(I love this view near my little city.)
Yesterday was rainy and gray, and I spent the day in sadness, caught up in my thoughts and eating too much Halloween candy. I let myself take a little time to grieve the loss of so many things, for my boys, for my family, for our country. But this morning, the sun came out after a week of rain, and things seemed clearer and brighter. My heart is bruised and battered, as I’m sure yours is, but I feel a little better today.
This morning, I woke early as usual, to take our new puppy out in the dark. She’s a joy to our family and a wonderful distraction, too. I drove the boys to school, came home and tidied up after breakfast, then went back to school and spent some time listening to second graders read to me. It’s one of the favorite parts of my week, and when I’m volunteering, I find comfort in the class routine. My sons’ school is love-filled and diverse, a microcosm of our town filled with children from all kinds of backgrounds and experiences. It reminds me of my own elementary school and I’m so grateful that my boys are able to attend this wonderful place.
The students are getting ready for Thanksgiving, and my youngest son decorated a giant feather that will become part of a large turkey display. They’ll have a week off school, and then the Christmas holidays will be upon us. It’s almost the end of the year, and what an eventful year it’s been. I’ve been holding my breath in anticipation of the election, and now it’s over. It’s over in more ways than one, but life is continuing at a steady pace. My little puppy needs walking every morning at 5:15, and my boys wake wide-eyed and excited for the day ahead. Those things are enough to get me out of bed each morning, to push me forward into my day.
The months and years ahead will be hard, that’s about all we know right now. I worry what our country will become as my boys grow into teenagers, and then young adults. It might be so different from what I’ve known, or it might not be that different at all. What I thought I knew didn’t hold true on Tuesday, but I’m hopeful that things might still change. I know I’m not alone in my beliefs, or in my worries, and I’m comforted that so many others share my views. I’m hopeful that we will transform our fear and anger into action, and from that, good things will come.
My heart breaks because others will suffer, and that is the most difficult part. I’m encouraged by the protests and the voices who won’t be silenced; by my city and county, who voted in opposition to the rest of my state; by the teachers at my sons’ school, who work tirelessly to teach our children, no matter what.
I hold onto that “thing with feathers” and the idea of better days ahead, especially for my boys. It’s enough to keep me going. It has to be.
(PonyBabe features four pieces perfect for layering and everyday wear.)
Rachel Fernbach, a former body-oriented therapist who now runs a yoga and meditation practice, has created a capsule collection of comfortable and fashionable clothing that really fits the way we live these days. PonyBabe, which launches today on Kickstarter, features four beautiful and sustainable pieces called the 24 Hour Outfit (a tank top, wrap, cardigan, and pants) that take the guesswork out of getting dressed each morning. Each item in the collection works with the rest and also fits easily into any basic wardrobe, making them a perfect investment for a variety of lifestyles.
PonyBabe is designed and manufactured in New York City at a fair wage factory in Brooklyn. Using organic cotton and bamboo, the pieces are finished with luxury details to create soft fabrics that transition easily throughout your day. Rachel is focused on sustainability and transparency, and her yoga practice is obviously a guiding force in this project. Her goal is to share an easy, comfortable, ethical way of dressing with women in all stages of life: yogis and meditators, new moms, creative professionals, frequent travelers, and anyone interested in ethical fashion. I live in cardigans in the fall and winter and am excited to add this one to my small collection. I’m also seriously considering the pants as a daily alternative to jeans.
(PonyBabe’s versatile cardigan.)
PonyBabe’s Kickstarter campaign runs through November 18th and backers will receive the clothing pieces at a price below retail value. If you’ve never bought an ethical fashion piece before or are interested in the process, PonyBabe is an excellent investment opportunity. I love the concept of investing in a brand I truly believe in and watching it grow successfully. I’m excited for Rachel and I encourage you to visit her Kickstarter today.
(All photos courtesy of PonyBabe.)
(A pin that once belonged to my mother’s dear friend, who recently passed away.)
My mother’s beloved friend died recently, and I’ve thought about her a lot over the last few weeks. Dorothy was much older than my mother, and in some ways, she was like a great aunt to my sisters and me. She was quite eccentric in her taste and personality, preferring bright colors, with piles of beaded jewelry draped around her neck and wrists. Dorothy and my mom shared a love of perfume and antiques, and I’d often tag along as they visited stores and estate sales. Occasionally, I’d find something I liked, too, and I think my love for fashion and beauty stems partly from those times spent in the company of my mother and her friend, as they discussed their love of items from the past.
I have this beautiful little pin from Dorothy’s collection, and it’s a special treasure. One rainy day when I was in college, my mom and I met her for lunch at a local Mexican restaurant that was shaped like a pink sombrero. Dorothy thought I’d like the pin, so she sold it to me as we ate. That was her way, and she dealt in trade of beautiful things, so if she recommended something to you, it was smart to buy it. I’ve kept it in my jewelry box all of these years, wearing it sparingly because the clasp is small and fragile. When Dorothy passed away, I took it out and put it on my dresser, so I can see it every day. It’s a sweet reminder of a happy time and the lovely lady who wore it first.
Along those lines, here are a few things on my radar recently.
JUMPSUIT: “What if you never had to pick out an outfit again?”
Gorgeous accessories by Lizzie Fortunato. (Dorothy would have loved these pieces and she would have tried to bargain for them.)
Elizabeth’s profile of her friend, designer Christina De Smet.
Summer’s take on Canberra sustainable fashion.
A conversation on race and raising your children, from Cup of Jo. (As always, the comments are just as interesting and helpful.)
The fascinating story of an 81-year-old pitmaster, Tootsie from Snow’s BBQ in Lexington, Texas.
