playing dress up

Winter could also be dubbed elastic pant season.  At least for me.  Tell me I’m not alone in that admission.  Monday runs into Tuesday and Tuesday into Wednesday, all while sporting thick sweats or yoga pants (on a good day), usually paint covered and topped with some sort of crazy cat lady house coat.  The joys of working from home in a vacation community in the dead of winter warrant cat lady wardrobe status.  As soon as the season changes and I find my style senses again, please dismiss that image.  Until then, picture my XL men’s flannel and paint sweats topped with a Waldo-like beanie.

Now that you have that visual, let me tell you about what I’m working on.  I’ve got a number of pieces in the hopper in various European colors  including a secretary in Arabesque, a nightstand in Layla’s mint and a Marzipan/Schloss layered drum table, to name a few.  I can’t wait to get them finished up, photographed and posted.  The pretty pastels all hint at spring.

European colors

In the meantime, I did a little window shopping.  Clearly I’m dreaming of warmer days when I will remove some layers, wear proper wasted pants and bare a little skin again.  Eliza J dresses are modern but with a hint of vintage style which is exactly what I like.  I found a fantastic range of new dresses that correlate to the new European colors in Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint line.  I never stray far from paint and I thought this was a fun way to translate the new colors…

Eliza J

“Arabesque” is definitely a feminine, soft ballet pink just like the skirt on the right.  I’d say the skirt has a shimmer of “white wax” to it as well.

I wouldn’t mind wearing this “Schloss” faux fur now in lieu of my flannel.  Definitely no need to wait ’til spring for that greige number.  Both Schloss and the jacket are equal parts gray and brown and a bit of a chameleon depending on the surroundings.

“Marzipan” is incredibly creamy and flowy.  It is light and breezy just like this gown.  Not quite white, though I wouldn’t wear it to a wedding.

“Mora” is definitely my favorite and so is this lace dress.  That sheath really captures the spirit of the new paint color which is a light silvery gray with more than a hint of blue.  This one changes a bit with the lighting.

“Bergere” is kind of smokey blue.  Well maybe not smokey but definitely not sky blue either.  It is as if light blue has a gray finish to it similar to that flirty little dress.

“Layla’s Mint” is the final new color in the line.  I can’t quite put my finger on a description for that one nor could I find a dress to relate to it.  Stay tuned.

Please feel free to come to our next Milk Paint Demonstration on Saturday, February 27th at noon at Serendipity Shops.  Unfortunately I will not be wearing one of these elegant Eliza J dresses but you can check out the lookbook here.  Nor will I be wearing a house coat and elastic pants.  Thank goodness.

spring paisley

I can feel it.  That sense that spring is just around the corner.  The air is still cold but not as bitter.  The sun is lingering longer each day.

Parting of the clouds

We’re already soaking it up as much as possible.

Late Winter in Cape May

Taking quick trips to the beach and bike rides around the block.  Watching the birds.  Oh it’s going to be a glorious spring!

Is it spring yet

This subtle change in the weather has me so over my winter wardrobe.  It is dreary and frumpy.  I’m ready to inject some spring color!  I came across this beautiful teal pashmina from Spiegel to pair with my favorite vintage jacket.

Late Winter in Cape May

I ordered it from their website and it arrived quickly, in just a few days.  I was not only impressed by the quick turnaround but also by the size and quality considering the low price – just $18. In fact, I loved all of the scarves but ultimately settled on the teal teardrop paisley one because the paisley pattern resembles my Circa Dee logo, don’t you think?  I love it!

Paisley Teardrop Tapestry Pashmina

You’ve heard of Spiegel, right?  The catalog company has been around for 100 years!  I had no idea.  While my new scarf is gorgeous and all, I was probably more drawn to the company’s history on their website which features the iconic vintage catalog covers.  The ones from the 1940’s are my favorite for sure.  I’m always drawn to images and memorabilia from WWII era.  Which year’s Spiegel catalog cover is your favorite?Spiegel 20s

Spiegel 40s and 50s Spiegel 60s-70sSpiegel 80s

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post but all opinions and beach frolicking are my own.  I truly love my new Spiegel scarf!  #lovespiegel

P.S.  Don’t forget…

Feb demo

love story

We watched another great, classic movie.  Much like “It’s a Wonderful Life”, “Love Story” is filled with life lessons related to love.  This time of the romantic flavor.  And a bit more modern.

Love-Story

Wintry New England is the backdrop making this feel like it could almost be a holiday movie.  Plus it was released in theaters in December 1970 adding to the holiday vibe.

I can’t help but wish I went to Harvard after watching this movie.  Not for the obvious scholastic reasons.  Just because.

love story

Although I own the DVD, I’ve only watched this movie once previously.  I remember being so stunned by the end that I just tucked it away feeling sad.  I think most people know what happens.  Except, well, I didn’t.

Although the movie takes place in 1970, Jenny Cavalleri could easily walk into 2013.  Her style is fabulous and nearly timeless.  Her wardrobe might just be the real love story for me. 

love story

The over sized lapels on this camel coat get me every time.

love story

Nerd chic glasses.  Yes, please!

love story

The knit hat.

love story

And let’s not forget about Oliver Barrett’s rich boy style.  Cable knits, blazers and, is that Burberry?  I sure do think that is the exact same reversible Burberry trench that I scored a few months ago.

love story

Yep, here it is reversed.  I am always researching…

love story

Did I mention that coat was much too big for me so I decided to sell it after all?  Which now makes total sense.  It must be a man’s.  Maybe I should re-brand it the Love Story Burberry jacket. 

Ahh, I sure do love settling in with an old movie on these chilly December nights…”Love means never having to say you’re sorry.”

love story