Tuesday, February 7, 2017

More Snow and Normal Neutrals

It is seriously difficult to plan what to wear when the ground is covered in snow. Not to be a whiner or delicate f**king flower, but how on earth do you do this, you people who live in winter-snowy regions?
A rare sighting of me in pants - note my klassy green dress socks (my dress sock wardrobe is sadly lacking).


  • Jacket - Club Monaco, thrifted; last seen here (3rd outfit) as outerwear in October 2016
  • Sweater - Hawick of Scotland, consignment; last worn here in November 2016 with olive the colour
  • Trousers - Pariscope, thrifted, vintage 90s?; last seen here in April 2016 with chartreuse shoes
  • Shoes - Hispanitas; last worn here (2nd outfit) in December 2016 to the Sing-along Sound of Music with Mom
  • Coat (below) - Hilary Radley, thrifted 

First, I'll address the purple elephant in the room: my hair, which has decided to do some crazy off-to-the side sh*t today. As you may have surmised, I am growing it out - I haven't had longer hair for many years, and I feel like a bit of a rock & roll shag, a la Joan Jett or Emmylou Harris. So there you are, thanks for asking.

And then, to the outfit. I had many compliments on it today, mostly from what I think of as the "normals" at work, i.e. people who don't dress like me. That usually means I've hit some sort of sweet spot of neutrals and classic cuts that appeals to them.
I have been debating turfing these trousers, but the reaction was so positive to them today that I may keep them, and just move them into the spring/summer wardrobe instead, where I can pair them with whites, creams, and lighter tones. What do you think? Keep or toss?

While you ponder that, here's the castle view from my stair pose again this morning. It snowed all night, and we woke up to about 8 inches of the fluffy white stuff.
It's pretty but I would prefer it gone.

And now, outerwear:
Yup, same ol', same ol'. Danier fur toque/scarf, vintage thrifted long wool gloves. I am certainly getting my cost-per-wear down on this coat!

The stuff:
Lovely comfy shoes.

Silver bling:
I liked how the pendant went with the plaid of the pants.


  • Pendant - POLY, thrifted
  • Cuff - Glee
  • Earrings - 10th anniversary gift from L


I took a few more pictures of the snow. This is outside on our deck, which is sealed off at this time of year. Vizzini most emphatically does NOT want to go out here right now.
That's a big overhang of snow that is melting into icicles against the window.

All the trees, and the powerlines, were coated.
By this afternoon, most of that snow had fallen off. The streets are mostly clear, but I sure wish people would shovel their freakin' sidewalks.

Looking down at our street (note my awesome driveway shoveling skillz on the lower left, yo).
There is a storm warning for tonight (oh joy), but fingers crossed that it misses us.

I took some pictures of my walk to work.
Pretty trees, and the sun just coming up. Note that non-shoveled walk in front of me!

Our neighbourhood has some interesting houses.
I would live in a purple house, totally.

28 comments:

  1. What lovely snow you have!

    I'm a winter-loving person in a snow-intensive region, but I'm a bit spent on slogging through the slush myself. (In my opinion, the problem is the melting, not the snow!)

    The sartorial answer is tall boots. Don't care if they're not in style. We wear them anyway, every damn day from October to March. I stood on the bus stop today and watched 50 cute college girls go by--every one of them in some version of skinny jeans, leggings, or ponte pants with tall boots. Inventive? No. But must needs.

    I sometimes fret over how to wear trousers to work, since I'm so hung up on the boots/tights/skirt or dress drill. I think you've nailed it. Bare ankles don't work when it's sloppy out.

    Love the shoes. And definitely keep the plaid pants. How about with a bright yellow top?

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    1. Thank you, S! Such good advice from a winter-lover! I must remind myself that this is temporary - our winters are typically very mild and not snowy! - and that I do NOT need to get all this winter gear! Thank you so much for the ideas, though! Love the idea of a yellow top - I almost did that, actually!

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    2. And also: yellow with checks! http://www.psdgraphics.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/taxi.jpg

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    3. Ha! Taxi! That would be cool...thanks for the idea!

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  2. Brrr, we're bracing for a storm here in Pennsylvania too. Hope it misses you!

    I say keep the slacks. You can always change your mind if you don't find yourself loving the matches you make in Spring.

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    1. Boo, it did not, Lorri! It's coming down like crazy right now! I hope you are safe there too! I agree, thank you for weighing in!

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  3. Layers,layers,layers! Now in Finland we have around -17c. This is what I wore today: tall winter boots (Catmando), two layers of pantyhose, thick skirt, turtleneck-shirt, cardigan, long wool coat, wool scarf, cap (I'm not sure whats correct word for this), wool fingerless gloves and leather gloves. I have lots of different types of undershirts and pantyhoses for different weathers. Also if there is really cold, I put some fleece underwear just for the walking outside and then in the office I took them off. This is my survival guide to cold weather :)

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    1. Mujeril, that sounds crazy! I love all the layers you do! I don't even own fleece underwear, but it sounds wonderful.

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  4. woww, there's never so much snow here, just a few inches once a year or so. But I lived in colder regions, where snow always stays for some days (or weeks), and I remember how difficult was doing anything those days, and how much I hated!
    I think that walking on slippy snow/ice is the worst part!, but you've worn very sensible (and cool) shoes. Even in neutrals, you rock!!
    Take care of yourself, and don't worry about your hair, it looks nice!
    besos

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    1. You are so right - that slippy ice is the worst! I don't mind the fresh snow! Ha, thank you! My hair is getting cut on Friday.

