The Humble Closet Essential Pieces

Following up on my previous post discussing the five things I have implemented to help green up my day to day life, I thought it would be fun to start doing weekly “Top” lists. I got thinking about this week’s list as the weather has been getting more spring like in the Northeast and I am starting to switch my closet over from heavy sweaters and wool pants to skirts and linen tops. As our apartment is very small, and closet space is limited, it is a necessity to switch out some seasonal pieces to make way for more weather-appropriate wear. Even though the switch over is usually quite extensive, there are always a few pieces that stand the test of time for just about any season, and have made it through years on their classic styling. I have always been a big champion of finding great deals on clothing and accessories, but for some pieces, I really feel like it is well worth spending a little extra on something that is timeless and classic, as classic looks never really go out of style, and a well made piece can last you for decades- I should know, I still have some of my mom’s vintage pieces! So without further ado, my Top Closet Staples:

1) Oxford Buttondowns: No matter what your preferred brand (Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, Vineyard Vines), a well made Oxford will never let you down. They’re easily layered, can be worn year round, and always look crisp and fresh. Although I have more than my fair share of these collared beauties, if I could only have two, I would have to go with the classic white and light blue for their versatility.

2) The Black Dress: It is impossible to make a wardrobe staple list and leave the illustrious black dress off! Through the years, I have had various renditions of the LBD through the years, and have loved each one dearly. My favorite for a long time was a simple satin strapless a-line; I think I cried the day that it finally gave up the ghost. I currently have two, one knee length in wool with a square neckline, and the other is an off shoulder in satin and falls just below the knee. They really are the most timeless piece of women’s wear- everyone looks good in black, and there is no limit as to what you can pair it wth to keep it fresh.

 3) A Classic Trench Coat: The trench never goes out of style, and for good reason. Although many times I can be found in a foul weather jacket when it turns rainy outside, a trench makes a bit more of an adult statement. They are the perfect cover up for an evening out, and can be worn daily. Many makers offer detachable wool liners, creating more versatility for your trench, and allowing you to get more out of the wearing season.

4) Cole Haan Driving Mocs: These are probably the most comfortable shoes I own, next to flip flops. They are easy to slip on, made of beautiful, buttery leather, are great for driving (as intended), and comfortable for the office. I currently have them in navy and black croc and will probably wear them until they fall apart.

5) Brooks Brotters’ Golden Fleece Polo Shirts: Much like the Oxford, these pique polos go the distance. Some years ago while my brother was a salesman at Brooks Brothers I stocked up on these polos, and they still look just as fresh. BB is renowned for their attention to fit and detail, and their polos are no exception to that rule. They’re perfect for spring and summer, and hold up well to frequent washings.

6) High-Waist Khaki Skirt: I actually have two of these, one in twill with sailor style buttons and pockets and the other in plain-front linen, and I now that the weather is warming up, I find myself constantly reaching for them. Even in cold weather, I’ll pair them with a great sweater and knee length boots and they work well. They’re perfect if you’re headed out after work and don’t have time to change as they go from day to night effortlessly, and look just as great with heels as they do with sandals. For many women, the area just under their ribcage (where the natural waist is) is the narrowest part of their torso, and a high-waist skirt is a great way to accentuate this.

7) A Great Jean: There are so many jean styles out there, that it literally makes my head hurt, and I have tried just about all of them. I would have to argue that of all the denim I’ve tried, J.Crew has got to be the tops, for both their skinny and bootcut versions. Being that I am no longer 18 (or 21, or 25…) the super low cut is really not a flattering look on me, especially given my short leg line. The J.Crew jeans sit at a comfortable rise that don’t leave you worrying about “exposure”, are offered in regular, tall and short inseams (score!) and stand up well to wear and tear year round.

8) All Day Heels: Ahhhh- the elusive “comfortable” heels. Many think that this is an urban legend, but there is truth to this tale. Anyone that knows me knows that I am a great connoisseur of shoes in all shapes and sizes. It really is a weakness, and I am always working to resist temptation when it comes to purchases. I love a heel with a little personality, but no woman should be without a great pair in black and brown. I’ve had a pair of Kenneth Cole’s in black patent leather that I swear by, and my brown Cole Haan’s are a dream. Both sport a subtle internal platform to give a little added height boost (great for those of us under the 5’5” mark), and the Cole Haan’s have the added bonus of the Air technology- as in the same stuff used in Nike sneakers, making it the most comfortable heel to wear. You may scoff, but I would run a 5k those little beauties.

