I've been away from home -- and mostly away from fashion -- for the last month, spending time at my husband's new cattle ranch venture in Texas (a work in progress, should have cows before the end of the year). Suffice to say that jeans, tees, flannel shirts, hoodies, and rugged boots were my uniform for the last month. In fact, I ended up buying the most basic, unattractive men's rubber boots for slogging around in the mud, and I wore them a bunch. I could have packed about a quarter of what I actualy took -- I even took a dress, thinking we might go out for a nice dinner in Dallas, but we were so busy, that never happened!

I'm on my way home now -- stopped for the night, since I'm driving with the doggies -- and scanning the forum, I realize I'm missing my fab clothes. I'm looking forward to getting home and wearing something I don't have to worry about getting messed up with mud, or engine oil, or paint, or construction debris! Can't wait to put on some fab boots, a silk shirt, and a leather jacket!

Have you ever taken a total break from style? I did once before when I spent two months driving cross country and camped and wore gear almost every day. On one hand, it's kind of refreshing to not think about it and just throw on purely functional clothes, but on the other hand, I start missing all the nice things I have to wear.