(ABOVE) I wear this sort of outfit combination–classic puffer vest, crewneck tee, crewneck sweater, jeans–all the way through spring here in Southwest Florida.
For YouTube Video & Health Product/Outfit/Makeup Details Scroll Down Page
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January 9, 2019 / Video Post Notes
ANOTHER POWERFUL LESSON LEARNED & MY PUFFER VEST OOTD
Holding Onto How Beautiful We Are, Naturally
This post and video were completely unplanned. My intention that morning had been just to run several errands at Waterside Shops and then pick up a few things at Whole Foods. While I was at it, I’d test out the new vlogging camera my husband had given me, which I’d turned on for the first time only the day before.
I wasn’t really sure I knew how to operate the thing. For example, countless indicators loomed on the flip-down view finder, and I was worried they probably shouldn’t be there. But, since I was going to be filming anyway, I thought, why not treat it like a real vlog, and just…ignore all those indicators and hope they didn’t mean anything too important. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, as they say. Besides, if the video was awful (or blank), I just wouldn’t publish it, and at least I’d have (hopefully) learned what not to do with the camera ever again (like ignore all those intimidating strange words on the flip-down viewfinder).
As I typically do when just running errands, I was’t wearing any makeup, except for a little lip color. I wasn’t sure the camera was even filming, as I began my introduction, but it occurred to me that this might be a good time to broach a subject I’d been wanting to discuss for some time but hadn’t yet: not wearing makeup in public.
You’ve seen me on camera without makeup before, so you might not realize just how amazing a thing that really is for me–to be seen so totally bare. I talk about why I think it’s amazing in the video, and what happened 15 years ago that caused me to change what I thought about showing the natural me to anyone but my husband.
I’m not sure if it’s something in the air at Waterside Shops or what, but just like in my Never Complain, Never Explain video, in which I talked about something in the beginning of the video that ended up coincidentally dovetailing with something else that happened later in the day, well, that exact kind of coincidence happened again–and also once again at Waterside Shops. I still am completely dumbstruck by it.
I started out the video discussing my feelings about not wearing makeup and worrying about what other people think, only to later have a sales person say something to me about my feet that looped everything together into one amazing and powerful lesson for me.
The gist of it is that as a child, we see ourselves so differently than we do later on in life. It’s heartbreaking what we do to ourselves!
I hope you have a chance to watch my video to see what I shared, because if you have any issues about your own body–or parts of your body or not wearing makeup–believe me, I know how you feel!
A Classic Puffer Vest Outfit
This outfit combination of puffer vest, crewneck tee, crewneck cable-knit sweater, jeans, flat sandals, and a tote is one I wear fall, winter, and spring here in Naples when the temperature dips below the mid-60s Fahrenheit. It’s a perfect casual outfit, because if the weather warms up later in the day, I can always roll up the vest and stuff it in my tote and tie my sweater over my shoulders or around my waist. These are timeless, ageless layering pieces that look just as flattering on a teenager as they do a centenarian. They truly are multigenerational.
I wore this outfit on a day when it was 63 degrees Fahrenheit, but today it’s supposed to get up to 75. If you are planning a trip this way, you’ll want to keep in mind that even within a week’s time you can have temperatures that range from the 50s to 70s, so make sure you bring layers that can be added or removed when needed. For more about my outfit items, scroll to the bottom of the page.
Oh, and by the way, I recently somehow touched something on my new vlogging camera that got rid of all those indicators on the flip-down view finder. The good news is, everything still works fine anyway.
Hooray!
I hope.
Wishing all of you a happy, healthy 2019.
~Janis Lyn Johnson
Scenes From The Video
(ABOVE & BELOW) My Kate Spade sunglasses are prescription glasses. As for my Hat, it’s the same one I wore in this recent post.
(ABOVE & BELOW) I love the look and sound of this water feature at Waterside Shops in Naples. It’s so pretty and soothing.
(ABOVE & BELOW) I know it’s after New Year’s, but I just had to show you the Christmas tree at Waterside Shops. It featured silver pinecones and balls with ribbons shaped like flying doves, all mixed with white tree branches and dried eucalyptus leaves. So gorgeous!
