Cold Front Moving In...

Photos by Salt Water New England

Volunteering In Your Strengths

Photo by Salt Water New England

Perhaps the best way that anyone can find their areas of strengths is to volunteer.  People who love animals spend time in rescue shelters.  People who can organize well might put together food drives or run community events.  Budding computer programmers help their grandparents set up their networks (both technical and social).

And for younger people striving to identify what jobs and skills they should pursue, volunteering becomes an ideal venue to experiment.

Given that examples are helpful to others in this area, do you volunteer in a way that lines up with your strengths?

New Haven, 1960s

Photo by My Father

The thing before preppy...

Warm Weather

Photos by Salt Water New England

10 Years Ago, I Started a Blog.

My First Profile Picture in 2010

In January of 2010, I started a blog called The Daily Prep.  Since then, I have taken some pictures, posted some thoughts, found some interesting companies, made some friends, made some enemies, read a lot of comments, posted most of them, almost quit, almost quit again, renamed the blog, developed a dislike of L.L. Bean Boots, and have grown my fondness for tweed.

Thank you to everyone for your contributions.

Muffy

Question for the Community: Is a classic aesthetic supportive of or at odds with the mission of a top university?

Photo by Salt Water New England

A question for the community:

 Is a classic aesthetic supportive of or at odds with the mission of a top university?

PPH: L.L. Bean nixes corporate relocation in favor of expansion

L.L. Bean slows any "ship of Theseus" conversations by negotiating to stay in Freeport, Maine:

The town’s biggest and best-known business considered leaving Freeport before deciding to pursue a tax agreement and expand its downtown corporate campus. 

- <https://www.pressherald.com/2020/01/08/l-l-bean-nixes-corporate-relocation-in-favor-of-expansion/>

Still the Best...

Photo by Salt Water New England

A Reader Question for the Community: What is your favorite literature that is set in New England?

A reader question for the community:

Nudged by a not-so-recent e-mail advertising QUODDY’S dorm boot (“Good night you princes of Maine, you kings of New England”), I find myself back on the hunt for literature set in New England. Any community favorites would interest me greatly. 

Thank you for my daily dose of NE, 

An addict

Winter Food Shopping

Photos by Salt Water New England

Eating well is always more of a challenge this time of year.  We tend to eat the same things each day and so my list doesn't vary all that much.  (We seldom eat out.)  I shop for food three times a week, and with the exception of citrus and the occasional lack of availability, all of the produce (fresh and frozen)  I buy is organic, but unfortunately seldom local given the season.  Most of the non-perishables are also organic if possible.

Question for the Community: Do you use your (family) summer houses in winter?

Photos by Salt Water New England

The first time visiting a summer community off-season is disconcerting. Familiar people are gone.    Some favorite stores are boarded up.  But what often follows is a greater appreciation.  It is much easier to move around.  Store keeps are so much happier to see you. 

And when visiting not just on the fringes of the summer season but in the dead of winter,  you soon feel more like an insider.  (And sometime literally, eating chowder and looking out at the storms through the fogged windows.)

Inevitably, after experiencing both, I long for the winter visits during summer more often than the summer visits during the winter.

Question for the Community:

Do you use your (family) summer houses in winter?  For what, and how has that changed over the last decade?

Scratchy Photo from 1980s: En route to the family house in Edgartown in December.

Reader Question: What stores do you miss, and have your found alternatives?

A Reader Question for the Community:

It would be interesting to hear from readers as to stores they miss.  This morning I was thinking of the old Georgetown University Shop as well as Reichert’s In Des Moines, Iowa (in the 70s and 80s they had a half dozen clerks selling Southwick and Corbin suits on Saturday mornings). 

Thanks for your efforts.  I particularly enjoy your UK store selections. 

Regards.

Dear Muffy: What are alternatives to ironing button down shirts?

A Reader Question:

I’ve noticed that many or all of the button down shirts you and others wear in the photos appear to be unironed. This is not a criticism, but simply an observation. I do know that professional laundering can take a toll on clothing and I wondered if you prefer or recommend more of a wash and wear look rather than always perfectly pressed? Thank you!

Answer:

Many of our shirts on SWNE, once washed, spend about five minutes in the dryer, and then are hung on a hanger until dry.  This minimizes the shirt's wear, gives them a bit of softness, and results in a look that has always appealed to me for day-to-day. 

Beyond that, for some business or social events, including high-stakes webinars, I will iron the shirts. 

We always keep a few shirts around that either have been professionally done or are new and not yet unwrapped for emergencies.  

And as one might suspect, we are not fans of no-iron shirts. 

The Intense Blues of Clear January Days

New York Yacht Club's Harbour Court - Photos by Salt Water New England

In January when it is overcast we can go weeks without seeing our shadows.  And the shorter days mean that photovores are often starved.

