Some of the trees in my neighborhood have turned early, the scorch of summer drying their leaves. Their sheddings crackle underfoot, a premature sound in the swell of this August morning, where the rest of the world sweats. Maybe it wasn’t ready, but the tree follows the sky, just as the grass gives back the rain, and the birds accept the weather.
How do I make myself in their image? How do I let this age happen to me? I’ve never worried much about my age, actually; I’ve always felt a little ahead of the curve in some way — perhaps a benefit of marrying a man two years older than me, and having an older sibling — but I have now begun to feel a weight on the other end of things. For forty years, I felt drawn skyward. Now, I wonder if I’m not on the return flight, Ithaca-bound. I mean nothing morbid by it, feel assured by this stretch of time with my children still at home and all the goodness ahead of me, but I find myself staring squarely at the shape of things, at its arc and crescent. I look to older women — how did they do this with such grace? — and seek their counsel, and watch the weather in the window and admire the way every green thing bows to its inexorability.
Post-Scripts.
+Gentle packing lists for the future.
+Practical things I’ve learned in 40 years of living.
+In case you need the bright line reminder: “Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.“
+That older Colorado woman I still think about.
Header image via.
Shopping Break.
+This striped J. Crew sweater and these fab utility pants remind me of La Ligne’s Marina pullover and Dunton pants respectively, at better price points!
+While you’re there: this is the casual jacket you want for fall, and this navy dress is giving Ulla vibes — love!
+EEEK. I just added too many things to my cart from Veronica Beard’s fall collection. I cannot stop thinking about this cropped, felted jacket. So chic over everything this fall; the color and the gorgeous jewelry-like knot button are beyond perfect.
+Other things I love from their collection: drop-hem Taylor jeans, this denim dress (another great concert outfit idea), and these cool low-profile sneakers. (You might remember how much I wore their Valentina sneaker in brown last fall/winter. They were my “exploring shoe” while in Italy in October and somehow always looked perfect/just right. Super comfortable and warm.
+I actually wore those Valentinas on the plane to/from Italy with this cashmere sweatsuit, which is now 50% off!
+Speaking of elevated lounge sets, my Taylor set from Kilte is still on sale but now an extra 20% off! (Use code EXTRA20).
+New concealer I’m loving: this one from RMS! Very lightweight, creamy, and hydrating — key words that turn my head because my skin has grown increasingly dry with age. As you know, I adore this brand’s glow primer — sort of like spackle for makeup (ha!) but includes SPF too. I wear it on its own as a light tint/provides a little glow and also blend it with concealer and foundation. Their cream eye shadow in metallics are also INCREDIBLE for nights out. I’m a sucker for anything that can be applied with a finger! Such fun colors, too.
+Truly my favorite and most-worn sweatshirt (and I have a lot). The inside is like a Barefoot Dreams bracelet and it has the BEST fit. Loose in the right places, shrunken in the right places.
+My son lives in performance-material polos and J. Crew Factory has great ones in stripes and patterns right now at reasonable prices! We also love the ones from Vineyard Vines and J. Crew.
+Now is a good time to buy for next year’s outdoor season, while on sale: fresh throw pillows and an upgraded coffee table! And don’t forget to “winterize” your outdoor chairs with these covers.
+Love these Rails pieces with the abstract bandana pattern embroidered: jacket, sweatshirt.
+My kids love to help in the kitchen and this Opinel kids’ chef knife has been such a hit (comes with finger guard!). I just gave it as a gift for a little girl who hosted a cooking party that Emory was invited to!
+REALLY loving brown cords from Frame for fall: these chic straight-leg corduroys are just waiting for the first hint of cold weather, and everyone loves these Palazzo slim wide legs!
+Cute towels for a girl’s room.
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