Living Chicly and Deliberately// A Homemaker's Dedication

I love early mornings. I'm always up before everyone else and start my day with coffee and reflections. I enjoy the quiet and solitude that it brings. It also gives me time to set my intentions and prepare for the day. So I count my blessings: another chance, another day to practice the art of living chicly and deliberately.

First of all, let's examine the word chicly. What does it mean? It means in a chic style or manner. It describes an act of doing something smartly and elegantly. As I apply the word to homemaking, "chicly" is what I practice in every action, behavior, and aspect of my home. Whether cleaning, laundry, watering the garden, cooking, or caring for my husband and children, I carry out my day slowly, deliberately, and chicly.

Being elegant is a mindset that has changed my outlook on making a home and life itself. How I present myself and complete my everyday tasks is an integral part of living elegantly. The dreadedness has become less and is replaced instead by motivation and inspiration.

Taking care of a home can be exhausting, but with a changed and positive attitude, it can be rewarding. After all, mundane chores are just as significant as any other job. Caring for the home while living an elevated life gives lessons about being in the present moment. Doing tedious work with intention enriches the experience of the task at hand. So when you step back and look at what you've done, you will experience a particular, almost calm joy, contentment, and satisfaction for a well-done job. Now, isn't that a wonderful and inspiring feeling to have? Well, it is for me, and I hope it could be for you too.

How I Present Myself

As a homemaker, I always remember not to neglect myself. Instead, I put effort into presenting myself at home in front of my husband and children. So even while I do my mundane chores, such as cooking, cleaning, and the laundry, I still wear my presentable clothes, put on light make-up and adorn myself with minimal jewelry.

Here in the Philippines, all year round is summer. So I choose clothing material that can last a long time for reuse.

I have been drawn to the 10-item capsule wardrobe concept from many influencers in my algorithm and learned from this. The French are experts, and they are on to something. (Well, in my case, I do 15, haha). They believe less is more, and now so do I. This notion has made me a responsible shopper. I choose quality materials with natural and authentic fibers such as natural linen, pure cotton, pure silk, or the cheaper alternative such as satin, and cashmere. I like supporting and buying from small local businesses. They are amazing. I advocate slow fashion now because you know it is done right to your body's measurements. There is no more impulse buying and suffering from buyer's remorse after. It's madness when you have excess in your closet with stuff you never get to use.😅 Whatever excess I had before, bags, clothes, shoes- I've sold and kept the ones that I like and have been using them every day now—no more holding it in the closet and saving it for that special occasion that usually never comes. This notion is where I practice the expression "Life is short" and even the term "Yolo "(it means "you only live once, "for short). It's using and reusing whatever you already have in your wardrobe.

The ten or 15 item capsule wardrobe is a brilliant concept. This idea, in turn, has made me find my true style, which I am comfortable with, and that is a flowy-minimal-chic style.

Here are some outfits in my wardrobe that I constantly reuse daily at home, which also applies when I go out for errands. :)

Here are the typical outfits I use daily. The fabrics are pure linen and cotton and they are all from two slow-fashion online shops that I follow on Instagram.

This is the Lily Dress in linen fabric.

Marseille Dress also in linen fabric.

This is called an Ochre dress but in a black color. Also in linen fabric

A simple black dress for hot summers that you can jazz up with espadrilles. You guessed it, linen again. :)

A natural beige linen custom dress.

Long white shirt dress.

Cotton Dresses in white and baby blue..

Cool white blouse and pants ensemble

...And a simple white linen V-neck top..

It's much easier and faster to get ready in the mornings now. Also, mixing and matching are more uncomplicated. I'm committed to simplifying my life, starting with an organized closet that is no longer overflowing with clothes. Not only is it satisfying to look at, but also chic.