Winter Mix

I never knew (fine, I never admitted to myself) that the majority of my wardrobe consisted of gray and black pieces. I suppose after having lived in New York City for over a year, that shouldn't be a surprise. It's not like I don't like neutral colors, but sometimes staring at a wardrobe made of neutrals can get a little bland.

I've never really done an outfit post on Messy Wands, not so much due to lack of interest, but simply because the lens I bought for my camera wasn't suitable for full body shots. That said, here are my fall/winter wardrobe staples. I've been wearing these constantly over the last month and don't see the items (nor color scheme) changing any time soon. A detailed rundown:

The Reformation Rawr Sweater and Gem Skirt – Why I like this brand and this particular sweater was elaborated in this post. Let's just say I haven't gotten over it since the acquisition two months ago.

DKNY Cashmere Pop-Top Gloves – Is it preposterous that they charge $85 for a pair of gloves? Yes, yes it is. But In my defense, these are made of oh-so-warm cashmere and they have a slit on the thumb that come in serious handy for iPhone users (like me). I bought a pair last year that had holes by the end of winter from frequent use, so to me it's a very worthy and needed repurchase.

Yves Solomon Scarf – Another past winter acquisition. It's a good gray and black ombre, which as you can see, fits neatly with the rest of my wardrobe. On really cold days, it keeps me really warm.

Burberry Boots – These are my favorite ankle boots ever. They're super comfortable and I've never failed to get compliments when I wear them. The leather is curiously matte, so I haven't figured out how to maintain it (like, people shine regular leather shoes, but what should I do when it's matte leather?). Luckily, it has held up well against the elements and I don't seem to have to do that... yet.

Oliver Peoples Sunglasses – Worn here. Still my favorite hide-from-the-sun shades.

Uniqlo Heattech Tights – ABSOLUTE NECESSITY. If you are prone to cold and don't know what Heattech is, get thyself to a Uniqlo store, stat!

Burberry Coat – I bought this particular coat 3-4 years ago because I wanted a peacoat and I wanted it to last me through many many winters. The price was probably ridiculous, but I've survived a few winters in it since, and many more to come. (In case you were wondering, this is how I justify all my ridiculous purchases.) I also feel as slick as Sherlock Holmes (as played by Benedict Cumberbatch) when I wear it, so no regrets whatsoever.

Burberry Earmuffs – In case there was any doubt what my favorite brand was... ha. These earmuffs save my life every. winter. Sigh, I am such a wuss when it comes to cold weather.

Proenza Schouler PS1 – A few years ago I made the conscious choice to start investing in my wardrobe. Quality over quantity! was the war cry. That was when I splurged on the PS1. This bag has been with me through daily life, travel, interviews, functions, you name it, it's probably been there. I've thrown it around, ran with it through pouring rain, and subjected it to much distress, and still it stands sturdy. For a small-looking bag, it holds a surprising amount of stuff too. Best investment I've made in a bag.

Here's a photo of me frolicking in Northwestern University's campus, wearing most of the items in the photo. Yes, I was very happy to have disturbed the peace of that neatly gathered pile of leaves.

This post is written to celebrate the new ShopStyle.