the Weekly Rundown: Lentils, Spring Mules and Better Than ‘Free People’

I recently browsed this San Francisco home tour and it really resonated with me. Aside from how cool it is that this young family lives abroad, I love that so many pieces of their decor and furniture have stories – from being found, to being passed down from family members. And most surprisingly, everything comes together in a way that leaves me feeling inspired.

It turns out that food and decorating have more in common than one might first think. 5 “French Women” Strategies for a Healthy Home  offers trans-continental tips on how to breathe fresh life into your home, no matter how big or small it may be.

Lentils are not the first thing that comes to mind when making our family’s weekly meal plan, but ever since a friend sent me this recipe we keep hitting repeat. For as simple as the ingredients are, it’s packed with flavor. Hint: it’s all in the balsamic.

Still trying to quit your favorite fast-fashion brands or labels that just don’t stack up in the ethics department? Leah over at Style Wise has compiled an excellent list of 6 Ethical Brands That Are Better Than Free People. If boho’s your thing, don’t miss it.

The sun graced us with her much-needed presence over the weekend, and that meant I got to try out the new Mariella Mule by Nisolo (c/o) and per all the Instagram questions, they stay on fantastically. They are nice and snug at the instep, so there is no slinging (flip-flop style) that goes on with these shoes. Now, I have full-figured feet, so I don’t have any trouble. Maybe, if you have narrow feet, you might have some more play in the fit? Either way, they’re made of leather on the inside and the outside, so they will pretty much form to your feet over time.

Last year this time I penned one of my favorite blog posts, about color palettes. I love diving in to the theory behind color and design, and I wish I knew more in this area. It is so fun to be a forever student of style.

2017 READER SURVEY QUESTIONS, ASKED & ANSWERED:

Love the blog! I am so jealous of your mild fall/winter season! As a Chicago-dweller, I would love to see more heavy duty fall/winter gear reviewed, athletic wear, or at least get some information about ethical brands in those areas. I found it very difficult to find good information about ethical winter wear production so I just stuck it out with my old beaten up winter coat, and I’m getting ready to start replacing more of my athletic wear. Keep up the great work!! 

Hello my friend in Chicago! Brrr, I only went there once, but I do remember freezing my rear end off. For outerwear, Patagonia is one of the original sustainably-minded companies. All of their down is responsibly-sourced, they are huge on environmental impact and they are very transparent about their supply chain. I recently got a down jacket on sale (now is a great time to buy because it’s end of season) and hope to review it later in the year. This one truly seems like the ultimate parka. As for athletic wear, Prana is an excellent ethical option and it looks like Grana just released a new line. Good luck!

What advice would you have for someone looking to start a blog as well as a lean closet? 

Great question! My first advice is: write, write, write! Write several blog posts just for yourself, before you get into the logistics of publishing, to discover your voice and your passion. I wrote for a month or more before I went live with my blog. After that comes the hard work, getting your blog out there while continuing to hone your craft. For more, check out my Blogging Tips section.