Other than my new identity as a war history buff, shown by my love for The Rest is History, the podcasts I listen to are of the “light and fun” variety: modern etiquette, self-care, books – classic, contemporary, and Sweet Valley High – and my very favourite genre, two middle-aged women talking about life. I am completely uninterested in listening to anything heavy, upsetting, or depressing, other than, again, war history. What can I say, I contain multitudes. The last thing I want in a podcast is an evaluation of the US political situation, and so I never listen to the Ezra Klein Show, unless my friend SHU – who has her own delightful podcast, HI SHU – mentions one of his non-political episodes. The most recent one she mentioned featured the writer of the upcoming The Sensualist, a book of essays detailing the author’s love of pleasure. He talked about how life these days is geared towards efficiency and optimization, rather than the pursuit of pleasure and joy, and something pinged in me.
Two great, everyday pleasures in my life are eating and getting dressed. I recognise that the former can be fraught, especially for women; there is a lot of guilt and shame associated with pleasurable food, and I have devoted this, the second half of my life, to eliminating those feelings both in myself and others. What could be more boring and depressing than thinking constantly about optimising our diets, about macros and counting protein grams and shunning delicious things like dessert or wine? I refuse. This is not to say I’ve devolved into total hedonism with no thought to my physical health, on the contrary, I eat to nourish my body and my soul. I strongly believe that restriction leads to obsession, and that life needs to be worth living, and so indulging in joyful deliciousness is part of my life.
As for the latter, it’s no secret I love clothes. Sometimes I think of myself as one of my own childhood paper dolls, that I get to dress every single day, usually multiple times a day. I have curated my closet such that everything in it makes me happy and feel beautiful, and if it doesn’t, out it goes. I have no time left on this mortal coil to feel bad in my clothes.
And so this week I have combined my dear friend Suzanne’s Dinners This Week with Kae’s Daily Outfits (HI SUZANNE HI KAE), for Fashion and Food!
Every Day
On yet another podcast, author Elin Hildebrand described herself as “reliable and consistent,” and girl, same. Whatever I lack in other areas, I make up for in reliability and consistency; if I say I am going to do something, I will, and also, you could set a watch by my morning routine. I start, post-coffee, with my yoga practice, followed by my strength and cardio workout, and for that I wear one of my many, many Lululemon Tri-Y tops that I have amassed over the past nineteen years of daily yoga practice.
What can I say, they don’t wear out. I pair it with Lululemon cropped leggings. Every single day, for the past nineteen years.
I am a sweaty gal, so after that I need to change into a different outfit for my long Rex walk and my gardening session. At this time of year, that means a short-sleeved or sleeveless tee with a fresh pair of cropped leggings.
I wake up at 4:30, and I finish gardening around 10:30, so those two outfits get me through a large chunk of the day.
Sunday
It was Father’s Day, and my husband celebrated by grilling his own damn steak. He and the boys enjoyed that, along with roasted sweet potatoes and asparagus and fresh-from-the-garden kale Caesar that I made.
I always make a special dessert on Sunday, so I made my husband’s favourite: a frozen strawberry daiquiri pie with homemade magic shell.
I wore an outfit entirely from Mark’s, of “Work Wearhouse” fame. They are so much more than steel toed boots and hard hats, people! They also have my favourite Silver jeans and simple tees.
Also, I’m still wearing the ugly house sandals, which have been keeping my plantar fasciitis at bay.
Monday
Another outfit from Mark’s – they should sponsor me – and it’s perfect for a warm summer’s day.
My writing group meets on Mondays at 5:30, so we have a dinner that I prep earlier and can cook quickly, which almost always means stir-fry. This one includes tofu, cashews, and cilantro from the garden.
Tuesday
This is the hot weather uniform: a Lululemon skort and a tank top, this one from, again, Mark’s. Longtime readers will remember I had surgery on my varicose veins in 2011, and then, to the surprise of everyone, I started developing new ones several years ago. That’s very unusual, my doctor said. At one point in my life I would have been self-conscious about them, but now I’m all Get a good peek, city boy?
