Monday Musings: Minimalism and What I’m Shopping For
Happy Monday, ladies. Today’s title may seem a bit contradictory, but there is a method to my madness. Since it’s still early January, I figured we could continue to chat about fresh starts and getting organized. My makeup and lingerie drawers got decluttered over the weekend, which feels fabulous. How did I collect so many lipsticks? And eyeshadows? And random brushes?
Because I prefer products without preservatives and chemicals, they have a shorter shelf life, so I knew it was time to clean things up. Here’s what the Mayo Clinic has to say about expired makeup. I got rid of at least eight lipsticks and equally as many lip pencils. When was the last time you cleared yours out?
I’m not sure where the urge to simplify has come from, but it’s taking on a life of its own, and I love it! A few clean shelves, a non-crammed clothing rack, and just like that, I want to pair down to a more minimal everything! I want to have fewer just ok items, and more I love items in my life.
As I packed bras to donate, I wondered what your favorite bras are. Which ones do you find the comfiest? These are my current favorites. I’m not well endowed, so I gave up underwires many years ago and have not missed them one bit. I know many of you swear by them, so please share your faves in the comments. BTW- did you know that bras are under-donated and much needed at battered women’s shelters?
What I’m Shopping For This Month
I’ve been on the hunt for some new exercise clothes to help motivate me to go to the gym. I went through my drawer on Friday and discovered everything looked dull, black, and/or boring. That’s not going to make me want to head to the gym, so I went shopping for fresher options that are not black. I ended up trying on some Vuori, and wow, it’s pretty amazing.
These pieces are the softest thing I’ve had on in a long time. The pants look black, but they’re charcoal. I didn’t buy them because I’m not a fan of the jogger shape, but as I look at them here, I think they’re fine! I also don’t usually opt for hoodies because they have a more sporty vibe than I wear. And with that, I’m saying to myself…Jennifer, but you’re looking for clothes for sporty activities! You have to be able to laugh at yourself, and I’ve been doing that a lot while shopping for workout clothes.
Then I tried on some Alo things. Again, super soft and oh-so-cozy. The sweatpants have a ribbed fabric that looks like stretchy corduroy. I loved this midnight green, but they have jogger bottoms, so I left them at the store. The pullover is fabulous, so I ordered it in a medium.
I’ve also been shopping for a handbag. For several months. I want one that feels luxe and special and isn’t black. Do you see the theme here? I own enough black. I’ve been shopping in person and online at second-hand luxury stores. I haven’t found the perfect one yet, so my hunt continues. My daughter got a fabulous LV waist bag at the Real Real that’s in much better shape than the one I’ve used for the last 20+ years. Fashionphile is also a great place to buy used bags, so I’ve been checking them out often.
In other news, I finished knitting my hat, and I’m back in the brace I wear for De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis. Coincidence? Perhaps. So I plan to take it a bit easier with my newly rediscovered knitting addiction habit because I don’t want to need surgery. I’m also shopping for a hand brace that isn’t black :).
Thanks for reading, and be sure to wear what makes you feel fabulous.
Have to join the chorus about your workout wear being too hot to actually “work out” in. Great for a walk but not the gym. Sleeveless tanks, sometimes layered, or over a sports bra, or short-sleeved tees and cotton leggings or shorts seem to be the fitness uniform at the gym.
There doesn’t seem to be a bra that supports well-endowed women without the use of underwire. So, the ‘Cassiopeia’ by Empreinte, ( sorry if the spelling of this french brand is off),is my go-to bra. I live in Canada and the price is exorbitant but I haven’t found a bra as functional and pretty in any other brand. Usually supportive bras are as ugly as sin, but these ones are attractive and it is hard to return to the uglies after wearing one of these. They last forever, fortunately, even though sometimes they have ended up in the washing machine, or worse, the dryer!
Found the best fitting bras for me are Natori from NordstromRack. UW, very comfortable.
Good to know, thank you.
I agree you look great in the joggers! I have some from Athleta that I wear around the house, grocery shop, and errand “running.”
The key in whether or not they look good is getting the right length and a lighter weight material. I also love the Brooklyn ankle pants from Athleta. I took them on a trip to France and wore them several days in a row, washed them in the hotel sink, hung them to dry, and wore them another several days. They are very lightweight and great for packing.
After recently being diagnosed with a chronic eye inflammatory condition I am going to throw out old make up and start over with new. My doctor wants me to avoid make up on my eyes, but not sure I can do that as I have dressed my eyes since I was in junior high! Any suggestions for eye make up that is less irritating?
I have ocular rosacea, chronic dry eye, and meibomian gland dysfunction, which is giving me problems lately. I am replacing much of my makeup with things for sensitive eyes. Eye shadow might be ok for you. If you use a deeper shadow, you could skip the mascara which is close to the lash line.
I am a semi-retired personal trainer, so I live in workout clothes. I am a fan of Athleta’s offerings and of the Zella and Sweaty Betty brands at Nordstrom. I can only buy on sale though – everything is way too expensive for my budget these days. I like the outfits you’ve featured, but as casual wear, not for working out: I think I’d keel over from heat exhaustion!
Thanks for the inspiration to scale down/scale back. I am working on it! I had cataract surgery just before Thanksgiving, and that spurred me on to get rid of all of my eye make up and brushes. I did not want to run the risk of contamination when I was allowed to wear make up again.
I am in awe of your knitting skills.
I think that’s a wise idea!! I’d probably toss my old stuff too.
In regard to your comment about bras, I recently found the most comfortable one I think in my life! It is from Soma, and it is called the “Unbelievable Minimizer”. It does have an underwire, but is so lightweight, making it more comfortable. Yet it does provide good support, and my clothes look great when I wear it!
