Monday Musings- Spring Showers
Happy Monday, ladies. As usual, this weeks musings is pretty random. With my daughter home, you know I’ve been doing more shopping than usual. Our shoe selection here in the US is so far superior to what she finds in Canada, so we’ve been perusing several footwear departments. I’m doubling down to find and wear the comfiest shoe I can because painful feet are the pits.
Toes and Balance
It never occurred to me before I found these Awesome Toes…that wearing shoes and even going barefoot can cause the ligaments and muscles in our toes to contract.
Our balance and stability are increasingly important as we age, and weak toes aren’t helpful. These toe separators were developed by the founder of YOGABODY to reverse his lifelong buckled toes and tight feet which were making it difficult to balance in yoga class. They are “commonly used to ease foot pain, plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, hammertoe, bunions, overlapping toes, lack of toe dexterity, and poor gait and balance problems.”
Here’s what the Mayo Clinic has to say about some common foot problems and unbalanced toe muscles.
I couldn’t possibly get my feet into any shoe wearing these, so I wear them morning and evening for 30+ minutes. I’ve been wearing them for several weeks now and am finding my feet feel less strained, and less achy, and are hopefully helping with my balance.
Shower
We attended the prettiest bridal shower over the weekend. They had lavender lemonaide which I forgot to get the recipe for, but I will because it was so refreshing.
Luckily our blistering temps cooled off a tiny bit so we sat in the pretty backyard and celebrated the upcoming nuptials.
I thought this pretty flower station was such a clever idea! All the guests got to make their own bouquet to bring home as a souvenier. I controlled my urge to clean the display out š.
Outfit Inspiration
I’ve been sharing some fun outfits on social media over the last week or so. I realize many of you aren’t on those platforms, so I decided to share them with you here.
This outfit is relaxed, a little bit boho and super comfy.
Comfy and relaxed outfit for a backyard party or outdoor concert.
These tiny pops of coral and pink are so fun for summer.
So much of this casual outfit speaks to the ease and comfort I want for casual days.
What sort of outfit inspiration would you like to see? Are their events you’d like ideas for?
Have a great day and rememeber to wear what makes you feel confident.
Just ordered my Awesome Toes. Canāt wait to get them.
Thanks for sharing.
I think youāll love them.
I hope you’ll share the lavender lemonade recipe when you get it. It sounds lovely!
I certainly will.
If I remember correctly, you said you do your own pedicure. Your toenails and feet always look spectacular! If you ever need a post idea, demonstrating your pedicure/foot care procedure would be much enjoyed!
Thank you! Iām too ticklish to let anyone else do them š¤£ I do have one I am working on.
Thank you for posting all those outfits from other platforms! I enjoyed every one and made a few purchases, as well. I am a āyogiā and have been for many years. I agree with all your comments about the Awesome Toes! I need those in my life. As another reader said, who would think we need to work on our toes along with everything else the lovely privilege of aging requires!!!
I love your attitude! Aging is a lovely privilege.
Love the photo of you and your daughter!
Regarding toes and feet (and by extension, ankles, knees, hips, and spine), I recommend the Pacific Northwest Foot and Ankle Center videos — Dr. McLanahan was a forerunner (no pun intended! he’s a runner) in his approach to foot health. Here’s a link:
https://correcttoes.com/foot-help/foot-conditions-and-problems/
This site looks like it’s full of great advice! Thanks Bette
I really like The Awesome Toes. I’ve been wearing foam toe separators when I walk because of arthritis and I have to tape one toe down so I know foot problems are real! Beautiful picture of you and your daughter. Love the outfits you showed.
Thanks Rosemary. Iām so happy to be with her.
You and your daughter look so happy together, and the bridal shower decor was so elegant. So glad you get to spend time together regularly, though I’m sure it’s not as often as you’d like!
I have a request, and I hope it’s not too morbid. Attending wakes, funerals, shivas, and memorial services is a sad fact of life. I’d love some styling tips from you in the future on what to wear to those. Obviously, black is appropriate if the deceased was a spouse, parent or close family member, and no one wants to attend such an event with the intent of having their outfit stand out, as the focus needs to be on the departed and his/her bereaved family. Besides not wearing heels to a graveside service (don’t want to sink into the grass), I’m at a bit of a loss as to what to wear that would be appropriate to the situation and to my age. For example, is a navy midi dress somber enough? Would love your take on this, perhaps in a future post.
Thanks and enjoy your week!
A navy midi dress would be very appropriate. I think thatās a great topic to cover. Let me see what I can do.
Kelly H, I second your request. I often feel overdressed at funerals, simply because my clothing is conservative anyway. I think a navy dress would be appropriate, unless you’re attending a service where white is worn (East and South Asian traditions).
Great point Bette. Understanding the cultural expectations/traditions is very important.
Good morning. I love the idea of the flower cart. That is the most wonderful idea. Thank you for sharing.
It was so pretty
Flower station for bouquets! What a great idea!
I know! So clever
Could you show photos of what you and your daughter wore to the bridal shower?
We only have photos that include other ladies and I donāt have permission to share their pictures on my website. Vanessa wore a knee length floral dress and I wore a white shirt dress.
What do you, Jennifer, and others think of matched linen tops and pants?
I personally like the matched look.
So much to comment on… First of all, how wonderful that your daughter is with you. And I’m in total agreement that we just don’t have the selection here that you do in the U.S. Speaking of shoes, I recently bought Clarks Yacht Cross sandals, and although it’s not sandal weather yet, I’ve been wearing them in the house and they are extremely comfortable. A bit chunkier than my usual preference, but very supportive and cushiony.
I’m going to order the Awesome Toes. I’ve been experiencing more foot pain lately and this makes sense to me.
The lavender lemonade sounds delicious. I recently had lavender/lemon shortbread cookies made by my niece – very yummy. Make sure that if you are cooking with lavender that you purchase the edible lavender oil.
Happy Monday everyone.
Great point about the lavender oil! I hadnāt thought of that. I love Clarkās. Iāll have to check those out. Happy Monday!
I am 72 and love your blogs each day. I have strange feet for sure, plantar and toes are kinda of strange. I have tried the yoga toes before and liked them but I guess I just quit wearing them at night. These are different than the ones I have, mine just went between the toes and was thick. These look like they go on each toe and not as thick. I am definetly going to check into these. Thanks
I hope you like these. They seem to be helping mine.
Those Awesome Toes look like just what I need. I have been noticing my toes aren’t laying as flat as they should. Who knew that this is something that happens as we age. My gosh, one more thing besides the aches and painsš Aging is not for sissies, big girl panties on! Thanks, Jennifer!
Good morning Jennifer, such a lovely photo of your daughter and you, the shower looks like a lovely event. The featured outfits today are great, you have given me so much inspiration for planning my outfits for my vacation. Iām looking for a low heeled sandal dress shoe, a suggestion would be great!
Have a good dayš
Good morning Pat!
Your daughter and you look so happy to be together. Made me smile! Thank you for posting these outfits as I have taken myself off other platforms, and I so enjoy seeing what you’ve put together.