The Persimmon Tree

One of my fondest memories from my childhood is walking down the hill with my mother hand-in-hand from our old yellow farm house to eat persimmons.  It was always late September before they were ripe and after we'd eaten the fruit we would crack open the seeds to see what kind of winter we would have.  

If there was a little white spoon in the center of the seed, it meant shovels full of snow.  If, on the other hand, it looked like a little white knife it meant a sharp cold winter, but dry.  Was it accurate?  Who cares, it was fun.

By the time winter rolled around, I'd long since forgotten the fruit forecast, but I did look forward to it each year.  I remember loving the way a ripe persimmon tasted, its purplish flesh mushing into my mouth all sweetness and sunshine.  

I also remember the joy it gave us if one of us happened to get an unripe persimmon.  If you've never tasted that gritty-bitterness, words will not do it justice.  It is powerful and long lasting and inexplicable, but hilarious to watch all the contortions is puts on the face of the eater. 

I haven't had persimmons in years, but this year, I couldn't help but notice the myriad of trees all along my daily route and all heavily laden with fruit this year.  

It's my third year here and I haven't noticed this much fruit in years past; it makes me wonder what it says about the weather that's on the way.  

Regardless, I'm preparing for the worst—lots of snow and ice and long days indoors—and I decided that it would be nice on those cold winter days to have some persimmon butter to spread on freshly baked bread with butter.  

Maybe even homemade butter as we've found a local dairy that will sell us fresh milk directly and we can skim the cream off the top and make our own butter, yogurt, and even a fresh farmer's cheese.  Maybe I'm biting off more than I can chew with these culinary projects, but there's something so satisfying about gathering and preparing my own food from scratch.

This morning was overcast with heavy gray clouds threatening torrential rain which never materialized.  Since the kiddos were already settled in at school and nothing else was demanding my attention, I decided to go out and pick some persimmons.  I've been waiting for just the right occasion to wear this Unicorn Peta dress from Collectif.  

I'm such a fan of all their dresses, but the Peta dress has rapidly become a favorite style and when you add a unicorn and hedge hog print to the mix, I simply can't resist.  Persimmon picking seems like the perfect dose of daily magic to bring out a magic infused print like this.

After I filled my basket, I headed home to wash all this delicious fruit and start making persimmon butter and maybe, just maybe I set aside a few slightly green ones to let my loved ones try when they come home.

Shopping Info: COLLECTIF MAINLINE PETA UNICORN GLADE SWING DRESS

Autumn Evenings

Night

by Adelaid Crapsey

I have minded me

Of the noon-day brightness.

And the cricket’s drowsy

Singing in the sunshine…

I have minded me 

of the slim marsh grasses

That the winds at twilight, 

Dying, scarcely ripple...

And I cannot sleep.

I have minded me 

of a lily-pond,

Where the waters sway

All the moonlit leaves

And long curled stems...

And I cannot sleep.

Shopping Info:  Artka Women's Vintage Embroidered Plaid Midi Overall Dress, Heels from ModCloth

Champagne Sunrise

The sun is just coming up over the hills this morning and something about this outfit made me think that the best way to capture it in photos would be a sunrise shoot.  Something about these colors says champagne sunrise to me.  Not that it's easy to get up before dawn and drive to this location.  Some days I admit, these early morning photos shoots are a race against the sun, and I'd rather be sleeping in, but I do this for you, my fellow fashion lovers, to create this little wardrobe zen for you.  Besides, getting up so early is worth it to be able to don this dress for a few pics before the city wakes up and the streets fill up with cars and chaos because it's a little zen for me too.  

 I don't name many of my outfits.  That's mostly due to the fact that I do anywhere from 15 to 30 outfits per month and I'm not very good at naming things, but as I mentioned, this particular outfit inspired me and I've named it “champagne sunrise” and the reason is quite simple—the colors pink and gold.  I love pink.  I've written several posts all about my love of pink, but today I thought I'd do one better and instead of just talking about it I will post some outfit pics in a fabulous pink dress.  I've also been on a metallics kick with some gold heels and accessories, so I decided to combine my currents faves into this outfit and I couldn't be more pleased with the results. 

You already know that I'm a big fan of FemmeLuxe's Loungewear Sets, and as the days get cooler, I'm hoping that next month's FemmeLuxe collaboration will feature some of their soft, cozy loungewear, but then again, I adore everything from FemmeLuxe.  From jumpsuits to midi dresses like this Pink One Shoulder Slinky Midi Dress - Dylan, FemmeLuxe is one of my all time favorite collaboration partners.

