Monday Musings: Barrels, Roses, and Books
I’ve been thinking about how much fashion we’re all expected to absorb now. Open your inbox or scroll for five minutes, and suddenly a pair of pants you never wanted is following you around the internet like a bad penny.
In my job as a blogger, I’m exposed to more of it than most. That’s part of the work, of course, but it also explains why my eye occasionally starts to go a little numb.
Barrel jeans are my current example.
The first few times I saw them, I knew they weren’t right for me. Too rounded for my proportions, too casual for the direction my style has been moving. Then I kept seeing them everywhere, and after a while, they didn’t look wrong anymore. They just looked familiar. And familiar can be persuasive.
There’s a real difference between genuine interest and visual fatigue, and it’s worth knowing which one is doing the talking. A small pause helps. Would I want this if I hadn’t seen it everywhere? Does it work with the shoes I actually wear, not the ones in the inspiration photo? Does the silhouette support the proportions I know work for me? Is this the style direction I’m choosing, or just the loudest thing in the room right now?
Which, for the record, is exactly where I should have landed on barrel jeans. Instead, I bought a pair, wore them once, and confirmed everything I’d already figured out. The fit was exactly what it was supposed to be. That was the problem. Turns out ignoring your own questions is a very efficient way to end up with pants you don’t wear. Luckily I bought an inexpensive pair to try. And no, I’m not sharing a photo 🙂
I did also pick up a lantern jean, which is a much better fit for where my style is right now. It’s in the same general shape family, but it’s more subtle, and that difference matters more than I expected.
A New… Art TV
We recently bought our first TV in over a decade. Yes, a decade. We went with the Samsung Frame TV, which displays artwork when it’s not in use, so instead of a large black hole on the wall, you get a rotating gallery. We’ve been cycling through Monet and Van Gogh, and I can’t quite decide what I love most. I tend to prefer watercolors and the classics over modern art, but the jury is still out. Now to choose a frame!
Since we don’t watch much TV anyway, it suits us perfectly. On the actual watching front, we’re slowly making our way through Suits and loving every minute. We’re going to need something next, so please send suggestions. There’s a very good chance we haven’t seen anything you’ve watched and loved in the last decade or so.
A Little Tour of Chantecaille
Last week, my daughter and I went cosmetic shopping, which is how I came home with a small collection of Chantecaille. We went in just to look, and then we started swatching. I’ve been wearing their tinted moisturizer and Lip Chic Lipstick or years. It’s cruelty-free, and each sale supports animal conservation partnerships around the world, which makes the spending feel slightly more virtuous.
EYE SHADOW TRIO IN PURPLE
The surprise favorite was the Flamingo Eye Shade Palette, which we both bought. I don’t usually wear shimmer because too many formulas migrate south by lunchtime, leaving a festive stripe of glitter under my eyes and making me look a little more disco than I’m aiming for. This one somehow works. The tones run cool, and the shimmer reads polished rather than sparkly chaos.
I also picked up the Sheer Glow Rose Face Tint, which I’ve been mixing into my Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer. I never thought I’d voluntarily add shine to my face, but it doesn’t look glittery or greasy, just fresh in a very convincing way. And I repurchased the Rose de Mai Face Mist because I go through it happily. It’s the most hydrating spray I use, and it’s especially good when my skin is dry and the scent is heavenly, so it sits on my bedside table and I happily spritz away.
We also sampled the fragrances, which was dangerous. As you know, I’ve been looking for a new Rose fragrance this spring, so I was drawn to Darby Rose. It’s a fresh, feminine floral with a little warmth underneath. They gave us tiny samples to try, and I liked it so much, I ended up ordering it.
My daughter went straight for Frangipane, the sweeter, softer one, which suits her completely, but it seems to be selling out most places. On the lipstick front, she practically lives in Anemone, and I added Plum Blossom, a soft, muted berry-plum with enough depth to add some life to the face without feeling dark or dramatic.
Vanessa’s Latest Book Recommendation
Vanessa is a voracious reader, and her latest recommendation is 28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand, which she gave five stars. She said it was heartbreaking and completely page-turning, and since it was her first Elin Hilderbrand novel, she wasn’t quite prepared to get pulled in that fast. She finished it in a weekend and spent part of that weekend googling vacation properties in Nantucket, which tells you everything.
The novel was inspired by the film Same Time, Next Year and follows Mallory and Jake, who begin a yearly Labor Day weekend tradition after meeting in Nantucket in 1993. What starts as a romantic escape becomes a decades-long relationship that unfolds one weekend at a time, even as their real lives continue on separate tracks. It’s a story about timing, longing, and the kind of love that leaves a mark, whether or not it fits neatly into a conventional life.
Meanwhile, I’m racing through Still Life. It’s book #1 of Louise Penny’s Inspector Armand Gamache series. I finished How The Light Gets In (number 9), and realized I wanted to work through them from the beginning so I could appreciate the character development.
Are there any Elin Hilderbrand fans here? We’d love to know which of her books are your favorites.
