THE OCCASION: QUIET AFTERNOON WITH THE KIDS

Everyone who has spent time around me lately is probably sick of hearing my bemoaning the increasingly apparent fact that I am going gray.

(If gray hairs aren’t grown-up, I don’t know what is.)

My dad went gray even before he was my age, and for most of my life he has had really striking white hair. I always thought it would be okay with me if that became my reality, too, but it probably won’t surprise you to hear that I’m having a hard time feeling alright about the fact that I have more grays than my mom. (She cheats though. Shh!)

Today I straightened my hair, which I usually abhor, but it made it easier to check out the gravity of the situation. Conclusion: It’s pretty dang grave. But I’m still strong in my resolve not to revert to being a chronic hair-dyer, which means you’ll all just have to put up with my gray hair laments from time to time.

On a much happier note, don’t you just adore menswear in autumn? Personally, nothing makes me feel quite as playful and relaxed as a big button down and cuffed trousers. I’m keeping it really pretty with pointy flats and some giant bangle bracelets.

Blouse, Gap; trousers, UO; shoes and bracelets, thrifted.

THE OCCASION: ERRANDS AND WORK

With the arrival of windy, brisk autumn days, the back-to-school bug has me. Picking up Kai and Amélie from school and spending afternoon playtime with them makes me want to live in jumpers, leggings, and rompers. In short, I want to dress the way I did when I was in grade school: fringe, ankle boots, jewel tones and all! This outfit is the callback to my childhood I’ve been craving, plus it has just the right of opaque-tights, suede booties, no-more-than-one-bold-color French girl-ness that I am starting to miss about living in Bordeaux.

Jumper, thrifted; shirt, TJ Maxx; necklaces and earrings, garage sales; tights, Galeries Lafayette; boots, Minnetonka.