Weekend Reading: 2.17.24
I have travel on the brain and am looking forward to escaping to a warmer climate. I pulled things out of the guest room closet and discovered my tropical wardrobe could use some updating, so that’s what I’ll be doing in the next few weeks. Luckily, fun things are hitting my favorite websites, so I’ll be sharing what I find.
In case you missed it, there were fewer posts on the blog last week because I was practicing self-care. I’m not sure when I began posting 6 days a week, but it’s often overwhelming, so I’m making myself take breaks. It’s not in my Type A nature to slow down, but since February is American Heart Health Month, it seems like the perfect opportunity.
I also wanted to take this opportunity to explain that not every comment that is left gets published here. My goal is to keep this community positive and supportive. Some people have no filter… so luckily, I do. You’re welcome.
Fashion On My Radar
The Presidents Day sales are in full swing with lots of great savings.
This pack of readers was one of the bestsellers this week. Lots of you also ordered this striped shirt, with good reason, and these Talbots jeans were a home run!
- Nordstrom Winter Sale is on with up to 50% off. These cashmere sweaters are marked way down and are a terrific value.
- J. Jill has some great new dresses in for spring. I’m not a huge dress wearer in the winter, but I love the ease in warmer weather. This one has great waist shaping in a bright, happy color. This dress has my name all over it for an easy base to start an outfit with. I spotted this jacket in the store, and it’s really nice. The color is unusual, which is fun to see.
- Our local Aritzia opened, and I had a quick spin-through. Its clothes stood out as predominantly classic styles, in soft neutral colors…so you know I’ll be back. At first glance, everything seems aimed at a corporate look, but on second, I realize much of it is very wearable in a casual lifestyle.
- I hit Athleta this week and updated my yoga clothes. I’m not generally drawn to workout tights, but they really are a better choice for yoga, which I’ve started back at. These Salutation stash tights are super comfy and on sale, so I got navy and black. I also decided it was way past time to update my workout bras and bought two of these Conscious Crop bras which I will always be wearing under a longer top :). The silhouette of this Triumph Hoodie is surprisingly flattering, so it came home with me in white.
- J. Crew pre-spring event is on with 30% off your purchase plus an extra 50% off sale. I love this sculptural hinged bracelet in silver mirror.
- Nordstrom Rack has an extra 40% off boots, coats, and jackets.
- Loft has up to 75% off original prices.
- Chico’s has 25% off full-price styles and some of the prettiest things I’ve seen from them in a while.
Look + Love + Read
- I’ve followed this no-nonsense dermatologist on YouTube for years and was happy to learn more about how she cares for her skin.
In Case You Missed It
- This outfit collage was the most popular for two weeks in a row.
Have a great weekend, and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident.
I love the flowered slides in your first picture. I recall you had purchase info on them when you first posted the picture. I didn’t buy them then, but I might now. Do you know where I can buy them?
They are by Johnny Was. That pattern is sold out but this one is very close and adorable!
Aloha, Jennifer,
We’re in Hawaii, enjoying the many “seasons” we are experiencing here
on the Big Island. BTW, your toes look beautiful in lavender. We should be closing on our fixer we bought here this week. While living in that house, and getting it up to par, we will begin the build on our forever home, on the seven acres I purchased last year. Our furniture and most belongings, along with one of our vehicles are still on a ship in the Pacific. One of our cars arrived last week, thankfully. I enjoy every one of your posts, and appreciate all of your valuable information. šŗ You are amazing!
I’m so excited for your adventure, Linda!! YOU are amazing!
It takes just as much effort to be nasty as it does to be kind, choose kind.
I agree, Rita. Thank you.
I always look forward to your posts and appreciate how you put yourself out there. I find you to be an inspiration.
Thanks so much Linda
I prefer your posts about fashion and shopping. I’m not so into the spiritual journey stuff. I have noticed that sometimes my comments don’t appear, and I have tried to analyze why. I think I have a working “filter,” so I’m puzzled. I will be interested to see if this comment gets through since I see I have been “negative” about the “woo woo” stuff.
I appreciate that you’re here for the fashion. Most readers are. I don’t recall filterng your comments, Kay.
I particularly enjoyed the “finds” in this email. I go to JJill sometimes but not a lot – you identified two dresses that are great and don’t match my image of JJill. Also, I have wanted a bracelet like the one from J Crew. However I have man-sized hands and most bangles don’t work on me, except, surprisingly, those from Chico’s. This one is hinged and it might work on me!
That’s why that bracelet appealed to me too. I have large hands that won’t fit through most bangles.
Iām often skeptical or doubtful. I prefer to think of myself as a critical thinker. Those terms can sometimes stir people up, though. This morning Bobbie has offered a friendlier termāIām an eyebrow raiser! Thanks, Bobbie.
I love that expression too!
