everyone loves jen beeman's grainline patterns and so do i!  if clothes that don't look handmade are the goal, these are the patterns to perfect.  think madewell diy, if you like.  these are exquisitely drafted basics... pieces of clothing that can be worn again and again.  jen is an educated pattern drafter and takes her work very seriously.  

my favorite grainline patterns are scout and linden.  jo has a bunch of scouts...they are simple to sew, don't use much fabric and look cute in quilting cotton prints (which aren't usually very good for clothing).  i like that scout has a very slight a-line cut, which is accommodating for the hips and makes for a non-constricting comfy fit.  we have lengthened scout for a leggings-friendly tunic, and i have made scout without sleeves and with a  tulip back (shown above- and could probably be shortened a bit).  when removing the sleeves, the arm holes need to be carved out a bit before adding the bias binding.  

aside:  i always like to make my own bias binding out of the same fabric as the garment.  this way the bias tape is never noticeable.  i find those bias binding tools fiddly and unnecessary.  just cut strips on the bias and sew it in.  the folds are totally unnecessary.  also we don't need all that extra fabric that the patterns call for when bias binding is included in the pattern instructions.  there is usually a way to cut it out of the fabric left-over from cutting the pattern pieces alone.  i just make my pieces of bias as long as possible, and then sew them together.  let me know if further clarification is desired here.  :)

linden is simple and the cut is just good!  the last time i sewed a sweatshirt was in 7th grade sewing class at school.  this would have been as simple as that, except for the fact that i chose a difficult fabric.  this lovely organic cotton sherpa was a bit finicky.  first of all, it shrank by 1/4 yard (what!!?), so what i had imagined being a long sleeved layer became 3/4 sleeved.  i also had to add cuffs, which were not in my original plan.  it's not exactly what i wanted, so i'm still debating about it...but i have worn it a bit around the house this spring.

grainline's newest pattern, willow, looks perfect,  it is quite similar to the wiksten tank.  what i like about willow, is that it has the adjustments i make to the wiksten tank built in...bust darts and a raised neckline.  i think i'd like to sew an alder shirtdress at some point, and this version of the archer turned dress is lovely too.

i believe grainline patterns are some of the most reliable sewing patterns out there.  jen is a professional who has grown her company slowly and wisely.  the fit is spot on and the instructions leave nothing to the imagination.  a beginner could easily tackle scout or willow.  just go slowly with the sleeves and bias binding...and remember that the result doesn't have to be perfect, especially at first.  practice will breed improvement and confidence.  :)  

sewing gives such an incredible insight into what skilled garment workers are doing every single day.  they have my respect!

parts 01, 02, 03, and o4 of this series.

love,
jane

this meal was almost the last before a grocery run (tomorrow morning = pancakes).  :)  i love it when it looks like there is no food left in the house and i'm able to eek out something delicious!  this was one of those times.  simple + delicious.

asparagus pizza

homemade pizza dough
asparagus, steamed
cheese, grated
pepper flakes

assemble.  bake.  enjoy!

love, 
​jane

roam the roads of lands unknown.

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simple scandinavian style has probably prompted many to consider the appeal of minimalism.  these bright, spacious interiors ooze peace and tranquility.  

this style is all about maximizing light in an area where it becomes a precious commodity each winter.  key elements include white walls, white floors (oh, a someday aspiration for me), and windows left unadorned or covered with gauzy, white sheers.  minimal furnishings are often white or wood pieces, and a few plants might be scattered around.  if color is desired, one color is added in sparingly...perhaps a breezy ocean blue, a vivid orange, or a soft pink.  some keep it simple by limiting color to white, black and grey.  others opt to add only naturals and textures like flax linen, creamy wool, and pale wood grains.

as with most minimal interiors, restraint is the hardest working tool.  it is much easier to fill a space with items invoking a certain leaning rather than to chose a few simple pieces with conviction.  cultivating this skill keeps the surroundings open and airy, and will come across with a clarity of direction that only minimalism can deliver.

