Monday Musings : What’s on my Mind
I’ve been thinking about you lately. My readers. I assume you’re here for reasons other than you like my smile 🙂 I started this blog to help women get dressed with confidence. I love to read your comments and I’d love you to tell me:
- What do you want to see more of on AWSL?
- Would it help for me to show you outfits that fit your lifestyle? If so, please share what your lifestyle is these days.
- Would you like to see more DRD type posts that show what’s new and how I would style it?
- What are your favorite retailers?
In other news, here’s what caught my eye this week.
Faux Fur
When I was visiting my daughter in Vancouver, we did a little boutique hopping, and both fell in love with this little jacket. Then we discovered this longer version and but not in the color she wanted. She finally located it online and it’s due for delivery tomorrow. I really wanted this coat but she found it first. I love faux fur! Yes, I do know it’s supposed to have a larger carbon footprint than real fur, but since I won’t wear beauty products that are tested on animals, I certainly won’t wear their skins! I can’t be the only one loving faux fur coats because they’re everywhere at all price points.
Skincare
Last week I asked the ladies on my Facebook Page, “what’s the most expensive skincare product you splurge on because it’s just that good?” The answers were fascinating. Some of the products were familiar to me, but most were new. They ranged from very affordable to astronomical. Of course, me being me; I googled most of them. Dropping down internet rabbit hole after rabbit hole wiped out an hour in my day but I had a blast because I love beauty and skincare products.
These were some of the ones mentioned:
- LaRoche Posay
- Elemis
- Cerave
- Rodan and Fields
- Avon
- TNS Essential Serum
- Vaseline
- Boot’s No 7
- Kiehl’s
- LaPrairie Caviar Line
- Lavelier
Warm fuzzy throws
Under the category of too much information, I had a nasty bout of food poisoning on Saturday which left me feeling chilled and wanting to cuddle up on the couch. I ended up on my bed and wanted something fuzzy and substantial to cuddle under. My thoughts went to faux fur (again) and I realized I need a fuzzy throw in my life. I can’t believe I’ve never gotten one. Here are a few I found online. I can’t decide on the size.
Thanksgiving
How could this not be on my mind? My daughter is flying home, my son and his fiancé will be here and it’s our first in the new house. I bought our organic Turkey and cranberries yesterday which got me planning what else to make with it. I’ll make sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie but would love some fresh inspiration. Do you have something special you always make at Thanksgiving? Which veggies do you include?
Have a great day ladies and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
I do look forward to your smile! I enjoy your blog. I now do my own version of DRD. I use my clothes while trying on, online purchases. I snap a picture. . I helps me determine if I should keep the item and plan outfits.
Selfies are so helpful. I do them all the time to get a better perspective on items. Especially eyewear.
I would like to see pics of women on the street also. I like DRD a lot. I shop at Nordstrom, Macy’s, and H&M, as I’m a petite size on top, 5’5”, pear shaped, 68 year old, working part time. Thanks for your site!
Love what I do with no plans of retirement! At 61 my look and style is so important in a professional environment. You have given me great advice and I have tried products that are new to me! Thank you! Happy thanksgiving to all!
Happy Thanksgiving Annie!
Love your DRD posts especially when you hit Talbots, J Jill and Chico’s. I am still transitioning from NY professional to Southern California retiree so I shop my closet and try to make things work. If they don’t they’ll be donated. I like when you style what you already own; gives me ideas on utilizing some of my expensive pieces.
Love your blog especially Dressing room pictures . Don’t care for the mannequins as they are usually nothing I would consider wearing. I love your style and since we are about the same size it is very helpful!
I’m in my 60s and I work in a flower shop- I love it! It is part time but often we work long hours with weddings, in the garden center or designing dance flowers for proms and parties. This is in addition to traditional centerpieces both silk and fresh. As you can imagine, this work can be messy and dirty and it requires clothes that are heavy duty and washable. Believe it or not, I still want to look stylish. I seldom see suggestions for this situation and I would love too!
Oh I would love your job !! I expect very comfy shoes are critical. I’ll see what I can put together.
I enjoy your “lifestyle” blogs very much – especially seeing your travels and your family! I’m thinking Thanksgiving foods – like most things – are regionally based. Here in Georgia, our Thanksgiving will be homemade cornbread dressing (not stuffing!) with gravy, sweet potato souffle (brown sugar/pecan topping), deviled eggs, green beans (not casserole), mashed potatoes (grands love them), Paula Deen’s recipe for Mac&Cheese, homemade chocolate pie, pecan pie and some sort of cake (whichever one gets the most requests!).
Happy Thanksgiving!
Yum!! I want to come to your house:)
Love your passion to share fashion trends. You truly help me! I still work, loving what I do and at 61 have no plans to retire. Need your help to look (and feel) my best in a business environment.
