I miss my stripes. My tees and t-shirt dresses and loose summer oxfords. So I’ve been hunting for ways to incorporate my favorite pattern into a winter wardrobe. It’s been going.
And some pieces to pick up for yourself!
Trench Coat | Puffer Vest | Turtleneck | Cardigan | Dress | Pullover Sweater | Moto Jacket | Gilet
*images one / two / three / four /five / six / seven / eight / nine
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The boyfiancé and I have this thing for visiting popular seasonal locales in the off-season. An island in the winter, a famous-for-foliage town in the heat of summer. It’s so fun to see these areas without all the crowds of tourists, not to mention without all the jacked-up prices.
We headed over the bridge to the Cape to run some quick wedding errands (two months!!) this weekend, and had the best day strolling the quiet towns.
One of the best things to do in these seasonal towns? Support the businesses that do stay open all year… they are hungry for customers, and most will offer exceptional deals and sales!
Browse an overwhelming collection of used books at Yellow Umbrella Books in Chatham.
Lobster roll at The Impudent Oyster.
Drive up to Coastguard Beach (and dog-watch… they’re the only ones out there!)
Treasure hunt at Bob’s Back Antiques.
Tasty treats + hot soups and sandwiches at Cottage Street Bakery (plus the cutest vintage decor!).
What do you find yourself doing in summer towns during the winter?
post script. Lilly Pulitzer new arrivals + free earrings with any purchase today!!! #bestdayever
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New England winters are a beast. A cruel slap in the face from Mother Nature that forces you to commute in sub-zero temperatures and makes you question daily why you love Boston so much in the first place. ALAS we do love it here, and there is nothing like that first warm day after the storm, so we deal.
I showed you my fall essentials a few months back, so here is the winter version, as promised. The one good thing about these gray and frigid months around here? It’s not as unpredictable and ever changing like fall. You can pretty much guarantee it’s just always going to be cold.
[1] Day Coat ($378):: When I graduated college, my mother told me to ditch the North Face and ratty old peacoat and bought me a beautiful camel coat– much more appropriate for a professional setting. I couldn’t be more grateful for it, has hardly weathered in over four years! (also love this option.)
[2] Long-Sleeve LBD ($40):: Seasons of little black dresses. Here’s your winter version.
[3] Blanket Scarf ($45):: Why are these a somewhat recent trend? How did we manage this long without wearing blankets to work?
[4] Sweater Dress ($228):: It’s a sweater! It’s a dress! It makes bearing your legs slightly more bearable (har har) because you’re so warm on top.
[5] Puffer Vest ($80):: In early fall months, I wear puffer vests in place of a jacket. In winter months, I need them for an added layer under the already-heavy coat!
[6] Boyfriend Jeans ($70):: I looove pulling on comfy, slouchy boyfriend jeans at night in the summer, but I also find them necessary in the winter… because that extra layer of tights or leggings ain’t gonna fit under my skinny jeans!
[7] Hooded Toggle Coat ($60):: A second coat option– this one with a hood for windy days. (here’s another!)
[8] Turtleneck Sweater ($98):: Truth be told I find turtlenecks to be one of the most unflattering articles of clothing, at least on my short frame with my chubby cheeks. But a cozy thick turtleneck sweate is just too warm and comfy to resist.
[9] Fleece-Lined Tights ($30 for two):: Fleece-lined leggings are God’s gift to women. You can’t expect me to wear pants ALL winter long.
[10] Bean Boots ($109-$199):: LifeSAVERS. Can’t remember how I ever made it through Boston winters without these incredibly weather-proof boots. Read my guide here.
[11] Knit Headband ($9):: Because someone explain to me how you wear a hat when your hair is up? Shop handmade ones by Salem Style Crochet here!
What pieces do you get the most use out of in the winter?
Oh HOW much fun did I used to make of my mama for wearing her LL Bean Duck Boots? I thought they were the funniest when I was little. Then I grew up. Moved to New England. And became a convert quicker than you can say “Nor’easter.” These silly things are lifesavers in Boston winters.
