Dressing for Winter

If there's one thing I 've learned about living in the northeast, it's how to dress warmly.

But it took me awhile to get there.

Actually, it took living in NYC ten years ago, where I had to walk everywhere in the elements, and then getting a dog that I have to walk every single day, to convince me.

Everyday I see people dressed poorly in the snowy, twenty degree weather here. They stand shivering and complaining how F***ing cold it is.

They are usually wearing some kind of a fall trench coat, or a measly denim or leather jacket with shoes that the snow soaks right through.

And I want to shout at them-- HELLO!


Are you a transplant from Florida or California? Because if not and you've lived here your whole life or the last few years, get some winter clothes on already!


All you need are weatherproof boots, a good down or wool coat and the most important thing, besides a scarf and gloves?

A good knit or wool HAT!


It's true that heat escapes through your head. So wearing a hat makes you feel ten times warmer! I don't care if it musses up your hair, put a darn hat on already!


You will rarely see me without a hat in the winter months and I've got quite a collection going.

Here are some of my favorite styles:

winter hats by real style real people featuring Monsoon accessories

Just experiment with a few styles. You'll find one that flatters you. Most of mine have come from the kids department because I just happen to have a small head! :D

Texting Gloves...

...or in my case, iPhone gloves.

I purchased these this week after being aggravated for the umpteenth time that my iPhone doesn't work with gloved fingers--ARGHHH!!! Many a missed calls I had while clumsily pulling off my gloves and then going for my phone!

See the cute little button (on the finger and thumb) to hold the material back so you can do as you please? if you get cold, just undo the button and put the material back in place.

So 'natch, I figured they'd make a great practical gift for others on my list--and yours as well? They are available at Target for under ten bucks in several colors.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND AND GET THE REST OF YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING DONE!

I am crossing my fingers that my new URL finally takes effect this weekend!

The Perfect Combo...

...my love of BOOKS and STYLE melded together!

The recycled book purse: $34 --FABULOUS!

From Zatie on Etsy!

Faeries and Pixie Dust

On a recent trip to the bookstore (one of my favorite places on earth), I got lost, as I always do, checking out all the latest best-sellers, and then made my way to the young adult section to check out my future competition (HA!) if my pipe dream of becoming published ever comes true.

There were lots of interesting looking books out there, certainly lots of vampire books and Faery books. The one below, had such a gorgeous cover (it is for middle grade readers) and it got me thinking about ethereal worlds and why they're so appealing to me.


Maybe it has to do with the whisper of a magical land that promises to enchant and surprise you. Although I have to admit that is probably directly opposite of the book I've written- but it still has a similar intrigue and mystery to it.

photot credit : (godboxcafe.com)

Much like the pieces below add some whismy to an outfit. The flowy fabrics and accessories dotted with irridescent crystals and flowers make you believe woodland creatures may appear any moment around the corner.

Maybe that's why I am so drawn to those kinds of skirts and dresses (besides the fact that they flow nicely over any curves)-but for me, instead of woodland creatures the Big Bad Wolf (or maybe a random zombie) would appear in my woodlands! Ha Ha!

ethereal by real style real people featuring Forever21

The Top Ten Reasons Why I Love Target

I have a confession to make: I am a die hard Target shopper. If a couple of weeks go by without a visit, I begin having the shakes. I need my fix. Now this may be because I have two of them within a mile of my house, but I doubt it. I know there are die hard Wal-Mart lovers out there, so don’t hate me. I just love Target….more! So, in tribute to my love affair I have decided to share MY TOP TEN REASONS:

1. The dollar aisle. Oh how it woos me. This was especially important to me when I was a teacher. But now, still, it’s amazing what I find. Little trinkets for every holiday and little toys for every child on my radar.
2. The designer clothing collaborations. I know, everyone has them -the Wal-Mart’s, and the JcPenney’s. But the Target brand has the uncanny ability to bring edgier designers to them and that’s just plain cool. Alexander McQueen, anyone?
3. The shoe department. They carry rows of hip and affordable trendy shoes. You can find any trend there from ballet flats to gladiator sandals to cagey heels.
4. The kids clothing section. I can stock up on basics, like tees in various colors, or trendier jeans and shorts, all for somewhere between $5-$10 per item. The girls section blows the boys section away as far as the cuteness factor goes- but that’s in every store! Where kid’s clothes are concerned- girls rule and boys drool!
5. One stop shopping. There is a reason why I hear from countless people that they can’t leave Target without blowing $100 a pop. Clothes, shoes, patio and garden, house wares, groceries, books, movies, DVDs, need I say more?
6. The generic target brand. It rocks. I buy Target mopping cloths, baby wipes, and fragrance discs, to name a few.
7. Deals on name brand items. I shop for items I know are cheaper there than the grocery store, like diapers and certain frozen food. I hear the same from friends.
8. The store’s ambiance, organization and presentation. It draws you in! I just feel happy shopping there! Maybe they pump oxygen through the vents like in Vegas. I know, it’s just a myth, or is it?
9. The checkout lines. I can count on my one hand how many times I had to stand there for longer than five minutes. And it doesn’t seem to matter which store I’m in. They all seem to be speedy.
10. Clean bathrooms. Hey, if I’m going to stop at the Starbucks counter inside your snazzy store and then down a Grande, there had better be a bathroom around! Across the board, bathrooms always seem to be clean and smell good!

Target, I salute you! Please don’t ever change or leave!