Winter Wish List

Weather reports this week included slight chances of snow, which means–for us New Englanders, anyway–that Winter is going to arrive anytime. This reality has got me thinking about what items are on my Wish List for Winter:

1-Brown Infinity Scarf: Infinity scarves are great for keeping necks toasty warm and blocking the draft at the top of your coat. I have been on the hunt for a solid colored, brown scarf for a while now, because I tend to wear more brown tones in my wardrobe than black, and therefore, it would go with almost everything. This one from Target is exactly what I have been looking for, and is affordable too.

2-More Leggings: Leggings are my favorite way to wear dresses and skirts in cooler weather, and the Xhilaration ones are not too clingy to layer over long-johns on the coldest Winter days. I have two pairs in black already and I really like them. This polka-dotted pair is just fun, and grey always looks cozy.

3-New Gloves: Last year I wore a pair of really cheap gloves with a loose knit that allowed the cold right in. I would love to find a new pair that won’t let in the draft, and that looks good too. I love the tiny beaded flower details on this pair from Modcloth.

4-Cozy Cardigan: An item I could never have too many of in my wardrobe. I would happily wear a different sweater every day of the week, and cardigans make layering easy. I adore this one from Modcloth. Pockets are always a bonus, and green is my favorite color. Plus, working at a Library, I think this cardigan has a very literary look about it.

5-New Winter Boots: I have owned the same pair of snow boots for years and years and years, and they finally have holes in them. Quality boots can be expensive, but will also last a long time. This pair from LL Bean meets all of my needs. I want slip-on, brown, waterproof, a warm lining, and good traction.

6-A Good, Red, Lip Color: Ok, this is not so much something just for the Winter, however, I have been searching for the right red lip color for a while now. I also think that red lips look terrific in the Winter time framed by a scarf and a knit hat. I’d like to try layering this elf matte color under just a bit of gloss.

What is on your Wish List for this season?

Cozy Stripes

Outfit Notes: Sweatshirt-Target // Leggings-Kohls // Necklace-Target clearance // Boots-old

Recently, Simon got some new fall/winter clothes. When I dress him on chilly mornings, I find myself jealous of his selection of baggy, cozy sweatshirts. I kept wishing they were in my size so I could borrow them. Is it wrong to borrow clothes from your child? I think it is supposed to go the other way around. (In middle school I lived in my Dad’s big, baggy flannels, which I wore with my intentionally ripped up jeans.) Thank goodness Simon wears a 3T, so I don;t have to wrestle with that temptation.

Anyway, when I was at Target the other day I spotted this cozy striped top, and I intentionally bought it in a too-big size. I have been living in it ever since. It is so comforting to be completely enveloped in a warm, loose sweatshirt. I am addicted and may be reverting back to my middle-school baggy clothes ways.

Cozy in Green

(Outfit Notes: Earrings-too old to remember //Sweater-Thrifted // Tank-Sears clearance years ago // Belt-Target last year // Leggings-Kohls // Boots, Target clearance last year //  Scarf-too old to remember)

Today I spent most of my day cleaning up messes around the house that my toddler made. I didn’t even get dressed until he went down for his nap at 1 o’clock in the afternoon. By then, I was cranky and already exhausted, but I had to get ready for work. I wanted to wear something comfy and cozy, but still work appropriate, so I grabbed this big, snuggly sweater that was a recent thrift find. It is 100% alpaca wool, from Eileen Fisher, and probably would have originally cost 200 bucks (or more). I got it for a mere 7 dollars! I usually stay away from things that I have to hand wash, but since it was so affordable, I felt it was worth it. Plus, green is my favorite color.

(Linked at The Pleated Poppy)

Finally, A Little Color

(Outfit Notes: Earrings-a gift // Cardigan-a gift…Eddie Bauer brand  //  Blouse-JC Penney, several years old // Cords-Kohls, last year // Booties-TJ Maxx // Belt-came with a tunic from TJ Maxx)

Simon and I went for the first walk in the park of the year today. The sun was shining, but there also happened to be a few snowflakes flying in the air. Not totally Spring yet…but close. I should admit, I wore different boots to the park, because though these booties are cute, they are not comfy for walking, and would get all icky caked in mud. But the rest of the outfit was perfectly functional for a Mother-Son park date. I have to work at the Library later, so the booties will be worn then.

I finally got myself into a bit of color after a long string of monochrome and neutral outfits.  The cardigan is pastel though, and the pants are grey, so not the most colorful ensemble I have ever worn. However, just like this mix of snow and sun we had today, this outfit is a perfect hybrid of Winter warmth and Spring thinking.

With A Long-Sleeved Tee

(Outfit Notes: Earrings-Made by me // Sleeveless Top- TJ Maxx // Denim Skirt-Target, a few years old // Sweater Tights-don’t remember // Shoes-TJ Maxx)

This Winter, I have really come to value solid-color, long-sleeved tees as layering pieces. The one I am wearing here actually has an owl design on it, that I don’t really care for, but I bought it for about two dollars off a clearance rack a while ago, with the intention of layering over it, so the small design didn’t matter. I have gotten more than my moneys worth out of this piece, with all of the things I have layered it under in the cooler months. (Which we have many of here in Maine.)

This black tee has enabled me to stretch my Spring and Summer pieces into the cold Winter. For example, here under a Summer dress.

It is another snowy day here, but I noticed the other day that the robins had returned to my Mother-in-law’s garden. Hopefully, Spring weather will come back soon, and with it, the chance to wear my warmer weather wardrobe (say that ten times fast!) on its own again. Until then, layering pieces to the rescue!

