November in Maine | A Seasonal Table and Some Holiday Inspiration

A simple fall table using things I already own, Maine-made totes, festive outfit ideas, a sewing update, and a little puppy news.

Hello, friends.

Thank you for your kind messages in response to last week’s news about my cats, Tuck and Izzie. I’m so grateful to have such a wonderful community lifting me up during what has been a difficult stretch. It means more to me than you know.

This fall has passed by in a blur, and now here we are halfway through November. Thanksgiving is in less than two weeks and it seems like almost everyone has at least started decorating for Christmas.

Not me. My mind and heart have been elsewhere lately. I did manage this week, however, to pull together a late fall table using only things I had on hand that I’m featuring here today.

And I have started thinking about the holidays… I’m partnering with a few brands to share some items that I think would make nice gifts or maybe a little something for yourself to put a little jingle in your step — totes made here in Maine from old sails, festive Quince outfit ideas, and bareMinerals makeup to give you that holiday glow. I also have an update on the silk taffeta pants I’m sewing, including a few other options to buy if you don’t want to sew your own. Plus an easy pantry soup, thoughts on “clutter”, and… a puppy update!

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A Late November Table

I’m not hosting Thanksgiving this year, so I have no need for new table linens or decor.

I do, however, always like to set my table for the season — at least a table cloth or runner and some kind of simple centerpiece. It sets the tone for the dining area, and is a small visual joy as I go about my day.

My go-to table decoration is a “sloppy stack” of either spongeware or wooden bowls, an easy mix of warmth, texture, color, and story. I wrote an entire post on my signature way of styling bowls, including a tutorial on how to give a wooden bowl a time-worn painted finish. You can read it here.

So for my late fall table, after choosing a tablecloth with a bold pattern of fruit and foliage in shades of mustard, blue, and white, I headed to my stash in the basement to gather some coordinating bowls. I tried several combinations, but something about the stack just wasn’t doing it for me.

When I reach a design impasse like this, I force myself to step away and give the process some time to stew. Usually when I return, everything falls into place. With fresh eyes this time, I quickly pulled together a casual grouping of bowls — a mix of spongeware and yellowware that snakes organically down the center of the table. Two sloppy stacks add a little height and dimension, and pillar candles in bowls provide soft illumination.

For fun, I set the table with rattan placemats and a pair of contrasting plates — a blue and white stripe topped with a vintage brown sailing ship design. Etched goblets with blue stems and striped linen napkins complete the look. I love the tension of old and new, country and refined, smooth and textured, all united by a similar color palette.

Carrying the colors to the mantel, I swapped the shell wreath for one made from dried grasses and the limelights for a single blue-and-white jug filled with more grass stems. The simplicity of the arrangement suits the season.

And there we have it… until I change things up again in a few weeks for Christmas.

Totes Made from Recycled Sails

Speaking of Christmas, I am excited to be partnering with Sea Bags for the holiday season. I love supporting local brands, and they have been on my wish list for years.

If you aren’t familiar with Sea Bags, they make stylish yet functional totes, purses, and other accessories out of recycled sails. Every bag is designed and sewn right here in Maine using locally sourced materials and American craftsmanship. What started out as a few simple bags has grown in the last two decades to a collection of 150-250 different designs online and in stores at any given time, including seasonal and one-of-a-kind pieces using a sail’s original graphics.

To kick things off, Sea Bags gifted me the Chebeague Market Tote. This large, sturdy bag is made of the traditional sailcloth with waxed canvas exterior pockets and long leather straps. I took it right out for a spin at my local farm market, where I packed it full of heavy fall veggies. It would also be great for a weekend getaway or a visit to an upcoming holiday craft fair.

Throughout the next several weeks, I’ll be sharing more of my favorite Sea Bags over on Instagram. Any of them would make a wonderful gift, or a little something for yourself. Stay tuned!

Today I’m starting you off with a few of their popular bucket bags — fill one with a bottle of wine and a few snacks to bring to Thanksgiving dinner. Or use it to hold a small artificial tree. I keep extra rolls of toilet paper in one in the downstairs bathroom and extra toiletries in the guest baths.

