My work uniform is all black. I wear black pants. an Aveda tshirt and a black apron. Topped off with a pair of black shoes and I am set. It does get a bit boring but it is so functional that I don't mind. So I am always on the lookout for comfortable and quiet black pants. By quiet I mean the fabric has to be super soft so as not to make noise when I move around. Giving facials is supposed to be a tranquil experience not one riddled with the jangle of jewelry or clothing. Believe it or not that is an important part of dressing for my job. Also, black tends to get crummy looking pretty quickly so it's important that the pants I purchase are not very expensive as I want to look as put together as possible. So I found these ponte pants at Target the other day and I'm pretty much in love with them. They closely mimic the J Crew pixie pant, but I actually think these are more comfortable and are a fraction of the price, $27 vs $98. Anyway I thought I'd share just in case you are in the market. They are nice enough that I'm wearing them here with that pale pink vintage top that I showed the other day.
Also...while we are all here, I would love to thank you for the amazing kindness you have shown me in my last post. To say I'm blown away is the understatement of the year. I've read each one at least twice and a lot of them more than that. As hard as it was to share, I'm glad I did because I think we can all help each other through this blog. At least that is my hope. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask in the comments. I will be as honest as I can in my replies. So thank you from the bottom of my heart - you truly are THE best. x
I love your blog (YOU) - your honesty and humor are so endearing. I was very sad when you said you needed to take a break. While I understand, I miss your posts so I am so glad you are back. I also found some inexpensive, quiet, black pants at Kmart - no zipper or pockets with a wide yolk at the top. Just pull them on. Basic Editions is the brand name.
ReplyDeletethank you so much for your lovely comment. i am going to go look at kmart now! they sound perfect for work. x
DeleteI'm simply amazed by bloggers who post so frequently that nine days is a break! I've been blogging for 5 1/2 years, but have only ever blogged once a week. I couldn't possibly manage to do it even twice a week on any kind of regular basis. Your blog is wonderful, and I'm sure it's an inspiration to far more people than even the great number who leave comments.
DeleteI think your sharing helps us to share too. We all need to help each other! It makes me feel I'm not so strange and different after all, that everyone goes through the good and the not so good.
ReplyDeleteLisa in Fort Worth
you are so right lisa! it does help knowing we are not alone. x
DeleteJanet I like your simple work outfit, uniforms are so perfect: no agonizing over what to wear, easier to have a small wardrobe etc.
ReplyDeleteI somehow missed your last post but I've just read it and the wonderful comments and I have to tell you I am so so happy you will continue blogging. Your blog is one of the best, you bring so much beauty and honesty to all of us and that is a very valuable thing.
thanks dani and i love uniforms too. loved my catholic school one also!
Deletei'm going into LA today and wearing the dress you sent me last year. i'm so excited! x
Smooches to you!
ReplyDeleteI love simple day wear, it's what I live in, I'm just not the sort to focus on clothes that much.
simplicity and comfort rule my clothing decisions these days too!
DeleteI remembered the blouse straight away, lol, love this one, you wear clothes so beautifully, you are truly an inspiration,,,thank you for the great advice,if I had slim calves I would wear pixie pants , sadly I legs like tree stumps, lol but on the upside they have held me upright for all my 58 years and have taken me on many adventures, I will keep them ,lol
ReplyDeletethank you laurie and i love your positive attitude! x
DeleteI'm always on the lookout for a perfect pair of black pants (I have a pear shaped body and it's hard to find a good pair of pants that fits me), so I'm definitely going to try these pants! Janet - I love your blog and I love you - you're authentic and genuine personality shines through your beautiful blog and I feel so blessed to get to know you. Thank you for all that you share with us. xx
ReplyDeletethank you yuko. i think you will like them, let me know what you think. x
Deletedear, you look awesome. I think it's because you always look confident and comfortable with yourself. xo
ReplyDeletethanks sarah sweetie. x
DeleteThis is totally off topic, but .... I know your recently decided to stop colouring your hair. I have done the same and find the texture of my newly grey hair very similar to 'steel wool', for lack of a better description, lol! Are you having the same experience? If not, and I hope not, what shampoo do you use, or recommend I try.
ReplyDeleteThank you kindly, Janet.
sue my hair has always been thick and coarse. i love aveda Brilliant shampoo and conditioner. it's a little pricey but lasts a long time - a little goes a long way. good luck!
