by Leigh | Aug 10, 2019 | I Feel Pretty |
New Madewell tank top, purchased on my trip to DC with Madewell jean skirt and JCrew slides.
JULY $186
Athleta Swim Shorts $19
Suddenly decided I wanted more modest/covered-up options for the beach. These are perfect. They run big and I sized down to a small.
Madewell Tank $19
A trip to Madewell with my kids when we went to my home town, DC, and they talked me into this top. Not my usual style but I’m loving it! I can never figure out the knot thing but this comes with a weird front tail that forms a perfect knot without making the shirt too short.
Lucky Jean Shorts $45
I became obsessed with the AGOLDE shorts but couldn’t bring myself to spend $128. I ended up finding these and they’re the perfect replacement for my old Lucky cut offs that I’ve had since 2015!
Everlane Romper (Poshmark) $13
I wanted this when it first came out. When I came across it on Poshmark, I grabbed it. Looks and feels like PJs but I’m okay with that.
Athleta One-Piece Swim Suit $50
I bought this with every intention of returning it but it looked so darn good. God, I love it. Again, feeling like more coverage looks better on me.
J.Crew Rash Guard $40
Also within the theme of modesty, age-appropriateness and responsible skin care, I finally got a rash guard.
All of these pieces were great additions to my summer wardrobe!
by Leigh | Jul 27, 2019 | I Feel Pretty |
Hi, welcome to this random thought I had lately: Do I need a kimono? Like as a sort of fun, flow-y jacket? Or a beach cover-up. But I wondered: Is it overdone? Too Coachella Too millennial? Is it appropriation? Am I crazy?
This is what comes to mind:
I’m not sure I can/should try to pull that off. So, I looked at my favorite brands and liked these:
Thought Floral Coat $47
JCrew Floral Poncho $48
JCrew Embroidered Beach Poncho $60
Madewell Patchwork Wrap Jacket $70
by Leigh | Jul 17, 2019 | Let's Get Fit
Let’s get real. I did not follow through on my goal to get fit in time for summer. I completely abandoned the idea. As soon as I set out to promote the idea of “getting into shape”, it felt altogether wrong. I mean, getting and staying healthy isn’t wrong. But setting a deadline and trying to look a certain way just suddenly seemed misguided to me. And right around that time, I started to see and hear people advocating for the idea of accepting ourselves as we are and acknowledging that we are so much more than our size. So, I just couldn’t do it.
In the past I set a goal of getting down to a certain weight in time for summer, by the time I had to put on a swim suit. I felt like a needed a little push to be more active (a good thing) and eat healthier (a good thing) but ultimately like I needed to fit into an arbitrary aesthetic ideal (maybe not a good thing). And, as I get older, it seems, well almost cruel to keep holding myself to this standard.
Goal start: March 10, 2019, 137.1 lbs.
Goal end: May 27, 2019, 135.6 lbs.
During the first few weeks of my fitness regimen, I worked out 2-4 times a week at the gym with lighter workouts on the other days. I didn’t do anything radical in terms of diet. I was more conscious of my choices, but continued to do my usual “just-eat-real-food” philosophy with maybe a little bit of “intuitive eating” thrown in. All along I was nursing a really old injury I always referred to as “tight IT bands from running”. I stretched them religiously and they didn’t get better. They almost seemed to get worse! Then I went to the Chiropractor and he admonished me for stretching what was overstretched and explained that I had a muscle weakness/imbalance. That was a turning point when I had to face the fact that I did not know what was best for me in terms of fitness. I sort of surrendered.
The next couple weeks I was in California and didn’t do much formal exercise. My pain pretty much went away and I resumed workouts, roughly 2 hard classes a week and a little walking. By the time school let out, I willingly gave up the gym and just did whatever. At some point I stopped worrying about planning workouts and recording them on my calendar. So I can’t really tell you what I’ve done this summer. I do know I started really running and it feels amazing. I recently had some suspicious chest pain and actually saw a cardiologist. After I learned that I my heart was 100% healthy I’ve been feeling so grateful for my health and ability to do pretty much anything. That’s what it’s really about, right?
Do I still want to lose weight? Kind of. Do I wish I had more toned legs? Totally. But this is me. It just is. And it’s good.
It’s summer. And I’m ready.
by Leigh | Jul 6, 2019 | I Feel Pretty |
JUNE $236
J. Crew Brown Sandals $48
I LOVE these sandals. I tried a bunch of similar options and these were the winners. I wear them all the time, with everything. I feel like Jackie O. on holiday.
Nike Running Shorts $20
I’ve wanted these forever and couldn’t seem to allow myself to buy them. Why? Now I have them, run in them and am finally living my best cool-girls-track-team life.
Old Navy White Tank Top $7
I love this white tank and wear it so much. When it’s in the laundry, I long for it. Seroiusly perfect basic.
Old Navy White Crewneck Sweater $12
I get cold in the summer (?) so I love having this… just in case. It’s a soft and comfy cotton and I’ve gotten a ton of compliments on it so I feel validated for choosing it.
Old Navy Black Denim Skirt $30
@jillgg made me do it. This is something I didn’t think I needed as a summer basic, but apparently I did! It’s stretchy, casual but an upgrade from shorts.
L.L. Bean Dress $119
I bought this for a recent wedding. You have no idea how long I looked for something wedding-y (but made me look hot, but not hotter than the bride, but also age appropriate and not too dressy…arg!) but I love this and I think I’ll wear more than the once. It’s also a great example of my current style shift I’m calling, “New England Matron”
by Leigh | May 27, 2019 | Slow Fashion
I think I did pretty good in May. I shopped a lot but didn’t buy a lot. It’s good to be picky. I’m known for buying and regretting.
I don’t regret these new black pants at all. I love a good pair of black trousers. I thought these were going to be my go-to, but I never wore them. The cut just wasn’t right. I got this new pair at Old Navy (which has been wowing me lately) and they are just perfect: retro, slim, cropped and very comfy/stretchy.
This month I also got some much needed new running shoes, a basic black tee and a new spring/summer handbag.
MAY $153
Asics Gel Contender $55
Old Navy Mid-Rise Ankle Chinos in black $13
Banana Republic Boatneck T-shirt in black $14
Madewell Medium Transport Tote $71 on Poshmark
I’ve been clearing things out as needed. I’ve got some things for sale on Poshmark, if you’re interested.
And as always, I use Pinterest in order to keep track of things I want and also to delay purchases. You can check out things I might buy in the future on my Spring wish list.