9) Long Waisted Cardigan/Sweater: For a while, cropped and short cardigans were extremely popular. While they work well for a lot of folks, I’m a bit long in the torso, so they make me a little disproportionate. I first came across Vineyard Vines’ Capeside Cardigan at the Newport Navy Exchange and fell in love, subsequently picking them up in both navy and green. These simple four button cardigans are a bit longer than many traditional cardigans and aren’t clingy- a huge plus in my book. The silver whale buttons add a touch of whimsy, and they pack well for throwing in an overnight bag. Sadly, I believe they have been discontinued, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed they bring them back! For a traditional pullover, I have relied on a pair of Brooks Brothers cowl neck merino wool sweaters that I would probably fall apart without- once again in navy and green. They are great for layering, and being from the Northeast, it’s never a bad idea to have a good sweater close at hand for chilly spring and summer nights. I can usually be found in one of these at pretty much any given time (as in I’m wearing the navy version right now while I write this list!), and their simple leather toggle button at the neckline adds a little classic charm.

10) Scarves: Although it’s more of an accessory than an actual wardrobe piece, a great scarf is a ridiculously easy way to add a splash of color or dress up an outfit quickly. I think my husband is overwhelmed with the amount of scarves I have, but I get a lot of miles out of them and can be found wearing one most days. I’m guessing I inherited this love of scarves from my mother, as she has a beautiful collection of scarves for all occasions. Long scarves are great for cooler weather, and a couple of well made silk scarves are perfect for warmer weather (for great designs and colors, my personal favorites are Brooks Brothers and Liberty). If you’re short on hanging space, here’s an easy way to store them and keep wrinkles at bay: Using a paper towel (or toilet paper, depending on the size of the scarf) tube, secure the edges of the scarf to the tube with plastic coated paperclips and roll up, securing ends in the same fashion. This will save your space and make it easy to grab one on the way out the door without ending up with a big tangle of scarves.

Anna and I love a good scarf set!

So there’s my Top List on style and wardrobe basics. I’m looking forward to doing more lists as time goes by, and look forward to hearing any thoughts you might have, or what your go to pieces are in your closet. What’s that one thing that you absolutely can’t live (or get dressed) without?

The Whales of Stellwagen Bank

When my husband prompted the slightly eyebrow raising text question of “what do you have planned for Saturday?”, I was slightly apprehensive about answering. Unsure of whether his plans involved cleaning out the guest room, going for a 12 mile sprint or cleaning out the cat box, I cautiously answered back that I thought our schedule was open. “Great!” he responded, “Wanna go see some whales?”. I was thrilled and jumped at the chance. Through his job, he was offered the chance to assist in taking out a BBC documentary crew to film the whales off of Stellwagen Bank for part of a program they were doing. He got the green light from the powers that be to bring me along to help with general boat handling, and so we spent Friday night packing provisions and getting ready for our adventure.

At 4:30AM the alarm sounded, and we pried ourselves out of bed. I kept repeating the mantra “It’s worth it to see the whales” as I one-eyed the world and shuffled about getting ready. We hit the road around five and pointed the car North towards Scituate, Mass where we would be meeting the rest of the voyagers for the trip out to the Bank. We made good time and were introduced to the marine sanctuary that would be guiding the trip and headed down to the docks to load up the boat. We were taking a 50 foot aluminum cat out to the banks, with about an hour and a half ride time to get to the sanctuary. Driving up, we had ridden through a couple of hearty thunderstorms, but the skies looked as though they might break, so we kept a positive outlook, and our raingear within arm’s reach.

The film crew showed up in high spirits, and Captain Bob gave them a brief safety and operations talk before departing the docks. I was given the chance to bring us out of the harbor, and I eagerly took position behind the wheel for a while before relinquishing back to the Captain. We had a good laugh as the head scientist Dave pulled out bags of fresh baked treats from a local bakery and watched the film crew pounce on the offering. Being the old school boaters that we are, Kyle and I had packed 5 sandwiches, 3 bananas, 3 water bottles, 2 bags of chips, half a bag of grapes and a few other small snacks, and the rest of the sanctuary crew hand done likewise. Apparently, no one had told the film crew that you always pack like you’re going out for a week when boating, because you just never know. They had looked a bit concerned while taking into account their non-existent provisions until they realized that the scientists had all intentions of sharing, and they gratefully dove into the confections.