It was Big Fun Salad night, using Romaine and raspberries from the garden, plus homemade crusty bread.
Wednesday
I know for a fact I have had this outfit since at least 2015, if not earlier. Another Lulu skort – love them – and an Old Navy tank. I know we are all against fast fashion, and we should be wary of the environmental impacts of the textile industry, but I have no regrets about a tank that has lasted over 11 years.
Dinner was build-your-own pasta salad, in which I set out a variety of veggies and everyone can add what they like, including our first zucchini of the season. IT BEGINS.
Thursday
Another hot day, another Lulu skort, this one paired with a ruffly tank that I bought at Jacob, which went defunct in 2015, so I cannot even guess at its age. Also, oh happy day, Rex got groomed! He stayed clean for 35 minutes before going rolling and coming back covered in dust, with a tail full of dead grass and bits of spear grass in his face and ears.
Dinner was black bean soft tacos with garden lettuce and a vegan chipotle sauce I make.
Friday
Friday we had cooler weather and, thankfully, a bit of rain, so I wore another pair of Silver crops – Mark’s! – along with a Lulu tank under an Old Navy tee. The latter two I think of as “new” but I believe I bought them when I was teaching yoga in 2017.
Friday is my favourite day of the week, so I celebrate with my favourite dinner: Greek salad with pita and hummus. And wine! This Riesling from Tantalus has a 94 rating!
Saturday
This was a very unusual day because not only did I go out for lunch with my friend Sandi (HI SANDI), but I also went out for dinner with my husband! This never happens! But my son has a houseguest this weekend and they went out, so my husband and I went to the pub; I had a veggie burger and salad, with yam fries and happy hour wine.
I wore Lululemon City Sleek crops, a tee from the Gap, and a silk scarf from Cambodia.
It was a fun way to cap off a week of yumminess.
Weekly Reading
It’s Buzzy Book Week in the Boyhouse! Let’s see how the buzzy books of the summer stacked up.
Lake Effect. For very personal reasons, the last part of this book was extremely upsetting and triggering to me, such that I had to steel myself to finish the book. That is not the book’s fault, in fact, it is a testament to the story that I wanted to push through to finish, because up until that point I really loved it. It’s a story of two unhappy marriages that get blown apart by an affair, and that affair has ripple effects throughout the connected families and the community. It’s a really interesting examination of choices and their consequences, how secrets can be devastating, and, ultimately, the power of forgiveness. There is also a heavy “food is a love language” theme which really resonated with me. Like I said the end part was extremely hard for me but I hope it is not hard for you.
Yesteryear. Anyone who knows me knows how much I hate time travel as a literary device, and so I was a bit wary to pick up this, arguably the Book of the Summer, in which a tradwife influencer wakes up one morning to find herself living in the year 1855. Without spoiling anything, I will say that the “time travel” component was more original, creative, and, frankly, weird than anything I’ve read before. This debut author received an enormous book deal, and the film rights have already been snapped up for a huge financial number, and I can really see why: this story would be perfect as a film. As a statement and societal commentary, this is very sharp and smart, not surprising considering the author is an acclaimed and serious podcaster. As a literary experience, I found it a bit too on the nose and unbelievable to really become immersed. I also had a few quibbles with some editorial oversights – such as “her sewing needles clicked as she knitted,” a character is referred to as an “old maid” when she’s 30 and has five children – but these are small things. I found the story of the influencer’s journey to be the most interesting, and conceptually this book is a real allegory about social media, appearances, and extremist views about the evils of the world we live in. All in all I enjoyed the ride and I congratulate the author on her huge success.
It feels great to be back in the swing of things around here. I will be back with my vacation reading list later this week, and in the meantime, take care of yourselves, friends. xo
Oooh! Let’s start with books. I had the same exact experience reading Lake Effect. I really, really liked it- and the ending was very hard for me because of my own life experience. I get why it ended that way, and it was so well done- but I would have enjoyed the whole experience if it had ended differently.
