Monday, September 2, 2024. It is Labor Day. And I’m off from work. Looking out our living room windows, I can see that the tree on our front lawn is fading in its glorious deep green to a faded version that reminds you in a few weeks, the warm hues of Autumn will be upon us. The browns, and reds, yellows, and oranges will be present as the leaves made the descent upon the grown. With that will be the autumnal scent of rotting leaves—which I like. The nature scents such as freshly mowed grass and rain on concrete fill my senses with pleasure.
That deep summer green is fading as the leaves get ready to turn to Autumn leave the trees barren.
It is SEPTSUMMER. My least favorite month of the year. Despite the fact our wedding anniversary is tomorrow (we’re celebrating Saturday with a dinner at our favorite restaurant), and in 20 days it will be the first day of Autumn/Fall, I just don’t like September.
Don’t even get me started on Pumpkin Spice. Blech! It’s disgusting.
First, the weather remains hot, humid, and hazy. It is not sweater weather yet—it is “sweat her” weather. My husband turns the off because evenings and mornings are cool. But from 10:00 AM until sundown, it is hot as balls. Honestly, I feel as though I am being held hostage in a sweaty jock strap. (Not that I really know what it would feel like—I’ll just assume)
Yes. It is the heat and I’m tired of it.
And as hot as it was, we did not go to the beach this weekend because I have my skin check this week. The last thing I want is to saunter into my dermatologist’s office with a trace of sunburn. It’s not good.
No beach this weekend. Or until 2025. My life is one, long, skincheck!
Throughout the summer, I went minimalist with the makeup. The “French” tan I got in Theoule this summer made a great brownish foundation (and you wonder why I’m afraid to go to the dermatologist). As my working hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, I couldn’t be bothered to apply a full face. My morning routine ended up dwindling down to mascara, eyebrow pencil, and, when not lazy, lip balm. Otherwise, it was chapped lips all day.
Me. Today. Mascara and Brow product. My tan has faded into it’s ruddy, Irish genetics. And I’m too lazy to slap makeup on!
That’s the thing about aging. You change your atheistic. Are you in agreement? I’m not talking of turning into someone who no longer cares but you turn into someone who no longer cares how others see you. It’s more about how you see yourself.
And so, the subject will now turn to clothing and how my “style” has begun to change as I approach my last six months until I face 70 years.
When I worked in Corporate, which I had for decades; exception being my time as a stay-at-home-mom, my mode of dress was professional to office casual. Always wanting to appear businesslike, it was an easy task.
Now that I work at a State Hospital, there is no need for me to dress like a banker. On the other hand, since I’m not in the Units, there is no need for me to wear scrubs. I can pretty-much wear what I want.
No longer do I wear this as work attire..
Or this–but I think I will anyway..
These clothes will collect dust because I’m so lazy that I can’t even bring myself to have the energy to selll them on Poshmark.
However, I do want to maintain a level of personal style. And that personal style has become more casual. Looking back at my school uniform, which helped to pave the way for my style, the elements during the school year were: Blazer, shirt, skirt. I remain in that frame of mind seasonally. Once the weather gets cool enough it is blazer/jacket/sweater. Shirt or pullover. Skirt/pants/jeans. Those elements are my comfort level.
Blazer/Shirt/Pants. Trust me, this outfit is too dressy for the state hospital!
In addition, as I age, affordability is more important to me. I no longer want to spend over $50 or $60 or upwards for an item of clothing. Shoes and bags? Well, those are my vice but I am over spending a fortune on either. For me, it is more important to spend money on traveling to see my grandsons or travel in general.
Sometimes I can be so full of shit. I want to buy this Polene bag when we head to Paris in November. Hopefully, I can get away to see my grandsons in October!
Actually, I changed my mind regarding the above-pictured bag. After researching quality issues and poor customer service, it’s a hard pass.
Which brings me to this. I purchased a few items for the oncoming cool-to-cold weather. Hopefully, in October, I will no longer be wearing sundresses and can dress in ensembles that appear to be more put together.
