Etudes
Category
In Honour of the Hero Piece
A couple of days ago, I was wearing this Sister Jane skirt that I have had for almost ten years and I received a compliment from a stranger. In fact, I receive a compliment almost every single time I wear this item of clothing. I am not saying this to brag about the number of compliments I get, but to make a point about a certain kind of piece. Let’s call it The (unlikely) Hero Piece.
What I Wore for Christmas
For years, I wasn’t the biggest fan of Christmas – I guess I found it too bourgeois or something. I was never a hater either, though, and the older I get, the more I seem to appreciate this holiday of gingerbread, tinsel and Die Hard. Perhaps I’m just becoming more bourgeois myself, who knows. Or perhaps living abroad most of the time, spending time with one’s family just feels more special, Christmas or not.
A Dispatch From The Edge Of The Summer
I was rather shocked to realise that I haven’t blogged since May. That wasn’t intentional, but it’s been a weird summer. The first half was busy at work and I spent a good chunk of the second half down with a virus (not THAT one, fortunately). I also didn’t feel a strong urge to write or if I did, it wasn’t stuff suited for the blog.
The Planet Called November
It was the legendary Estonian cosmologist Liidia E. Öpik who gave the planet its name in 3027. She said it reminded her of going to the beach in November when at home: “It’s the month that kills off all the light and hope and uses the corpses to decorate its damp house. But it’s also strangely beautiful.” (That was, of course, after the devastation of the Big Change had been addressed and the Earth’s biosphere and climate meticulously restored to its ‘authentic’ state.)
Skincare During a Pandemic: Discuss
A few people have asked me for a skincare update, which I’m happy to provide. It’s interesting that while attitudes towards clothes and fashion have almost uniformly moved in the direction of “less” and “not a priority”, beauty is a more complex issue. There has obviously been some rethinking and reassessment, especially on the makeup front. But while I know a number of people who have simplified their skincare routines, I probably know more of those who have found solace in pampering or have used the teleworking situation to engage in some hard-core retinoling.
Back to Basics
If you are someone who’s interested in clothes, chances are that in recent months you have been pondering your relationship with them. Does one really need any, beyond track pants? Was the pleasure you took in dressing up real or did you just imagine it? Who even are we when not directly exposed to the gaze of other people and their judgement?
Thinking of Beirut
When I visited Lebanon in the end of 2018, I never got around to writing about the trip on the blog. Not because I didn’t like the visit – I adored the country – but sometimes the right moment passes and you think you can no longer do justice to your emotions and experiences. I always half-hoped I would return to the topic at some point, although I never imagined it would be in circumstances like this.
Life in the Time of Corona
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So, the lockdown is here. The city was quiet and empty when I walked to the office this morning, after a weekend spent at home. Before you get upset with me: I have an obligation to be in the office this week because of the nature of my w..
Restyling Challenge: Strawberry Vintage
I know the order is usually ‘strawberries and cream’, but in this case we have already had the cream and I’m now following up with strawberries. As I mentioned in that last style post, I am encouraging myself to wear things I already own and if I really need..
Restyling Challenge: All Cream Everything
I mentioned in my autumn trends overview that I’ve got some style posts coming where I will either take an old favourite and restyle it or create a look based on vintage pieces. This is a deliberate attempt to curb my tendency to constantly buy new, exciting..