I wondered how many of my readers still worked. I’ll put some ideas together. Is your job business casual?
Sometimes! You have recently helped me pick out pants at Talbots! Keep doing what you do and I can modify. Just know we exist?
Thanks Anne. I do it to help
Creamed spinach (in the crockpot) is a family favorite and so easy to make. Love the DRDs! wish you’d do a DRD in Soft Surroundings. Shots of women who put together a cute outfit is a great idea, especially older women who manage to look current and age appropriate but not like they are trying too hard. Thank you for all your posts!
I wish I had a Soft Surroundings near me! It’s difficult to post images of other women without their signed consent. I’d hate to get sued =:o
DRD is one of my favorite posts as well. I also loved Sue’s idea about including photos of real women showing how they style a certain look. Funny you should mention faux fur; I was sorely tempted to order a Banana Republic faux fur jacket yesterday but resisted because I have so many jackets hanging in my closet already! Chico’s is one of my favorite shopping sites, so anytime you post something about Chico’s, I’m there! I also love to see styles from Target and Walmart for the budget conscious woman. Just to weigh in on cosmetics, I recently ordered some eye makeup from Thrive Causemetics. I haven’t received it yet, but the reviews are great. What drew me to this particular brand, though, was that they donate millions of their profits to help women in need (cancer survivors, domestic abuse victims, etc.), and they never test on animals! Check out their website. Also, keep updating your reports on dealing with thinning hair. It’s an issue many of us continue to struggle with. Thanks for another year of wonderful posts! Your enthusiasm radiates, and I look forward to seeing what you’re up to and what new things you will blog about next year!
Thank you Kathy! I’ll give Thrive a try. I love brands who support women.
Photographing people on the street sounds very time consuming. I don’t care for mannequin Saturday. Most look so thrown together, it’s annoying. I do like dressing room days. I just try on 8 or medium and if it doesn’t fit, I forget about it. The other day I bought a cashmere cardigan in small. Sounds so lame, but honestly I don’t think I would have thought of it in my own. I like TJ Maxx for retail therapy. I need very few clothes and you just never know what you’ll find.
I do love and appreciate the educational part of your blog. Lots of people blog about clothes. But, you tell why it works or doesn’t. We just spent 2 weeks in Wash DC and people dress so fabulously all day and night. I was so able to “see” so much more because I’ve been reading your blog. And that makes fashion fun.
Corn pudding and an oyster/cracker/butter casserole always make an appearance. The scalloped oyster dish is my mother’s recipe and a family favorite. LOve the blog and your insights. I am a retired teacher but still love dressy casual styles from Talbots, J.JILL, Chico’s and Soft Surroundings.
I first found you on Pinterest when I was considering Stitch Fix. Your classic styling appealed to me. I love the DRD – sort of a personal what to wear/not to wear. At barely 5’1″, and wondering where my waistline is going, I need all the help I can get! Being retired, $$ is much more an issue these days. Happy Thanksgiving!
Since you asked, I love your more casual lifestyle as I just retired and I am searching for the right wardrobe for my new life (although I too love your smile and upbeat attitude). Love DRD– you give great insight on what the clothes will look like on different body types. I am trying to be a more ethical shopper so currently focused on buying a few good pieces that will last a few seasons or when I do buy, starting at mostly used (i.e., Poshmark), Eileen Fisher or Everlane. So if you have ideas for clothes that will span a few seasons or more, would love your input.
Love Talbots, JJill, and Ann Taylor. Love the idea of photos of ‘every day women’ out and about, not styled but stylish!
You are one of my favorites!!! I always look forward to your emails. I don’t have instagram. I guess I need to get with it. I love Loft,J Jill, Chicos,and Banana Republic. I love DRDs. I think you’re doing a great job!!! But I do love your smile too.
I love the DRD also. I would like to see you dress out of your comfort zone. or at least, try items that are more bohemian, just to see what they look like on an older woman. I also like the idea mentioned of taking pictures of women on the street that feature outfits that we might not think to wear in a certain way. I think we all get stuck in our routines of what we wear and won’t wear. A fresh look at different types of clothing would be interesting. I love the fuax fur jacket but cannot justify the expense living here in Florida. Funny to say, but I do miss wearing warm sweaters and scarves and nice gloves. I have quite a collection of items that I wear maybe once a year here in Florida. Then they go back into the archives because 99% of the time here I wear shorts and tee shirts.
This year I am including a coleslaw dish to add a raw, healthy component and also a wild rice stuffed acorn squash. Thanks to the CSA farm (community supported agriculture)I joined last summer, I have some veggies still in storage that need some loving. Also, I made lefse, a scandinavian flat bread, which my husband says is wonderful. Happy Thanksgiving and grateful you share so many inspiring ideas.
