Autumn is one of the times of year this tribe looks forward to most. Clothing-wise, it is just the best. The sweltering heat relents, + the cold is still at bay. Autumn is the glorious in-between. Bare legs under a dress or skirt seem just right. Long sleeves aren't too much + an extra layer in the mornings + evenings is welcome. Autumn colors are just so lush + lovely...and the textures too.

Spring + summer seem like the perfect times to thrift for sturdy linen + flowy dresses. Autumn offers the chance to layer up those pieces with a long sleeved button-down tied at the waist. Later that same button-down can slide easily under a sweater. A longer dress with sleeves might be just right for gathering all the autumn goodness from the farmers market. Add + subtract a linen, denim, corduroy, or velvet jacket as needed. Soft denim feels good again + light sweaters cozy things up just right.

Autumn is the perfect time to search for durable, second-hand denim, velvet, corduroy + leather. Resilient silk + cashmere are treasures to thrift as well. The pieces above look to show little or no wear at all. A piece or two could add a lovely touch of crisp autumn to what's already in the closet. Oh Autumn...we love you.

All lovely photos via links.

Love,
Jane

quote :: Sojourner Truth
artwork :: rifle paper co. (photo via)

I made a list of everyday wardrobe items a little more than a year ago. My goal was + is to have a sort of system that helps me to know what I need + to stick to "enough". Less resources consumed. Less wondering what goes with what, because the goal is for everything to mix with everything. Less to mend + repair + care for...making it more manageable to do so. Less searching for second hand, sewing, or investing in a fairly made piece...again making it more manageable to do so when necessary. I'm not prescribing this list to anyone else...we each have our own needs, desires, circumstances + climates to contend with. This has simply been a personal process of experimenting + observing...and for some reason I find it quite interesting.  :)

I'm happy to report that the list has worked very well this year. It gives me a bit of a thrill to know how few pieces are really necessary. I have long ago forgotten the aversion to wearing the same things day after day. I will not say that I have never been tempted to expand the list...but its existence has kept me from doing so. I know that the items on the list, when chosen well, are "enough" to keep me clothed appropriately for the vast majority of situations + weather in which I find myself. Straying too far from this list might signal that I've let my wants get a little bit out of control...or that I might want to take stock of what state my mind is in. Of course this is very personal...and I am gentle + kind with myself...while striving for restraint as well. I'm a work in very slow progress.  :)

A few of the ways this list has been positive this year ::
-I like my clothes. Each piece serves a purpose + I know I'm prepared.
-This list is now tested (for my current life). I haven't encountered a situation this year for which I was unprepared ...clothing-wise.  :)
-The list slows me down. I really need to consider if a new piece is better than what I already have...because something has to go to make space for something new.
-I know that I have enough...or that replacing just one worn out thing will still be enough.
-There aren't too many combinations to think through, when I want to make sure a new piece will match everything.
-I have a more cohesive, well thought out wardrobe.
-It keeps spending in check. Even if I were to replace a bunch of pieces in one season...there just wouldn't be that much to replace.
-I don't end up with things that I never (or seldom) wear.
-I've found my personal basics + that mixing in a few sprinkles keeps things interesting.
-Making fair choices is a little bit easier. Less to replace means I can spend a little more time thrifting or sewing...or a little more money buying something that provides fair wages.
-The guilt about using more than my fair share of resources is lessened.
-I feel like this is a system that helps me to live in tune with my values. Less. Enough. Fair.
-Laundry is easier. Less to wash. Things were worn more often before washing. I don't let the pile get too big, because I need my clothes back.  :)
-My closet feels spacious + organized.
-I can get my seasonal wardrobes set early in the season + then just get on with living.
-Most of the year, I didn't think about shopping! This is huge for me + I want more of that!
​-It has strengthened my faith + trust in "enough" elsewhere in my life.

Needless to say, I'm keeping my list...with a few tweaks...based on the things I've learned this year. I love learning.  :)

Love,
​Jane

I am a huge fan of leftovers. They feel like a gift from my past self. With a leftover half of an acorn squash, 1/4 of a can of coconut milk, some leftover quinoa, + a jar of beans...this was the result + it was delicious. There was no plan, but sometimes...one thing at a time...it just all comes together.  :)

Coconut Squash Grain Bowl
quinoa
black beans
spinach
1/2 acorn squash (cooked)
1/4 can of coconut milk
plain yogurt
pepper flakes
cinnamon
ginger
salt

Blend all ingredients from squash on down. Pour over the others.  :) Enjoy!

(We ate ours with the leftover half of a local honeydew.)

Love,
Jane

I've been asking myself for years if I could (or wanted to) wear a uniform. I've sort of had unintentional, seasonal uniforms at different points which simply reflected the silhouettes I loved at the time...a striped tee + jeans + cardigan...just dresses...a tank + shorts...jeans + a top. When I think of a uniform loosely like this, it doesn't seem very intimidating.

When we moved to London, we were taken shopping for Jo's school uniform. She was to wear a white button down shirt, blazer, skirt, tie, socks, black shoes, + black coat. I'd never worn a school uniform + neither had my girls. We didn't have access to a washer or dryer at that time...and when we finally did, there was only a washer (no dryer). Under these circumstances, I would have bought a number of tops + skirts...but was told that 2 tops + one skirt would be enough. And...it pretty much was...even with the added drying time in that damp climate!

What if I didn't just think of uniform dressing as a series of similar tops being worn with a series of similar bottoms...but as just one or two tops being worn with the same one or two bottoms? What would even be the benefit of such thought? I'm wondering if it would get me to the point of wearing out my clothing more often instead of moving on from it before it is finished being worn. I don't have any problem with passing beautiful clothing on to be worn by another...or wearing wonderful secondhand clothing for a period of time before passing it on again. I have, however, had a little trouble lately with the reality of this scenario. 

So...I would love for my enthusiasm for a piece of clothing to endure for that piece's wearable lifetime. I think lavishing all of my love for a certain style on one (or two) pieces rather than spreading it over a greater number of pieces in that style could be a step in the right direction. 

Which brings me to this pair of pants that (I'm sorry) have shown up around here quite a bit. I suppose they were a sort of uniform for me this summer (my favorite pants for sure). When I found this (giant) hole in them...I found it a bit strange to actually be feeling a sort of happiness. I know that I can no longer find any more of this fabulous fabric (I had already tried). But...I find it so exciting to have loved a piece of clothing enough to have (almost) worn it out. My wabi-sabi patch job will allow me to get a little more use out of these pants (because new patch on very thin fabric will not last forever...and this is a weird sort of visible bum patch). And then, I can move on to a new uniform without guilt. 

Love,
​Jane