Monday, July 07, 2014

On Putting Myself Out There



Today's a day for catching up. The campfire-scented bedding is washed and drying outside although I'm keeping an eye on the sky. It's humid out there and I wonder if more rain will fall. I collected some white rocks from French Beach. While emptying pockets last night I put them onto the tray on the kitchen table, along with the shells and driftwood bits I collected the week before. 


I read all kinds of blogs - cooking, slice-of-life, writing-focused, gardening, and fashion. I'm no fashionista, but like most other people, I wear clothes and derive inspiration from seeing what others wear and how each one presents herself. So here's my selfie (what a word!) and I'm being brave in posting it. Grey cotton pants and a navy and white striped tank top with snaps down one side. My usual watch and a pair of silver earrings. Around the house I'm always barefoot, but I'll slip into a pair of ballet flats for running errands. 

There are several fashion blogs that I'm particularly enjoying these days. Vivienne of The Vivienne Files is writing a series of posts on wardrobe planning that are brilliant. Building a small but useful wardrobe is one of my perpetual goals. I never seem to quite reach it, but with these posts, I may. 

Another blog I enjoy is A Femme d'un Certain Age, written by Tish Jett, author of Forever Chic. She lives in France and is currently in a rehab centre after knee surgery. She's writing about the food she's enjoying while strengthening her knee and it's a revelation. I've been blessed with a trim figure but have had to begin watching what I eat. I've let my weight creep up a little and it's time to be strict with myself and cut back. I'd love for the extra weight to settle on my skinny ankles or knees, but alas, it goes straight to my middle. 
  

Water is my preferred summer drink. I usually infuse it with mint and or lemon, but have been reading about flavouring water with fruit (no sugar or sweeteners) and would like to try that soon. Do any of you flavour your water in the summer in any particular way?


I planted nasturtium seeds in front of the lemon tree. They've grown into a colourful tangle of green and pinky-coral that makes me smile to see them. I mean to try them in a salad soon, too.  Do you eat flowers in your salads? Do tell.

 

37 comments:

  1. Beautiful summer days,,
    Bliss x

    ReplyDelete
  2. What an attractive lady you are. I have indeed eaten flowers in salads and nasturtiums are particularly good having a peppery taste as do the leaves and the seeds can be used in place of capers added to which it is such a lovely flower so an all round good egg is your nasturtium! There are many other flowers that can be eaten in salads or used as a decoration - pansies or borage are two that spring to mind. No I hadn't thought of flavouring my water but your bottle of mint in water looks so cooling and delicious I will be in future!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Very casual chic, Lorrie. I, like you, live in cotton jeans and matelot tops, flat shoes.
    Your shells are so pretty with the hydrangea. I sometimes put little pansies in salads.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lorrie you look good. That is the kind of outfit I feel comfortable in, though probably not sleeveless much anymore. I find it challenging to find good clothes anymore. And no I have not eaten flowers in a salad yet --- thanks for the blog recommendations.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love that first photo of yours! You are SO talented in putting together tabletop arrangements. I started thinking about flavored waters just recently after seeing a post on Facebook and am wanting to try it. I used to love just plain water but now I prefer a bit of flavor in it. Have a very blessed week :)
    Blessings,
    Aimee
    PS: You look much more fashionable than I. My summer wardrobe consists of cotton cropped pants and lightweight tee shirts. My only goal? Stay as cool as possible (summer heat and I do not get along).

    ReplyDelete
  6. You look lovely! I admire women who care about their appearance and enjoy looking lovely. I decided some time ago (poor John) that I couldn't be bothered. I will visit your links for inspiration as I certainly need some. Sometimes I infuse water with some mint and lemon. Blessed me as my daughter works for a bottling company and so I have access to some flavorful, no calorie, waters. One of my favorites is raspberry.

    ReplyDelete
  7. You look lovely, Lorrie! I shall visit those blogs...thank you for the recommendations. I drink lots of water, especially in the summer, and would be interested in finding tasty ways of flavouring it naturally...
    Happy week!
    Helen xox

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lorrie! You look great, so does your outfit!

    I am going to check out those blogs, they sound fun and interesting.

    I have been infusing frozen berries into my water and it's wonderful! As the berried defrost their flavor comes out as well as a beautiful color. No sugar added,either!

    My nasturtiums didn't grow this year, but I do like using them in salad - rather peppery tasting - and they also are great at keeping bugs away from the veggies!

