Good morning! I’ve always appreciated the finer things in life — some might call it “expensive taste” (“some” is actually my husband). But I also have a cheapskate side, or maybe it’s this sense that I don’t actually deserve certain high quality items yet.
One of those someday-when-I-feel-deserving items is linen bedding. We have a small closet at the edge of our upstairs landing where I keep all our sheets and pillowcases, but most of them are from Target. I’m pretty sure that the fiber content is indestructible synthetic that will float out into the galaxies completely unscathed should our planet ever combust. I’ve salivated over the thought of drifting off to dreamland nestled upon 100% flax linen sheets and pillowcases since I was a little girl. I was an odd kid, what can I say?
So, today is my birthday and I thought it was high time I treated myself to some linen bedding. I’ve had a linen duvet cover for a while now, but I finally bit the bullet and ordered this linen sheet set last week. Once it arrived, it was a beautiful expanse of white on my bed, but I felt an urge to add a little extra…grey.
Using the instructions for the most basic pillowcase from this tutorial, I whipped up a couple of grey linen versions and it was so fast and so easy and so satisfying, I couldn’t believe I’d never made simple pillowcases for my bed before. The only modification I made to the tutorial was to fold the pillow edge 3″ instead of 4″ since I wanted the insert to be completely covered. The French seams are tres luxe. I’d like to try this Purl Soho tutorial with the envelope edge next. I’m already starting to iron other neutral-toned linen. Highly addictive and beautiful to boot. Love.
The gorgeous peonies were a birthday gift from a friend. My adoration of pink flowers is well-documented on Instagram and these make me so very happy.
I’ve been thinking a lot about investing in quality. I’m no stranger to bargain-hunting and a good deal is always worthy of celebration, because cost doesn’t necessarily dictate quality. Yet sometimes paying top dollar is totally worth it. After reading this book and a slew of other minimalism books, I’ve been reevaluating how I approach everything in my home and my notions of taste and style and quality. I’ve been guilty of wanting pricey, brand-name stuff in the past because of course it’s a way to impress others and it was an easy way to feel better about myself even if it wasn’t altogether healthy. There’s also a kind of safety in established brands. A particular logo may say: “Look, I have good taste.” And though I’m well aware that filling life with expensive things isn’t all that meaningful in the end, it wasn’t until I stopped buying clothes four years ago that I started to examine what was meaningful. I discovered that without the crutch of trends and my go-to stores, I didn’t know what my style was at all, and this wasn’t limited to apparel.
I’m still exploring what “investing in quality” looks like for me. I guess there are certain elements like my love of linen and neutrals that have been unchanging over the years, but I’m still forging my own style and learning what my personal tastes are (and yes, they will continue to evolve). You would think that after living over 40 years, it would be a no-brainer, but no. Maybe I’ll never know for sure, but it helps to shrug off the little voices in my head that blather on saying things like, “you should look like this at this age,” or “you should own these things because ‘successful’ people have them,” or…anything with “should”.
Hm. I’m almost always surprised at what I start typing when I create these blog posts. My plan was just to mention the linen pillows, but I suppose I’m feeling contemplative on this 13th day of June, now that I’m 45. It feels like a significant age somehow, and I’m excited to see what will unfold.
P.S. The winner of the giveaway is Dora, congrats!
Happy Birthday, Sanae! I’ve never slept on linen but have heard wonderful things about it. I guess I am starting my linen love affair by wearing linen first. Ha! Have a great birthday!
Thank you, Melissa! I LOVE my linen sheets and pillowcases. It feels so luxurious to go to bed at night now :-). Wearing linen is just as lovely though!
Happy Birthday! Your linen bed is lovely, as are your thoughts on quality. I found that as I moved into and past 50 (I’m now 53), my focus on the world and what was important changed dramatically – for the better!
Thank you, Ellie! So wonderful to read your comment. I was just telling my family that the 40th decade is awesome. So much of the psychological baggage feels less oppressive and I’m so much more at ease in my own skin. Good to know that it keeps getting better!
