Monday Musings: Weathering The Storm
Happy Monday ladies. We had a very rainy Sunday which included a hail downpour like I haven’t seen in many years. The thunder rumbled, the wind whipped the rain into sheets and the occasional flash of lightning made it feel so cozy to be inside. It removed any feeling of being trapped inside, which was a welcome relief. While the storm raged, my husband made a huge pot of onion soup, I puttered and we listened to loud rock and roll.
Here’s what’s on my mind these days and some questions for you
Your email box
Several of you have thanked me for continuing to blog during this bizarre time and that you look forward to seeing me come into your email box. I think of the comment section of my blog as a community of like-minded, kind, intelligent women and love the conversations we have. Our world has shrunk in the blink of an eye so I think it’s more important than ever to connect with each other.
The world of blogging has changed dramatically and my content will change with it. You can get news anywhere and everywhere these days, so I want AWSL to be an uplifting place. What would you like us to see more of here? I could muse here every day but that would get pretty boring for you:)
Veggies
My son built some raised planter boxes for us on Friday, so now all we need is dirt and plants. I bought a few veggies and herbs before we got locked down but they aren’t alive anymore thriving under my care:) My black thumb is epic so I expect my husband will be caring for our veggie garden once we get it up and running. More than ever, I want to have some veggies growing so we feel a tiny bit more self-sufficient. We get a lot of sun in our back yard so if my husband is able to get us water to it, we should be all set. Do you have veggie gardens and what do you grow?
Outfits
A reader requested I include a picture of myself in each post so I’ve started taking a mirror selfie each day and will either share like I am here or do a roundup at the end of the week. The lighting in my office is not great but you will see what I’m wearing.
This charmeuse kimono is ages old. It’s available in zillions (technical term) of colors and is the perfect size to wear over things. I tossed the belt years ago because I always wear it open. The turtleneck is so cuddly and soft and the comfy pull-on jeans are here.
I’m employing everything I can to keep my spirits lifted so these days I’m reaching for my mala beads and chakra necklace, more times than not. My perfume has been replaced with Lavender essential oil and I’m giving myself permission to goof off every chance I get.
Makeup
We’re all weathering this time the best way we can but I’m surprised at the number of ladies on social media who are posting about their 7-day-old #dirtyhairdon’tcare and #nomakeupdon’tcare posts. This is so different from what I’m doing, it’s comical. Call me shallow, but I’m taking extra time with my makeup these days because:
- I have more time to experiment
- it’s fun and feels like play to me
- catching my reflection looking washed out would not lift my spirits
- it feels normal and I want to create as much normalcy as I can
I’m not wearing neutrals because they just feel blah to me. I pulled out my Jane Iredale Pure Moist Lipstick in Lucy and love it with this Zuzu Luxe Lip pencil in Fraise. My lipstick is running low and I am horrified to find it sold out most places! I hate when they discontinue favorites:( The color shown on Amazon looks like they linked the wrong color, but I ordered it anyway because I love it.
How about you? Do your routines help you stay balanced?
Thanks for reading and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
First, I LOVE the kimono outfit. Wow, your style, girl!! I wish a had an ort of your fashion talent.
Second, I LOVE Jane Eiredale products so I will check out the lipstick recommendation.
Third, keep trying your hand (including your thumbs) at gardening. In my opinion, the only things a garden needs are lots of sun and water and lots of sun (did I already say that??). I plant a very large garden and there are only two of us in this family. Through the very long winter here in central Alberta, Canada, we enjoy all the vegetables that I take the time to can, blanch and freeze, or turn into soups in autumn (homemade tomato soup is to die for – a lot of work to make, but worth the effort and a bowl of steaming borscht on a cold, winter day warms the heart and body). We are still enjoying garden potatoes and onions (I have a cold storage room). We finished the homegrown shallots about a month ago. I currently have fifty tomato plants of various varieties basking in the sun of my dining room, waiting to move to their new raised bed homes. Staying at home more lately has me baking like mad and I recently made tasties like raspberry rhubarb galettes with the fruit I’d picked and frozen and ‘mountain muffins’, a hearty oatmeal banana muffin complete with saskatoons and raspberries. Oh, and I made french macarons on the weekend…
I don’t tend to put on make up unless I am going out in public as my eyes are super sensitive to makeup but I always admire those that do – they always look so pulled together.
