Temperate Life

I remember a time when I wore black. A lot of black. Now that I go back and forth to Florida, my wardrobe has changed right along with my mindset. I feel different when I’m wearing something colorful, like I am shining through the gray clouds with rainbow vibrance. Its not about others seeing me, its about dressing the positive and optimistic part. Ready to step out of your comfort zone? These are three of my must-haves that can point you in the right direction.

Must Have #1- Colors and Layers

When I decided to lighten up my wardrobe, it felt like a heavy, dark polyester weight was lifted off of me. In Florida, black will absorb the intense heat from the sun, so add some colors. I absolutely adore Lilly Pulitzer and Marimekko because their gorgeous prints and color combinations give me tons of inspiration. Adding light layers of linen, silk, and sheer fabrics like chiffon, lace and cotton gauze will turn your collection of white T-shirts into a new outfit every day. Kick a Hawaiian shirt up a fab notch with a modern accessory or maybe only button it halfway down and knot it at the waist. Scarves are one size fits all accessories that can turn your daytime outfit into something fit for Date Night. Even in the evening you still need the SPF protection they provide while watching the sunset, and speaking of which…

Must Have #2- Sunscreen

Please wear sunscreen. Period. You won’t look good in a bathing suit if you have chunks cut out of you because you have skin cancer. Make a healthy habit of applying lightweight SPF sunscreen frequently. The market is full of tinted moisturizers for your face that not only moisturize, but provide needed SPF protection. Powder foundation with SPF can help keep shininess at bay. Be careful when you use retinols- your skin will be more photosensitive, so keep application to bedtime. In the morning, wash your face and moisturize with your favorite sun protection.

Must Have #3- Ankle Bracelets

Ok, this one may be a little odd, but I like me an ankle bracelet. When I’m spending the day in flip flops, I want my feet to be fleeky! Ankle jewelry comes in a variety of styles, colors and budgets. But you don’t have to spend any money, you can always make your own. Remember the friendship bracelets you made when you were 12? Find yourself a Danish cookie tin with some colored embroidery floss. Everybody has one around, admit it. Grab three pieces in your favorite colors and knot one end. Use a pin to attach it to something like the arm of an upholstered chair or your ironing board and start braiding. And this is not just for the ladies- the guys can definitely show their individuality with some color on the sandals.

🍹Erin

I’ll start out by saying that this blog is not to teach you something. It’s actually quite the opposite. I’m the one who needs the lesson. I’m learning to be a better person, the person that I always wanted to be and now I have the chance to be. 

At age 41, I find myself in a place where I am almost unrecognizable to myself. When you spend the first 20 years of your adult life under circumstances that bring out the worst in you, you may not recognize the best in you when its over. This is my diary for finding the best in myself again. I have lots of ideas and fantasies.  Many of them will be attempted and subsequently abandoned. I don’t think it’s an unhealthy thing.  There are some constants in my life: I adore my husband and my pets, I enjoy cooking and sewing.  But the big thing you’ll be reading about, something that has changed my life for the better more than anything else ever has, is Florida and what it has to offer me.

The word temperate has multiple definitions. In climatology, the temperate zone is defined as the area of the Earth between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle in the Northern Hemisphere or between the tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle in the Southern Hemisphere. These are places in the world that have four seasons with varying degrees of pleasantness.  Jimmy Buffett wrote in a song that he is “umbilically connected” to it. Temperate is also synonymous with words such as unflappable, moderate, level-headed and frugal.  It all says GOALS to me!

This is not a vanity project for me,  it’s about accountability.  I’m not horribly photogenic, so this won’t be filled with perfectly staged photos of myself wearing up-to-date fashions in gorgeous locations.   I would describe my personal style as beachcomber.  I have spent the past six months consigning everything that can’t be worn in the sand and surf.  This is not about Palm Beach glamor, this is about happiness and contentment on a retirement budget.  I will fail from time to time, but hopefully we will learn together from each failure and success. 

To families with or without kids, empty nesters, minimalists, retirees, or anyone who is looking for a different life somewhere warmer, I won’t say it’s a piece of key lime pie.  But the journey is the big adventure and I’m ready to set sail.  

Erin