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#selfcare

On Wintering

January 19, 2021 By kimwheeler 14 Comments

Today we had actual real weather in California. We had a night and morning of raging winds so strong even my usual Tuesday tennis was cancelled. The courts were covered with detritus and the air howled when the gusts hit.

I headed home and the internet and phone service were both down. It was so cold, I hated to leave my warm car, so I went inside grabbed a mug of green tea and went back to the car and finished listening to a public radio show in my driveway. It was cozy and warm in the car, and I thought I should really do this more often.

Later on, since I couldn’t really work or waste time checking the news, I took the opportunity to find a spot on the couch to finish the wonderful book, Wintering, I have been absorbing. This book, by Katherine May, is about embracing winters in a literal and figurative sense. We go through many winters or hard times in our lives, and like real winters, we need to slow down, do less and listen to our bodies and find healing in these times. It’s a beautifully written and descriptive book and it has me savoring these January days and giving into the impulse to stay in and stay cozy. Rather than wishing for warm weather and spring, I am instead trying to appreciate the gifts only the cold season has to offer.

I embraced this chilly day and had some old fashioned Lipton noodle soup from the box, as my mom would make for us kids on winter days. If that wasn’t in the pantry, we had egg noodles slathered with margarine… and sometimes grilled cheese sandwiches too. My mom grew up in Wisconsin, and knew how to make the most of cold days. Just that red soup box brings me back to blustery winter days eating lunch in our blue flower wallpapered kitchen overlooking the big front yard sycamore that would rattle with the storms.

After lunch, when we were small, she would make us take naps. Mom was a lifelong devotee of naps, even as a young girl and being an anxious person, I think they were a kind of meditation for her and a way to calm herself and get through the day. All my life, whenever I was tired or stressed, mom would say, ‘go get on your couch for a while and take a nap’. Most of my life, I resisted that. Today I took a nap, belly full of soup and enjoyed the coziness of hearing the storm from the warm couch under a blanket. I realized I don’t take advantage of an occasional nap on a cold winter day. I don’t make the buttered noodles enough or the soup. I vow to do it more.

What I took away from Wintering, is that we need to be kinder to ourselves and this is never more true than years like we are in now. We should use this quiet and more isolated season to take more time for reflection, sleep, winter walks in nature, pampering, enrichment, reading, crafts, cooking and whatever fills our tanks. The new body, fitter self and perfect home and wardrobe is not what is going to bring us joy. It’s the parts of each day that we fully live in the moment that will help us get through this next part of the pandemic and the strife of now.

If you want a balm for the times we are in, I love Katherine’s book. It’s a little history, part healing and encouragement, as all of us have a winter of some kind in our lives. She reminds us it’s cyclical and we go through rough patches many times throughout life and become stronger because of them.

Also, I will add, that we should listen to our moms and take more naps and enjoy soup or butter noodle days when we need a little cocooning.

Kim

Filed Under: Uncategorized, Wintering Tagged With: #books, #healing, #newyear, #selfcare, #wintering, #winterliving

Caring for Yourself Now

April 21, 2020 By kimwheeler 13 Comments

Thank you everyone for the kind notes and messages about the last post. I’ve added a six more ideas on how to help at the bottom of that post. Everyone has been so great brainstorming and thinking of more ways to do good in our communities for each other. It’s very inspiring.

We are trying to care for everyone in our community right now, but let’s not forget about our own health as well. Many people are getting worn down by domestic work and caregiving. A lot of us are doing a whole lot more cooking, cleaning (disinfecting!), loads of wash, helping with kids’ school, shopping for extended family and more. I told my husband the other day I have never felt so busy in my life and I don’t go anywhere! To stay healthy right now, we have to be good to ourselves too. This post is just a few tips to help you treat yourself a bit. Don’t let yourself get rundown, it’s not good for the immune system.

I was feeling and looking haggard a week or so ago. I’m not a huge high maintenance person, but I am weeks past my highlight to cover my grey and could seriously use a pedi/mani. My face has looked super dry too and my hands! Yikes.

