Weekend Reading: 04.19.25
Happy Saturday! We’re expecting a warm, sunny weekend, and I’m so ready for it. It’s been a crazy week for me, with my husband’s phone breaking, some health surprises, and way too little downtime. I feel the need for a vacation, but not a physical one, just a mental one. My friend Carol says she’s learned not to stress about things she can’t control, and it’s something I need to work on. I am a teeny, tiny control freak, and my perfectionist tendencies often add to the stress level. My AAA personality has me running in high gear too often and it’s not doing my health any favors. I have some plans to take a mental vacation, and would love to hear how you do it. Any and all suggestions welcome.
Here’s what I wore when I took my husband to the doctor and then to the Apple store last week. (They wouldn’t fix his phone on my say so). It turned out his phone was dead on arrival.
Crossed My Radar:
- I have my eye on this gorgeous bag. It comes in several colors, but the Ivory is so pretty, and the price is great!
- I agree with these 7 things people over 50 should do everyday.
- I’m all of a sudden wanting pink in my wardrobe. The butter yellow was a fail, so I’m looking for pink. This lilac linen shirt isn’t pink, but wow, it’s so pretty.
- I was ridiculously excited to spot a beautiful Bobcat wandering in our backyard. It was probably hunting the cute bunny that’s been around too…I hope the bunny is quick.
Sales of note:
JENNI KANE still has their spring sale on with 20% off many great pieces.
BODEN: Take 10% off new arrivals with code V9AQ.
FREDA SALVADOR has 20% off my favorite woven flats in several colors.
CHICO’S: 50% off when you spend $200+.
J.CREW: 40% off site-wide during the Spring Sale.
J.JILL: Credit card holders take 20% off with code JJCO425.
NORDSTROM: New spring markdowns up to 50% off, plus get a $25 promotional gift card when you purchase a $150 gift card.
TALBOTS: 40% plus an extra 15% off markdowns, and 30% off dresses, skirts, shoes & accessories.
In case you missed it:
Have a fabulous weekend and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident.
Happy Easter Jennifer, I really like the sweatshirt blazer however, it is a little to pricy, can you recommend an alternative blazer for s similar look, thanks
I do not but I will keep my eyes out for one
Would also love a petite sized one! Thanks for the recent post on finding your right colors. Using the black and white filters on photos has helped me a lot.
Im glad that was helpful
Jennifer, Mindfulness tells us to sift what gets on a to do list. Type A thrives on accomplishment. For stress, use favorite calming color for coffee cup or anything you hold in your hand. Decide to move priority based on your needs. We have to care for ourselves so we can help others. You are a J, needing closure, routine and control. Truity True You Journal explores Myers Briggs personalities and Jacob @ Color Meaning looks at color relationship. Mantra: ” Inhale confidence; exhale doubt.”
Thank you!
Jennifer, been loving your posts. You do such an amazing job and built an amazing community. I think the broken phone may be what broke the camel’s back. You are dealing with a lot and something that you normally could handle, just may feel much worse at this moment. Give yourself some grace and take a mini me break ( what I call it)- this will help you in the long run. I need this now too. Stay well.
You’re right! That phone was the last straw. I spent hours on my phone with our carrier, several days in a row. On top of the ER visit, I was just DONE! Thank for your support and encouragement. I love this community! Enjoy your mini break 🥰
Jennifer, the lavendar/lilac JJill top is beautiful.
Take that mental break Jennifer! Your mind and body will thank you. I have chosen one day a week I call bathrobe morning. It’s the day I do nothing in the morning-my day off and I love it. In the winter after coffee I craft and read, summer ride my bike and garden. I’m retired but still stay busy, so that day (Saturday for me) is important. No wake alarm! Except our cats 🙂
Jennifer, I’m glad to hear things are getting better for your husband (& you) after his hip surgery. My mother had hip replacement in mid-March after a fall and is doing well, but she actually had a broken hip for 3 weeks that did not originally show up on an x-ray. Needless to say, she was in terrible pain before they realized she’d broken that hip. It’s pretty amazing to see how much better she’s doing now, so I hope your husband will also recover quickly and feel so much better!
Good luck to you with finding ways to relax; as an anxious person myself, I totally get what you’re talking about. I find that reading and watching some shows often gives me a mental break. My plan this weekend is to start season 4 of Hacks—Jean Smart is hilarious and so good in it! I read the book The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters last weekend and highly recommend it!
Thank you!!
I was thinking that baggie pants makes you look shorter
What are your thoughts? You look great in them.
My thoughts are, they may make me look shorter, but I don’t care because I like them.
Thanks! I always enjoy the articles!
So nice of you to bring the gift card back. I am a perfectionist and a worrier. I keep telling myself that worrying isn’t going to change the outcome.
I love the lilac linen shirt!
Beautiful lilac shirt!
My “mental” vacations usually come in the form of reading a good book. Somehow, if I can find a book that grabs my interest quickly, I can lose myself in the story. These are usually by authors that are light-hearted and fun. Sadly, my favorite author, Dorothea Benton Frank, left us way too soon. If you haven’t read her books, check her out. SC lowcountry stories.
Mental vacations for me include reading for fun, and turning off the news. I try to read something spiritual – that is something that feeds my soul – and I take lots of walks. Hope you enjoy some “vacation” time.
A few years ago I had the most stressful year of my life. It was worse than a soap opera script. I found myself having too much coffee, wine and junk food as comfort. I woke up one morning and decided to change up everything by going for my walk before I did anything else. It cleared my head and got me ready for whatever I had in front of me. I then rearranged a few other things to prioritize my health before dealing with what I needed to do. It’s still how I try to stay as stressless as possible. p.s. I also pray a lot!
Thanks for sharing Suzanne!
Jennifer, I appreciate all the time and work you put into doing this blog every day. It gives me lots of ideas and info. Although I can’t afford some of the items you recommend, I do have a Talbots & Chicos right down the street from me which fills my closet. Thank you for helping us “not so young anymore” ladies who still love to shop and look nice in our 70’s.
I find daily meditation a way for me to get recentered every day . With some health issues on the horizon I find that I need this more and more. That along with my Pilates and yoga classes really help along with socializing with family and friends.
Thank you Cheryl. Sending healing thoughts your way!
Yoga, yoga, meditation, yoga, yoga
Ah, I see a pattern. Thanks for the nudge
I realize the older I get the more I learn to listen to my body. And your body will let you know to slooow down. I just turn off the world. I watch murder mystery on TV, sleep, get lost in a book or just do nothing.
Thanks Carol
Just read the article about RBF. It’s fascinating that there is so much research about it, and it’s all quite true!
So glad I found you. I turned 56 this month and having trouble finding my place in the world. Just had surgery for ovarian cancer seven weeks ago and frightened for my future. Everyone tells me that a positive mindset helps with healing, but I can’t stop doomspiraling. Thanks for this post.
I’m so glad you’ve joined us, welcome! You will not find a more supportive community, of wise, caring women. Sending prayers and hugs your way, we are here for you. You may benefit from some of the wise suggestions being shared in this post, I know I am and I’m so grateful for this support. xo
Jenifer, I love when you add outfit inspirations to this post!
I love the idea of a mental vacation. One thing that appeals to me is to take one day and treat it like a vacation including self care, whatever that looks like for you. It’s refreshing to take a break from the mental stress.