While cleaning the other day, I picked up a deck of cards. "Transformation" was the card on top + "monkey" was on the bottom. What a perfect concept, I thought. Monkey mind as the enemy of transformation. I decided to draw a card, even as I thought that I'd already received enough to consider. I drew "practice". Oh! What a perfect complement. If monkey mind is the detractor from transformation, practice is the movement toward it. I've been looking for ways to practice ever since.

Painting is one of my favorite practices of settling + play. Even ten minutes of painting helps to move me into a different mind space. I do it for pure enjoyment. I let myself do what feels good. There is no one else to please. There is no one telling me that they wanted something else from me. My mind calms while I paint, and what I paint makes me happy. That's all. :)

Love,
Jane​

If I had to name the thing that I emphasize most about the fairdare in my own closet, it would probably be keeping the inventory lean. I'm not extreme about it, but I do try to be aware of overconsumption. This is not a directive, it is just an acknowledgment. I think there are many ways to take the fairdare (emphasizing thrifted clothing, making one's own clothing or wearing a uniform to name a few). Most of us will utilize some combination of ethical + sustainable practices, and that is beautiful.

In keeping a tight edit of pieces, I lean toward pieces that fall into a color palette so that they mix + match. Mine is mainly white, natural, olive + denim. I may love a new color or pattern that shows up out there, but rarely (+ usually only as an accessory) does it have much longevity in my closet. So when I found a pair of organic cotton, made-in-California shorts that I liked + they were only available in black, white + cornflower, I figured the black + white ones were the ones for me.

I decided that I would wear the white ones mostly at home (to keep them clean) + the black ones for curb sitting outings, biking, gardening + camping. It sounded like a good plan until I wore the black ones on a weekend camping trip + realized that I just didn't feel very cute wearing them. It probably sounds ridiculous, but I decided to honor that + sold them. Someone bought them right away, and I hope they love the heck out of them this summer!

I decided to see if I could change my mind about the cornflower, because I was not finding any other shorts that I liked the fit + feel of as much.

• I thought about how I would wear them. I like them with a white tee or tank.
• I noted that I'm attracted to other bright colors this season. 
• I noticed an Eastern Bluebird in our yard + that its gorgeous feathers are a version of that cornflower blue. I actually think that's what did it for me. This kind of blows my mind. I was actually inspired by nature. :)

I'm not sure if this thought exercise contradicts the concept of wardrobe authenticity, but I'm curious + learning...so I'm interested to see what happens. (It also made me smile to look down + see that I'm practically sitting on a cornflower, yoga towel I bought years ago, because they only had a few colors to choose from. Add that to the list above.)  :)

Love,
Jane

On the lookout for warm weather pieces, I found both of these secondhand (on Poshmark). I bought the black + white top first and it just feels like me. When the tan + white dress version showed up in my search, I was confident that I'd love it too. Once I received it, it was clear that it was lighter weight + too sheer to wear as anything other than a swimsuit cover-up. 

I wasn't sure it would sell particularly well (because I bought it cheap + there was another one available) + knew I'd get more use out of it as a top, so I picked the stitching out of the kangaroo pocket on the front + hemmed it at the same length as the other top. I'm not sure that I would have bought two such similar tops, but I do like them both and the price was good. 

I love finding secondhand pieces from my favorite fair brands. These tops are nice quality cotton, made in California, and have plenty of life left in them! 

I'm still a bit in the process of trying to put this go around of seasonal wardrobe settling to rest. I've gone through all of my pieces, let go + sold things. I have a little bit of a budget now from those sales, and I have an idea of where the holes are in my wardrobe:

• comfy shorts
• tops to wear to work
• a tiny bag that meets event requirements (woohoo! summer!)
• a pair of comfy, yet cute(?) trainers

As ever, I want to try to make minimal purchases that feel authentic + will be worn for a long time. I've realized lately that my tendency to take cues from others (in an effort to be empathetic) has morphed into something adjacent to acting for the approval of others. This is one reason authenticity feels enlightening at the moment. Remembering to emphasize the true inspiration that comes from looking within myself + my wardrobe feels exceedingly important. 

I find that answering these two questions provide so much peace + direction:

If I could only wear one outfit during non-work hours + didn't worry about how others interpret it, what would it be?

• white tee or tank + white shorts :: This might be strange, but it's what I want to wear. It feels light + breezy to me right now.

If I only wore one outfit to work every day + didn't worry about how others interpret it...what would it be?

• soft, pale denim + a white tee :: This outfit feels effortless + light + soft + friendly, yet grounded to me.

I truly can imagine wearing these outfits over and over. A couple of pairs of jeans along with a few white tees could be enough for work. This takes the pressure off needing too many new things. I already have more than 2 pairs of pants that I like. I don't need very many tops that I like wearing with them. No need to feel a big deficit. 

With a list, a budget and a perspective in mind, I'm feeling kind of optimistic! :)

Love,
​Jane

Look closely.
The beautiful may be small.
​~Immanuel Kant

I've noticed that I often want to add an interesting piece or two to my wardrobe at the beginning of a season. I ended up selling a few of my past season's "interesting" pieces recently, because they just don't get worn enough. I am attracted to color + prints, but I reach for my whites, denims + olives almost every time. 

When I noticed this desire this season, I wondered if I feel like my wardrobe is too boring. I looked at my wardrobe + saw so many pieces that I truly love + feel like me year after year. I think the desire for color + pattern is less about feeling boring + more about wanting to embrace playfulness.

I love the idea of outfits that say, "I am not taking myself (or life) so seriously!" Gosh, I want a little of that right now! This season, I am reminding myself that the playful pieces that stand the test of time (with me) are accessories. I might not reach for a pair of red pants super often, but I have been using my bright orangey-red canvas tote on repeat for years! 

I'm curious to find what works for me. It may be that I cycle through a thrifted, playful piece or two each season, but I'd really like to find pieces I love like that red tote. Here's what's currently on my radar:

• a fun, little, patterned dress to wear under my white linen button-up with my comfy Birks (or juicy mules)
• a bright hat to keep the sun out of my eyes at the game +/or a vibrant little bag (that would pass the bag requirements at the concert) + would punch up my all white outfits any day of the week
• was thinking of each of these pieces on their own adding pops of color to neutral outfits, but seeing them together here has me thinking about colors playing well in pairs. Fun!

The clothes we wear really can influence how we feel, and I'm prioritizing happiness where I can.  :)

Love,
Jane

It's been a while since I've been to the fabric store + even longer since I've been by myself. It felt like a treat to have the space + time to deliberate over my choices, to take in the color combinations and to stand + imagine the weight + feel of a garment made from a certain fabric. My people are SO generously patient with me at the fabric store, but it felt light to have no one else's boredom to consider.  :)

I bought only what I went for at the fabric store, but left with all kinds of inspiration tucked away for future dreaming. A little walk around the flower shop + a quick pop in to the European market for a Coffee Crisp to bring home for my partner + my creativity really does feel like it received a refuel! Yay!  :)

Love,
Jane