Make sure you are eating nutritiously as you can, take vitamins and drink plenty of water right now. I realized I had fallen off the wagon a bit with all that. I got back to my routine of drinking two big glasses of water as soon as I wake up. That kind of sets the stage for a hydrated day. A squeeze of lemon in that water is nice if you have it. I fill a big carafe just for me of ice water and try to drink it through the day. My goal is to finish it by dinner. After my coffee, I have an EmergenC in my water with this pandemic going on. I figure the extra zinc and vitamins might not hurt. I also take Calm gummies if I am feeling anxiety and two to three before bed help me sleep easier.

I made some time last weekend to do nail care, mask, deep condition the hair. One thing I’ve been meaning to purchase for a while is a proper makeup mirror. I had my eye on this one by Simple Human and it went on sale so I bought it. It has been excellent. This mirror is 5xs and has a 10xs piece that is magnetic you pop on it to do brows, lashes, etc. It’s seriously good and also slightly frightening, but you need to know what is happening with your face. It has smart capabilities so you can change the light by your phone. I don’t know how I was managing before it.

Are your hands pretty bad from all the alcohol sanitizer and excess washing? I think the only thing saving me now is this soap from A La Maison. These French soaps have argon oil in them and one pump lasts a long time even with my crew. I love that they leave a little moisture on the skin. We have used almost all the scents as they are very light and subtle. The White Tea is my favorite, but we have also had Cherry Blossom, Sea Salt and I like Rosemary Mint for the kitchen. Once you try these you can’t go back to regular soaps. Sometimes I find it at Whole Foods, but they’ve been out lately and so I’ve been ordering online.

If you haven’t tried Skin Food by Weleda then this is the time with all the hand washing. I could not cope without this and just a few times a day makes my hands so much prettier. I rub this into the cuticles well and use it on my feet at night as a treatment. It’s wonderful on elbows and even so pure you can use it on the face, as I have when skiing. All the Weleda products are plant based and super pure. The key to this stuff is using the correct amount which is a small dab on the backs of your hands and work it in as it’s extremely rich.

I stumbled upon these Lumene products from Finland at CVS recently when I was out of my face wash. I first just bought the Cleansing Balm. I am crazy about this product, which you work into your skin at night and it becomes more liquid as you massage. It really feels like a facial and the massaging is so good for your face tone. I remove mine with a warm washcloth and my skin fees like I’ve been to the spa. I now also have the Sleeping Creme and the Eye Treatment. The quality of these products is excellent and I like that they all have vitamin C, arctic cloudberry, hyaluronic acid and are vegan. If you are needing something now and feeling a bit dehydrated, these work. I have sensitive skin and rosacea and they’ve been great.

I also love this whole line, Grown Alchemist which is a line created by two Australian brothers and is based on improving the health of your skin cells. The Gentle Cleanser and the hand creme and body creme are such good products!

Anthropologie carries a good variety of fun sheet masks like this variety pack of Korean ones which are always so good and these Patchcology Eye Patches. Put on some soothing music or a book on tape and do a mask! These are so hydrating.

You probably haven’t had your nails done for a while, but you can do a lot at home actually. I love working on my nails in the yard in a sunny spot.

The natural look is hot, so try removing all your nail polish for a week or so and let your nails breathe a bit. Shorter nails are not only more chic and modern, they have the advantage of being more sanitary too- kind of a big thing now. Bare nails may look terrible at first if you aren’t used to them, but after a week of no polish you’ll see a shine when the natural oils come back. One trick to look polished is to push your cuticles back after every shower or bath and use a loofah on the skin around your toenails. Rub some olive oil into them afterwards. If your cuticles are really bad you can make a scrub of white sugar and olive oil. Let it sit for a bit and then scrub away. Here’s a mask just for your hands..

When I paint my own nails, I like to have a fresh bottle – or at least something not gloopy and thick. I recently ordered this Chanel polish. I think their polishes always come in the most beautiful colors and last.

It comes in a pretty white color I love for a pedicure.