Yesteryear!!! Yes. I was wary of the time travel aspect, but the whole thing was exactly as you said- creative, original, and it worked for me. I didn’t have any of the quibbles you did, and thoroughly enjoyed the book. Definitely different from what I thought it would be, but in a good way.
If you just told me, without showing me your outfits, that you wear a black shirt everyday, I would have thought that sounded super boring. But, no! You look so cute. I like your attitude- yes, life is too short to wear something we don’t feel good in.
Sigh… you meals look delicious!!! And so healthy. Maybe I’ll be motivated to cook this week? That tofu stir fry sounds amazing.
Oof, Jenny, I’m sorry it was hard for you too. I really was unprepared for it, and it kind of slapped me in the face, you know?
Life is too short for uncomfortable clothes or bland food, in my opinion!
I love your outfits and your salads! They all look divine. I too have clothes that are decades old (yes, I still have T-shirts from Jacobs), but I really must get rid of some. And thanks for the tip on Mark’s Silver Jeans – yes, they should pay you! I dress for comfort and have a lot of black, but I really need to go through my closet because a lot of things in there just do not bring me joy! I will read Yesteryear because of the hype, and I’m curious to see how I respond do it.
Jacob was such a great store, and I absolutely loved it. It was so sad when it closed! But do check out Mark’s – they have honestly great clothes and they have a sale most of the time. Also they are the best place for winter boots!
Ooh, fun combo post of meals and outfits!! You look so cute!! I love your functional yet cute “summer uniform”. Thanks for the history podcast rec too. I know you mentioned that before and I was ironically just the other day thinking about that and trying to remember what you said it was called!
Kae, thanks for giving me the idea of posting outfits! I just love clothes so much.
I know what you mean about it feeling great to be back in the swing of things! Even while having a grand time in Greece, I sort of yearned for this phase of lying out in the sun and reading books in Michigan :).
_Yesteryear_ is next on my list, I’m a bit worried because it’s so buzzy…
Your food is always amazing (but I first knew you as a food blogger, so…), and you look adorable and ready for the day in all your outfits. I admire the longevity of your wardrobe (same!) and your many daily changes (not same!). (I’m fairly likely to garden, yoga, walk, etc. in whatever I happen to be wearing adding a bra/socks/galoshes as necessary and changing only for bed!)
Maya, I think that is how Steph and I met as well, when I was food blogging! It’s been so long that I can’t even remember! The trouble with me is a) I get SO sweaty while exercising and b) I get SO dirty while gardening, so I do a few costume changes a day!
Summer is for reading in a comfy spot outside, IMO!
I can’t agree with you more Nicole with food freedom within reason. Yet, I would say others will find my food extremely boring and I don’t like to spend $$$ in eating out.
I love my lulus and they LAST forever! I love shorts for my running and tank tops and shirts. I just ordered a few sale items to try out. they are investment and give me so much pleasure.
do you have a fav set of PJs?
Lulu does last forever! I have had some pieces for almost twenty years now!
I DO have fave pjs! I get them from La Vie En Rose, which is a Canadian company but maybe they ship? In summer I like their sets with shorts and a tank with a “shelf bra.”
Do I need some cropped pants even though I have VERY short legs? Hmmm.
I started reading Yesteryear, but I hated, despised, detested, and loathed the main character SO MUCH in the first 8 pages that I simply could not go on. Lake Effect has been recommended to me many times; I may have to check that one out.
Your food makes me hungry all the time. It’s beautiful, light, and sounds so delicious.
I also almost DNF’d after the first chapter! She is written as such an unlikeable pastiche. It was comparable to the reading experience I had reading American Psycho…
I did end up finishing it, but I definitely can’t say that I “enjoyed” it.
She’s definitely an unlikeable character, but I think an interesting one!
I mean, I like cropped pants! They are a summer staple for me.
Thank you! I love to eat so I make things that I love!