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  5. Another vote to keep the pants here! When are you ever going to find a replacement if you regret letting them go? :)

    I liked the snow pictures too. As it doesn't snow here in Queensland I have no good advice for combatting the weather. It did snow one year not that long ago right near the border with NSW. I was tempted to drive 3+ hours just to take toddler T to see his first snow, haha!

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    1. I know, you're totally right, Mica! They are so unique. Aw, maybe when the boys are older - they have to see snow!

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  6. Well, I can speak for some of us in the northeast corner of the US-practical, not necessarily pretty. Pant legs stuffed into fur lined boots (I do fold them to make a somewhat neat pleat), big wooly coats (I use a gold-threaded pashmina for a little glam at the neck), never-warm-enough driving gloves, and a great wool scrunchy hat(lots of compliments on the 30's-ish style) that no matter what I do, still creates hat hair. But since we all look just about the same, it's no big deal. I focus on looking fairly fashionable underneath-exceptions are paint and clay days when little hands are prone to hug & poke. Folks like you push me to look at my wardrobe with new eyes, and for that I'm appreciative.
    Gorgeous view from your windows. (I'm a window person.) Snow & ice falling off my roof in giant slabs melting from the giant ice storm last night. Just about the whole state on school delayed-opening. Time to get ready!

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    1. Sage advice, thanks, Carol! You are seeing the full extent of my winter gear - we just don't need more than this 99% of the time. Aw, what a nice compliment, thank you! I like windows too - I will remember to take more pictures for you.

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  7. It's funny when what we think is a tame outfit gets lots of positive feedback. You've put it so well. The pants are cool. And yes, the snow. And nobody clears the sidewalks here either, not even the city, but at least the bicycle lanes are mostly cleared. I don't understand the logic there. Great shoveling job on your own drive. Stars of approval. You and I both have that shag thing going on. I like it, usually.

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    1. I know! Maybe it's just because it's so different from what I normally wear. They ticket people here who don't shovel their sidewalks! I need a haircut (Friday!) - it's grown out oddly and it needs taming, stat!

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  8. First thing I noticed was your hair I LOVE IT - think it looks amazing.
    and I cannot offer assistance in telling you what to wear....

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    1. Thank you, Lorena! It's weird for me to grow it out after having it short for so long.

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  9. Hi Sheila

    I know you find the snow annoying, but it looks so fantastical from here in Sydney, where we are in the middle of a heatwave and around 42 degrees Celsius anticipated today (around 107F). I'll swap you heat for cool

    I don't mind those pants and I can see how classic-style people at work would like the outfit. Im sure you could make the trousers pop with some elevation in the form of heel sandals. I guess they are a straight fit, so this is why showing off the ankles could work? Seems like there are enough colours in the plaid to have some fun with mixing. And I like the necklace

    have a lovely day, I'd love to be wearing that ocelot coat!
    cheers Sue

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    1. Thank you for the timely reminder to count my blessings, Sue! That sounds insanely hot! Yes, I have some black heel sandals in the spring/summer wardrobe that would look awesome with the pants, so I will have to do that. The coat is very snuggly, thank you!

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  10. Keep the pants!

    As for dealing with the cold and occasionally snow (New York, about 30 miles NE of Manhattan), silk long underwear on top and bottom work wonders and fit underneath everything. And if I am wanting to wear a skirt or dress then it's really warm leggings and knee high boots. AND two years ago I splurged and took my husband's advice.

    He has often said there is no such thing as bad weather, just poorly dressed people. So, I bought a super warm tush-covering down jacket that is fitted and has a hood that goes nicely over any hat that isn't warm enough. Also now have leather gloves, though I have been known to dream about fleece or fur lined leather gloves…

    Oh, and the forecast here for tomorrow is at least 6-10 inches! I teach at a lower school, and the Head of School just sent an email and left a voice mail that, along with NYC schools, we will be closed tomorrow. Happy Snow Day!

    Cheers, Laurie

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    1. Thanks, Laurie! I'm keeping the pants! Wow, I'm totally impressed with your mad layering skillz! I've never even owned long underwear! That down jacket sounds superb! You should get fur-lined gloves - fur is wonderful (ethically-sourced!). Holy smokes, I hope your snow day wasn't too bad! Stay warm!

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  11. I live in Southwestern Ontario where we get lots of snow. There's nothing like walking through ankle or mid-calf deep snow before the plows have been out to clear the sidewalks. I have found that it is easier and less messy to wear skirts instead of pants. Trudging through snow results in wet pants. I wear knee high boots and double up on tights to keep my legs warm. I add a pair of socks if it is a particularly cold day. I discovered fleece lined tights this year, and that will change your life. I wish I had known about them years ago.

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    1. Hey, Sandra! I love walking in fresh snow - our city only has one plow for the whole town! I think skirts are just more practical in general. Fleece-lined tights? I must seek these out! Thank you so much!

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  12. Save the trousers! They are statement trousers and look great on you.

    The snow looks beautiful but it's cold and horrible and then it goes slushy; it's been lightly snowing here on and off all day but it hasn't settled -thank the Lord!

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    1. Okay, okay! The trousers are safe for now. Ugh, snow. I'm so glad it is finally gone!

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  13. OK Shiela, this is the third time I've tried to comment!
    Yes keep the pants - they'll look fab with orange or yellow in the spring.
    And I know it's cold, and yucky to slip and slide all the way to work in, but the snow does look so, so pretty!
    Anna

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    1. Sorry you're having comment issues, Anna! I like the idea of orange or yellow with them. Snow looks pretty, but it's a b*tch to live with.

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