I didn’t expect a dress to bring up feelings.
It was supposed to be simple. Put on the dress. Add the denim jacket. Maybe wear the cute sandals because sandal weather is finally here and that alone feels like a small seasonal celebration.
But then I caught myself looking in the mirror a little longer than usual.
Not in a dramatic movie-scene kind of way. More like a very ordinary, slightly awkward, “Oh wait, I think I feel cute?” kind of way.
And honestly, it surprised me.
Getting style back after not really having one
I’ve joked before that I don’t really have personal style anymore, and I’m only half kidding. Someone, a subscriber, awhile ago mentioned I have no style and I'm not a fashion forward person.
She was right.
I've gotten very comfortable with my leisure ware from van life and it just stuck with me. If I'm really spilling the tea here, which I am, part of it is being overweight and not wanting to purchase too many cloths because I'm losing weight.
Somewhere along the way, comfort became the whole wardrobe. And listen, I love comfort. I am not abandoning comfort. Comfort is still very much the priority around here.
But I think I’m realizing there’s a difference between choosing comfort because it feels good and choosing it because I don’t want to be seen.
That’s the part I’ve been noticing lately.
Wearing a dress again felt like a tiny little experiment in letting myself feel feminine without making it a whole thing. And, of course, I kind of made it a whole thing because I talked about it on the channel. As I tend to do.
Behind the scenes of the espresso situation
Also, yes. The espresso machine has officially entered the apartment.
I used to have an espresso machine before I went traveling, and I forgot how much I enjoy the whole process. Weighing the beans, dialing in the shot, steaming the milk, pretending my latte art is “abstract” instead of just, well, not latte art.
It’s a lot of little steps, but for some reason I love that. It feels like a small ritual. A very caffeinated one, but still a lovely routine.
The grinder, however, is currently on thin ice.
I’m using the Fellow Opus grinder right now, and I’m still trying to make peace with it. There’s been some coffee retention, some grounds flying around, and a little bit of me staring at it like, “Why are you like this?”
I have smacked it, pushed it, tipped it, banged it, and more civilly, added a bellow to the top to force air into the machine in an attempt to push the grinds out into the waiting cup.
So if you saw the vlog and wondered whether I had suddenly become an espresso expert, no. Absolutely not. I’m just a woman in her kitchen trying to make a good latte and not get coffee grounds everywhere. It's been impossible and I've already submitted a warranty claim to Fellow.
I've had this grinder for just a little over 1.5 years so the warranty is almost up and I can't take the chaos of it all anymore. It's bad when I have to keep my handheld vacuum nearby everytime I use the grinder.
Things mentioned in the video
Here are a few things I mentioned or showed in this week’s video that you might be interest in:
Espresso and coffee things
- All coffee equipment and gadgets: https://amzn.to/4wrUFVC
- New espresso machine: https://amzn.to/4tzclfa
- Coffee scale: https://amzn.to/438RQeF
- Milk pitcher: https://amzn.to/4nApu6G
- Espresso beans I’m using: [add your link here]
- Barista towels: https://amzn.to/4dKbFit
- 58mm dosing funnel: https://amzn.to/3R5LkTn
- Coffee grinder bellow: https://amzn.to/4dkPwr7
- Dosing bowl and spray bottle: https://amzn.to/42UWBbT
- Espresso cups: https://amzn.to/4dp7k2K
- Tamper: https://amzn.to/42BnkKd
Outfit and style
- Sandals: https://amzn.to/3PqjeBI
Around the apartment
Upholstery and rug Spot Cleaner machine: https://amzn.to/4dtSjNq
A little note about The Story Post
I also shared a tiny behind-the-scenes peek at what I’ve been working on for The Story Post.
The Story Post is my monthly snail mail subscription for anyone craving a slower, more thoughtful moment in their mailbox. Each month includes a personal letter, a 5x7 art print, a recipe card, and a reflection card meant to bring a little more calm and intention into your day.
It’s one of my favorite things I’m creating right now because it feels like a way to take this slower life we talk about here and turn it into something you can actually hold in your hands.
I'm so excited to also announce that we were able to support animal rescue through a portion of the gross profit for April mailing. I'll continue to do this every month and can't wait to see it grow and provide much needed funds to support animal rescue and sanctuaries.
Join The Story Post
If you’d like to receive the next mailing, I’d love to have you join us.
You can sign up for The Story Post here: https://www.amberjbaldwin.com/storypost
Just make sure to check the current mailing schedule so you know which month your first envelope will be part of. I always keep the cutoff dates and mailing details updated there so everything is easy to find.
Leave me a comment
Okay so let's be real here. How many of you ladies where dresses no matter your size? Do you prefer a full dress or a skirt and shirt?
Give me all your tips!!! I think I'm really loving this dress thing. I did wear boy shorts (made for women) underneath so I didn't get the dreaded chaffing of the thighs. It worked beautifully!
Leave me a comment here on the post and let's keep the conversation going.
