This is my weekend go-to outfit. I think everyone has something like this. It’s been pretty chilly so yesterday I was on the new front patio trying to grab some sun. This look is some flattering black Zara jeans, a white sweater, (a few sizes left in it at Anthro) which is good for brightening the face, and very old tall shearling Emu boots. (Similar boot here.) My men’s hat from the hardware store in Wengen, Switzerland is nice when I don’t feel like doing my hair and keeps the sun off my face, but adds some winter warmth. Maybe I look like Smokey the Bear, but whatever.
Well we made it through the first official week back from holiday break! Everyone is ready to start fresh, get in shape and purge right? Seems that is about all we are hearing now! I’m moving a bit slower into the new decade. Let’s be kind to ourselves.
A few fun things to start your weekend off…
If you’ve been following my Instagram, you know I’ve been in Hawaii and we just got back. I always find it hard to adjust leaving 84 degree days to go back to cold, even if it is California cold! It seemed extra chilly this week and so I’ve had my eye on a new puffer jacket before they are all gone and while sales are on. I found this great brand, Save the Duck, at Neiman’s and they have many cute styles- all marked down now and all have a special proprietary fill that is feather free and made of a unique polyester. I love this long version and also the lovely colors of this short raised collar style..
Taller ankle boots are the other thing winter thing I have wanted to add to my closet before spring comes. This Steve Madden number has the look I want and the Vince Camuto version is also good in whiskey brown and several other colors. This height of boot is just so cool with longer skirts and dresses and those bootcut jeans! I’m also digging this suede style in dark green which is on sale.
One thing I do plan to do this weekend is clean out the old makeup drawer. I am overdue to throw out the used up, dried out and items that didn’t work out. I like the idea of starting out with less, making the daily routine more basic and using minimal makeup. I liked this article on The Telegraph about all the natural makeup looks at The Golden Globes last Sunday.
For more tips and to pretty up in the new decade, Hannah Martin has one of the best Instagrams to follow. I love her makeup tutorials and I have learned so much from this cute Brit.
Hannah has gotten me hooked on the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Mood Exposure. It’s a nice mix of a bronzer/blush/highlighter.
Are you into any good books right now? Please share in the comments. I always like something to help the reset of a new year and I am about to start Notes on a Nervous Planet, which looks like a way to start the decade with perspective. Author Matt Haig’s Instagram is also refreshing.
If you need some escape and cooking ideas, you can travel through the alps in Alpine Cooking, a travelogue of the Alpine ski regions of Switzerland, Austria, France and Italy. Having spent some time in the Berner-Oberland area of Switzerland, and fallen in love with their food and views, I was excited to find this. It’s filled with dream hotels and yummy dishes. Many places to add to the travel bucket list here. A great book for anyone with an affinity for the alpine lifestyle and food, and apres-ski! I’ve spent a few hours with it already and it is one of the best done books with gorgeous photos, recipes and is packed with travel info and inspiration.
Lastly, Sanditon, Jane Austen’s final and unfinished novel comes to television this Sunday night in an eight episode Masterpiece series. I’m a huge Jane fan, but know nothing about this novel from which the screenplay was adapted. If this trailer is any indication, it’s going to be excellent. Sanditon features Jane Austen’s first character of color, a West Indian heiress named Georgiana Lambe. Isn’t winter great for binging on shows? It helps me get through all these long dark evenings.
Have a good weekend friends. I’ll be working on my Hawaii post, so stay tuned. Hope you can catch a few winter sun beams!
P.S. My hat is called a Rambler and there are similar hats –one at Anthro here and also here at REI.
Kim
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Welcome back Kim! Loved your photos of Hawaii can’t wait to read your post (the temps here have been in the 20’s with lots of new snow!) I am going to order the Alpine Cooking book it looks like it has loads of info – not just recipes- that I know I will enjoy. We skied in Kitzbuhel many years ago when my husband worked at Any Mountain. We both loved the Alps. I just finished reading a book written by a local author Eddy Starr Ancinas about Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows from the time before the 1960 Olympics and the development of the two valleys up to current day. It includes the 1982 earthquake (my girlfriend’s husband was one of the people killed). Eddy writes about the plans for the coming years for this area so as someone who enjoys Tahoe you might be interested in reading her book Squaw Valley & Alpine Meadows Tales from Two Valleys.
Hi Lisa, Happy New Year and thank you for the note about this book. It sounds like something I have to check out. I grew up spending winters and summers in Lake Tahoe and that area and its history has always fascinated me, especially the whole story leading up to the 1960 Olympics. Thank you. I am checking it out today. How wonderful to have skied in Kitzbuhel! I still haven’t skied in Europe, just spent the summer there in the alps, but I am hoping one day. I think you will really love this book. I wish I had more hours in the day to delve into it. Thank you!
