Monday Musings: Short and Sweet
I love a good farmers market. The fruits and veggies are fabulous, and the atmosphere feels almost festive. Last week, I focused on the berries and tomatoes, but this week, I added a special hummus, tapenade, and homemade sourdough bread. It’s funny, but I seldom remember to go to the Farmers market in California, so I plan to make a concerted effort when we go back. Do you make a habit of visiting the ones near you?
The weather was warm, and by the time we got back to the car, I was roasting. It’s so beastly hot at home in California that I forget the temperature can really climb here in Vancouver. Many women were wearing shorts, but the ones wearing a lightweight dress or a breezy skirt caught my eye.
My aversion to wearing shorts isn’t something new. I stopped wearing them in my early 30s because they just didn’t feel right anymore. I don’t gravitate to shorts because they feel more sporty than I like to dress. I do wear plenty of sporty clothes and have a casual lifestyle so why have I not embraced shorts more readily? It’s something I mildly wonder about, but I sure won’t lose sleep over.
We all need to wear what feels most authentic. Style is a personal choice, and I encourage you to wear what feels most like you. Is there a major clothing category you don’t wear that other women love?
OUTFIT OF THE WEEK
I would have been much cooler in a short-sleeved chambray shirt and a white cotton skirt instead of jeans.
PICNIC TOTE BAG / FLORAL DROP EARRINGS
I saw several straw totes being carried and wished I’d brought mine from home. My daughter and I also decided to bring a few empty Tupperware containers next time to help the fresh berries arrive home in better shape. I’ve been spotting lots of floral earrings lately, and they intrigue me. I’m not typically drawn to overly feminine styles, but the more often they cross my radar, the more closely I pay attention. Perhaps I will begin incorporating subtle touches of it into my outfits and see how it feels. I don’t want to look sweet, or cute, but a bit of feminine might be fun to try.
Currently Reading
Finally got my hands on Lucy Foley’s latest book, and I’m thoroughly enjoying it! I’ve read most of her books and just wish she could write them faster. Have you read her?
Downsizing?
Many of us are downsizing our wardrobes and our residences. That can leave friends and loved ones struggling to know what to get us as gifts. A reader asked what I suggested, and I thought I would put it out to this community for your great ideas. Since most of us are no longer collecting things, what sort of gifts do you like to recieve?
On another topic, what hiking boots/shoes do you love? Where do you shop for them?
Thanks for reading, and be sure you wear what feels most authentic for your style.
We give Amazon gift cards as gifts. Then the person can buy whatever they want or need! a few close friends always buy books! I think gift cards for restaurants are always nice! For a small thank you gift to the lady who fed my cat when we were on vacation, I gave a flowering plant!
Our daughter has given us restaurant gift cards for several years. Great gifts!
I am downsizing too. Slowly since my husband is not on the plan, LOL! For gifts, we have had agreements with family in recent years that we don’t need a gift for birthdays. Getting together is fun and that is all we need. We give each person one stocking stuffer and one gift at Christmas and we give our sons and daughter in law each a check.
If my children and husband really want to buy me a gift they know a gift certificate for a bookstore, or a box of chocolates from my favorite shop, is always a treat. My Mom who is 93 finds it convenient to send me an Amazon gift card online. And I love that, to use for my Kindle.
Yesterday we had dinner with a friend who recently retired and she says she finds she needs so little these days. Doesn’t need to buy many clothes, eats lightly, doesn’t drive as much as she had to for work. She is finding it liberating.
My husband is not on the plan either and it makes me crazy!
Instead of gifts, I want experiences. I ask my sons’ to take me out to dinner, a movie, a show, etc. I don’t need things.
I love to give gift certificates – especially to local book stores, restaurants, and boutique shops. No more “stuff” for me either. 3 grandgirls in their early 20s are helping me tho – love taking my “overstock” casseroles, glassware and especially recipes.🤠💖
I like receiving candles & usually gift them or a special body butter or cream. Hand cream for purse is also nice.
Me too
Good morning! I related to today’s post, and it got me thinking. I still wear shorts, but it only been at home this summer. I’ve been wondering why, because that’s not how I dressed in past summers. I realize now that they just don’t feel right. I’ve also been wondering about all my many possessions! I’m still working, so I buy clothes. Thanks for the great outfit ideas! But, silly ent, I’ve realized I have a too large collection of water bottles. What happens to all these water bottles when I no longer use or want them.
Well, that’s a lot of deep thinking for a Monday morning!
And…. thanks for the book suggestions. I read a lot and read quickly. I’m always on the hunt for a good book. And to all your followers, read Jennifer’s brother’s books. He’s a terrific writer and his books are really good!
You’re sweet, thanks Nancy. I love his books too.
great clothes as always. oh my gosh! i love that purse! i must have missed it in another post.
I found it at a little shop in Helsinki.