After our jog out to Stellwagen Bank, Dave gave a brief interview to the film crew, and we began our search for a pod of whales to film. We spotted a fair amount of dolphins as we circled the bank, and it wasn’t long before the telltale flock of low hovering seagulls gave way to a couple of water spouts, and we made our way over to the whales. Denise, one of the scientist on board counted approximately 10 humpbacks grouped together bubble feeding. The Captain dropped the engines down and we nosed up to the group.

I have lived my entire life on the East coast, and much of that in the Northeast, and I don’t think I have ever seen anything this incredible. We literally had one big fellow right off our nose, and he was continually bubble feeding- a trick they use where they will dive down and circle around blowing out bubble to force the fish to the surface in order to feed. It was amazing! They were so close that we could have just about reached out and touched them, although not something you want to do with a wild animal! All of us- scientists, film and boat crew- were out in on the deck in 6 foot seas and sideways rain just to get closer to these incredible animals. As we were heading back into the harbor, there was a pair of humpbacks breaching. Sadly, I wasn’t at the ready with my camera, but it is a sight I will never forget- those great bodies coming clean out of the water and landing with a spectacular splash- a perfect way to cap off our trip!

The work that they are doing at the Stellwagen sanctuary is truly outstanding, and I am grateful I got an up close opportunity to witness their efforts first hand. Whales have always had a special place in my heart, and it is incredible to see the hard work put in by the entire team to protect the population. I would encourage anyone who gets a chance to get out to the bank and witness the whales for yourself, even in pouring rain and high seas, it is well worth the effort. To read more on the valiant work of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, visit their website.

Crazy Heat on DVD!

I had first heard of the movie “Crazy Heart” sometime in the winter when it had first come out and was gaining some recognition. On a random weekend evening I happened to catch Conan, and Jeff Bridges was on to promote the movie. Being the great Bridges fan that I am, I bounced up and down in my seat like a kid at an amusement park. Conan convinced Jeff to sing a part of the song “I Don’t Know” from the movie, and I was in love. The next available opportunity, my husband and I went to the Jane Pickens Theatre here in town to see “Crazy Heart”, and I am still gushing about how wonderful this movie is.

As I mentioned, I absolutely adore Jeff Bridges, from “White Squall”, to “How to Lose Friends & Alienate People” to “The Big Lebowski”, I would pretty much pay to watch him read the back of a cereal box. His performance as Bad Blake, the aging, alcoholic musician was nothing short of phenomenal and moving, and he more than earned his Oscar in my eye. Putting him opposite Maggie Gyllenhaal with a little Robert Duvall thrown in, and it is cinematic bliss. The story is powerful and gritty and will sit with you long after the credits roll. If you didn’t catch this in the theatre, do yourself a favor and rent it tonight, you won’t be sorry.

As if the film could get any better, the music and accompanying soundtrack knocks it out of the park. Between Bridges’ exceptional (and unknown, at least to me!) singing, the use of classic country and western tunes, and the movie’s theme song “The Weary Kind”, I can’t get enough of it. If I had this on vinyl, I surely would have worn it thin by now.

I’ve grown so tired of Hollywood re-making and re-engineering old movies and recycling dull plot lines, and “Crazy Heart” was like a breath of fresh air. Well acted, powerful, at times humorous, and above all a beautiful work of film. I would like to personally thank Jeff Bridges for his outstanding performance, and tell all those up-and-coming actors that this is how the old boys do it, so you better step up your game.

French for Grapefruit?

I recently discovered the unique, quirky and whimiscal stylings of the musical duo Pomplamoose thanks to NPR, and am in love! The duo (not quite a band) of Jack Conte and Nataly Dawn are out of California, and first gained noteriety on YouTube with their "Video Songs", which in a nutshell are their live action music videos- no lipsyncing, not music played over the motions, what you see is what they are actually singing/playing. They are most known for their covers and re-working of both classic and current popular songs with their own indie/jazz flavor. Nataly's voice is very sweet and soft, and the use of just about any instrament to be found is refreshing. After hearing about them on NPR and subsequently checking out their YouTube postings, I ponied up the cash and downloaded their album "Tribute to Famus People" on iTunes (they have never actually pressed a record, their recordings are only available digitally), and I LOVE IT. The covers of "Single Ladies" and "Telephone" are the Converse wearing cousin to the original. Nataly's voice on "Vie en Rose" makes you swoon, with thoughts of springtime in Paris' dancing through your head, and "Makin' Out" is sweet and lovely in it's subtle presentation.

