Monday Musings: Bobbi Brown, Knitting, and the Case for Easy Everything
Happy (belated) Canadian Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians and to anyone who never says no to pie. This year, we skipped the turkey marathon and picked up turkey pot pie and pumpkin pie takeout from a wonderful local bakery. It might be my new favorite tradition. No grocery panic, no endless cleanup, just really good food enjoyed in peace. Honestly, it was the calmest Thanksgiving I can remember — and pretty delicious.
Currently reading
I’ve been listening to Bobbi Brown’s biography this week, and I’m absolutely hooked. She’s so refreshingly down-to-earth — honest, practical, and completely unpretentious. When everyone else was doing contouring that required a protractor and three mirrors, she just wanted makeup that looked like skin. Imagine that.
Her story reminded me how often the simplest ideas come from quietly rebelling against what everyone else is doing. She created Bobbi Brown Cosmetics (later sold to Estée Lauder), and then, because she’s apparently incapable of sitting still, launched Jones Road. I love that kind of creative restlessness. It makes me feel better about all the half-finished knitting projects taking up space in my suitcase right now.
Mindless Knitting
Speaking of knitting, I’m still at it. A lot. I’ve often shared that I knit for the meditative process, not the product and my needles have barely stopped clicking for the last few months. For our latest road trip, I packed multiple projects but needed a break from my cable sweater because I needed something “relaxing,” and that pattern was anything but. So, I’m back to my simple gray cardigan. It’s calm, repetitive, and predictable, and a little bit boring — the knitting equivalent of a long exhale. I’ll share the pattern link soon in case you’d like a soothing project for your own downtime.
The Artist in Our Family
One of the highlights of my island trip this summer was visiting my brothers. Life is so short and I don’t see them nearly as much as I want to. My oldest brother, Allan Dunfield, also lives on Vancouver Island. He’s a phenomenally talented painter — the kind who can make you feel the mist coming off the trees just by looking at the canvas. I begged to buy one of his pieces, but he flatly refused to take my money. So, I graciously accepted it while mentally calculating how to sneak an envelope of cash into his next birthday card. If you’d like to see his work, it’s displayed in a few galleries — one in Quebec and one in British Columbia. I’ll share those links here because talent that beautiful deserves a little spotlight.
Shoe Shopping
And then there was the shoe shopping. I could do a whole post on the shoe shopping that’s taken place lately with my daughter — it’s been epic. She’s on the hunt for comfort, wardrobe staples, and a few trendy additions. I, on the other hand, am shopping like I’m preparing for orthopedic surgery. I’ll be sharing the full list of what we found in this Sunday’s exclusive email for subscribers, but here are a few moto boots that made the cut:
Vionic Catina Moto Boot: This comfort brand has stepped up its game. This pair is replacing my beloved Munro booties, which have been worn to their full demise. My daughter bought the same pair and wore them for eight hours of shopping the next day — if that’s not a solid walkability test, I don’t know what is.
Paul Green Balboa: Nearly 50% off at Nordstrom. It’s a chic lug-sole style that can be dressed up or down. The lug sole makes the heel look higher than it feels — and adds some extra cushion, something I can never have too much of these days.
UGG Classic Micro Boot: My daughter swears people actually wear these outside, although I ordered them originally as slippers. To be honest, after a particularly long day of many, many steps, I didn’t really care and wore them to the restaurant downstairs. I regret nothing.
If the Sock Fits…
Oh, and about those socks. During our epic shopping marathon in Seattle, we realized we hadn’t packed enough. You can’t exactly try on boots barefoot without creating a public health situation. So, I grabbed a pair by Pact at a local grocery store — yes, grocery-store socks — and they’re amazing. Organic cotton, cushioned soles, fair trade, and blessedly padded in all the right places. My feet felt so good, I immediately ordered a few more pairs.
I’ll link them here… because if something this comfortable exists at a grocery store, it deserves to be shared. And, as always, when you shop through my links, it doesn’t cost you a thing… it just quietly supports my caffeine habit and keeps this little blog running.
So that’s where I am this Monday — knitting, listening, shoe-hunting, and appreciating the small, surprising things that make life softer around the edges.
What’s been delighting you lately?
I noticed your new haircut right away! It looks fantastic!
Thank you!
Good evening Jennifer,
Your brother is a very talented painter. I love the reflection of the trees in the water.
Shoe and boot shopping sounds fun. I am interested unhearing all about what you both purchased because comfy boots are hard to find. I already have the firs pair in my cart. If your daughter wore them 8 hours I am sold.