scandinavian style may be one of the most accessible styles to embrace.  most homes can be stripped back to the basics...white paint, airy window coverings, clean walls, simple furnishings.  choose a single color to use as an accent, if desired.  keep it restrained by only adding a vase of pale pink roses from the garden along with a pale pink throw to cuddle up with in the evenings on the couch.  or...use wooden cutting boards, spoons, and chairs to bring a minimal kitchen into focus.  hang a wooden broom by the door and some natural linen towels at the sink.  a hanging plant, white bedding and a creamy candle in the bedroom feels fresh and calm.

my aim with this series (originating here) is not to inspire the need for all new furniture or really any purchasing at all.  the thought is that a minimal home can be a beautiful place with a little creative thought and editing.  i hope it's just fun to be inspired, to possibly see things a little differently, and to make a few small changes, if desired.

bullet points for simple scandinavian style:
1. less stuff.
2. focus on a light and bright backdrop.  white walls, clean floors, light window coverings.
3. exercise restraint with accents.  keep it natural or choose one color.
4. add a plant.

​my favorite simple scandinavian sites:
coco lapine design
my scandinavian home

​love,
​jane

i have to admit that may totally slipped up on me wardrobe-wise!  on may 1st i looked into my closet and realized that i could wear new pieces if i wanted to.  i took that as a good sign.  my april simple wardrobe was totally satisfying...and only 12 pieces!  so...i mostly stuck with it for may.  i switched out the black + white box top for a black tee...and the cream jumpsuit for a tan one.  i also let my black tee dress go, as i mentioned earlier.

we are headed out on a 3 1/2 week road trip this month, so i thought i'd share that wardrobe instead this month.  we are headed to the california coast, and it looks like there will be a range of temperatures...from quite cool to warm and sticky.  this requires us to consider windy evenings by the beach as well as sunny, humid days in the city.  there will be times we want to look cute enough for our favorite shops...and times we'll be hiking trails.  i tried to consider being able to make a few outfits for each temperature, since these days will come in succession.  i hope this simple wardrobe serves me well, because i'll have better things to focus on!  :) 

here's what's on my simple packing list:

tops:
-white tee
-black tee
-striped cropped 3/4 sleeved tee
-indigo long sleeved tee
-olive button down

bottoms:
-wide leg cropped jeans
-shorts

one-pieces:
-navy jumpsuit
-honey jumpsuit

warm layers: 
-grey wool/cashmere cardigan
-howies jacket

shoes:
-toms
-flip flops
-athletic shoes

extras:
-swimsuit
-caftan
-1 pajamas
-leggings
-2 layering tanks
-sunhat
-underthings, 2 pairs socks 

all kinds of layering can happen with these pieces.  i feel like i could make a million combinations (well, almost), so i don't think i'll get bored.  well, i know i won't get bored.  we are going to california!  :)

hope you have some adventures on your horizons as well!  :)

love,
jane

i had to grab some of these gorgeous long ruby stalks when i saw them...couldn't resist. rhubarb and strawberries are just made for each other, so in spite of the fact that i considered rhubarb simple syrup and simple rhubarb compote...strawberry rhubarb crisp it is.

strawberry rhubarb crisp (adapted from the barefoot contessa...using what i had)

2 c. chopped rhubarb
4 cups strawberries, chopped
1 c. sugar, divided
1/2 c. elderberry tea
1 Tbsp. corn starch
1 c. flour
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. oats
12 Tbsp. butter, chopped

toss 3/4 c. sugar with fruit in a 9x13 inch oven safe dish.  dissolve corn starch into tea, then mix with fruit.    combine flour, 1/4 c. sugar, brown sugar, salt and oatmeal.  add butter and combine (can use mixer/food processor...but i used my clean hands).  sprinkle topping over fruit.  place cookie sheet under dish to catch drips in oven.
350 degree F oven :: 60 minutes

spring, you got this!

