dealing with uncertain times | five ideas to enjoy time at home
curl up with a book
reading: the lost art. is there really anything better to do when home? those of you that are part of my book club with style know that i’m an avid reader. so much so that i started a book club. if you’re looking for recommendations, i’ve taken a shot of a section of my library that includes some of the more recent books i’ve read over the past few months. i’d recommend all of them. grab a book and a blanket, curl up on your couch, and read.
clean your closet
i’m a big advocate for closet cleanses. i talk about it regularly over here on the blog, and if you’re at home looking for something to do, now’s the time. twice a year, i ruthlessly purge my closet to keep my wardrobe streamlined and in tip-top condition for the upcoming season. if you’re looking for tips, tricks, and advice i’ve outlined my process here and here.
have a movie night
movie night! once you’ve made it through all of your books, make a bowl of popcorn and grab a movie. last fall i put together a list of my top 5 favorite classic movies. i’m going to repost them here.
5. The Thomas Crown Affair
The Thomas Crown Affair starring Steve McQueen, Faye Dunaway, and Paul Burke. i’ve always been fascinated by the high-end art world, and i love a good heist movie. so when you couple the two, and add great performances by McQueen and Dunaway, you absolutely cannot go wrong.
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4. It Happened One Night
in my #4 spot is the classic It Happened One Night starring Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable. this is an older one, so some of my younger readers might have missed it, but i definitely encourage you to check it out.
3. To Catch a Thief
in my #3 spot is the classic To Catch a Thief starring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly. it’s a Hitchcock classic and a must see.
2. Casablanca
there’s not much to say about this movie that hasn’t already been said. it appears on almost if not every top movie list. Casablanca holds my #2 spot. stay tuned for my #1.
1. Breakfast at Tiffany’s
my number one favorite classic movie needs absolutely no introduction. starring the great Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard, it’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s. if you have not seen it, you must.
make an immune-boosting soup
chicken noodle soup for the soul. it’s a great immune-boosting soup. super simple and unbelievably tasty—and it keeps. i made a batch this past winter for fridays with oscar.
have a game night
finally, a great way to spend an evening at home is a game night. i spent last night playing board games with my son and Kelly. we pulled out Scrabble. some of our other favorites: Taboo, Scattergories, and Boggle. some of our new favorites: Sagrada, Azul, and Patchwork.
sweatshirt | jeans | shirt | similar jacket | similar jacket 2 | similar jacket 3 | similar jacket 4 | similar jacket 5 | similar jacket 6 | similar jacket 7 | similar shoe | similar shoe 2 | similar shoe 3 | similar shoe 4
Sending positive vibes to my sisters on this blog and to Beth! This too shall pass and spring is just around the corner. Let’s lift each other up today and everyday. Of all the colors that you wear Beth, this hot pink is just stunning !
Sending positive thoughts into the universe! I made some carrot ginger soup to warm up my soul this past weekend. Try curling up with Mitch Albom’s new book – Finding Chika. It is a wonderful read. 💙
I love this post and I think it personifies Style at a Certain Age. After you’ve lived awhile you learn to cope and strategize to get through the things life throws your way. Hopefully with grace and intelligence. Well done. Meanwhile I’d like to give a shout out to the novel ELEANOR OLIPHANT IS COMPLETELY FINE shown on your bookshelf. It’s a very, very fine book.
You are so adorable! Loving the bright pink, the games, the movies and the immune boosting soup ideas. Thank you for being such an inspiration, Beth. i want to be your neighbor!
Just live your life, and keep your hands clean and do not touch your face.
We cannot live in fear of something we have no control over.
Love your blog!
Excellent post today, I am outside of Phila. and schools are closing for cleaning & someone in my small township is one of 2 cases nearby…but I will still be going to Phila. Childrens hospital tomorrow as my grandson has a heart condition and needs regular checkups (he is 6 months old & adorable)
Plan to finally tackle my closet again during home time and pick up a few more books at the library
Carry ON
Your chicken soup recipe is the bomb. I make it all the time and freeze leftovers.
I do add garlic and potato and keep noodles separate. I’ve passed this on to dozens of people.
Thank you!!
Beth, thank you for this cozy and comforting post! Lots of good ideas here. I rely on your daily posts as pleasant respites from the stresses of the world, and I am happy to know you plan to continue. Sisters, take care of yourselves, and stay well!
Juli
St. Louis, MO
Enjoy an art or craft….or learn one from YouTube instruction videos. Thank goodness I have a mini yarn shop. Thinking of you Beth and all your followers.