(This post linked up at What I Wore Wednesday on The Pleated Poppy)

Cozy Sunday

(Outfit Notes: Hat-really, really old, from Gap // Top-Modcloth, bought on sale last year // Skirt-Target clearance rack // Leggings-Target // Boots-Target clearance last year)

I look far too serious in this picture, but all of the ones in which I was smiling were too washed out.

This is what I wore yesterday, for a day of church, a cast meeting for The Vagina Monologues (I am co-directing!), and time loafing around at home with Jeramy and Simon. This skirt is stretchy and comfortable, and when paired with leggings and a top makes a cozy but cute winter outfit. I wore the hat all day because I didn’t have time to wash my hair before I had to be out of the house. Sundays are for being as lazy as possible, right?

Deja Vu

  Hi there! Sorry I haven’t been around here much this winter. The truth is, most of the time I have looked a lot like this:

image credit: Todd Baxter Photography

Bundled up in as many pairs of socks, sweaters, scarves, coats, etc. as I can. I get dressed much more for warmth in the Maine winter, and a lot less for fun. Also, with it getting darker earlier  (though that is improving!), by the time I have a chance to get my husband Jeramy to snap a picture it is too dark outside, and the photo quality inside is terrible. I need to come up with a better method for taking indoor outfit pictures with my tripod during the day while there is still natural light.

Anyway, I am back today to share a recent outfit.

(Outfit Notes: Necklace-Target // Dress: Mexicali Blues// Long-sleeved tee: Target Clearance rack last year// Leggings-Target// Boots-Target clearance over a year ago)

This outfit was worn for Jeramy’s Grandmother’s 75th birthday party. I wanted to wear a dress or skirt for the occasion, and to wear something colorful, but I also wanted to be comfortable and warm. Layering a long-sleeved tee under the dress, and wearing leggings instead of thinner tights with my boots made this work for winter.

You might remember this dress from back in the fall, when I wore it in a black and brown color combo, and styled it very similarly. I own the dress in two colors because I bought the green one, and a friend gifted me the black one. At first I thought about returning one of them, but then I couldn’t decide which one to part with so I kept them both. I still can’t decide which one I like better, but I do seem to have a favorite way of wearing it: over a long-sleeved tee with tights or leggings and boots.

Hopefully it won’t be as long until I am back again.

A Couple Of Little Splurges

While I have been out and about doing some holiday shopping, I picked up these two little gifts for myself. I know that sort of defeats the purpose of gift shopping, but every once in a while, I think it is OK to give yourself a present.

The clutch is from Target, and I wanted to buy it months and months ago, but didn’t feel like paying full price. (Even though full price was only $16.99, not really that bad for a purse– I guess I am cheap.) While I was out holiday shopping one night with a friend, I spotted it sitting in the clearance bin. I grabbed it to look for the orange price sticker, but there wasn’t one. I figured it was probably not supposed to be in that bin, and almost just tossed it back, but my friend (who used to work at Target) convinced me to at least ask. Turned out, it was supposed to have gone to salvage, and shouldn’t have been in the store anymore at all. The manager asked me if I would pay 5 bucks for it…a price much more like I had in mind. Score!

The headband was something I have been wanting for a long time. As you might know, I live in Maine, where winters are usually looooong and cold. (Although the past few have been milder than usual. Global warming?) I own a couple of winter hats, but when I wear a ponytail there is always an awkward bump under the hat. So I have been thinking of picking up one of these knit headband/ear warmers for a long time. This year I happen to be trying to grow my hair out, and it is long enough for ponytails again. So when I saw this ear warmer with the cute black buttons at a local vendor’s booth while craft fair shopping, I decided to check the price tag. It was only $10, and I bought it. (Along with some gifts for other people, that are still a secret until after Christmas.)

Have you bought anything for yourself lately?

Circle-Wrapped Scarf

 

I am experimenting with a new way to tie my scarf today. I don’t own a “circle scarf”–or “infinity scarf” as they are also called– but I came across this video over on the style blog Orchid Grey, in which she shares her scarf tying technique, and it can give almost any scarf that kind of look. I really like it because my house is cold today and this keeps my neck all cozy and warm!

I have also layered leggings under my jeans, and a big sweatshirt over my top and I am still a little chilly! This is how I feel every winter though, so I have learned lots of little tricks over the years for keeping warm, like layering 2 pairs of socks. This method of scarf tying is sure to become a frequently used new trick.

What do you do for warmth?

Sweatery

 

(Outfit Notes: Hat-recently re-discovered in a box, I think I got it at GAP when I was still a teenager working at the mall// Necklace-a gift from hubby’s grandmother// Sweater-recently thrifted for 4 bucks// Skirt- Target, a couple of years ago// Belt-too old to remember// Gloves-a christmas gift last year// Sweater Tights-JC Penney, end of season clearance last winter// Boots-Target clearance last year)

Brrrr! It is getting to be more like true Maine November weather the past couple of days. The shining sun has been a bit deceiving when I choose what to wear. Yesterday, I got caught out and about doing my errands, sorely under-dressed against the chill, and Simon and I ended up running from car to house as fast as we could for warmth when we returned home. I did not want a repeat of that today, so I got to layering some sweaters, and adding extra winter accessories.

I liked the way the sweater and tights echoed each other, and the knit hat and gloves made this a very “sweatery” outfit indeed. Some of the silver beads on the necklace had shapes that seemed fitting with the sweater as well.

It made me happy that just adding gloves and a cozy hat made me so warm that I didn’t quite need a coat. Just barely, though. Soon enough, I will need one every. single. day. But that’s Maine for you.