The first thing I consider when choosing an outfit is the weather. Then I think of where I’m going, and finally, I consider how I will feel when I’m wearing it.
This past Saturday night, we went to a club to hear an aging rock and roll band. These guys aren’t famous…they’re just a group of guys in their 60s + who love to play music. We heard everything from Iron Butterfly to James Taylor, which was a blast!
The setting was beyond casual, with very funky decor and an everything-goes attitude. I haven’t been inside a club like this since I was in college. The weather was clammy and chilly so I wore jeans with socks and booties, my Quince cashmere turtleneck, and this new trench coat I just had shortened. I considered wearing my faux leather pants but was happy to see that jeans were the perfect choice.
Here’s the difference in how this coat looks on me before and after I had it hemmed. Many women hesitate to pay for alterations, but they can make all the difference in the world. Could I have continued to wear this trench coat without having it shortened? Of course, but it looks much better on me hemmed. Do you pay for alterations?
Blessings
On a personal note, I lost my cousin to metastasized Lung Cancer over the weekend. I hadn’t seen him in many, many years, but it has shaken me to the core. He was my age, and the diagnosis was only made a few weeks ago.
Our dear friends lost their daughter (in her 40s) to lung cancer last month. She did not smoke, so they didn’t suspect lung cancer and didn’t check her lungs until it was quite advanced.
I had my annual CT lung scan last week to “keep an eye on” two small growths that they’ve been monitoring for several years. I smoked like a chimney in my youth. I’m sure the results will be fine, but until that report comes in, I’m on tenterhooks. I’m also blessed!
They watched some similar spots in my husband’s lung CT until they changed, and he was diagnosed with lung cancer. They caught the cancer early and removed the cancerous lobe.
Where am I going with this? My blessings. I feel so blessed they found some small irregularities in my and my husband’s lung scans. I’m blessed and grateful that our medical system is willing to monitor things closely so that problems can be caught in their infancy.
Ok, ok, I may be rambling, but all this is to say…please do not ignore things with your health that seem ‘off’. If you’re worried about anything, insist that doctors look into it further. We must be our own medical advocate since the squeaky wheel gets noticed.
Save or Splurge
Let’s lighten things up and have some fun with a save or splurge.
This week’s save or splurge is an easy floral top, jeans, a lightweight jacket, metallic sandals, and a woven handbag. It’s an easy-to-wear outfit at any price point.
Thinking of you – life is fragile. Our family are experiencing a sibling serious illness and elderly (101) friend decline, plus several friends with parent conditions.
I guess the season? Take care, be well. 🥰🙌🏻🙏🏻
Hi Jennifer, I’m so very sorry for the loss of your cousin. It shakes you to your core to lose someone so quickly. My husband passed away at 53 after a 2 week battle with pancreatic cancer. We were shocked to say the least. Early detection would not have made a difference in his outcome, but SO many cancers are curable with early treatment.
By the way, I am good friends with my tailor, because I see her so often! At 5’2″ 115# I need so many things altered, and I am also very particular with how my clothes fit. One of my most favorite sandal brands is the Charleston Shoe Company. They are so comfortable, most are washable, different heel heights, and so many cute fabrics and styles. I have 4 pairs and want more 😉
Best wishes, love your posts, they are so relatable!
Jennifer I’m so sorry for your loss! I’m glad that you and your husband are monitoring for your health issues. As a retired nurse, I’m glad to hear that your treatment worked. Stay on top of it please. I preferred the Save so it was easy for me this time. I still have not found a sandal as I have peripheral neuropathy and severe arthritis in my feet. I wear Skechers and Easy Spirit as they come in wide toe boots and very soft step but with arch support. My alteration lady had to quit due to hand problems and haven’t found quality work since in my small town. At 5’2” I need petite sizing.
Hi Jenifer sorry to hear about family loss and for sharing. I was diagnosed with breast cancer end of last year
which was picked up on a routine mammogram . I couldn’t feel a lump and the surgeon said it was so small even she couldn’t feel it on examination. I had a lumpectomy and a lymph node biopsy which showed it hadn’t spread. I am now
recovered and have to take Hormone inhibitors for 5yrs , no problem with that. Ladies never ignore anything it
can be treated.
Re length of your trench coat the shorter length is so much better as a petite lady myself anything longer than 2 ins below my knee drowns me. I wish there was more styles out there for petite women.
Thanks for your interesting and varied post . Keep up the good work even if sometimes bloggers touch on
touch on sensitive issues like cancer think it’s a good thing as it’s another platform to spread the word to get checked with your doctor.
Thank you for reminding all of us to call your Dr. If you feel or find something unusual. I am a breast cancer survivor plus have had 4 squamous cell cancers. Early detection is so very important. One of my favorite sandal brands is Earth Origins. I appreciate the arch support in them.
So sorry for your loss. It’s shocking when it happens so quickly like that. I totally agree with what a difference a good tailor can make to a garment. And, as always, I love the splurge vs. save and I know you could have splurged even further with a Bottega Veneta handbag and Lafayette top and jacket!
Sandals – since I do not have “pretty” feet, I would love to see sandals with closed toes. (I do wear open toes at home.) And with occasional bouts of plantar fasciitis, I need some arch support. I work occasionally and I just do not enjoy looking at people’s toes….both men and women. Sorry, I guess I’m weird.
