Monday Musings- Packing Again and Masking Up
Happy Monday, ladies, I hope you had a great weekend! BTW…I sewed the bunny ears on so fiercely that I had to cut the entire top off the hat and rip it back several inches to get them off. Luckily, I have another skein. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, you might want to sign up for my emails to get my Sunday newsletter.
Packing again
I can’t believe we’re leaving for Portugal in less than two weeks. Eek! I feel like I just unpacked from Canada, and the ironing isn’t finished. We bought this trip at a Lung Cancer Charity Gala last November, and it just seems to have snuck up on me. We’ll have a condo in Portimão and are going a few days early to visit São Miguel Island and Lisbon. Have you been? I think the major tourist season is over, so it should be quiet and restful.
COVID seems to be on the uptick these days, and several friends have gotten it, so it feels smart to go back to being extra careful again. I hardly ever see people wearing masks these days, but it’s not a bad idea. I never had so much as a sniffle the entire time we were all wearing masks. Did you? I still have a good supply of these N95 masks, which don’t seem as ugly as some other masks. The neutral color is easy on the eyes, and I never feel claustrophobic in them.
Carryon
We plan to go carryon only as usual so I upgraded my handheld to this medium-sized Everywhere bag. I sure hope they arrive in time because my old one has gotten pretty ragged-looking. I love bags that slip over the handle of my suitcase, and square ones seem to hold much more than other shapes.
Quiet Luxury Splurge or Save
Quiet luxury has taken the fashion world by storm. Just kidding…it’s simply a new term used to describe fashion that focuses on understated elegance, high-quality materials, and impeccable craftsmanship rather than flashy logos or overt branding. It’s characterized by simplicity, timelessness, and a subtle sense of sophistication. It’s also available at all price points, so let’s play splurge or save.
Quiet luxury is characterized by clean lines, simple shapes, and a focus on timeless, versatile pieces that can be worn for many seasons. It’s often in neutral colors which stand the test of time. If I look in my wardrobe, many things qualify as quiet luxury.
This outfit starts with a lady-like structured blazer, a simple white tee, some beige pants, a camel/brown loafer, and bag, and is finished with textural gold earrings and a bracelet.
The splurge outfit comes in around $1,738 and the save outfit runs $448. What do you think? Is the more affordable outfit obvious? What tipped you off? Which do you prefer?
Walking in another woman’s shoes
A reader complained when I mentioned my weight gain last week. Another reader thanked me for being transparent. I didn’t take either comment to heart because until you walk in another woman’s shoes, you don’t really know her story. So I’ll take this opportunity to tell you mine.
In 2015, I fell and cracked my femur in two places and tore my hip labrum. What the doctors failed to mention at the time was that my labrum was very thin and wearing out. I endured months of excruciating pain but avoided a hip replacement because the doctors hoped (and they were right) that I could heal without one and get back to life as I liked to live it.
I’ve been walking, working with a physical trainer, and doing yoga at home. A few months ago, I began having weird hip pain, so went to a fantastic physical therapist. He fixed my IT band pain and the stiffness in my back, but my hip remained “weird.” It suddenly dawned on me that the pain was in a deep spot in my joint, reminiscent of when my labrum was torn.
I was finally able to see my doctor last week. She’s sending me for some additional tests but believes that my labrum has just worn out. I asked what could be done for that, and she said nothing but a hip replacement. She noted my weight gain since I’d seen her last and suggested that losing those extra 8 pounds might help alleviate some of the pain until we see what’s going on.
So, while I dislike how tight my clothes are, I’m frantically trying to shed those extra pounds (which have also caused my blood pressure to tick up a notch) in the hopes of alleviating some of the pain.
It reminds me that every woman I meet has a story to tell, and I should not judge her on my standards. That woman whose hair is dirty could be caring for a spouse with dementia and have zero time for herself. Or she could be dealing with a terminal disease that doesn’t show on the outside.
We need to support others without knowing their whole story, which is not easy but a worthy goal.
Thanks for reading, and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident.
