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Observations in Fashion

Dressing for the Pandemic—You’ll Need A Few Nice Face Masks

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The face mask is the new “it handbag” only not nearly as expensive. We will be here for awhile so let’s make a statement with this latest trend. 

Around week three of shelter-in-place, I fell into a trap of languishing miserably at home. Being confined to my apartment day-in and day-out numbed my sense of style which left me uninspired to change into anything that was not made with a substantial amount of lycra.  However, I must confess that my favorite outfit was crafted in a sumptuous loose ribbed knit and comfortably two sizes too big. I was hot mess.

Since I hadn’t completely lost my moorings, I would cover up my unfortunate look with a nice coat when I ventured out for groceries. I would even take the extra step of changing into real pants if the weather was warmer and required something lighter and shorter than a coat. But underneath it all, I was still a hot mess.

I clearly needed an intervention, and maybe you do, too.

Contrary to popular belief, fashion is not dead. However, it is understandable that you might be feeling as though fashion is no longer relevant because you really aren’t going anywhere. Your weekly grocery shopping and daily walk might not warrant anything other than your beloved leggings and a t-shirt. But I assure you that taking a little time to wear something more pulled-together can brighten your mood.

The best thing you can do for yourself is get off the couch, shower, put on a cool summer outfit, grab a stylish face mask, and take a walk. Don’t take your walk in the leggings you’ve been wearing all week long.  Try changing it up.  Fight back!

As for a stylish mask, you should have several because you will want choices. In addition, you will need several on hand because it’s important to launder them after each wearing. 

There are lots to choose from. Have a look at some of my favorites.

Microfiber face Mask by Porto $18
Made in San Francisco, luxury apparel brand Porto will donate one mask to first responders for every mask sold.
Bisous Face Mask by Claire V 4 pack $35
If you are a frontline worker they will send you a mask.
Assorted Pack of 5 by Sanctuary $28
With your purchase of a mask, Sanctuary will provide masks to organizations in need.
Hand Embroidered by Roopa Pemaraju Face Mask $80
Cotton Face Mask with Filtered Pocket by Abacaxi $30
Abacaxi is an ethical brand which focuses on handmade textiles. They will donate a N95 mask, for every Abacaxi face mask sold, to health workers.
Japanese Assorted Vintage Masks Set of 2 $23

Non Medical Cloth Mask by Commando 2 pack $25
 For every mask sold, Commando will donate a mask to their local chapter of United Way.
The Sustainable Mask by Christy Dawn 5 pack $30
Christy Dawn will donate 5 masks for every 5 ordered.
Toile Cotton Face Mask available Through Etsy Set of 3 $44.99

Be well, wash your hands a lot, and stay safe!

Home Body—Making The Most Of Your Living Space

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Home is no longer the place where we simply store our stuff, rest our weary bodies, and entertain our friends. Keeping in mind that we are no longer entertaining anyone but ourselves and our housemates, our home is now the center of our universe. It is our office, our gym, our hair and beauty salon, and our aspirational 4-star restaurant. Home is where we take class, our coffee breaks, and ourselves to the theatre.

Our needs are different now. We need a place where we feel safe and comfortable, a place that will accommodate all of the things we do within its square footage. But, just as important, we need a place that reflects our personal style. We are asking a lot more of our home  than we ever did before so let’s be reasonable and not expect it to spark joy every time we turn a corner.

I recently added hardware to my kitchen cabinet doors. It’s something that I’ve wanted to do for a long time.  But I just didn’t get around to it until . . . the lockdown which kept me seated at my kitchen table longer than usual in the direct line of sight of something that needed to be done.  So I took the time because I suddenly had the time to find something I like for the job. The metal pulls I chose don’t spark joy but I like them.  I appreciate the bronze metal used in the construction. The style of these metal pulls is an homage to the designer Frank Lloyd Wright which suits my kitchen and my sense of style. They are nicely designed, well made, and complete my kitchen. 

There are plenty of projects or changes you can make in your home to give you a better place to work, dine, and lounge. Here are a few suggestions.