This Pink One Shoulder Slinky Midi Dress - Dylan has a lot of great style aspects going for it that I want to discuss in this post, but of course the first thing that caught my eye was that lovely baby pink color.   A pastel pink like this looks best on cool skin tones, but if you don't fall into that category, don't be afraid to try it out—fashion rules are made to be broken after all.  In addition to the color, this is a Midi Dress which is great for showing off those feminine curves.  

If you're feeling a little hesitant at the mention of bodycon dresses, don't rule them out entirely.  Instead, consider do consider using some shape wear.  I have a healthy and practical view of my body, but I also own some shape wear because it can be a practical way to smoothe out the lines for certain dresses (by the way, I'm not wearing shape wear with this dress).   When I talk to women about their fashion interests and the features they like about themselves, I hear the same negativity repeated regardless of age, weight, height, or shape. 

Often times I find that it's not so much the body that's the problem is our own poor opinions of our bodies that hold us back.  We don't need perfect bodies, just a confidence boost and if shape wear can give you that little bump of self esteem that it takes to step out of our comfort zones and try something new then I say go for it and never look back. 

Not to worry when it comes to being body positive.  FemmeLuxe knows how to flatter a woman's figure and if you'll notice there's a little added benefit to this particular midi dress, it has ruching!  If you're scratching your head trying to figure out if ruching is a real word or if my cat just walked across the keyboard, wonder no longer.  

Ruching means those gathered horizontal lines of fabric that in this dress run throughout the bodice.  In general ruching can be a great way to do a little camouflaging in trouble areas like the tummy or thighs—no shape wear required! 

Just as the sun starts filling these streets with sunlight, I see the first few people out walking dogs or just walking and the first few cars start rumbling by.  Inevitably they all stare as they pass.  I don't mind, I know the dress is doing all the work here because that's what a great dress can do.

Shopping Info: Pink One Shoulder Slinky Midi Dress - Dylan from FemmeLuxeFinery

What Can A body Suit Do for You?

The word bodysuits can create some anxiety for most of us.  We think bodysuit and immediately all of our body insecurities come rearing their ugly heads, but it doesn't have to be that way.  In fact, there are some really great purposes for and benefits to wearing a bodysuit.  Some people have bodacious bodies and a healthy body image to match if you have one or both of those things, know that I admire you.  But many of us struggle with our bodies and even more so with our own poor opinions of our bodies to the point that it prevents us from loving ourselves and living our lives to the fullest.  

One of the reasons I love collaborating with FemmeLuxe is that they have clothes put those insecurities to rest from loungewear sets to bodycon dresses, everything makes me look and feel great, and gives me the opportunity to show you that you can do the same.  So, today's post features the White Snake Print High Neck Bodysuit - Alina with a few tips on how bodysuits can benefit you.

 You know I love a snakeskin print, which is partially why I was drawn to this White Snake Print High Neck Bodysuit - Alina.  But I also love that mock turtle neck which gives it a retro 60s look.  The fit on this bodysuit is fantastic, very comfortable all around.  The fabric is soft and the print is crisp.  That's the review of this particular bodysuit, but what are the benefits of bodysuits in general?  I'm so glad you asked.

 1.      Sleek Silhouette.  I think the thing that most people fear with a bodysuit is that their form will be revealed and they won't like what they see.  If this is you, then let me give you some advice. It's just two words, are you ready?  Stop.  It.  Just because the top is form fitting doesn't mean everything has to be.  The great thing about a bodysuit is that is shows off your body, but you decide how much.  For me, I knew exactly how I would style this bodysuit before it ever arrived in the mail. (By the way, all my femmeluxefinery.co.uk orders arrive within two weeks of purchase, so I have  never had to wait long!)  

I immediately envisioned a black high waist pinafore skirt and black heels.  For a pinafore skirt, the last thing you want is a loose or baggy top.  For this look a form fitting top is the way to go and because a bodysuit buttons underneath, I don't have to worry about it bunching up.  Put those body image issues at east by pairing this bodysuit with this flowy full skirt like the one on this pinafore.  The top is form fitting, and the pinafore is fitted at the narrowest part of my waist, but the skirt is full bringing balance to the look and  I haven't revealed all of my natural shape.

2.      No Overhang.  You may remember my high waist jeans posts (you can see them here and here) and how much I am really loving the way they look on my lower half, but imagine topping off those curve enhancing jeans with a frumpy top.  When it comes to high waist jeans, I prefer either a crop top or a bodysuit.  You don't want blousey overhang ruining those lines or something that you're constantly having to tuck in over and over.  Here again is where the bodysuit shines.  

