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.
Hi there
I wear Oboz hiking boots they are made in Montana. I live in Alberta.
I have both high top and low top hikers. It’s best to try several brands to see which brand fits your feet. I know I can’t wear other brands that my friends can wear. The good thing is if you find a comfortable pair they should last you for years.
A few years ago my husband told our daughters (both in their 30s) that he no longer needed things for gifts. What he really craved was experiences with them! They have really taken this to heart. For his last birthday one daughter took him to a pie-making workshop at a local cooking shop. They went away with two pies and a ton of fun memories. The other daughter is taking him to an ABBA cover band show on a rooftop garden. (ABBA is one of his faves.) So when someone asks what you’d like for a gift, just tell them, “an experience with you”. They will feel flattered you want to spend time with them … and you will come away with something much better than another trinket.
Experiences are everything!
I really like services like mani pedi, hair cut or color. Gift certificates to restaurants, car washes, Sephora. It’s endless.
The category of clothing I avoid is skirts. Especially like the white one pictured. I don’t even like it on the model. I feel fat in them. I guess I prefer slim fitting/tailored clothing. Maybe I haven’t found the right fit/cut yet.
Thanks Lily
Jennifer, like you I haven’t worn shorts in public for years. I don’t find them to be comfortable and I feel self-conscious wearing them. I think I absorbed some old-fashioned ideas from my mother about them not being appropriate for women over 30.
As far as gifts, prosecco and Belgian chocolate for me!
Consumable gifts for the win!
Regardless that farming districts are all but a stones-throw from where I live, it has been years since I’ve been to one as favourite was also a flea market that has closed and the other is in our city core (where parking now is very expensive). As for the others, most do not open until the 2nd weekend in August. Re wearing shorts; haven’t for years namely because ‘I run cold’ most of the time. Also like yourself in clothing I don’t mind a nod to feminity and for sure one thing that I have always avoided, is real pointed-toe footwear that since you asked brings me to the subject of Columbia being a brand of hiking boot (or shoe) that offers numerous styles which many Sport Stores carry. Last but not least; haven’t down sized yet however as do not travel like we use to, do appreciate a gift of an overnight stay at a Bed & Breakfast, Inn or similar preferably in a small/rural town just for a change in dining, scenery and a little shopping of course. Now as to the book; I actually plan to start reading it as well but did not choose it as my son who has a similar taste in reading do exhange our books and it was his choice. -Brenda-
P.S: I just finished reading The Intruders (by Louise Jensen) best described IMO as ‘suspensful with a twist’.
The Intruders sounds great! Thanks Brenda
Hi Jennifer, it sounds as though you are really enjoying Vancouver! I also prefer skirts over shorts. I find them more comfortable in general.
I like Amazon gift certificates that I can use for Kindle books, restaurant gift cards, and flowers as gifts. Also, creative food baskets encourage me to try new things, especially if they include ingredients and a recipe.
I stopped wearing shorts with the demise of hot pants. Yes, dating myself. I think the next iteration was Daisy Dukes, but I passed on that trend. For cooling wear, a nice loose dress is the answer.
I tend to agree
I love Lucy Foley, I do have to order the newest..thanks for the reminder…Gifts at my age are tricky, my fashion style is nothing like my friends, so they thoughtfully give me a Nordstrom gift card, always appreciated is a card for Home Goods. My dearest friend, for my upcoming birthday gave me a gift card for wine tasting & hotels. Priority Wine Pass.Good for one year, and it features Napa, Sonoma, & Monterey wineries among the many areas in California they also have a wonderful conceirge service, Can’t wait to try it..not sure if it’s only California focused.I was also thinking, for gifts, there are some wonderful diffusers out there I just got a PURA, think I’ll gift her for her Oct birthday…..I was never comfortable in shorts, horrible legs..though I do wear them around the house….great blog, and I also forget my local farmers market…..need that on my to do list…have a great week!!
Happy Monday, Nancy
I had to laugh about husbands not wanting to part with stuff when their wives are trying to downsize. My late husband would get so anxious when I cleaned out the garage. After it was all done, he was happy with the results and never missed a thing. I don’t need more stuff. I give special theme-related soap in gift baskets, like a day at the spa or a soak for tired feet. Gift baskets with snacks, crackers, cheese, and wine were nice to receive. A bouquet just sent for no reason is a pleasant surprise to let them know you are a thing of them. I think sending a card or letter is so nice to receive.
I love getting snail mail of any kind!
