The sun has been shining + the rain has been falling + the seeds are starting to turn into food in our little spring garden. I can't tell you how excited I was to add this extremely local, zero-waste color + flavor to the quick meal we ate last night.

The radishes + chives were the perfect addition to this what's-left-in-the-cupboard meal. Our go-to parmesan pasta got a little upgrade from a packet of miso + it was delicious. Sitting in the sun on the back step was the perfect compliment. 

Miso Pasta ::

box of your favorite pasta
packet of miso
parmesan cheese
pepper flakes
whatever extras are on hand, we used radishes + chives from the garden this time

Boil pasta + drain all but a little of the pasta water (maybe 1/4 cup). Mix miso packet into the pasta until well coated. Top with other ingredients + enjoy.

Love,
​Jane

This belt was presented to me in three pieces. The glue that held the buckle + loop in place had given way. The belt has served its wearer well for a good long time, but there is still a bit more life in it...given a little time + attention. 

I wanted to use what I had on hand, so with an awl, a hammer, an old cutting board + some strong waxed thread (used to attach ballet shoe ribbons years ago)...I did a few minutes of stitching. It may not be the prettiest of mending, but it makes the belt functional. I even conditioned the leather a bit with my homemade lip balm. No belt shopping today.  :)

Love,
Jane

The more simple we are,
the more complete we become.
~Auguste Rodin

Two new books by two inspiring makers I've loved for years (exciting!):

The Act of Sewing by Sonya Philip :: Sonya Philip's patterns have always been offered in an extended size range + are great beginner sewing patterns. Sewing with secondhand fabrics is encouraged + her patterns lend themselves well to a variety of fabrics. Sonya's own style + sunny personality is a perpetual inspiration to pattern mix + to embrace vibrant color.

The Sandalmaking Workshop by Rachel Corry :: Shoemaking is often a maker's final frontier, and Rachel Corry has been a wonderful resource in this category for years with her kits + workshops. (She is offering a zoom workshop in May.) This book looks like a feast of possibility + I can't wait to catch a peek!

All lovely images via links.

Love,
Jane

It's mango season + we're loving these mango smoothies right now. 

​Blend:
frozen mango
yogurt
oat milk
cinnamon
cardamom
ginger
honey

Love,
​Jane

Today is over 80F + the bugs haven't come out in force quite yet. I've been dreaming of having two of these chaise lounges to move in + out of the shade. A peace towel would add a little extra cushioning. When the back rests are down, they could act like benches for all of us to eat outside.

I can imagine wearing this breezy white ensemble just anywhere + adding the sweatshirt when the evening gets cool. The diaphenous, Doen dress would be a lovely barely there layer for lounging in the backyard + could be tucked into pants or shorts as well (love a versatile piece). The Cydwoq sandals would go with everything I want to wear in warmer the months to come. Just dreaming.  :)

Hope you are enjoying a beautiful day where ever you find yourself.

All lovely photos via links.

Love,
Jane

I'm squeezing this just inside the weekend. We've been busy celebrating a birthday + drinking in some beautiful weather. Happy to finally be able to peruse The Tiny Mess by Maddie Gordon, Mary Gonzalez + Trevor Gordon! Been waiting years for this one.

Inthevisible.
​Turning waste into clothes.
​Unfortunately it's not the solution many people think it is.
David Hockney's sketchbook.

Also celebrating Nomadland's Oscars! Chloé Zhao is only the second woman to ever win an Oscar for best director + Francis McDormand is her usual no-nonsense, non-conformist, no-makeup inspiration. 

Hope you've had a spectacular weekend, friends!
Love,
​Jane  

And the wind said,
"May you be as strong as the oak,
yet flexible as the birch,
may you stand as tall as the redwood,
live gracefully as the willow
and may you always bear fruit
​all your days on this earth."
Native American Prayer

I recently started a new job. Suddenly I have a new situation to dress for, and I want to be sure that I'm prepared (at least wardrobe-wise). As I applied for different jobs, I considered what I would wear to each one. I would need to buy something new for a few of them, but I tried to keep my potential shopping list minimal even when I didn't have many things that fit the dress code. I reasoned that if I kept the pieces simple, repeated wearings would be less noticeable.

I was able to wear what I have for interviews, and I have a relatively simple dress code to follow at this job: solid (or simply patterned) tops + solid bottoms + comfy shoes. Two days in, I realized that I needed something warmer to wear + stopped at a shop on the way home. Almost as soon as I entered the store, I remembered something I'd already packed away for the season that would work. Out it came + nothing new was needed after all. 

The pieces I have feel more "like me" than most anything I could find quickly. They might not be the "perfect" thing to wear, but they work. I have time to add things later, if necessary. 

Each time I realize that I already have all that I need, it feels like a new triumph...not because shopping is bad...or because I feel that I should never add anything to my wardrobe. I just like to be quite thoughtful about new additions...and I also realize that "enough" feels pretty good.  :)

Love,
Jane