Flip flops are the best for hotel showers. Other than that, I don’t wear them.
I agree that you can never be too careful about your own health — and am so sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry to hear about your cousin, you have my condolences.
It is good that you monitor your health (and your husband as well) and that you have a good medical team who will work with you regarding any concerns that arise.
As far as the question about alterations, I do get clothes altered. I do some simple alterations myself, but for nicer items I use a professional for alterations. And – I’m thrilled that Nordstrom’s will do alterations.
Lastly, I was wondering about the bags in your two photos – is there a link for them as well?
Wow! What a difference hemming your trench coat made! Yes, I do pay for alterations, but rarely do coats. I have two trenches that I barely wear, hanging in my closet right now. You’ve inspired me to try them on again and maybe hem them.
I think the jacket in the save or splurge gave it away. It looks inexpensive. I can see where the two examples could be interchangeable as well.
Thinking of you – life is fragile. Our family are experiencing a sibling serious illness and elderly (101) friend decline, plus several friends with parent conditions.
I guess the season? Take care, be well. 🥰🙌🏻🙏🏻
I’m so sorry to hear of your struggles! Sending warm thoughts your way Cheryl.
Hi Jennifer, I’m so very sorry for the loss of your cousin. It shakes you to your core to lose someone so quickly. My husband passed away at 53 after a 2 week battle with pancreatic cancer. We were shocked to say the least. Early detection would not have made a difference in his outcome, but SO many cancers are curable with early treatment.
By the way, I am good friends with my tailor, because I see her so often! At 5’2″ 115# I need so many things altered, and I am also very particular with how my clothes fit. One of my most favorite sandal brands is the Charleston Shoe Company. They are so comfortable, most are washable, different heel heights, and so many cute fabrics and styles. I have 4 pairs and want more 😉
Best wishes, love your posts, they are so relatable!
Thank you so much Cynthia. I am so sorry to hear about your husband!! That’s devastating.
Jennifer I’m so sorry for your loss! I’m glad that you and your husband are monitoring for your health issues. As a retired nurse, I’m glad to hear that your treatment worked. Stay on top of it please. I preferred the Save so it was easy for me this time. I still have not found a sandal as I have peripheral neuropathy and severe arthritis in my feet. I wear Skechers and Easy Spirit as they come in wide toe boots and very soft step but with arch support. My alteration lady had to quit due to hand problems and haven’t found quality work since in my small town. At 5’2” I need petite sizing.
Thank you Sydney. Peripheral neuropathy is sooo miserable. My husband suffers with it too.
Hi Jenifer sorry to hear about family loss and for sharing. I was diagnosed with breast cancer end of last year
which was picked up on a routine mammogram . I couldn’t feel a lump and the surgeon said it was so small even she couldn’t feel it on examination. I had a lumpectomy and a lymph node biopsy which showed it hadn’t spread. I am now
recovered and have to take Hormone inhibitors for 5yrs , no problem with that. Ladies never ignore anything it
can be treated.
Re length of your trench coat the shorter length is so much better as a petite lady myself anything longer than 2 ins below my knee drowns me. I wish there was more styles out there for petite women.
Thanks for your interesting and varied post . Keep up the good work even if sometimes bloggers touch on
touch on sensitive issues like cancer think it’s a good thing as it’s another platform to spread the word to get checked with your doctor.
I’m so glad they caught it early!!
Thank you for reminding all of us to call your Dr. If you feel or find something unusual. I am a breast cancer survivor plus have had 4 squamous cell cancers. Early detection is so very important. One of my favorite sandal brands is Earth Origins. I appreciate the arch support in them.
Thanks for sharing Judy
So sorry for your loss. It’s shocking when it happens so quickly like that. I totally agree with what a difference a good tailor can make to a garment. And, as always, I love the splurge vs. save and I know you could have splurged even further with a Bottega Veneta handbag and Lafayette top and jacket!
Yes! Woven handbags are everywhere this spring at all price points
Sandals – since I do not have “pretty” feet, I would love to see sandals with closed toes. (I do wear open toes at home.) And with occasional bouts of plantar fasciitis, I need some arch support. I work occasionally and I just do not enjoy looking at people’s toes….both men and women. Sorry, I guess I’m weird.
No, you’re not weird at all.
Flip flops are the best for hotel showers. Other than that, I don’t wear them.
I agree that you can never be too careful about your own health — and am so sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry to hear about your cousin, you have my condolences.
It is good that you monitor your health (and your husband as well) and that you have a good medical team who will work with you regarding any concerns that arise.
As far as the question about alterations, I do get clothes altered. I do some simple alterations myself, but for nicer items I use a professional for alterations. And – I’m thrilled that Nordstrom’s will do alterations.
Lastly, I was wondering about the bags in your two photos – is there a link for them as well?
Oh wow, sorry I forgot the bags. I added the links now.
Wow! What a difference hemming your trench coat made! Yes, I do pay for alterations, but rarely do coats. I have two trenches that I barely wear, hanging in my closet right now. You’ve inspired me to try them on again and maybe hem them.
I think the jacket in the save or splurge gave it away. It looks inexpensive. I can see where the two examples could be interchangeable as well.
I could have worn the trench longer but I’m much happier with how it looks at the shorter length.