Catching up: painting, what I wore, and a pleasant surprise at the DMV
I’m almost two weeks into Painting Purgatory, with probably about another week and a half to go. (Spoiler: I LOVE the color I chose, Benjamin Moore “White Dove.”) I’ll have lots of before and after photos to show you when everything’s done, but here’s a bit of “in progress…”
Needless to say though, it’s been a bit disruptive to my routine. But I KNOW I’m going to love the final result, so it’s all worth it! (No, I’m not doing the painting myself; have hired professionals!)
What I wore (to renew my driver’s license)
For the last twenty years or so, the DMV has renewed my driver’s license automatically. (Guess it helps to have no tickets or accidents…) They’d just mail me a new one once I paid the fee. So the photo on my license hadn’t changed since my late 40’s (back when I was still dyeing my hair red).
This time, though, I was required to visit the DMV for the renewal. (No tests required, fortunately.) I also upgraded to “Real ID” as long as I was there. I knew I’d have to have a new picture taken so decided to wear something that would photograph well from the chest up.
My sizes: cardigan – Small, jeans – 27
The details…
Cream and warm red are two of my best colors, so I went with those. This cardigan is one of those “softly structured” pieces I reach for often. I wear these cardigans both open as a jacket alternative and buttoned as a top.
I’ve had that red merino crewneck sweater for over 4 years now. It was the very first thing I purchased after my color analysis, and has turned out to be one of my best purchases ever. (It’s from Maje, and was on sale at the time.) The jeans are a couple of years old. I find that a lower rise is better when I want to do a full or French tuck.
As I posted recently on Instagram, I periodically get feedback that I wear/show jeans too often. 👖 But they really are the backbone of my wardrobe. They’re neutral, easy to style, and suit my casual, Southern California lifestyle. I do like to switch it up now and then, but won’t be abandoning my denim-centric style anytime soon.
I really like these Cole Haan platform oxfords. They have that Clergerie look, but at about 1/3 of the price. They’re very lightweight, have good arch support, and are comfortable enough for all-day wear.
👉 Style tip: I like to add a bit of brown and/or metallic to a red, white, and blue outfit to avoid looking like I’m wearing a flag. Here I’ve added a leopard print belt and metallic footwear. Though I didn’t include in these photos, I wore a leather bag that picks up the brown in the leopard print.
Rather than red lipstick, I opted for a warm coral pink, Jane Iredale ColorLuxe in “Sorbet.”
The surprise?
So, I was kind of dreading going to the DMV, though. The last time I was there (20 years ago!), it was crowded, took forever, and everyone was grouchy (patrons and staff). I made an appointment, but assumed I’d have to wait and that the process would take at least an hour.
But it turned out to be an efficient (and almost) pleasant experience! It wasn’t too crowded, and all of the staff, from the security guard who greeted me when I entered to the woman who took my new photo at the end, were friendly, patient, and efficient. I was in and out in under 30 minutes. When they sent a follow-up “customer satisfaction” email, I gave them rave reviews, and even got a thank you email in response from the office manager!
It was a nice way to start the year. Hope your 2024 is off to a good start…
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Susan I had the same experience at my recent trip to the DMV. I too was dreading the visit but was pleasantly surprised and happily completed the customer service survey.
Great look, Susan. I wear lots of denim too, I always have and feel most like myself in it.
I’m a fan of metallic shoes too, but for some reason I’m not wearing my shiny charcoal/dark pewter sandals. I thought they’d be good bookends to my salt and pepper hair. I’m an autumn-do you think they are too cold a colour for me?
Thanks,
Julie x
Jeans are definitely a neutral and lots of us older ladies who live a casual lifestyle wear them , as do I . My wardrobe would not be complete without them . Love the outfit you wore for the photo and the colours are definitely you . Looking forward to seeing your before and after pictures of your updated rooms . A fresh start for 2024 for you .
I can’t wait to see your finished place. White Dove is the best warm white. I have used it many times and have recommended it to friends. It will be so worth it when it’s done!
I got my Real Drivers license a few tears back and despise as in hate the picture so they are renewing it automatically with that ugh factor picture. (Had just gotten out of the hospital after Kidney stone issues, my hair was wind blown ( ie: a mess) and I look exhausted.)
