!
Speaking of which, have you ever tried yoga nidra? There are some helpful recorded guides available — I use an app called Insight Timer (so far, only the free options) and I do think it’s made a difference.
Bluestockings for the win, right? And how clever of you to turn poor weather into an imaginary travel opportunity! 😉
Got it.
Always enjoy your posts. The Up ones, the Down ones and the Getting On With Life ones. Real and relatable. Thank you!
Author
I really appreciate the encouraging and validating words, Marianne — thank you!
This arrived safely and caught up with the previous missed one here in Cornwall, UK. I enjoy reading them and seeing your outfits, most of all though the ones with your reading choices. JennyC
Author
Good to know, Jenny, thank you. A reading post is in the works . . .
Hi Frances
This post arrived and maybe the last one – I, too am a bit behind on just about everything.I save your blog posts for Sunday morning reading, but not last Sunday.
The grey and yellow combination is fabulous as is the coat.
Very stylish
Margaret
Author
Thanks, Margaret! Pleased to be part of your Sundays, when you have time.
I am not a subscriber. I just look up your blog once or twice a week to see if there is a new post. That is one of the reasons why I am often late in commenting.
Your cheerful yellow boots reminded me to dive into my cupboard and get out all my winter footwear for an inspection, and I discovered a pair which I had completely forgotten about. For some reason they had ended up in the back row last winter, so I have not worn them for two years. Now it feels as if I had a completely new pair of boots. Is that what they mean by “shopping your wardrobe”?
I love your Harris tweed coat. Gave me the idea to do some remodeling to my grey winter coat, the knitted cuffs are coming off. Btw., I would love to see some of your creative visible mending in more detail.
Wishing you calm nights and undisturbed sleep.
Author
Yes, this is exactly what is meant by “shopping your wardrobe”! Trying to respond to all the visual Fashion and Style advertising overload by going to our own closets instead of to the shops. Enjoy your new boots!
I will keep in mind your request for more detail when I post again about creative visible mending — or maybe provide links to the many stitchers who are much more proficient than I am. So many great examples out there now.
Thank you for that wish — a very good one.
New boots are such a mood lifter. Even if the rest of the day is a bit rubbish, you know you will have happy and comfy feet. These days we take our pleasures where we can. Hot cup of tea for me at present, as I gaze in horror at the covid figures and the legislation that government is trying to pass. I can’t do a lot about either – apart from where my mask, wash my hands, keep mostly to myself as regards the virus and directly email the PM on the other fandango – but I can have a nice hot drink and look out the window.
Author
Happy and comfy feet are never to be underrated! I’m absolutely with you — small quotidian pleasures. Hot tea is a big one for me, and yes, the world currently abounds with horrors we have limited ability to respond to. . . I bet that was a trenchantly worded email. And “fandango” is such a good word.
I am not a subscriber but please know that I look for your posts regularly and read along. Your writing is always a treat to read and I’ve often wanted to comment but have been unable to do so for the past couple of years due to some technical glitch. I just came across a possible way round the problem so this is a test comment in response to your test post. These yellow boots are so cheery and your whole outfit is perfect.
Author
Thanks for reading, Wilma, and thank you for taking the time to leave your encouraging comment!
This post landed in my inbox on Saturday, but the previous one did not. Catching up now after spending the weekend giving lots of cuddles to the newest grandchild! 🙂
Author
Oh, Congratulations! What a beautiful weekend you must have had!
I prefer not to subscribe and instead be delighted when I go to your website and find a new post!
You’d mentioned you had a soft-spot for ex-pat books –have you read On Rue Tatin by Susan Herrmann Loomis? I am enjoying it and maybe you would, to. It’s a very quick read!
I do not envy you the cold rainy weather and understand how remaining cheery is not easy. I think you do a good job!
Author
Aw, thanks for the kind words — I’m pleased to know you keep coming back!
On Rue Tatin, yes! I read it soon after it was first published and still have my hardcover copy of it which I turn to occasionally for one of the recipes. I might need to get it out to read it again right through. Thanks for the reminder!
Love, love love that long gray skirt! id love to find a classic style like that but alas I’m not seeing anything similar. Love your posts about your time in Paris!
Author
Thanks, Deanne! So surprising that The Gap once sold a skirt like my beloved grey wool.. .