I am finding that staying balanced through these nutty times requires a bit of work. I am a routine oriented person by nature so I through thick and thin, I plan the tomorrow the night before to ensure I face each day with intent. I am having moments though, where I have to work very hard at not getting caught up in the fear mongering, the conspiracy theories, and the anger that is out there.
Lastly, I really enjoy your blog. Cheesy as this might sound, I feel like you are very representative of the average woman who is my age. Whatever you choose to blog about, as long as the topics are as positive as they have been, I will keep reading.
Take good care and keep smiling!!
Jennifer
I was wondering if you wear the Kimono out or do you just wear it at home? I think it’s very sharp and classy looking.
You look great! Love the look.
I live alone and no one will let me see them during this time, so I value all the blogs I read. Yours has been one of my favorites for ages. I am moving to retirement, currently working 3 days a week (from home now) and being divorced a few years ago, I don’t have much money. I would like to know how your transition to retirement went, I think you moved into a retirement village at one stage.
We do live in a 55+ retirement community. My husband loves all the activities (when they were open). It’s easy to make friends and be busy so I highly recommend them. Stay well.
A mix of various composts is better than soil-less weeds, better nutrients. Open bags, mix on a tarp and put in raised beds. A garden center might deliver.
I’m in the make-up every day group! I even stopped taking my usual give-my-face-a-break days on Mondays for now just because I feel better when I’ve done my hair and face. Plus, my husband is working from home and I think I’m nicer to him when I feel better about myself. And he’s sweet and appreciates my efforts to dress and look as nice as possible.
I teach piano lessons in my home usually, so now I’ve moved everyone to Skype lessons and I find that actually takes more time, so I feel like I’m MORE busy now than usual. Which I don’t love. I feel like my schedule is fuller, only all the fun things–lunches and shopping with girlfriends, dates with husband, outings with family and friends, etc–are missing. Ugh. I know how blessed I am, though, to still have an income right now. So it’s okay.
Been reading a lot and making sure I get enough sleep, since that’s essential for my mood as well as my good health. Trying not to eat too much, although I’m probably failing at that.
We have a garden and grow what we best love to eat: heirloom tomatoes, sugar snap peas, mint (I love mint tea!), radishes and carrots are my favorites and ancho chilies, tomatillos, and eggplant is what my husband likes to grow. He’s the true green thumb and does most of the work. I just enjoy the fruits of his labor.
We live right between the San Francisco Bay Area and the San Joaquin valley and it’s the beginning of planting season in our garden. We usually start the seeds inside between sheets of paper towel which we keep damp and warm until they sprout. When they sprout, we transfer the seedlings to cups and put them in the sunniest windowsills until they’re tall and strong and until we’re sure it’s warm enough to move them outside. This makes them more hardy once they’re in the ground and gives us a little bit of a head start on harvest. I can’t wait for tomatoes!
I can’t think of what I’d want to request you to add to content…. I do like the dressing room diaries, although you can’t really do that right now. I like clothes and makeup and jewelry and skin care and even though I’m not going outside of my house right now, I’m still interested! And I think most everyone appreciates “shop my closet” posts. After all, that’s our daily reality, right? And seeing someone else’s outfits, whether they’re “new” or not can be inspiring as we are trying to create our own outfits. I like all your posts and I’m glad you’re still posting even though things are so weird right now everywhere. Thanks for being such a positive blogger. I know we don’t know each other, but I do think of you as a friend!
Thank you Audrey:) You and your husband are pretty fabulous gardeners. Stay safe and thanks for being here.
