So I've had a few things rattling around in my head about style and fashion lately and finally decided to put fingers to keyboard and share - for whatever it's worth.

As most of you know from my Off Topic post, I've struggled over the last 8-9 months with some serious health issues. I'm improving every day and feeling like myself - at least, 85% of myself. But during my cancer treatments and early heart-attack recovery, sometimes just the thought and actual act of getting dressed seemed overwhelming. At the same time, living day after day in pajamas of sweat pants begins to make you feel like you're ill and can bring you down emotionally.

So Eileen Fisher clothes to the rescue! I know, I know...it's like I'm the local town crier hollering Eileen's name, but seriously...my EF wardrobe made me feel better. The pants with waistbands that didn't constrict; the tunic tops I could just throw on with anything; the simple black pants and tunic I could dress up with my bright cobalt blue EF scarf; the ability to take 5 EF items and mix-n-match them to make multiple outfits 'cause they all work together; the softness and ease of the fabrics - these sorts of things went an incredibly long way to helping me every day. And the ease of care for these clothing items was a huge plus - just throw in the washing machine and toss in the dryer or hang to dry. No ironing. No dry cleaning. With very little effort, I felt put together, stylish and participating in life. For a several months, I had medical appointments at least 3 days per week but I could change up several common outfits with a different handbag or piece of jewelry. Throw on a cheery lipstick and you're good to go.

This whole experience got me thinking about how clothes really are more than what we think they are - or at least more than what I thought they were. They aren't just pieces of fabric we throw on our bodies every day. They can help us project an image; they can help us be physically comfortable; they can free us up to worry about the bigger stuff; they can make us feel like we can get through the day; they can make us feel normal.

I won't be letting go of Eileen Fisher any time soon - in fact, I'm working towards building an almost exclusively EF wardrobe. Because even though I'm well on the road to recovery and I want to look put together and chic, I want to continue to feel freed up from spending too much time and energy putting together outfits and shopping in several stores. Maybe this will change over time, but I doubt it. My priorities have become much simpler.