Outfit post: A snow-related freak out and a pretty little dress

Holy crap is it cold this morning. The weather forecast is predicting temperatures in the teens. I can feel cold air creeping under our doors, frigid fingers pulling at my wool socks. But it's the icy glare of wind-blown snow that makes me realize just how friggin' cold it really is.

Snow happens every damm winter, even here in Texas, and despite the efforts of the mighty news wanting to make it into a scary terrifying thing, it's not. Trust me. For days, the news has excitedly been airing footage of snow plows being driven into the city in preparation for today's three-inch snow fall. The snow will make for treacherous driving, and an ugly commute, but I assure you that this is not the pre-apocalyptic event sages have been warning us about. 

I love how people stock up for snow as if they're preparing to hunker down in an underground bunker to save themselves from a nuclear attack. People, this is not a Cormac McCarthy novel. Even if you are trapped in your house, you'll only be in there for a couple of days max. And even then, you can trudge out if you really need to. Unless you're living Ted Kazinski-style in a remote cabin in the woods without access to roads or transportation or electricity, you'll be fine. There is no need to bum rush the supermarket and empty its shelves of water and milk and toilet paper (what's up with people hoarding toilet paper before a storm? Is it that bad to wipe your ass of with Kleenex or paper towels for a day?) You know what you should stock up on? Booze, coffee, junk food, cigarettes (if you smoke) and a few frozen dinners in case you need actual nourishment.

Better yet, let me freak out for you, just so you're covered for the rest of winter:

AHHH! WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO? AHHHH! HOW WILL YOU CONTINUE TO LIVE??? YOUR COZY LITTLE HOMES ARE NO MATCH FOR THE APOCALYPTIC FROZEN PRECIPITATION ABOUT TO GENTLY DUST THE EARTH!!!!

I like to sit back and watch all the weather-people slowly go from cautiously restrained, to slightly optimistic, to mostly excited, to overwhelmed with snow-loving glee. Yes, yes, this is their moment. The rare time when you, and you, and you, are hanging onto their every word. You want to know...how much, and for how long, and how bad the snow will be. They'll be out in parkas, and galoshes, amidst all the snow drifts regaling us with stories and tales of snow-related nonsense. They will excitedly show you the meteorological storm guidance tracks. All the "snow bands" and "arctic blasts" flowing in from the West, the North. They will twitch and snicker and make snow jokes. They will feel so important. So very, very important. It is their moment in the sun. The one thing they live for, short of a tsunami hitting Florida. Yes, friends, this is their nirvana.

So yeah, I am a little testy with being stuck in the house with my kids while getting over a sinus infection. Luckily I have a favorite dress to cheer me up, which I strategically layered to keep warm.

Forever 21 denim jacket; hand-me-down See by Chloe dress; Michael Stars long sleeved tee; Hue tights; Frye boots; Nordstrom necklace; Betsey Johnson watch

 

School days, school days; Dear old golden rule days

I spent most of high school years flat broke. On an average day, the only things in my wallet were old ticket stubs, my bus pass, and lint. My free time was spent commuting back and forth from school in Manhattan and my parent's apartment out in the wilds of Queens, leaving little to no opportunity for an after-school job. I did a lot of babysitting, though, which provided money for my morning bagel and coffee, but that was about it.

Thankfully, thrift stores in the city provided a rich plethora for cheap wardrobe opportunities. One of these stores was called Antique Boutique. The store was essentially a slightly more upscale version of Goodwill. Located on East 59th Street, next to Betsey Johnson's flagship store, Antique Boutique sold used button-fly Levi's, flannel shirts, bomber jackets, 1950's beaded cardigans and ancient concert tees. After Saturday's orchestra rehearsal I'll rush to the store with my hoarded money to load up on clothes. I spent hours digging through the racks. Unearthing the perfect pair of jean sent me into a tizzy. I'd return home clutching my bounty, eager to wear my latest find as soon as humanely possible.

On a wintry day during my senior year, I excavated what remains as my all-time favorite piece of clothing - a vintage knee-length, green plaid, Catholic schoolgirl skirt. I do not have the words to express my love for this skirt. It featured all-around pleats, a bright cheery plaid, and fit like a dream. I paired the skirt with button-downs, turtleneck sweaters, cardigans, leggings and knee socks, and my green Doc Martens (hey, it was 1992.) I lived in this skirt. I'm sure I would have felt differently if I'd been forced to attend Catholic school and wear an article of clothing similar to this as my everyday uniform. It was a novelty to me, and I loved it.

Alas, I eventually grew out of this skirt. I donated it to the Salvation Army, and attempted to recover from my loss. It was not easy. If there has been a support group for those traumatized by clothing loss, I would have been a charter member. So imagine my delight when I found almost the exact same skirt, albeit without the pleats, at Old Navy this fall. Like the original, it makes me feel young and flirty and charming. I'm certain it'll get a lot of wear in the years to come.

Old Navy cardigan, button-down, and skirt; Hue tights; Frye boots; Juicy Couture necklace; Betsey Johnson pyramid studs

Because of you I smile

You know those days where from the moment you wake up nothing seems to go right? Like say, for instance, you forget to set your alarm and just happen to wake a mere fifteen minutes before your three children need to get to school? That's the start of a not-so-good day. Or what should have been a brief check-up at the doctor turns into an hour of waiting in the exam room while being held captive to overhearing an animated conversation between the nurses about Glee? OR, you get into an argument with the morons at the gym who had told you your kids could enroll in taekwando while your membership was on hold, and now, three months after they started, the morons tell you they can't? 

That's the kind of week I had.

I was so relieved when Saturday rolled around. Here was a chance to sleep late and engage in activities that were guaranteed to be good for my soul. You know how there are certain things that just make you happy, no matter what?  For me, it's baths. Just the process of choosing a frothy aromatic bubble bath, lighting candles, and pouring myself a glass of wine reduces my stress. Taking a bath is a minimum hour-long activity. I make the water as hot as I can stand and read some trashy novel on my Kindle. Personally, I can't think of a better way to catch up on my reading. Is there a better way to catch up on anything? Hell, I would make dinner in there if I could. I want a full-size portable stovetop for Christmas.


Another thing that makes me feel good is a short flippy skirt. Like this one.

Anthropologie floral blouse (eBay); Anthropologie denim skirt; Gap white tee (under blouse); Hue tights; Frye boots; Urban Outfitters ivory flower studs; Plato's Closet leather bracelet.