My summer wardrobe was both a win and loss. I spent a lot of time planning and purchasing an entire wardrobe based on a 1950s Italy and Greek Isles feel. Parts of it worked but I didn't like it as a whole. What I realized is, I like retro and vintage, but I don't like outfits or silhouettes that are too clean, too pretty, too neat. They have to have some drape, some boho, some roughness, something exotic, or a bit of rock 'n roll to make me feel at home in them.

I also realized I miss atheleisure and easy-wear clothing. I want and need more items in drapey jersey knits and wovens. The majority of what I own right now is very luxe chiffon blouses, level 2 dresses (they require some Spanx and a good bra), and satin bias cut skirts. I am not sure I need or want to dump them, but I do really want and need a softer, easier every-day wardrobe. For example, I want some deeper v-neck tees to pair with jackets and jeans--that sort of thing. Very early 80s Bruce Springsteen -- photo 1.

Some of it is acceptance, some of it is fantasy dressing, and some of it is finding the right easy-wear clothing that looks and feels good for me.

Mostly, I do better/best just buying a clothing item when it sings to me or because I need it. I feel my most authentic when I am being intuitive with both daily dressing and purchases. The Pinterest boards are helpful as inspiration. But going out and buying lots of items to replicate them doesn't really work out for the best. I do better letting the seasonal inspo boards hum in the background and copying 1-2 pieces from them rather than copying them verbatim.

2025 was the year I let go.

One major thing I did in November was purge every item of clothing I had worn during all the toxic mold illness and healing. I had 3-4 bags of pajamas, sweats and athletic wear, and my boho rockabilly dresses. I do very much love the dresses and hope to sew something like them. But those exact dresses needed to go. Wearing them only reminded me of the past, and I am moving forward <3

2025 was the year I tried something new.

I tried Platinum Skin Care in November--photo 2. Thank you random lady on Reddit for recommending them! I was feeling really disheartened with the esthetician care and products from Art of Skincare. PSC was a leap, but has turned out to be just what I needed. So far, my skin is loving the products. The first 4 weeks, I had tons of old, dead skin sloughing and rolling off. (So nasty, so gratifying!) I'm still 42 years-old, but my skin is starting to glow again.

Yay, for reaching the end!

I know this is lengthy and doesn't have any actual outfit examples or fashion/style analysis. Mostly, I think I'm still figuring things out. I did make some purchases this fall, including yet another print dress--photo 3. It was on the clearance rack at Target. My son picked it out and begged me to buy it for myself. I actually wear it with the tie worn around my waist. Empire waist dresses always feel a bit awkward on me and wearing the tie around the waist really works-- I think. I will do a WIW with it soon! I have worn it a couple of times now, with crimson lipstick, knee high boots, and my handknit cabled cocoon (in Finds below). Even though it's a very dark print, I think the dress might be pretty in spring too.