    Deanna

    ReplyDelete
  9. I so want to purge my wardrobe, again!!!!
    I have far too many pieces of Summer clothing - traveling seems to get me traipsing through stores trying to find "the perfect pieces" for wherever I'm headed, then I end up taking stuff I already had anyway!

    I love your striped tank - I have a similar one and have found it useful with a lot of bottoms, however, being older and not loving my upper arms much now, I have to take some type of coverup along in case I need to hide those bits! I would love to have a simple, go to Summer wardrobe - well I suppose I do really, it's just that all those other bits get in the way.
    Anything I haven't worn this year will be given away end of season - my plan for when next Summer arrives is that I'll have the perfect wardrobe. Please remind me I said that!!!!

    Winter clothing? Don't get me started on that yet!

    You look lovely Lorrie, and those nasturtiums are beautiful. I drink lemon water very day - starting with a big glass of hot water over half a lemon in the morning, topping up through the day and keeping it at hand for sipping. I have plenty of mint growing, will start adding that too - looks refreshing.

    Have a great week dear.
    Mary x

    ReplyDelete
  10. You are looking cool and collected. I don't usually go out of my way to add edible flowers to my salads. Blessings...

    ReplyDelete
  11. The casual yet classic pieces you're wearing look lovely on you, Lorrie. I fall into the capris and t-shirt habit in the summer so I think I'll visit the links you gave.

    Have you ever had cucumber in your water? It's a pleasant, fresh taste.

    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  12. I like layering my clothes and so many pieces work for summer and winter. You have kept trim dear lady, good for you. I, on the other hand need to lose some weight but at my age it is stubborn and doesn't want to go.
    It's a cancer mantra but I agree if you look good, you feel good. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  13. I like padding around the house barefoot too...ballet flats are wonderful aren't they?
    I might enjoy tap water more if I used your recipe...
    I drink lots of Perrier as it helps keep me hydrated and is a good weight management tool.
    Tish sounds like she is getting the royal treatment with those delicous spa style meals.
    The sun has come out here so hope your laundry is drying.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I know this kind of posting is hard for you to do, but you look very casually chic here, as Elizabeth says. Simple and elegant.
    We came home last week to a marvellous explosion of nasturtiums in the pot. I munch at the leaves for their pepper and the flowers for the sweetness, and I've thought of pickling the sseds for a caper substitute, but never got 'round to it.
    I do sometimes keep a jug of water with lemon or orange slices in the fridge during the summer, but haven't tried much other fruit.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Lorrie, tu es admirable : je n'oserais jamais poster une photo de moi en pied comme ça (déjà, je n'ai pas de vêtements présentables, mais des vêtements pleins de terre à cause du jardinage !) Bon, j'exagère peut-être un peu...
    Merci pour les liens, ça fait des années que j'essaie de composer une garde-robe basique et pendant un temps j'étais abonnée à Missus Smarty Pants, une copine de Flylady qui donne de bons conseils. Mais là je me suis laissée aller un peu...
    J'ai déjà mangé des pétales de soucis en salade, ça donne de la couleur par contre je n'ai pas remarqué de goût spécial. Et j'aime bien aromatiser mon eau avec de la mélisse, ou des framboises. Je te souhaite un bel été !

    ReplyDelete
  16. Such a pretty and summery photo you began with today, Lorrie.
    Also a very pretty picture of you. I like your style. You look very put together, but also comfortable. I find it harder and harder to find a look I'm happy with at this stage of life. I think your fashion blogs might be just the thing I need to check out for some guidance.
    Your water looks most refreshing. Most days I just drink plenty of water with plenty of ice. Although I have been known to add cucumber slices, mint leaves or lemon slices on occasion.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I do t know why we hide from each other in blog land. I, too, am usually barefooted and dressed to work outside. No flowers on the menu here. I hear violets are tastey.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Look at you!!!! So pretty!!! Great post......... I must check out the links. I have a few blogs that are about how women over 60 (me) should dress, etc..... love them! I might put lemon in my water.... or cucumbers... but that's about it! Anxious to learn more about that!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I do love nasturtiums in a salad.
    Wishing I was as thin as you are. Love ballerina's, ankle jeans, and tops such as you are wearing. And love white rocks.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oh, you look wonderful! Good for you for being brave and sharing your "selfie." :)

    I will follow the links that you shared. I, too, love to see what other women are wearing...and I definitely need to be inspired to eat healthier. At a certain age (that sounds so cliché), it gets harder.