How’s your hair? I’ve heard a lot of friends thinking of trying out the grey they keep colored and letting to grow. I am going to see how long I can go and what I look like. Right now mine is a few inches out. One of the things I miss about coloring is the coating of my hair, which gives it luster and a thick feeling. This keratin shampoo can help used every once a week and also a hair mask will too. I also splurge on this Oribe shampoo occasionally which always makes my hair look better. To help the contrast of the roots not be too stark, keep the blowdryer away from your root, and alternatively let your hair air dry and you’ll see they aren’t nearly as noticeable.

This Bobbie Brown brow gel/ root touchup they can be used in the interim near the front of the face. I would use it to cover some very white strand that can make me look like I have a bare patch on the front of my scalp. I’ll let you know how I do on the grey. You can see from the top photo, it’s becoming a greige kind of color on top. I do think this is a fun opportunity to try something new and see how we look without so much maintenance. So far I haven’t attempted to cut my hair, but there sure are a lot of tutorials out there. I think I’ll see how long mine can get until I can see my dear hairdresser Abby. You can also contact your hairdresser and some are making custom mixed home kits for your color if it’s a root touch-up. (Consider pre-paying for a service by your hairdresser to help them out now. My hairdresser sent us a link to prepay for a deep conditioning to use later and we could PayPal her. You could do the same with your nail technician also. It’s a nice thing to do to support them during this!)

Other little things that you should be doing are time for yourself -escaping with a book or a relaxing hobby is nice. Take a block of time each day and mark out down time just for this and then do it. Make sure to turn off the news and turn on some music when you can. I can feel the difference in my mood and blood pressure just by playing music instead of the nightly corona report. Walk around your neighborhood to appreciate the spring flowers or listen to bird songs in the sun of your yard if you have an outdoor space. Another thing that is good is to escape into a podcast while you do chores or cook dinner. I have even just appreciated a drive to the post office by myself listening to the radio right now. A cup of herbal tea in your favorite corner is always healing. Take time to cut some flowers if you have any and if you have the space, this is the best time to start your own garden. Nothing is more rewarding and good for the soul.. More on that soon.

I hope these little tips help. Please share any thing you are doing to pamper yourself a little during this stressful time. Books and podcasts you recommend are appreciated too.

Hugs,

Kim

P.S. The blouse I am wearing on the top is from Loft and is on their sale now. It’s one of the last things I bought before we were all in.

Some links on this post may generate a small commission. Thank you for supporting the blog.

Filed Under: beauty, Uncategorized Tagged With: #caringforyou, #homebeauty, #homebeautytips, #pamperingyourself, #selfcare, #stayingin

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Blogger, writer and explorer sharing about my native California, and parts farther afield. Join me here where I chat about things to love in the worlds of design, fashion, home, travel and culture.

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I don’t know where I saved this from, possibly P I don’t know where I saved this from, possibly Pinterest, but I’ve had it forever.  I need to remind myself this quite often! 

Our mindset is everything and I was inadvertently raised to worry about things. My mom was one of 8 kids and her mother warned them about the dangers of everything to keep them all alive in her mind.  I think that was seeped in my dear mom’s bones and passed onto us.. by no fault of hers. 

My brain defaults to that and I have worked hard to stop that sort of internal monologue. 

Remember worrying never kept anyone safer. We don’t care more about someone by being a worrier. We just need to expect good things will happen. 

Being a person who is always worrying is not good for those around you either. It hurts your family and their own feelings of security. The more I realize this, the more I feel impelled to reassure, not stress and trust all will work out… and might even be fantastic!

Hope you all have a Happy Friday - and trust things will work out! 

I’ll be back tomorrow with the weekend post! 

#dontworrybehappy #qoutesoftheday #imspirationalquotes
If you missed the weekend posts with Juliet and El If you missed the weekend posts with Juliet and Elizabeth, I shared this pretty Newport Beach Home by the talented @caseyhillstudio in @fredericmagazine photos @lauraresenphotography 💕 

The Chanel slingback is also the ‘it’ shoe of the season and so versatile.. I share the original, resale options, and some very chic copies..at a lower price point.. My favorite Vuori jacket is also back and in new colors.. and lastly the fab J.Crew at 40 book I am coveting.

