Outfit Post: Restaurant Week

So last night Josh and I went out to a very nice dinner at a fancy seafood restaurant. We're kind of poor right now, but figured that we should take advantage of it being Madison Restaurant Week. This is a wonderful twice yearly event where numerous local restaurants offer a 3 course dinner for $25. . .and when you're dining at a place that usually charges $25-$40 per entree, this is a great deal!
Also, going out to eat is always a great reason to get dressed up. It is difficult, though, to look chic when it's 5 degrees outside. I solved this problem in part by wearing my wool-lined black leggings instead of tights. Here's the outfit:

Vintage gold dress that I recently altered to fit me (it was about 2 sizes too big) and added the black ribbon waisband and black bowtie.
1950's black cardigan with beading and pearls decorating the front and hem that I purchased in Atlanta over Christmas.
Brand new (to me) boots that I found at a thrift store this weekend. . .  They're brown suede with snakeskin embellishment and gold-capped toes!

XO,

Jess

Weekly Wishlist: Winter White

We got at least a foot of fresh new snow here in Southern Wisconsin yesterday. The temperatures are rapidly dropping and I hear that by tomorrow it will be well below zero degrees. I know there are two or three months of this cold, dark winter still ahead of me. Still, I am finding beauty and inspiration in the in the still, white landscape. 

Today I searched Etsy for lovely items that remind me of Winter in Wisconsin.

The perfect folk cape from Shop Grandma June

Hand Crocheted White Collar Necklace from Call Me Mimi

1950s  fawn boucle wool fur collar coat from Allen Company Inc.

1970s WINTER BLOOM cream plisse dress from Nautie Godiva

Hope you're staying warm and cozy!

XO,

Jess

 

Lust List: Gold

I'm so glad that fashion is cyclical. Lately I've been noticing all of these amazing metallic hues on the runway, in fashion mags, online. . . And I don't think it's just because it's the Holiday Season. No, gold and silver are back in a big, bold way.  From clothing to jewelry and accessories, home decor, even make-up, I just cannot get enough of this decadent shade!

Luckily, I've been able to indulge my obsession with these hues (gold in particular) while shopping for the site. Anytime I see something sparkly out of the corner of my eye, I go for it!  It seems that this color was particularly popular in the 1960's and early 1970's, so I've found some really great pieces from that era.

Need a pick-me-up when the weather's gray and dreary? Wear gold! It'll make you feel like a million bucks.

XO,

Jess

10 things to look forward to this winter. . .

Ok, I'm in a funk. This week, it finally feels like winter has made it to Wisconsin. . . The days are so short (it's dark by 4:30!), there's a bitter chill in the air, and I fear I'm on the verge of the usual "change of seasons" head cold. My mantra is "I'm not getting sick. I'm not getting sick." Having moved here 5 years ago from the Sunny South, I still find Winter a bit fascinating, and I do love actually having 4 seasons (in Georgia there's only 2: hot and not-so-hot). But, still, the feeling of being on the verge of 4 months of bitter cold is a little bit daunting. So, to counter-act the beginning-of-Winter-blues, I've made a list of all the things to look forward to about Winter.

1.     Snow days

2.     Hot toddies, hot buttered rum, hot cocoa, hot cider

3.     Holiday Parties

4.     Wool leggings, wool-lined boots, scarves, fur coats

5.     Eating whatever I want because there are no beach days in sight

6.     Walking/skating across the frozen lake

7.     Fireplaces (ok, our fireplace doesn’t actually work, but I plan on finding a restaurant/coffee shop with one that I can curl up next to)

8.     Sleeping in (because it’s just too cold to get out of bed!)

9.     “Indoor Activities” (i.e. sewing, cooking, crafting. . . )

10.  trip to a cabin in the woods


What are you looking forward to this Winter?

P.s.--I'll leave you with some beautiful Winter-themed photos. . .

                a la New York Times

                          a la W Magazine

XO,
Jess