Happy Birthday – I’m completely motivated to make linen pillow cases now too! Inspiring as always
Definitely well-worth the (minimal) effort, Carole! I am absolutely in love with my linen pillowcases!
Happy birthday Sanae……it gets better and better:)
Glad to hear it, Annelieke and thank you for the birthday acknowledgment! If my 40s are anything to go by, I’m going to be wafting about in a state of dizzying bliss as I get older :-).
I think the grey was an excellent choice. Sleeping in linen sounds utterly dreamy, especially in the summer. Happy birthday!
I’m VERY pleased with the grey, though I’m also cutting out some stripey linen to have different options :-). Thank you, Morgan!!
Happy Birthday! Your bedroom looks so serene! Good for you for forging your own style even if you feel it has taken you too long… Beautiful things will evolve I am sure!
Ha! Oh Em, “serene” is the last word I would use to describe my bedroom since I also have my sewing space in there, but that’s my next goal: to totally revamp the sewing area so it doesn’t feel so chaotic in there. I hope beautiful things will evolve — all signs pointing that way, methinks. :-). Thank you!
Happy Birthday. I love he look of the grey with the white so much that I may have to do this as well. Care to share where you bought your linen sheets?
The grey + white is a classic combo as far as I’m concerned, Lynn! I purchased the sheets from Amazon (don’t judge): https://www.amazon.com/European-Sheets-Pillowcases-Organic-Natural/dp/B008LP96CO/ref=sr_1_5?s=bedbath&ie=UTF8&qid=1465770642&sr=1-5&keywords=linen+sheets
Happy birthday! X
Thank you so much, Sofie! I had a lovely day!
Happy Birthday!! I usually buy relatively high quality sheets on sale and then take the flat sheets and sew them together to make my duvet cover 🙂 Duvets can be so expensive! I can really relate to your post as I feel this way about my life as well. Figuring it out might just mean that I keep it status quo for a while!
Well, I know your audience loves your aesthetic, even if you don’t think it is defined as of yet. Enjoy your birthday week, I’ll be joining you at 45 in two months!
Brilliant, Alana! I don’t use flat sheets all the time, so I definitely need to try that (when I get other higher quality sheets, that is ;-)). Thank you for the sweet words, and wishing you an early happy birthday!
Happy birthday Sanae!
Hope you have a lovely day – a lovely birthday week of celebrating being you.
Lovely photos of your beautiful linen creations – and who can resist a peony?
Thanks, Jenny! It’s already turning into a birthday week full of fun activities and some much needed indulgences :-). Peonies are one of my favorites, though I’ll take any flower!
Happy birthday Sanae hope you had a lovely day 🙂 x
Thank you, Karen – I had the best day yesterday: lots of writing, wandering, reading (and purchasing books) and spending time with loved ones. The best!
Happy birthday!
Thank you , Eva! I’ve decided to spend the entire week celebrating my birthday — 45 doesn’t come around often, right? 😉
Happy belated birthday! Your esthetic seems to be developing into classic, modern lines from what I’ve read. You do deserve linen sheets. Now, I also want some for my birthday next year. I hope you’re having a wonderful week.
Thank you Tammy! I love that: classic, modern lines. I am relishing my linen sheets and they are just as awesome as my little girl self thought they would be :-). I’m having a fabulous week, thanks!
Happy birthday, albeit rather belated. I do hope you had a fun time.
And yes to linen sheets. I love high thread count white cotton. The sort you get in good hotels. I’m having some for sure when we move into our new home. And a beautiful bed to put them on. We are worth it!
Thank you, Evie! How exciting that you’ll be moving soon! White cotton sheets with high thread count are also divine and maybe I’ll have to invest in those next year :-).
Happy birthday Sanae! I love the sheets! I have gotten linen sheets at some flea markets, but I have not even checked the price of new ones. Enjoy! Many happy returns for your 45th and many more.
Thank you, Max! What a great score at the flea!