Baby it’s (really) Cold Outside! (Part Deux)

Hello Again Blogginistas!

As promised, here is the second part of my MUST-HAVES for this cold weather we are slowly but surely encountering with the BURR months ahead. So let’s get started!

First one of my favorites: flannel button-downs. If I could, I would wear plaid button-down shirts everyday of the week. I think men & women look great in them…they come in every color possible, every price point, and there are several ways to wear them. I typically like to wear them like a button-down shirt…as I see most people wear them the same way. But flannel button-down are also great to layer with graphic or classic tees!

Another one of my loves: cardigans. Again…if I could wear a cardigan with every outfit I would…I’ve owned so many cardis in my lifetime…& they don’t last me because I truly wear them out. Like flannels they are so universal that how could you not own one?! They make an outfit pop when they are printed or colored & are also professional looking. Keeping on the subject of cold weather clothes…cardigans are awesome to layer with & keep you warm! They’re also a great option when you know you’ll be in a place that may warm up, so you can easily take the cardi off! (you can’t do that with a sweater!)

Next, make sure you have jeans that aren’t ripped & distressed. Jeans get old, or you can buy them ripped…but who wants to feel the chilly breeze of winter on their knee? I think this goes without saying…make sure you have non-distressed jeans for the winter season. On the same line, for the women…tights, panty hose (they are coming back in-style thanks to Kate & Pippa Middleton), leg warmers, thigh-high socks, knee-high socks, etc. Get them in every color, style, print…these leg accessories are key to wearing dresses & skirts…it’s too cold out (& out of season) to be showing off bare legs.

Last, but certainly not least...stock up on classic tees. I personally hate long sleeve shirts, sweaters…I hate having something covering anything past my elbow…so I either don’t buy long-sleeve anything or I roll my sleeves up. But classic tees, whether they’re v-neck, scoop, or crew…they are awesome for layering with other shirts, sweaters, button-downs, etc.

Like my last post…I’ll ask you Blogginistas: What are your winter clothes MUST-HAVES? & also…how do you layer your outfits?

Love always,

BR

Baby it's (really) Cold Outside! (Part One)

Happy Hunting Blogginistas!!

First want to apologize for not posting the past few weeks…it’s that mid-cram time & in working in retail doesn’t help…as we are getting ready for the CRAZIEST shopping days of the year: Black Friday. Anyways, in the spirit of this cold weather frenzy I decided to give my clothing MUST-HAVES on dressing warm for winter. In this post I’ll let you all know about essential gear & my next post will talk about the clothes!

The east coast has already gotten their first snow of the season, but besides that one weather phenomenon, it hasn’t been until now that it is actually feeling like fall. So my first tip for dressing warm in these cold months is to invest in a good jacket/coat. It is physically impossible to get through the winter without a winter jacket, whether that is a North Face or a bomber or a pea coat, buy a good quality jacket…that’s going to last the winter! Jackets & coats are one of my guilty pleasures (I have seven or eight in total just for the winter)...they are a necessity & when picking the right one & spending the right amount of $$$, you end up with a coat that lasts you a decent amount of years.

Also thinking about outer wear…own either rain boots or snow boots & warm socks. I’ve ruined a few pairs of shoes (including a pair of Uggs) because I decided they would be okay to wear in the snow, slush, sleet…& all that these winter months have to offer. Last winter I wore my rain boots…they work fine but if you decide to find a second use for rain boots by wearing them in the snow…please have warm socks!! I can’t stress this enough. There is no insulation in most rain boots & your feet will not make it through the snow without the warmth of socks…I like to wear fun ankle socks or knee highs…for the guys a good pair of ankle socks will do you just fine too! If you want to spend the extra money on snow boots, get a pair that has grips on the bottom so you don’t slide on ice …& make sure they are waterproof…& keep your feet warm! Eddie Bauer & L.L.Bean make great winter boots!

Thirdly, get a pair of driving gloves. Think about it…how many times are you running late for class or work & you forget to maybe start your car early to warm up (I know I’ve been in this situation many times). The worst feeling ever besides driving in a cold car…is driving in a cold car with no gloves…the rest of your body seems to be warming up because of the layers you have on, but your poor hands have to hold the steering wheel. So, you can’t just have any old gloves, because they get slippery & that’s clearly not safe for driving…for the cold season it’s good to own either leather or suede gloves. Both leather & suede material allows for a nice grip in the wheel, they keep your hands warm, && they look classy & timeless. These types of gloves you can get at any price point, style, color, size, buttons or no buttons, etc.

& finally, the last of my MUST-HAVES for winter gear is a hat. Right now for women wool hats are in-style…just like fedoras & such were big last summer (oh, how I miss those warm days)…I personally, don’t believe they are very practical when you are outside in the cold…& it’s snowing. But hey! I’m not saying I don’t think you should say no to those hats, they’re just not going to keep the heat in. The two types of hats that go for both the ladies & gents are beanies & what I like to call hunting hats (I believe the technical term is trapper hats). I do own both types of hats, but I prefer the hats that do look like you are going hunting…I think they’re warm & I love the faux fur (so fun!). Both styles of hats are quite practical for cold weather as they keep the heat in & certainly keep your ears warm.

So those are my essentials for winter gear…my next post will focus on what’s underneath the gear. But for now…

What are your winter gear essentials?

Love always,

BR

Oh! It's vintage!

Hello Blogginistas.

This afternoon I discovered a new appreciate for vintage pieces on Free People. The cost of items & clothing here is quite up there so I resisted my impulses to buy anything. I questioned my mother who I know owns some antiques & has been passed down old pieces of valuable clothing. Luckily she had a few things…& from what I’ve learned my grandmother has TONS of vintage pieces!

I’m proud to say I’m the new owner of an antique trunk as well as a beautiful fur shawl complete with pockets! The actual type of fur the shawl is made from I have yet to find out…but what I do know is that it was owned by my great grandmother…& for being such an old piece of clothing it is in pretty amazing condition! I’m also in the process of doing research on the trunk. I want to say it was made in the late 1800’s or early 1900’s since that’s when most trunks were made. Pretty cool, right? More importantly, it will be my new storage for bags, scarves, & all those other accessories.

So the purpose of my post this week is to find appreciation in vintage pieces. I really want to find a quality vintage store where good pieces of clothing come through. From what I’ve been told, it’s very difficult to find great vintage clothes…& that it takes a lot of time & patience. I believe though, that the hard work put into finding a unique piece is well-worth it. The piece has a history, a story, & no one else will own it!!

While it may be hard to find vintage clothes that are worth wearing, imagine owning something from the 1920’s or 1940’s…or one of those awesome 80’s bands tees! Plus these decade pieces are very much in season for the fall & winter. Talk about a great addition to a wardrobe.

Anywho, what are your thoughts Blogginistas? Do you think shopping vintage is worth the time & $$$?

Love always,

BR