Maybe this will be the year I get a new picture and report in person.
I had half of my home painted two years ago ( mid- pandemic) but need the upstairs done! I just dread facing it! Why?
I live in the Upper Midwest, where jeans abound! However, I rarely see the quality and pairing of accessories you combine with denim, so your outfits are always interesting and illuminating for me. Also, jeans are a welcome relief from leggings.
I’m from the Upper Midwest too. It is horrifying how little effort people put into their clothing choices! I was just invited to a service club meeting, lots of jeans and ratty t-shirts and well worn flannel shirts, and some yoga pants.
I find politeness at government facilities – like the DMV and PO- go a long way. Glad that your experience echoes that practice.
Great colors on you, Susan! Denim in your climate seems a good choice. Before, during, and right after my knee surgeries (Partial Knee Replacements, btw, which I am very happy with–not all docs have trained to do them, so ask around), my knees decided denim was not comfy, even with spandex. In Florida, denim is usually a late fall/winter/early spring choice. I still have some nice pairs, and might revisit them as the look is classic. This year, we got our cooler January weather in spurts starting in November! So I got new light cashmere pieces and some merino/cashmere blends, and decided to try some pants/lounge outfits that could be worn outdoors. The really comfortable pants are the Woolovers lounge pants in the blend, which are still on sale now. I got them and the matching hoodie in dark charcoal, and both are very comfy and attractive. I had a hard time finding a hoodie that wasn’t a cropped length, and Woolovers is longer. I also got Bloomingdale’s cashmere hoodie in Marled Plum. This turned out to be a beautiful dark purple and an excellent cashmere hoodie! I have ordered their matching/coordinating cashmere joggers in a dark spruce, but have not gotten them yet. Sigh, they don’t come in the plum, and black was sold out, so I am trying the dark green color, even though it probably won’t go well with the plum, but I have gray, cream, camel, and black pieces that should complement. These wool and wool blend pants are so comfortable and good looking that I am not sure if I will get to the denim until spring.
My other big favorite is a wool blend, low calf length, v-neck, dolman sleeve dress from Nordstrom’s (online only, but can pick up in a store). I got the gray, and it is a lovely, soft, fall/winter color. What a comfortable piece! I also invested in a cashmere comb, after seeing yours, Susan, although I got the $11 one on Amazon, and it does an excellent job.
I also got another of Macy’s v-neck cashmere sweaters which go on sale frequently for $39. Very light weave, but nice. Not as substantial as the weave of the Bloomingdale hoodie. Could not find a style in pure cashmere in Woolovers this year. The company is great to work with, and their pieces last years. They sell in the US, but the wool and the pieces come from Ireland/UK, so the delivery takes about a week to 10 days.
Susan, did you try any of the cashmere/blend lounge outfits this year?
Looks great! What size are you wearing in the cardigan? Is it cotton?
I bet you looked lovely, and you don’t have to do it again for a long time!
Susan,
Be prepared once you hit 70 you will be visiting the CA DMV every 5 years. I had to take the test last year, but I did it online! Then made an appointment for my eye test and new photo, it was a breeze!
White Dove is a wonderful warm white and I’ve used it extensively in our rather dark home (overhangs and mature trees). Enjoy!
Love the “Dove” color in your home. We recently did some repainting and the painter actually questioned me for choosing a white saying it was cold and sterile. I said I preferred to think of it as clean and bright. The red you wore to the DMV really lit your face. Great color.
What a pleasant start to your 2024! The last time I went to our DMV it was not quite that easy, but much easier than in years past. I think they must have had to make some changes!!! Having painting done inside a house is disruptive. We need it done again. So happy you love the color you chose. I did not know Nordstrom’s carries Jane Iredale. I have been ordering online. I would like to see the lipstick shades in person. I will see if Nordstrom near me carries it. You always look good and your outfits are always so well thought out and put together and look great! Here in Phoenix, I often just toss a t-shirt and shorts on and flip flops or sandals. I am working on streamlining my closet as you write about and hoping that will give me some more choices when I look in my closet, instead of just going for the shorts/t-shirts. We shall see! Thank you for continuing to share.
