Well hello there, happy Saturday!

My youngest started high school on Tuesday! Where the does time GO!?!

And in an annually always overwhelming period of the year at school, I found THIS advice (below) that I read recently to help more than honestly just about anything else ever has.

It reminded me to EAT SOMETHING, SILLY one hectic mid-morning when I felt close to tears at the thought of ONE MORE PERSON walking through the library doors needing something from me, and to take a quick lie down when I got home one day, certain I couldn’t make all of my gazillion stakeholders happy:

… when I feel overwhelmed or stressed I don’t immediately practise progressive muscle relaxation or attempt a little cognitive restructuring. I remember one rule: If you think you hate everyone, have something to eat. If you think everyone hates you, go to sleep. Despite all the headshrinkers in my proximity, that memorable line came from a gently worn-out high school teacher. She threw it out late one afternoon in an attempt to quell a sea of raging teenagers. I don’t know if anyone else present that day is chewing it over decades on, but for me it became a mantra.

Wendy Syfreet, The Guardian, January 3, 2024

Isn’t it just so very true and helpful and simple?? We are really all still toddlers ~ nothing a snack and nap won’t help.

Today I’m sharing my back-to-school shopping finds and one of my favorite nonfiction reads of the year … let’s go!

A Thoughtful Wardrobe Refresh

Remember last spring how I told you I wouldn’t be making or buying clothes over the summer, and would instead be pondering what I actually needed for the new school year? Well, I’m really proud of how I did on that! I only made ONE clothing item over the summer (my silly dress for the 4th) and I was very thoughtful about what I bought for this new season. I loved getting to do most of this shopping in-store!

When I was shopping, I focused on what I remember wishing I had last school year, and what I wore so often last year that I knew I needed more of. And, because I didn’t shop in the meantime, I was able to put aside the money to get what I knew would be worn and useful all school year long, in quality pieces that would last.

Here is what I ended up adding to my wardrobe:

• the boyfriend version of my very favorite L.L. Bean wide leg jeans ~ I love the wide leg ones SO MUCH, but also wanted something with a narrower leg that I could cuff over ankle boots in the winter. Wore them two times already (cuffed twice with my favorite sneakers) and love them.

• A Faherty chambray maxi skirt that I seriously agonized over for weeks before ordering, trying to decide if I could sew one that I would love as much as this. I decided no, since the fabric is so luxurious and the waistband constructed so uniquely. I seriously gasped when I saw it and said to my daughter, “this is my DREAM skirt!”. I tried it on in-store, but they didn’t have my size and it’s really pricey for me, so I knew I had to think hard before making the purchase. I did order it after much deliberation and wore it twice already in the first week of owning it. It’s going to be on CONSTANT rotation.

• yet another merino tee because I really don’t want to wear anything other than merino tees if I can help it! I bought the ecru in-store, and want to save up for the purple orchid and cherrywood.

• A cotton loose-weave boxy cropped short-sleeved sweater in a grayish brown and two long-sleeved cropped tees with unique cuffs (both neutrals) at Aur Society but I can’t link to them because … there isn’t really an online store? Can that be possible?? Anyway, all three of these will be worn with all of my skirts and over my favorite Pact sundresses.

• a new pair of Lems for my collection ~ I never had a black pair of shoes last year, and really missed this wardrobe item. This slip-on pair is perfect with my dresses and skirts!

• and finally, two pair of these cropped (on me at least) barrel leg sweatpants from Aerie that are the rare sweatpants I actually like - I’m so picky about pants of any kind! I actually wore the reddish (royal berry) ones to work on a non-student day, with a tucked-in merino tee, and didn’t feel massively underdressed. I only got two pair instead of one (the other is the smoked gray) because the salesperson kept finding discounts and they ended up being over 50% off.

Sewing plans for the future …

I have the fabric to sew a blue linen-blend dress but have been scared to try the pattern for MONTHS now - eeek I can NOT ruin this fabric. I also plan to make a maxi flax-colored linen-blend skirt since I already know I like the fabric and I can use my favorite skirt pattern - very low risk! And I have hopes of using a pattern I tried and liked last year to adapt for a few different tops. We’ll see what the fall brings for sewing!

Nonfiction GOLD

It’s rare that I inhale a nonfiction book that isn’t written in a narrative style, but oh my goodness did this one hit JUST RIGHT. The only reason I even picked it up, given my avoidance of most “fix your life” books, is because it was the book club pick for YogaBody Five for Life. I’m so glad I gave it a try!

Walk by Courtney Conley and Milica McDowell is one of those preaching-to-the-choir books for me, meaning the main reason I love it so much is that it validates so many things I already believed, with the powerful addition of some new footwork exercises and stretches I need to try.

As someone who has struggled with lower back pain for a decade and fears of plantar fasciitis returning for almost two years, I almost started crying while reading the section of the book that describes how intense pain can lead to intense FEAR of pain, which therefore limits activity. Knowing that this is a REAL thing and that movement IS the answer (despite so many doctors recommending restricting), having this book out in the world validating my understandings is such a balm.

Also, this is the book I'm telling EVERYONE to read when they wonder why I will only wear Lems and Altras (or shoes just like them!) for the rest of my life. I was on the functional and zero drop shoe wagon years ago, but again, having this printed and bound validation is a gift.

If you’re looking for some inspiration to MOVE, have pain that has been holding you back, or don’t understand why your feet hurt all the time, I highly suggest this book!

I hope you all have lots of snacks and sleep on your weekend calendar ~ let’s all nurture our inner toddler!