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simple bohemian style gains its impact from traditional ethnic pieces and natural materials.   it often comes in the form of bursts of color and the warmth of weathered wood.  exquisite handwoven rugs often anchor simple bohemian spaces.  tapestries and hand dyed textiles, baskets and lanterns, masks and beaded slippers hint at journeys to far off lands and treasure hunts through remote bazaars.  the traditional handmade creations of skilled makers around the world become cherished finds.

simple bohemian is probably my favorite simple style right now.  i love the warmth that color and ethnic craft can bring to the home.  i still love uncluttered spaces, however, so editing is very important here (to me).  if we start with a clean palette of neutral walls, clean floors and minimal possessions, a single craigslist rug and a bolga basket can bring bohemian spirit.

deep color such as crimson reds or indigo blues invigorate minimal spaces in a hurry.  plants also bring life and color that complement bohemian style perfectly, macrame plant hangers and wall hung weavings are welcome touches.  ethnic textile choices abound.  choose an african mud cloth turned throw blanket, a moroccan wedding blanket turned pillow, or pillows made from an old kilim rug.

bold color often comes to mind first with this style, but soft colors could also be emphasized.  a pale, neutral moroccan rug, a woven basket and carved wood could keep the feeling calm and serene,   ​

the trick to keeping the look minimal is to choose only a couple/few elements for each room.  the usual bohemian style likes to layer and add.  simple bohemian style makes use of restraint and a keen sense of enough.  the elements that are chosen seem special and storied.  so maybe in the bedroom, a beautiful ethnic coverlet could be added to the white sheets.  a plant hung from a macrame plant hanger and a basket for the laundry brings the room into the realm of simple bohemian.  in the living room, a special rug and a piece of native american pottery picked up on a memorable road trip could complement a cheerful plant on a skillfully carved wooden stool.  

i like to keep the bohemian elements functional.  this ensures that they are not just extra clutter, but useful as well as beautiful.  an african bolga basket can hold toys or mending.  a lovely ceramic cup can hold a warm drink or an air plant on the windowsill.  a block printed scarf can be used as a throw on the couch or be hung above the bed in between stints of adding warmth around the neck.  

hardworking beauty can lend itself to simplicity in many forms.  let simplicity be beauty, however it is that we see it.
​
favorite spots for inspiration:
the jungalow
moon to moon

love,
jane

I have found these resources to be extremely helpful in learning about today's garment industry. Fast fashion reigns and most of us have felt the thrill of finding a good deal, but it's imperative that we know what our deals cost others.  I find that this knowledge fuels my resolve to choose fair.  These resources enable our ability to kindly let friends know why this challenge was undertaken and why it is important.

My personal feeling is that everyone should watch the movie, The True Cost (it's amazing)... and it's probably worth watching more than once over time.  The books are listed in no particular order.  See which ones look most interesting and are available from the local library and read one or two.  It's extremely helpful for me to have images and stories pop into my head when I consider my clothing choices.  Get ready to be moved.  This is important stuff and we can have an impact!

Watch:
​The True Cost
Unravel (15 min.)

Read:
Overdressed || Greta Eagan
Where Am I Wearing? || Kelsey Timmerman
Wear No Evil || Elizabeth L. Cline

​not pictured:  
Naked Fashion || Safia Minney
To Die For:  Is Fashion Wearing out the World || Lucy Siegle
Slow Fashion:  Aesthetics meet Ethics || Safia Minney

An updated list here.

Love,
Jane

we've had some days lately where dinner had to be on the go for some and at different times for others.  i decided to make some jarred meals as a way for each one to have their portion ready when they needed it.
this meal was a sort of pesto pasta, and it was so good.  

i may be the only person in the universe, but i don't really love garlic.  it tastes pretty good in my mouth, but i really don't like it coming out of my (or other's) pores.  so i thought i'd try to make some pesto out of what i had (which did not include garlic).  there were two stalks of basil + tons of chives growing in our garden... in they go.  about a tablespoon of pepper flakes + a small handful of pecans + a bit of salt + a glug of olive oil... and a whirl in the blender.  i was pleasantly surprised to find that this pesto had the little mouth sizzle and spicy feel of garlic pesto... but none of the delayed effects.  no need to use exact ingredients with pesto, just use what you've got.  it's a great way to use wilty bits of green stuff.  :)
​

pesto pasta to go

tomatoes
chickpeas (bought bulk)
cooked pasta (bought in a cardboard box)
grated cheese, ours was pepper jack (bought at cheese counter, put into our container)
pesto (ours was made from fresh basil, fresh chives, olive oil, pecans, pepper flakes, salt...blended in the blender) (herbs grown at home + other bulk ingredients)

layer and enjoy!  refrigerate for later.  when we eat these at home, i like to warm up the jar in the microwave for 30 seconds (after removing the cheese).  this just pretty much brings it to room temperature.

in order to really mix things together, i like to dump it out onto a plate or bowl.  a lot of food fits into that jar! for the ones who need to eat it on the go, it might be nice to dump, stir and pour back into the jar to mix all the flavors.