What a pleasant start to your 2024! Having painting done inside a house is disruptive. We need it done again. So happy you love the color you chose. I did not know Nordstrom’s carries Jane Iredale. I have been ordering online. I would like to see the lipstick shades in person. I will see if Nordstrom near me carries it. You always look good and your outfits are always so well thought out and put together and look great! Here in Phoenix, I often just toss a t-shirt and shorts on and flip flops or sandals. I am working on streamlining my closet as you write about and hoping that will give me some more choices when I look in my closet, instead of just going for the shorts/t-shirts. We shall see! Thank you for continuing to share.
So how did your picture turnout?
No idea, they wouldn’t let me see it but the woman who took it said it looked good. Will get the new license in 2-3 weeks.
I am glad your trip to the DMV was painless. Mine was lengthy and tedious. My husband and I decided to get real ID drivers licenses when we renewed in the fall of 2022. Appointments had to be scheduled ahead of time. When we arrived at the one and only DMV location in our county (there used to be several), we found quite a line. Some people showed up without appointments; others did not have the correct paperwork to prove their identities. Some people who did not have appointments were invited to go into cubicles to go through the licensing process ahead of us. One older woman came in and kept fretting to the “gatekeeper” about how long the process would take. She had caught a ride with a friend who was waiting in her car. The woman was concerned about how long her friend would have to wait and not know what was taking so long. After many loud exclamations of worry to the “gatekeeper”, she was sent to the head of the line. (Squeaky wheel…..) The entire licensing ordeal nearly two hours! Most of the two hours was spent waiting for our turn. To this day, I fail to see why when we had a set appointment time and the personnel at the DMV should have known how much time it would take to verify applicants’ documents we should have had to sit and wait that long.
Don’t get me started about the nonsensical “proof of identity” hoops one has to jump through. My husband and I went to Alaska in 2018. Our state still had not rolled out real ID licenses so we opted to get passports for the first time. We had to prove our identities in much the same way as required for the real ID l drivers license. I would think that producing a valid U.S. passport would be the only documentation necessary to get a real ID drivers license. But, of course not. That would be logical! A passport is considered to be just one piece of valid documentation. Several others, including a utility bill, birth certificate, a social security card, a marriage license, etc. are required by my state. I think it is redundant since I had to produce the exact same documentation when I applied for my passport. But, I should not be surprised. The powers that be know that there are too many fake passports held by spies posing as American citizens created by agencies such as the GRU, MI6, Mossad, etc. A utility bill is a much more reliable piece of documentation, ha, ha. Rant over.
I would love to wear jeans more, but they make my moderate tummy look bigger and for them to look nice, they feel very snug — unless I’m 5+ pounds slimmer…
I’ve always felt happier in knit pants w/ greater mobility but want to wear more jeans.
Happy birthday, Susan, and Happy New Year!
What size did you get in the Betty sweater? Is it real boxy, a little fitted?
Hi Kathy, I’m wearing a Small. It’s not a particularly fitted piece, but not oversized either.
I’m glad you were happy with your new license photo. I vowed to never wear the orange-red tee (it was August – and I’m a Spring too) to get my photo taken after moving to a new state. The resulting picture looked like a mug shot of me in an orange, jail house jump suit that I had to live with for four years!!
I’m a blue jean girl too! I once read that women over 40 (or maybe it was 50) shouldn’t wear jeans. What absolute nonsense! At 71, they’re still my go-to most days.
I think issuing Real IDs has been a big undertaking for DMVs and they’ve upped their game to handle it. When I got mine there was someone screening people with appointments before they even sat down to be sure they had all the required documents. I’m sure that probably generated unhappy patrons, but it means that when you do see a clerk they can plow through the process promptly.
At least you’re set with your ID and won’t run into any issues at the airport!
White Dove is a great colour – we did our whole house in it (diff levels of gloss) m, and it looks great.
I’m a jeans girl too—so keep them coming in your styling, as they aren’t leaving my wardrobe either. The paint color you chose looks lovely!
Good choice of outfit. I think I remember you bought the jumper in London? Or was that an orange one, when you went shopping with Lisa and me?
In the Netherlands you have to renew your driving license every ten years with no physical, but with a new photo. When you are over 70 you have to renew it before you are 75 and at 75 you need a physical.
Love your Cole Haan shoes.
Greetje
Thanks, Greetje, and yes, the very same!