I started my spiritual journey in my early forties. I think my first book was Jonathan Seagull. Then Richard Bachs, Illusions. I started going to a group called A Course in Miracles and did the Blue Book which held the daily lessons over again each year for 8 years. Our group became a little family of 8 people. They were at our wedding in 1993. Although I donāt still work with ACIM groups or books, I still believe in the universal God in everything and also talk to everyday. I believe in prayer as gratitude not in beseeching. I also did yoga for years until my instability and chronic pain limited me to chair yoga. My husband wrote Journey Beyond Words which ACIM students may be familiar with still which he wrote and did seminars with in the 1990s all over the country. All of Richard Bachs books lift one spiritually and expand oneās perception. It is sad to me to think that people still think of spirituality as woo woo. It is our relationship with God. Religion is established indoctrination into a specific church or faith group. Spirituality is our individual relationship with God and doesnāt require any building or indoctrination. Thank you for opening up this conversation. Each of us is on a journey here that will eventually take us back from body to spiritual form and God. Thank you for letting us share our journey with you and each other.
Thank you so much for sharing Sydney. Itās so important that we respect each persons choice and journey. I appreciate you.
I love your blog! It’s like you’re speaking directly to me! Except that I look horrid in warm colors š I’m a Winter with salt and pepper hair so I just look at your ideas in other colors. Thank you for keeping your blog a positive place!
I am also heading to a warm climate soon and am looking forward to seeing what you pick to add to your tropical wardrobe.
Iām so looking forward to it!!
Good for you for taking time to care for yourself. We are thinking about practicing meditation. As I get older I seem to be getting more anxious! Thanks for all the great sales info!
Iām feeling much more anxiety lately hence the tools Iām trying to lower my stress. Meditation and breath work can be really helpful.
I am getting back into yoga too! Thanks for the inspiration and great Athleta clothing tips. Love your blog, and am glad you are taking some āmeā time.
Great post today, so much to read! Had to chuckle at your remark about the lavender nail polish. I feel same about light blue and green! Have a good weekend, stay warm and dry.m
Happy Saturday Elaine.
One of the many things l like about this blog is the lack of negativity. I think we all realize that you wouldn’t have to approve comments if there weren’t some without a flter. So many people think that because no one can see them, they can say anything they want. Thank you for policing that.
Youāre exactly right! Anonymity effects peoples manners šš»
I want to second Paat’s input. Thank you for having a filter and using it. Your blog is fun and safe.
Over the years, my lower back has been a pain to me (ha!) and these poses, all of which we do in my yoga classes, have really helped. I have become an evangelist for yoga and can’t say enough about how good I feel after class — both mentally and physically. And Athleta all the way on the yoga wardrobe. š
My back is the reason the doctor suggested I go back to it. I hope I get the relief you have. My spine is a bit of a mess. And yes, I love Athleta!!
Hi Jennifer! A comment you made a while back continues to nag at me and Iām compelled to write. After your trip to Miraval you shared the things you participated in, then shortly after you received negative feedback. I appreciate your bravery in what you share with your readers and hope you continue!
My personal experience with what we casually call woo woo things was life changing for me. I grew up in a catholic family. We went to Sunday mass and catechism classes without fail. Beyond that, I donāt ever remember God being mentioned at home. In college I occasionally went to midnight mass with my roommate, after partying, so she wouldnāt be walking in the dark alone. As an adult, weddings and funerals were the only reason I stepped into any church. I didnāt know God and didnāt think about God.
In my 30ās and 40ās I felt something was missing in my life and my quest to understand what it was led me to an over abundance of self help books, being certain something was wrong with me. I also started practicing yoga in the late 70ās, but only as a form of exercise. I loved yoga and went to classes often. Through the people I met in yoga classes was when I started hearing about spirituality in ways I thought were bizarre. Iām a listener and an eyebrow raiser but kept my negative comments to myself. What people believe in or want to experience is their business and Iām respectful of that. However, curiosity drives me!
Iām a voracious reader and the titles on my bookshelf began to change. I read a multitude of books on subjects that were foreign to me. Yoga, Indigo Children, Creating Mandalas, Reiki, Crystals, Angels and Ascended Masters, Psychics, Sacred Signs, and on and on. What I finally found, was God! Not a catholic God, not a Protestant God, but God without boundaries. A God that I talk to daily!
My point to all of this is that you never know how something you say will affect others. The naysayers have already forgotten about it, and if not, thatās ok too. However, you may have touched someone in a positive way that has made a profound difference in their life. Not just from the woo woo things you mentioned but from the way someone feels about themselves based on info from your blog. You touch many womenāsā lives, including mine! I appreciate that!
By the way, after 7ā of snow last night, your beach picture made me smile! What I noticed were your brightly colored beach shoes, not your lavender toenails š
Have a lovely weekendā¼ļø
Thank you so much for sharing this Bobbie. I really needed to hear your encouragement this morning. Iād love to know some the titles that you loved most. Xo