Add Some Greenery

If you live in a single family home, you most likely take every opportunity to step outside and do a little gardening. But if you live in an apartment, you probably don’t grow tomatoes on your kitchen counter.  Think instead about adding potted herbs around your kitchen window.

Now that nurseries are open again, you can add a few Indoor plants to your living or dining rooms. A living plant can be the singular touch that renews the look of a room.

Bring the outdoors indoors with an herb garden in your kitchen.

Add Some Color

If you prefer austere decor but find that living in neutrals 24/7 feels an overlong trip to Pottery Barn, try adding pops of color. Brightly painted artwork is a wonderful way to brighten up a room but investing in artwork online is a bad idea. Until galleries and stores are open again a safer bet is adding colorful pillows to your sofa or chairs.

You can always freshen up a room by painting just one wall a different color.

Make Your Wood Furnishings Look Like New

My apartment building was built around 1920 when built-in cabinets and grand molding were all the rage. Keeping the wood looking new has always been a great deal of work—that was until I found Feed & Wax, a wood cleaning and polishing product. It’s easy to use, too. Simply apply a layer onto wood surfaces, wait 20 minutes, and then wipe down. Voila, your wood cabinets and furnishings will look better than ever!

Organize Your Photos And Create A Photo Gallery With Your Favorites

Prior to shelter-in-place the idea of going through photos and organizing them seemed impossible. Since we will be home for awhile this is the perfect time to take on this project. After you’ve organized your photos select some favorites, frame them, and create a photo gallery on an empty wall. 

Here’s a tip for curating your gallery. Think color story when you pick your frames. In other words, most of your frames should be the same color.  Otherwise your wall can look chaotic. It’s fine to add another color into the mix but it should be complimentary. Black frames are the easiest choice. If you don’t have black frames spray paint them black. 

Freshen Up Your Kitchen Or Bathroom By Replacing The Hardware

Like any clothing accessory that can make or break an outfit, the hardware on your cabinets and drawers can have the same effect on a room. I have found the best selection of hardware at  wayfair.com. Be patient because there are dozens and dozens of pages to peruse. Make sure you check the specs before purchasing, and always zoom in for a closer look.

Give Your Face Masks A Place Of Their Own

By now, you should have quite a few face masks on hand. Are they scattered in drawers or on counter and table tops? Select a decorative bowl, place the bowl on a table in your entryway, and put all of your masks in that bowl. This will keep them all in one place and easy to grab on your way out the door.

Be well, wash your hands a lot, and stay safe!

Reimagining Fashion Without The Fleeting Trends

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By spending our days in more or less a state of isolation our priorities have shifted. At this time last year, we were planning our summer vacations and picking up a few new pieces to take with us on on our journeys.  Contrary to current fashion magazine reportage, my guess is that we are not focused on what is trending for spring or summer.  I am sure most of you are satisfied with your wardrobes because, for the time being, the latest fashion trends are no longer on our radar. 

Now our priorities are our health, economic situation, the safety of our families, and making sure the kids are okay.  Wait—I forgot about groceries and booze. Having enough to eat and drink weighs heavily on our minds as well. These are the concerns that pretty much predominate our thoughts, not whether cropped pants remain au courant.   

I have always loved fashion because it is a pathway to reimagining ourselves.  But, like a lot of consumerism, we went overboard because there was so much.  We bought something new merely because we read that Kate Middleton had one just like it. Or we bought something new because it was trending.  Or even worse, we made a new purchase simply because it was cheap. 

Never before has there been so much inventory to choose from. In fact, there is so much clothing produced that fashion houses routinely burn their overstock in order to dispose of it. 

Clothing is not the only consumer product that has become so disposable. Furniture and housewares are also problematic. For years we wanted newness for the sake of newness, whether it was a new pair of shoes or a new blender or new patio furniture and the cheaper the better.

It’s time for a reset. 

We can still plan a summer vacation but maybe this year we will travel by car to somewhere with expansive views and no tourists. When we pack we will take our most beloved summer pieces—the ones we’ve always gravitated toward because the fabric and fit are perfection. Before we take off we will make sure that our families are safe, the kids are okay, and that we’ve taken enough wine to enjoy once we have arrived at our destination.

Eat well, wash your hands a lot, and stay safe!