We're in that vacuum-three-times-a-day, sneeze-five-times-in-a-row, to-do-list-never-ends time of a live-in-it-while-the-work-gets-done project. And yet...as I walked past + saw that pile of brown paper against the subfloor, I saw a kind of beauty in the texture + shadow.

As I walked back to grab my phone, I saw more + more beauty. The photos were collected quickly. Nothing was moved + not much photo editing was done...but the beauty is there...is here...right here in the in-between.

Love,
​Jane

We're in the midst of having our floors redone, which means that we are moving everything from our living spaces (upstairs) into the downstairs room. I'm thinking about this opportunity to move only the necessary upstairs again at the end of this project with a glint of excitement (+ aching hands + knees). 

I'm not sure that there will be a whole lot to let go of in the end (because I keep a pretty tight inventory of things), but I'm always curious to experience less. 

The less things there are in a space, the more value each thing takes on. A lamp becomes a prized piece of sculpture with varied form (lit + unlit). Color, texture + style become visible when a wardrobe is intentionally curated to contain only favorite pieces. The function of the bedroom (rest) becomes visual when desks, workout equipment + clutter are removed.

Even (+ maybe especially) good things can accumulate to an unhelpful level. A collection of plants can be spectacular, and it can be spectacular to have one or two plants that attract attention as individual elements of form + function. A collection of jeans can be cool, and it can be cool to own just a few favorites that feel exquisitely personal + fully "enough".

What I see in the photos above + in the type of home I want to live in is a feeling of spaciousness, room to breathe + stretch + move. I want there to be room for imagination to bloom + for love to unfurl. This feeling does not require square footage, but it does (for me) require blank space (an unadorned wall or empty shelf), uncovered windows that allow light to pour in + less stuff in view. 

I'm listing the essentials for each room + dreaming of what the space can look + feel like stripped of all the extra bits that accumulate. When each of these essentials has been chosen with intention toward function + beauty, less additional items are needed to communicate style. 

Bedroom (for rest, relaxation, connection + clothing):

• bed
• bedside tables
• lamps
• laundry baskets
• closet shelving

Livingroom (for connection, relaxation + creativity):

• sectional
• ottoman
• light

Kitchen area (for nourishment, connection + food):

• table
• couch
• footstool
• side table

Movement space (for peace, movement + gratitude):

• yoga mats
• lamp

I will savor sprinkling my little curated collection of ceramics, books + bits back in...in time. 

A fresh opportunity for "less" offers itself every day. This particular opportunity will not be missed.

Love,
​Jane

I frequent instagram less + less, but this morning I visited for a few minutes + read some encouraging words, found out about a health crisis + was able to give a bit toward mounting costs (this country's healthcare system is ridiculous), and came across something else that tickles my brain (twice). Recognizing the tickle, I was able to disengage with the app + move into my thoughts. Sweet spot.

One of the posts showed a circle created with tape on the ground in a public square. A guitarist played next to a piece of poster board labeling the space, "dance circle". People stopped + danced, while others continued to walk past.

Another post showed a tea ceremony peacefully taking place on a tatami mat inside a frame of wood slats forming a cube. This cube was set in various spots such as a snowy wilderness or a busy city sidewalk. 

The idea of a space created within a space with very little visual barrier + that created space facilitating behavior that would not have happened otherwise is fascinating. 

What behavior could I invite + catalyze by creating intentional spaces within my own spaces? 

• a space that draws me toward practicing movement, stretching, meditation, gratitude 
• a space that motivates me to choose whole foods
• a space that invites + enhances connection
• a space that promotes restful sleep
• a space that inspires moving through that day with softness + love

Imagine.

Love,
Jane

First two photos of Pierre Sernet's inspiring work, One via his website.

Here in the United States, it's Thanksgiving. We have so many things to be thankful for: a big birthday celebrated, a pup who communicates love in palpable ways, a full rainbow, forest walking, laughter + conversation, cozy socks, cozier hugs, recovery from achy colds, new glasses, fish tacos, pumpkin pie, scarlet + golden leaves...I could go on + on.

Currently reading + noticing + writing + loving:
Make Time for Creativity by Brandon Stosuy
Everything Beautiful by Ella Frances Sanders
Pieces of You journal

Quietly among the most influential voices in the history of North American garment manufacturing.
Nico Nico is saying goodbye.
If you care about fighting cancer, there's a win here. If you care about environmental justice, there's a win here. If you care about oceans, rivers, all the rest- there's a win. If you care about climate change, there's a win.

Over the years, I have been so grateful to experience a community of sorts here.  Thank you for your thoughtfulness, your imagination, your compassion, your willing spirits, your encouragement, your presence in this world. We don't get to see each other face to face, but knowing that there are likeminded (in any way) friends in the world has fed my soul mightily. I am truly grateful for you.

