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 a 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

We've scraped ice off of windshields, dragged comforters to the basement for tornado warnings + ridden bikes in tank tops all in the span of a week. Yup, spring is here! Dressing in the mornings isn't quite so automatic lately, and it all has me thinking about how I'll be dressing in the weeks to come. 

Button-ups are often the right answer to crisp mornings that turn into sunbaked afternoons. I'm liking them oversized + slouchy...sleeves rolled to the wrist or shoved up past the elbow...buttoned up to the top or not...undone at the bottom...tied around the waist...collared or not...crisp, comfortable + versatile.

My favorite spots to look for button-ups (other than my own closet) are in my partner's closet or the men's section of thrift stores. The tightly woven cotton shirtings used in these shirts are often washed down to soft, yet crisp, perfection. I sometimes like to remove oversized collars + always roll too long sleeves. (I'm still wearing that one most mornings!)

While the fairest button-ups are already in our closets, it's not hard to find fresh, fairly made button-ups. A few of my current favorites are from Imogene + Willie, Ozma + Waltz.

Happy Spring!

Photos via links that I could find. 

Love,
Jane

The picture drew me in...beautiful, calm enoughness. My eyes lift to my own simple abundance: a cup of warm coffee + a stack of good words + blank pages beside my bed. Shelves in my closet stacked (not crammed) with clothing that feels good + keeps me warm. 

Winter solstice is in sight + we've lived through autumn. This bundle of days past now feels like a capsule in time that I can interrogate. I've dressed for all-day roadtrips, lamplit gatherings, brisk dog walks, leisurely coffee dates, leaf-crunching bike rides, festive workdays + cozy evenings. My wardrobe has served me well.

Current favorites:

• ivory, carpenter cords
• faded jeans
• natural sweatshirt + sweats
• navy bandana
• navy sweatshirt

Additions (July-now):

• brown sweatshirt
• cashmere neckerchief
• red long-sleeved tee
• quilted vest
• quilted jacket

​
Let go of:

• two holey cashmere sweaters 
• thrifted sweater that I found out I'm allergic to 
• black jeans
• navy button up

Noting:

• the cashmere I can afford gets holes within a year + holes continue to proliferate :: I think the fibers are too short + the yarn is too thin
• I am allergic to alpaca...and mohair :(
• at the moment, I'm not reaching for black
• recognizing that a purchase is not for me quickly allows me to get it into the hands of someone who will use it quickly
• the goal isn't to always be purging things - that would signal that the buying is still too high - but also, letting go + adding will always be part of the equation, because things wear out + "new" (borrowed, thrifted, made, traded, fair) things will probably be necessary eventually

Still thinking about: 

• the color + texture combinations of the sweater outfit on a friend the other day: rust sweater sweats with a drawstring + chocolate brown cardigan + long, cobalt blue scarf + silver loafers. SO GOOD!
• a color combination that popped out at me from my Noihsaf likes: a chocolate brown Shaina Mote sweater + hot pink Jenny Pennywood Everywhere Square. Yum.

As always, I put things here, not necessarily as specific inspiration, but more as general inspiration for thinking through the same sort of categories. A photo of a bedroom corner sparked an autumn closet evaluation. I love giving my mind space to roam + seeing where it leads. Wishing you some spacious mind wanders this weekend too! :)

Love,
Jane

I love the ways inspiration winds its way into my outfits, my home, my actions, my relationships, my makes, my life. Most of my favorite inspiration finds are ones that I can make happen with what I already have. I think that's a big part of what I find inspiring about this collection from bon. It made me want to head to my own collection of goodies to put together outfits I'd like to wear as the seasons shift.

Tuning in to my personal style has fine-tuned what I find inspiring out there.

• Indigo is my basic (rather than black) these days.
• Sweatshirts are winning over sweaters. 
• And monochromatic looks punctuated by a single, staccato color make me happy.

