Welcome to So Many Thoughts, a semi-weekly newsletter about royal style and the other parts of life I want to think through with you. You can subscribe here and follow me on Instagram at @EHolmes. Thank you!
When it comes to your possessions, are you a user or a saver?
I am, unsurprisingly, both. If I buy something inexpensive, like this sweatshirt dress I just picked up, I rip the tags off and wear it immediately. But anything that feels special or (in some small way) fancy, I am far more likely to tuck it away. I have my dad to thank for this. He is a true saver — and savorer. He collects antiques and admires them with a magnifying glass, using words like “pristine” to describe some of his pieces. Growing up, anything Pete Holmes deemed as "nice," like my parents’ wedding china, was reserved for a special occasion.
The idea of saving your nicest belongings was deeply and silently instilled in me. My dad never told me to save things; I just surmised that it was the “right” thing to do. My own wedding china is a decade old at this point and I can count on one hand how many times we have used it. Instead of enjoying those gorgeous plates, they have been hidden in the original boxes (naturally) and moved from apartment to apartment, house to house.
Sorry, Dad, but it's time for a rethink! I understand and respect my father’s approach, but as a fully grown adult I have decided that it doesn’t work for me. What good are those fancy dishes kept in storage? When I unpacked them in our new house, I purposefully put them on a shelf I can reach. You better believe I’m taking them out for Thanksgiving.
This applies to my closet, too. I was excitedly shopping for a new crossbody bag — and even drafted an entire newsletter about my hunt. Now that my kids are a bit older, we can leave the house a little less burdened by stuff. We’re also on the go a lot more as we emerge from the pandemic, with drop off and pick up at two schools, not to mention swim lessons and soccer. I figured this was a great excuse for a new bag. And, gosh, I had my eye on a few…
Then I remembered I already have a beautiful crossbody. (Trying to take my own sustainability advice!) Just before I moved to California from New York nearly five years ago, I got a new Jason Wu “Diane” bag. It’s made of smooth tan leather with rounded corners and a gold buckle. I’ve carried it maybe...three times? For shame! Instead of enjoying life, that purse stayed on a top shelf in my closet, stuffed with the original tissue paper and swaddled in a dust bag.
Like my dishes, I refused to stash this lovely bag away in our new house. I gave it a trial run on a few errands this fall and a full debut this week for a retreat/conference I've been at these last two days. It’s been perfect, the ideal size to hold a few essentials (phone, mask, sanitizer, lipstick) and not so big as to feel like a burden. I absolutely love it.
Do you have something wonderful tucked away in your closet? Let this be a gentle suggestion to pull it out and enjoy it.
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Five Things To Check Out This Week
READ: Huzzah, kids can get vaccinated! The CDC recommended five to 11 year olds receive the COVID vaccine. Are you a parent with questions? Check out this helpful explainer. (Wall Street Journal)
SHOP: The dress code for the retreat I attended this week was “relaxation chic.” I love a challenge! As I was stocking up on toiletries, this cozy coat caught my eye. Note: It’s oversize, so even if you size down (and I did) it’ll be roomy. That’s the point. It comes in eight colors; I got HRH blue, obvs. (Target)
SHOP: The retreat was filled with amazing female founders who generously shared their products with attendees. Talk about #blessed. These jogger pants are *so* good. Comfy enough to be PJs, sleek enough for the school run. And do not sleep on the matching tee! (Third Love)
LAUGH: I’d love to have you over but… (New Yorker)
REMINDER: Send me your suggestions for the 2021 SMT Gift Guide! I’m looking for royal-inspired ideas as well as items made by a BIPOC and/or sustainable brand. You can email me at hello@somanythoughts.com.
Have a wonderful week, friends. I’ll be back Friday with a royal deep dive.
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