Can I come and live with you for a week? Your meals are out of this world! Meanwhile we are just trying to hold things together/get food on the table (but I am obviously in a very very different life stage!!). But I hope this is what meals in retired Lisa’s world look like. I am just too tired right now to get creative with what we eat. Sigh.
I need to upgrade my wardrobe. It is so very tiny. I should do a post about my closet. You and Kae will be SHOCKED. I keep putting it off and putting it off because I do not enjoy shopping! I did buy some new Athleta tops/bottoms this winter when I received gift cards after my accident. But I really could double the size of my wardrobe!
I read and loved Lake Effect! It was one of 3 5-star books that I read in a row (the other 2 were Whistler and Dolly All the Time). I will read Yesteryear but am guessing I am going to not love it based on what I’ve read. But I have to see what all the buzz is about.
It’s a different life stage, Lisa! Also you are such a busy person! I am not busy at all, hence I have time for all sorts of cooking.
Dolly All The Time is on my list! I wonder when it will come in.
You should do a post about your closet. You might not have a ton of clothes but you always look great, so you’re doing something right!
Your food always looks so fresh and bright. I saw a chef on a cooking show once who said, ‘we eat with our eyes’, and I think that’s true, so if I can make my meals look good as well as taste good, I’m all in.
You have such a positive, joyful attitude, and it comes through with everything you do. Your clothes, your food, your adventures with Rex, all of it. I laughed at your comment about varicose veins. I love cropped pants and they are definitely my wardrobe staple in the summertime.
I think that we do eat with our eyes! I also think “eat your colours” a lot.
Hahaha thanks so much J. “Hope you enjoyed the show!” My sons – especially the older one – were so into Cars movie, that I have certain lines burned on my brain.
I DNFed Lake Effect because the first part of the book was too stressful for me. I disliked Yesteryear a lot and think it’s actually very misogynistic. So…I think I need to stay far away from buzzy books.
I have a lot of regret about fast fashion items I own, including some things I’ve purchased recently. (And let’s not try to pretend that Lululemon, Lands End, etc. aren’t fast fashion, too.) But I 100% agree with you that it’s hard to regret things I bought from Target or Old Navy that have held up for years and years. I have two white tanks from H&M that I’ve had for years. Should I have bought them? Probably not, to be honest, since I knew about H&M’s terrible reputation at the time, but since I’m still wearing them, I think it’s probably okay. I don’t know. It’s hard. It’s complicated. I feel like I could spend my whole life trying to find ethical food and clothing AND STILL FAIL. So I choose clothes I will wear regularly and make fewer purchases.
I agree, Engie, I think we could spend every waking moment trying to be “perfect” and we never will be. We just do the best we can. I do try to make fewer purchases but the past couple of years has seen a sizing change for me, and so I did have to do some wardrobe revamping. But, shrug, what can you do in that case?
You are SO CUTE and also! The Swiftly Tech Racerback in waist length is THE FREAKING BEST if you are ever looking for a change
Thank you Sarah! I am too tall for their “waist length” – it ends up being a crop top for me, I’ve had to return a few items of that nature. I’m not a crop top gal anymore, so I have to get the “long” length.
You are adorable in every outfit! I love seeing what your wear and what you cook. The big fun salad looks especially delicious, plus it has the best name! I need some new clothes, but I just have no interest in shopping for them! I did get myself some dedicated exercise clothes, and I like them – they make me feel sporty! (Two black leggings and two short sleeved v-neck shirts in royal blue and dark purple from Arctic Cool.)
Every single time we have Big Fun Salad night, I think “if it was a regular salad, I wouldn’t have said anything. But no, you had to have the BIG salad!” The “fun” part was added by my kids!
I don’t know Arctic Cool! Maybe I will look into them next time I need something!
Your salads are so inspiring! So many tomatoes, are they coming from your garden now?
Not yet, Angela – but soon! My garden is full of green tomatoes at the moment!
Thank you for the reminder to quit counting macros. I’ve been trying and not enjoying it at all! Also I might need to check out Marks for the tank tops and I agree with Silver Jeans being the best. Also, Lululemon will always take my money, I’m okay with that. 🙂
Ugh, it just feels so joyless, the macro thing.