Good advice! With the season about to change, this is an excellent time for a closet cleanse anyway and I have quite a pile of to-read books here so I’m set.
Thank you, Beth, for bringing us this daily blog. It is escapism, but it’s also what we do on a daily basis — dress, eat, cook. We need this type of blog especially these days when we’re bombarded with negativity and anger from every angle. It’s even hard to escape to a movie or play without being given an angry message of some sort or even trying to have regular conversations. I love seeing you on the move, seeing your home and lovely Oscar, trying your recipes. Women work so hard and have many responsibilities and obligations, and it’s great to take a little time to read your blog daily and take care of ourselves a little bit with fashion and beauty. Thank you again.
Ladies, take a deep breath and fill your mind with all of the good things you will do today that you usually do not have time for. Have a good day!
Your advice is spot on. Take it from me, fussing and fuming won’t help. We have been in self imposed isolation all winter as my husband undergoes chemo for pancreatic cancer. He hasn’t been feeling well and because he’s immunocompromised he hasn’t wanted to be exposed to normal colds and influenza. So this is simply an extension of that. Time for books, daily crossword puzzles, college basketball on TV, and cleaning out cupboards and closets. As someone else said, this too shall pass.
Thanks for posting Dr Gundry’s podcast, Beth. I found it interesting and informative ! Stay well !
Good blog today and some great advice. I’m also a reader and a good book is what I turn to. I was watching the news this morning and was not only bothered by the virus discussion but then the stock market plunge. I have decided to just get what is happening and then try to do something else. I turned off the news because it was making me too depressed. Don’t get me wrong we need to be aware but sometimes i think news people it over the edge. We will get through this.
We need to remain strong and NOT give into fear…remain positive that vaccines are being developed and strongly encourage your local government to clean up your city streets of dirty needles, human feces and rotting foods. We are women hear us roar as “they” used to say
As a retired RN I have always been fanatical about washing my hands! Now in these uncertain times we all need to “hand washing fanatics”! Be proactive and take care of yourself but do not panic. We are better prepared for this than we were for SARS which I worked through.
Having lived in the north, north of 54, we always had long periods of darkness. Starting in the ‘winter months’ at 4pm. Put that with blizzards and cabin fever could become a dangerous reality for some. The best way to deal with it is to take a walk when ever possible, in the sunshine. If working, then on lunch, if at home with the kiddos, then bundle up and a quick around the block did the trick. Regular chats with friends – not texts, as human contact which includes hearing another’s voice and sharing a laugh does wonders for mood control. Their is always a silver lining to every situation and I think with Covid19, it is that we will start reconnecting with nature, walks, and the human voice. 💕
Adding to your great list is to work on a knitting or needlepoint project. I spent a lot to time doing fun needlepoint during college and early years of marriage before kids. Now that the kids are out of the house I have started it up again. Also, get out and spend time in your garden, out here in California we can do it year round. Lastly, work on a puzzle!
Beth, Enjoy reading your blog, which I’ve Ben doing for several years! Regarding your top 5 films, wanted to add “Indiscrete” (1958) starring Ingrid Bergman & Cary Grant. It’s a love story set in 1950s London featuring a flat that looks like it was designed in 2020 and clothes by Christian Dior & Pierre Balmain! Great escapism.
Thank you, Beth, for delving into the social and medical impact of COVID-19. Although we read your blog for fashion and design inspiration, we are smart women who do not live with our heads in the sand! It is good to feel united with a sisterhood of ladies we don’t even know. We have much in common and need to support one another. Carry on, strong friend!
Hi Beth. Good advice. We all need to be cautious but not panic. I’m suppose to fly to Florida next week and beginning to get concerned.
At least temps are beginning to warm up in Ohio, so I’m trying to get out and take a walk each day, really helps my mental state. Stay healthy.
Thank you, Beth, for your kind words and great ideas! Always look forward to reading your blog!
I love this! Thank you Beth! I always enjoy your posts, but this one especially resonated with me. Thank you for the reassurance, and for some great ideas!
Perfect timing! I am downloading your movie list for my next flight to Europe. Which I hope will be in April. Fingers crossed (after being thoroughly washed of course!) ⚓️⚓️
What a wonderful post, full of great ideas. Love to read, watch movies and play games!
First off, your pink jacket is such a bright spot in a dreary day. Yes, we should take appropriate precautions, but we cannot let fear rule our lives. The words do not fear appear in the bible 365 times, so let’s move forward day by day & conquer our fears together.