Enjoy you knitting and have a lovely week.
This was a fun post! Love the train of thoughts!
Love that idea of pot pie! Back in 2020, our neighbors and us had pandemic turkey sandwiches out by the pool. So much fun, the tradition has continued. Now there are about 25 couples ….same basic menu: turkey sandwiches, potato chips, cranberry salad, pumpkin and pecan pie. That’s it!
Sounds perfect
What is that fireplace? It looks so cozy
It was at a very special place we stayed last week. I’ll share soon.
Jennifer, I haven’t been getting your posts for 2 weeks, I thought I was deleted for some unknown treason, happy to get your posts today. Beautiful painting, and sorry to see you need orthopedic surgery. I’ve had 2 bunion surgeries, 3 knee replacements (right knee had to be replaced twice due to a bad surgery)
I envy those who can knit, I wear a lot of sweaters, would be economical if I knew how to make my own.
Enjoy your vacation
So glad you’re getting the emails again Pat
My beloved Aunt and her daughter who was like my sister use to paint on porcelain and wood. Now that they are both gone it touches my heart when I see the gifts they gave me. It makes me miss them more!
Such a beautiful piece of artwork your brother gifted you- he is very talented!
Lovely post! Your artist brother is very talented. I’m waiting for your author brother to write a new book! As for you, keep doing what you’re doing! You are a guide and inspiration to all of your followers.
Thank you for the comment on dresses today. As much as I like dresses the waistline needs to be a certain way. I have menopause belly and a short torso and dresses really accentuate that. I much prefer having a skirt with a blouse hanging outside of it in some fashion.
As an artist myself I love your brothers painting. I would not feel bad if I were you about recieving paintings from him. I’m telling you I’ve given to my kids, my sister, her friends, my friends and I am still overrun with paintings. We love to create and after a while we have no idea what to do with so many. Accept them graciously. I love nothing better than to visit my daughter and see that she displays my work.
Your current hair cut is really cute on you!
Thank you
I follow you regularly and thoroughly enjoy. I just had to respond to this post though to say that your brother’s artwork is STUNNING! Thank you for sharing!!!
Thank you so much! I love it too
I love your brother’s paintings. I just returned from Quebec City and wish I’d had the opportunity to see some of these in person. Just lovely.!
Love the hairstyle!
Thank you
Your brothers paintings are exceptional! I also really liked your piece the other day on “shopping mistakes”. Very much made me think a lot about my closet. Thank you.
Hi Jennifer,
Beautiful painting your brother did, wow….how gorgeous to see that every day. My mother is a painter and my house is full of all her artwork and sketches. which brings me so much joy. I love your knitting and your Thanksgiving feast how smart is that!! I have loved my Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Matt Eye Shadow in Cobblestone and Caramel and I love Jones Road Eyeshadows too especially Pewter so worth it! Have a lovely week xo
Lucky you! Are you artistic too?
A little, I am very creative though, an actress xo
Wonderful!!
How I envy you your trips to BC. I haven’t been to Canada since May, but every time I go home, I feel the huge weight of California lift from my heart. I also envy you your talented brothers. Mine engineers mining in Calgary, and I can’t hang that on my wall.
I know how blessed I am Kay.
Your brother’s painting is beautiful! The colors pop and give a feeling of calm and serenity.
I’ve been worried about you. I hadn’t been getting your blog for a few weeks so googled to see if there was anything I could find out. I am relieved to find that you’re just fine and signed up again!😘
Oh wow! I’m glad you signed up again. However, emails seem stalled today with a technical problem.
There must have been a problem. You and two other bloggers I follow didn’t show up until after 4 pm. I usually get them by 6 am.
I love the moto boots! They do look comfy! I also love your brother’s art work.
I followed the link and looked at the gallery website, and was blown away by his talent!
He’s so talented! I want more of his work but he won’t let me pay him.
Thank you for this post! I’m excited to try the Vionic Catalina Moto Boot that you styled above. I’m breaking the bad habit I have had since retirement of wearing just shorts and tshirts and sneakers and have found your blog to be fantastic for me to learn how to dress myself. I do have a question about boot colors – if I buy black boots am I limited to wearing black or white with big black boots? I live in Florida and really like the Lucid Beige color that is also offered and think I might wear them more but don’t want to miss a style opportunity just because I’m too limited in my thinking. Also, if I buy these in a store am I able to tell them about your blog so that you get the credit? Thanks again for all that your share, it really is fantastic!
You’ll love them. No I can’t get credit if you buy in store, thanks for asking.