Slow Living: Styling a Calming Home Palette, Seasonal Recipes, and your Wardrobe Story
Happy Sunday everyone! I hope you are having a wonderful weekend. Today I am joining Mary Ann and Annie for some Sunday reflection. Lately, this pursuit of intentionality has followed me from my closet into every corner of my life. Whether it was stumbling upon Erin Kestenbaum’s home on Instagram, or spending some precious one-on-one time with Summer this week, I’ve felt a persistent nudge to slow down. It’s a reminder to not take the small moments for granted and to find t beauty in the simple things, as so elegantly captured by Jeanne Henriques in her reflections on the stories we wear. Let’s chat about Slow Living: Styling a Calming Home Palette, Seasonal Recipes, and your Wardrobe Story.
Erin Kestinbaum’s Lovely Home
When spotting Erin Kestenbaum’s home on instagram it stopped me mid scroll. I’m obsessed with the soothing palette she created using layers of blue and green.
Outfits of the Week
I am trying to become much more intentional with my purchases the older I get . I’m only clicking ‘buy’ if an item is either an incredible short-term bargain or a versatile investment that works across seasons. This Chan Luu dress is the perfect example of the latter; I can style it as a duster over pants now, then wear it as a dress with sandals later.
I had been coveting this fabulous Maison de Sabre bag and lo and behold they sent it to me. It is the absolute perfect size in my opinion, not too large or so small it holds nothing. I prefer a thicker crossbody strap. This will be my go to bag. Love this Chan Luu dress, the great Spanx pants, favorite Gentle Souls booties, machete watch band, and earrings.
Chan Luu dress, J Crew bag, Helen Kaminski hat, Olukai flip flops, Chan Luu necklace, and sunnies.
Camila Alve’s No Mayo Coleslaw
I am not a big fan of “plain ole mayo”. In fact I detested it growing up. This fresh coleslaw recipe from Camila Alves is right up my alley. I made it this week but failed to take a photo. I added cilantro and almonds for extra crunch, but it is delicious as is. I would say it serves six depending on the size of your cabbage.
Camila Alve’s No Mayo Coleslaw
Ingredients
- 1 head green cabbage
- 1 large red-apple julienned or thinly sliced I used Granny Smith
- 1/2 or 1/4 red onion thinly sliced the amount depends on the size of your cabbage
- 3 tbsp. mint coarsely chopped
- 2 tbsp. lemon juice
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
- 1-2 tsp. white wine vinegar
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Finely shred the cabbage using a mandoline. If you don’t have one, use a sharp knife and shred as fine as you can! The thinner the cabbage, the better this will taste.
- Combine all the remaining ingredients and mix in a large bowl. Taste it as you go to see if it needs any more acidity, moisture, or salt!
- Serve the same day. It tastes better the next day after the ingredients meld together.
Jean Henriques The Stories We Wear
Jeeanne Henriques is a writer and photographer who curates creative workshops and retreats at Tahilla Farm, her home in New Hampshire. Jeanne advocates a slow life focusing on the beauty that surrounds us. Her recent post The Stories we Wear Jeanne reflects on how the clothes we choose to keep, if well chosen, tell our stories. I totally embrace Jeanne’s philosophy. A piece like the Chan Luu dress in this week’s Outfit of the Week is a “future story in the making,” If you aren’t following Jeanne I highly recommend following her on Instagram and her blog. Jeanne has led a fascinating life, and she now focuses on home making, gardening, writing, and seasonal living.
A Swim Bag for Summer
You really can’t beat a Lands’ End tote. They’re incredibly sturdy, practical, and reasonably priced. Plus, you can never go wrong with a classic monogram. I’m grabbing one for Summer to keep all her swim gear organized for meets this season
Summer Love
I took a few days off and headed up to the Bay Area to hang out with Summer, and we had the best time. Between Monopoly marathons, art projects, and a round of mini-golf, it was just great to have that one-on-one time together. I’m always blown away by her kindness and that incredible zest she has for life.