With these thoughts affirmed for another season, I can rest in the goodness of the vintage, fair, old + new pieces I've curated over the years. The utility of a piece or two that attracts my attention (if that happens) can be affirmed too.

Love,
Jane

Things of quality have no fear of time.

From growing food to minimizing packaging at the grocery store, mending to shopping secondhand, line drying clothing to borrowing books from the library...living lighter on the planet is a daily consideration.

I believe in its good intention, but the tagline, "Less, but better" always hits me wrong. It sounds like a recipe for discontent...an endless quest for better with a trail of castoffs laying in its wake. That kinda feels like my default setting, and I'm looking for a better way to live. Less + enough are my touch points for more compassionate living that considers living things + the planet. 

I came across the statement, "Things of quality have no fear of time" today, and it sounded right. It actually brought me back to the things I already have that are standing strong over time...things like my B-sides jeans that are just the right fit for me. The quality, weighty, 100% cotton, denim is still going strong after years of wear. The same fit is still available (+ still feels current), so I've been able to collect a few colors over the years.

My midcentury army pants + jacket have to be my wardrobe's best examples of quality standing the test of time. These favorites came with evidence of wear, but the fact that there is still more wear in them is deliciously interesting to me. 

I'm also intrigued by the quality of items that were designed decades ago + have been selling well enough to keep them in production over time. I've always loved these classics that don't seem to go out of style, but I think these pieces look especially good on me as I get older. In Maine this summer, I was able to try on a quilted vest by Utility Canvas that I've admired for probably 25 years. It's one of those things that was an instant "yes", and I'm certain I'll be wearing it for a long, long time.

And finally, if an item has the quality of being treasured enough, it will endear itself to the special care of mending, repairing and reinforcing so that it can continue to be worn. My army jacket came to me with holes + the need for new buttons. The time I've spent stitching it has only increased the quality of my connection with it.

In line with my quest to reinvigorate my love for what I already have (if you've been around for a while, there are probably a lot of repeats...but that's kinda the point, right?), here is a little list of the things already in my closet that I'm loving for autumn:

• quality that I buy on repeat:
  • those B Sides Jeans :: Plein is my fit 
  • cozy sweatshirts :: Domi + Perfect White Tee are my faves 
• quality that has already stood the test of time:
  • a soft, vintage blue bandana 
  • those vintage army pants + patched jacket
• quality that stays in production​
  • classic Blundstones 
  • Birkenstocks 
  • a quilted vest 

Love,
Jane

We're in the midst of planning a future trip + I've thought (just a little) about what clothing I'll be packing. I LOVE traveling with no more than a backpack to keep track of, so that limit has me thinking of having room for only my favorites. 

I love this kind of thinking, because in the same way spending lots of time shopping + scrolling other's outfits informs my thought patterns...this sort of thinking influences my thoughts. Thinking about how wearing just a few of my favorites all week long will make me happy + will feel like enough is SO exciting to me. It might sound silly, but really...after spending weeks fruitlessly searching for a pair of shorts that will satisfy a particular longing or a top that will add a little fun to my work outfits...well, coming home to the goodness that already exists in my wardrobe feels like sweet relief.

I wish I could say that I am dialed in to "enough" + trust it with total peace in my heart...but I don't...not all of the time anyway. I visit that elusory place periodically + somewhat unpredictably...so when I get there or glimpse it momentarily, I take note + celebrate.

So...here I am...feeling good about wearing a pair of linen shorts with my swim suit, a sweatshirt, a tank top +/or a button up. Those same tops will pair well with linen pants or overalls (two really good options). My trusty windbreaker, my bandana + baseball cap will round out my collection of favorites, and I will be smiling in all the selfies we take. The End.  :)

Wishing you all first class tickets stamped with the destination: "Enough". Enjoy your visit + make lots of memories!