Love,
Jane

Dana Lee Brown is a collection of clothing made with a mindful approach to the origins and formation of garments. In an industry that has us celebrating the mere mention of the country where a garment was sewn, it is rare to come across a brand mentioning soil as a recognized part of a garment's origins. 

Designer, Dana Lee Brown, views her garments as collaborations with farms + mills. Each piece carries a label hand-chronicling a journey that begins with soil. The brand's shop on Bowen Island, British Columbia (as well as the website) offers more detail on farms, fibers and the process behind each piece.

Organic cotton is grown on three carefully chosen farms in California, New Mexico and Texas. Wool comes from sheep raised with regenerative practices on two farms in Ontario + California. Regeneratively grown indigo + foraged plants such as walnut hulls are used as natural dyes.

It's brands like these that expose what a garment can be. Each one of these pieces really does feel like a valuable education, an enlightened journey, a storied treasure. Spending time absorbing all of this naturally brings forward the question, "How many things do I need when each one is this precious?"

All lovely photos via Dana Lee Brown.

Love,
Jane

This has been a rollercoaster of a week. 

An election revealed where many voters place their hope...or possibly that their hope is languishing just beyond the scope of their imaginations.

And also...the other half of voters revealed their vision of hope. We are not alone.

I'm asking myself: In what ways do I feel excited about connecting with collective healing? (There will be, + always have been, so many areas for contribution.)

My list so far includes: 

• the environment
• affordable housing for all
• access to whole food nutrition
• women, infants + children's wellness + support

I want to connect with people...to share love right here, right now.
I want to work for harmony + healing + flourishing here + now.
I want to laugh + sing + dance + taste + feel love + connection + joy today + tomorrow.
I want to spread love like a failed dam + tenderness like dandelion fluff + joy like an unstoppable waterfall. 

May our imaginations expand + outpace the demand.
May our vision see clearly where there is work to be done.
May our vigor rise to meet the day.
May our egos bend toward collaboration.
May love rule supreme.

Let love rule came to mind + when I played it, I loved how there were gentle parts + driving parts that moved me to dancing wild.

Love is tender + fierce.

Tenderly + fiercely loved + loving,
Jane

• take a walk
• bake a cake to share
• restock the bird feeder
• sit in the sun
• sit with your favorite drink
• look at the sky
• hug someone you love a little longer than usual
• pet a dog or cat
• smile at a stranger
• light a candle
• listen to well-chosen music 
• do sun salutations
• find a good leaf
• greet a ladybug
• air dry some laundry
• change the sheets
• let someone know you are thinking of them
• eat fruit
• be still
• dance wild
• read familiar, good words
• clean out your bag
• take a picture of a houseplant
• tell your children something you love about them
• paint with watercolors
• plan a meet-up
• massage your partner's hands
• wear colorful socks
• notice the moon

Love is here.
Beauty is here.

Much love,
​Jane

All that clutter used to be money.
​~Joshua Becker

We've just made something happen that we've been talking + dreaming about for years...we slept in our car.  :) 

Over the years we have enjoyed tent camping with our family of four in a Prius, but I'm ready to skip rivers running under our tent in the middle of the night + packing a wet tent into the car with everything else we are trying to keep clean + dry. We loved camping in a rented a van in Oregon, but can't justify spending the money to own one. We love visiting a tiny cabin in the woods, but I want to explore new places too. Hotels are nice from time to time, but it's also so nice to be immersed in nature.

I feel most free when I travel with the less + all I really wanted was to have a bed up off the ground that I won't have to set up every night. I found evidence that it's possible to camp in a vehicle (even a Prius). Our Prius is at a point where it is less reliable on a long trip (but still going strong at 200,000 miles), so we bought a used RAV-4 Hybrid. 

Last weekend, we tried out our minimal set up + kept surprising ourselves with how great it all worked out. I wanted to buy as little as possible, but did invest in:

• a comfy full-sized, folding mattress
• window screens

I chose a foam mattress (because I am afraid of punctures + then having no mattress to sleep on) but I do love that these exist. The bridge attachment is a real problem solved. 

I cut our full-sized mattress to fit (taking the foam out of the covers, cutting it down with a bread knife + stitching + zipping the three sections back in). We used two tubs (our clothing packed inside) topped with two small boxes taped closed to bridge the gap between the front + back seats (+ to support the mattress overhang). Our regular pillows + sleeping bags completed our bedding. This set up was surprisingly comfy, especially combined with the leveling blocks supplied by the campground. 

Window screens provide ventilation + create much appreciated privacy + shade. Things I am considering adding for future trips are:

• a way of leveling the sleeping surface a bit more
• string lights with a USB rechargeable battery attached 

​With our bikes + a hammock along for the ride, it was the perfect time of year to be outside in the golden light. There was even an outdoor shower!

Love,
​Jane