I remember getting a lot of questions regarding mine last winter, about which style and insulate I have + recommend, so here’s your cheat sheet::
Rubber Moc:: The tried and true “duck boot.” Not great for snow, but make a good rain bootie when you don’t feel like wearing knee-high wellies.
6-inch:: Truthfully, I like where the 6-inch boots hit my legs a bit more (I’m 5’4 for reference), but in the snow + slush, I’m grateful to have the extra height while walking through some of the bigger snow drifts.
8-inch:: Mah jam. Seen here.
Navy Plaid Puffer Vest, Old Navy | Chambray Shirt, Old Navy | Jeans, H&M | York Design Co. Whale Cuff c/o Ma Petite LuLu | Necklace, J.Crew [similar] | Mini Transport Crossbody, Madewell | Bean Boots + Socks, LL Bean
For the lining? Standard will certainly save you a few bucks, but if you’re wearing these in single-digit winter temperatures like I am for a handful of months each year, you’ll be happy with a little extra lining. Mine have Thinsulate and are plenty warm [I wear extra knobby socks, like these, for super frigid days]. You can also take things a step further with their Thinsulate/Gore-Tex to be sure no moisture seeps in, or Shearling-Lined for serious warmth.
Not sponsored by LL Bean, just a serious fan girl over here.
Do you wear Bean Boots? Which ones do you have?
We spent the second half of our weekend on Nantucket bundled up for exploring the island. I didn’t have the highest hopes for even making it to the East side, where Sankaty Head Lighthouse + the sweet village of ‘Sconset lie, but we fell into some extreme luck + happened to stay at an inn whose owner was in town and all over taking us on a jeep tour around the island, allowing us to see so much more than I expected [another point for the Centerboard Inn!].
[ sankaty head light ]
Built in 1850, this is another oldie! Like Gay Head Lighthouse on Martha’s Vineyard, Sankaty Head is falling victim to erosion; it has already been moved back once [400 feet] from its original location on the eroding bluff. You may be familiar with Cisco Brewers’ Sankaty Light Lager, and this sweet lighthouse is its namesake.
Back closer to town on the North side of the island lies Steps Beach. Despite the wind chills we felt, there was something so calming and beautiful about the snow covering the sand. Almost makes me fall back in love with winter!
[ outfit details ]
Toggle Coat, American Eagle [similar] | Cable Knit Sweater, Old Navy | Cotton Candy Stripe Scarf c/o Shawlsmith London | Jeans, American Eagle | Sunshine Tote, Nantucket Brand | Boots + Socks, LL Bean
My super-soft scarf is from Shawlsmith London, and the lovely folks there are continuing my reader discount and giving you all 25% off your order with code SSL25! This is the best transition scarf for spring– cheery yellow but enough cotton fabric to keep you warm.
Thank you all for bearing with me through this series! May it inspire you to take advantage of the few pretty things about living in New England through the bitter winter. Now let me know, where have you jaunted off to this season?
Not gonna lie, it’s been a stressful month… or two. It has been quite a stressful winter in general actually, and I’ve been in a bit of a tense funk. So when MiniLuxe offered me the opportunity to try out their new MiniFacials, I jumped on the opportunity.
At just 30 minutes in length, they’re not so long that you need to reserve a good chunk of your day [heck, you can squeeze one in during your lunch break!], but are just long enough that you totally kick back for that half hour and unwind in total bliss. Not to mention, have all of that dry, chapped winter skin tended to!
Like I experienced at Drybar, I thought it was so fun to be able to “pick your poison,” if you will: If you’re primping for a big night, go with the “Pre Party Prep” to energize, hydrate, and brighten your face, or if you’re an exhausted pulling-all-nighters student or wild party animal, opt for the “All Nighter” to cool your skin and de-puff. Tons of additional options are available for whatever your skin needs– I myself went with the traditional “Detox Diva” and felt uh-mazing walking out of there.