Delete<3s So many of them.
ReplyDeletexo
DeleteYou look beautiful! I will hie me there tomorrow - my ponte knits pants are on their last leg!
ReplyDeletewendy i'd be interested in your opinion of them since you are a jcrew expert. :)
DeleteJanet, I am happy to see that you decided to continue blogging. I have always enjoyed reading your blog and I especially love your home and decorating style. I do not know exactly what you are going through, but we all have difficulties in life - that's for sure. I am glad that we can all be here for one another in times of need. Just do whats right for you.....blog or not blog, but please know that I have and always will enjoy your posts very much.
ReplyDeletethank you anon for your lovely comment. x
DeleteI would not have guessed you are dressed for work because the look is very elegant and you should take a compliment for your very nice 'figure.' I have a cousin who only wears black and white...any and all combinations. She's done this her entire married life because she's always been on a budget as a very young mom in a one-income family. It helps because she's svelte and otherwise gorgeous but she always looks so chic even when dressed casually. Blonde hair, red lips, LBD...yep, from Target...and she could stand among the celebs with her head held high. White jeans and black t-shirt top, or black slim pants and a crisp white shirt with those turned-back cuffs...what can I say, she's got it DOWN when it comes to fashion. Nice when you get that figured out early in life! We went on an extended-family, quickie-cruise years ago and she had us all beat with her spare but beautifully-coordinated outfits. She claims it simplifies her life and is effortless.
ReplyDeletevicki i was actually going to lunch wearing this. at work i wear an aveda t shirt. :) your cousin sounds so fabulous!
DeletePlease add me to the long long list of others who are so glad that you've decided to continue blogging. Your blog is my absolute favorite. And while I enjoy all of your posts, the ones featuring your beautiful, graceful, serene home are my favorites.
ReplyDeleteAnd to shift topics, I so admire your decision to be open about the difficult times your family has been facing. As you know, you are not alone. And, of course, sometimes things do get better. Like you, I have three adult children whom I love dearly. And like you, our family has struggled with the addiction that enveloped one of those children. (In his case, alcoholism.) I'm happy to say that after years of trying, he was eventually able to overcome his addiction. In a few days we will celebrate the fifth anniversary of his sobriety. Here's hoping that your family will experience a similar outcome.
kris
thank you kris and i'm so happy to hear that your son has overcome his addiction. what a wonderful story to wake up to. thank you for sharing. x
DeletePlease add me to the long long list of others who are so glad that you've decided to continue blogging. Your blog is my absolute favorite. And while I enjoy all of your posts, the ones featuring your beautiful, graceful, serene home are my favorites.
ReplyDeleteAnd to shift topics, I so admire your decision to be open about the difficult times your family has been facing. As you know, you are not alone. And, of course, sometimes things do get better. Like you, I have three adult children whom I love dearly. And like you, our family has struggled with the addiction that enveloped one of those children. (In his case, alcoholism.) I'm happy to say that after years of trying, he was eventually able to overcome his addiction. In a few days we will celebrate the fifth anniversary of his sobriety. Here's hoping that your family will experience a similar outcome.
kris
Oops! So sorry for the duplicate comment! . . . kris
DeleteJanet, You look great in that outfit! I'm so happy you've chosen to continue blogging. xx
ReplyDeletethank you mona. x
DeleteThat god you weren't a gone girl. I would have been very sad. Target, huh. I always long for some perfect Audrey Hepburn little black pants...could it be?
ReplyDeletexo J
yes, jane go to target today and try them!
DeleteJanet those look fab and love how you birddog a bargain!!
ReplyDeletehaha, you are funny and correct!
Deletewell.
ReplyDeletei'm late to the party.
but i want to weigh in. you are my audrey jackie janet. from the beginning you have epitomized the best of those two lovely women. so i began thinking of you as AJJ. how could you ever think you are mediocre??? LOLOLOL.
i know. you just wanted me to laugh!
your spirit. your beauty and style. your humane and delicious way of eating. your simple way of living and loving life . . .
these are only a few of the reasons we ALL love you. i don't comment each time. but i catch up with you ALWAYS.
and i always read all and any posts i might have missed.
