Good thing!

A winter storm has come to to the area and in addition to rain (and snow in elevations) has brought the temperature down to mid 40s. Good thing I happen to own this little puffy coat... yeah, just pure luck!

2015!

Happy New Year!

May 2015 be a great year for you!

2014 was full of up and downs, lots of good times and equal amount bad times. I traveled a lot and moved four times. I got to spend two months with my dad. I went through the stress of house hunting, job hunting and interviews. I moved to a new state, start a job, met lots of new people, learned new skills, moved house twice when I was there and lived with roommates (housemates actually) for the first time in my life. I also lost that job at the end of the year. I saw a colorful autumn and shivered in snow for the first time in fifteen years. I got really happy and really sad. I found a wonderful friend and lost the friendship of a few not so wonderful persons. I learned to appreciate my life style more. I found the dept of my strength and the assurance that I can relay on myself. I became more confident. I decided to make happiness my priority in life. Stylewise, I appreciated a more minimal style, well made and high quality pieces, a feeling of structure and luxury.

What will happen in 2015? I don't know but I know for sure I am up for any challenge. My personal goals are to practice mindfulness and to be happy. My professional goal is following a path that brings me long term happiness. My style goal? Continuing to combine comfortable with chic... oh, and also find a new black satchel bag!

Best wishes for the new year!

The traveling pants

These ponte knit pants have become my default traveling pants. They are as comfortable as any leggings but more structured and therefore more pulled together. I've been wearing them for flights to Michigan and back to AZ. Also wearing them as winter pants in MI with fleece lined leggings layered under.
For a day trip to Payson (a little city northeast of Phoenix) which has a much lower average temperature, these were perfect, warm and comfortable.

All the good intentions!

This outfit wasn't supposed to turn into a boho look but a play on textures. However, it may look a bit boho. That vintage ivory necklace alone! I just stopped myself before grabbing my kilim bag. that would have been the killing shot!

Loving olive

I confess to becoming really bored with my coats back in Michigan. Now with my whole coat collection at hand, I happily indulge in wearing a different one every day.
This olive one goes extremely well  with the muted green of the scarf.

Smoky food

Nothing can replace a good chunk of smoked meat when you are starving and it doesn't matter if you end up in a neighborhood BBQ joint way too dressed up. As long as you get those delicious briskets everything else can be ignored.

Boxing an outfit

No, it doesn't mean I went shopping or was returning any thing on Boxing Day. Only that winter outfits can be broken into two boxes, one is the outerwear with the coat all buttoned, the other is without the coat and scarf and hat. Here in one example, when my coat was all buttoned up:

and when I had taken off the coat, hat and scarf:

Christmas dinner

This dinner party is a family affair. I usually wear something comfortable specially if I am the hostess. The outfit needs to be easy to move in and to sit by the fireplace and to play with children.

Christmas Eve

The day before Christmas is when you are obligated to wear either green or red... kind of like an elf! I took out my emerald green coat and paired it with dark burgundy lips. Too birds, one outfit and enough time to hurry around and finish gift and grocery shopping for the Christmas dinner!

Happy plaid

Do you have certain favorite pieces in your wardrobe which you'll miss if you travel? This plaid bag is my absolute favorite and I'd missed her. (Yes, it's a she! Check the ladybugs!) So I planned my entire outfit around honoring her!

A mix of navy and orange is refreshing and contains both of my happy colors.

Glam boho

I don't usually do boho style in winter but I desperately wanted to wear my maxi dress and thought the camel pea coat looks good with it. Hence this upscale boho look was born which would not be complete without my gorgeous kilim bag, a gift from my darling sister. Sometimes mismatched pieces look good together!

Holiday Dressing

I've arrived at the party(ies) late... literally. I've missed three holidays parties so far, two because I was still in Michigan and the third due to my husband's flu. I'm hoping there is still a few invitations left! This year,festive dressing to me means lace dresses either in champagne or bordeaux, a fit and flare gold brocade dress and a swingy brocade mini skirt which I can match with a gold or black silk top. I don't know about you but this holiday season I'm in the mood for gold and a few good drinks!