(ABOVE) I was so inspired by the way this tree was decorated, I’m thinking about doing something similar on our own tree next year, although on a smaller scale, of course. This pinecone was huge! (BELOW) Look at these pretty Silver Handblown Glass Ornaments I found on line.
Set of 4 Silver Handblown Glass Ornaments
(ABOVE) At our Whole Foods Market, I always have to hold myself back from buying another pretty orchid!
(ABOVE) I now buy and season with either Selina Naturally Light Grey Celtic Sea Salt or Natierra Himalania Himalayan Fine Pink Salt, so that we get the minerals from both. We don’t season with table salt, because it lacks the 82 other minerals present in Himalayan and Celtic sea salts. (Table salt only has the minerals sodium and chloride, plus usually a substance to keep the salt from clumping.) For a fascinating video on why both natural salt and water are important for the health of our bodies, watch this video by nutritionist Barbara O’Neill.
Selina Naturally Celtic Sea Salt, Light Grey
Natierra Himalania Himalayan Fine Pink Salt
(ABOVE) I buy 365 Alaskan Wild Pink Salmon for lunch salads I make for my husband and me at home (see recipe here). So delicious and healthy. For why I only buy wild-caught salmon, see this Mercola.com article.
(ABOVE) Panorama Organic Grass Fed and Grass Finished Ground Beef is my favorite ground beef. I like to buy two pounds at a time, then break them up into eight meat patties and freeze them for easy, don’t-have-to-think-about-it meals. If you want to know why it’s important to eat beef that has been both grass fed and grass finished, read this article.
Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS) Diet Book
(ABOVE) Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS) Diet and Perfect Health Diet were the two books that started me on my health journey, June 1, 2012. Both books go into great detail about how the digestive system influences the health of the rest of the body, as well as how to heal your body by healing the gut. Another good book that came out later, Grain Brain, explains the connection between the brain and the gut, and how an unhealthy digestive system can lead to dementia and more. (BELOW) I often get asked how I carry my salad dressing when dining out. This is the four-ounce, leak-proof bottle I use. (For more on my health journey, see my post Healing Chronic Health Issues: What I Eat and Why.)
Leak-Proof 4-Oz.Glass Salad Dressing Bottle
What I Wore
(ABOVE & BELOW) On my lips: I first moisturized with Organic 100% Cocoa Butter. Once absorbed, I applied Gabriel Multi Pot, Florentina. This is a lip, cheek, and eyeshadow cream that has all-natural ingredients. I’m not wearing any other makeup. Cocoa Butter is naturally hard, so I scrape a little out with the back of my nail, place it on the back of my hand to warm it up, then apply it all over my face and lips. It’s a wonderful, all-natural skin/lip conditioner and softener.
MY CLOTHING
PUFFER VEST: Lilly Pulitzer (similar Patagonia, The North Face; alternative White Rainbow Stripe Packable Puffer Vest, Silver Down Puffer Vest, Silver Packable Hooded Puffer Vest) / SWEATER: Talbots, sugar plum (same color Cotton Basketweave Sweater and Cashmere Crewneck Sweater; similar color Cardigan, Long-Sleeve Tee; alternative Pink Cashmere Crewneck Sweater) / TEE: Isaac Mizrahi (similar Talbots, which I also have; alternative short-sleeve white crewneck tee Talbots / JEANS: Treasure and Bond (similar 9″ High-Waist Skinny Jeans, 9 3/4″ High-Waist Skinny Jeans; more white jeans Nordstrom).
MY ACCESSORIES
HAT: Sloggers / EYEWEAR: Kate Spade Prescription Glasses (I had these made into prescription sunglasses) / BAG: Longchamp (also Longchamp Rose Gold Leather Shoulder Tote ; alternative Nordstrom Rose Gold Leather Tote / SHOES: Stuart Weitzman (I also wear these Rose Gold Leather Thong Sandals with my bag; alternative Blush Leather Thong Sandals).
MY JEWELRY
BRACELET: (similar Italian 18k Gold Bracelet, Gold Rope-Wrapped Bangle; alternative Enamel and Gold Hinge Bracelet, Enameled Cuff Bracelet).