This is my second go at posting a Reel on the weekend meander.. The first was taken down, for unknown reasons?  So let’s hope this works!

Pop on by our blogs for all the fun and more good ideas!
Links in our bios..
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns 

Have a great week friends. 😘

#californiahomestyle #californiastyle #jcrew40 #vuori #chanelslingback #caseyhill #fredericmagazine
Had a great cappuccino and avocado toast at the mo Had a great cappuccino and avocado toast at the most charming spot @bluestonelane in Los Altos with my dear friend April. So good to catch up with her. 💕 

I think this is one of the nicest spots to meet a friend! Make a plan to catch up with a friend this fall. 

#bluestonelane #losaltos #bayareaeats  #bayareacharm
I have this quote in my closet! It is smart to re I have this quote in my closet!  It is smart to remember we may already have what we think we need to look great.

Right now the season is changing and I - like everybody else, am super excited for fall clothes, adding new things to my closet, and refreshing my look. 

Hold off though. Before we buy anything or get ‘influenced’ from people like myself, we have to first look at what we have. 

I am constantly reminded that the best dressed people have less clothes and wear great pieces on repeat! 

Get in your closet and you may see you already have that perfect fall sweater or the ballet flat that’s everywhere!! The truth is your pieces may be cooler than the new offerings that are out there- and no one else will have them. 

Make this a goal to go to your closet before you buy for fall and I promise you’ll shop smarter  and get what you really love and need.

Have a beautiful Friday!! Here’s to sweater days soon. 🍂

#fridayinspiration #fallshopping #closetinspo #quotestoliveby
I haven’t posted many house photos lately. I jus I haven’t posted many house photos lately. I just realized yesterday how very much I’m enjoying being at home especially now windows wide-open and the beautiful weather. We couldn’t be more lucky here in California when the weather is as it is now. 🧡

My tomatoes finally turned red and my new fig plant that I added to the front yard in spring already has figs on it!  Marlo is enjoying the sunshine and fresh air too. She’s nearly 18 years old. 

Nothing better than this late summer early fall…Still the goodies of summer and the promise of fun things in fall without all the heat.

If you didn’t read my weekend post there’s a  wonderful inspiring story I shared about getting together with your neighbors and creating small micro neighborhoods…. and how the French love this time of year for socializing again too.. Lots to look forward to! 

Have a beautiful day.

#california #californialiving #northerncalstyle  #serenaandlily #latesummer #earlyfall #catlife #acalifornialife
It’s that fun time when I get to talk style with It’s that fun time when I get to talk style with the fabulous Cindy and since it’s September, we are sharing our Fall Wish Lists!  Are you ready for the change of season?? I can’t wait!

I had so much fun pulling this together. I sort of had to edit myself because there’s many cool new things out there, but we just have to find the right pieces that will make what we already have work and look updated and chic.. We have to be editors! I am just giving you some ideas. 

The best part about fashion right now is there really are no rules and we just had to find what works for us and our lifestyle and our bodies! 

Pop on by the blog, and I’ll share some of the trends like longer fuller pants, suit looks, those darling Chanel style jackets, and other pretty pieces. 

Cindy as always has some beautiful ways to mix it all and create your own look.

Link in our bios as always!! 
@northerncalstyle 
@cindyhattersley 

All the links are on the post, but comment if you are missing something you see here! 

#fallfashiontrends #falllooks #fallfashioninspo
Hello happy weekend! It’s that time for Meanderi Hello happy weekend! It’s that time for Meanderings post with Juliet and Elizabeth!  This week I am sharing this cute bar basket from @hudsongracesf my friends bought for me, and fall items that I am excited to add to my closet.

I am also chatting about the new movement to connect with your neighborhood and create smaller communities -and ideas on how to do it! 

