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.

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.

still warm here

white tee under black slip dress

We’ve been on a bit of a tour (London, Amsterdam, Glasgow), and I’ve been wearing pretty much the same thing. Black dress, black jacket or sweater (or jumper!) white tee, boots and a sandal, all set, go anywhere. I have to bring a sandal or a Birkenstock, happy feet, happy day. While boots always look better in September, sandals simply feel better.

taking it slow

monochromatic dressing (and it’s not all black)

For the first time in thirty-one years husband and I have had open ended days. Nowhere to particularly be, and no one to particularly look after. Sure, we talk or text with our kids on the daily, and have had holiday weekend company with the newlyweds, there’s simply no children at home, and it’s a little odd. 

long country weekends

Yesterday I felt lonely for them, and the quiet weekend and the empty summer house made me feel a little anxious. We’ve been doing gardening projects, I guess helping other things develop and grow. 

I never really know what day it is and missed a lunch meeting last week by simply forgetting it was on my calendar. I’ve stayed up all night reading books (our family female book group latest: It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover) and haven’t done one big grocery shop (with the exception of Labor Day weekend food stuffs), instead cooking from the farm share and the pantry with only minimal pick-ups from the co-op. 

As for style, here are two new pieces I’ve added to the rotation, a pair of light camel wool Theory pants, and an oatmeal strapped wool sweater by Jonathan Simkhai. (Picked them up locally at Tony Walker & Co., you can find them online by clicking on the links). I like the ease of monochromatic dressing and pairing a trouser with a sneaker for a relaxed country look is my current mood: unhurried, unrushed, and informal. 

Every day dress, taking it slow.

first look fall

Kids all over are heading back to school and like the shoemaker’s son I’m one of the last to place a new clothing order.

suede and cashmere, couldn’t resist

Italian stretch suede and luxurious cashmere, double check. Shown here are two of my latest picks after working fall trunk.

LBD and bread & butter

one of the easiest things in the wardrobe is a black v-neck sweater, make it a dress and bingo, out the door in a jiffy

There are a couple of basics here at the every day, a little black dress, usually in regular rotation as it’s just so easy, and bread and butter because it’s just so delicious. 

black dress, nude clutch, so simple
dress from current Carlisle | Per Se trunk show
can it get any easier than good bread & butter?
yeah, greens are good too

Youngest daughter took photos of the dress in our garage, I took the iPhone pics of the baguettes while in Provence. 

While we’re not in France anymore we’ll always be loving the simplicity of black dresses and good bread. For the life of us we can’t go carb free, and sometimes the easiest thing to do to get out the door quick is to throw on a one and done LBD. 

simple hair, simple jewelry, easy

Every day dress with an LBD and always bread and butter is love.