love,
​jane

family camping.
more simple travel.
zero-waste hiking.
travel podcast.
"it's greatly affecting my home."
how we're finding bulk away from home!

just for a moment this weekend, let's be still.

happy trails, friends!  

love,
​jane

make it your ambition to lead a quite life, 
to mind your own business,
and to work with your hands.
​1 thesselonians 4:11

blenders are having a moment...and rightly so.  smoothies are yummy + healthy...green smoothies are yummy + even more healthy.  we can make smooth soups with our blenders too.  one of those fancy, expensive blenders would be great...but until then, my (much) less expensive one is working great.  

yes, we love smoothies...green or not.

i don't really care to pour hot stuff back and forth from pot to blender to pot, but i do like sweet potato soup...and that involves the blender.

our favorite thanksgiving salad involves cranberries + a blender.

banana ice-cream season is here.

i use the blender to make hummus and pesto...no food processor necessary.

i like to mix the wet ingredients for banana bread in the blender... quick banana mashing included.

my blender preps our tomato sauce.

dutch baby begins in the blender.  weird name... yummy meal.  :)

and when faced with a pumpkin pie without whipped cream, i thought...what about the blender?  and you know what?  it made whipped cream faster than ever!  nope, i don't need a hand mixer either.

thank you, blender.  you make all the good things!

​others in this series :: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09

love,
jane

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i love making a home.  it's one of the joys of moving so much.  i've been able to stretch my creative legs in 9 different homes since we've been married (5 rentals/4 mortgages).  i'll try to keep that in a positive light.  :)  

minimal possessions and a clean canvas are my goals to begin with (and to keep) in a new home.  

~ minimal possessions:  
i use the time leading up to a move to let the unnecessary go.  i want to pack and move as little as possible, so i garage sale, craigslist, ebay and etsy my heart out in the weeks and months before every move.  we donate what doesn't sell.  a good clean-out can be done at anytime obviously...and is probably a good idea periodically.

~a clean canvas:  
--this starts with the house/apartment hunt.  we just do the best we can to find what we'd like to live with in our price range, but have ended up living with patterned carpet and a floor to ceiling black lava rock fireplace.  compromise is inevitable.

--once a place is ours... white paint is my favorite and my best.  right now my favorite white is sherwin williams low voc high-reflective white (no tint added).  it is a bright white that goes soft and creamy with less light...not grey or blue. we wanted no voc paint, but they said that those bases don't come bright enough for the color i desire.  we try to paint with the windows and doors thrown open and plenty of air circulating anyway.  

--i prefer wood floors to carpet, so we've refinished two houses worth of wood floors (not always possible, i know).

--in my book, ceilings, doors, and moldings can wait to be painted (as long as they are white-ish) in round two of improvements.

--little by little, i paint pretty much every surface in my houses...and most of it turns white.  from there, we have a clean canvas that can skew a number of different decorating directions.  


my homes have not always oozed character (although, i guess stodgy eighties is a character).  sometimes they need a little help, and i think that is possible without emptying the wallet or going on a huge shopping spree.  

so, i wanted to explore some ways to add a bit of style to our pared down clean canvases here.

simple and minimal is the goal in these parts...so i'm not going to do any of those pillow/coffee table/tchotchke posts.  i'm thinking of minimalism-ish + a bit of style.  minimalism to me is about function, and a bit of style makes home.  even in homes where many see stifling minimalism, i see lots of style.  the house itself may provide loads of character.  the light fixture is chosen with care.  the couch was a deliberate choice.  tchotchkes are unnecessary, if the basics do the talking.

i'm going to hit up a few different styles in the weeks to come, because i have many loves...and because we are all a bit different.  trends aren't my thing.  we want our stuff to stand the test of time...not end up in landfills.  most of all, we want to love living in our homes. 

ok, so my personal bullet points to start making a home:
1. start with less.  clear out all the unnecessary.  
2. work toward a clean slate.  i like to paint it white.  you do you.  :)

love, 
​jane