Comfort and joy
Lashings of sleet and snow, late this year, herald winter in Canada. I have to push myself to leave the house, but when I do, the wind braces and the snow is sparkling, if as they say, you're dressed for it. What are your favourite cold weather comforts? If they don't involve triple-digit clicks on designer sample sites, I will try them.
This winter's short list:
Ever
y Little StepI rented this terrific doc on the casting of the revival of A Chorus Line, one of my all-time favourite shows. Warning: "I Hope I Get It" and the uh, bouncy "Dance Ten, Looks Three" will program your brain to auto-repeat. And five, six seven, eight!
Lindt
Fleur de SelChocolate bar with nuggets of fleur de sel. Powerless. Whatever they want to charge for it, I don't care.
Hanro Wool and Silk Warmwear The gentlest luxurious layer; Hanro's wool and sillk blend cami vanishes under clothes and caresses me in an all-important extra layer. To see more styles, visit Underwear Options. Warmwear is also made in pure silk; the wool/silk blend lends extra snuggliness.
Thai silk shawl
Silk is both warm and ligfht; a Thai silk shawl tucks into a pocket or handbag and a snag or pen mark is not a heart-stopper. And the colours are luscious. Buy the shawl (not scarf) size to get enough insulation and drape.About $10-$15 plus shipping for the 29" x 65" shawl size from various sellers such as arawanna77 on eBay, or in import stores.
The dependable comforts of cashmere
The life support system for those in chilly climes. I will patiently wait for Eric Bompard's winter sale, usually the start of the second week of January, to order this ultra-fine maxi mariniere sweater, €225 right now.
I just want them, that's all: 70% cashmere, 30% silk fingerless gloves, also from EB, €58. If these are sold out, next year I'll order them in September.
A good read
I deeply enjoyed A Short History of Women, by Kate Walbert, which the New York Times named one of the best books of 2009: "wickedly smart and wrenching". It's not a straightforward story, more like dipping into a remarkable family's unsentimental scrapbook, maintained for four generations.
Snuggled downIs there anything more divine for sleep than a lofty down duvet? Permabaffle box goosedown comforter from LL Bean, from $189; international shipping.
Hair rescueL'Oreal's Everpure line contains no colour-stripping sulfates, and the moisture conditioner delivers fast, minty penetrating conditioning and shine. About $7 at drugstores.
An accessory pick-up
Some days it's so unremittingly gray, you have to fight back. A cheeky accessory like this Bottega Veneta sterling and fuscia lizard skin ring would make me smile every time I look down. $450 from Net-a-porter.
Getting tights
Here, you cannot wear hose, regular ones, and survive unless you are carried on a palanquin, heated. J. Crew's nylon-wool blend tights are machine washable and come in good colours for only $26.50 which is peanuts when you can't feel your toes in regular stockings.35 Rhums (35 Shots of Rum)
Claire Denis' subtle, elliptical meditation about what composes a family, the salvation of work and the intricacies of intimacy, set in a banlieue of Paris.A terrific cast, including the mesmerizing neighbours and tentative lovers, Mati Diop and Grégoire Colin. Slow to give up its stories, absolutely sure in its emotions, I found this film impossible to shake off. (French with English subtitles, released on DVD.)
The thermometer slides into negatives (in Celsius) as the holidays approach. My vintage fur will hold up for another year and so, I hope, will our car. We got the H1N1 shots, new snow tires, and everyone's well. Wishing the same for you.
Comments
That silk scarf is lovely! I'm learning to pick my larger pieces carefully...cashmere and silk for less bulk, more warmth (yes, we do have some chilly mornings and nights here).
Anonymous: Lows -10 or -15C sometimes. Snow, but also freezing rain and slush.
Pseu: These have little bulk though not as durable as silk twill. Wash in a lingerie bag!
Darla
We're currently at 8 degrees Celsius and it's pouring. Night before last it was 4 below and we had two or three inches of snow overnight, all gone now after a very slushy day. Damp cold is no fun to dress for either, but I have an array of boots suited for various circumstances. I also rely on my hand-knit wool socks to keep me warm at home in the evening so I don't push the thermostat too expensively high. And when the thermometer drops, silk longjohns!
Wearing old cashmere sweaters around the house is blissful. Sheepskin lined boots and slippers, indoors and out.
Just read AS Byatt's new book, The Children's Book. Not as wonderful as the earlier Possession, but still good.
LPC: Hah! One of my SoCal friends says he sees his breath once a year and it scares him.
ma: Wonder if Pater will like this, it is not 'action'- will look fwd to hearing what you think. Am wearing silk longjohns as I write.
nanflan: We can all use comforts no matter what the climate.
Frugal: As I age, I run ever colder. Even when in FL need to have a sweater handy (most seasons). Thanks for Byatt recc, liked Possession very much.
metsvcan: Wolford tights are exquisite but why am I always wearing them when I put my thumb through, instead of the J Crew? You are in a colder climate than I am by a bit!
And then, there's the A/C...
I MUST acquire that mariniere sweater! Adore, adore, adore.
Have you made your Pernod moules this winter? Mmmmmmmm. I think you should repost the recipe now so we can all make some.