Saturday at Home in California
Do you ever have one of those weeks when everything turns to crap? I often do, but this past one was a doozy.
I flew home from Vancouver on Monday, wearing a new Eileen Fisher vest and top—both in the color Alpine. That alone felt like a departure, since I usually stick to neutrals. But I didn’t stop there. I pinned on a few favorite brooches, tied on a fun, patterned scarf, and fully embraced the moment: color, pattern, and styling that was anything but minimal.
I felt stylish, but in retrospect, I looked and felt exhausted. Perhaps that’s why I kept adding accessories… for the lift and energy they can provide.
And then… things took a turn.
I won’t rehash it all here, but let’s just say I hit a wall. I sat down to write, and the words simply wouldn’t come. So I did the only thing I could…I gave myself permission to step away and let the blog be quiet. I’ve gotten into the habit of posting 5 days a week, so I felt a bit unnerved when it went quiet… but that’s all I could manage.
I’m also going to skip my Sunday email and see if I can start next week on a stronger footing.
Bestsellers last week:
These New Balance sneakers were the best-seller by a landslide. I love mine so much, I may order them in a different color.
This Zella knit tunic is also on its way to many of you…I’ll have to check it out myself!
Many readers ordered these Spanx straight-leg jeans! I love the way spanx pants fit so I’ll be ordering them to try.
This Ryka Walking sneaker was also very popular this week, as was this Vionic water repellent walking sneaker. We all know how important comfortable shoes are, so I’m glad to know you enjoy the content I share about them.
My new Vionic Moto Boots were also very popular this week. I love mine, so I hope you enjoy yours!
This Paul Green bootie was also a big hit! This brand is seldom on sale, so many of you took advantage of the markdown.
On my Radar:
I’m very excited to have an upcoming collaboration with Walmart for the holidays. I know many of you are budget-conscious, especially this time of year, so it will be fun to share my finds with you!
And on that note, a reader asked whether I would get credit for her purchase if she mentioned to the store staff that she learned about the item from me. Sadly, no. I only earn a small commission if you shop through my links online, and only if my link is the last one you click before purchasing.
I’ve been on the hunt for a brown woven suede shoulder bag. I spotted this amazing bag yesterday, but it’s only a clutch, and although that’s a popular style these days…I’m not that cool and prefer a handle of some sort. What I have been carrying is my new Cuyana tote in cherry!
Has anyone else noticed that the Google logo is candy cane striped? Argh…it’s not even Halloween yet!
Thanks for reading, and be sure to take time for self-care, in whatever form it takes.
Hope you get some much needed rest this weekend! Take care of yourself.
You inspire so many of us to be ourselves and to feel good about ourselves. Your absence was missed but hopefully we all reflected on personal fulfillment just like you need to do by taking a mental break. Enjoy your Sunday!,
Jennifer, I absolutely loved your EF travel outfit in that alpine color. You looked stylish and confident, in my opinion. Sorry you felt under the weather, though. Take care of yourself as we all need “down” time once in awhile. Glad to hear you took some time off.
I think the candy stripe may actually be a baseball with the stitching for the World Series. At least I hope so!! Have a great day!
Yes!
Hi Jennifer, giving oneself a mental break is always a good thing. BTW, the Google logo is/was actually ‘baseball stitched’, in honor of the start of the World Series, and links to stories of historic World Series winner celebrations. 🙂
Yes!! I had no idea
Thanks for pointing that out (World Series) as I was just about to. We are (like many Canadians) making fun of a certain man who had a hissy-fit over an ad from Ontario (oh, just grow up) and enjoying the rivalry between the Jays and the Dodgers. Some great baseball to watch. My husband grew up in LA, so he feels he can legitimately cheer either team (I quietly remind him he won’t be popular if he cheers the Dodgers at the pub!). Hope you had a restful weekend and feel back to your healthy self soon. And I love the alpine colour, too!
Love, love, love the brooches and the alpine color on you!
Oh! I thought the Google logo was baseball stitching for the first day of the World Series. (But I agree about Christmas Creep – didn’t they at least wait until after Halloween to set out Christmas stuff? It’s been out for a few weeks already.)
You’re right
You should be praised for listening to your body and taking rest. When we don’t, we aren’t at our best and that doesn’t help you or us. Rest, we’ll be fine!
Where did you buy your brooches? They are wonderful!! Hope next week goes better. And it is ok to skip posts. Life happens and sometimes you just need a break from everything. We will still be here because friends understand. Ps: the green looks great on you.
One is from a boutique many years ago and the other is from Artful Home. Same designer, Sarah Cavender Metalworks.
Don’t be so hard on yourself! Its ok to crash once and a while and even take a day off. Breath deep, smile and crazy, oops!, carry on! 👍❤
Jennifer, you take care of you! We’ll be here whenever and how often you are able to blog. Take a respite and you’ll be back stronger and better! We all need one from time to time.
Jennifer,
Welcome home. This is a busy time of the year especially for bloggers. Take a break, you deserve it! You work hard and create amazing content. We will all be here when you come back from your well deserved rest.
Looking forward to your Walmart collaboration.
Have a restful weekend.
Thanks Elizabeth!
Good Morning Jennifer. I’m so sorry you had a challenging week. And as a fellow blogger, I’ve said it many times, I’m amazed at how much you do, and I don’t know how you do it. You’re so active on Social Media and posting as many times a week as you do….. you’re amazing. And your final advice for self care is so important. You look fabulous in the outfit you put together for the trip. Great Scarf, those PG booties look amazing on you. Please please please don’t be offended, but I believe that logo was baseball stitching. Yesterday was the opening game of the World Series.
You’re right! I don’t watch sports so it never occurred to me.
Jennifer, everyone needs a good mental health time off from work, even if it is a job we love. I see that need in my youngest daughter who is an emergency room physician. She has 3 very active teens and her husband owns 2 pubs. When she takes a vacation she totally disconnects.
So, disconnect from work and relax your brain and body
Be well❤️
“Mama said there’d be days like this, days like this my mother said”. Hope this week is better. FYI Google doesn’t have candy cane stripes that is the stitching on a baseball. It is World Series time Blue Jays vs somebody, is my Canadian showing, sorry. I hope this little comment gave you at least one smile. Keep up the good work but take time for you too!
Lol! You’re right
Your posts come from the heart and rather than try to force something, post ‘when the spirit moves you’ and do not feel at all uncomfortable when a pause happens. It’s all good. You have a life. We have lives…. You connect with us when it’s the right time. I appreciate all that you share and totally understand when you cannot.
I hope you have a relaxing weekend.
Wishing you well, and by all means, take whatever time you need to recharge. This blog will be here when you return…renewed and ready to go. May I also add, this look with the Eileen Fisher Alpine top & vest (scarf, broaches and all!) is one of my favorite looks on you!!! I immediately thought you looked stunning before I even read into your comments. Feel better, have another cup of tea, and rest! 🩷
Thanks Bunnie. What a beautiful name
At a glance the google logo looked like candy canes to me but on closer look I think it was tiny baseballs because the World Series started yesterday. ⚾️
Love your posts!
so funny: I assumed that the red striping was meant to resemble the stitching on a baseball, since it’s World Series season.
hope you get some good, relaxing rest and are able to recharge.
You’re right it is baseball stitching