lighten up




hey there.







i'm so happy to share this dana buchman silk top with you.
i've been its owner for close to 30 years now.
it was pretty when i bought it new and i think it still is.
it made it through every single wardrobe purge i've made over the years, and some of them have been ruthless.






.

i'm slowly but surely working my way through my small wardrobe list and i'm loving the lightness of it all.  to be honest with you, i was a little scared to let go of so much but the payoff has been so calming.  i wonder why i didn't do this sooner?!




have a beautiful monday.


xo
janet

44 comments

  1. Good Morning! This outfit is super pretty on you. You look really good in red.

    Hope you had a great weekend and a lovely mother's day. xo

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  2. What a beautiful blouse, made even more perfect by appearing on your gorgeous self! I love it, Janet, and can completely understand why you're still smitten with it after 30 years. How I wish I could be as disciplined as you. x

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  3. I see why the blouse made all the cuts. It's beautiful. I like your hair pulled back too.

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  4. I love it! It is gorgeous. Love this touch of red on you, no wonder it survived all the purges.

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  5. Beautiful top! Sure doesn't look 30 years old. The oldest thing I have in my closet is probably 10 years, something dressy I bought for a cruise - now it just hangs there. You've inspired me to make even deeper cuts to my wardrobe. I love the look of your entire outfit, and the pretty straw handbag adds such a nice touch!

    Barbara in Northern Calif

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  6. You look really good in red, wear it more often!

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  7. I also think red is so pretty on you. Your Kate-ish straw bag is so so perfect with that outfit.
    I hope you enjoy your Monday as well. I'm cleaning my house and doing a little purging too, it's a continual process!

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  8. Looking gorgeous and chic as ever, Janet.
    xoxo, A

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  9. I can see why that made the cut--the detail on the print is spectacular.

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  10. Worth keeping !

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  11. Very classic I can see why you hung onto it Janet.
    I Love the splash of red too great with your lip gloss!

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  12. That top looks great on you and I can see why you have kept it. Love the colors.

    My (2nd) wedding dress from 16 years ago was a Dana Buchman! :)

    Linda
    xo

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  13. What a beautiful blouse! And I love how you wear it with the simple black slacks and sandals. Blessings ~ Lina

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  14. Looking lovely and elegant as usual :)
    I hope your Mother's Day was special.
    Sincerely,
    Miranda
    SF Bay Area

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  15. I like the whole look on you! blouse, hair, pants, shoes -- it' all good.

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  16. It's beautiful and what a good buy, just think of cost per wear! Great outfit - you look very chic in your lovely red top, Capri pants and sandals.

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  17. I really am terribly hopeless in the fashion department. I love coming here to see the lovely outfits you put together. I learn a little something every time I stop by.

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  18. 30 YEARS! Thank goodness you never got rid of it - lovely!

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  19. Hi Janet, time for me to leave a comment after spending hours perusing your blog. You're a tremendous inspiration to me in many ways. Loved reading about your decision to turn back the clock weightwise a few months ago. Your lifestyle, fashion, and cooking offer me lots of "food for thought". Having had health problems for awhile, I've recently had to rethink my approach to life. Love coming over here seeing what you're doing. Thanks for being candid about so many areas of your life. Now, will you help me come clean out MY closet?

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  20. I love the blouse! The whole look actually! Also, couldn't help but notice your garden is looking gorgeous as well!
    kim

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  21. The red in your blouse is like the pop of color in the red geraniums in your garden.
    Lovely

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  22. I should have read this before i took myself out for a little shopping trip this afternoon but no matter how much I tried on I only bought what I went for: new undies and a chambray shirt.

    Note to clothing stores: work om your frigging lighting in the dressing rooms. No way do I look that bad.

    xo Jane

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  23. 30 years and still gorgeous...Now THAT'S a classic, right? Also, love, love, love, the bangs swept off the face. How lucky to be able to wear your hair either way!!!!

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  24. The colors of the blouse are very flattering as is the entire look. Your "photographer" did a great job framing the shot with your red garden blooms.

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  25. Beautiful outfit. And I love the concept of a controlled wardrobe. I've been following The Vivienne Files also and would love to see how she would take your pared-down wardrobe, mixing and matching to form new combinations.

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  26. Makes me want to fly off to Hawaii right now! In a good way:).

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  27. It's fabulous, I'm glad you kept it too! Poinsetia? It is a real christmas thing in Australia- probably as thats when it flowers, at the height of summer. Does it signify some special ocassion over there?

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    Replies
    1. jodie it is a tropical flower. i don't know which one but it is definitely tropical.

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  28. Janet,

    This is an honest comment. I could never keep a top (especially a sleeveless top) for 30 years....because of the underarm smells that accumulate.

    What have you found that make the underarm smells.....not smell...over that many years?

    Normally, my tops like this are ready to be thrown out after 5-10 years because of the underarm smell.

    Would love to know if you have a solution.

    Best -

    Ann

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    Replies
    1. i have never had an underarm problem with this top. i hand wash it after every wear but that is it. i wish i had a secret solution to pass on to you!

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  29. It's a beautiful top and looks great on you. I had a great red skirt suit by Dana Buchman, and I have no idea whatever happened to it. It was a really nice brand many years ago, and I had forgotten all about it until now. Does it still exist?

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  30. So pretty......looks so easy to wear.

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  31. Love it with your pants and straw bag, looks so striking and effortless.

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  32. Hi Janet. You look fantastic, as usual. For a top to survive 30 years of wear and closet clearing, and still look fresh and fun--well, that is a classic! Hope you had a great Mother's Day.

    Colleen

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  33. The fact that you are the same size after 30 years is amazing! How very wise to have hung on to such a pretty blouse.

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  34. Really cute, your garden is beautiful. Hugs from France

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  35. I just discovered your blog and am loving it. Thank you for sharing your beautiful, simple life!

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  36. I always look forward to your posts. Lovely pics, house, recipes and general outlook!

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  37. That's a beautiful top that fits you very well indeed. And it was worth every penny - would you have thought how long you'll enjoy it when you bought it! Timeless piece of clothing though very un-neutral :-)
    Lovely.

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  38. I'm trying to lighten up myself, but I'm a collector, so it's a work in progress. Beautiful silk top!

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kindness is never out of style.

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