Monday Musings: Fraxel, Floods, and the Canadian Tuxedo Debate
Happy Monday, ladies. I hope the weekend treated you gently and gave you at least one good laugh—or at the very least, a piece of chocolate.
My own birthday last week was… let’s just say, memorable. It began with my physical therapist working me over (they call it “manual therapy,” I call it sanctioned face-pummeling). I’m still faithfully scraping away with my gua sha in the hopes of loosening what feels like a jaw carved from granite. Add in a washing machine that decided to flood the apartment, plus a couple of unexpected family health curveballs, and the day felt a little less “Happy Birthday” and a little more “Are you kidding me?”
But my family rallied. They took me out, made me feel celebrated, and yes—chocolate was involved. That part made everything a bit softer around the edges.
Fraxel and the “Muzzle”
I also had a Fraxel laser treatment last week. My dermatologist casually referred to the area we’re treating as “my muzzle.” I nearly snorted tea across the room. Technically, she’s not wrong—it’s the space around the mouth—but still. Nothing like being compared to a schnauzer while lying under a laser.
We’re targeting solar elastosis, the sun damage from my carefree younger years when sunscreen was optional. The saving grace has been my daughter’s ice roller, which she keeps tucked in the freezer. I’ve borrowed it so often it’s basically mine now. Honestly, it’s the only thing keeping my face from looking like I spent the weekend in a boxing ring. Puffy? Absolutely. Close-up ready? Not yet.
Home Decorating Adventures
Meanwhile, decorating continues for my daughter’s home. She finally chose a beautiful chandelier she loves and a set of handwoven rattan arm chairs with a European cafe vibe… to pair with the antique table she found months ago. These chairs are gorgeous– a Danish/Japanese design from Sika that she has been keeping an eye on for a while. They go very well with this gorgeous French vintage-inspired mirror she has had for several years. We’ve been musing a lot about how to mix antique and modern pieces so her home feels elegant, modern, and just eclectic enough to be interesting. I’d love your take—do you enjoy blending old with new, or do you prefer a single style carried throughout a space?
The Canadian Tuxedo Debate
And finally—outfit controversy. I wore denim on denim the other day. The full Canadian tuxedo. Now, I actually like the look. Done well, I think it feels polished and modern. But something about my version just didn’t land, and I can’t quite put my finger on why.
Maybe the washes were too close, maybe the proportions were off—who knows. I have my suspicions, but I’d love to hear yours. Do you wear double denim? And if you do, what makes it work for you?
Be honest, but please—be kind.
What about you—did your week hold any surprises, big or small? And where do you land on mixing antique with modern—or the Canadian tuxedo?
Sorry on the derm comment, that was an ouch. On the denim on denim, I like the jacket and jeans on you, but maybe have some contrast with the shirt, to a white or light pink, peach? Also darker blue sneakers. I like each piece but would wear it with some contrast. I have had tops in the same shade as the long sleeve tshirt, and cannot wear them unless they have a sharp contrast to my jeans. Have a blessed week!
I know you love the monochromatic look, but perhaps this was a little too much blue? Maybe a patterned or striped shirt and a contrasting color with a bag that picked up some of the contrasting colors would have worked well. Also, black jeans look great with a blue denim jacket and a crisp white shirt with some pretty silver jewelry. You always look good no matter what you wear! I hope your face is feeling better this week!
Thanks Mary Lou. It’s on the mend and not as uncomfortable as Sat, that’s for sure.
Hi Jennifer – as a Canadian I definitely do the tuxedo! Living in the country it’s a mainstay in my wardrobe. The lighter wash is lovely on you – I think if you mixed up a bit with a white t-shirt and darker denim jacket it would be perfect! A little contrast in the denim makes it all work best! Thanks for all your candour, love how “real” you are! Heal well !
Jennifer, I think this is a very cute outfit and I’m actually inspired by it. But I know what you mean. Maybe the shirt needs texture and a slightly lighter shade? And maybe a v-neck so there’s a little more skin showing and a necklace? I think it’d be fun if in a future post you take some of whatever suggestions you get here and do the outfit again! This really helps us learn how to take an outfit from good to great!
Happy Birthday Jennifer! I truly believe that every birthday is a gift. We all know friends who would have literally given anything to have lived to the age we are now. I try to honor them by truly appreciating every birthday I’m given (73 this past May!) I once asked my 42 year daughter her opinion of denim on denim, and I was met with a very solemn negative shake of the head. However, I occasionally do it, but not full blown. In your case, possibly a different color tee and sneakers? I laughed at the term “Canadian tuxedo.” We summer in Massachusetts where we have the term “Cape Cod tuxedo” for men. Blue blazer, Vineyard Vines tie, and off white pants. Finally, bravo to you and your daughter for tackling decorating. I have no confidence in my ability in that arena. Hence, it’s always a decorator for me!
