fresh things





it's been so hot around here.








yesterday i finally snapped out of a heat induced stupor and got busy.










you might want to be reminded about
how to wash a slipcover.

i just washed all mine.

too bad they can't bottle the smell of white cotton that's been washed and dried on the line because, wow, it smells so good.








i have been patient...
colored pants are finally starting to make their way to the goodwill.

these are made by french connection and i like them, esp. for $3.









oh and thanks for all the great comments re the length of our dresses.
i  read somewhere, that someone needs to open a women's dress store and call it...
2 inches longer.

perfect!


xo
janet

49 comments

  1. You look spectacular as always.

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  2. I too found colored cropped pants at my local Goodwill...a very pretty periwinkle blue and they fit like they were made for me. You look great,Janet,as always. And your home...serene. My husband and I are looking for the house we'll eventually retire in, something smaller and older and full of character. And with room to garden and hang laundry out to dry. And no room for boomerang kids :-)
    http://oldmarriedlady.com

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  3. You are looking so fit these days and great score on the pants!

    Wasn't that heat awful?? I thought that humidity would never leave. We were in Ojai over the weekend and drove down to Ventura for the day thinking it would be cooler. Not so! I was thinking of your post last week and I was wishing I HAD brought some shorts! I was definitely having an "I don't give a crap" moment.

    Linda
    xo

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  4. Constantly amazed how you look so glam for so little. Think you need a TV show. Please syndicate to Australia.

    I think Tabitha at Bourbon & Pearls did a skirt-length post recently. It must be on our collective minds?
    I think women should wear what they want, but I do like a ladylike hem. Chanel believed skirts should always cover the knees (or skim them) and I'm inclined to agree. Knees can be quite ugly thing. Unless you do spin classes every day.

    Thanks for your lovely comment re our proposed Grand Botanica Tour of Chelsea next year. We'd love for you to come. Although we'll need to improve our wardrobes to stand alongside your glam figure!

    xx

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  5. I was thinking of washing my slipcovers today. I was also just headed to the Goodwill store but I don't think I'll come home with red pants.

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  6. Love that color combination! I have coral pants and a black shirt and it never even occured to me to pair them together - thanks! Also, I want to jump through the computer and be in your house - it just seems so fresh and serene and I am short on both right now. I found myself thinking, 'I know she had kids, did she manage this during that time?" - because I am not managing it.

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  7. That color is perfection...a reddish-pinkish-salmon, maybe?

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  8. What a figure you have Janet! Your home looks so calm, it would be the perfect place to hide from the mid- day sun.

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  9. HI!!!!!!! Boy, I've missed you! :)
    You still look great!
    I went from summer to fall in one weekend and nothing to wear...guess I should visit the GW and see if I have any luck, although I'm not brave enough to wear colored pants.

    I'm busy cleaning and freshening things up around here too...my men here didn't exactly clean while I was gone.

    sending you an email soon ~ xo

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  10. Your home looks wonderful and so peaceful! I don't envy your hot weather, we are just starting to cool down here and i'm so grateful! xx

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  11. You and the house look beautiful and cool.

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  12. The cool blue urn and vase look visually "chilling" for the heat of summer.
    You wear coloured pants so well Janet...
    I've been researching slip covers for our ugly love seats. Where did you find yours?

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  13. I shop at Goodwill too...mostly not the clothes......

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  14. It's the upper arms that cause all the trouble... for many of us.

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  15. Your house looks so fresh, uncluttered and cool! I love those FCUK pants on you, you have the best bod in the Blogosphere! xxxx

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    Replies
    1. coming from the best bod in the blogosphere that's quite a compliment! xo

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  16. Janet--you look fab in those pants-! the other day atmy new local goodwill store I got a pair of great cornflower blue cropped pants in my size for $3-! very similar to ones I lost in the fire. i have slip covered dining chairs and i made the mistake of washing the slips and drying them in the dryer! yikes when i went to put them back on the chairs it was a tight-tight fit. i think i can re-wash and put them on VERY damp and they will stretch out again-? does anyone know if that's right? i read a few articles on-line that say to do that but has anyone tried it?

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    Replies
    1. if they didn't shrink too much, yes they can be washed again in cold water and get someone to help you stretch them while they are wet and then let them dry a little and slip them back on the chairs and keep tugging and smoothing them out. it should work.

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    2. thanks janet...i copied down these instructions and will try them..
      xo
      shell

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  17. Hi Janet,

    It's funny, but somehow your house looks cool on the photographs. The white must help to keep the temperatures down :-)

    Great outfit! Everything looks good on you!

    Madelief x

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  18. Your house looks so clean and gorgeous, really it made me feel better just to look at it so thank you.
    And awesome outfit, so you! My goodness you are in great shape!
    xo!

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  19. Love your outfit...French Connection for only $3?! You keep amazing me, Janet!! I'm basically wearing the same thing right now...pants from Gap though. L O V E the idea of a store called 2" Longer!!

    Your house looks light, bright and fresh!

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  20. Is that what I've been in for the past 3 months? A heat induced stupor. He I thought I was just going crazy!
    I've been wanting a pair of bright pants capris too. Love the ones you found of course, you look great in them.

    Best,
    Julie

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  21. Love your bright pants. These are the perfect silhouette and length.

    Your home always looks so fresh to my eyes. I wanted to mention this on your post regarding allergies but I was pulled away and forgot about it. Drying clothes on the line outdoors means they will often catch pollen that can exacerbate allergies. This time of year the pollen counts may be low but it's something to consider if the allergies suddenly flare once again. I have to avoid the clothesline until the end of June here in Canada and it's a real disappointment to use the dryer in summer.

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    Replies
    1. you are so right. i know now that in april and may i have to dry my clothes in the dryer. i don't seem to be bothered by summer allergies so my fingers are crossed it stays that way!

