By the time last week finished my house looked like a tornado had struck, my electronic mailboxes were overflowing, I missed a week of visiting my mom and somehow came to realize I had reached a tipping point. I could proceed the same way I was going and be mediocre and not thoughtful with everything or just put the world on hold and figure out a plan to get my life back.
The best thing I did before the week ended was to interview and hire three interns. They are wicked smart. They are fashion, computer and social media savvy. They all care about sustainability and supporting emerging designers. I felt a huge weight lift and hope that I might yet again get to the things that are important to me: creating engaging written and visual content. My dream of moving my blog incrementally to an online magazine is something they thought exciting and possible.
Saturday I tackled my space, organizing clothes, jewelry, sunglasses and bags that were distributed throughout; making the apartment look more like an exhibition in a museum of disorderly yet beautiful objects. Boxes of unsolicited beauty products are now lined up in a neat pile with an intern tasked to think how we could review them creatively yet honestly.
Sunday I began the day back on my healthy eating plan, walked my 5 mile a day target, went to a market show to talk with old friends and new, touched some beautiful clothes, tended to neglected relationships and had some playtime with my grand daughter.
Today I cleaned up those overflowing mailboxes, got my double sided to do list (teaching and this project) list in shape and am writing a blog post on schedule. Interns are sending me emails with completed tasks and yes indeed I have gotten my life back. I am ready to get up again and start climbing and see where my intuition takes me. Thanks for being patient with unacknowledged comments, posts not on schedule and all the rest of my disheveled presentation.
Now that I have a very cool new “posse” to help what would you like to see and hear more about?
Key pieces sustainable & multi tasking garments that work hard for third place in your closet.
Always a must, thank you.
Key pieces sustainable & multi tasking garments that work hard for third place in your closet.
Always a must, thank you.
I wonder if I am the only one to take heart from your assessment of your overwhelm-ment?
I would enjoy more about the changing role of fashion and textile – especially relating to the intersections of art and fashion and the creative potential of sustainable practices.
Did you catch the Rei Kawakubo show at the Met in NYC? The curator’s point of view was wonderful.
I am excited for you to have the help of interns. Its a wonderful way for women, in particular, to work. Passing on knowledge, providing opportunity, empowering the creative, seeking mind. Yay!
Suzanne
Ah yes, I did a see the exhibit and it was wonderful. I wrote an essay today about textiles and how they made my body feel. These are wonderful topics, thank you.
I wonder if I am the only one to take heart from your assessment of your overwhelm-ment?
I would enjoy more about the changing role of fashion and textile – especially relating to the intersections of art and fashion and the creative potential of sustainable practices.
Did you catch the Rei Kawakubo show at the Met in NYC? The curator’s point of view was wonderful.
I am excited for you to have the help of interns. Its a wonderful way for women, in particular, to work. Passing on knowledge, providing opportunity, empowering the creative, seeking mind. Yay!
Suzanne
Ah yes, I did a see the exhibit and it was wonderful. I wrote an essay today about textiles and how they made my body feel. These are wonderful topics, thank you.
What brand are those shoes you’re wearing in the photo? And are they comfy (walking around Europe comfy)?
What brand are those shoes you’re wearing in the photo? And are they comfy (walking around Europe comfy)?
A few ideas for topics come to mind:
What did you see in the recent shows and markets that will "translate" seamlessly (pardon the pun!) into real life for ordinary women with fashion sense?
What do you think of the symbolism of all the extremely long (though potentially beautiful) voluminous sleeves that swallow a woman’s hands, making it hard to be effective in any practical way?
I’m so glad you have had the opportunity to regroup and recenter. Thanks for setting a good example!
Great questions! I love the runway translation and I am going to start thinking about that for Fall. Thank you!
A few ideas for topics come to mind:
What did you see in the recent shows and markets that will "translate" seamlessly (pardon the pun!) into real life for ordinary women with fashion sense?
What do you think of the symbolism of all the extremely long (though potentially beautiful) voluminous sleeves that swallow a woman’s hands, making it hard to be effective in any practical way?
I’m so glad you have had the opportunity to regroup and recenter. Thanks for setting a good example!
Great questions! I love the runway translation and I am going to start thinking about that for Fall. Thank you!