Fall is a perfect time for this and in France it’s called la rentrée and it means the start of a new exciting season of getting back together with others after summer. 

More on the blog- along with my favorite fall soup I’ve made forever from @marthastewart . 

Stop on by our blogs- links as always, in our bios or stories:
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns

#fallstyle #fallvibes #fallsoup #larentrée #microneighborhoods #onlyconnect #trench 

P.S… This is my first time adding music to a static post.. Is this fun or annoying??
My motivation for Friday! I love @therealdvf and s My motivation for Friday! I love @therealdvf and she is still out there working and inspiring women. 

This quote! Only we can make ourselves truly happy and as women we so often taught to look outside of ourselves for that and that’s never a good thing. We have to learn to ask for what we want without apologizing and go for it ourselves.🩷

Happy Friday friends!

#inspiringquotes #quoteoftheday #dvf
What do you do when it’s rainy and cool in Tahoe What do you do when it’s rainy and cool in Tahoe? Well someone asked me today and  actually there is a lot to do and it’s one of the best times to go! 

Last weekend it was a cool 48 degrees and it felt like November even though it was Labor Day weekend. We enjoyed some sun and breezes so being layers!

You can pack a lot in the two days with great hikes and walks..and food!  Two good hikes- one at Ward Creek, another at Sugar Pine Point.. are perfect for now! Have some lunch by the river @riverranchlodge, take a walk on the lake and a drive on 89, end it by playing games and have a cozy dinner in with pot pies from Tahoe House bakery. ( SO good!) 

Tahoe when it’s shoulder season is the best kept secret. Though normally Labor Day would be hot here. Make some plans to enjoy the fall here! 🍂

Here’s to an early fall! I added a few autumn touches to our tiny cabin while I was there..

Yes I snapped that 🐻 bear! He was crossing the road. This is their season to bulk up so you leave no food in your cars..

#tahoe #westshoretahoe #sugarpinepointstatepark #wardcreektrail #shoulderseasontravel #ourgoldenstate #californiatravel
Hope you’re all having a good holiday weekend! I Hope you’re all having a good holiday weekend! If you have down time the Weekend Meanderings is up with my pals Juliet and Elizabeth with some fun ideas for you. 

On my weekend post-
Cute fall decor
Pretty towels on sale 
An autumn my dress and sweatshirt
The US Open’s tribute to Billie Jean King
Michelle Obama’s US Open look and her talented stylist! 

Stop on by our blogs- links as always, in our bios or stories:
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns 

#falldecorating #septemberdecor #bathtowels #serenaandlily #rails #evereve #michelleobamastyle #meredithkoop #usopentennis #billiejeanking
I can’t let this date go by without a tribute to I can’t let this date go by without a tribute to Princess Diana, my original style idol.  I recently found this book my dear mother bought me way back in the 80’s. Tucked inside was this torn page from American @vogue about this new girl’s style….Oh if they only knew what this young woman would be to the world. …

She was so much more than what she wore. She was a real life princess in her heart as well as title- touching so many lives. Who didn’t she care about or show kindness towards? She had it in her heart and that radiated in her face. 

These are a few photos that are my favorites and a few that show her fun personality that always shines through.. 🩷 Of course everything she wore is back in style again like this vest - the caps, the blazers, and floral prints. 

This day makes me hugely sad. 
If it wasn’t for the nasty British press ( who are still horrific), and paparazzi she would be here. 

#dianaspencer #princessdiana #ladydi
The weekend post with Juliet and Elizabeth is up. The weekend post with Juliet and Elizabeth is up. I have my 40th reunion this weekend so I’ve got what to wear to a reunion, an excellent book on rethinking how we age by the chic @annagmurphy , and  the story of how San Francisco’s Nordstrom changed the city and its unlikely success story. 

It’s all on the blog! 

Stop on by our blogs- links as always, in our bios or stories:
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns 

#whattowear  #highschoolreunion #highschoolreunionlook 
#bayarea  #northerncalstyle #californiastyle #agingbackwards #destinationfabulous

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