Hello Jennifer–I was fooled by the splurge outfit!! I liked most of the less expensive selection. Both are well done. I have been teased for years as I wore a lot of neutrals. Still like them! I appreciate you sharing your health challenges and weight variances. I have knee and lower back issues, and this affects how much I tolerate exercise too. I appreciate that you share what you do to address your health concerns, it encourages me to ask for more treatment options. My work with a skillful physcial therapist has really helped. Also, you look great no matter what you weigh. I wish I felt that way about myself when I put on weight–my own worst critic here. I like that you demonstrate how to make the best of how you look no matter what is going on. Good luck with your wellness journey!
It’s hard to be kind to ourselves, but we must! I can be my own worst critic too but it serves no purpose and only hurts me.
Three months post hip replacement op and yes, I too fall into the category of ‘why didn’t I do this before?’ In the meantime do your daily stretches, try a low inflammatory diet and remember Tylenol Arthritis is a good friend. Also, book an aisle seat and walk as much as you need to on the flight.
Most importantly, be kind to yourself and enjoy your trip! 🩷
Thank you so much Shana
Wish you a wonderful trip to Portugal with great food and relaxation.
Don,t worry about gaining weight, we are all a risk for that.
I loved what you said about judging. So easy to fall into the trap of uncaring about what someone could be facing.
My Dad waited to have a hip replacement which caused him much pain. He finally had the surgery and said “why did I not do this sooner”. His surgery went fine and he walked so well after it. Great outcome. 😘
Thank you Lin!
We loved Lisbon and would love to see more of Portugal. I hope your hip won’t cause you too much pain when you’re travelling.
I’m bringing lots of Tylenol, just in case
You might want to try Salon Pas as a help with your pain. It is a solution of lidocaine applied to your skin at the source of pain. No prescription needed. It has really helped me.
Sadly, it does not take away my weight gain, too.
You’re funny. If only a patch could.
The masks Are Not N95. I phoned the company and double checked. Please read the description before purchasing a mask if you are in need of N95 type masks.
No the beige are not, but they do have others in different colors that are. I have the navy N95
Wishing you a pain free trip to Portugal. Look forward to hearing about the fashion trends there!
Thank you
I hope you can get your hip pain resolved before your trip. I went to Portugal last summer, prior to a hip replacement. I did my best to keep up, but down days were sure appreciated. And the flight was torturous . My new hip is amazing.
Enjoy your adventure. And thanks for reminding all of us – everyone has a story. It’s not our job to judge.
Interestingly, I am dreading the flight the most because sitting for long periods of time is very painful. Thanks for sharing your story.
A wonderful post- thank you, Jennifer. Several good messages and reminders; I can relate to the weight issues as I too am up about 10+ pounds after a very challenging 10 months.
As for Portugal- it’s wonderful but can be hilly so pack your pain reliever given your hip pain.But oh, the crafts! I’m a sucker for ceramics and linens and Portugal is a treasure trove of both. Save room in your suitcase.
I’m glad you reminded me to leave them in my bag. I’m a big sucker for linens too!
Thank you for this posting. It’s so tempting to judge.
It’s good to remember that everyone is fighting a hard battle, and just be kind.
So many people are going to Portugal these days! Please share your time there so we can travel along with you.
I will certainly share! I take my readers with me wherever I go 🙂
I had hip replacement surgery 8 years ago and it was such a relief to be able to feel well again. Hip surgery down time is relative easy compared to other replacements. I was on a walker for 1 week and I did physical therapy for several months and the pain was minimal.
Enjoy Portugal. I think you will miss crowds but I understand there are many Americans living there!
Thank you for sharing your story. I’m getting excited to go. I guess all the Americans got the tourist memo!
Thank you for sharing your story. I’m sorry for what you have gone through, and what you might be facing. But your willingness to be honest and “real” helps me to know that I can trust your reviews of the things you post about and recommend. I love your thoughts on kindness, and non-judging of others because we don’t know their story. I have an inexpensive little black t-shirt that has kindness written in script along the v-neck, and I get comments on that every time I wear it! That shows we are all searching for, and need kindness. Have a wonderful trip!
I would love to have a tee shirt with that!! Thanks for being here Deby.
Hi Jennifer,
I highly recommend hip surgery. I was in so much pain with my old hip l was thinking we were going to have to sell the house as l could not get up the many stairs without searing pain. The operation went really well and l was standing with my new hip on the first night. Now l am moving and doing yoga and hiking just like before. Such a gift to walk without pain.
Thanks for sharing and your encouragement, Francesca.