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Weekend Update

Thank you all very much for your kind and encouraging comments and feedback about PASSAGE 88. I’m glad that you liked the necklaces and it’s been wonderful seeing the orders arrive! I’m excited to show you more of what I’ve been working on (though it’ll be a little while)…and, as always, I welcome any additional questions or comments, on the necklaces and/or any future products.

1. I get asked quite often about my favorite utility/field jackets, and I almost always recommended Barbour. They make jackets that will last you for years and years and won’t look trendy. I bought my first one five or six years ago and have a few (and picked out a few for Mr. Feather, too) so can share my experiences.

Barbour has lots of different styles (you can see the range here), but if I had to pick a favorite, it’d be the Waxed Utility jacket above. It’s made out of the classic Barbour waxed cotton material which is so handy in rainy weather. Not only does it keep the water off, I also feel like it repels the wind somewhat. And, I like the plaid lining both for its aesthetics, and also because it’s nice and cozy. Finally, this particular jacket doesn’t have a belt, which I always find to be a fussy detail. I have one Barbour jacket with a belt and it’s always coming undone!

That being said – some things to keep in mind. Not everybody likes the waxed cotton – there is a “stiffness” to it, so if you don’t like that, you might try the Beadnell. It won’t keep you as warm as the Waxed Utility, but because it doesn’t have all the details and lining, it’s also half the price. And still has that cozy corduroy collar.

Also, some Barbour jackets run small, and some run large – so I recommend buying from a friendly retailer like Nordstrom which has sizing guidance and easily allows returns/exchanges. Enjoy!

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via Getty Images

2. A bunch of major announcements happened in the fashion world this week – Raf Simons leaving Dior (by his own choice), Alber Elbaz leaving Lanvin (under less favorable terms). Vanessa Friedman, via The NY Times, has a good round up of whats going on, as well as an interesting analysis – Fashion’s Slippery Slope Claims Another Designer.

3. Kelly Rutherford’s ongoing custody battle dramas were never a topic I was particularly interested in, but I always like to read Vanity Fair’s articles, so gave their piece on Rutherford’s fight a try. And found it oddly riveting (and made me actually more sympathetic towards Rutherford…which I didn’t think would happen).

4. A fun little piece about how the French perceive American beauty, via NY Mag. I’m American and can say that I’ve never been to a SoulCycle in my life…but yes, am obsessed with using SPF (which I’ve always credited to the Asian cultural side of me, versus American).

5. I haven’t had time to do much reading this week, but I started to re-read one of my favorites, John Irving’s The World According to Garp.

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This is one of my all time favorite books, and I was surprised to find that I hadn’t mentioned it on Feather Factor before. I’m generally a fan of John Irving’s books (except for A Prayer for Owen Meany, which everybody else loves but I can’t seem to get through). I adore every single character in this book, and every time I re-read it, its like returning to an old friend. If you’re a fan of Irving, please share you favorite works, too!

Have a great weekend!

10 Comments

  • Reply
    Lindsay
    October 30, 2015 at 8:52 am

    Hi Katherine! I’ve been considering the Barbour waxed utility jacket for a long time now (the same as the one you posted but without the quilting) but I never pulled the trigger because I was afraid it would be too long for me/hit at an awkward place on my 5’4 frame. How does this jacket fit you?

    • Reply
      Katherine
      October 31, 2015 at 3:25 pm

      Hi Lindsay, I don’t have this exact one but mine all hit me almost the same length as they do on the models – around the hip. I do have a longer torso but I’m also 5’1 so I think it’d be the same for you.

  • Reply
    Engineer L
    October 30, 2015 at 9:26 pm

    I think we have similar taste in books! John Irving is one of my favorite authors. The Cider House Rules is my favorite book by him, but The World According to Garp is a close second. I also read a lot of sci-fi/fantasy. Anyway, please keep posting about what you’re currently reading! 🙂

    • Reply
      Katherine
      October 31, 2015 at 3:24 pm

      I love the Cider House Rules too 🙂 Please post some of your other favorite books, I’d love to hear!

      • Reply
        Engineer L
        November 1, 2015 at 6:20 pm

        These authors aren’t like John Irving at all, but I like Amy Tan (The Joy Luck Club, The Opposite of Fate) and James Clavell (Shogun, King Rat). For fantasy, aside from my favorite series A Song of Ice and Fire, I really like Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay and anything by Terry Pratchett.

        • Reply
          Katherine
          November 1, 2015 at 7:10 pm

          Getting Tigana right now – thank you! For some reason I can’t get into Terry Pratchett, but he’s recommended so often that I keep thinking I need to give him another try.

  • Reply
    WK
    October 30, 2015 at 10:09 pm

    Ah, the Kelly Rutherford case. Having read a lot of the court documents (my non-US citizen sister-in-law is involved in a similar type of law suit with the US citizen father of her child) – we were hoping to cite those findings as case law, there are several things VF is conveniently leaving out. 1) Accusing someone of visa fraud automatically triggers a lifetime ban from the US, period. Nothing short of divine intervention can fix it, and the visa waiver program (which would allow him to enter the US for 90 days at a time as a resident of the EU) doesn’t apply to him either. Because he is flagged by the State Dept., he would be turned back at any airport, were he to try to re-enter the US. 2) ‘Love your kids more than you hate your ex’ – Kelly doesn’t. Not to say that the man is perfect, but it’s very telling that she’s bashed him in public, while he has barely said a word. And of course, there’s the convenient ‘Oh, I didn’t orchestrate his visa issues – one of the 10 lawyers I hired was extremely reckless, and I was too stunned to do anything! I wish VF had read the original custody order passed after the visa was revoked – restraining orders because of potty training, the fact that the dodgy lawyer told Kelly’s ex to sign a custody agreement to ensure that the ‘…visa issues would disappear…’ 3) He can’t return to the US, but she can travel to Europe, where he is. He pays for her travel, and has to provide accommodation and transport while she visits the children – up to six tickets a year. But – she has no problem throwing shade at how he makes his living, yet he’s clearly providing well for her. Oh, and there’s this little nugget: how about telling her child to ‘scream for help’ in public when he’s with his father and say that he’s in danger? Yup, she did that.
    Quite frankly, whatever the outcomes were from their custody issues stemmed directly from her actions. Notice how many attorneys she’s hired and fired, while he’s stuck with the same one throughout. My SIL’s experience is one that I would never wish upon my worst enemy, because international custody battles are costly, draining, and painful experiences. Assuming that the non-US parent has no parental rights just because of their status is what is costing Kelly dearly, and all positive press in the world won’t wipe out the history. It’s interesting that she has lost every single lawsuit and petition she has filed, despite the fact that mothers get a ‘pass’ in custody matters, especially where very young kids are concerned.

    • Reply
      Katherine
      October 31, 2015 at 3:28 pm

      Hi WK, thank you for sharing your experience with your sister-in-law’s case. I’m so sorry that your family is going through this, it sounds like an awful ordeal. So many interesting facts about custody battles I had no idea about..and you have some great insights on Rutherford’s behavior and how to interpret it as well.

  • Reply
    Catherine
    November 2, 2015 at 7:58 am

    I’ve tried purchasing a Barbour jacket, but because l’m short I feel it makes me look frumpy. Would love to see how you style yours. Also, when you wear it for raining weather do you have one with a hood?

    • Reply
      Katherine
      November 3, 2015 at 10:15 am

      I do have one with a hood, it’s removable/zips off 🙂

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