Monday Musings: Minimalism and What I’m Shopping For
Happy Monday, ladies. Today’s title may seem a bit contradictory, but there is a method to my madness. Since it’s still early January, I figured we could continue to chat about fresh starts and getting organized. My makeup and lingerie drawers got decluttered over the weekend, which feels fabulous. How did I collect so many lipsticks? And eyeshadows? And random brushes?
Because I prefer products without preservatives and chemicals, they have a shorter shelf life, so I knew it was time to clean things up. Here’s what the Mayo Clinic has to say about expired makeup. I got rid of at least eight lipsticks and equally as many lip pencils. When was the last time you cleared yours out?
I’m not sure where the urge to simplify has come from, but it’s taking on a life of its own, and I love it! A few clean shelves, a non-crammed clothing rack, and just like that, I want to pair down to a more minimal everything! I want to have fewer just ok items, and more I love items in my life.
As I packed bras to donate, I wondered what your favorite bras are. Which ones do you find the comfiest? These are my current favorites. I’m not well endowed, so I gave up underwires many years ago and have not missed them one bit. I know many of you swear by them, so please share your faves in the comments. BTW- did you know that bras are under-donated and much needed at battered women’s shelters?
What I’m Shopping For This Month
I’ve been on the hunt for some new exercise clothes to help motivate me to go to the gym. I went through my drawer on Friday and discovered everything looked dull, black, and/or boring. That’s not going to make me want to head to the gym, so I went shopping for fresher options that are not black. I ended up trying on some Vuori, and wow, it’s pretty amazing.
These pieces are the softest thing I’ve had on in a long time. The pants look black, but they’re charcoal. I didn’t buy them because I’m not a fan of the jogger shape, but as I look at them here, I think they’re fine! I also don’t usually opt for hoodies because they have a more sporty vibe than I wear. And with that, I’m saying to myself…Jennifer, but you’re looking for clothes for sporty activities! You have to be able to laugh at yourself, and I’ve been doing that a lot while shopping for workout clothes.
Then I tried on some Alo things. Again, super soft and oh-so-cozy. The sweatpants have a ribbed fabric that looks like stretchy corduroy. I loved this midnight green, but they have jogger bottoms, so I left them at the store. The pullover is fabulous, so I ordered it in a medium.
I’ve also been shopping for a handbag. For several months. I want one that feels luxe and special and isn’t black. Do you see the theme here? I own enough black. I’ve been shopping in person and online at second-hand luxury stores. I haven’t found the perfect one yet, so my hunt continues. My daughter got a fabulous LV waist bag at the Real Real that’s in much better shape than the one I’ve used for the last 20+ years. Fashionphile is also a great place to buy used bags, so I’ve been checking them out often.Ā
In other news, I finished knitting my hat, and I’m back in the brace I wear for De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis. Coincidence? Perhaps. So I plan to take it a bit easier with my newly rediscovered knitting addiction habit because I don’t want to need surgery. I’m also shopping for a hand brace that isn’t black :).
Thanks for reading, and be sure to wear what makes you feel fabulous.
Guess I am the odd one out because I just canāt bring myself to pay those high prices for work out gear! Sorry, but I find appropriate and sensibly priced tops and bottoms at Kohlās! I work out several times a week and try to walk most daysā¦so they are well used. Being glamorous at the gym isnāt important to me!
I hear you. I certainly don’t want to look glamorous, but I want to feel good about how I look.
Thanks for sharing the Vuori line of performance wear. I like the look, but am wondering if they are too warm for the indoor gym. How would you rate these for an indoor aerobic class? Thinking they would work for outdoor jogs and walking. Love the colors!!
The joggers are very light, but the top is thicker, and I’d only wear it outside, getting to and from the gym.
Glad to find someone else who is not into the jogger look! I think the jogging suits of the 70s ruined it for me. Not a look I care to sport again.
That could be why for me too plus I think they make my feet look longer.
Love, love, LOVE my Spanx Bralellujah underwire bras… I have a drawer full of them, and they’ve been my only bra for years! They are SO smooth under knits both front and back, and knit tops are essentially all I buy anymore. I am small chested at 32D, but I like the support of the underwire and it’s not uncomfortable for me. Think you need to buy some joggers, as you look terrific in them!
I may give them a try š
Hello: I recently tried Lands Ends Women’s wireless seamless t-shirt bra, currently on sale for about $40. I am finding it much more comfortable. I saw a Ted Talk that underwires really only push you “in” rather than giving much support. But of course, we all want to wear what’s comfortable. Thanks for all your good suggestions. My ortho arthritis guy recommended that I use a brace only for my thumb rather than the enormous whole hand one I had. It works out quite well. Brand is meta-grip, but I really only had pain in my hand, not my wrist.
