Comfy

Coffee? Check 

Books? Check

Comfy clothing? Check

Socks? Check. Double points if they are cute.

I am set.

 

This is my favorite way to spend the holiday season when my daughter is with her dad. 

   Looks like my dog has adapted those habits as well.

 Sweater - Target (Kids section!)

Leggings - Rachel Pally

Socks - Target

Dog - Melly 

Back to Basics: Uniform

I think I may have found a go-to uniform to survive the milder days of winter -- it is just a coincidence that it is head to toe J.Crew...Really love their boy shirts.

Shirt - J.Crew Boy Shirt in Soft Lilac Colorblock Oxford

Pants - J.Crew Minnie in black twill (regular sizing)

Shoes - J.Crew

Necklace - J.Crew bow necklace

Coat - J.Crew Stadium-Cloth Duffle Coat in Navy

 

Christmas

Merry (belated) Christmas!

 

It's not often that it is acceptable to wear red dress without raising some eyebrows, but since it's CHRSITMAS...I figured it has to be one of the acceptable occasions.

 So...voila!

Dress - ASOS

Shoes - Manolo Blahnik BBs in Copper

Green and White

My daughter's daycare had a holiday pageant tonight, so I had to wear something somewhat more presentable than the jeans and sweatshirt that I like to hibernate in now that the temperatures are dropping fast (snow in the horizon!) 

Shirt - Forever21 (it is an emerald green, but the lighting in the photos is making it look teal/blue)

Pants - BCBG

Coat - Coffeeshop by Nordstrom

Belt - Ann Taylor

Shoes - Sam Edelman booties, later changed to J.Crew Valentina Pumps in Dusty Jade

As I reached for a shirt, I remembered seeing something on Facebook about how green and white are Sandy Hook Elementary School's colors, and to wear it in honor of all who have passed.

I am a mother in Connecticut whose child will be enrolled in school next year....one can't help but imagine, what if it happened to us?

Seeing the photos of the children who were victims of this senseless act was the most heart-wrenching of all...all their sweet faces, all those bright futures...extinguished in an instance.

I went for Mass one Sunday a while back, and during the service, the deacon touched upon how James and John asked Jesus to let them sit on His right and left hand in His Kingdom.
And Jesus replied To sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but [it is for those] for whom it is prepared by My Father.

The deacon went on to philosophize about how perhaps it is the children whose life was ended too soon who were given the honor of sitting next to Jesus. And somehow, that thought is comforting.

Because despite the tragedy that has struck, and despite the horrific fact that all of these children...babies, really, were slaughtered in cold blood...To know that they have gone back to God, and are now in a safe place where there's no fear, nor sorrow, nor pain...that thought, provides some comfort.

To those who are suffering through the pain of  this tragedy, the thoughts and prayers of millions are with you.

J.Crew Stadium-Cloth Duffle Coat - Review

There's lots of talk about how this winter is going to SUCK.

And being the born-and-raised-in-the-tropics kinda girl, I don't like the cold. 

 I like the coats, but I don't like the cold.

I've been eyeing several coats at J.Crew but have given myself a stern talking to about not buying any until they reach a certain price point. One of them was the Stadium-Cloth Duffle Coat in Navy

A few weeks ago, it was placed on sale and there was an additional 30% off on top of it. I bit the bullet. (good thing too, because it was reverted back to full price after that week and still is right now)

 

Touted to be one of their warmest wool coat:

"Crafted in our stadium-cloth—a compact, high-density wool that adds tremendous warmth without the bulk, inspired by old-school stadium blankets and made just for us by Italy's famed Nello Gori mill."

It has withstand quite well in the past few weeks, when I'd be outside wearing only a thin layer under the coat. (temps were not ridiculously cold though - no lower than the 30s) I'm unsure if it is warmer than a puffer, necessarily, but it definitely looks a lot sleeker. But it definitely feels warmer than my other wool coats (Factory Peacoat and Factory Lady Day Coat).

The pockets are fantastically huge, allowing me to put my wallet, cellphone and keys into it when I'm running out for a quick errand and am too lazy to lug around my bag.

Another plus is that I think it goes with both jeans AND skirts -- the Lady Day coat is too fussy/dressed up for me to like to wear with jeans. 

And I absolutely LOVE the burst of color that comes from the neon striped piping...It's like a dose of cheer in the middle of the gloom that are the winter months.