please. take breaks when you need to. but SO GLAD you're not going away! love and a huge snoopy hug. XO♥
thank you dear tammy j. you are sooooo kind in your compliments. i'm so flattered and humbled at the same time. you are the best. xo
DeleteYours is one of my very favorite blogs. You are full of heart, soul, and kindness. I do not know the source of your tsouris (Yiddish for troubles, worry, concerns), but I know that pulling away from people who care and support you is not the answer. There is a caring that happens among bloggers and those who read and support them. It's genuine. I seldom comment, but I read and feel what is written. I have a number of concerns in my life right now, some I have absolutely no control over, but I must keep making myself aware of the good. And there is good. One of my concerns is the complete disintegration of my brother's family as a result of alcoholism. I have absolutely no influence there as things are the result of decades of life choices poorly made. But I feel such pain. Agonizing at times. But I must focus on the good, the real, the simple, and make up my mind that I will stay on the path and give up any notion that I control anything but my own choices and to be loving and kind. Keep your chin up. Even that is a choice. In the dark times grab that good friend and let yourself just enjoy their caring for you. Take a drive with your spouse into the country with sandwiches and a thermos of coffee. Whatever is best for you and your spirit. I just want you to know that your blog lifts me up. You are unique and have a meaningful voice. I would miss you if decided not to blog. But, do what your spirit needs. It's most important.
ReplyDeletethank you dear mahala. what a beautiful comment, thank you for sharing, you have "lifted me up" this morning. thank you. x
DeleteI think that blogging sometimes helps us focus on the lovely parts of our lives and regain our perspective. It works for me, anyway! Btw, your natural grayling hair was one of my many inspirations for deciding to go natural color, including grey after 20 years of colouring!
ReplyDeleteyep, you are so right! i'm so glad you are giving gray a chance too! x
DeleteLove the shoes! Where did you find them?
ReplyDeletethank you. pasadena city college swap meet. they are ralph lauren.
DeleteI love wearing black too..."quiet pants" are something that I have never considered, but in your special way you guide us into a tranquil space, whether it be in the garden under your Yoga tree, or if we are lucky to be in your care, enjoying a facial...you teach us at every step.
ReplyDeletePlease keep that candle burning Janet...you are grace in the light.
thank you leslie you are so sweet. x
DeleteI am in the market for black pants! Always. I was at target today but didn't see these. I'll go back tomorrow and see if I can find them.
ReplyDeleteYour honesty is inspiring:). xo
go check them out jennifer, i think you will be impressed with them. x
DeleteJanet dear, you are grace and have a beautiful way of sharing. Love your blog and always look forward to your posts. Glad you can give yourself permission to take breaks! Hugs from a distance.
ReplyDeletethank you anon. x
DeleteI never thought about it before, but you are right, clothes can be a bit noisy, and therefore, annoying. And that's what I like about you and your blog: you are an aesthete - one who professes great sensitivity to the beauty of art and nature. For me, It's these little details that make the difference. Like having a well edited wardrobe and a simple, clean home, these are the things that give me the most satisfaction and, in times of stress, a comforting sense of control. We all have our ups and downs in life, and I am not exaggerating when I say that lately, due to some problems with my son, I have literally been at one of my all time lows. But even at this lowest point, I find it important to keep in touch with my sense of aestheticism. I looked up the word aestheticism and it said: the doctrine that beauty is the basic principle from which all other principles, especially moral ones, are derived. So I take much inspiration from your blog. And since you said, don't hesitate to ask questions, I am curious, do you work five days a week? And do you find it difficult to keep up with the demands of an aesthetic life? Thanks, Janet. As always, an inspiration.
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful compliment michelle. i wish you well with your son and send my prayers and good wishes. i only work one or two days a week now. :) !!
Deletei guess i've never thought about keeping up the demands of living like i do. like you, i get a lot of satisfaction and in times of stress, it does give a measure of control. living this way makes me happy so i suppose my answer is no, i don't find it too demanding. thanks for the great comment.
I read somewhere recently to not wear noisy jewelry to job interviews such as bracelets. They are too distracting, I agree. Also, to abstain from fragrance as there are many people who are allergic or sensitive to it. I guess I'm one of those people, I tend to consider other's comfort as well as my own. Did you know that in Japan wearing perfume is considered rude because it shows the wearer is inconsiderate to other people's sensitivities?
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your attentiveness to your client's comfort, you are a true professional. I definitely notice when getting a facial if the aesthetician is quiet and paying attention to my experience. I've also had facials where she would sigh often (as if she was bored), smell of what she had for lunch on her hands & breath and so on. These little things do make a difference.