But when it is clear, the blues of the sky are the most intense of the year.  To me, the spectacle compares favorably with even peak autumn colors, summer sunsets, or fields of spring lupin.

Wisconsin State Journal: Lands' End sued by Delta Air Lines employees who claim uniforms cause health problems

From the Wisconsin State Journal:

Two class-action lawsuits... claim the uniforms [manufactured by Lands' End] caused numerous Delta employees to break out in skin rashes, suffer migraines and experience breathing difficulties, among other problems. 

They claim that the chemicals and finishes used to create high-stretch, wrinkle- and stain-resistant, waterproof, anti-static and deodorizing garments for the uniforms led to employees' health problems.... 

[T]he lawsuits claim more than 1,900 have complained of adverse affects.... Monica DeCrescentis, a Delta flight attendant from New York, has had skin reactions, headaches and a low white blood cell count while being required to wear the uniform. It also claims the uniform has permanently stained items it came in contact with, including sheets, towels and her bathtub... 

Other injuries that employees claim started after the uniforms were introduced include severe respiratory distress, contact dermatitis, blisters, boils, hives, nosebleeds, ringing ears, muscle weakness, swollen lymph nodes and auto-immune conditions. 

- Wisconsin State Journal <https://madison.com/wsj/business/lands-end-sued-by-delta-air-lines-employees-who-claim/article_1acba5c3-59fa-5232-a388-97583008e6e2.html> 

   

Ribbon Watchbands from Eliza B/Leather Man Ltd., Made in Essex, Connecticut

Photo By Salt Water New England

• Women's Watchbands: 424 - Mini Gator/Silver buckle;  376 - White Whale/Silver buckle;   GGS 230 - Pink Stripes/Silver buckle;  GGS 229 - Lt. Blue Stripes - Silver buckle <https://www.elizab.com/womens-ribbon-watchband.html>
• Men's Watchbands <https://www.elizab.com/mens-ribbon-watchband.html>

Few accessories recall the light touch of the late 70s and early 80s in my mind as bright ribbon watchbands.  They were as much a staple as Izod Lacoste shirts and French lessons.

Reader Question for the Community: What would be a perfect, classic wedding china pattern?

A reader question for the community:

Do you have any suggestions for quality made china? Getting married this spring and shopping for something to last our lifetimes.

Ray Bans

Photo by Salt Water New England

Ray Bans - bought 1989 - shown with:

• New Mercer & Sons Bengal Stripes in Pink Sands <http://www.mercerandsons.com/swatches_and_pricing-stripes.htm

Rather Wild at the Shore Yesterday...

North Church, Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Photo by Salt Water New England

Some of the fun of New England genealogy is visiting places to where there are connections.  Above, North Church, Portsmouth, New Hampshire - Though rebuilt in the mid 1800s, it was first organized in the mid-1600, including by some of my husband's direct ancestors.

Sorting - 90s Lilly

Photo by Salt Water New England

Introducing the Arthur Beale Erebus Boat Neck Oiled Wool Pullover made from Black Mountain Welsh Sheep Wool

London's Arthur Beale now offers another outstanding garment,  their new Erebus Boat Neck Pullover, made of oiled wool from the Black Mountain Welsh Sheep, "a rare breed of extremely hardy nature".  Naturally, it is made in Britain.

• Erebus Boat Neck Oiled Wool Pullover <https://arthurbeale.co.uk/acatalog/Arthur-Beale-Beerenberg-Roll-Neck-Oiled-Wool-Pullover---Black-Welsh-Sheep-Wool--ABEBWML.html#SID=954>

This is now the heaviest, hardiest sweater I own.  And it delightfully smells like sheep.

Merry Christmas to All

Photos by Salt Water New England

This will be the last scheduled post before the holidays.  Wishing everyone a safe and joyous time with family and friends. 

Pink Bosie and Cordings Tweed

Photos by Salt Water New England

• Bosie Luxury Shetland - Wine Rose, Made in Scotland <https://www.bosie.co/harley-of-scotland-shetland-shop/azure-mens-shetland-59zp3-dfs6h-7alrs-wn4rj-aejl8-wfm3e-ealnb-l6we5-24n42>

• Cordings of Piccadilly Firley Herringbone Tweed Field Coat, Made in England<https://www.cordings.co.uk/firley-herringbone-tweed-field-coat.html>

• Patsy Kane Monkey Fist Earrings : Classic Navy, Made in Marblehead <patsykane.com/product-page/monkey-fist-classic-navy>

Cleaning out the Closet: What to Do with the Old Bags?

Photo by Salt Water New England

Early post-holiday cleaning has surfaced a familiar quandary:  what to do with the old bags of Christmases past?