keep it simple

now here is a look I can get behind: single stem, single color. This photo was taken by son Maxwell in a fancy restaurant. The vibe felt approachable, doable

Yesterday afternoon I sat on the couch and read the November issue of a high-end interior design magazine and got promptly overwhelmed. I should have been doing any number of other things besides sitting on the couch yet I was feeling overwhelmed in general and it was Monday so I thought I would take a little rest. Not a good idea.

I think some of the ‘overwhelmed’ feeling was coming from the impending end of October and then the impending beginning of November. Yes, that most wonderful time of the year. 

So, I took a very long walk with my two unmanageable dogs and had a good talk with myself. We’ve done this before, (now like 33 times at least), and we will do it again. Keep it simple I tell myself. 

I know that this simple here might be different simple for others, and that’s okay. For me it’s about doing things myself and being hands on. Hands on the food, hands on the flowers, hands in the garden. It’s never quite like the magazine yet I give it a good go. 

my weekend activities with husband and dog

This past weekend while out in the country I wrestled with the annuals, I’m actually overwintering all of our geraniums, and I think I’m getting better at it, and it’s actually very satisfying. Those overwintered geraniums come back even better the next season out. 

this is what my kitchen really looks like…
grocery store roses, all kind of one color
this is what I do, all white

I’ve yet to branch out with multiple color schemes, it’s always red geraniums or a whole little vessel of lavender or big bunch of white roses, or a whole lot of one thing all in one color or texture, I can’t seem to manage a mix. 

cut the lavender from the garden and stuck it in water glasses
we had fun at that table and then I packed up that lavender and we moved houses
you can’t really see it yet it’s the same weeks old lavender down the center of the table in the second rental house

While in France during the month of June I cut fresh lavender from the garden, placed it in five water glasses here and there down the table, and then took all of that lavender with me when we moved to a new spot. Husband thought I was crazy, all of that lavender wrapped in paper towels while moving from one rental house to another. It wasn’t fancy yet it really looked quite amazing, and it was honestly very simple. 

here I cut white garden roses and stuck them in wine empty wine bottles, of which we had plenty 🙂
I could only find these tiny lights, no glass holder, simply wax on the linen
husband checking me out, oops, didn’t iron the linen, don’t really care

If you too might be feeling a sense of unease, of all that’s expected, I say take a big armful of whatever is in season and fresh around you and lay it all down. Lay it on the table, fill an odd number of water glasses, simply make it simple. High-end interior design magazines, oh you’re good, yet you make me feel like I might not ever get there, (The 101 best gifts list with items starting in the upper thousands really didn’t feel right). It’s just me here, and the humans I hold close. November and December, we’re looking at you, and yes, time to move off that couch. Let’s try and keep it simple. 

gotta love a wall of red hanging geraniums

In Case You Missed Me

We had some site issues and a little down time, nothing too serious. I lost yesterday’s post somewhere out there in tech land, so reposting here, today. It was all about a little faux fur. Here it is all copied and pasted: 

how fun is this little faux fur?

Took these photos out at the country place while on weekend from working trunk show. The little faux fur is not mine, I borrowed and returned it from the sample set for the afternoon, simply wanted to show it off. It’s a fun piece. Never mind I’m wearing sandals, forgot my very fashionable boots in the back and forth shuffle, that’s how it goes. 

gotta love a shiny red pickup truck

Thankful for this absolutely gorgeous upstate New York fall season. 

In case you did catch it before it disappeared in cyber space, I’ve added in a new look so the ping in your inbox is not all content you’ve seen before. 

black on black

Same thing as the faux fur, I borrowed this fabulous embellished sweater from my recent trunk show and then returned it to the set. It is on my wish list. I’m all about a modern holiday crewneck, especially in my favorite color, hehe. 

Adder sweater from Carlisle / Per Se

Just so you know I’ve been missing you all quite a bit. I’ve been working on my site with a media team and for a short time (actually a few months!) my email subscriber list got a little lost in translation. That’s all fixed, so hello out there, and welcome back, in case you missed me.

Moving On

every day dress
moving on while wearing all black

Last Saturday I spoke at a sold-out wellness workshop alongside friend and style colleague Emily Doren of Lace & Day. We were part of a panel of women experts each offering tips and techniques in how to incorporate beautiful balance into our daily lives, a lifestyle concept you know I’m all about. 

Okay, so I spoke, and I touched on many different topics, not really addressing anything I was talking about in detail, and I laugh out loud as I write this, because I know I need some work. My topic was ‘Reignite Your Confidence and Style’, wow. I didn’t practice enough. I even dressed in all black as if ‘don’t look at me I’m not really sure about all this’. It was challenging and uncomfortable and fun and good all at the same time. 

I think it’s good for us all to try things were not really good at and to let the results rest and then to come back and to try again. 

We were seven women all with different stories all communicating different ideas each of us with varying degrees of proficiency speaking in front of a group. I had the least amount of experience and practice and wandered about in topic the most, and I’m letting myself know that that’s okay. 

It’s kind of like my weekly 5:30am ½ mile lap swim. I knew I needed to stretch my fitness routine and to do something different. At first it was horrible, sliding into that pool and swimming laps alongside former collegiate swimmers and needing to switch between freestyle and breaststroke just to keep up and stay afloat. Each week that I put myself in that pool I got a little bit better, and the swim got easier. I simply kept moving on. 

try new things and practice

Here’s my message: try things outside of your comfort zone, and just keep trying. Practice. Don’t pay too much attention to what you think others might be thinking. Time moves fast, and we’re all moving on. I’m coming for you public speaking. 

casual looking

cashmere and suede in two different shades of green, tone on tone is fun

Yesterday we opened our Fall Winter Trunk Show, please know we’re all about casual looking or full out mission shopping. The clothes we wear are a very personal expression of who we are, and I believe the things in our closet should be chosen with thought and care, worn often, even on continual repeat. 

Trunk Show space at 651 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo

My team and I work one on one with our clients, offering personalized service, wardrobe suggestions, positive affirmation. From sustainable denim to full out glamour, we can assist with what to wear where. Here are details: Fall Winter Trunk Show now through Monday, October 21st. 651 Delaware Avenue, suite 101, Buffalo. By appointment. Call, text, email. 716-445-3033, rebecca@everydaydress.com.

tweed jacket, white blouse, suede pant, sneaker: casual looking

In addition, on Saturday, October 21st, I’ll be speaking about how to Reignite Your Confidence and Style along with Emily Doren of Lace & Day at a wellness workshop with five other lifestyle experts hosted by Patti Green. It’s all about creating a beautifully balanced you. For more information or to register please visit: bit.ly/bblifewellness.

sure you can pair leopard with plaid, it’s all about feeling confident
all styles Carlisle | Per Se

From casual to creative to professional to stay-at-home, looking good, feeling good, and doing good is what we’re all about. Come hang with us for a while. Trunk Show, now through October 21st, by appointment. Wellness Workshop, Saturday, October 19th, 8am to 1 pm, register here at: bit.ly/bblifewellness.