Silver jeans just fit so well! And they are comfy without getting all stretched out by midday. Lululemon all the way!
YES YES YES to a Suzanne/Kae mashup, Boyhouse style. Much nom! And much cute on the clothes. Tell Rex that his new do is very stylin’.
You sure did have a buzzy book week. I remember now that I decided to pretend that a certain event was not happening at the end of Lake Front, and I think that I mentally wrote it out of the story as I was reading.
I will let Rex know! He’s so velvety right now!
Your posts are always so joyful and content! It’s genuinely uplifting to read. I love how you lean into enjoying life without overthinking it. Eating well, dressing in things that make you feel good, moving your body, and then just getting on with the day… it all feels very grounded.
I basically live in workout clothes too (Kai calls them my “work clothes”). I put them on first thing, do my training, shower, and then switch into another set of workout clothes. Proper clothes only happen for errands and the like. And yes, some of my pieces are so old they should probably have their own archive section… I really need to curate my closet!! 😄
Hahahaha I know, Catrina, sometimes I think “that’s pretty new” and then realize I bought it a decade ago.
Thank you very much for the lovely compliment!
Speaking of food, I am making your Greek salad tonight, because Julie mentioned it on her blog recently and we had some feta I needed to use up. It’s chilling in the fridge, looking very tasty.
I rarely wear anything sleeveless because I don’t like how it looks (on me– you look fabulous) but I will when it’s very, very hot and we are looking at highs of 103 later this week, so I may dig out my sleeveless dresses.
Oh YAY I hope the Greek salad was very yummy! It’s my absolute favourite. I could eat it every single day (and I do, when the guys are gone!)
Comfortable clothes and comfort food – two things I can get behind, Nicole! Your photos show how good you obviously feel (and look of course!) in your clothes and that is so important. I love Greek salad, pita bread, and hummus and washing it down with a glass of wine doesn’t hurt 🙂
I am not much of a shopper and am basically down to two clothing stores to shop at, one of them being Mark’s. They do have great jeans and tops. And, oh how I miss Jacob, sniff, sniff.
I did, however, just return from a successful shopping trip with my daughter to find a dress to wear to her wedding in October. I was stressing a bit over it as it can be hard to find something that feels comfortable and also works for the occasion. I am feeling relieved that I can cross that off my list.
I have heard of but not read either of those books. I am currently reading the historical novel Finding Flora set in Alberta about a women who escapes her abusive husband by jumping off a train and through a legal loophole has a chance to claim a homestead. Three of her neighbouring homesteaders are also women. Just over a 100 pages and so far so good!
YOUR DAUGHTER IS GETTING MARRIED AHHHHHH!!! That is so exciting and I bet the dress is fabulous! I’m so happy for you!
I miss Jacob so much, their clothes were the best. But we will make do with Mark’s because they do have great jeans and tops. And boots! Don’t forget the boots!
I haven’t heard of Finding Flora – I’ll look it up!
Love all your outfits and that you feel so at home in your body and clothes. Isn’t that the goal?! You’re such an inspiration.
Speaking of inspiration, I’m having a giant Greek Salad and Naan/hummus for supper thanks to this post. Yummy.
YAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSS MY WORK HERE IS DONE
I learn so much from your comment section… I had no idea you started out as a food blogger! I love that so much. I also love seeing what my friends are making for dinner.
I also ALSO love that you have clothes that are 11+ years old. My friend Rebecca and I were just talking about this today—she was wearing a cute pair of pants from Quince and said they were three years old, and they looked brand new. I have several pairs of Athleta pants that I’ve had for over five years and they still look new. I honestly haven’t bought pants in years. Sometimes it really is worth paying more for things that hold up.
I have had this blog since 2008, but I got hired by YMC as a food blogger in 2013, and I had written essays for them prior to that. So I had both simultaneously – Boyhouse, and my Meatless Mummy blog, which is what it was called! It was a fun time for sure. I had a weekly recipe for like four years, so that was a lot of recipes.