My pain is predominantly in my wrist, sadly.
I have had success for several years wearing Empreinte brasā¦good support with underwire and padded shoulder straps. The lace is beautiful , so no matter which colour you wear, you feel feminine and pretty. These imported bras are not inexpensive, however a local boutique has an annual discount, so I order 2 new bras each February. I am still 36Dā¦ which is goodā¦this larger size D from a C coming late in life for me, which is rather unwelcome.
( the reason I have been editing my closet and consigning things that wonāt zip up completely.)
Shariā¦great suggestions for managing diet! š
I have been making soups since it turned damp & chilly , and trying to include more salads. Seeing some weight disappear, slowly, and coming back to my former āset pointā that was acceptable ā¦ feels good.
I found some great leggings for Pilates in another local sportswear shop , and they are Vuori, so I understand your commentsā¦ so soft and well fitting, and a pop of colour too. Iāll likely purchase another colour in a few months.
Have to join the chorus about your workout wear being too hot to actually āwork outā in. Great for a walk but not the gym. Sleeveless tanks, sometimes layered, or over a sports bra, or short-sleeved tees and cotton leggings or shorts seem to be the fitness uniform at the gym.
There doesn’t seem to be a bra that supports well-endowed women without the use of underwire. So, the āCassiopeiaā by Empreinte, ( sorry if the spelling of this french brand is off),is my go-to bra. I live in Canada and the price is exorbitant but I haven’t found a bra as functional and pretty in any other brand. Usually supportive bras are as ugly as sin, but these ones are attractive and it is hard to return to the uglies after wearing one of these. They last forever, fortunately, even though sometimes they have ended up in the washing machine, or worse, the dryer!
Found the best fitting bras for me are Natori from NordstromRack. UW, very comfortable.
Good to know, thank you.
I agree you look great in the joggers! I have some from Athleta that I wear around the house, grocery shop, and errand ārunning.ā
The key in whether or not they look good is getting the right length and a lighter weight material. I also love the Brooklyn ankle pants from Athleta. I took them on a trip to France and wore them several days in a row, washed them in the hotel sink, hung them to dry, and wore them another several days. They are very lightweight and great for packing.
After recently being diagnosed with a chronic eye inflammatory condition I am going to throw out old make up and start over with new. My doctor wants me to avoid make up on my eyes, but not sure I can do that as I have dressed my eyes since I was in junior high! Any suggestions for eye make up that is less irritating?
I have ocular rosacea, chronic dry eye, and meibomian gland dysfunction, which is giving me problems lately. I am replacing much of my makeup with things for sensitive eyes. Eye shadow might be ok for you. If you use a deeper shadow, you could skip the mascara which is close to the lash line.
I am a semi-retired personal trainer, so I live in workout clothes. I am a fan of Athleta’s offerings and of the Zella and Sweaty Betty brands at Nordstrom. I can only buy on sale though – everything is way too expensive for my budget these days. I like the outfits you’ve featured, but as casual wear, not for working out: I think I’d keel over from heat exhaustion!
Thanks for the inspiration to scale down/scale back. I am working on it! I had cataract surgery just before Thanksgiving, and that spurred me on to get rid of all of my eye make up and brushes. I did not want to run the risk of contamination when I was allowed to wear make up again.
I am in awe of your knitting skills.
I think that’s a wise idea!! I’d probably toss my old stuff too.
In regard to your comment about bras, I recently found the most comfortable one I think in my life! It is from Soma, and it is called the āUnbelievable Minimizerā. It does have an underwire, but is so lightweight, making it more comfortable. Yet it does provide good support, and my clothes look great when I wear it!
Another vote for T by Talbots for athleisure and workout wear. Thanks for the nudge to declutter lipsticks, I will do that today and will donate some old bras too.
My favorite bra comes from ThirdLove – the T-shirt bra. Great fit. I need an underwire to feel like I get a nice silhouette and lift the girls!
I like the Wacoal bras. Thinking about looking at no underwire. I need to clean my drawers as well.
Embracing minimalism is a wonderful processā¦sounds like you are on it!
For bras, I wear Prima Donna made in Belgium, not inexpensive but they offer the support which I need. I buy 2 a year.
Your handbag search sounds great! Youāll know when the best bag pops up on your radar!!! Good luck.
Cute hat!
Happy New Year Jennifer! I hope itās a great year for you and your family.
Happy New Year, Leslie!
That hat is great. I want one!