Their take on the music industry and their stripped down approach is refreshing in an era  that has seen music culture pushed to the point of extremism. If you get the chance, visit their MySpace or YouTube pages and give them a shot. It's the perfect soundtrack to warm spring evening and drinks with friends in your backyard.

Small Changes, Big Impact

Happy Earth Day! It’s amazing that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the celebrating of Earth Day, and I thought it would be a perfect topic for a Humble Home post. In this day and age, almost everyone has made some sort of changes to their day to day routines to live a more eco-friendly life, and I think my husband and I have a pretty good “green routine”, and I wanted to share some of the things we do to help eliminate some of our waste, and do our part to protect the environment.

1. Reusable Shopping Bags: This habit actually started with my parents back in high school when Shaw’s started to offer a $0.05 reimbursement for using a reusable bag. At that point, they were selling really well made heavy duty canvas bags in their grocery stores, and ours are still in use today (I've been a bit dissapointed with some of the filmsy bags sold today, not as durable!). My husband and I have a variety of reusable bags- such as the one shown to left from b.happy bags that I purchased on the Reusable Bags website- and I try to keep one in my work bag or car at all times just in case. I also wrote up the Flip & Tumble reusable produce bags over on The Humble Table, and have been really pleased with their durability and also keep those tucked in my car for quick sprints to the market.

2. Travel Mugs & Water Bottles: I think this is probably the most popular eco-friendly option, as almost everyone I know uses a travel mug for their coffee in the morning. Somehow, we have ended up with a plethora of travel mugs at our house, but I find they’re great to offer guests if you’re going out for a walk in the morning or a trip around town. There’s usually at least one rolling around in my car, and after a trip out to sea, Kyle usually comes home with 3-4 that have put in good hours up on the bridge. I was a huge fan of Nalgene bottles in college, and still have most of them (I checked to make sure that they were the BPA free models), and I also have a Kleen Kanteen metal bottle that I use most days to take to the office. They’re super durable, and the 27oz. model holds enough water that you’re not running to fill it all the time.

3. Reusable Food Containers & Cloth Napkins: Almost every home probably has a couple of reusable food containers (Tupperware and whatnot) in their cabinets, so this is a bit of a no brainer. Additionally, many households probably have implemented washable cloth napkins into their dining routine as well. This is a habit that is standard in our house, as both my husband and I grew up in homes where paper table settings weren’t really used. Beyond just your table though, tucking a cloth napkin into your work bag is an easy step for when you’re eating in your office. It’s easy to reach for a paper towel or napkin when eating at work, but if you make a habit of keeping a cloth napkin at your desk, you can cut down on a lot of wasted paper products. The same goes for your kitchen towels- instead of using paper towels to clean and dry dishes and the like, keep a stack of good quality, absorbent kitchen towels on hand to cut down on waste. And if you can’t quite break the habit of using a paper towel for some tasks, switch to a towel made of recycled materials, such as Small Steps or Seventh Generation.

4. French Press Coffee Makers: This might sound a bit strange, but think about how many pots of coffee you make in a year, and how many paper filters that get thrown away. On top of that, if you’re using an electric coffee maker, it probably stays plugged in most of the time, and is left on the “warm” setting all morning, which is a slow drain on electricity. I adore our stainless steel insulated French Press from Thermos- it has a 34oz capacity (great for a house with two coffee lovers), is vacuum insulated to keep coffee hot, and since it’s stainless steel, it’s pretty indestructible, unlike it’s glass sibling. Granted, the glass version is lovely to look at, but I think we went through two of these before we realized we need a bit more rugged of a model. To be quite honest, I think French Pressed coffee tastes best too! As an added bonus, used coffee ground are great when used as mulch for flower beds, cutting down even further on what goes in your garbage.

