styled living simply achieved by Jacqueline deMontravel
I wish I had a milkman and not in that way–my family reads this. Every so often when I market at a specialty store I come across yogurt sold in glass jars. Forget the nutritional panel, cost or taste, though they are tasty, I yearn for the glass jar. Who thought you could lust in the milk aisle? My generation missed the milkman though we’ve heard all the lore. There are some trends you wish remained.
J. Peterman is many things. A character on a few Seinfeld episodes. The catalogue that competed with J. Crew and L.L. Bean for space in late 80s campus mailboxes. Something that will always be around and occasionally resurface like mother’s Christmas china.
The slim catalogue is written the way I imagine a flyer reads from a turn of the century mercantile. There is talk of dueling lovers, dead writers, horse racing and WWII. A combination of journal-styled illustrations and entries entertain like an excerpt from the New Yorker. For those in search of a horse collar mirror, dress for Derby day or gardening watering lance, it’s time to renew your subscription.
Silver is the precious metal of choice. The obsession began in those wide eyed teen years when silver rings went electric on Hawaiian Tropic tanned skin. It then matured with shoes and ladylike accessories. My latest Vans acquisition adds glimmer to the shoe rack–my version of Dorothy’s ruby slippers. (Vans are another obsession, Spicoli’s checked pair epitomize surfer cool).
For events when I have to play dress up and behave as proper ladies do, I paint my nails silver for a subtle shimmer.
Returning to motherhood style, the go-to bag is ideally made of sailcloth since it is the best way for electronics and juice boxes to happily cohabit.
I love to give but would not be in the category of those ladies with their own gift wrapping room. In fact I often select stores based on their gift wrapping style. Presents are packed in reusable bags or cotton sacks. Until now….
A book of wrapping paper and sticker tabs from Potter Style virtually wraps the present for you. The handsome collection is neatly organized in a book format.
And drugstore variety these are not, the prints cross all seasons and styles with pop.
A regressive moment happened with this clever magnetic play board. The intention is to give to my son for creative play that does not involve mutant pigs and survival mode.
I gingerly peel the box’s tape so I can test for myself. (An important task is to check for defects. There is nothing sadder than taking a toy from a child to exchange for a proper item). The popular Colorforms from my childhood this is not. The color, settings and magnets jump from their place holders, with some slight assistance of course. Real life responsibilities are put on hold so I can visit the tropics without needing bug spray.
It’s like the assembling of a train set, a supposed group project until the father deems it is intended for bigger kids and takes over the control.
The pieces are designed with whimsy. In fact the characters have a slight resemblance to my son’s world without the fishing monkeys.
My latest obsession is pom poms, and not the rah rah “let’s go team!” kind that looks like a bundle of Easter straw. The trim of crocheted balls take you back to colorful barrettes and knee socks. I have them adorned on everything from pillow covers to retro inspired shorts, seen here from J. McLaughlin.
