What I love this week: at home and out & about
Happy Monday! Now that the painters have finished, I’m finally relaxing and enjoying January’s slower pace. I’m getting back on track with my exercise routine, though I’ve been slacking on nutrition with so much recent disruption…will work on that next. Aside from a quiet house, here are a few things I’m enjoying this week.
A fresh new look (for my home)
I could not be happier with the color I chose for the (entire) interior re-painting! Benjamin Moore White Dove is a creamy off-white that works beautifully in every room in my house! I’m just blown away by how good it looks. No matter the lighting, it’s soft and elegant, but fresh. I’m absolutely delighted.
One of the elements I knew I needed to address with my redecorating project was to add more table and floor lamps to brighten up the rooms. Our house was built in 1941, and the front rooms of the house are still part of that original, 83-year-old build. Which means there aren’t many electrical outlets, and those that are there, aren’t always in convenient spots to plug in lamps.
I wanted some small lamps on my fireplace mantel, and started searching for cordless ones. I ordered these cordless LED lamps and am quite pleased with them! They have 3 different light modes, can be dimmed (and stay where you set them). They re-charge with a USB cable.
They’re available in several colors, so you can choose what works best with your decor.
I’m still waiting on a couple of pieces of furniture (now expected early February). Once everything’s in place, I’ll share the full project, before and after.
From head…
I consider eyewear to be an important accessory, and believe that updated eyewear goes a LONG way to keeping our look modern and current. So I’m always checking out new styles and brands.
My friend Karen was in town last week, so of course we went shopping. 😉 While going through the eyewear section at Neiman Marcus, I spotted a rack of distinctive styles from New Orleans-based brand Krewe.
This pair grabbed my attention right off the bat…
I have a small head and narrow face, so it’s often hard to find a good fit, but this style felt right as soon as I tried them on. Karen confirmed, and even though I saw (and tried) a few other styles, these were the ones that came home with me. I’m having my regular optometrist add prescription lenses, can’t wait to get them back and wear them!
When glasses have a lot of gold or silver metal, you can almost think of them like a piece of jewelry. So I would probably skip or minimize the earrings or necklace when wearing these. (The slightly mirrored lenses can also read as “metallic.”)
To toes…
Some of my friends have been raving about On sneakers, but I hadn’t come across any styles that appealed to me, until a couple of days ago. While I was making a pass through the Nordstrom shoe department, I spotted these on a display table, and decided to give them a try. (I’m always on the lookout for simple, off-white sneakers for Springs and Autumns…)
I’d heard this brand often runs a little small, but the Sales Associate suggested I try my usual size (7.5) and the fit was perfect! I love that they slip on, but they also come with traditional laces if you prefer. They’re lightweight, supportive, and seriously comfortable, right out of the box. I think these would be a great travel shoe for milder seasons, or just for everyday wear.
I know it doesn’t compare to what a lot of you are experiencing this winter, ❄️ 🥶 but it’s been darn chilly here in Southern California the past couple of weeks. I’ve been wearing a pair of these cashmere-blend socks almost daily. They’re warm and soft but not bulky, and most colors are still on sale.
And in-between…
Karen and I were trying some jackets from the sale racks, and I needed a lighter weight top than the cashmere sweater I was wearing. So the sales associate grabbed this tee, with a print that incorporates two of my favorite things: Paris and maps! It runs a bit small, and the Medium was a good fit, though quite long on me. (You taller and longer-waisted gals will love it.)
I’m really liking these Athleta “Endless” Cargo Joggers. They’re perfect for those days when you feel like wearing sweats, but want to look more polished and put-together. Several colors available in Regular, Petite, and Tall lengths. (I lightened this image a little to better show details.)
If you don’t like the cargo details, the original Endless pants are also quite good. The fabric on both of these styles is a bit heavier and more structured than the Brooklyn pants, so a bit warmer.
(And to report back on those Madewell loafers I featured last week, they run about 1/2 size large. So I’ve returned the 7.5 and have the 7 on order.)
Hope your week is off to a good start! Have you been able to get back into your routines this month?
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Good morning Susan.