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  22. Janet - do you do any exercises for the upper arms? - mine are awful!

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  23. Ragweed season here so minimizing using the line which is a shame. You have reminded me to do to the slipcovers-- I have a similar Crate and Barrel cream denim covered sofa from 1997 still going strong.

    You look fab in those trousers! Great thrifting.

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  24. hello janet- colored pants are fun and you look good in yours. i have noticed on some blogs that they are highlighting floral print jeans again (80's) i am looking forward to going part time and one of the first things i plan on doing will be fall cleaning since i didn't have the time or energy to do spring cleaning. also, can't wait to have the rooms with carpet cleaned, again. my standard poodle tends to tromp in dirt from outside. i have been reducing/minimizing on my decor (as well as my wardrobe) which saves on my cleaning time. :-)

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  25. I love the vintage suitcases and the topiary in your house. And you look smashing in those bright pants. Only $3? I wish my local Goodwill had those kinds of prices.

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  26. Okay, I finally get it. I am hooked. Thanks to your inspiration, I took my 23 year old daughter to a new resale shop and she found a $70 Anthropologie blouse and a beautiful 100% wool knitted scarf (also from a high end store) and got them both for $7.50. It made our day(!) Unfortunately, I didn't find anything that fit me, but it was still enough to get me hooked. We can't wait to go again! I have a couple questions though: how often to you go to Goodwill or the other thrift stores? I have a feeling that one may not find something on every trip, but it's a good idea to keep trying. Also, I have lost some weight and have a few good jackets and some jeans to get rid of. Do you have any tips on selling clothes on Ebay? I've been waiting for another "ask Janet" post to ask you these questions but just couldn't wait. Thanks again for all your inspiration. I really think you should be on The Nate Berkus Show.

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    1. you really have to be patient. that's my best advice. i go thrifting about once, sometimes twice a month. i often leave empty-handed. you just never know. selling clothes on ebay is time consuming b/c you have to measure everything and take lots of pictures. it does work though and i've been shocked at how much extra money i've made doing it. if you have the time then it's worth it to try. i would say that the higher end stuff sells much faster and for better money. i have never seen the nate berkus show! xo janet

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  27. Would that I had slipcovers. My couch arms are now a scratching post for a new generation of kittens. But someday Janet, someday.

    Love your pants, love that price.

    Oh to be patient.
    xo jane

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  28. Youa always look so darn chic! I have two kids and a dog and am about to price getting slipcovers made. Is your color - white or off-white, cotton duck, matelesse. Any tips for a novice?

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    Replies
    1. my slipcovers are white and they are basically a cotton duck fabric. one of the chairs has a pattern in the cotton and i'd prefer they all match but it is what it is. my sofa is from pottery barn and that slipcover is really the best one i have. the ones on the chairs are custom made and they are ok but not as nice as the pb fit. my suggestion would be to find someone that you can really communicate well with in order to get just what you want. and bring pictures!

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  29. you look so great though it is such a "simple" combination. I need to take pictures of the outfits I like myself in!

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  30. Hi Janet, Is it too late to email a cash donation to you for your friend. I wanted to send it when I read your post, but forgot about it until now.

    Deidre

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    Replies
    1. diedre, so kind of you to offer to send her money but suzanne really is adamant about not wanting gifts, etc. thank you again for your care and concern though. just send prayers and good thoughts!

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  31. I'm going to take a good long look at my knees tonight. Bloody hell.

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  32. Janet I live in a hot country and high humidity in the. Summer but no air conditioning . Would you do a post on clothes and other ways to keep cool

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  33. Janet, your center piece is absolutely beautiful. The vase is a great complement to the flowers! It is amazing that you bought a great pair of French connection pants for that cheap, I need to visit my local thrift store and see if I can snag a pair of my own. I found a really cool projects that may interest you.

    Get a significant bundle of your favorite species of flowers (grab some that are wilted if you don't want to take the well developed flowers in your garden). After you finished collecting, get your hands on a leaf mulcher with a catch or bag. Place your bundle of flowers on the ground, put on your safety goggles, and let a rip. Your end result should be a confetti-like collection of colorful pedals. Go out to a hardware store and buy some polyurethane. Place the flowers on a old plate and apply the polyurethane. Let it dry, and your final product will be a beautiful mosaic of color. Try it out!

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  34. I am a fellow vegan and have just discovered your blog and am loving it xx

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  35. I love your info. about how to wash the covers on your sofas - kept it from last time! You look fabulous and very chic as ever in your goodwill pink pants! Wonderful... XXX

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  36. Those are truly great. I have let the coloured jeans thing pass me by (except for some teal ones) but would love some well-cut trou like that

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  37. Janet, I just caught up on your posts from last few weeks! I seriously wish you were my neighbor! You are such a warm and gracious lady! I found your blog by searching for reviews on Viking ranges. I had one in my last house but we only lived there a about two months when we got transferred. I am now having to decide on a range again and I want another Viking. I have been considering going with the all gas option. Everyone is saying I need dual fuel if I bake. Is that necessary? I don't make a ton of cakes but more breads and cookies. I am cooking with an all gas range in our rental and haven't noticed much difference. Would value your opinion!
    Best- Julie

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    Replies
    1. hmmm, honestly if you have a convection feature i don't really see why you would need dual fuel. it works brilliantly at browning. i wonder how much more dual fuel is. that would prob help me make up my mind! thanks for reading! xo

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  38. You really seem to like interior decorating, and move your furniture around and about.
    There is lots of detailing too. Something I favor myself. Only in the past years, I have learned to appreciate functionalism in interior decorating. Have you ever thought of keeping only the necessities around. There are great options, sky being the limit.
    Less is more and even costs less : ).

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kindness is never out of style.

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