Cooling off and warming up!

Returning from Africa, I realized I needed not only to launder and pack away my

 safari and Summer clothes, but do something about getting my Autumn and

Winter clothes out of storage!  

Storage here in the cottage consists of drawers and under bed plastic boxes -

we are really short on hanging space, no huge walk-in closets unfortunately. 

via Zara online

I truly love sweaters and I have a lot which I've collected over the years. 

Some are bulky and oversized such as this one offered by Zara - but as I have

 a couple of similar ones I will not be ordering this one. Others are cashmere

classics such as twinsets in basic black and grey for dressy occasions.

Also Lou & Grey tunic length chunky styles to throw over leggings, and

 several H&M casual sweaters for around the house - cheap yes, but have

 never had a problem throwing them in the washer/dryer which makes me happy.

via Zara online

This one I do love and may succumb to desire - Zara online is a place I love

 to visit late at night because I can't get to NYC where there's a real store.

The addition of the sheer frill at the cuffs really makes a basic (and I love basic) 

sweater become one to wear at night. With the right jewelry, a pair of sleek 

trousers or a black lace skirt, and a perfect shoe, I'll be ready to go - restaurant,

 theatre, even possibly a cruise ship!

via Zara online

. . . . . . and this one?  Well I did buy it from the Zara shop at Heathrow Airport on 

Monday!  It was in the window under a cute coat and I immediately fell for the 

lacing and the fact it's chunky but soft and light as a feather, and the sleeves

 are really long which I love. 

I have to add that I feel really good in my sweaters as I've lost quite a bit of weight 

over the past year, mostly due to my thyroid being removed last June, but also

 because I've been more cautious about what I eat. My doctor is pleased as she 

thinks getting weight down as we age is so important for overall good health and 

safety.  She even wants me to start lifting weights. . . . . . . . well what do you think

about that?

Just a little fashion break - I'll be back this coming week

 with more great safari posts starring beautiful animals 

and Maasai people.

Wrapping up for Spring. . . . . . . .

I'm moving on now, ready to discuss and share happier things in life than 

health issues and aging! I must just say though that I really appreciated

your well wishes, and that you shared your personal stories, in your 

comments on my previous post. Thank you so much.

I love clothes in neutral shades. If you looked in my closet you might think 'boring'.

I have nothing in primary colors but plenty in black, and at least 50 shades of grey! 

Are you going to see that movie? I haven't even read the book, doubt I will,  

and although I love Jamie Dornan and am currently watching The Fall, 

the BBC psychological drama he stars in, this big screen movie with him is 

definitely not on my list. . . . .call me a bit of a prude if you must!

Anyway let's get on to the more serious business of COATS, putting them on not 

taking them off!  Coats, along with jackets, are wardrobe items I enjoy a lot.

At first I missed wearing beautiful warm, heavy wool coats when I 

moved south. My 'life in England' years, followed by twelve New England Winters, 

meant bringing out the bulky coats, those buttoned, belted maxis, dragging on the 

ground when one sat down or tried to enter and exit the car. They were warm when 

snug was a prerequisite for life in chilly, damp climates. I have gradually let go of my 

heavy coats having lived here in the warmer Winters of North Carolina almost 35 years. 

I now seek only lighter versions, usually unlined, loose, no more than one button, 

definitely no belts, and for me the perfect length is just at the knee.

Zara Spring coat looks interesting - styled more like a loose jacket.

I would really love a new Spring coat this year. My go to coat this mild Winter 
has been my very comfy, unlined, black/white boucle from J.Jill some years back. 
I love it and get many compliments on it. It's as comfy as a big, loose sweater jacket.

Similar in fabric and color to the above coat, its style is very much like this 
mustard colored coat below.

For some reason I adore this very yellow coat!

Would I wear it? I'm wondering. I would never get lost in this coat. 
On the other hand I could never hide in it either, except perhaps in a field of daffodils!  
Would I look like a NYC taxicab, or a school crossing guard on a rainy day? 
I love it with black and white, especially the stripes.

ZARA coats are lovely - many of their clothes are awesome, I've shopped in 

several stores when in Europe. I know they're in major US cities and am hoping for 

a bricks and mortar store here soon. ZARA are you listening? Please come to

Raleigh, North Carolina.

Meanwhile I may have to order online to see, feel, try on one of these!