Monday Musings: Sparkle on the Outside, Ice Pack on the Inside
This past week had a little bit of everything…a road trip to escape the construction, a fashion deep dive, a sparkly surprise, a knitting project that’s testing my patience, and a ballet class that made me question every joint in my body. In other words… life. Not everything went smoothly (does it ever?), but there were enough small moments to keep things moving in a hopeful direction.
Fashion Pioneer
Claire McCardell has been living rent-free in my head all week. I just finished The Designer Who Set Women Free on Audible, and let me tell you…if you’ve ever slid your hands into a dress with real pockets, you owe her a thank-you.
Claire McCardell was a real spitfire, smart, stubborn, and wildly ahead of her time. While the fashion world clung to corsets and couture, she had the nerve to design clothes women could actually move in. She gave us denim dresses, wrap styles, ballet flats, and bless her…pockets. She wasn’t interested in impressing Paris. She was too busy inventing American sportswear and making sure women could go about their lives without tripping over a train or gasping for air. Claire had grit, vision, and just the right amount of rebellion. Honestly, I find her completely inspiring.
Zipping along
In other news, I’ve dusted off my Ziip Halo…a tiny microcurrent device that promises to lift, tone, and generally remind your face of its former structure. I’ve actually had it for several years, but I gave up on it when the routines started taking too long.
I’m using it with their free app, which offers a whole library of protocols, but this time, I’m sticking with the 3-to-5-minute ones because I know myself: if it takes too long, I’ll quietly abandon ship and pretend it never happened.
For now, I’m zapping faithfully, hoping a few things decide to snap back to where they used to live. And if I start looking suspiciously refreshed, you’ll know why.
Knitting Nightmare
Knitting is usually my peaceful place. There’s something deeply soothing about the rhythm of it…the clack of needles, the feel of yarn running through your fingers, the slow build of something useful.
This project is… not that.
Each row is taking me anywhere from 25 to 45 minutes, depending on how many times I get distracted…and after all that effort, I realized I’d gone 16 rows too far and forgotten to make the buttonholes. To make matters worse, I’m not thrilled with how the front band is turning out, so when I finally rip it back, I’ll probably make a few changes while I’m at it.
For now, I’ve set the body section aside and moved on to the sleeves…they’re easier, and I needed to feel like something was moving forward. It’s less meditative than usual and more like knitting under duress… but still, I love it…in a stubborn, complicated way.
Current color obsession
Now for the current obsession: my new Eileen Fisher coat in the shade Rye. It’s the color that pulled me in first — a soft, cool-toned neutral that somehow manages to go with everything without feeling the least bit boring. Not quite beige, not quite gray… just quietly perfect.
The shape is simple, the lines are clean, and yes — it has real pockets. It was the perfect weight for our trip down the PCH last week: not too hot, easy to layer, and just right when the drizzle rolled in. I wore it almost every day, and never once wished I’d packed something else. That’s saying something.
Hallux Limitus
I also made it back to ballet class this week, which fills my heart…but absolutely not my foot…with joy. My big toe isn’t just cranky, it’s screaming. I’m fairly certain it’s hallux limitus, which sounds almost elegant until you realize it just means your toe won’t bend and hurts like hell when you try.
It was so painful during class that I stepped out for a drink of water and stood outside pretending to stretch. When I finally limped back in, my daughter looked at me and smirked: “Are you trying to run out the clock?” Yes. Yes, I was. Busted.
My physical therapist has me rolling the tendon under my arch with a hard ball, wearing toe stretchers, and icing it religiously…all part of my personal campaign to avoid the surgeon at all costs. If sheer stubbornness were a medical treatment, I’d be doing pirouettes by now.
Birthday Sparkle
And finally, the thing that’s been putting the biggest grin on my face: a sparkly new bracelet. It’s slim, simple, and quietly elegant…but the way it catches the light? Pure magic. Not bold, not loud, just that perfect kind of shimmer that makes you pause for a second and smile.
It ended up becoming my 69th birthday present, which feels fitting. A little sparkle to celebrate another trip around the sun, and a gentle reminder that joy doesn’t always come in big, sweeping moments. Sometimes it’s just a bracelet that makes you smile every time you glance down at your wrist.
So no, it wasn’t exactly a graceful week. My toe’s still protesting, my knitting went rogue, and I’ll be revisiting those buttonholes whether I like it or not. But somewhere in the middle of all that, I wore a great coat, added a bit of sparkle to my wrist, and thought about Claire McCardell…designing clothes that worked for real women with real lives.
What about you? What small thing brought a little ease or quiet delight to your week?
I also just finished reading the Claire McCardell bio. She was a fascinating character! What an interesting designer; she really understood women’s lives.
She was amazing!
I truly enjoy your blog. I appreciate how you keep things real and openly share the challenges we all face as we age—yet you do it with such style and grace.
Before my 69th birthday, my husband asked what I would like and I said I didn’t know if I wished for a diamond pendant for age 69 or 70. He promptly took me shopping and I continue to wear the diamond pendant very very frequently for now 6 years. (It layers beautifully with other necklaces.) It is a special gift and it was a wonderful way to celebrate 69. Your bracelet is lovely and I’m sure it will continue to give you much pleasure in the years to come.
Thank you for mentioning the Claire McCardell book. I just put it on hold at the library. It will be a “quiet delight”. Happy Birthday!
What a gorgeous pattern you are knitting! I felt your pain about ripping back 16 rows! You are a beautiful knitter!