Thanks Maria!
I don’t think your outfit looks bad at all, just very very casual. Do you think that is why you weren’t totally comfortable with it? Nothing jumps out and says “smart”. That happens to me sometimes. Maybe a cropped jean jacket or skinnier jeans , or a necklace. You will figure out how to tweak it next time. Good luck!!
The colors of the denim are too similar. A lighter, different color tee would be better. A white button down would have stood out.
It’s nice to see everyone makes fashion mistakes.
Hold you head up high. We are still beautiful even when the outfit doesn’t work.
Hello!
I think the denim on denim looks good on the top half but maybe the jeans are not quite the right colour? White would be great of course! A darker wash of jeans might look better. Also, sorry, but I don’t think the blue trainers do you any favours! The ubiquitous white always look fresh and more modern, or a tan colour.
How awful of your dermatologist to refer to your ‘muzzle’! No way dies it look saggy or baggy!!!
Best wishes from a UK reader.
Good morning, beautiful lady! I too love a Canadian tuxedo! Maybe all the pieces were too close in the intensity/tone? For what it’s worth, you always look great!
Happy Monday!
I like your denim on denim look. Proportions appear good no me. I think the blue tee throws it off. A darker or lighter blue there will do the trick.
Love the antique and modern mix😊
I think denim on denim either needs to be a complete match OR a definite contrast (light and dark) to make it work. If it’s a close but not quite match, it just looks a little off.
Good morning and Happy Birthday! My first thought is that the blues in the Canadian tuxedo picture are your colors! Your face looks radiant and not at all like you went through what you went through! If I had to pick it apart, I would say that the jacket might be too long. When I crop the jacket in the photo with my hand, it seems to work better to my eye. I would maybe switch out the purse to something bigger and slouchier as well. That last one is impossible to picture so I could be wrong. Secondly, when I was thin, and in my mid thirties, a dentist was evaluating me for Invisalign. He was saying it would help straighten my front teach and.. “help with this!”. As he said “help with this”, he POKED MY STOMACH!! I obviously went with a different dentist but who does that?! Imagine if I had been an insecure teen instead of a grown woman. Honestly!
Thank you Anne! That’s shocking what that dentist said, and did! How dare he?
First off, you always look pulled together :). In this case, I think a darker wash denim and a pop of color in the T and/or shoes (that’s a lot of blue!) and it would have looked more polished. I’m going to try it myself this fall when it cools off in Florida.
just a different color tee I think. keep the long look with
everything else. I personally am not a denim tuxedo fan😽
I think denim on denim works, but I would add a different color top and perhaps different color athletic shoes. That might have perked it up a bit.
I feel it’s the blue shirt.
That was my first thought too.
I completely agree—just swap the top for another color, and you’re good to go! When it comes to furniture, mixing styles from different periods is the way to go. An eclectic look adds so much more character than perfectly matched pieces, in my opinion.
I can’t wait to see your laser results! I’ve had a full-face treatment before, and the pain was beyond what I can describe. Wishing you a smooth healing process—it’s definitely a journey, but absolutely worth it in the end.
On another note, I want you to know how much your health journey posts have helped me. My daughter recently discovered a large mole on her calf. Her doctor said it was nothing, but after reading your story, I shared it with her and will keep encouraging her to seek a second opinion. Also, your experience with dry eyes has been incredibly valuable to me, as I’m dealing with similar issues. Thank you for sharing all of this—it’s been such a great resource.
I’m so happy to hear it’s been helpful Joan! Please encourage her to be persistant until she’s satisfied.
Good morning, I think one piece of denim and an older woman, such as myself, is good. An all denim look is too much. It looks like I’m trying to hard to look young.
I think it doesn’t work with the shirt
In my opinion your pants are too long for those shoes, maybe shorter pants or rolled pants with a red ballet flat or black boots, but not round toes, and a white shirt with the collar up or a black and white stripe tee or a graphic tee, and add a belt with any top. You could do a chambray shirt partially unbuttoned with a neutral tank. That was fun! I need someone to do that with all my outfits.
Jennifer I feel the jacket is too long. Also a contrasting, perhaps white top would break up the blues. I’m not a fan of full same wash denim.