Plaid setup

The quickest way to come up with a new color combination is letting the fabric designers do the job! Case in point: my getting ready in five minutes by relaying on the colors of my plaid shirt. The bordeaux sweater and tan jeans complemented the print nicely. The same with my outerwear, the orange and tan combination worked well together. Easy and snappy!

Sun and hike

I finally wore these Madewell joggers as actual joggers (and not as winter pants with leggings under) for a hike on nearest trail and enjoying the sunshine. With the rain and milder weather in Phoenix, the hills and mountain trails are turning green and lovely to hike.

Camel coat

Camel is very much in vogue this winter (examples here, here and here) and I have been missing my camel coat. As soon as I got back to Arizona and had my full closet at my disposal, I just had to wear my darling camel coat. What better way to showcase it than with a simple black outfit?

Arizona's weather is cooperating nicely, 45-65 degree and sunny. You can wear winter clothes and still enjoy the sunshine. So good!

How to survive cold weather?

Freezing temperature may be part of everyday life for natives of northern states but for me, a temporary transplant used to mild winter weather, it was a learning curve. I moved from Arizona to Michigan in the beginning of September for work. My appointment is for 4 months.  I like to state that I brought a wide range of clothing with me but 2/3 of my clothes were useless by the end of October. Although the mid-weight wool coats and my trench coat with quilted lining helped a lot, when the snow started falling and temperature dipped below 35⁰F, the only thing that saved me from freezing was my new down coat. It took me a few tries to find the right hat or the right gloves, so here is a list of my necessary supplies:

-A down coat obviously. Do your research and buy one of the thicker ones (well worth the money). Mine is a bit flimsy and lightweight and I need to layer a wool coat or jacket underneath when it is windy (although I can pack it into a 5”×10” pouch). Many of the new down coats are nipped at the waist and are fitted which makes them more flattering.The knee length and hooded is ideal.

-Fleece lined leggings. Buy them in your size and a size larger so you can layer them. Right now it’s 28⁰F outside and I have layered two pair of fleece-lined leggings under my jeggings!

-Hat with ear flaps. I tend to get headaches from the cold wind. After experimenting with beanies and berets (without success) I found knit hats with fleece lining and ear flaps which saved me from a total brain freeze. I finally bought the fur lined water resistance version and am truly warm and happy!

-Fleece lined gloves and mittens. My cashmere lined leather ones gave up the fight at 40⁰F. For the best result get the heavy-duty ski gloves. I forgot to bring mine so I am layering a pair of fleece gloves under a pair of furry fleece lined mittens.

-Fur lined boots with thick rubber soles and water resistant surface. Knee high is usually the best. Make sure they have good traction at the soles for when there is snow and slush or freezing rain and the sidewalks are as slippery as an ice rink. Also pay attention to the calf width and get boots you can tuck your pants into.

-Mix wool or acrylic socks. You may need to layer a couple of pairs so have plenty of these!  

-And don't forget warm densely knit  scarves!

-Wool or cashmere turtlenecks. I like to keep my neck covered in cold and have been wearing turtleneck for three months straight now.

-Fitted long sleeved tees for layering under the turtlenecks or sweaters.

-Wool or cashmere sweaters. I layer them over the turtlenecks of usually the same color. Most of them are fitted which keeps my silhouette slim.

-Wool or felt coats to layer under the down coat on ultra cold days.

My recommendations for anyone else who’s moving to a northern sate in winter:

-Dress in layers! Outside sure is freezing but inside the buildings is usually too warm (75-80⁰). Layers are your best friends!

-Check the weather’s monthly trend and give it a 10 degree margin! When it is windy, usually it feels much colder.

-People usually recommend silk or poly-mix thermal wear (long johns) but my research showed these provide the same amount of warmth as fleece lined leggings. Your choice!

-Take vitamin C supplements (check with your Dr. to make sure it’s OK) to boost your immune system.

-Drink lots of hot tea and soup!

-An electric throw or blanket offers a lot of comfort on chilly evenings.

