Now this is something that has me giddy...Liberty sewing patterns! Seeing those gorgeous fabrics made up into stunning shapes (that we can make too!) is just a playground of inspiration. 

When we lived in London, Liberty of London was one of my favorite places to visit. Climbing the creaky stairs to the fabric floor was a special treat. Every once in a while I would choose a small piece of fabric to make into a top for myself or a little dress for Julia (who chose to only wear dresses). She would have loved these lovely, little frocks.

Liberty sewing patterns! Can I just say...it's about time!  ;)

All photos via Liberty of London.

Love,
​Jane

Next time I feel like something is missing from my wardrobe,
I'll start by checking if there's anything I should donate or sell.
Sometimes when I feel like something is missing,
​I actually have too many pieces I don't like obscuring the garments that I love.
~Emily Torres

There's no reason that a small, simple wardrobe needs to be all black, white + grey...even though that's how it looks online sometimes. This small romantic wardrobe looks ready to step into spring, while remaining cozy through the weeks of cold weather still to come. All of these pieces are lovely, secondhand pieces found on etsy. 

This small wardrobe consists of:
5 dresses
1 jumpsuit
3 sweaters
2 pants
1 blazer
2 footwear
= 14 pieces total

Along with some cozy socks + a couple of tees, these 14 pieces could provide all one needs to be prepared for many (most?) situations year round. A dress or jumpsuit worn on its own would be breezy + cool on the hottest of days, while the pieces can be layered up with knits + the blazer on the coldest of days. The blazer + sweaters provide layers for the days in between. I'm loving this simple, second hand + lovely wardrobe.

All lovely photos via links.

Love,
Jane

My partner once told me that my main motivation is beauty. I wasn't sure about that characterization at that moment, but the more I think about it...I have to agree. Beauty weighs heavily in my happiness. Decorating my home in a way that is beautiful to me is important to my sense of well-being. I love art museums + beautiful shops + cafes...beautiful books + music + textiles. I love the beauty that only nature can deliver...the beauty of friendship...and the beauty of words. I doubt I'm terribly unique in this way.  

This year one of the things I decided to pursue more of...is beauty. I want to be a beauty seeker. I find my connection to God to be enabled...palpable...enhanced in the presence of beauty...and I'm longing for more of that connection.

Winter is a time when beauty is not just oozing through the dark + cold. We must tune in to beauty + search for it a little bit harder. And yet...beauty is still there. When the sun finally peeks through the clouds, I feel its warmth + notice how its light seems to penetrate into my soul if I let it. Vibrant tastes are beautiful. Hot pink sunsets are beautiful. Finding a card addressed to me in my mailbox is beautiful. Lingering hugs are beautiful. A conversation with a stranger that makes me laugh is beautiful. 

I am a beauty seeker + I find so much beauty...when I'm looking for it.

Love, 
​Jane

~unknown

Style isn't dependent on the newness of the clothes that contribute to it. Each of these runway looks is made up of secondhand finds. Bay Garnett styled these Oxfam fashion shows that ran during London Fashion Week the past couple of years. She spoke with Clare Press about secondhand fashion on Wardrobe Crisis, which prompted my search for these looks.

There is so much good stuff out there already.  ;)

All lovely photos via links.

Love,
Jane

I love Valentine's Day. I loved making + addressing valentines as a child, and I love spreading + celebrating love today. I feel that the simplest acts communicate warm feelings best. Taking the time to focus on love + appreciation is really all it takes. Handmade love notes, hugs + maybe a little something sweet to eat qualifies as a celebration to me.

A few more ways to celebrate:

Valentines Day can be a beautiful reminder to offer ourselves a little self-love. Choose an organic cotton first layer from the drawer + take the time to moisturize, stretch + smile. 

Friendship is the best part of love. Share a phone call, a meal or a movie with a favorite friend...or three. 

Make valentines...write love notes (check the recycling + scrap fabric bins for supplies).

Make heart-shaped pizza + popcorn with the little ones + open all those valentines together. 

​Make a playlist to share.

Head out to a locally owned, farm-to-table restaurant or make dinner together at home.

Give some locally roasted, bulk, fair-trade coffee or a bar of fair-trade chocolate.

If flowers or jewelry is involved, make it fair-trade or vintage.

Share an unhurried hand or foot massage with a little homemade, scented oil.

Hold hands. Give + receive long hugs.

By choosing handmade, low-waste, fair-trade, local, organic, or vintage tokens, we spread love to farmers, neighbors, the the planet as well. 

Lovely photos via links, unlinked photo mine.

Lots of love to you, my friends,
Jane

Working on last week's one drawer wardrobe sparked thoughts of how similar numbers of pieces could work for different people with different styles + preferences. I'm also quite inspired by the secondhand offerings I've been able to find lately...so we're sticking with that theme as well. (yay, secondhand!)

This time I've compiled a small, simple wardrobe anchored by one-piece items. I've chosen five jumpsuits + two dresses. These seven pieces = seven outfits...and that's before we start layering + switching footwear. On the other hand we could use the seven pieces to choose four tops + three bottoms...and have lots of opportunities to mix + match. It's a matter of preference...but I thought it would be fun to play with the possibilities.

​I think that sleeveless jumpsuits + dresses are more versatile than long-sleeved jumpsuits + dresses. A sweater or jacket easily slides over top...the turtleneck could layer over or under...and the jacket can layer on its own or over a sweater for extra coziness. Each of these pieces can also be worn on its own providing ample summer options.

This simple wardrobe consists of:
5 jumpsuits
2 dresses
2 sweaters (1 cardigan + 1 turtleneck)
light jacket
low heels
tennies
=12 pieces total

This simple wardrobe is one I would love to try...and it's all secondhand!

All lovely photos via links.

Love,
​Jane

Raise your words not your voice.
It is rain that grows flowers not thunder.
~Rumi