A new favorite in my wardrobe. . . . .

Nothing beats cozying up in a cashmere sweater on a
 cool day. . . . . . or a chilly evening.
 Does it?

This is my recently acquired sweater for fall/winter of 2020, and actually

 my birthday gift from Bob.

Above you can see the horseshoe cable design better on the lighter shade, 

below is the same sweater in black which I chose.

It is gorgeous! 

Ticked all the boxes for me, plus I managed to grab it during a sale!

Note: Although described as a 'tunic sweater' I would call it more just a

longer length, but not a tunic which usually comes further down the thighs.

I'm tall and for me this length is perfect.

Luxurious, slightly heavier textured, pure cashmere.

Well constructed and finished.

Roomy but not baggy.
Funnel neck - so much more comfortable than a turn over

 turtleneck - which is often too warm here in the south - and

looks best with my now much shorter hair.

Longer length - can be worn with pants and skirts.

Sleeves also a great length, I often can't find those.

So soft and cozy.

Cabled funnel neck cashmere from Garnet Hill

This is not an ad for Garnet Hill, however I have purchased several sweaters,

both cashmere and alpaca, over the past years from this New Hampshire company.

All have been great. Being a small company, they have always had excellent 

customer service.  

If this sweater goes on sale again, I may just buy another color . . . . . and then

 move somewhere with a cooler climate so I can wear it every day!

Are you buying a new sweater for the winter days ahead?

Next, I'll be searching for a new, perfect for me, robe.

A perfect Christmas gift and certain to be worn a lot this winter

with more time at home.

This may be difficult as I do not like heavy, bulky robes which

make me feel just that - heavy and bulky! I'm already dealing

with a few extra COVID pounds, how about you?

It also has to be the right length, long but not too long so I trip 

on it going up and down the stairs.

Fleece is fun but only if a thin, lightweight version.

Flannel is comfortable but looks somewhat wrinkled after lounging.

Velour can be perfect and comes in gorgeous colors.

I like a shawl collar, deep pockets, substantial tie belt - definitely

 with belt loops - that doesn't end up like a twisted rope, and

 makes me feel like a sack of North Carolina sweet potatoes!

Here's to a new week - let's make it a good one.

What to wear in the Arctic blast. . . . . . . . . .

 The Snood: In terms of fashion trends, a snood is basically a tubular scarf, 
like a large cowl. It differs from an infinity scarf in that it sits higher on the neck
 and can also act as a hood.

I'm prepared for New Year's Eve - this one forecast to be
 the second coldest on record here - with a ton of warm clothing
 including this amazingly lovely snood, for the trip downtown tonight.

This was my fabulous Christmas gift knitted so beautifully, and then sent across
 the pond from England, by my dear friend Ruth. This charcoal yarn is soft and
 luxurious, a mix of wool and Alpaca, lightweight and luxurious.

   

How about this - these pretty knitted 'hand warmers' were purchased in Ireland 

last year. The yarn is almost identical to the snood so make the perfect set.

Tonight I'm sure I'll require regular gloves plus the hand warmers on top,

along with the snood and a snug fitting hat. It will be a teeth chattering, foot

stomping night. . . . . .with a hot toddy and a glass of champagne at the end!

Chill aires and wintry winds! My ear 

has grown familiar with your song; 

I hear it in the opening year - 

I listen and it cheers me long.

 Woods in Winter: Longfellow

May your coming year be full of happiness, good health, 

and be rich in the comfort and kindness of friends.

Chunky for Winter . . . . . . . . . .

Have you noticed the amazing choice of sweaters around for this

autumn. . . . .and for the coming winter months?

Hefty but soft and drapey come to mind - and coziness and 

comfort can't be denied from the way these cuddly beauties look.

I grew up in England and we called our sweaters 'jumpers'.

Every British child had at least one jumper - often hand-knitted

by mum or grandma. Even when school uniform was everyday 

dress, it usually included a v-neck, snug fitting, fine wool jumper,

worn over a white blouse/shirt with a school tie for both girls and boys.

 Remember there was no such thing as a school building with central

 heating back then in the fifties! A coal burning stove around which we

 warmed our hands after outdoor playtime was about it when I was in

 elementary school.

Winter could be cold even where I lived in the south - how

those up north managed to hold a pen to write their essays

in freezing classrooms is beyond imagination.

During inclement weather we were not 'babied'. Teachers shooed

 us out into cold, often rain-soaked, playgrounds at playtime to 

gasp fresh air and do rudimentary exercise such as a game of

tag whilst sloshing through puddles. Needless to say, footwear in

 winter often included rubber 'wellies', the basic rubber Wellington

 boots. . . . . . . not elegant Hunter boots seen more as a fashion

 statement these days.

Yes, growing up in what was definitely a more Spartan lifestyle

was tough at times - but we had no idea it could have been

any different. To be honest it was fine, made stronger

people out of us I believe. . . . . . . . and I have no regrets, 

having loved every minute of childhood and school days 

no matter the weather.

Do you knit?

If so, can you share any good pattern sources for chunky jumpers please?

I used to be good knitter as a teen, making many sweaters and cardigans. 

Now I'm getting a bit tired of knitting only scarves while watching TV - perhaps

 I need to get the jumbo needles out and try my hand at something chunky

 while enjoying cozy evenings by the fireplace later.

Cozy sweaters required. . . . . . .

Hi, it's Saturday already - the week flew by and we've had our coldest weather yet. 
How about some soft, warm and wonderful sweaters for these cold days.

Everybody needs a few. 
Also here is a lovely layering tee, a soft textured - almost like velour - sweatshirt 
with a big zipper up the back, and a pair of pull-on thin knit, but very warm, perfect 
grey pants for around the house on these chilly days. 

The cornflower blue cashmere tunic with the 

cozy cowl neck - a change for me whose wardrobe contains 
so much grey, black and other neutrals. I do like the tunic length 
in winter as it gives extra warmth around the thighs, and looks 
good with skinny pants and tall riding boots. . . . .those great boots we
 all seem to have now even if we don't have a horse to go with them! 
This was part of my generous Christmas gift from friend Paula. I wore 
it to my doctor appointment on Wednesday as the temperature plummeted 
and the winds picked up. I was very cozy, my blood pressure very happy!

This sweater was a treat from Bob and I love it. Although quite thick and chunky, 

it's incredibly lightweight, not itchy, and very comfy. The back dips down a bit longer

 than the front - many of us like that feature which is popular now - and the black trim 

gives it a nice finish with a bit of casual elegance.

These items were all purchased from a new store called Lou & Grey.

It's an offshoot of the Ann Taylor and Loft company, and is being called their 

'free-spirited sibling'. In today's fashion world nothing remains static and new clothing

shops come and go. I think this one has a future if they continue to offer well made

merchandise, beautiful textured fabrics, good prices, and great styles as in their 
current range. When I first looked through their window in my neighborhood (it's 
next door to Anthropologie), I knew I was going to love it!

Have you found any special warm and cozy clothing for this winter?

What do you like to wear around the house on really cold days when the
heating system has to work overtime?