Greetings from Las Vegas.

 

Quote from Joan Didion

Old Levi’s 501s, preferably from my mom or from the PDX flea market, are the only jeans I want to wear. I thought it was all hype until I finally tried them on and understood why my mom only wears old Levi’s 501s.

Riding a bike is just as fun now as it was when I was a kid.

Yoga is therapy.

“Drink water and mind your business” is the best life advice. It is evergreen and can be given to anyone at any age. Aiming for a gallon a day for this month.

Rihanna is going to be rich forever.

My hobbies are seasonal. Right now, it’s Pokemon Go. So much Pokemon Go.

 

 

 

 

Just finished The Denial of Death

…or in real life.

What most people get wrong about men and women – advice for life tbh

The radical moral implications of luck in human life

It’s ok…you can put your phone down (but please turn off read receipts…that’s just rude)

A horrifying story, but an important one to read.  Get tea. You will need it.

 

 

 

 

It’s been a spendy year. You’d never tell by this repetition of outfits.

thrifted shirt from years ago / mom’s LEVI’S 501s / CITIZENS OF HUMANITY jeans / ANN DEMEULEMEESTER shoes

The thought of writing a long form assessment of the damage done crossed my mind, but it seemed more harmful than helpful and shaming myself has never led to improvement. Long story short, I didn’t keep to my self-imposed spending limit for the year and am now in the middle of a “lean August” to make up for it. On one hand, it’s a chance to reassess my priorities and wean myself off of my usual coping mechanisms. On the other, I miss meat.  And social alcohol. There is little else to do in Portland if one isn’t into hiking…and this one isn’t into hiking.

It’s said that what is measured is improved so I am going to attempt to document yet another strategy moving forward. HELLOOOOOOOO NICHE! I never formally tried the 5 Piece French Wardrobe* method (not sure this is a real thing or if the internet invented it for clicks), but figured it’s time to try something new that caters to my tendencies to over-plan, place unrealistic restrictions on myself, and write about clothing. That the Fall/Winter season starts after lean August ends is just a happy coincidence.

If you are unfamiliar, this particular approach allows for the purchase of 5 items per Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer season. The exceptions are whatever you deem them to be. From what I’ve read, it’s traditionally undergarments, basics, and items that need to be replaced. Since I am nothing without a challenge, I’m cutting this exception list down to undergarments and items that can’t be repaired.

I like to think I’m already a vet at self-delusion and mind games when it comes to clothing so my preparation for the 5PFW is a little different from standard issue:

Step 1: mend all the things

Step 2: take all the other things to be cleaned/repaired/resoled/conditioned

Step 3: go through everything to determine which things to keep

Step 3a: box the rest because feelings change

Step 4: make a list of things wanted

Step 5: agonize over whether or not to buy the new things for the next 6 months

I’m already inspired!  

 

 

*Of note: don’t expect to see Breton shirts, Isabel Marant coats, or the whole gamine thing – they are not in my ministry. I’ve tried and it just isn’t happening. 

 

T by ALEXANDER WANG dress / VALENTINO heels
RACHEL COMEY top / SACHIN + BABI pants / VALENTINO heels
DIY knotted top / BLACK CRANE pants

You know…I think part of the problem is that I don’t feel like I fit into a niche. I’m not a sustainability blogger, although I wholeheartedly support the mission. I’m definitely not a minimalist despite my self-delusion every now and again. I don’t keep up with what’s trending because I know what I like and I doubt I could keep up. I don’t have any particular hook or specific approach when it comes to this stuff; I go with what I like and what fits in with my Very Loose Code of Ethics™:

• I prioritize secondhand (because I wanted to be a Planeteer)
• I usually buy only what I fall in love with (because who has money to waste on mediocre things?)
• I make sure what I buy fits in with the general look and direction of everything else (because who has money to waste on things one isn’t going to actually wear?)

If I had to put a label on whatever…this…is, it would be a blog for fans of modest thotwear with champagne tastes on a wine spritzer budget, a heavy dose of label whoredom, and intentions to not buy more than what is necessary because we really need to start investing* instead of buying clothes all the damn time.

Simple, no?

 

 

 

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*I do not believe in investing in clothing. Clothing, except in very limited and specific circumstances, does not appreciate in value or offer a return once it’s been bought and worn. One can get one’s money’s worth from clothing purchased, but it isn’t something one invests in. Or, as my father used to colorfully say, “if it’s on your ass, it’s not an asset.”