Hi Jennifer. I’d like to know more about the house you finally brought. How well is it working for your retirement lifestyle? What is the neighborhood like? What facilities do you have nearby? I know that you did up the kitchen – what other work have you done? Would love to see what you do with the garden. I know your blog is not a house and garden blog, but you have good insights into retirement living that works with what you wear in retirement and how you live in your clothes in retirement. The place we mostly live is in our house and neighborhood. Loving seeing your everyday photos. Today you have quite a bohemian vibe going on – I wasn’t expecting that. It is your relaxed look at home. I like it. Do you usually wear shoes or no shoes around the house? I’ve had this debate with myself for years. I like to have shoes that I only wear in the house and then change into outside shoes for going out. My summer inside shoes are a pair of navy jandals with some bling (flip flops, sorry I’m from NZ and I can’t remember what you call them). They are a bit fancy and sparkly, they make me happy when I put them on. I don’t like walking around the house all day in bare feet, I don’t feel quite dressed. In winter I wear slippers but I don’t like wearing them all day either, I feel like I am never quite dressed for the day. I quite like wearing soft moccasins/loafers as an alternative. Then at night change back into my slippers for winding down at the end of the day. Sounds silly but in these days of lock down it helps to break up the day! Stay well.
I can share more about the house. We haven’t done too much but tried to put a personal stamp on it. We don’t wear shoes in our house but my feet are getting pretty tired from slippers all the time. I think I will designate one pair of shoes for inside too. Great idea!
Hi Jennifer
We live on a large suburban property about an 35 miles north of our capital city Wellington, in New Zealand. We are in full lock down too and we are going into Autumn. We have two raised vegetable beds and we have lettuce celery, spinach and broccoli plants coming on. We are eating red onions and spring onions and lots of herbs right now. I am very grateful for the garden as our living costs would we much greater without it. Sadly just now no plants are available so we are using the gardeners network to share seedlings. Friends delivered little parcels of coriander and beetroot seedlings. We love roasted beets. Keep well. We will come out the other side of this appreciating what we have all the more. And I’m with you ….hair and makeup every day, not too much but enough to stop me looking like the ghost of Maple Lane.
I did read that seed packages are selling out online. I better order done. Stay well
We ran out of eggs so I decided to look up eggless recipes. I tried an eggless chocolate pie from the depression era and it was better than my regular one. I expect we can make do or do without if we need too. I had a square foot garden a few times, so easy. Still not to late to get something in the ground. I love yellow squash and green beans.
As for putting on makeup at my age, 77, I’ve rebelled. I’m leaving dress up to the younger ladies. Cool shirts, elastic waist jeans are my uniform for home time. But you got to have that great haircut! So glad I have an angel who can cut fine hair. She’s a blessing
Jennifer, I am SO glad I found your blog a few weeks ago! I enjoy your musings, your fashion, and everything about you! You are open and honest and I so appreciate that about people in general. I love your fashion tips, too! I look forward to whatever you have to say every single day. I find I am struggling with mood swings. For the first two weeks, I really kept a schedule, picked out cute (to me) outfits, jewelry, did make-up, etc. Then I kind of hit a slump. I was pretty down for a couple of days, but today I find I have renewed energy and determination. I think I had to experience NOT taking care of myself to understand I really NEED to take care of myself. So daily I am up, have coffee, make the bed, plan an outfit, etc. daily. Walk the dog. Take long walks with my hubby. Plan a week of menus. Lots of cooking, lots of baking. Made a list of projects I would like to accomplish. Some deep cleaning (can I hear a woo woo for ovens and refrigerators that sparkle???? haha) Reading. Streaming with my husband at night. No one can control my moods but me. My one struggle (and always has been) is too much sugar and salt snacking. Anyone have any tips on how to avoid? Happy Monday, everybody!!
Happy Monday Sharon. I’m struggling with salty snacks too so trying to just stay busy.
Your blog is the first thing I read every day. You are my tether to normal. I planted an herb garden (in pots) on the patio. Since I’m cooking more for the six of us in this house, I wanted fresh herbs to use. We now live on a quiet street where people walk their dogs. We sit outside (when it’s not raining!) and admire the dogs and chat (from a distance) with their owners. This has been a way to meet many of our new neighbors. My hair is almost long enough for an updo, and it’s coming in the same lovely white my grandmother had. I think I’ll let it!
It sounds like your hair is a delightful surprise. That’s awesome
Hi Jennifer,
I love layering with the colourful kimono! I have purchased one few years ago in Japan… I’m going to put it on right now!! The colours are also vibrant!
