Hi there! I’m going to share two articles today. I keep dithering because I want to find more, and I have so many 20% finished posts, and then I think I should just combine them all, but it doesn’t happen, but here we are.
I hope you’ve all had a wonderful start to the year. I know it is SO boring to hear about why other people have been busy (and I feel ridiculous saying it as I do spend time staring into space, thinking about stupid things) and yet that is my excuse, I’ve been editing and working and now it is TAX season. The kids are 7 and 9 now and it got easier for a while but now I feel like it is harder? Maybe it is just all the kid activities and the killer flu going around.
Anyway. Two articles for you, starting with one that I just loved and found today, written by Zadie Smith for British Vogue. I love everything Zadie writes and this is no exception…just a thoughtful piece about how she is approaching her closet in her late 40s. Relatable! And I absolutely love her approach that “everything has a season.” It helped me think about some items in my closet, because otherwise I’m also confused about what I can still “wear.” Everything? But what if I just don’t feel good in it? But then what if I don’t feel good about not feeling good? Why do we make things so difficult on ourselves? Anyway..
The second article I’m sharing is less inspiring but still thought provoking, a piece from the NYT: Obscene Prices, Declining Quality: Luxury is in a Death Spiral. I recently had the delightful experience of running to a blog reader at a publishing event (hi V!) and besides being excellent just to meet, we also shared our experience with luxury over the years…how we used to like it a lot and how we still do and yet consume so much less. Some of that is surely life stages but some of it I think is just….the value? It’s always been not a great value but still I didn’t feel I was being so stupidly taken advantage of before…and now I often do. So that’s changed.
As always, I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on the two pieces above, or anything else, your life, whatever you want to share with me! I feel this is a little community that we’ve made over the years…thank you for being here, and I hope 2025 has treated you well so far.
6 Comments
KN
March 8, 2025 at 12:44 pmI loved the Zadie Smith article. Good to have you back. I am glad to have checked if you have posted anything new. Keep doing what you can do. Enjoy life as it comes at you.
H
March 8, 2025 at 12:56 pmThank you for posting again!
Loved the Zadie Smith piece (audibly guffawed at the line abotu the denim jumpsuits)– such a lovely way of looking at change. The NYT piece was very good, too. Shopping has become just irritating– poor quality, poor customer service, time sunk into trying to fix those problems– that I am increasingly just opting out, especially from any big American brands or from luxury conglomerates. I have been very happy with a few things from small shops in Italy and Scotland. Prices were very good, they were lovely, and didn’t seem like some trend-driven piece that I’ll be sick of seeing in a few months. So I’ll probably just do most of my discretionary fashion shopping when I travel: it’s more fun, has more memories, and I frankly have enough anyway.
Sarah
March 10, 2025 at 2:38 amThank you Kat hope you are well! « Today, instant gratification, profit and appearances are more desirable than substance, depth or intrinsic worth. And while the decline of “luxury” might not seem like the end of the world (especially with so many apocalypse-adjacent events unfolding), its fall represents a deeper decay that’s gnawing at so much of our existence — from education, media and literature to interpersonal relationships and quality of life.‘ so true !
CL
March 10, 2025 at 4:09 pmSo happy to see that you’re back! Yes, totally agree about the lack of value in the luxury space. I’m in my mid-forties and I’m opting out. I have plenty I’ve amassed and I will continue to shop and tweak my own closet. My daughters aren’t interested yet but they will soon be and they can freely partake in Mama’s collection. No need for anything newer, pricier, yet lower in quality.
Regarding life phases, we will be soon left with only 1 kid at home as the other two will have flown the coop! The eldest is happily ensconced in her own paid-for condo and plugging away at college and career. Our second is waiting to hear back from colleges this month! He worked hard and got into some T20s already through early decision but now holding our breaths for Ivy Day. Everyone is on pins and needles for him but we are already so proud no matter where he goes!
So sad to be emptying our nest but this is the end-goal of parenthood so it is very bittersweet.
You’re at a beautiful part of motherhood right now, the golden age between 5-12. Enjoy yourself and take lots of pictures of them (and you!) even when you don’t feel like it. Time is a thief and it goes by so quickly.
Congratulations on all your successes and so happy you’re able to carve out time to blog every once in awhile! Always lovely to hear from you! <3
VS
March 12, 2025 at 9:38 amHi Kathy! It was so wonderful to meet you at the conference and I enjoyed discussing our changing relationship with luxury goods over the past few years. Can’t wait to read Satisfaction Cafe. Enjoy this time with your kiddos 🙂
Readers, Kathy is even more lovely in person than she is on the blog!!!
mtl
March 13, 2025 at 3:25 pmKathy I am so happy you posted!!! I always check this blog every week just in case there is something new that I may have missed in my inbox. I found the Zadie Smith piece fascinating, but honestly – I have been an old soul when it comes to clothes and worn the same style for the last 20 years. A few times I strayed and wore color and prints…only to go back to neutrals. The one thing I still have but can’t part from are my high heels! I wear them only on very special occasions, so they mostly collect dust :/.
The rest of 2025 honestly has been rather unnerving with what is happening in our government and with governments around the world.