Stay warm and best of luck!

Mad hatting!

I finally gave up and bought one of these hats. Let's hope it stops the headaches I get from the freezing weather. I confess to irresistible charms of the rabbit fur lining!

Orange and oxblood

Not only the color combo was wonderful, the textures played nicely together as well. I would wear this combination again in Arizona where I don't have to wear them with 2 pairs of fleece lined tights layered over each other, a pair of fur lined boots and under the top, two extra layers, a tee and a thin merino wool sweater! Now, just focus on these two, OK?!

Happy Thanksgiving!

There are small things you can be thankful for and there are major things. Right now I am in the mood to be thankful for the little things:

-Having a pool in the house when it’s 115⁰F hot.

-A peaceful and beautiful neighborhood where all you need is conveniently close by.

-Seeing two months of colorful foliage after 15 years of living in places with no autumn.

-Finally learning to order the perfect pumpkin spice latte: soy milk, extra syrup, extra pumpkin spice!

-Finding an old friend in a new city where you know no one else.

-An apartment with a convenient store on the ground floor when it’s 22⁰F outside.

-A cup of hot chocolate with a shot of coffee liquor when it’s snowing.

-A knit hat which is fleece lined. Also a down coat and furry fleece lined mittens!

-Great stores which offer a wide range of little things and distract you on lonely weekends.

- Barnes & Noble bookstore! It’s like seeing a good friend everywhere you go. May the company be always prosperous!

-The ability to go back home and recharge (and to have that safe haven in my life).

On a serious note, I am thankful for all the resources and fall-backs in my life, not that I used them much but for the security and the assurance, the knowledge that they are there for me if I ever need them. To be able to take risks more daringly and to face challenges in comfort. That is one blessing I am thoroughly grateful for this year.

See this post for the list of major things I am thankful for.

Winter hiatus

Sorry for the lack of posts! These past couple of weeks with the cold weather and constant snow, there haven’t been any exciting (or even slightly interesting) outfit. What I am wearing normally is a type of uniform consistent of a pair of winter pants with  a pair of fleece lined legging layered underneath, two pair of winter socks, a cotton top, a merino wool turtle neck layered over it, a cashmere or merino wool sweater layer over that one, a wool jacket over them, and finally a down coat over everything. I found knit hats with ear flaps which are lined with fleece and I wear them daily. Over the hat, I usually put an ear warmer/headband and then pull the hood of my down coat over them all. I am also constantly wearing a double layer scarf with a dense knit. I wear a pair of fleece gloves and over those I wear a pair of fluffy fury mittens which are also lined with fleece.

Do I look ridiculous? I guess so! Do I care when the alternative is freezing in 17⁰F weather (wind makes it feel like 3-0⁰F)? No, absolutely not!

Plaid and chevrons

This fall I've become obsessed with plaids. Another obsession of mine is my zigzag print Missoni scarf. On these cold gray and depressing days, the only thing that helps me keep going is my favorite little things.

"You Are Here"

World, say hello to my "You Are Here" sweater. I'd resisted the lure of quote sweaters until now, but this one somehow spoke to me!!! It reminded me to be present and mindful. I listened... and bought it!

Bordeaux and orange

A turtleneck tunic can feel like a security blanket even when you are in an AC-heated mall. Thanks to my friend for driving us there and back, I could dress a bit lighter than the weather required. It was a fun day of window shopping and chit chat...I didn't know how much I'd missed shopping with a friend.

To escape

It was a game day for UMich and a tense one at that. People started with cheers and shouting at 8:00 AM with a frat house mud wrestling right next door. Noise, crowds and drunk undergrads... to scape it all, I went to Anthropologie for some window shopping, had lunch at Panera and spent a couple of hours in Barnes and Nobles browsing books and magazines. But the racket was going strong till way past midnight!

Frozen

It was a cold day which led to a frozen night and we saw our first snow on Halloween. Consequently I stayed home and enjoyed a bag of Godiva truffles, a glass of wine and "The nightmare before Christmas" under a cozy fluffy blanket.