I love your outfit. I just bought a pair of cropped pants similar to yours from Target and I love them (and the price)!
i've had a couple of experiences like you have had too. i once had a massage by a guy and he had on the worlds noisiest pants! i guess that's where i came up with the idea of quiet clothes. :) thanks for sharing. :)
DeleteYou look absolutely lovely as always, Janet! How nice to see the leopard cardigan still in rotation. I was just looking for mine yesterday, as it is one of my favorites to this day. Hope you have a wonderful weekend! :)
ReplyDeletethanks melissa. i love that cardigan, it goes with everything! x
DeleteLove your blog, Ive never commented before, I just don't. I didn't know you had a career, was surprised I'd missed that. I thought you were pretty much a lady of leisure. :) I love your home it's beautiful. I'm 63, would love to own a home but I've had a lot of losses in my life and pretty much just getting by. I'm on my own just recently moved to a smaller rental but so thankful for what I do have. Thank you for your posts they are enjoyed. Lisa
ReplyDeleteThose black pants and pretty pink top look wonderful!!! Polished and elegant!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing these finds and their sources! Very kind of you!
Cheers! Jan at Rosemary Cottage
Just beautiful, Janet!
ReplyDeleteNever thought about quiet pants but I remember the swish, swish of corduroy pants! Ha!
ReplyDeleteYou look wonderful!
Betty
In those odd moments I sit down at my computer do I click on my email first? My bank account? No, usually the first thing I do is check on Janet at the Gardeners Cottage. I just love your lifestyle, and your outlook on life. So glad you didn't drop off the edge of the world! I also am trying to figure out how to cope with, to adjust to, to accept, a life changing situation - mine is the very rapid onset of dementia in my husband of 50 years. Sometimes I just simply can't believe it, I totally crash, and then I find myself thinking how nice it would be to have some new throw pillows! We each have our own way of coping with what life sometimes throws at us.
ReplyDeleteI was just going to comment to Janet with nothing important to say, and then I read this comment, and I realize....I really don't have much to say. I'm so sorry for what you are going through, Anonymous at 12:28. Sometimes the small things like throw pillows or quiet pants or fuzzy socks really do make a tiny bit of a difference or feel like an unspoken hug in an otherwise overwhelming time. Good Luck to you. I know that Janet would be fine with me using my words for you instead of her; she "gets it" like that. :)
Deleteabsolutely lor. i feel like this blog belongs to us all. :)
Deleteand anon i really do feel your pain. my mom had alzhiemers and it was terrible. having it happen to the love of your life must be even more devastating. sometimes even throw pillows can get us through the day. :) wishing you much love. x
Beautiful top! I am working on simplifying my wardrobe.
ReplyDeleteSo happy that you are still with us. I suppose it is a selfish of me to hope you never stop blogging because I look forward so much to your pictures, your tips and just the interaction of your readers in general. Whenever you need to take a break, of course you should. But I always hope you return. We can learn from each other and provide a cushion for a softer landing from life's ups and downs.
ReplyDeleteI also wanted to comment on how much I like your blog. I love everything about it. I especially love your cottage. Would love to live in such a beautiful home with no clutter and so neat and tidy and decorated just perfect! Makes me think I should simplify my life and get rid of stuff and clutter and enjoy what is important.
ReplyDeleteI love your look, Janet!
ReplyDeleteI worked for a chiropractor for a while and the clients used to say that hearing my jewellery tickling was reassuring as, quite often they were often left on blocks whilst the doctor treated another patient elsewhere in the clinic, so they relaxed knowing that they hadn't been forgotten about and we hadn't all gone home.
ReplyDeleteThose trousers look great and I'm glad you're blogging again. x
I love reading your blog and seeing how you live a simple life, although I don't often comment. I had to tell you about the black ponte pants I bought at Banana Republic about 3 years ago. I have worn these pants over and over again until I always think everyone is sick of them and the amazing thing is they haven't pilled, faded, stretched or anything. I love how well they have stood up so I wanted to encourage you to try a more expensive pair to see if they lasted longer than the cheaper ones.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post Janet. I went to Target and found the best pair of petite pants which I never have luck at finding. I love reading your blog and have implemented alot of your "simplify" ideas in my own home. You are beautiful and a blessing!
ReplyDeleteTherese
oh i'm glad you were able to find something that works for you. i'm always surprised by Target. thank you for sharing! x
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