All MiniFacials include a hand/neck/shoulder massage [hi, my favorite part], as well as vitamin- and nutrient-packet serums and moisturizers. Since they are mini facials, there’s no extracting blackheads or any of that, but isn’t that the least enjoyable part anyway?! For $40, they are the perfect little indulgence. Easily 30 of the best minutes of my month 🙂
MiniFacials are currently available at all MiniLuxe locations except for Brookline. It’s a wonder I haven’t already booked my next one! (or few…)
Full disclosure: I was provided a MiniFacial free of charge. All opinions expressed are genuine and my own.
Shocker: We made time for lighthouses on our trip.
We saw Brant Point Light this past summer, but it was quite possibly even more beautiful under a fresh coat of snow. It was frigid out there on the point, and yet we couldn’t help but stick around for a while… clearly capturing every angle possible…
Toggle Coat, American Eagle [similar] | Crossbody Bag, Madewell | Boots, LL Bean
And then the snow arrived on Nantucket and created the prettiest of winter wonderlands.
[ outfit details ]
Cable Knit Sweater, Polo Ralph Lauren [similar] | Jewel Collar Blouse, J.Crew | Jeans, American Eagle | Get Nauti Clutch c/o Preppy Pink Shop | Monogram Crossbody, Madewell | Rope Bracelet, Kiel James Patrick
Major to-do if you just can’t take the cold anymore: dinner + a movie at Starlight Theater & Cafe— teeny tiny movie theater showing just one film a day, and you can bring your beverage of choice right on in there with ya!
[ travel summary ]
continued…
who:: just BF + me, again.
what:: rotate between seeing all of the sweet, snowy sights + warming up inside with coffee, tea, & adult beverages. don’t feel guilty if you resort to going to the movies because a) nantucket has the cutest movie theaters around, and b) at a certain point, you gotta give into the cold.
when:: this is for winter. if it is above 45 degrees and not precipitating, get the heck outside.
where:: snuggle up + caffeinate yourselves at the bean and petticoat row bakery | eat, drink, and watch a flick at starlight theater & cafe | again, stay at the centerboard inn [ innkeeper lyn serves tea each day at 3pm + it was the perfect escape from the cold! ]
wear:: ok, bundle up a little more this time. and bean boots are especially key.
[ For full who//what//when//where//wear, see last week’s post! ]
Quilted Jacket, Old Navy [extra 20% off with code JUSTFORYOU!] | Charter “Make It A Double” Sweater, Lilly Pulitzer [similar] | Jeans, H&M | Monogram Necklace c/o Onecklace | Navy Crossbody, Forever 21 | Glitter Loafers, J.Crew [similar 1; 2; 3]
Espresso! That is.
We were graced with such an oddly warm weekend… just enough time to grab an iced latte before the sky turned gray, the clouds opened up, the snow/rain began, and back to frigid it was.
I’m really struggling with this whole winter thing lately. Seven years of it apparently doesn’t make you stronger. BF is done with my complaining though– he told me to take a page out of Lilly Pulitzer’s book [is he learning or what?!].
Fellow cold-climate ladies– how do you keep your spirits up in the winter?
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post script. Notice to any of you who have been around for a while:: soanthro.com is finally expiring next week! (RIP.) If you have subscribed to my blog from the early days and want to continue to do so, please be sure that you are following the correct domain via RSS or bloglovin‘. You can also subscribe via email at the bottom of my sidebar! –>
[ Rugby Ruffle Ankle Sock, Free People, $14 ]
This Weekend:
1. Cozy up in a pair of your knobbiest socks with this cup of hot chocolate and stop hating on winter, because remember: these types of activities are unwelcome in the warmer months.
2. Stop by my Free People event in Harvard Square on Saturday! There’s also a Chocolate Festival going on, as if you needed more incentive.
Have a great one you all!