Also love your lipstick color suggestions… I’m feeling drab with the same old pale colours!! I really like this boost!
The other day my wonderful hairdresser packaged up my special “root” formula and I actually did my roots…. and the hair looks great and the mess very very minimal!! I’m feeling better already!
I’ve spent much needed time going through the storage in the garage!! Wow what a relief to have so much gone through and yes donated!! I periodically also go through my wardrobe …I love my Well Styled Life purchases especially sporting them… quarantined and all!!
Our weather in Tucson has been glorious so outdoor long walks are keeping us upbeat and exercised.. No pajamas here either until bedtime!!
Loving posts of beautiful stylist chic you, Jennifer…wishing you your family all your
followers peace, solitude safety and well being….Rory
Thank you Rory. You’re sweet. Stay well.
Thanks for the great post! I am with you…I get dressed, do my hair and experiment with make up. It makes me feel better. I have a short pixie cut and I color my hair….so last week it was way past due and I cut and colored it myself. It does not look half bad! Hang in there…better days are coming.
Good for you! Stay well
I totally agree about the hair and makeup! I am retired, so am home alot and put makeup on every day. Catching a glimpse in the mirror does it. I just feel better. Now more then ever that is needed. Enjoy reading your blog, keep posting about “normal” topics!
I love that kimono! I have several as I love them, but rarely wear them as they seem too fancy. I’m getting them out to wear now!
I always get up, dressed, make up hair. That’s how I feel normal. Stick to as much routine as you can. The other day we took a little drive, got to-go burgers at a little old fashioned local burger joint and ate them while parked with a view of the river. That burger tasted so good!
I bet it did! Enjoy those kimonos.
What a wonderful post today, Jennifer and comments. You ladies have inspired and motivated me to clean up my act. I need to put some lipstick on for me and my husband and get out and walk.
Have a great day Mar
Thank you for showing your outfit today. It is so attractive.. I have let my hair grow and am struggling with what to do with it as I have always had short hair. I like your updo of today. Can you explain how you style it so it likes so nice? I enjoy your blog and look forward to it each day.
It’s simply clipped up in back with a banana clip. Not fancy but it works
Love your blog Jennifer please continue!! It is a wonderful force of generosity and joy for me and I look forward every morning to hear what you have to say. Lately we have been playing a lot of cards-Spite and Malice, Liverpool Rummy- and I have been making fabric masks for family here in California. My husband and I are self employed and there is no work going on in our industry so we are taking turns lifting each other up and then panicking as we nervously watch our savings in the stock market tumble. Thank goodness both adult kids are independent and are both “on their way” working still. When I get extremely nervous about the current state of affairs I go walking and I go on youtube for exercises; love Joe Wicks workouts, he is fun, and for dancing Ryan Heffington. We are watching a lot of musicals and westerns. My daughter got me onto Libby which is a reading app for borrowing digital books fom the library-I think free- and its amazing what is on offer (bye bye Amazon) and then there is always Downton Abbey again!!
Keep safe Jennifer, be well:)
I love Liverpool rummy!! Thanks for reminding me. Hang in there Francesca
Your blog is always a great read, and the comments, especially now. A few suggested topics:
– You said you’d show us some of the remodel/improvements you’re doing in your new home. Any updates?
– Keep or toss? How to decide if a garment is worth keeping. We all have a few pieces we love or invested in and don’t wear. Can it be re-invented and improved? Wish we could see before/after photos of any clients who asked for advice how to style something.
– Classics and basics on sale. What are the best wardrobe staples to buy while they’re so cheap?
About growing veggies….I started gardening 4 years ago and I do grow a lot of vegetables year-round in Santa Rosa. It helped that I first spent 2 years at a plot in a community garden and learned so much from others. The most important thing I learned was that even experienced gardeners kill things. We all make mistakes and learn. Not every plant thrives. You may have gotten a bad plant or some adverse condition happens (weather….fire season, etc). If you planted veggie starts in March, it was probably too soon. We are in Zone 9 and you need warmer night temperatures. The soil needs to be 50+ degrees at night. Even April can be too early. Most veggie-start planting is done in May but the stores get them in earlier. And don’t plant ’em all at once…stagger them so the growing season lasts longer.