Whether we are styling a versatile Chan Luu dress for a new season, creating a heart healthy recipe, finding peace in the quiet blues and greens of a well-loved home, or spending time with our grandchildren, we need to slow down and reflect. As Jeanne Henriques so beautifully reminds us in The Stories We Wear, the things we surround ourselves with are “another chapter in our unfolding story”.
Thank you so much for being here for this series each week. I hope you enjoyed Slow Living: Styling a Calming Home Palette, Seasonal Recipes, and your Wardrobe Story. Spending one-on-one time with Summer this week was a beautiful reminder to slow down and savor life’s smaller, quieter moments while I can. Are you trying to be more intentional in your life, home, and wardrobe? I would love to hear your thoughts.
Now let’s pop over and visit Mary Ann and Annie for their Sunday thoughts.
I love the “feel” of your posts, but particularly this one. Slowing down. And for many of us standing up at the same time. It is SO good to be reminded to enjoy the small and simple pleasures along the way.
(I do have a question. How would you name the kitchen cabinet color in the first part of the post?)
Hi Susan
I would call it french blue but I bet you could text Erin on IG and she would be happy to share. I have to remind myself to slow down. I have always been a worker bee, and even though I am at or past retirement age, I still work all the time. It is a work in progress for me.
Good afternoon Cindy! This salad looks delicious! I am going to try it. I need more details on your bag, ever since you mentioned the bag brand to me I have been coveting that same on. It looks very similar to an Hermes bag that I like. And the dress! It is fabulous!
How wonderful to be with Summer. Grandkids are the best. You can never have enough time with them, they grow so fast. Keep making memories Cindy.
Have a great week.
Hi Eliz
The bag does look very similar to Hermes only waaay cheaper! I love the size, not too big, and not so small that I can’t get my glasses, phone, wallet and more in it!!
That interior of that home made me feel very relaxed, a clever mix of modern and not so modern. I am trying to very intentional with my wardrobe, but weakened after the Sally Phillip’s parade last week. She held it at her home which has the most amazing garden and of course the clothes were beautiful. I ordered two shirts, which complement my other clothes, but did cancel the order for the jeans. They looked sensational on the tall, willowy model, but not so much on my short, chubby body. However, I picture you looking fabulous in the Chan Lui dress
Hi Susan
Good thing I wasn’t there!! I am crazy about all Sally Phillips does! I would love to work with her somehow through the off season. Can’t get enough of your Australian designers. They are so good!!
P.S Susan which shirts did you purchase? I am jealous!
The Mene shirt which I think might have silk, but it is a very soft khaki stripe and the Hildi blue and white striped shirt. The jeans were lovely especially with the matching jacket, but just not right on me. In fact, everything was lovely
Thanks Susan!!
That house! The palette is so beautiful. Being the kind of person I am, who relates very strongly to my surroundings, I crave calm houses and have tried to create that peace in this little cottage and the little townhouse.
As for that bag – it’s superb. Would suit me well, so when you tire, do send it my way!
And finally grandchildren. It’s a privilege to be a grandparent and I cherish the relationship. I also worry a lot about what kind of world they’ll inherit. Such concern directs activities – planting trees everywhere, caring for the ocean, protecting the environment. Being a grandparent is an enormous responsibility.
Lovely post.
Hi Prue
I love that home and it’s beautiful palette. The bag is perfection. I will share it soon. Oh boy I worry about the world they will inherit as well. Summer has the kindest heart.
Aren’t Grandies the best!! I waited a long time to be able to enter into Grandama-hood and I’m taking every minute that I can get with them. Lucky for me that they are only a couple miles away from me! Always love seeing Summer in your post, she has her Grandmother’s smile!!
Hi Diane
Yes!! We love where we live but want to be closer to Summer. That is our goal in the next few years. You are very lucky to be so close!!
I Loooove all of it! Those kitchen cabinets and that gorgeous Chan Luu dress are really something – so refreshing and elegant. I see a great posting coming with all the ways you can style that dress! Thanks for another wonderful post.
