Winter wardrobe: Chilly cutie seeks cozy companion
After a record warm early winter here, the mid-December thermometer heads for the minuses (Celsius) for months.
I refuse to squawk about winter, inspired by Maya Angelou, who said:
"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain."
You have to dress for it, is all. Several lighter layers insulate best, as any mountain climber knows. Say what you will for fleece, it doesn't make me purr. Cashmere, merino, alpaca, down: now you're talking.
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| Get it with the cream! |
Someone may be thinking, Well, the ultimate indulgence is a plane ticket to Aruba, but, as a northern person, I find pronounced pleasure in a sunny, crispy winter day.
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| In the snood for love |
British designer Louise Gray has designed a capsule collection for Brora, and though a costly collaboration indeed, this snood is a gorgeous thing. Price £160. And you get to say, "Oh my dear, where have I put my snood?", which is worth a few bob in itself.
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| Nice legs, man |
Cashmere legwarmers! Golightly Cashmere's come in vibrant colours like Young Plum or Eversogreen, and are made to order in regular or extra large; price, $225. This is a weird photo; who wears legwarmers over bare legs, and isn't that a guy?
Fair Isle patterns always make me feel a star happier. I bought this from Lands End:
They also sell a handsome pair of navy and red Fair Isle-patterned cashmere gloves. There's a matching watch cap and scarf, too. |
| Cheery cherry turtleneck |
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| Puff muffs |
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| Superior slips |
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
The Passage closes after this post until January 2, 2012
I wish you a happy holiday, spent with those you love, amid the gifts of companionship and reflective, peaceful solitude.
Thank you for passing by; I look forward to seeing you soon.
Comments
I wear it in the ice and snow and pray that no one has a can of red paint at the ready :)
It feels wonderful!
Happy Holidays!
Pam, remember we use Celsius here, and zero C equals 32 F. I'm sure many places in Texas - and Mexico - experience that.
I'd love a snood like that - most of the other items, while of excellent quality, are not to my personal taste. I don't like Fair Isle or Nordic knits on self (I prefer very plain, in sfumato tones) and I'm more partial to the German type of slippers - more clog-like, with a bit of a heel and better arch support.
There are many free or cheap activities during "Les Fêtes", and the STM (Montréal public transport authority) is offering free passage for up to five children travelling with an adult.
Word verification reads "manic"! Hope everyone has a pleasant end-of-year's holiday period.
Have a wonderful holiday!
NYC: I enjoyed your photos very much!
materfamilias: Wow, what a find. LL was back in business but seems to have gone under again- at least at The Bay which carried her clothes for a season- and her Toronto boutique is closed again too. Too bad, as la Parka wearers are devoted.
hostess: Have not heard of a vandalism incident recently. Or maybe they are not reported? I have a secondhand sheared mink parka, most people think it is fake fur.
Bourbon: Thank you, and see you soon!
Jane W. I am adopting that along with Angelou's, thanks!
Carol: It does not breathe, that's why- though it comes in pretty colours- and I like some of it on others.
Rubi: 14C is such a nice, hospitable temperature, and you would look beautiful in purple plaid.
diverchic: Oh yes, mohair socks and silk underwear! And nothing beats the sweet heat of a woodstove (new
ones are illegal here now.)
Ehrenriech (in "Bright Sided") was addressing-among other things- breast cancer, not the weather. And in the book, she acknowledges that bitter, negative people are a drag, especially at work.
There is a lot of living to be done in the vast space between chronic complaint and mindless, dippy optimism.
I'm all for a person venting and being crabby about what they do not like. *Then* I want to hear what he or she is thinking of doing to change or live with the condition.
But I would never whine about Winter, especially one with plenty of snow, which upholsters the grubby old world so beautifully.
Like Diverchic, I'm grateful for our small woodstove, silk long underwear, and woolen socks. And my latest discovery: a cup of almond milk heated up with a dash of vanilla, creamy and delicious for an unbelievable 60 calories.
Montreal seems like a perfect place to spend the holidays--I hope yours are wonderful.
C.
I have a FrIEND who epitomises what you are saying about bitter negativity. Sadly, this is driving others, including me, away from her. I know she is deeply depressed but can't do much to help.
We have to accept winter if we live in a cold climate and find ways of dealing with it (today, a merino wool pullover, nice deep v-neck - to wear over another layer- half price at The Bay). We do not have to like it.
Rubiatonta, indeed I've found surprising chill in southern European countries, as they don't have very powerful heating systems (though it is far better than a generation ago). In Italy, often I was warmer outside on a café-terrasse than at home in my tiny, ill-heated flat (though I loved the latter, with its beautiful tiles and magnificent view).
Duchesse, alas a horrible anti-fun incident happened to a young Inuit woman I met at a recent conference. An idiot ran towards her on a bus and ripped the fur from her parka. Her uncle had hunted the fur-bearing animal, and those people certainly do not waste any part of the animals.
Often a trio of meats - such as pork, veal, beef - is used, and game is traditional in many regions, rediscovered in the cities. My tourtières will be mostly duck this year. I've heard of adding oats as here, but never done it. I've made duck stock as well, so it will all be very ducky. Viaduc?
This can be served with a sweet relish made from vegetables and/or fruits.
Francie
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I look forward to more of your writing in the coming year.
Maya Angelous' quote is awesome and definitely one I live by (without knowing it). I got the idea from my mother that life is too short to sit about in circumstances that you don't like - instead get up and change something! (That's not to say I don't complain, but I'm very happy to switch jobs, move house, move country, change friends etc.)
Thanks so much for your excellent blog!
Cheers,
Eleanorjane
Have mentioned this before but the little book, "A Complaint-Free World" by Will Bowen is fantastic for shifting out of a complaint-habit, or if already there, for understanding what complaining does to us, individually and collectively.
Have a beautiful New Year..