Jennifer, I always go to my local farmers’ market! In fact, it is the highlight of my week during the growing season. I so look forward to buying most of my fresh produce there plus extra things like bread and flowers. As for gifts, I am with you. No more stuff! I am going to suggest that my children and grandchildren give me either homemade gifts (my granddaughters are clever & creative) or gift cards to my favorite stores and restaurants.
I love getting B Witched Company 100 Roses Goat Milk Lotion. It’s such a pleasant fragrance! It lasts about 4 months for me. Or their rose candle and a good book to read is so appreciated!! These are good gifts and always the right size!!
My friends and family decided a few years ago to stop exchanging gifts at holidays, birthdays and anniversaries because, as you say, we have everything we need. So we all exchange events! Going out to eat dates, movie, theater, trips, hikes, spa days, etc. Basically, making memories of time,spent together.
Great idea
: gifts for downsizing friends: I like to receive useful gifts like nice hand lotion , cute cocktail napkins or food – mixed nuts or chocolates that I can put out for guests. Some people like scented candles, but they’re not for me.
I also have an embroidery machine so I enjoy embroidering dish towels or a set of dinner napkins to take to our hosts when we’re houseguests.
Embroidered dish towels are a lovely idea!
Hi, Jennifer. I also don’t wear shorts. I think the last time I did I was in my 20s. I’m just not comfortable in them and now with the varicose veins appearing on my legs I’m even more loathe to wear them. This weekend I went to a Small Farm Festival and Market at Carriage Hill Farm, a living history site at one of Dayton’s parks. I too regretted wearing jeans because of the heat and saw some of the other ladies (and their daughters and granddaughters) were wearing light skirts and dresses. I also forgot my sun hat. But I had a light blue umbrella in the car and used it as a sunshade. I also was able to pick up my cardigan that I ordered from Nordstrom Rack yesterday. The antique honey color is gorgeous. I also picked up a pretty pair of rayon drawstring trousers by Max Studios London and a top by Tahari while I was in the store. I’m probably going to wear them on my next visit to the farmers market, especially if the weather continues hot and muggy as it has been. I’m glad you had a nice time with your daughter and love the pic of you at the market holding the flowers. As for gift suggestions, I opt to give experiences instead of things. They don’t have to be big things like concert tickets but taking the recipient to a place, restaurant or event they’ve mentioned (my one nephew loves trains and taking photos and he loved the voucher I gave him for a ride to and from a town that runs a steam train excursion and has a small railroad museum, the train tickets for us both and lunch at the museum went over really well). Both of us had a great time.
I’m so glad the cardigsan worked out for you!!
Hiking shoes/boots Merrell is the brand I go for. My feet are finicky now but they like the support. I recently added a pair of Ecco trail sandals, nicely padded and good support. I enjoy them for easy trail walks, I live in Manitoba so flat hikes are common, the trans Canada Trail runs by our cottage and is exceptionally well maintained. I would not wear them on the rougher hikes where there are lots of hills, larger rocks and roots. That and colder temps will have me in the Merrells.
Gifts are always a challenge. My kids aim for the gift of time. I love going to something with them. My friends and I have agreed to stop hostess gifts instead we share the menu and either bring part or bring a wine – several of us did a wine pairing course so we have fun seeing how we did!
The gift of time is the best we can have.
Good morning Jennifer. So many timely questions. I’m turning 70 tomorrow and don’t want or need any more stuff. What I want is experiences – play a round of golf with me or plan a day trip for wine tasting in Niagara.
As for skirts, for some reason they seem too dressy for my casual lifestyle, which is crazy. I did buy a white denim midi skirt this summer and have only worn it twice. I’ll plan to wear it this week.
I just finished The Midnight Feast. Next on my list is The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman.
Enjoy the long weekend!
Happy Birthday Yvonne!!
I like the Hoka hiking boots. They are so comfortable. I don’t need new ones often but when I do, I will go to Zappos or the Hoka site directly.
BTW – great idea to bring containers to the farmers market for the berries. I will try that.
I prefer gifts of experiences rather than things. A gift card to a good restaurant, a gift card to my favorite spa, tickets to my community theater, car wash coupons, etc. Also, you can’t go wrong with food. Send someone whatever food item your region is noted for.
Thank you for your book suggestions…an added bonus!
I like to receive gift vouchers for my favourite book shop and for Mecca (an Aussie version of Sephora). We have several farmer type markets where I live, but tend to avoid them because I end buying a slew of foods, such as dips and never end up eating them. Have you thought of taking a little shopping trolley (not like the ones in the supermarket) with you to the market? Saves lugging things and getting a sore arm or neck.
I have thought of that and think having one is a great idea! I’ll check Amazon
Folks who come for dinner usually bring a bottle of wine or
some cocktail napkins so a small plant. All of which I love.