Trust me, I’m tired of dressing like this. I fear it’ll be November and I’ll be running around in sun dresses!
I’ll be honest with you here. I ordered quite a few items from Temu. While I realize several people have issues with the company being from China and perhaps questioning the quality of the goods, I have had no issues. Besides, Dior uses fashion migrant workers to assemble bags and shoes that are approximately 38 USD in value and charge prices that border on thievery. Who is in the wrong?
That said, I’ll give you a look-see at my recent purchases from Temu. I did purchase a new pair of jeans at J. Crew Factory for less than $50 and two pairs of Bass Weejuns. Loafers are replacing heels in many instances.
Let us look! Shall we?
I’m diggin’ these jeans. They are ankle length when rolled down and I just like the way they look!
I am certainly no photographer but these jeans will suffice from late Autumn into early Spring..
I’ll spend the money on pragmatic shoe styles. No longer interested in heels over two inches, it’s the loafers for me.
The “Lady Jacket” below was $16.99 from Temu. The quality is steller and…I am going on record with this. It fits better than my J. Crew Lady jacket that cost a lot more a few years back. I stinking LOVE this jacket!
Say what you want about fast fashion but this was better made than the J. Crew jacket..
I’m looking forward to the cold weather just to wear this.
The sweater below? At ten bucks it was an easy purchase. So easy I purchased another one in black. I’m also going on record with the brand’s sweaters. I have a few from two years ago and they are holding up incredibly well!
And another thing. This sweater doesn’t bunch at the titties! The fit is stellar!
Here it is worn with the cargo pants I purchased and with an old pair of J. Crew Dulci pumps. I love the cargo pants with heels athestic!
Speaking of cargo pants. I purchased two pair. Black and tan. Neutrals. These will be perfect for working at the hospital. I can’t justify dressing in my past “corporate” clothes anymore.
The tan cargo pants. I can eat a few meals due to the drawstring waist. Trust me, I won’t get “Tight Pants Syndrome” wearing these!
These will be packed for our visit to Paris later this year. No more overdressing for me!
The outfit below? I wore it to work this week because the A/C is being iffy. My husband was practically begging me to wear a jacket because he felt the air was “frizzing” (his French accent for “freezing”). I wore the blazer and took it off immediately as I entered the hospital. It was hot as balls!
Why am I smiling? I want the cold weather to arrive and it is nowhere to be found!
On the other hand, I had my five-year routine colonoscopy this past week. My anxiety level was off-the-charts because of my polyp history. One small polyp was found (when mentally I figured there would be at the least 32 polyps), the doctor reminded me of my hemorrhoids and my diverticulosis which I have had for years and sent me off with a “see you in five years”.
I ALWAYS wear a dress to my colonoscopy. Not because I want to look nice but because if I have the urge to go after that prep, it’s easier to slide the panties down!
Add to that, on the way home from having that hose shoved up my ample ass, my cell phone rang. It was my dermatologist reminding me to make an appointment for my skin check. I swear the anxiety never ends. I went this week. Regretting swimming and sun bathing in France where the sun is much stronger and I was in a secret competition to become as caramel-colored as the natives.
The skin check was fine! I was relieved!
Waiting for Godot? No! Waiting for my dermatologist. My husband suggested heading to the beach last week. I passed. The last thing I needed going for a skin check was the faintest burn from the sun!
Last night, we celebrated our wedding anniversary by heading to our favorite restaurant for dinner. It was cool and rainy. But it didn’t stop me from wearing a sleeveless dress. In fact, I wore a wig with a lot of hair because it’s my husband’s favorite!
Alden by Estetica is my husband’s favorite wig. I’m fond of it as well. In the winter, it keeps my head warm.
And so, with the first week of Septsummer behind us, I anticipate the arrival of cool and crisp weather sometime at the end of October. For now, I’ll be wearing summer clothing.
Tell me, do you feel the same way? About fashion and about the seasons. Have you had your colonoscopy? Your skin check? Let us discuss!