SHOP SEA BAGS:

Holiday Outfit Ideas From Quince

While I can’t claim they are local, and certainly not small, Quince is a source I turn to again and again for more affordable alternatives to pricey luxury brands.

Thinking ahead to the holidays, I’m partnering with Quince to share some festive outfit ideas (paid partnership). I love the idea of a cozy oversized sweater dressed up with a silk skirt or pants this time of year. Or a fitted sweater in a bright color paired with jeans.

Here are a few Quince items that caught my eye. For some of the “cropped” sweaters, I would suggest sizing up for a looser longer fit.

SHOP MY QUINCE HOLIDAY LOOKS:

My Silk Taffeta Pants Project

Speaking of holiday outfits, I have an update on the dupe Donni silk taffeta pants I’m sewing.

The trial pair is finished, and I would call them a success! I did get off to a rather rocky start after seeking assistance from AI on altering the pattern to match the Donni measurements more closely. For future reference, AI does not know how to sew.

It didn’t help that the pattern was for British sizes and in centimeters, but once I made the decision to rely on my own smarts and instincts, things went much more smoothly. I ended up sizing down, straightening the barrel leg, and changing the pocket to an external utility style. I’m no seamstress, but I managed to pull it all off.

This fabric was inexpensive cotton from Michaels — now for the silk…

It seems like everyone is coming out with some version of these pants now. I have linked a few new ones below.

SHOP TAFFETA PANTS:

A Little Holiday Glow With bareMinerals

One of the brands that reached out to me through ShopMy is bareMinerals. I had heard of them, but had never used any of their products.

bareMinerals is known for its mineral-based makeup, clean ingredients, and skin-loving formulas. While its products are designed for all ages, many are particularly well suited to mature skin. Since my skin fits into that category, I thought I would give them a try.

They generously gifted me five products. Here’s what I thought of each.

Before I get to that, though, let me say that I prefer an easy makeup routine and a natural look. I’m generally happy with my skin, but these days I do feel it needs a little extra glow and color.

In order of application:

Prime Time, Original: A primer that is described as having a matte finish that smooths and controls shine. It feels good on the skin, but I think the Prime Time, Hydrate and Glow (which was not included in the offer) would meet my needs better.

Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer (in Suede 04): With skin-nourishing ingredients and SPF 30 protection, this is my kind of multi-tasking product. I love the light coverage and natural look. It comes in 20 shades, which is great, but I had a hard time choosing which one was best for me.

Complexion Rescue Blonzer (in Kiss of Pink): Another great two-in-one product which combines the glow of a bronzer and the color of a blush. Just what my New England skin needs this time of year!

Gen Nude Dew in One Cheek and Lip Stick (in Berry Me in Merlot): A mighty little stick that does double-duty, adding color to both the cheeks and lips. Yes and yes!

Original Mineral Veil: Alchohol-free setting spray that hydrates and blurs pores. Once again, the matte finish was not really for me.

I hope you enjoyed this little holiday glow-up!

SHOP BAREMINERALS:

This Week Into Next

I got a late start on this post, so it’s getting to be time for me to wrap up. I have just a few last quick things for you, though.

This 5-Ingredient Black Bean Soup is a good one to have in your pocket as we head into winter. Keep some chipotles in adobo in your freezer, a lime and some Better Than Bouillon in your fridge, and several cans of black beans in your pantry, and you will be all set to make this nourishing soup on the kind of cold blustery day when you need it. I paired it for lunch with a simple cheese quesadilla one day and an apple smeared with almond butter another.

I enjoyed this thoughtful House & Garden UK piece on homes like mine, filled with things I love, ones that some people might call “cluttered”. It reaffirmed what I have always said — it’s not clutter if it’s curated, organized, and brings you joy. What do you think?

Sunday I am headed to the Maker’s Market at Thompson’s Point in Portland. This event, held on select dates throughout November and December, showcases Maine artists, artisans, craftspeople, and small businesses selling everything from handmade gifts and home decor to jewelry, art, and specialty foods. Check the Thompson’s Point event calendar for dates and details.

As I did last week, I’m closing with puppy news. (Should this become a regular thing?) I now know which little guy is coming home with me and Maddie. That face! Let the naming begin. I’ll start: Porter? Bixby? Spruce? Maple? Add your ideas below!

Be well!