Thanks. I’m putting it off as long as possible 🥴
After multiple ankle surgeries my foot has gotten stiff and my toes would catch when i would walk. My ortho told me to have my husband bend my toes down and back up. It helps the arthritis so much since it works on the scar tissue I have. Having a painful big toe is no fun. Just throwing it out there for you.
Ouch! Sorry you have that. My other big toe got very stiff after the bunion surgery so I’m hesitant to do more surgery.
I am in aware of your knitting talents!! Please share a picture of the finished project — I have no doubt it will be stunning! Thank you for sharing your many talents with us.
I will share but it does have challenges.
Happy Birthday! Your knitting project and woes put a smile on my face! Finished my husband’s vest! It fits! He loves it 😊 plus once washed and blocked the crinkled wool from “pulling out” sorted its self out! I think I’ll buy a new lipstick to celebrate.
New lipsticks is a great reward
I feel your pain! I have been dealing with big toe issues for years and never wanted to do surgery. Injections helped for a long time but now they don’t . I am 78 and still get around just fine. Wearing Hokas helps. Now I rub Vitality essential oil on it every morning. Of all the things I have tried this seems to help the most. I rub the Aches and Pains or Frankincense on daily, all over the top of my foot. I regret that I didn’t just have the surgery when I was younger but, you know, there is ever time!
Hoping the oils will help you!
Jane
Thanks for sharing Jane!
My favourite posts! Just sharing your life and what is happening….yesterday I travelled to see my parents and help celebrate their 68th wedding anniversary! Isn’t THAT something! A dinner out and I feel so blessed to still have them both in my life!
Wow! That’s amazing Wendy. You are so very blessed to still have them.
I do enjoy your Monday posts and they have climbed to my fav read. Why do our joints protest our improvement efforts and have just completed 6 weeks of PT for my knee…sigh! I have last year’s EF light trench in Ebony…same fabric and also love…currently on sale.
Thank you for the great read.
Happy Monday! It’s a great fabric
I love the sweater you are knitting. It looks quite complicated, just think how accompished you will feel when it is (finally?) finished!
Good for you for buying yourself a birthday present! I too, just turned 69 and it is a strange feeling! I think I will start saving now to buy myself something beautiful (like a tennis bracelet) for my next birthday! Happy birthday!
Thank you
I admire you for keeping up with your ballet class. I just know my feet would not allow it but I would love it! That’s a beautiful tennis bracelet. I have a beautiful gold one from my late husband. I got the clasp fixed and I’m wearing it again. Just makes me happy. Love your rain coat and good luck on your knitting project.
Well, Happy Birthday! Hubby is a keeper. 😊
I feel for your toe….NONE of my toes right side will bend….secondary to botched Bunionectomy. If you ever consider it, get in touch with me….have “lessons learned” to share.
Despite living in “The Great Warm”, that EF coat caught my eye…ordered it in the Rye (that blue was just ‘in your face’. Also ordered the short sleeved knit top in same color. We’ll see how it looks with my winter coloring now that I’m 76 and my complexion has softened with white hair.
I adore the Rye. I hope they come out with some sweaters! Let me know how it works for you.
Hi Jennifer,
When I was young I loved anything “dance” and was pretty good at it, if I say so myself. So when the Y offered a hip-hop class, I decided that was for me! I was 60 at the time and ahead of even the 30 year olds at catching on to the steps -lots of experience under my belt. My brain was so happy that I was doing something I loved again, that it didn’t check with my body to ask if it was up to the challenge. I tore the meniscus in my left knee! It’s now 13 years later and I’ve just recovered from a knee replacement. Oh, the joys of getting old!!
Oh no! I’m so sorry. That’s so painful. I’ve decided to pace myself in class and do some barre work at home to ease into it.
Jennifer, surgery is the extreme for that condition. You should be able to manage it. I’ve had hallux rigidus (I have planter flexion but no dorsi flexion) for about 12 years now and have very little pain with just a few modifications. I have orthotics for my athletic shoes, I wear shoes indoors as I can’t walk barefoot for very long and all my other shoes have firm soles and are supportive. And if I know I’m going to be on my feet for extended periods (I had a part time retail job) I change my shoes every few hours. I hope you are able to find some relief.
Thanks for the hope Yvonne! I really would like to avoid surgery at all costs. I’ll see about orthotics. Finding a good doctor is the challenge.
I am not a knitter but rather a crochet addict. Your knitting pattern is beautiful. in crochet we call it frogging when we have to rip out stitches and believe me I’ve been there many times. I have to announce when I’m counting so hubby knows I’m not to be disturbed😂.
I am on the hunt for a classic denim shirt and if you have any suggestions I’d love to see them.
Also I love your writing style. You have a wonderful way with words and sentences. Maybe a co-author with your brother is in your future? 😊
I’m a Needlepointer and feel your pain with your project. When I find myself messing up a project because I can’t get the stitch correct or have frogged it – Needlepointer talk for ripping- too many times, I set it aside for a day or two and then it seems to go smoothly when I pick it up again! The brain is a curious thing. Good luck on your sweater, it is a gorgeous pattern.
I haven’t done needlepoint for many years but love it too.
I had a blast last Thursday! Treadmill, Lite Strength class and I topped off the afternoon with my BESTIE of 50 years with lunch
I realized I need to connect more
It was a fantastic day!
That’s wonderful!
What brings delight to my life is my grandsons. I was sick for two weeks and did not see them until yesterday. They fill my heart with joy !!!
They are the best. I’m glad you’re feeling better