The Autumn / Winter 2011 collection from Scotch & Soda (I couldn’t possibly love that name more by the way) makes for the perfect slouchy, cozy, delightfully tomboyish weekend wear ever! Doesn’t she look like she raided her boyfriend’s closet for a few of those pieces? Love it. My favorite by far are these cheeky shirts, with piles of pearl bracelets and wellies they would be very Victor/Victoria weekend chic!
Having a long torso and growing up in Michigan where fall months mean cycling between freezing and sweltering six times per day has made me pretty proficient at layering. You might call me a camisole coniseur at this point. They are the perfect way to wear your lighter summer clothing well into the fall. (And with a couple top layers even into winter, several light layers are actually warmer than one thick piece, almost everything in my closet is reconfigured and layered to work year round.)
I recently switched to silk camis and the difference has been night and day! Silk keeps you warmer than cotton but is much lighter, and there are no bunching issues when wearing multiple layers as everything slides easily over the smooth fabric. Here are my favorite four silk camis, guaranteed to keep you warm and bulk free all season long (shown left to right, top to bottom):
J. Crew Silk Camisole – my favorite, I have every color of this gorgeous cami, and when they make more I will buy those as well, it is the perfect basic piece (machine washable which is key!)
Anthropologie Daphne Silk Camisole – disappears under clothing, perfect for v-neck tops and anytime you need warmth but don’t want the cami to be visible (just be sure not to tie a bow in the front, it will create a bump)
180 by Jean Yu Silk Camisole – super lightweight and completely prevents the annoying problem of slipping straps, worth every penny
Boutique Pintuck Silk Camisole – for those times when the weather turns on you and you must strip down to the lowest layer, this cami is gorgeous enough to stand on its own (also perfectly showcased under cardigans!)
P.S. The other key piece to surviving the fall transition and warming up lighter pieces is a great pair of tights! Spanx Reversible and Wolford are the best of the best.
Another big snowstorm is headed our way and my mood has officially entered cabin fever parameters. So as the weather man uses phrases like “almost endless snow” I am going to make every attempt to stay warm and upbeat with the help of cheerful red accents and a cocktail or twelve. Perhaps we will start saving for our summer vacation by putting a dollar into the Anger jar for every time one of us falls on the icy sidewalk, silver lining and all that.
See by Chloe Chunky Cardigan / Posh Wellies / RGB Polish in Too Red / Vivienne Westwood Playing Cards / Boska Holland Fondue Set / Depaz Hottie / Wine Barrel Firewood / Anger Jar
Image by Hip Hip Gin Gin
There is nothing quite as comforting and cozy as a mug of hot chocolate on a cold, snowy day. These past few days have been so cold and so snowy I think we need to add a little kick to our cocoa, don’t you? A mug of this minty chocolate will warm you up in seconds and lift those winter weary spirits! Simply prepare a mug of hot chocolate (use 1 part half and half to 2 parts milk for the creamiest result), add 1 part Creme de Cacao, 2 parts Creme de Menthe, a marshmallow or two and feel the chill and your worries melt away.
Marshmallows / Haviland Laque de Chine Cup / Due Ice Oro Spoon / Mariebelle Aztec Hot Chocolate / Giffard Creme de Menthe Pastille / Giffard Creme de Cacao
Recipe adapted from Gourmet, Image by Hip Hip Gin Gin
It must be the piles of pristine white snow and freezing weather influencing me, but all I can think of right now is ice and snow inspired jewels. These lovely rings certainly fit the bill, doesn’t the top ring look remarkably like crushed ice? And, unlike the flakes that surround us, these bits of winter beauty can be enjoyed by the warmth of a cozy fire!
From top: Doozy of a Druzy Ring, Somewhere Moonstone Ring, and Milky Way Ring
