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?
Your brother is very talented!! I wish I had an artistic talent like that. I can paint rooms and furniture but not artwork. Hats off to him!!!
I love your brother’s artwork. He is so talented! I can’t get those Vionic boot out of my mind. There’s nowhere to try them for size and after reading the comments on several sites I’m unsure of what size to order. Some are buying a half size larger. I have a narrow heel, high instep and smallish bunions. Can you give me some feedback on how they fit? Thanks so much.
Please do share the link to your gray cardigan! I am dipping my toe (fingers?) into garment knitting and I’m looking for simple patterns.
Your brother is a wonderful landscape artist! You are so lucky to have that beautiful painting of his. I like your hair cut too! You have gotten me using Oleplex 4 shampoo and conditioner and every two weeks the purple blonde shampoo which makes my white look more silver blonde! I love your idea of Thanksgiving meal. Going to try it as our big dinner is on Nov. 16. Our HOA social committee puts on a Friendsgiving event and it is great with a good turnout, music and singing and really good food. Shoes are my weakness and socks. Pact has a lot of clothes besides socks. I got Mondays blog today but better late than never! I don’t seem to get Sunday or Wednesday. If I sign up again will I get double blogs and confuse your system?
Love that you are wearing some pieces from quince lately. Have been on to them since they started-and tney have become my go to for badics love their cotton t shirts and their cashmere sweaters, in fact even more so than some of the cashmere I’ve bought elsewhere (nordstrom, macys etc) prices are amazing! Love the bionic boots you tried on!
I love my Quince pieces! The cashmere is wonderful and the ponte pants are great!
I like your Vionic boots very much. I usually need a wide fitting but the black boot does not come in a wide fitting only the olive green suede which is not a color I would need. Since I am heading to Europe for Christmas I would like comfortable booties so would you recommend these booties for short wide feet?
I will be on the lookout for you. Munro was always my go-to for wides but they have gone out of business
Love the boots! My husband and I decided our days of entertaining the whole family might be over. I really like your idea of pot pies. Good thinking. I’m wondering if you or any readers have had any cancer removed from their face? I have a small spot on my temple that came back positive. Having surgery tomorrow. Luckily it’s Basel cell and not melanoma.
Finger crossed for you Rosemary and sending prayers your way.
How can I get your Sunday Email for subcribers? I get your weekly emails, but never on Sundays. Thank you.
If you get the daily emails, you will get the Sunday ones. I’m only sending them every few weeks.
Love the very first picture of you holding the containers of food. You look great and so does your hair. What have you been doing to make it look so good?
You’re so sweet, thanks
Thank you for your daily input and ideas. When I saw your brother’s artwork I recognized it. He is one of my Facebook friends, what a coincidence! Great artist!
Mary
YAY!
Happy thanksgiving to you!
It was great weather here in Ontario and our family enjoyed a great traditional turkey dinner with all the sides.
Really enjoyed your column on shopping for our actual life, not the one we imagine. So spot on.😉
Thank you so much for your blog.
Same to you Leslie!
Your brother is an amazing artist! Loved the picture you showed.
Your brother is such a talented artist. You must be so proud of him. I love the painting that he gifted you.
Shoes are one of my many weaknesses too.
Happy belated Canadian Thanksgiving!
Your idea of paring down the chaos and just enjoying a yummy take out is genius.
Suzanne
Your brothers art is stunning !
Thank you