MY MOISTURIZERS/MAKEUP (All Natural/Organic Ingredients)
FACE SCRUB: Organic Virgin Unrefined Coconut Oil Mixed with Himalayan Salt (alternative 100% Pure Organic Acai Pulp Facial Scrub) / FACE, EYE AREA & LIP MOISTURIZER: Organic Virgin Unrefined Coconut Oil and Organic 100% Cocoa Butter / LIPS: Gabriel Multi Pot, Florentina.
MISCELLANEOUS
SUNSCREEN: Sport Badger, Broad Spectrum Spf 35 Zinc Oxide Sunscreen, (98% organic; leaves a white physical film; I only use it when on beach or gardening 45 or more minutes) CAMERA: Sony / CAMERA CASE: Sony / BATTERY: Sony (I carry extras) / MINI TRIPOD/GRIP: Manfrotto / SMARTPHONE TRIPOD MOUNT: Square Jellyfish / MY RADIATION-REDUCING PHONE CASE: Pong / MY SALAD DRESSING BOTTLE: Glass, Leak-Proof, 4 oz.
(Some links in this post are affiliates. More information here.)
YouTube Video
(ABOVE) If you are seeing this message, then I have published the video and it should be appearing above. However, if for some reason the video isn’t appearing above–and you have refreshed your page and cleared your cache–you also can view the video at my JLJ Back To Classic Channel on YouTube.
Kate Spade Prescription Glasses (I Had These Made Into Prescription Sunglasses)
Sport Badger, Broad Spectrum Spf 35 Zinc Oxide Sunscreen
(98% Organic; Leaves a White Physical Film; I Use When on Beach/Gardening 45+ Minutes)
Cotton Basketweave Sweater (Same Color as My Sweater)
Cashmere Crewneck Sweater (Same Color as My Sweater)
Cotton-Blend Cardigan (More Colors Available)
Cotton Crewneck Tee (More Colors Available)
Cotton-Blend Cable-Knit Crewneck Sweater (More Colors Available)
Cashmere Cable-Knit Crewneck Sweater (More Colors Available)
Pima Cotton Short-Sleeve Crewneck Tee (More Colors Available)
Pima Cotton Long-Sleeve Crewneck Tee (More Colors Available)
Cotton-Blend Cable-Crewneck Sweater (More Colors Available)
White Rainbow Stripe Packable Puffer Vest
White Insulated Puffer Vest (More Colors Available)
White Down Puffer Vest (More Colors Available)
Silver Packable Hooded Puffer Vest
9 3/4″ High-Waist Skinny Jeans
Blush Leather Thong Sandal (More Colors Available)
Rose Gold Leather Thong Sandals
(I just bought these sandals and love them with my Tote; More Colors Available)
Longchamp Rose Gold Leather Shoulder Tote
Longchamp Small Rose Gold Leather Tote
Nordstrom Rose Gold Leather Tote (More Colors Available)
Tory Burch Enamel and Gold Hinge Bracelet
Sony Camera (My Vlogging Camera Takes Photos/Videos)
Sony Battery (I Carry Extra Batteries)
Sony Compact Carrying Case (My Camera Bag)
Mini Tripod/Handgrip For Cameras and Smart Phones (I Hold My Camera With This)
Smart Phone-Compatible Tripod Mount (See Me Using This Here)
Favorite Stores
NATURAL & ORGANIC MAKEUP
BOOKS, ORGANIC FOODS/CLEANING SUPPLIES & MORE
CLOTHING STORES
DEPARTMENT STORES (ACCESSORIES, CLOTHING, JEWELRY & HOME DECOR)
DISCOUNT DESIGNER ACCESSORIES, CLOTHING, JEWELRY & HOME DECOR
HANDBAGS & LEATHER AGENDAS, CALENDARS, ACCESSORIES
HANDBAGS, WALLETS & SHOES
HOME & PATIO DECOR, TABLEWARE, FURNISHINGS
HOME ORGANIZATION
HOME OFFICE ORGANIZATION (AGENDAS, BINDERS, CALENDARS, PLANNERS & MORE)
JEWELRY (COSTUME & FINE)
WATCHES (DESIGNER)
64 and still learning these lessons. Interesting blog about how hard we are on ourselves. I believe we grew up in a generation that did not feed egos. Still wore make-up to pick tomatoes today…crazy!