Great ideas Marian. Thanks for sharing. I’m glad to know it’s not too late to plant. Stay well
Thank you for your blog. I look forward to it every day! It’s something to look forward to in these difficult times. We will get thru this….
Hang in there Susan
You inspired me to go put on makeup before I wrote a reply! I’ve been putting on skincare every day (eye cream, serum, moisturizer) but the last few days I’ve been skipping adding color. My 7-year-old great-granddaughter and her dad will be the only people I’ll see today but looking in the mirror will lift my spirits! Due to the school closures, I’ve gone from having my great-granddaughter for a couple of hours after school to having her for 7 or more hours 5 days a week. My grandson has an essential job and since he’s the sole caregiver he needs all the help I can give him. My challenge today is to go online and get D’s virtual school assignments. Last week I took everything out of several kitchen cupboards and reorganized them. I also cut 6 inches off the sleeves and 3 inches off the length of a top that needed some tweaking so I”d wear it! It’s a horizontal stripe that I only bought because the front is seamed up the middle so the stripes meet in a chevron. The bracelet-length sleeves and new length means I’ll actually wear it! On Friday, my usual ladies’ Bible study met via Zoom. There are unexpected advantages to social distancing! Because it was a Zoom meeting, a lady who moved to Idaho last year and another who is recovering from chemo and surgery, were able to join us! We’re living in a different world right now and it will be interesting to see how many of the changes become our new normal!
It’s wonderful that you can help your son! Hang in there Nancy
Good morning from sunny west coast of Canada.
We grow veggies every year – I only grow beans – my husband does beets/carrots/lettuce/onions/potatoes/tomatoes. Each fall I enter the veggies in the fall fair. They are often 1st prize winners.
I always put on my lipstick and perfume. When I go for my daily neighbourhood walk I wear a lovely floral top etc as it makes me feel good.
Routine is so important from what I was reading again yesterday by a Commander of a submarine – and especially meals = 3 meals a day. So important for people to sit down together he said and also to have some private time each day.
The cherry blossoms have exploded in the block above me and people – some wearing masks are coming from all over the city to few them. Cherry blossoms lifts the heart.
I’d wear a mask anytime I went out. Just to be safe.
Enjoy your blog ever day and please continue. I am in British Columbia and practicing self isolation and yes it is getting old but it is what we must do. I walk 5 miles per day and it is what is keeping me sane. Only going to the grocery store when we must and otherwise continuing to read and watch HGTV. Missing my hairdresser but in the bigger picture we will manage with less than stellar hair at this time. I missed my usual haircut appointment by about a day when the shop closed!
How long does it take you to walk 5 miles? Just curious. I walk too, no idea of how far I go, just keep going until I feel like sitting down!
Good for you Nancy.
It takes me an hour and a half!
I worked at home for twenty years, in my weaving studio, I always put makeup on , did my hair, and wore jeans and a nice sweater or top. It never occurred to me to do anything else, not sure why, my mother didn’t wear lipstick, makeup, or dressed up clothes. Interestingly my Danish mother didn’t entertain people at our house. She said the apartments in Denmark were too small, so everyone got together in public, streets, restaurants, shops, and your home was your private space. That makes it seem harder to be confined in places like cities. She used to talk about WWII and the blackouts, shortages, the occupation, lost relatives, etc. I believe she appreciated everything more that some others, because of her experience. She taught me to have fun, with whatever you have, lessons I’m drawing from at the moment. She would not have worn pajamas all day, she would have said, life’s too short, get up and do something. Good advice, thanks mom.
Excellent advice
Yay for routines!! Shower, hair, nails, walk, weight, read, makeup – we can control a few things. While our daughter works, we assist in homeschooling her 3 boys. Routine is key. We all know what to expect during the days. For kids this is vital. Reading here, math then, play outside, lunch at 1:00, more reading, dinner at 6:00. We try to give them a sense of continuity and control. We all need these small signs of normalcy. Thanks for your transparency in your posts. Do keep it up!!!
Look forward to your blog each day. And thanks for the heads up about Talbot’s sale yesterday. I ordered a few things and got great discounts!