A Trip to the Farmers Market

The weekend is by far the best part of the week. I’m not trying to discredit fajita Mondays, because waiting till taco Tuesday is impossible, or sipping wine and snuggling after work. All of these things are wonderful, but there’s something about a summer weekend.

Sunlight pours through the blinds at 8:00, snuggly hands are wrapped tight around my waist, and the pup pounces on the bed begging us to wake up. Excitement is building in the air as Nala drags me out of bed. I slip on a cool silk robe and make chocolate chip waffles where maple syrup is unnecessary even for a Mainer. Tank tops, shorts, and sun glasses are the attire. We harness the dog and make the 6 block trek to glorious rows of fresh, plastic and sticker free produce.

Markets in the summer are burgeoning with lush fruits and craftsmen. It’s wonderful to trot along planning a week of seasonal meals. I’m giddy for late September when I’ll hopefully get to experience canning this bounty for the winter. I’m even giddier at the thought of it growing in my own backyard.

Brunch or pastries are obligatory on market day. There are several pubs on the seaside walk to the market who offer brunch and a delicious atmosphere. The air is salty, the walk hilly, and we need smoothies or coffee. We tout our mason jars with tops and straws.

My market bag: 

One large French market tote

1 large 32 oz jar for a pint of organic strawberries

3 Produce Bags

I typically use one produce bag for spinach. I have the other 2 for other small items I may encounter. Most of the time, no container is necessary. I use several dust bags from shoes and purses, and I also sewed several out of 100% cotton pillowcases from the thrift store. You'll want to look for natural fibers like cotton, linen, silk and hemp because they're compostable.  I occasionally buy eggs; they take their cartons back. A summer shopping list includes: heirloom tomatoes, grape tomatoes, spinach, avocados, peppers, cucumber, carrots, mushrooms, broccoli, potatoes, occasionally squash, and lots of strawberries. The pup gets her food too. The cutest dog boutique is nearby. She loves to get bulk treats and stock up on Fromm. However, I don’t know if we’ll try and lug 25lbs of dog food home on foot again at least not without a backpack.

This guy is a champ. He's got the dogs food and our food, and he'll even carry my girly market tote.  

Dealing with the Guilt of Stuff

I've been cleaning out my closet. And, for any of you who know me, you know how difficult this is. (See last post about the 10 year old sweater.)

I was the girl in college who you went to for dresses: from recitals to mixers, I had you covered... I counted once, I had over 200 dresses. Yikes.)

It's so hard for me to part with things because I associate memories so closely to what I wore... or really anything. I deal with so much guilt in parting with things.

Common reasonings being: "I don't want the person who gave it to me to think I'm ungrateful," "I spent a lot of money on it," "someone else spent a lot of money on it," "what if...," and "I don't want them to be upset."

I suffer from the guilt of stuff. 

Maybe you suffer from it too? You desperately want to declutter, but there's so many things you can't seem to sell or donate. I'm here to say, it's OK.

The KonMari method really helped me. You acknowledge your things, like a going-away party. You say thank you, you think about the nice times you had, and then you say goodbye. This helped me get rid of a lot of my guilt.

I enjoyed the pieces, we had some great times, but they're just not working for me where I am currently. A lot of my closet is not set up for the California weather. Being from the South, I'm used to it being hot or cold... not both in one day. 

Remember, your memories are not attached to things. They're attached to you. That's a pretty liberating realization. 

I'm working on whittling my closet down to a year-round 72 piece capsule wardrobe. I'm half way there. I have a huge donation pile, and a much smaller pile for really nice items to sell. These are just a couple of pieces.

I have lots of Lacoste, Theory, Donna Karen, JCrew, Burberry, Kate Spade.. pretty much any preppy designer. I like classic clean lines with a boho flair. It ranges from gifts from the family, to things I saved and saved for. All of these pieces brought me so much joy, and I have such good memories from them, but It's time they got a second life. 

I also realize, I don't take nearly as many pictures of myself as I used to take. (Which I think is a good thing.) 

Instead of focusing on filling my closet and empty spaces, I'm now focusing on pieces and things I truly love. Things that have a function. Things that can be repaired and mended. Things that are practical and versatile.

I don't want to be a part of a throwaway society. I want my things to matter and have purpose. 

Do you struggle with the guilt of stuff?