5. Switching to Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products: Whether is going with a company like Seventh Generation, Field’s Organics, or even making your own cleaners at home, changing up this routine can make a big difference. I recently invested in a set of fabric softener balls, which soften clothes, are reusable for 100s of washes, and don’t contain any harsh chemicals and I’m really impressed with their softening capability when tossed in a load. If you’re making your own cleaners at home (there are plenty of websites out there that provide you with instructions- Care2  is a great resource for a lot of green ideas), you can make them in reusable bottles, cutting down on your waste even further.

So there you have it- a couple of simple ideas for making changes to support a healthy environment. Now, on your next sunny Saturday, you can take a walk to your local Farmer’s Market with your travel mug of French pressed coffee and reusable bags in hand and pick up some locally produced treats knowing that you’ve made changes to help protect the environment for the future. Well done!

A Little Patch of Earth

Last spring in Maine, I came down with a major case of the gardening bug. Kyle and I had just relocated from Annapolis to my father’s house for the summer while Kyle was in officer training, and I found myself with a fair amount of spare time on my hands. The house has a beautiful 3-tierd stone garden in the backyard, and I had visions of tomatoes, herbs, sugar snap peas, eggplants, peppers and anything else I could sow flourishing in the space. When the weather began to warm, I went to the local greenhouse and stocked up on seedling trays, seeds, stakes, and planters, ready to make my mark on the land. I spent weeks tending to delicate seedlings, repotting and replanting as I went along, and soon enough it was time for the big transfer. Everything looked perfect as my father and I took to the earth over the course of weekend, setting my little guys into the earth. There was a solid week where all I could dream about was fresh produce. We kept a watchful eye on watering and the soil, and the plants began to grow, showing signs of flowers and the fruits to come. And then it happened. One of the wettest summers in Maine. Almost everything in the garden succumbed to root rot from oversaturation, sans a few peppers, the peas and the herbs. Sadly, nothing more could be done on our parts, and I savored what few yellow tomatoes I could scare up like they were manna.

This year I was determined to take matters into my own hands and outsmart the elements. This may also have a lot to do with the fact that we live in a third floor walkup with no outdoor living space. Thus, the birth of my wonderful new container garden. Bearing in mind the heartbreak of the year before, I vowed to make this a success, and enlisted the help of container gardening experts McGee & Stucky and their book “Bountiful Container: Create Container Gardens of Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Edible Flowers”- it is the bible of container gardening, as far as I am concerned, and I have become a happy student of their theology.

Following their advice, I started small and simple- an array of hearty herbs, a pot of sugar snap peas, arugula for salad greens, two heirloom cherry tomatoes, and two yellow tomatoes. I planted seeds using Scott’s Miracle Grow Organic Choice and placed the pots on a long board over our radiator in good sunlight. It didn’t take long for things to take off. Last week I successfully transplanted all of my herbs into larger pots, and am getting ready to do the same with the tomatoes and peas. It’s been wonderful to have fresh herbs for cooking (we recently used the parsley and arugula in homemade fresh sausage- amazing!), and it is rewarding knowing that you were able to coax these plants from seeds yourself- it may even make them taste better. It’s been great for the cat as well, as he’s now enjoying his third pot of cat grass, and spying on the birds outside through his makeshift jungle.

Through creating this container garden it’s reaffirmed to me that no matter what your living situation, be it the middle floor of a high rise or a small patch of land in the county, there is always room for a little garden, and there is nothing like the pride of enjoying something you created with your own hands.

Come On In...

I have been working on my food/recipe blog now for a couple of months and have found it to be a really rewarding experience. I love the idea of writing about the food that I love to create and the memories wrapped up in each dish, and I figured why not get a little deeper into my life? Although it’s true that food and cooking are probably my top pursuit, there is much more in my life that I want to catalogue and preserve, and hopefully share with others. So as with The Humble Table, I’m using my new platform, The Humble Home to not only record the happenings in my life, but share stories and ideas contributed by others. I’m also striking out with the goal of simplifying life, using my cooking philosophy of simplicity to better my lifestyle in general, and taking time to appreciate all that I have and the things that are coming my way. Make no mistake, I am no perfectionist or Zen master, there is certainly a fair share of disarray and chaos in my life, to say the least! However, perhaps through working through things on “paper” I can gain a better sense of myself as a person, and incorporate others experiences into enjoying a less complex life. And with that being said, away we go…!