Another vote for T by Talbots for athleisure and workout wear. Thanks for the nudge to declutter lipsticks, I will do that today and will donate some old bras too.
My favorite bra comes from ThirdLove – the T-shirt bra. Great fit. I need an underwire to feel like I get a nice silhouette and lift the girls!
I like the Wacoal bras. Thinking about looking at no underwire. I need to clean my drawers as well.
Embracing minimalism is a wonderful process…sounds like you are on it!
For bras, I wear Prima Donna made in Belgium, not inexpensive but they offer the support which I need. I buy 2 a year.
Your handbag search sounds great! You’ll know when the best bag pops up on your radar!!! Good luck.
Cute hat!
Happy New Year Jennifer! I hope it’s a great year for you and your family.
Happy New Year, Leslie!
That hat is great. I want one!
Hi Jennifer. I don’t own a black daytime handbag (I do have one black clutch for formal events). My new crush is Strathberry bags which come in interesting colour combinations, like sand/olive/grey. http://www.strathberry.com
I have been looking at Strathberry too, and they are stunning!
Hi Jennifer! You look great in the workout clothes! Thanks for showing us some of the different tops and bottoms. I personally like T by Talbots,as I wear a plus size and they have a nice variety of active wear to choose,from. They also go on sale from time to time,which helps! I am in the market for a different brand of a bra. I wear Maidenform,but I have to wear them with extenders right now. I am a 44C. Losing weight would help,though!🙄
I’m not well endowed but like the support of underwire. I find my clothes look better when my breasts are where they are suppose to be, not droopy. Having had three children those babies need a little help.
Hoodies are great for going to and from the gym but not while inside working out. They make your back hot as you now have three layers of fabric against your skin, plus they sometimes flop forward when you are bending down. Also, you get hot while working out so the fabric should be lightweight and breathable, not heavy as hoodies are. UnderArmour has great breathable fabrics. It is the only brand of tees my husband wears.
Oh, and I throw out my lipsticks routinely. I’m trying hard to not buy several lipsticks, foundations, mascaras, creams at a time. They clutter up my drawers and then I end up throwing some away when I feel it’s due to purge the old.
Good morning.
You have inspired me to downsize my clothing and makeup. Will only keep my favourites…. I try to wear pieces I have not had on my back this season which reminds me they are out of style and should let them go. Very hard for me …… My problem is I cannot find clothes to fit so hang on to the ones that do much longer than I should….decisions decisions?
Enjoy your posts!
I love Wacoal bras, was fit at Nordstroms and have been pleased ever since, will donate my used ones after reading your post. Thanks!
Thanks, this was just the nudge I needed to weed through and discard old cosmetics. This purge is on my list, but i am moving it up to the top. I’m tackling the medicine cabinet as well, which should be a lot easier as we don’t keep old meds around. (Our local police station will take them.) I’m not a runner so don’t wear performance joggers. I wear leggings at the gym and for yoga. I sometimes wear regular joggers when out walking.
Hi! I AM a runner, and I wear the same tights/leggings for that as for weight training and yoga. 🙂 I have a few pairs of joggers which, in my opinion, make really comfortable loungewear.
My favorite bra is Sloggi ( similar to True) , I bought in Italy, I’m small on top. The joggers look good. I wear exercise tights, and a tee to class. I run cold so some synthetic styles don’t keep me warm enough. I live in merino wool , what a great fabric.
The exercise clothes your showed look really comfortable. We walk everyday and golf so I have quite a lot of sporty outfits. But I noticed mine are getting a little worn looking so this was very helpful. My problem is I’m only 5’1 and everything is so long. I’m always on the lookout! I wear Calvin Klein underwire with some padding. I had a lumpectomy so have to wear an insert. I try not to wear tight tops as I feel selfconscious about that. I wasn’t a candidate for surgery so just have to live with different size breasts. Not fun but I’m cancer free.
I am a little taller than you are, and really like 7/8s legging, which are widely available. Misses cropped athletic wear pants also fit well.
I’m 5’1” too. For pants, I can wear T by Talbots petites without shortening, as well as Chico’s Zenergy and Chico’s petite lengths. Tops and jackets are always too long, as well as sleeve length, unless I find my preferred 3/4 sleeve! HTH!
Cancer free is fabulous, Rosemary!!
I am not a fan of jogger pants but your outfits looked so nice and classy. I must try them again.
Just returned from New Years Eve crusise and as I up packed I realized it is time to reorganize big time. I am excited to start this project and give my closet and drawers a new, neat look.
I love your knitted hat. You did a great job. Sorry you’re back on the brace. Keep looking, I have some made by Mueller Sport Care which are beige in color.
I had the surgery for De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis and it was a good decision for me. Wearing a brace and putting up with the discomfort got pretty old. It really wasn’t a big deal and afterwords I wondered why I put up with it so long. I’m also a knitter and now never have wrist pain. Thank you for all the inspiration you give me daily
I had the same surgery years ago and the relief was totally worth it! Like you said, Jane, the braces and pain got so old. My hand surgeon was wonderful, that makes all the difference.
Thank you for sharing that, Jane. I certainly hope to avoid surgery, but if the pain gets too severe, I’ll just go for it because they won’t give me any more steroids.
Love Vouri and you rock the joggers. Vouri was a big hit with my family for Christmas gifts. Re de Quervain: I had that too, in both wrists. Surgery for one, and a shot cured the other five years ago. My surgeon suggested a common cause was picking up (grand) children under their armpits! Sorry you’re dealing with that; good luck with finding a new brace.
I think mine must be how I use my phone, and I have got to nip it in the bud.