Great post, Beth. You always seem to strike the right balance between all the great fashion you present as well as addressing the “life” issues that do impact us all from day to day. Thank you for that.
Your post today felt like a big warm hug! From one midwestern girl to another, keep your powder dry and your chin to the wind! I pause and think how strong and resourceful my mother was and I just know we can get through this too. Thankyou Beth for picking up this subject.
Wish everyone the best! We have to take that deep breath and know that this will pass. Spring is almost here and I’m looking forward to flowers and veggies in my garden. Beth, I love the hot pink jacket and I think you stole my movie list.
Beth, you are a wonderful source of inspiration and you embody style so graciously. Thank you for being a bright spot in my life.
Embracing who we are at every stage of our life can be daunting, but with your classy, stylish suggestions we can all feel comfortable with who we are. Keep up the great work please. xx Pamela
I think you offered some great ideas for spending time with family and friends. I’d add praying for those affected by not only the virus but any physical ailment. This includes praying for our country and the leaders. We need to count our blessings, and I am often remiss in that!
Great advice . Thank you so much and you look like you have lost a little more weight. You know that you introduced me to Talbots and I am a monochome person. I have been watching your colour posts and now I am ordering a bright pink jacket, thanks to all your posts
Thanks for a wonderful blog, I have learned so much about fashion from you! My thoughts are for all of humanity to be healthy and happy!
Great idea!
Definitely trying times we’re living through! I have been of a similar mindset. I have a triple compromised immune system with the meds I take, so I’m being extremely careful right now. I had to get out the handcream, too, as I’m washing my hands so much they were drying out. I’ve been reading a ton of good books, painting, and generally cleaning up our place so it’s clean and looks good since we’re in it a lot right now and I’m happier when it looks nice! I do run the humidifier if it’s dry inside, as I read that even in hospitals, they learned that there are less infections if they add that to their protocols! It helps and seems to make me sleep better.
I also read that if you wake up and take a deep breath, and hold your breath for about 10 seconds, you can tell if you have any difficulty breathing and that could help you know you need to have someone check you out. Also, drink lots of sips of water all day, so if you have been exposed to the virus ,it would hopefully move into the stomach, where your stomach acids would kill it, instead of it moving into the lungs, which is not good. So trying to watch what we’re doing and staying as close to home as possible other than for long walks in nature, which calms me down all the time. Hang tight! xo
Many libraries have online e-books & audiobooks, and offer an e-library card online! A great story read by a wonderful reader can make jobs like sewing on buttons or other garment repairs discovered in closet cleaning a task to linger over.
We will eventually put Covid19 behind us. Nothing is forever. Just remember to keep yourself safe by checking the website cdc.gov for updates in your area. Follow recommend safety procedures.
Beth, your blog today was right on.
Keep up the good work. 😘
Lot of smiles in my face. Excellent post Susan. Thanks!
Been following you for some time now and always enjoy your posts. Today’s was just what I needed….really needed! So many fun things to think about to put a mind at ease! Thx you for the Dr. Gundry link it was very informative! You must have spent many hrs putting this one together for your readers….just want to thank you, made me smile today😉😉
Dear Beth ,
Your words of wisdom are always so uplifting and positive… much needed in our society today .
I may add not to forget faith and prayer as we live day to day .
I work in healthcare and it’s really tough not to succumb to the dire news about COVID-19. I am encouraged by the efforts of my employer to keep me safe, as well as our patients and our community. Still, knowing that things will get worse before they get better, and watching my retirement savings tank (I’ll need them in about 3 years!), I’m struggling. Thanks for this bit of positivity and sisterhood. Needed it badly after a long day at the office!
I worked in healthcare for 40 years before retirement, I remember when staph infections, HIV and SARS were the big terrors. H1N1 was a terror not that long ago as well. Wash your hands, stay home if sick and keep your distance as much as possible. This too shall pass so be not afraid! ❤️
Thank you. Be well.
Thank you, Beth. You’ve posted some great inspiration and ideas here. “Look for the helpers.”- Mr Rogers. Today, I made a donation to 5 different charities such as Meals on Wheels, and others supporting the hungry and vulnerable people at this time. Wash your hands, practice social distancing, stay home. This too shall pass. At 62 years of age, this will be just a blip in the timeline of my life. Stay safe.
Hi Beth! I love all the styles that you post. They’re fun & classic. Sending you much love from Manila, Philippines! 🥰
Just started watching your youtube site two weeks ago. Got some great ideas without going shopping because you inspired me to look no further than my own closet. I am looking forward to viewing your older as well as your newer videos.