I have the Ons Cloud 5 in the waterproof version. Purchased for an active trip to Scotland. I absolutely love these shoes. Very comfortable. (They feel like walking on pillows) I put a lot of miles on these in all weather conditions.
As for getting into a new year routine, it’s been a challenge… weather has been frigid here and hubby recently retired so we are trying to find our stride…
Great glasses!
I’m so glad you are enjoying your new paint! LIght is so crucial to hiw a room feels. Love that Paris tee, although, even on sale, $40 for a sibgkenpaur of cashmere blend socks is excessive to me. I’d rather wear merino, which lasts for a long time And doesn’t retain odor.
Try Smartwool. Our whole family wears them.
Susan,
Those glasses look terrific !
I too, have a narrow face and have found spectacles at Warby Parker that are made for narrow faces.
Just an FYI….
Happy Monday.
You look modern and put together in your blue and white outfit. And your new sunglasses are so cool. You always have cool sunglasses. I still stick to my Dior ones because they were so expensive (to me); even though they were in the sale. Before you know it, I look outdated haha.
Greetje
Good morning Susan – I’m wondering if you’ve seen the Frank&Eileen jacket in pink. If you have, would you say it is a warm pink or a cool pink. Beige, camel and olive are my go-to neutrals. I’d like to have an idea of this before I order it (as I love, love, love it).
Hi Nanc, I haven’t seen that one in person but online it reads to me as a slightly cool, soft Summer pink.
Love your posts. I always find inspiration in your choices. Love those Quince cashmere sweaters!
Thanks very much, Rhoda!
I have BM White Dove throughout my house. Love, love it. It is a soft white & as you said, it goes with ANY color. I have it with blues & greens. Love the lamps & have that on my list to check out. I also use battery candles for ambience & don’t have to worry blowing them out!
I really like those glasses on you. I’ve been seeing people wearing those tennis shoes everywhere so thanks for sharing everything about them.
Thanks, Rosemary!
Love your sunglasses!
Thanks!
The link for the joggers keeps going to the OnCloud shoes…
Sorry about that! I’ve updated it, and here’s the correct link: https://bit.ly/428yBAH
I bought the OnClouds in Oxford nearly two years ago after breaking my little toe at an AirBnb and needing an emergency pair of shoes and they’ve become my go-to for everything.
Susan, after seeing that cool Map of Paris t-shirt, I went to a basket of scarves I have from my travels. I found a long scarf with London and Suburbs 1932 map by One Hundred Stars that I remember finding at the shop in the National Gallery in London. Going to the OHS site, there was… Voila!… a gown with a map of Paris. Just perfect for you lounging about your lovely White Dove home! BM is my favourite paint, for good reason.
Must get going…off to Pilates …my exercise of choice , in heavy rain here that’s washing away the snow we had last week. Pretty ,but happy it’s gone.
Hi Susan
I hope you enjoy your freshly painted house. It feels so good.
I couldn’t decide on whites when we painted kitchen, living family and dining room white.
even cabinets except for the Island. It was so difficult as I never realized how many whites there are. Dove has a bit of a yellow undertone. very pretty however we went wild with Super white.
Almost did Simply White but I absolutely love Super White.
When it started going on the walls, I was afraid but it’s so great. I am so happy. The colors come in vividly with furniture and plants. I am sure you will love your white too!
all the best:)
I live in a 90+ year old house with the same lack of outlets for lamps. I am going to check out those cordless ones.
The lamps are well priced. I ordered the ‘Lamp That’s Overtaking Manhattan’ last year and it was about twice the price. The key is to not forget that you own them. Once they’re in mind then there are gazillions of places where you find yourself saying, ‘oh I think I’ll bring that lamp over here.’
J. Crew socks: I wear a US size 10 shoe, and I can tell you that “ONE SIZE FITS ALL” is a dirty LIE! I ordered the J Crew socks, and will be returning them, since these socks are slightly too short (and I don’t have a high-volume foot). I would not encourage anyone who wears a size 9 or larger shoe size to buy these socks. This is a huge disappointment as I’ve been desperate to find thin wool socks. In addition to a sock that has a long enough foot, it would be good to find socks that don’t have tourniquet-fitting tops!