    ReplyDelete
  21. You look awesome! very in style !! I don't eat flowers in my salads,,,but would be willing to try some! I think at our grade 8 camp out we had to eat rose pedals ! Have a wonderful day!

    ReplyDelete
  22. That outfit is really cute on you and comfy looking too. That's what I like! You are blessed and I know the feeling of weight suddenly landing where it never used to... but I see teens with a hard start at body image and I wonder what I'm worried about. Focusing on healthy eating is good for all of us. I will also check out that clothing site. You have me interested. =)
    Oh.. and I'll have a club soda with lots of lime, please.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I can imagine that it took something for you to step out/up like this, Lorrie. As always, you look all pulled together and casually elegant. I wish I could pull it off! I like your outfit - stripes in the summertime are winners.
    I drink a lot of water too, and often just put lemon slices in a pitcher in the fridge. I like the idea of mint though, and will give it a try.

    ReplyDelete
  24. "Putting myself out to your blog" and enjoyed reading all your last/recent posts! Interesting, different, lovely images - A real pleasure!

    And - You look GREAT, dear Lorrie!
    Enjoy your summer,
    warmest greetings from the Périgord,***karin

    Thank you for still visiting my little blog and your - always - lovely and friendly comments!

    ReplyDelete
  25. That is a lovely and ladylike outfit. I like it. I just drink water with nothing in it but it is worth a try. Thank you for the tip.

    ReplyDelete
  26. That is a cool summer drink.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Lovely selfie / haven't eaten flowers yet :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. You look marvelous my dear!

    Love that navy striped tee...so fresh and summery.

    I pop fresh strawberries into my water, they are so juicy, and sweet, it's great, and very refreshing.

    Jen

    ReplyDelete
  29. You look marvelous my dear!

    Love that navy striped tee...so fresh and summery.

    I pop fresh strawberries into my water, they are so juicy, and sweet, it's great, and very refreshing.

    Jen

    ReplyDelete
  30. Oh nasturtiums used as capers in salads are delicious, along with pansy leaves. I have never flavoured water with mint leaves before, so will give this a go at the weekend. You certainly look gorgeously glamorous Lorrie xx

    ReplyDelete
  31. Very stylish and pretty, Lorrie! I tend to like simplicity in my choice of clothes, just as I do in my home. Less is more, not in how much you wear, (yikes!), but in overall appearance, that's why I like your silver earrings, a watch and a complementary top with pant, and a summer glow re: makeup.

    Simple sophistication! You look great!

    Poppy

    ReplyDelete
  32. As selfies go your is excellent. A very attractive Lady looks out at me.

    I rarely use flowers in salads, only for decoration, really.

    Is your lemon tree outside? How else can you plant nasturtiums in front of it? I have a lemon tree in a pot, it has to come in the winter.

    ReplyDelete
  33. You look very effortlessly chic. You certainly have a flair for creating decorative vignettes. Flowers might be a nice touch in my salads.

    ReplyDelete
  34. What a great photo of you, Lorrie! I think you look fabulous but if you seriously want to drop a few pounds (you don't look like you need to!) try cutting carbs. It works wonders by just backing off them, even a little bit. Like having one piece of toast instead of two or only 1/2 a bagel. I love the new "Carb Balance" tortillas by Mission, for a sandwich wrap for lunch.
    I like to flavor my water with some of the zero calorie drops that are popular now. I find I drink MUCH more water if it has some flavor to it & that helps wt. loss, too.

    Love your pretty hydrangeas...I have a few PINK ones blooming & must get some pictures before they are gone.

    Hugs,
    Rett

    ReplyDelete
  35. I've left this post open for a couple of days now so that I can go check on the blogs you've mentioned. You are such a beautiful lady and sweet friend. It's important to take good care of ourselves and have a healthy self image. Your post made me think about my profile pics...always on a hike, no make up, no jewelry. But it's when I'm happiest...and the real me. Enjoy your afternoon! Sweet hugs, Diane

    ReplyDelete
  36. You are so adorable and trim. I can't imagine that you have to watch your weight. Oh, to have a figure like that again!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your comment. I read and value each one, cherishing the connections we can make although far apart. Usually, I visit your blog in return, although if you ask a question I try to contact you directly.

A Wander Through my Mind

  Nothing is so beautiful as Spring -  When weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush; Gerard Manley Hopkins When I opened my bedroom...