Monday Musings on Looking Unique & Great Mud
I wore the above outfit to a casual dinner out last week. We’ve been wining and dining with my sister-in-law, and during the process, I’ve had a lot of opportunities to observe how women dress for nights out.
I’ve decided that the women I enjoy seeing the most are the ones who look unique. The addition of an unusual scarf, artisanal necklace, or striking color combination is such a delight to behold. It’s not how I usually dress, which may be why I enjoy seeing them so much.
Last week, I spotted a woman wearing a knee-length, bell-shaped tunic that had sections of shiburi silk sewn along the hem. She was wearing this over what might have been leggings, but their thinness led me to believe they were footless tights. It made me want to own footless tights and find a unique tunic to wear over them. Do you ever spot a complete stranger and feel inspired to reconstruct her look?
Mud Masks
We wandered into Aesop over the weekend, and it was hard to drag myself out! Aesop is a certified B-Corp that creates luxury skincare, haircare, and fragrance products that are plant-based and vegan. The store is a sensory delight of clean, healthy products that all feel and smell amazing!
See also- What are B-crops and Why I Love them.
I’ve tried many types of chemical exfoliants to remove the flakes and excess sebum that my pores create, but my all-time favorite is a good old-fashioned mud mask.
When I spotted this Primrose facial cleansing mask, I knew it had to come home with me. Mud masks feel like they are literally vacuuming the gunk out of my pores.
This mud mask contains Rose Geranium, Primrose Seed, and Sage Leaf in a cool clay that left my skin feeling refreshed and super smooth. I also picked up this luscious Mandarin Rind Hand balm to carry in my purse.
MORE AESOP
Outfit Of The Week
This outfit of the week features fun pieces you may not see on every woman in your circle of friends. And isn’t that the point when you want to look unique?
The dress is a flowy asymmetrical midi dress from COS, worn with low-heeled Varnish Red Mary Jane shoes. I accessorized some polarized retro oval sunglasses, pearl center flower earrings, and two resin bracelets…because one would be predictable. The Neoprene Tote has a fun print that picks up the shoe and bracelet colors and has trim that resembles a bungee cord.
Do you like to make a unique statement when you put an outfit together?
Love to people watch and pick out those who dress unique with my hairdresser being one of them which also includes her hair styles and my eldest sister who shared the same profession was the same, so perhaps it comes with the territory of being one.
-Brenda-
Creative people are so fun to watch.
I recently was on the hunt for a clay facial mask too. I found a reasonably priced, vegan, cruelty free French Pink Clay Peel-off Mask by Freeman. I’ve used it twice now and like the results so far. That Aesop one looks wonderful. I might need to get one and maybe a few would make good stocking stuffers for the girls.
I have a couple of Johnny Was pieces. I always get compliments when I wear them. Some can be had for a song on consignment sites.
I love boutique clothes, mostly I shop at Nordstrom , but some of my best outfits are from boutiques….also thanks for sharing Aesop..I’m going to check it out, seems that it will be kind to my rosasea prone skin…
Boutiques seem like a dying breed, but I sure love shopping at them.
I’m 73, five one, 150 pounds and live in Temecula (So CA wine country). My husband and I really appreciate it when we see people who look like they have made a bit of an effort with their attire when visiting our wineries and restaurants. To us, it makes the whole experience a bit more festive.
I’ve found it doesn’t take much to elevate “solid colored causals” : a hat, scarf, jewelry, shoes, even my red Mickey Mouse watch!
I splurged on two silk Johnny Was kimonos years ago. They’re a bit big and long on me, but cheerful and gorgeous.
I’ve purchased accessories on the web from Shop With A Mission, and always get compliments on them.
We will be spending three days in Vancouver late September before embarking on a repositioning cruise back to L.A. Any suggestions on “must see’s” in Vancouver? (The cruise spends a day in Victoria, and we have seen the stunning gardens there.)
thanks for a great blog,
C
That’s a lovely time to be in Vancouver. Be sure to walk in the forest in Stanley Park, and see Gastown and take a sea taxi to Granville Island. There are so many great places to eat, you can’t go wrong.
Love that denim outfit on you!
♥️♥️
Love the red shoes from Sezanne — now if you could only find the same at half the price. They are gorgeous but for me the CPW would be too low to justify this price. I saw a 70-plus woman on the street in Portland, MA about 6 months ago. She was wearing toeless booties with a high, thick heel that I would not have dared wear (too old, haha), and she looked so put together and confident.
CPW is an important barometer for me too. I’m often amazed and impressed by the height of some shoes I see stylish gals wearing. I’ve got to be comfy which seriously limits my options.
I love to look at what other people are wearing. Sometimes you can find real inspiration. I try to put together an outfit that might stand out. At least it shows you tried. Aesop products look really interesting.
People and outfit watching is so stimulating.
The best unique pieces are usually found in boutiques or thrift stores. The big chain stores have lovely things but they are repetitive and recognizable.
Your look is often subtle unique, which I love! You have a talent for it which I try to emulate!
I agree about the best places to find them which makes them difficult to share here.
I enjoy looking at women who aren’t uncomfortable wearing unique outfits , even unusual outfits, retro, elegant, gamine, colorful. The effort is well appreciated.
The casual capsule neutral style is easy , but sometimes lacks inspiration.
A sea of flip flops/ shorts/ tees/ baseball caps in neutrals on both sexes and children… eh.
I agree, it gets really repetitive and boring.
One look and I knew that dress was COS, one of my favorite stores! I think what you’re honing in on is having a personal style vs looking like an influencer clone or a store website. It’s a worthy goal!
I agree Shari!
Several years ago we visited the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. In the museum’s bistro, I saw a woman wearing jeans, a tee, and the most beautiful kimono I had ever seen. She looked spectacular, like a walking piece of art. I complimented her on the kimono and she said it was from Johnny Was…I should have known…. Johnny Was prints are as special and as beautiful as anything I have ever seen..,but the prices match. Still, to own and wear art….
Johnny Was pieces are spectacular! Having a knockout third layer is a great place to start.