Renee, I so agree with your comment about growing up in a generation that didn’t feed egos. My mother didn’t get that from her mother or father either. Still, I felt loved by both my parents. You are not crazy for wearing makeup to pick tomatoes today. I think it’s so cute! It’s how we were raised. Thank you for your comment on this post! ~ Janis
Janis, I am older then you, but similar in many ways. I developed an autoimmune disease in my forties. I am having a major flare at this tme. It is hard for me to eat totally healthy because my husband eats lots of sugar and salty snacks and adds more fat to food than I do. Could you give me the recipe for the salad you use. I really enjoy your blog. Jackie
Hi, Jacquelyn! I’m so sorry you’re having a flare up. I’m sure that must really be debilitating at times. About my salad, I give the recipe in my post, Organic Omega-3 Greens Salad. For protein, I use either the canned salmon I showed here or canned sardines.
Thanks for all your Good information. BARBARA O’NEILL what a fantastic women with all her information been to a seminar of her. Can just recommend .
Leonie, thank you for taking the time to visit me here at JLJ Back To Classic and leave your comment. Hope you’re having a peaceful April. ~ Janis
Hi, Janice. Thank you for another inspirational and refreshing vlog post. I appreciate that you put your very real and honest self out there for all of us to see. Your message is definitely worth sharing, and oh so important amidst all the phoniness that pervades the media these days. You always make my day!
love all the fabulous info from fashion to health. I am going to Whole Foods for the salmon and salt.
You are truly a beautiful and elegant women.
Janis, you have beautiful feet?
Thank you K Rush :- ~ Janis
I am 5 ft tall, and as I’ve aged, gained some unwanted pounds. When I watch your videos I am always envious of how tall and slim you are, how beautiful you look in clothes, and think how it must be so much easier to find and fit clothes for your shape versus mine. Your feelings about your feet bring to roost that we all view ourselves with such a critical eye. I guess it takes a lot of work to accept ourselves as we are and appreciate that we are healthy and happy.
Patti, thank you so much for leaving your comment. We all have aspects about ourselves we wish were different. You’re so right about us having a critical eye when we look in the mirror! Hope you’re having a peaceful April wherever you are. Hugs ~ Janis
Love your posts!!! So glad to see you are well. Happy New Year!!!
Hi, Nancy! Thank you for leaving your sweet comment. Hope you are well, too! ~ Janis
I still prefer to have my lips done when I go out anywhere. Most days I still do a light make up even if I am not going anywhere. But I do notice more ladies going out without it these days. Yes, we are too hard on ourselves and I don’t know why. I go to church or out with friends and all I remember is what we talked about. I never remember what they had on. And if they had big feet, little feet or swollen feet I didn’t give it a second thought! I think if we have a clean face and hair it shouldn’t matter if we have on make-up. Thanks for your post!
Thank you Janis for this topic today! Your posts have already had a major impact on me in just a few months (I am almost 100% organic products now and about 75% organic food!). I have noticed a tremendous impact on my skin already. Today’s VLOG was especially relevant to me – I have also struggled with skin issues for the majority of my life (since adolescent really) and it has taken its toll on my self confidence over the years. Today, my skin has never looked better, however, I continue to struggle with becoming more comfortable in how I look without makeup. I have tried going out in public sans make-up from time to time and believe that the more I do, the easier it will be. Thank you for being an inspiration! I am turning 49 this year and it is so helpful to have your guide to aging gracefully! Stacia
Hello from Trinidad.Thank you so very much.I have been binge watching your You Tube videos for the past two days.I am 57 years old when I look in the mirror I do not know the person staring back at me.It is as if I have lost my soul ,my very being.I left my job three years ago to look after my sick husband .I have not been good to myself.I hope it’s not too late to make some drastic changes. BLESSINGS
Janis, I loved the video and the post. You have inspired so many of us! I go without makeup quite a bit and to be quite honest I never wore just lipstick and blush together since my 20’s until I retired 4 years ago from teaching. I got healthy and my skin is so much better now. If I chose to go without makeup out I just went bare, but after seeing your videos I now just go with blush and lip color. I totally love it. You look great with no makeup. We need to accept ourselves so much more.