Thanks to those buttons underneath, you'll never need to worry about tucking in overhang.  Now at this point, if you're thinking that this is all well and good but both the jeans and top would be form fitting, that's where a blazer or cardigan comes in as I wore in this outfit.

3.Lean into the Curves.  I know there's this Hollywood cookie cutter style body out there that we all think we should have, but the truth is bodies come in all shapes and sizes.  You have a shape and no matter what it is, it's a good one.  You just have to first learn to love and accept your body and then how to dress your body so that you're showing its full potential.  

So, maybe you embrace the shape of you by wearing a bodysuit with a pencil skirt or those snug jeans and no blousey blazer on top.  Just be you and love it.  For my next post with this bodysuit, I plan to do exactly that.  Stay tuned..........

Shopping Info:Alina Bodysuit from FemmeLuxe,  Dress from Shein

Evening In the Hay Fields

This evening the sun disappeared behind layers of thick gray clouds.  Heavy drops soon followed and although that may sound like less than ideal conditions for a walk in the fields of freshly cut hay, to me it felt just right.  If the air were just a touch more chilly, I'd probably have put on a comfy Loungewear set and curled up in the window with a cup of dandelion tea to dream away the afternoon while I watch it rain rather than be out in it.  

But, today the warm summer sun has given way to the cool autumn rain and the sweet scent of golden hay wafts up into the air in a fine mist as  the rain washes the dust off the mountains and gives them a fresh coat of blue.  It is the perfect day to put on my Dark Wash Buttons Flare Jeans - Natalia and a cozy cropped sweater and wander among the hills in these picture perfect fields, still dreaming, still taking in the beauty of the afternoon.

To the west the sun is slowly sinking behind the clouds, to the east, in a far field, the cattle are busy munching the last of the grass, too busy to notice the round bales of hay; they are ignoring the sudden shower.  I love their gentle nature and the way their rich colors of ivory, rust and brindled brown dot the green earth.  Walking here, pausing to watch the babies chase after their mothers and then dare to run away again, this is my meditation, my zen today.

September is a season of transitioning temperatures, but it's also harvest season where I live.  Everywhere I look I see trees heavy with fruit and landscapes full of crops ripening and ready to be gathered up and celebrated in some way—large or small.  There are festivals galore either on the way or happening now.  

There are some festivals I make it a point to visit every year while others I've volunteered to help with just to get in on the spirit of thankfulness and community.  It makes for a long weekend being at the festivals all day, all weekend, but it's worth it.  Besides, I've got my cozy Loungewear set waiting at home and all winter ahead to wear them and gaze out at the world.  Right now, while the warmth of these days lasts, I need to be out here.

Festival days, like rainy walks in the fields, have special requirements for apparel.  As much as I love to wear my dressy dresses, the festival days are busy, dusty, and demanding.  Those are the days that require jeans, but there's no reason I can't keep the dressy part though and that's why I love these Dark Wash Buttons Flare Jeans - Natalia from FemmeLuxe.  

Their sweet button down front is such a great accent, I think it's all the bling I need for this look.  I've fallen in love with all things FemmeLuxeFinery from bodycon dresses to jumpsuits, but I am most thankful for discovering their trousers and high waist jeans.  They are so chic and stylish and yet so comfortable. I absolutely adore them!  

They're versatile enough to look great at the office, on the town, or here in the country at a harvest festival.  And they are just the perfect rise to highlight those curves in the best way possible.  I like high rise jeans with crop tops and bodysuits to keep the silhouette sleek.  Remember to never cover high rise jeans with a long top.  What's the point of going ultra high if you're not going to show it off, right?

The rain has let up now and is only a gentle mist that gathers on my eyelashes and the end of my nose.  It's still warm out and the air is still sweet but the crickets have begun their evening song and my thoughts turn toward home.  When the cows see their dear farmer's truck driving up, they all go running out to greet him and see what treat he may have brought them.  We smile to each other, call out a greeting and give each other a wave.  I know he won't mind if I stay a while, but it's time to wander back to my own little house and my own little kitchen, where my loved ones are waiting for dinner too.

Shopping Info: Jeans from FemmeLuxeFinery, Top from Shein

The Sounds of the Changing Seasons

It's beautiful, it's melancholic, it's exhilarating; the seasons are changing.  It's time to slow down and enjoy these long walks in fields now that the heat of summer is past.  It's time to pull those woolly cardigans and cheerful plaid flannel prints out of the closet and wrap up in them.  The mornings are milder and the sunsets are deeper as autumn arrives.

Shopping Info:  Voodoo Vixen 1940s Yellow & Green Tartan Short Sleeve Ella Tea Dress from Unique Vintage