I would like to hear more,about you and your thoughts and your day.
Anything specific?
I would like to hear more,about you and your thoughts and your day.
Anything specific?
Thank you for this insight into your life and priorities. I am in a similar situation albeit caused by vastly different circumstances. It will take me longer to get back a life I thoroughly enjoy, but breaking it down into task areas will help combat being overwhelmed by all I need to do. Thank you for the inspiration!
I always start with my living space and then go from there. Good thoughts your way!
Thank you for this insight into your life and priorities. I am in a similar situation albeit caused by vastly different circumstances. It will take me longer to get back a life I thoroughly enjoy, but breaking it down into task areas will help combat being overwhelmed by all I need to do. Thank you for the inspiration!
I always start with my living space and then go from there. Good thoughts your way!
Your life will no doubt strike a chord with many readers. I too feel over-run, but am still hoping to regain control on my own. Congrats on pulling a cool posse together and for getting things back on track. As a new reader I look forward to seeing how your day-to-day life unfolds. I adore your style; the effortless laidback chic that seems to pulse through your veins.
Anna
Thanks Anna, I am excited to share my new adventures!
Your life will no doubt strike a chord with many readers. I too feel over-run, but am still hoping to regain control on my own. Congrats on pulling a cool posse together and for getting things back on track. As a new reader I look forward to seeing how your day-to-day life unfolds. I adore your style; the effortless laidback chic that seems to pulse through your veins.
Anna
Thanks Anna, I am excited to share my new adventures!
I am on a limited budget living near my family in a very conservative city- how do I find help to get my style cooler looking!!
I get a great deal of my clothes from on-line consignment, vintage and thrift shops. There is an amazing selection. I would start with a small change like cool boots or statement earrings and go from there. This will give the folks around you time to adapt to small changes and before you know it you will be too cool for school!
I am on a limited budget living near my family in a very conservative city- how do I find help to get my style cooler looking!!
I get a great deal of my clothes from on-line consignment, vintage and thrift shops. There is an amazing selection. I would start with a small change like cool boots or statement earrings and go from there. This will give the folks around you time to adapt to small changes and before you know it you will be too cool for school!
I love these comments and it shows that you have an intelligent audience. I’m kind of sad that you have a social media posse now since it won’t be you commenting , but it’s cool. Glad you are getting your life back!
I will share my process with my interns (and they will share their perceptions) as we go.
It is me commenting! They will help with researching and writing so I can be freer to engage. That’s the part that means the most.
I love these comments and it shows that you have an intelligent audience. I’m kind of sad that you have a social media posse now since it won’t be you commenting , but it’s cool. Glad you are getting your life back!
It is me commenting! They will help with researching and writing so I can be freer to engage. That’s the part that means the most.
Glad to hear your on track. I would like to hear more about your teaching and what will your students be learning. Also see some new and exciting fashion.
All amazing things to explore and on my list too. Will be having an editorial meeting soon and can share these wonderful ideas.
I will share my process with my interns (and they will share their perceptions) as we go.
Thank god – I was beginning to feel rather inadequate 🙂 glad to hear you feel better and less cluttered .
I love your blog and a magazine would certainly alllow you to explore and share your many interests . I love the whole art meets fashion within the confines of grubby cityscapes , sustainable fashion the new / old ideas of redone jeans – the ageing of fabric , how that changes over its life time , something about the zen of fashion . I adore the exquisite beauty and skill of the Alexander McQueen collection the skills of embroidery where fashion is collectsble art . And how all that meets and collides with the reality of your teaching and working with living with poverty and society’s problems ( my work too)
All amazing things to explore and on my list too. Will be having an editorial meeting soon and can share these wonderful ideas.
How to start over again after age 50 when you lost the life you had.
How to find happiness in an empty nest.
Can you start a new career or profession as an older woman.
Wonderful topics! Also keep reading because you are seeing me find a new career in action.
How to start over again after age 50 when you lost the life you had.
How to find happiness in an empty nest.
Can you start a new career or profession as an older woman.
Wonderful topics! Also keep reading because you are seeing me find a new career in action.