Going to our local farmers market when we’re home is a weekly tradition. We’re lucky to have an excellent one and I go straight to the booths I patronize! Great idea btw about being plastic containers for berries. We do bring both a rolling trolley & my French market basket lugged back from Aix-en-Provence but a square tray of berries still poses a challenge. I’m sad when the market closes in late September.
As for shorts: a hard no! Veins & cellulite do not a pretty picture make. I stick to loose linen pants & white ankle jeans, with the occasional dress (love Garnet Hill sleeveless linen shirt dresses & have them in about five colors).
Agree with everyone else that consumable gifts & experiences are best; no scented anything please unless you know my preferences! I’m very picky and only my best friend gets it right when gifting me things.
Thanks, Jennifer, for your reliably fun and candid posts and great suggestions.
Happy Monday, Elizabeth
We have downsized a couple of times. Then end up having to buy something we gave away. Currently we live in a one floor condo that doesn’t have a lot of storage space. We recently sold our business and I am still trying to find places for all the stuff from there. It is like trying to put 25 gallons of water in a five gallon bucket.
I prefer gift cards but one of my daughters always likes to give me something and most of the time it is something I really need. Like a special ice pack for my shoulder when I fell and had a massive tear in my rotator cuff. I need surgery but am putting it off.
I have always loved dresses but am having trouble finding something that looks good on my body now. Love reading your blog.
I’m not a fan of shorts either at this point in my life except for the beach. Just not my style. Love the chambray shirt and white skirt- so summery! For gifts, memberships to museums and other cultural places would be great and don’t forget about bookshop.org for gifts certificates to support companies that truly value books. And you can’t go wrong with chocolate!
I agree about chocolate:)
If anyone is downsizing I’m looking for International Royal Danish silverware! :-D. And blue and white tablecloths… Hahaha. The gift thing is a puzzle! I am working to avoid giving my mom and also my FIL any “things” but spices are good. My husband thinks gift cards are a cop-out, so I’m always trying to figure out gifts that are consumable or otherwise useful.
Sorrel hiking boots are awesome. They have served me well over the past two years through Israel, Norway and most recently South Africa! I tried to buy them through Orvis but they couldn’t get my size. Ended up ordering through Amazon (I think). Good for my wide feet and orthotics fit well.
Just returned from an amazing whale watching tour – a gift to us from our son and daughter-in-law. Who knew such an experience could open new eyes in a 76-year old. We’re never too old for new experiences.
How fun!
My LL Bean hiking boots/shoes are over 7 years old and I still love them. For me the most important feature was support for my high arches and lug soles which are recommended by all the national parks to wear when hiking. I downsized 6 years ago but as a cook and book lover I appreciate books, fun dish towels and artisan olive oils, jams and baked goods. When I lived in NY I never wore shorts. I moved to the SoCal desert and now practically live in them!
I quit wearing shorts in public a few years ago; they just don’t rock my boat any more thanks to varicose veins, big scars from some gnarly bicycle accidents and saggy knee skin. Besides, loose flowy skirts and dresses are SO MUCH cooler/breezier in the summer! I will wear shorts at the gym, but everyone at my gym is focused on their own business and I don’t feel self conscious there.
As for hiking boots, I prefer KEEN, because they have a wide/tall toe-box which is kind to the foot and can accommodate the thick socks I prefer to wear. I usually buy mine at REI.
Finally – gifts. I appreciate experiences, like event and exhibit tickets, or pure consumables, like food! Excellent olive oil, marvelous wines and decadent chocolate top the list.
Thanks Angela! I love specialty olive oils.
How I love today’s blog! Yes to the farmers market—I buy almost all my produce from local farms when the markets are open here in Virginia. I love shorts, but they have to be long enough. I like a 10-inch length which puts them barely above my knee. I don’t like wearing skirts at all, I feel galumphy in them—just clumsy and awkward for some reason. I also strongly dislike ankle pants. Most of my height is in my legs and pants are usually too short on me. I got teased a lot about too short pants when I was young, which no doubt led to my aversion. For the trails, I like Altra’s Lone Peak—wide toe box and grippy soles. I also wear them in icey weather when walking my little dog in the winter. Like you, I love Lucy Foley. I love mysteries of all kinds—current fave is Liz Moore’s The God of the Woods. For gifts, I love to give and receive consumables—fruit, chocolate, flavored vinegars (California Balsamic is my favorite brand.) So much fun responding to today’s blog—thanks, Jennifer!
Haooy Monday Terry
Light hikers are great for day walking over rougher terrain. You don’t need “real” hiking boots unless you are carrying a hefty pack. For gifts, Al the suggestions above are good but I’d add accessories. Jewelry scarves hats etc. easy to use and store . More is better