Hi Laura
Good call! It is on order if it works you will see it!
Cindy! Erin’s homes takes my breath away … I’m following now. Love that Chan Luu dress and how you’ve styled it two ways. Summer is growing up and it won’t be long before her cute tote will be in heavy use. Hope you had a lovely Valentine’s weekend. xo
Juliet
Erin’s home reminds me somewhat of your beautiful former home
Always fun seeing your Sunday choices.
Thanks pal!!
I am by no means a minimalist but I am very much a planner when it comes to my wardrobe. One time years ago I wanted to buy a rather expensive blazer and pants suit. I actually figured how long I could wear it to figure out how much each wearing would cost! I wore it with turtlenecks, white shirts, other long sleeve tees. I wore it usually every other week at work. I had it for a long time. One young female engineer said something to me about how many clothes I had. Not true, but I was very careful what I bought. Tomorrow I am taking my two granddaughters out for our semi-annual shopping haul. it’s usually in the spring and again in early fall. I have been trying to teach them about how to build their wardrobes. It’s always a fun day.
Hi Lynn
Loved reading your comment. I love that you take your granddaughters shopping and you are trying to teach them responsibility in their wardrobes. I am definitely not there with Summer yet!! Please let me know your strategy!!
Yes to all of the points you make! I’m with my grandsons this weekend, enjoying them when they can pull away from their tablets and sporting events. I found the color of the sofa in Erin’s house interesting and not really in line with what I would choose but that’s just me. It’s clever the way she used rustic-looking subway tile to do the walls of the kitchen and I love the sophisticated “unkitcheny” picture hanging there. Lands Ends canvas bags are great and I use one all the time as my gym bag. It’s tiny but it’s what I need and must be almost 50 years old. It was given to my daughter by her grandparents when she was young and at some point, I found it and repurposed it for my own. Living the SLO life is good!
Hi Wren
I agree about the color of the sofa. I would not be that bold because I know I personally would tire of it, but that is my age I know. I am not planning on redoing a lot at this age!! Your grandsons are so darn cute!!
Hello Cindy,
Such a gorgeous post thank you. I subscribed to the instagram posts you recommended and this is just what I need; still and calming worlds to enjoy and dream over. My gorgeous son and his wife, who are both in the AF and often “away”, came for a quick visit recently, and it was such a easy ,loving gathering, such a gift. As we all know sometimes gathering is not easy and this was, so I am very grateful for family time. Love the picture of you and Summer!
Love the dress !! Excellent choice. Happy Sunday xo
Hi Francesca
Family time is the best, isn’t it? I am grateful for anytime we can get together.
I feel soothed just looking at that beautiful space. The soft colors truly lend a relaxing feeling. The coleslaw recipe looks like a must try. Love the style of the outfit you shared and the joy you feel from your time with Summer. Being a grandma also brings me tremendous joy. I recently spent a weekend with my 15 year old, Charli, at a volleyball tournament and last weekend a super fun time at an antique mall with my 5 year old, Harper. We shared so many fun things, including RSV-ugh! Thank you for speaking a language our age understands and embraces.
Hi Kelli
I so agree about Erin’s lovely home, and grandparenting!!
Cindy–what a fun post. Starting with that gorgeous home that looks like CT…your outfits of the week. So true about buying things that can work from season to season. Love that Maison de Sabre bag with the wide strap!
How lovely to spend time with Summer! Monopoly marathons? Wow, you are the best grandma!!
xx
Hi Annie
That home does look like CT!! I am obsessed with the Maison de Sabre bag and so grateful they sent it to me! Summer and I definitely have fun together. We do whatever she wants!!
What a calming post, Cindy. I had such a good time with the grandkid but now I have a terrible cold! I’d still do it all over again. 🙂
Hi Mary Ann
The only bad thing about the grandkids is they are petrie dishes until they get a little older!! I remember!