Scenes from a really quiet house. Everyone made it back in one piece, per a wee-hours text from the Artgirl, and here we are . . . being quiet. Again, it's not bad. It's our normal life, actually. But it is quiet.
We've gone from this ---
(People on the ends near me got cut off but oh well)
--- to this:
Not that there aren't things to be said for quiet. Most of the time, I thrive on it. But I kind of miss all the people right now.
So does Dora, although she's still finding their crumbs.
Last night we went out to the wine bar (again) and had a light supper, then came back and drank tea by the study fire. I dragged myself into bed before too long, though, and read David Copperfield until I fell asleep. I slept well and feel like a new(er) person today. In a while I'll step out with Dora for a more substantial walk than we've taken in days, and maybe do an actual workout. Yesterday I lifted some 10-lb dumbbells for roughly ten reps and then thought, Nope. Tired of this.
I've got two essays to write for next week, meanwhile, and a Poshmark parcel to send --- I've sold my Doc Martens at last! It'll be great to get them out of the house before the new year. So in just a few I'll print out the label and pack them up, hoping to catch the mailman.
Outside, we have some thin sunshine happening, and chilly-ish temperatures, above freezing. The high is actually supposed to be almost 60F, so if the sun stays out, it'll be a nice day.
Wearing today:
*Wool& Brooklyn dress (small long) in Pacific
*Secondhand Japanese linen pinafore dress
*Secondhand Peruvian Connection alpaca cardigan
*Snag merino tights, dark gray
*Xero Tari boots
I hadn't really thought before about wearing a Brooklyn as an underlayer, but she works. It's kind of an interesting neckline effect, I think:
I love this simple, sturdy little pinafore dress, one of a number of good late-autumn/early-winter additions to my closet. Pinafores/jumpers add so much versatility to my core of dresses --- yes, I could just wear this pinafore over a shirt, but generally, so far, I've opted to wear it over a dress, to transform that basic dress into a shirt/slip under-layer. In warmer weather I do plan to wear pinafores just with shirts, which is why I'll let myself do some judicious thrifting. I also look forward to getting more wear out of the two cashmere and wool tanks I bought last winter and haven't worn nearly as much (yet) as I had anticipated.
I had thought that I might wear one of my two new big shirts over my pinafore, but it's still a little chilly. Instead I reached for my trusty alpaca cardigan, which Marly talked me into buying in the bougie mountain consignment shop in September 2022. I wasn't going to buy it --- I was in the middle of this supposedly no-buy year --- but in the end I caved, and as with every purchase I made during that alleged no-buy, I have zero regrets. Every single thing I bought in that year (these boots, too, for example) has been something I've worn and worn and worn.
Anyway, I reached for these outfit components without any real vision in mind, but I love how they've come together. I like the detail of the crossover bodice with this low-cut pinafore, which makes the most of any neckline underneath. I like the pinafore's clean, modern lines. My others are kind of cottagecore; this one has a different vibe, like a Japanese teapot in a crowd of flowery English ones. I like the earthy tan linen against the tealy greens and blues of my dress and cardigan. I like the wool against my skin, and the juxtaposition of that fine-knit texture with the rough texture of this thick linen. It all feels like a lot of interest, but subtle interest, not self-announcing.
I also like that I bought the pinafore for under $20.
Now I think I'll go pack those Doc Martens to ship. May their new owner walk many happy miles in them.
LUNCHTIME UPDATE:
Speaking of miles, Dora and I are just back from a vigorous walk: over an hour, over three miles. They say that a walk in the morning sunshine delivers a major hit of dopamine, and I'm here for it. After days in the house, largely either sitting or standing at the stove, it felt good to get out and move.
Here are the magical winter woods and creek in mid-morning light:
It's pretty warm out there, too. Didn't take me long to shed both my coat and my cardigan. Here I am, just back, still warm and energized.
I suppose I should add "secondhand Allbirds merino bralette" to my outfit list, because here it is, clearly on display. Still, I love my Brooklyn dress as an under-layer with this pinafore. I couldn't wear the butterfly sleeves with just any pinafore, but this one's deep armholes are perfect for it.
I really don't need tights and boots, but it's not too hot for them, and the evening will be chilly again. But I can sure anticipate this outfit with sandals, yes I can.
EVENING:
A quiet, simple dinner at the kitchen table: we finished the last of the Christmas-Eve fiskesuppe, which was very good and which we wanted to be sure we ate up. I brought these beautiful beeswax votives, a gift from the husband, in from the dining-room table so that we can eat by their light for as long as they last.
In a little bit we'll drink some tea, then we'll take the dog for her not-very-late-night walk. I'm already looking forward to climbing under the covers with David Copperfield and calling it a night.