Faux fur coats don’t appeal to me, I like the throws, but they would have to be machine washable as I share them on the sofa with pets. I like the drd `s, my lifestyle is casual, still working but a casual office. I have a Chico’s,soma addiction…I seldom look elsewhere,
Since I’m retired, I would love to see casual options, age appropriate cocktail party dresses (weddings, holiday parties, etc), DRD from different price points, latest trends, low heeled shoes …. you cover all of this anyway! Retin A is my favorite beauty product, my dermatologist says it’s the only thing that really works, and it’s quite inexpensive with a GoodRX coupon! Buy a big throw….it’s cold here and I have my 3 rescue dogs and the cat cuddled up with me on my fuzzy throw! Jennifer, you are truly a blessing to so many of us.
Yes love faux fur! So warm and cuddly on the couch. Have 2 upstairs on beds and a smaller throw we use in our cold damp winters in Rhode Island!
My daughter and her husband will have Thanksgiving at their house. Root vegetables are primary so his mom is making a turnip, carrot, parsnip mash. Otherwise, His sister brings a green bean dish and he is making a broccoli casserole . I was assigned a dessert so pumpkin cheesecake is my plan. There will also be a homemade apple pie and lemon squares from an aunt. Back to the main meal my son brings an out of the bird stuffing or dressing with some sausage meat and onion celery etc. calories galore!
I love your dressing room diaries. Having you model clothing makes it easier to envision the outfit on me. Flat lays give me little inspiration. I am a Loft, Chico’s and J.Jill shopper for the most part. I am 61; retired; a Nana to 5; married to a hard working farmer; and live in a very small rural community in Indiana. My style is very casual. All of my shopping is done online because the nearest mall is at least an hour away. I bought me a faux fur black vest just for fun the other day. Looking forward to wearing it during the holiday season. Thanks for all of the time you spend trying to help us look and feel better about ourselves. P.S. I have never purchased anything organic…don’t want to spend the extra money for the unnecessary.
I am retired and have a fixed income. I want to look my best on what I have. We are the same height so I find your suggestions very helpful. I love your drd and the way you accessorize. I love shopping at Talbots but can only shop sales now. I have a lot of good basic pants and sweaters from Talbots and you help me see new ways to put them together. I used to make scalloped oysters for Thanksgiving, but we all think it’s just too many calories, I might make it again this year, what the heck? Happy Thanksgiving!
I quite like the look of the faux fur, but at 5’2”, it makes me look stocky and overwhelmed. I weigh 116, not thin, but not overweight either according to my doctor. But I would definitely do it on the collar of a coat where I could feel the softness.
I really enjoy your blog, and I love seeing you in outfits whether or not it’s the DRD. Gives me some great ideas. Thanks!
I’d love to see everyday photos of women you encounter—on the street, shopping, at book clubs and meetings, at home. Women who didn’t style their looks for the blog and aren’t necessarily posed. Women who have a good eye, know who they are and dress accordingly.
Sue, that is a great idea! Most women who are nicely/fashionably dressed would probably have no problem being photographed if politely asked. I’ve had people ask to photograph my haircut and felt quite flattered.
I like this idea
Love that idea!
love this idea!!! women of all shapes, ages and sizes. that would be great
Enjoy your blog. I am the same age and similar build. I am always looking for sporty, stylish clothes I can wear to the gym and out and about on errands. Due to foot and ankle issues I need to wear flat comfortable shoes. I tend to shop at the same stores as you( Nordstrom, JJill, Athleta, Ann Taylor). Sometimes Talbots and Chico’s leave me feeling a bit dowdy. Love Artful home but it is too pricey for my budget and I don’t like to pay for shipping.
Have both knds-real and faux fur. Usually take the faux on trips because if something happens,spills,rain,etc.it is ok. I have had the real wander away(with a little help) but if that happens to the fauzx I am not out much. My husband usually makes oyster dressing for himself, but can’t convice teh kids to eat it/ Happy Thanksgiving to one and all!
I really enjoy AWSL. I like the variety of styles and options. I realize I’m in the minority but if you could include options for us tall gals (I’m 5’10”) occasionally that would be wonderful! I’m retired and so my lifestyle is casual. I’m often in sneakers and jeans because I do a lot of walking and I have problem feet. I particularly enjoy your DRD that show more casual looks. Would it be possible to show a few less expensive options?
Enjoy reading your insights. Some are bang on me and others aren’t but great to see. Live in southern Ontario Canada so a 4 season gal – some longer than others. Older but wanting style. Enjoy your DRD very much. Like accessories and seeing how you put things together.
Love your blog!We always make corn pudding for Thanksgiving!
Hi-I have been a fan only in the past 6 months.
I am a fashionista have been most of my life-my grandmother taught me well
What I have learned from you is the “COLUMN’ dressing
I am 5′
Happy Holidays,
Naniscah R Apperson
Portland, Oregon 97224