Love,
Jane

Sokoi's Laurel linen pants are my new favorite soft pants. Soko designed these pants to be used for yoga which means I can put them on in the morning before stretching + sun salutations. I can wear them while I hang out crosslegged on the couch + when I meet Jo for coffee. I wear them to work, and I'm wearing them to a fancy concert tonight. They are breezy with a tank top + cozy with a cashmere sweater. 

This is how I want my wardrobe to work. I don't want to have to have yoga pants + work pants, fancy pants, winter pants, summer pants, grocery store pants + pajama pants. I don't want to have to change my clothes four times a day. I hope that it's clear that this is not about a certain pair of pants. This is about a certain way of thinking.

I remember trying to imagine the ideal smallest wardrobe that could work for me. The pivotal item was a pair of seasonless, soft pants like these. I think it's an interesting exercise to imagine how little I could live + function with. It empowers me to imagine living with a smaller footprint, living in a smaller home, making less money, weathering a crisis, and with greater contentment with what I have. So, yeah...these feel like magical pants!

All lovely images via Sokoi.

Love,
Jane

One day with temperatures in the 80s was all it took for me to start thinking about shorts. My eye currently likes the proportions of shorter shorts with oversized button ups + midlength shorts with fitted tank tops. But I'm interested in training my eye to appreciate the proportions of knee length shorts. I really like the idea of sitting down in shorts + having them still covering a comfortable amount of thigh. :)

It's not easy to find knee-length-shorts looks on the internet that don't involve heels, blazers or belly baring tops which just don't hold any interest for me. My preference is toward easy, worn-in + not too serious outfits. 

My notes (toward my preferences) so far:

• the shorts shouldn't be too tight (which is good for summer temps as well)
• billowy, oversized button-ups with rolled sleeves
• ankle baring sandals
• fitted, waistband-skimming tanks + tees
• hemmed shorts can skew a bit less casual

Inspiring photos via links or pinterest.

Love,
Jane

How do you update your wardrobe for a new season? 

When I was growing up, I remember going to the mall at the start of a new season + talking with my mom about what the new colors of the season seemed to be. It was fun to try a few things on, see if they suited us, and perhaps add a new color or style to our wardrobes. 

I still like to browse the new ethical clothing collections to see what new colors + shapes they have to offer each season. I also like to know that anything I purchase will be useful in my wardrobe + life. That insight comes from pulling everything out of my closet at the beginning of the season + making piles of pants, sweaters, short sleeved tees, etc. It's always helpful to see how many of each I have. I try on outfits + think through ways to wear things. 

Today, I set aside a few pieces that I like, but don't wear often. I'm thinking through the reasons I choose other pieces more often: I adjust this one all day...this neckline isn't my favorite...I feel a bit washed out in this one...these sleeves are a little too puffed. I play around with them...maybe if I roll the sleeves...maybe with these pants. A few things get listed on a resale site. I'll try wearing a couple this week in new ways (decisions pending).

These observations + actions are my data. I'm refining my style + my ability to add only pieces that stand the test of time.

I haven't shopped at the mall in a long time. These are the try on sessions that matter most to me now. Honestly, I'm sure they always have been. 

Laying eyes on all of the good things that are already in my wardrobe is really satiating. It is very good to think about updates from a place of satisfaction. Do I need updates or am I just settling back in to the pieces that make me feel good? Maybe the update I need most is to my thinking rather than to my wardrobe after all.

Love,
​Jane

Yesterday, I wrote about realizing (again) that less is enough. Today, I'm proclaiming that enough is fantastic!  :)  It is for me anyway.
 
I get to wear my favorites more often.
I can purchase things that I love (even if they cost a little more), because I don't buy many of them.
I get to support some of my favorite makers making good things in good ways out of good materials.
I have time to search for vintage things.
I enjoy caring for + mending my things in order to make them last longer.
The laundry takes less time + doesn't pile up.
I feel like me in my clothes.

In the mix above:

• my two comfy sweatshirt + sweat pant pairings
• my favorite jeans
• a vintage bandana
• a cozy flannel I've had for years

Kinda fantastic!  :)

Love,
​Jane