You don’t look like Smokey the Bear! You look adorable! I LOVE Jane Austin. I am so glad to hear this. Masterpiece usually doesn’t miss! That hourglass blush is really highly rated. Thanks for all the great suggestions. Fab post as always!!
Thanks Cindy! LOL. Happy weekend! xo
I ADORE HANNAH!!!!!!
SANDRA got me hooked on HER…………
YOU know she did a ROYAL WEDDING…………..not MEGHAN but the one AFTER THAT!
ITS FREEZING!I turn the heat on than off as it’s too HOT then ON………….its an on going ACTION HERE!
Love your front yard!
WE are off to CIRQUE DE SOLIEL tonight!!!
XX
Elizabeth I found her thanks to you. I agree too hot, then too cold in our house as well. I guess we cannot complain, I heard it’s pretty bad everywhere else! The yard is still a work in progress, but plants are growing and lots of birds and butterflies and no grass or fertilizer, and all organic out there.Enjoy your show. xo
Hi Kim,
Yes, Hannah Martin is fabulous. She used to be the Bobbi Brown makeup artist. As per The Contessa, she did the makeup on Kate Middleton for The Wedding. She also did Princess Eugenies’s makeup for her wedding.
I really enjoyed Jojo Moyes The Giver of Stars. Great story telling. I found I couldn’t wait to read it.
Not so cold down here in LA. Sweatshirt and sweatpants. Don’t tell Elizabeth. She would be horrified.
Sandra, I think I found Hannah through Contessa, so possibly thanks to you! I didn’t know she did THE WEDDING, wow. Thank you for the book recommendation! It sounds great. I have been in a new pair of Ugg sweats and loving them! Elizabeth would be so disappointed in us.:P
Bryn Walker not BE‼️
Yes I AM!!!!
Where is that BE Cotton Fleece???
LOL! I knew it..
Love the hat! Smokey the Bear never looked this chic! I’ve been reading just totally fun mysteries. And yes to being extra good to ourselves in 2020!!
Dawn, thank you. LOL! Mysteries sound like good escape now! xo
You look lovely. I love the hat! And I love that Save the Duck coat in rose. Gorgeous. I was a big Canada Goose fan but they’ve been called out for less-than-noble treatment of animals so I feel the need to atone. I loved Notes on a Nervous Planet (and his first memoir, Reasons to Stay Alive.) It’s a good read. I’m reading Kiley Reid’s Such a Fun Age. It’s enjoyable, thought-provoking, and a page turner. I plan to watch Sanditon too. Winter was made for binging (we are having some kind of ice rain storm today so I’m trying to avoid going outside!)
Jen you are kind. I know I love the Save the Duck brand. We don’t even think about the cruelty in down, I mean it’s rarely brought up as much as fur. Glad you liked that book. I just heard about Such a Fun Age, and that looks great. Gee ice rain? Stay cozy Jen.
I almost bought a very similar hat but didn’t because I get so self-conscious wearing hats although I don’t mind wearing beanies. The puffer jackets look nice and I love the colours.
Lorna, I know what you mean about hats. They take some confidence, but after I get used to having one on I kind of forget about it! My son has even said to me, “Mom you look so extra.’ :/ Love those puffer colors so much!
Kim, I love your hat! I also love Smokey the Bear lol, I used to have a stuffed Smokey the Bear when I was small and loved it for many years. I just finished reading “When Life Gives You Pears” by Jeannie Gaffigan, the wife of comedian Jim Gaffigan. She had a brain tumor and it is mostly about her surgery and recovery. I did not find it depressing and it is mostly about her diagnosis, surgery and the way that her family and friends came together to help her. Happy New Year!!
Kelley how cute you had a Smokey! Sweet. I will look for that book. I love Jim and just watched his last show. I didn’t know his wife was a writer! Thank you. Sounds inspiring. Happy New Year! xo
You look adorable! I ordered the Zara jeans … hard to believe but it’s my first ever Zara purchase. I love this time of year in NoCa when we can wear cozy winter clothes but its rarely too cold. I appreciate the book recommendation and I have one for you. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. Full disclosure, I’m recommending a recommendation. It’s on my night stand but haven’t yet read it. Becca of the Bad on Paper podcast says she rereads it every January as a way to get her creative juices flowing. xo
Juliet, I hope you like the Zara jeans! Let me know. Yes we are lucky to be able to dress in sweaters and boots, but it’s about all we need too. Thank you so much for the kind words and the book recommendation! I am off to check it out. I love to read something to start the year off right. xx