this would be great for a picnic or road trip meal!

love,
jane

life doesn't bring you joy.  you bring joy to life.  ~erwin raphael mcmanus in wide awake

one of the biggest items in our kitchen is our table.  even so, it's pretty small as far as tables go...just 42 inches in diameter.  it works perfectly for four, however, and fits our smallish space well.  its round shape allows us to move around it smoothly and also provides some variety of shape in this angular space.  it was found it on craigslist after a very specific and lengthy search.  i wanted a table with a leaf in order to provide us with the space to have friends over to eat at the table.  a round table is quite flexible that way.  it always seems like you can squeeze in one more.

i've considered adding a desk to our bedroom many times over the years, but always come to the conclusion that it is unnecessary.  this table does the job.  better to leave the space open in the bedroom for stretching and yoga.  i like to work at the table, because it provides the best light in the house.

it is where the girls have done their schoolwork each morning for years (afternoons often receive a little more comfy setting).  we, of course, eat every meal at this table.  it has been the gathering spot for birthday tea parties and craft parties.    lazy conversations take place here.  we eat with and play games with friends at this table.  craft projects get spread out over its surface.

with all this use, the table stays pretty clean.  things need to be put away in order to make room for its next performance.  it's a benefit of having few surfaces.

​this table might be the most obvious multi-functional thing in our kitchen, but it also might be the most useful.  it's the gathering spot where we all come together.

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

love,
jane

rae hoekstra has a fun and approachable style.  i appreciate that she seems to design what she'd like to wear. i am a fan of loose shift dresses, and when i saw her first ruby dress, i kept my fingers crossed that she would make it into a pattern.  i bought the pattern right away when she did and waited for the need for a dress to arise in my simple wardrobe.

i sewed a wearable muslin, and really loved the fit.  it is my ideal dress... truly.  and yet... i don't have a ruby in my current wardrobe.  the bright colors of my wearable ruby muslin just didn't fit with what i wanted to wear at the time, so i let it go.  i actually have (amazing) fabric for a new ruby, but it's bright too.  i know it will look super cute, when i'm ready... but am not quite ready to wear it yet.  i'm not saying this is exemplary behavior, but it's the truth.  

i think i'd wear a white linen ruby tons, but i have two white linen dresses already.

i did sew a ruby up in julia's size this spring, and it is perfect.  (this one is made with some linen/cotton essex in rose.)  it was difficult to find patterns (and readymade clothes) for julia this year.  she is at a size that just sort of disappears from the shops.  she is no longer a child, but not quite a woman either.  so... it was exciting to find that ruby fits julia.  the neck and arm scythes are high and the shape works well.  ruby is one of the simplest patterns to sew, takes relatively little fabric, and comes together quickly.

i've also sewn rae's baby pants as gifts.  they can be made from a free pattern, use a very small amount of fabric...and are just so stinkin' cute!

rae's luna pants look fun, simple and comfy too.  i think jo + julia would like them (and look cute in them), so maybe that will be my next made-by-rae pattern to try.

rae makes some kids' clothes patterns (including boys) and also designs cute fabrics for cloud9 (who makes organic cotton fabrics + these are knits!).  her next collection is called sidewalk and is cute... i love the little pairs of shoes.

so, yeah.  rae and ruby (+ a little rhubarb)... a favorite... in waiting...sort of.  :)

parts 01, 02, 03, o4, 05, 06 of this series.

love,
​jane

my thought was pickles, when i planted these cucumbers.  jo is in love with pickles...so much so that i've helped julia make them as gifts for jo.  i don't really love pickles from the store, but i really do like fresh crunchy ones that haven't sat in their brine too long.

i've made pickles before where you heat water and dissolve the salt and sugar in it... but when i saw this recipe, i thought i'd give this method a try (with a little tweaking).  it just seemed so easy.  what resulted were some of the simplest and tastiest pickles yet.  here is my take:

the easiest (and tastiest) pickles

cucumbers, sliced short or long ways (always taste the peel to make sure it is tasty- some are bitter)
1/2 c. white vinegar or cider vinegar
1 1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. dill 
2 tsp. sugar
2 tsp. red pepper flakes

i used a large mason jar and put as many cucumber slices as i could fit into the jar.  add the rest of the ingredients and shake.  refrigerate and shake when you open the refrigerator.  these were tasty right away, but can be eaten for 3 weeks.

the night i made these, i just couldn't resist tossing the tomatoes i picked in with a whole jar.  we added some feta cheese and it was delicious.  this could be an entire meal, if some pasta and fresh mozzarella were added.

love,
​jane

the joy of less || francis jay (aka miss minimalist)  

jane cumberbatch's recipes for every day || jane cumberbatch (obviously)  

it's all easy || gwyneth paltrow + thea baumann

pure style living ||  jane cumberbatch


wanna make shoes?  + cute new pattern
jumpsuit uniform.
exxon knew.
evolution of thought.
what made in america can look like.

this weekend i hope you appreciate all the beauty that is already you + find lots to hug with your eyes.  :)

love,
jane