I think your feet are fine, but I have to say I am so self conscious about my own that I rarely wear sandals out anymore, so I am paying attention. I have short toes and the spork thing going on one foot. I don’t know if it happened when I was suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis and overweight. I am now all better and eat a very regimented diet that has alleviated all symptoms of RA. I need to quit worrying about my toes. I am listening:)
You keep sharing!
Hi Janice, I just wanted to reiterate what other individuals have said. Thank you very much for another inspirational and refreshing vlog post. In today’s sometimes post-truth world (we are experiencing it here in the UK too) it’s wonderful to watch your open and honest vlog posts. Best Wishes, Angela (England) ?
It is amazing in our older age we can still learn important lessons.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I have been viewing YouTube videos by Justine Leconte; a young french woman, a designer living in Berlin.
In one of her posts she mentions having small teeth and in a positive comment she says no, I have a big smile.
A lesson to remember on being gracious towards myself as well as others.
Hi Janis,
Love the Vlog! Is there a reason you switched from Shea Butter to Coco Butter?
Just curious as I am still using the Shea Butter you recommended a few years back.
Always enjoy your channel and blog!
Bev
Hi, Bev! I still use my shea butte, most definitely. I would not be without it when I wear makeup. I love it as a base moisturizer under my powder foundation (on my upper cheekbones/smile lines, lips, and even cheeks sometimes), and also I still pat it on in those places on top of my powder foundation, to keep my skin from feeling and appearing dry. I use the cocoa butter when I am going without makeup. It absorbs into the skin beautifully and leaves my skin feeling soft, smooth and conditioned. Thank you so much for watching my vlog and for visiting me here, too!!! ~ Janis
Thank you so much for your reply! The information you share is awesome 🙂
I read this on instagram, I think???
“Get out of the closet about aging ” “Live it, own it and present it”
LOL, Loved the quote 🙂
Thanks again!
Hi Janis,
Thank you for such a powerful vlog, showing your vulnerable side. To me your blog is refreshing as it is obviously written by a woman elegant on the inside as well the outside.
I too have been put on the spot. I used to have really bad skin in my face. A couple of my best friends said on several occations ‘you have really bad skin, you know’.
My skinconditions started when I was 22 years old. In just one week time my flawless skin turned into a reddish, greasy, spotty face. I felt humiliated, baffled and horrified not understanding what was going on. That was a period in my life that I got one allergy after another.
I have always been healthconcious and looked after myself. I could not understand why my body ‘turned against me’.
I tried everything, visited so many dermatologist, put myself through so many treatments… Now I am 50 years old and for approximately 5 years have been enjoying a relative beautiful skin. It was a hormonical imbalance.
I learned that even best friends can be hurftful when they are in a bad place. Often it is a remark hoping to feel better about themselves. I used to be upset and probably will be again hearing such rudeness, but I feel stronger realizing that person must feel really bad to hurt someone else like this. I think we Europeans (I am Belgian) are more relaxed about faces with no make up.
You are beautiful just the way you are! Greetings from Belgium, Kristina
Oh boy ! Please, please, please don’t think your feet are ugly Janis, you should see mine ! I DO have bunions, they are large and inflamed most of the time and are ugly. They push against my shoes and misshape them after a period of time. I cannot even see any on your feet. They are not ugly at all. I still wear flip flops and sandals in the summer and no one really notices I don’t think, we don’t look down all the time do we ? Don’t give it another thought x
Love your videos, Janis! They are inspirational! Love how absolutely honest you are about your insecurities about your “flaws” but you have to remember we are all very flawed — that’s what it is to be human. I, for one, think you look great — with or without makeup. I also like how you keep your appearance simplified — not too much makeup, no flashy clothes, just classic pieces which you pull together with style! Keep up the good work!
I recently discovered that there is footware known as barefoot shoes and in this Facebook group I discovered that there are many other women with 10cm wide feet and it was so surprising and funny…maybe you should check out some barefoot brands! Search for pictures in Instagram. Love your feet! I do!
love your post I live in Italy and have the same problems as you with food…the grain I discovered 25 years ago but is only a few years no rice or maize and am much better…am 72 but fortunately am still youthful looking…good genes…have the sun patches tooo…also found that even modern canned foods caused red around my eyes and found glass products fine with no side effects…thank you so much and best wishes…Priscilla italy…