Winter Where?

I have to admit I have been pretty excited that we have had such a mild winter in the Pacific Northwest this year. Me and cold just don't get along. I love the beauty of snow, but only from the comforts of being inside with a fire blazing.

Winter clothing is always a struggle for me. I love bulky sweaters, but don't always like the way they look on me. Layering makes me feel immense and it is so uncomfortable to try to get a coat on over a heavy sweater. It makes me sad that my favorite heels have to go on hiatus for months and that if I want to wear dresses or skirts I am confined to tights to stay warm. But in this post I embraced the thick knit sweater and tights and guess what?... I liked it!

Everything I am wearing is very old! See below pictures for similar items from the stores that I got mine.

Skirt: Ruche

Sweater: American Eagle

Boots: Blowfish
Photo Credit: Thank you, Delaney Vanderford

Escape From The Internet Time Warp

With the holidays fast approaching I am finding it difficult to post on my blog as readily as I would like. Scouring the Internet for perfect gifts have completely consumed me. I get lost in the web time warp where hours feel like minutes and days just whiz by. This week, Delaney and I took a quick trip out of the house to do some shopping in downtown Gig Harbor. There are so many cute stores downtown, but we didn't have time to hit them all. Below are the four that we did.

Tickled Pink - You could get completely lost in this store with all that it has to offer. They carry so many girly gift options from jewelry to yummy smelling soaps to journals to scarves to you name it!

Sariah Spices & Teas - The owner of this spice and tea shop does a fabulous job of making you feel welcome. She offers spices and teas in bulk and even has spice blends that are excellent for rubs. The spices, herbs and teas are all certified organic and many are certified fair trade from the producer. 

The Weathered Cottage - I could spend hours in The Weathered Cottage looking at all of their goodies. It is a beautifully designed and merchandised gift shop filled to the brim with so many pretty items. My favorite part of the store is their affordable refurbished furniture. I want it all!

Heritage Distillery Company, Inc. - Heritage Distillery Company, Inc., known as HDC by the locals in Gig Harbor makes hand-crafted, small batch spirits that meet the highest of standards. HDC works directly with their farmers that grow the grain and they ensure that the water they use comes from a pure source. I love the pleasing aesthetics of their downtown location with the beautifully crafted bar where you can sample the goods. They also sell a make your own whiskey kit that comes with two bottles of your choice of unaged spirits (Bourbon, Rye, or Single Malt) a two liter barrel, and instructions. I don't normally get so excited about hard liquor, but this place makes me all giddy and warm inside.

This is definitely my "I'm going shopping!" goofy grin.

Blouse: H&M (similar)  Skirt: ASTR from Nordstrom  Jacket: Express (similar) Shoes: Vince Camuto from Nordstrom  Necklace: House of Harlow (only black and gold available)  Watch: Fossil 

Photo Credit: Thank you, Delaney Vanderford

It's An Eeyore Kind Of Day

Today has been a very dark, gloomy, rainy day in the Pacific Northwest. Oh, bother. Very typical for this time of year, so no real shocker! What a perfect day to show off my new Hunter rain boots from Nordstrom. It usually doesn't matter to me if I am wearing a certain brand of something, but a long time ago I saw a picture in a magazine of a pair of bright yellow Hunter rain boots and I have wanted a pair ever since. It took me about three years to finally get these and it was a great sale at Nordstrom that really pushed me over the edge to buy them. They are not the bright yellow I have obsessed over for years, but the burgundy is a perfect compromise since it will go with almost everything.

Have you ever been infatuated with a certain fashion item and then stalked it for years before actually taking the plunge to buy it? I did the same thing with UGG® boots. You and I, we are not so different you see?

Boots: Hunter (no longer on sale, sorry)  Sweatshirt Dress: H&M (similar)  Cargo Jacket: Ecote from Urban Outfitters (similar, similar)  Scarf: Nordstrom BP  Watch: Michael Kors (similar)  Midi Ring: Nordstrom (no longer available on-line)  Circle Ring: Sole Society

Photo Credit: Thank you, Shannon Vanderford

Linus

I am cold almost all of the time. In the fall, winter, and spring months in Western Washington you will either find me hunched in front of a floor heater or wrapped in blankets. I have embarrassed my family on several occasions with my fuzzy, fleece blanket in tow going to see a movie. That is why I was thrilled to find the below blanket cape at Nordstrom! Needless to say, my Linus heart was all a twitter. Now I can have the security and warmth of my blanket, but be fashionably acceptable out in public. Maybe for extra warmth I should consider pants next time!? :)   

Blanket Cape: Eleven Paris from Nordstrom (found in store, like this one too)  Sweater: The Limited (old, similar)  Skirt: Mimi Chica from Nordstrom (no longer available, similar)  Boots: BP Nordstrom (now available at Nordstrom Rack)  Handbag: Michael Kors (no longer available)

Holiday Plaid

Pants: Old Navy (in store)  Shirt: Old Navy (in store)  Shoes: Dolce Vita (no longer available, like these)  Infinity Scarf: Nordstrom

To Tulle Or Not To Tulle

Here's the second photo shoot of that crazy, cold windy day that I told you about in my Sunny Is Deceiving post. I had this bright idea to wear my full length tulle skirt and play around with a scarf in the wind. Let's just say that the wind does not always blow the way you want it!

I love simple black and white for the holidays and this outfit is definitely one that I would wear to a more formal gathering. The addition of the sequin jacket was Delaney's idea and it was a great suggestion. I love tulle and sometimes worry that others may not deem it proper for an over forty-year old to wear, but this full length one is very classy and sophisticated no matter what the age. Who am I kidding? I would wear a fluffy, short one too.

I have started a Holiday Attire Pinterest Board and I will be pinning my favorite holiday looks for men and women, so go check it out! Somebody please go and buy this ASTR gold romper from Nordstrom (on sale!). If you won't I will, even if I do not have an event for it. I may look a wee bit overdressed sitting on the couch watching Jingle All The Way and Elf eating my popcorn and peanut M&M's, but I won't care.

Skirt: Shabby Apple (shorter version, similar)  Shirt: Victoria's Secret (similar)  Sequin Jacket: Fire from BP Nordstrom (similar)  Shoes: Sole Society (like these)  Bracelets: Old (like this one & this one)

Photo Credit: Thank you, Delaney Vanderford