You know FIERCE SISTER, that ANYTHING you put out to us readers is going to fly!!! FLY? Yes, fly because you are the Icon Accidental and are FABULOUS! I’m blessed to know you and to have sat and listened to you talk about all things good! LOVE you! XO
As are you!
You know FIERCE SISTER, that ANYTHING you put out to us readers is going to fly!!! FLY? Yes, fly because you are the Icon Accidental and are FABULOUS! I’m blessed to know you and to have sat and listened to you talk about all things good! LOVE you! XO
As are you!
Hiring three interns is smart. An essay about how you recognized you were overwhelmed, and solved the problem by delegation would be fascinating. Instead of warping yourself with resentment from "bitter labor" you expanded your network and prioritized. More women should do that and there should be discussion about how women need to more ruthless about self-definition. We older women have to teach our daughters how to protect themselves and such an essay would be a start.
This is an interesting topic and could be a theme for a magazine issue.
Thanks for this excellent suggestion. I agree holding on to the parts that give you life and energy is how I started to prioritize. I love it when older and younger women are learning and creating together. I am so excited about my interns!
Hiring three interns is smart. An essay about how you recognized you were overwhelmed, and solved the problem by delegation would be fascinating. Instead of warping yourself with resentment from "bitter labor" you expanded your network and prioritized. More women should do that and there should be discussion about how women need to more ruthless about self-definition. We older women have to teach our daughters how to protect themselves and such an essay would be a start.
This is an interesting topic and could be a theme for a magazine issue.
Thanks for this excellent suggestion. I agree holding on to the parts that give you life and energy is how I started to prioritize. I love it when older and younger women are learning and creating together. I am so excited about my interns!
I love reading your posts! I’m an "all out" kind of woman driven by my passions. I too have made posts in my diary that I’m stuck and overwhelmed. Usually I enjoy the letting go and free falling for a few days. Like a mental vacation, until the energy wells up inside me and I suddenly find myself in the middle of my chaos.
Ah my usual pattern exactly! This time I am going to try and do something different .
I love reading your posts! I’m an "all out" kind of woman driven by my passions. I too have made posts in my diary that I’m stuck and overwhelmed. Usually I enjoy the letting go and free falling for a few days. Like a mental vacation, until the energy wells up inside me and I suddenly find myself in the middle of my chaos.
Ah my usual pattern exactly! This time I am going to try and do something different .
1.Love your idea of a magazine format…..
2.As a someone who gave up a professional career ( law ) to care for someone I would be fascinated in your idea of changing careers late in life.
3. Professional simple minimalist work attire and it is quirky
Thank you! Noted.
1.Love your idea of a magazine format…..
2.As a someone who gave up a professional career ( law ) to care for someone I would be fascinated in your idea of changing careers late in life.
3. Professional simple minimalist work attire and it is quirky
Thank you! Noted.
I love your reflective, philosophical and intellectual attitude to life and fashion, please continue that direction. The photos are stunning, harmonious and the composition so attractive, the photos are very inspiring and motivate me with my conservative soul to be courageous and pic up ideas to change myself a little which feels very good. Ruth London
Thanks Ruth! It does not have to be crazy and over the top even wearing different earrings can make a change.
I love your reflective, philosophical and intellectual attitude to life and fashion, please continue that direction. The photos are stunning, harmonious and the composition so attractive, the photos are very inspiring and motivate me with my conservative soul to be courageous and pic up ideas to change myself a little which feels very good. Ruth London
Thanks Ruth! It does not have to be crazy and over the top even wearing different earrings can make a change.
Hello delightful Lin!
I am also 63 years old. I live in Ukraine, in the ancient city of Lviv. Your appearance in the vastness of the network made me very happy. Read in the comments that in your plans to publish a magazine. In the world there are no sites or magazines for adult women. All the recommendations on fashion for such women are terrible. I’m happy to look through your blog and I’m very happy. you teach me how to live and dress)
Hello delightful Lin!
I am also 63 years old. I live in Ukraine, in the ancient city of Lviv. Your appearance in the vastness of the network made me very happy. Read in the comments that in your plans to publish a magazine. In the world there are no sites or magazines for adult women. All the recommendations on fashion for such women are terrible. I’m happy to look through your blog and I’m very happy. you teach me how to live and dress)