 

I took a size 0, which is my normal size

Will still be looking out for the Wintress Puffer to go on sale though, for those REALLY cold days.

Back to Basics - J.Crew Classic

Ever had one of those days where you don't remember whether you've turned off the heater/curling iron/stove/other items that will potentially burn your house down?

Had one of those this week. Of course, the heater/curling iron/stove/other always is turned off. Which makes the journey back to the house all the more annoying, and unnecessary. But better safe than sorry.

Turtleneck - Forever21

Skirt - J.Crew No.2 Double-Serge Wool in Spicy Gold

Tights - Target (I think...)

Booties - Sam Edelman

Necklace - J.Crew

This is what I call the quintessential J.Crew look - one of my favorites, actually. Classic, with a subtle edge from the statement necklace; demure and covered up, but with subtle...enticing qualities. =)

The skirt is from this year's Fall release -- I feel like the cut this year (or perhaps it's just for this color, or perhaps it's just MY particular skirt -- who knows, with the quality issues that J.Crew has) is slightly more constricting -- I have to take smaller steps because, well...the skirt kinda restricts normal/large strides. The fabric feels thinner as well. 

But the overall cut is still superb for my body type. Still a staple. And still lusting after the Vivid Jade. I far prefer the wool versus the cotton version. 

And because I find it amusing to see the amount of lip products that accumulates in my bag...here's a shot of what currently is in my Cerf tote:

 

Wearing Korres Mango Butter Lipstick in Natural Pink, which basically gives a nude/neutral lip

Cold Essentials

Now that it is December, it is inevitable that the cold and flu bugs will start knocking on your doors.
May as well be prepared for it with some things that will make it all a little more comfortable

Flu Essentials by bagfashionista83

1) Start with nice pajamas...I have been lusting over J Crew's vintage sleepwear in Navy for awhile now, but have never taken the plunge because I was always distracted by something else. So regrets I had, when I battled the darn cold dressed in my old Juicy sweats and random free t-shirts that I have lying around the house.

2) And bring a little cheer to endless trips to the sink (to hack up the phlegm) by slipping into childish but adorable slippers. I personally have the raccoon versions, but the pigs were a close contender.

3) Soft tissues are a must, considering that even the softest tissues will feel like sandpaper on your poor nose after going through a whole box of them in a day. I find that Puffs is my favorite brand of tissue paper. Their adorable commercials make them even more of a favorite.

4) Whimsical mugs to sip your hot tea, hot coffee, hot chocolate...hot toddy....

5) The air gets ri-dun-ku-lously dry at night. Humidifiers are a godsend to battle the dryness. Bought the elephant version for my daughter years ago...this is a new (more expensive) one

5) Good reads to pass the time away. I've never been much of a TV person -- if not for my daughter, I won't even have cable. Currently loving the gorgeous cover art of Mr. Boddington's Penguin Classics, Jane Eyre

6) And if possible, always have a soft, comfy, welcoming bed. Restoration Hardware's furniture are fantastic and the Empire Rosette Sleigh Bed is a dream come true.

Purple and Coral and Grey and Brown...Do These Even GO Together?

Apparently, having the flu does not just rob one of her sense of smell, but also her sense of color coordination...

Shirt - J.Crew Boy Shirt in Neon Lavender Gingham

Sweater - Uniqlo

Skirt - J.Crew Factory Wool No.2 Pencil Skirt

Tights - Gap

Boots - DV by Dolce Vita

Wrist candy - Club Monaco, Forever21, Timex

To be fair, I wanted to wear a burgundy pencil skirt, but here's something of interest to note for anyone considering their No.2 skirts --- J.Crew's No.2 Pencil Skirt in twill runs a tad smaller than their double-serge wool versions, and the twill version is awful for riding and bunching up when you pair it with tights. They both wrinkle after sitting in an office chair for the whole day.

Back to Basics - Blazers

Blazers and jackets are probably one of my most favorite categories of apparel.
There's just something about it that instantly makes an outfit more polished.

And after spending the first 2 days of this week sniffling around in my old Juicy sweatpants from the flu, it is amazing how much better I feel just from getting dressed properly

  

Sweater - Forever21

Jeans - Forever21

Jacket - J.Crew Tipped Hacking Jacket in Navy

Boots - bought from Marshalls

Necklace - J.Crew bow necklace, doubled up

Wearing - Revlon Lip Butter in Cherry Tart