Well, here I am back at the blog but I haven't really worked out a time yet for being back an therefore it seems that my mind, lacking the structure of the old, "if it is X AM it must be blog-time" routine, wants to dart hither and yon. The hardest thing so far me about adjusting to having help is perhaps just that, adjusting, and my schedule seems to require constant adjustment. I am not by nature amoeba-like in my ability to adjust to changes in circumstances, so at times it is a bit trying.
This week we are watching Ken Burns' series, The Civil War, on PBS. My initial reaction was "seen that", many times over actually, but G wanted to watch it and I was drawn in as well. Each night I am saddened, angered, and brought to tears at least once as I get wrapped up the the turmoils of men, history, stupidity, tragedy and the occasional kindnesses of strangers.
But this steady diet of evening television time has been good for my knitting and I finished the first piece of my next sweater last night. I'm just going to post this teaser for now and say that I am using a wool, linen, and baby alpaca blend which I hope will prove excellent as a transitional piece for layering. I am determined to finish it by the end of next week.
While I am on the subject of transitional garments, I also went shopping this week. Actually I went shopping twice, once looking for some new things I saw in the JCrew and Talbots catalogs, but none of the items I sought were available in the local stores, or nearly local as J Crew is over an hour away. If anything my trip to the J Crew store actually discouraged me from attempting to order anything from the current catalog as I was so strongly disappointed in the merchandise available in the store and frustrated by the experience in general that I had about decided to just live with what I have currently in the closet.
But then a friend was showing off a fabulous new coat she got at Kohls, a lovely soft sage-green, transitional piece, and I promptly ran over to Kohls and bought my own. The sage made me look rather bilious around the edges and the black, despite the fact that it is pretty shiny, was a much better choice. I like the weight, I like the fact that it dips down at the side seams, and I like the fact that at less than $50 it is not a major commitment. If it gets me through a season or two I will be happy, especially since my previous black trench, a lightweight little number by Drizzle is looking pathetically sad and dated and is ready for retirement.
The truth is that I hadn't been in Kohls' in at least 4 years, and although I had heard good things about Vera Wang's Simply Vera line for Kohls, I have never been particularly attracted to Vera Wang's various explorations beyond the realm of wedding gowns. I may have to reconsider. I picked up a couple of pieces which I felt offered far better style, construction, and value for the money than the merchandise available at the Danbury J. Crew. They are not pieces for the ages perhaps, but I have come to accept with age, that little that is cut from cloth truly is ageless. I can accept that.
Comments
10 responses to “This and That Around the House”
Cute! Fun! Stylish! Classic! I bought a no-name black trench at Nordstroms for $120 dollars and I have loved it for the past 5 years. Yours is better than mine – I love that skirt.
Cute coat! I like the length.
My boys like to shop at J.Crew. They always find great things but somehow the cut of their women’s wear isn’t right for me and I don’t usually end up buying anything.
I’ve had hits and misses from Kohl’s. I’m short and they carry a decent selection of pants in different lengths so I head there when I want casual pants.
Looking forward to the sweater!
I got sucked into the Civil War doc last night too! It’s compelling and I have no innate interest in that war (or that time period). I’m fascinated by the photography that was available.
I went once at J. Crew and bought a sweater, I was captured by the color and the fabric looked well, but after 2 washes I was so disappointed, it get full of flocks and the color get from bright green in a pale one, so I decided no to buy from there. In exchange I am satisfied with Kohls. There I find all I need and good quality.
I do like that coat! I’ve found the quality at J.Crew, and Talbots to be inconsistent. Some pieces seem very good for the money, others have fabric and construction that promises to look like a dishrag after a few weeks. They just opened a Kohl’s a few miles from us, will have to make a point to investigate.
Yes, Pseu, I find them both inconsistent, and neither of my local stores carries anywhere near the full range in the catalogs so it is very frustrating sometimes. Im just not in the mood for the UPS send and return cycle right now either though. Only time will tell if this is a one-time success at Kohls, or if they suffer from the same problems.
K-Line, the photography is compelling.
Rose AG, the cut of J. Crews womens wear seems to be for the young, girlish figure. Too bad. Many of their styles could work for me if they would cut better.
Ill have to see about Kohls over time.
Mardel
I too have watched the Ken Burns’ Civil War series several times and it gets to me every time.
I love your coat! I’ve not yet found anything at Kohls that works except one coral sweater that I love. The petites are usually a little too feminine for me.
I can’t wait to see more of your beautiful sweater.
LPC, although I do have a weakness for a designer label, especially when said designer does not splash his/her name all over the merchandise, I like a nice no-name piece too. It sometimes surprises me though, which pieces become favorites.