Quince! I hear them advertised all the time and I’ve always wondered about them. The quality is good? Maybe I’ll check them out (IF they ship to Canada and not for $$$$$)
Is it still fast fashion if something has lasted over ten years? I have a top that I bought at Walmart one summer when I was working in the middle of nowhere, and I still wear it. When I put the shirt on, I don’t feel guilt, only gratitude that the shirt has seen me through so much.
Can I ask what kind of bra (if a bra?) you wear under the tank tops? It’s summer and tank top season – I’ve been wearing a lot of tank tops with built in bras because I can never find the right bra/tank top combination. I actually find the tops with built in bras comfy and easy, but I always wonder how people wear tank tops and support the girls.
Diane, that’s my thought too – gratitude, not guilt! It’s kind of amazing when something lasts that long.
When it comes to yoga tanks, I always buy the kind with a shelf bra as well. But for the other tanks, I just wear my regular bra. The straps of the tank usually cover the bra and if they don’t, oh well. I do have some strapless bras but I feel they don’t give the support I want. I wish all tanks came with a shelf bra, to be honest. They are the best!
We fold our drawer clothes the same way! I really like the outfits — skorts are my favorite. I realized while going through old photo albums a week that I’m still wearing something I wore 20 years ago. And I still like it!
I love when you realize how long you’ve had something! It’s a great feeling. Skorts are the best – I don’t like the way shorts look on me, but I also don’t want to flash anyone, so skorts are my favourite!
HI NICOLE!!! You have great style, and might I say that your arms are FANTASTIC. That’s the kind of arm musculature I aspire to. Speaking of aspirational: YOUR MEAL PLAN. Everything looks and sounds delicious (tomatoes excepted), yum yum yum. I love it that you are able to grow so much of your own produce. What a feeling! I mean, I would imagine it’s quite a feeling, considering my zucchini plants still have not produced a single zucchini.
You are too kind! Thank you!
It IS a great feeling to just pick some produce from the garden. We are having cooler temps right now so I’m hoping for a resurgence of kale and spinach.
I have never been in to a Lululemon store or shopped their site but I always see the cute tops and skorts in your posts and mentally think about going someday, haha! As always, so impressed and inspired by your food, outfit, and routine approach!
Really, never? Well there is no time like the present! The great thing about their stuff is it lasts forever. The bad thing is it’s a bit expensive. But I think that cost per wear is pretty low if you keep a piece for a long time!
Oooh, yes. I’ve been waiting for these book reviews! I just ADORED Lake Effect and the ending really got me. I’m sorry it was so difficult for you! And I also really loved Yesteryear. It’s not a perfect book, but it’s one that I couldn’t stop thinking about when I finished it. I read it during my reading retreat and spent the whole drive home (90 minutes) thinking about everything that happened in that book!
As always, your style is FAB! I love your approach to life. And yes, balance is important but so is dessert. Always.
Thank you so much, Stephany!!!
I forget the plot of *a lot* of books I read but I won’t forget either of these ones, I’m sure!
I enjoyed your fashion show and all the food pictures! I have quite a few clothing items that are 20 years old and still in great shape; mostly summer clothes because they are worn less I suppose. We have Big Salad Sunday here every week.
I love when items last that long! It really shows the care we give our clothes, and the quality of them!
All your meals look amazing! (I’m trying to not be offended by the olives in your greek salad as I shouldn’t yuck someones yum 🤤) You always make me laugh with your zucchini jokes! I swear, when I think of you, those are one thing that pop into mind. “IT BEGINS.”
You know, there is something to be said for clothing items that stand the test of time, no matter where they are purchased.
I thought Yesteryear was such a clever premise–totally not what I expected!
I’ve not heard of the other buzzy book, but surely it’s on my horizon.
I will not take that as a yuck, I will take it as a “more for me” spirit!
I have like ten giant zucchinis staring me in the face right now! Must deal with them asap!