The show Man on the Inside is absolutely delightful! Enjoy the Louise Penny series . While I’m not usually a fan of book series, I’ve read them all & love the characters. The setting & food she writes about positively transport you.
I agree. I can just picture the lovely village.
I wish I could afford Chantecaille, their products are amazing. A few years ago I wandered into Cos Bar in Larkspur and got a full makeup and skin product makeover. Quite a bit money later I left with these products. But I can’t repurchase. I go with Elemis which I love and is in my opinion just as good, but kinder to my pocket book….I also love your new TV….
I am so enjoying Lidia Poet on Netflex. The series is based on the life of a true person in the late nineteenth century in Italy who was disbarred from practicing law ( until 1926) because she was a woman. The costumes and settings are gorgeous, like out of a painting sometimes. Each episode’s mystery is exciting and the acting is suberb. Check it out.
That sounds great!
We just finished watching 2 seasons of Emily in Paris on Netflix, just a fun watch with Lots of beautiful fashion!
I’ve read all of Louise Penny books and can’t wait for the next one! Will try the book your daughter recommended! Read your blog all the time and enjoy that you are so down to earth!
I love Elin Hildebrand books and have several on my shelf. My favorite is Summer of 69. I enjoyed it so much!
I have read every book by Elin Hilderbrand, and enjoyed them all. Her most recent book is cowritten with her daughter. It’s called The Academy and it was very good as well. Summer of ’69 is very good, too, and touches on many events happening at that time-really takes you back!
I am on book 6 of the Louise Penny series. These books were recommended by a friend, and I am reading them in order … each book stands on it’s own, but I think you get more out of it reading chronologically. In addition to the intriguing stories and characters, you can almost smell the delicious sounding food in the cozy bistro!
On the topic of pant styles, after spending time thinking I can’t pull off wide leg jeans, I finally bought a pair, probably because they are everywhere! I actually like them, they remind me of the high waisted, wide leg jeans of the 1970’s which I loved back in the day, and but I also worry that they look too sloppy. Maybe I’ll try on the lantern style. Thanks for your posts Jennifer!
I wore those pants back then too.
Elin Hilderbrand is my favorite author. I have read every single book she’s written. Doesn’t it make you want to go visit Nantucket? I love that Samsung TV. I want that next! I knew from the get go that barrel jeans would never be for me. I’m just finally accepting flares.
lol!
When I first looked at the barrel jeans I laughed and thought since I was only 5ft 1 that I would look like a barrel. When I tried on a petite size I found out that I loved them and they looked great on me. Now my favorite jean. So I guess you never know until you try it.
So true
I also tried barrel pants and quickly regretted my lapse of judgement, but settled in with Eileen Fisher lantern pants for a boost of style. Read Elin’s Winter series starting with Winter Street, but save it for a Christmas read. Love your musings!
Completely agree as to barrel jeans! I am a true petite and they overwhelm me. Re: the Louise Penny books, several friends have told me they are best read in the order they were written. As for TV…..we mainly watch things on PBS. My favorite is “All Creatures Great and Small”, this year’s series (the 6th) has ended but if you are a donor to your local PBS station you could stream it and any of the prior years. Set in rural England, starting in 1940, it centers on a veterinary practice in a small, rural town. Based on books/memoirs written by James Herriot, regarding his veterinary experiences (which include serving in WWII). Beautiful scenery, wonderful character development.
Yes, I am starting at the beggining.
There’s a car in my neighborhood with the bumper sticker, “I want to live in an Elin Hildebrand novel.” LOL. I like the Paradise series (trilogy), which is not as well known but really piqued my interest.
That is funny
Great post! I have not tried on barrel or lantern style jeans…I just don’t know. Straight legs are still my comfort zone. Maybe after summer, I’ll step out of my comfort zone. I very rarely wear jeans when the weather warms.
I’m seeing fewer barrels in the store which usually signals the trend is phasing out. I should have known better.
I’ve read all of Elin Hilderbrand, and was so disappointed to hear she was retiring. I think she is collaborating now with her daughter, though I haven’t read it/those. I find her always readable, but somewhat uneven. She deals very sensitively with flawed characters, and her sense of place is great. I prefer her earlier work. I remember the fails more than the wins, so no fave titles come to mind. I didn’t like one where the heroine was the town festival planner, and one about a hotel, I think called Hotel Nantucket. For a change of pace, she did a trilogy set in St. John in the Caribbean, and I enjoyed those a lot.
Interesting!
Beautiful picture of you and Vanessa.
Thank you so much.
“A Place to Call Home” on Prime Video. Excellent Australian show. 6 seasons. Enjoy!!
Thanks
Try watching “White Collar”. We loved both it and “Suits”.
Thank you!
The Golden Girl was my first Elin Hilderbrand book recommended by my sister. I have read others and I don’t think you can go wrong with any of her books.
I’m with you on barrel jeans. Not happening for this 73 year old! I like the shape of my legs so why would I make them look like I have saddle bags.
Lol!! Thanks for the morning chuckle Nancy
Watch The Madison for sure!
Great! Thanks