Favorite Cozy Sweaters for Chilly Weather

Happy Wednesday! Well, it's officially winter here in Michigan. We woke up to snow on Monday morning and it's been in the 20's for a couple days now, so the snow is actually sticking around! Snow =  Christmas music in my book, so that's what I've been listening to ;)

I thought I'd share some of my favorite winter sweaters I've found for this chillier part of the year! I picked this one up last week at the Loft and just love it! The texture is so fun. I still have to layer with a coat, of course, but it's pretty warm!

sweater / jeans (on me, these run a little big) / booties (almost identical, mine are last years' style) I couldn't resist doing some "window shopping" for cute, cozy sweaters!

DETAILS 

white polka dot / pink turtleneck / navy aisle

charcoal sweater / long cardigan / pink peplum

gingham sweater / stripe cardigan / lilac v-neck

This one on the bottom right was my birthday gift to myself ;) It's so cute! I just LOVE this color!

A couple more are below:

A couple days ago on Instagram I talked about some tips I have for living in cold weather (not that I've mastered it!) but I wanted to share some coats I think would be great for really cold weather like we get in the midwest:

Do you have to bundle up where you live?! xoxo
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Friday Finds: Cozy Winter Sale Finds

This has been the busiest week for me! Between two design consultations for clients, a few client appointments, and getting everything ready in order to launch our 2018 Bloom Workshop schedule, I've been go-go-go! It's all been good work, but I'm thankful for a weekend in site. If you're a small creative business owner looking to invest and grow your business in 2018, we'd LOVE to meet you at a workshop. Take a look at our website on Monday when we launch our schedule. For now you can get on the email list, so you'll be the first to know!
All I've got is winter on the brain today, so if you live in a sunny part of the country, this post might not be for you ;) 4 of my favorite stores are having great sales this weekend, so I found a few of my favorite sweaters and tops that are great for winter (if layered) that are on my wish list! Anthropologie: tag sale-- 40% off sale, sale! J.Crew Factory: 30% off purchase with 1 item, 40% off with 2 items, 50% off with 3 items+ LOFT: 50% off everything with code COZY Nordstrom: up to 50% off in sale- great winter finds in the sale section!  I had to quickly share that I got this pair of gloves for Christmas (because #michiganwintersarenojoke) and they've helped my hands stay much warmer! They're lined with the shearling, which is why they're a lot warmer than the other Ugg gloves that I used to have.

Pretty much everything last thing you'll see below is on sale from the above stores! If you couldn't tell, I'm loving the turtleneck / cowl neck trend. So cozy!

Speaking of winter, I'm sending out my January newsletter about safer beauty products and skincare next week! If you'd like to receive it (there will be some great tips in there for combatting winter skin!) just sign up here.

Have a wonderful weekend!
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Fashion: Winter Dress + Dear Husband

We've made it to the middle of the week, which somehow always seems like an accomplishment to me! Today I'm sharing a favorite new look for winter + a little letter to my husband, because he's that great and because I got tons of feedback in my readers survey that asked me to share more personal stories on my blog. Maybe these letters will become a regular part of my fashion posts, we'll have to see ;)

Dear Husband, 

It's been almost 3 years since I've moved to Michigan for you, which means this is my third winter. Gonna be honest, it's not getting any easier to drive in snow or remembering my 37 layers before heading out the door ;) But at least this year we're married, share a home and can snuggle. It's much more bearable to be together in the winter. Thank you for buying me snow tires 3 years ago and for taking me to a high school parking lot to test them out. I was crying, you were laughing. Good times. What would I do without you?!

As you might remember, I bought this dress a few weeks ago without telling you (oops!) but when you saw it on me, you said you liked it (yay!) and it was my reward for living here in the winter. I like those types of rewards! 

Also, thanks for being a good #instagramhusband and taking my pictures in 8 degree weather. I didn't even know one could be THAT cold. I must really love you to continue living in this arctic tundra. I do. I really do love you!

Love,

Wife

PS. Happy 4th month wedding anniversary!

I'm not sure if you know what 8 degrees feels like-- I really wish I didn't, but thanks to these pictures, I do. This is me trying to stay warm while my husband is cracking jokes and taking his time with the pictures...ha!

DETAILS | Dress- comes in 5 colors and is on sale for under $30! I ordered a size down, which works great! / Herringbone Tights / Booties: almost identical- under $50, similar- under $40, similar / Necklace /

This is such a basic dress that it'd be so easy to accessories and create many different looks. I put together a few outfits below for you! I still can't get over that the leather jacket is only $59!

faux leather coat / pea coat- under $40! / cozy cardigan / open drape jacket /

peep toe bootie / over-the-knee-boot / low bootie

How would YOU wear it?! I'm sort of thinking of getting the black version of the dress, too. So versatile!

Have a great day!
xoxo

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Gift Guide: Bundle Up!

DETAILS | maroon coat / black down coat w/ gold zip / plum cardi wrap / gray coat w/ gold buttons / vest / ivory quilted jacket / check scarf (under $25!) / buffalo plaid scarf (under $25!) / tech gloves (40% off $34!!!) /

If you live in California, you may just need something like this for winter. Seattle? Probably a rain coat like this. If you're on the East Coast like us, well then you're going to need a million layers + a really nice down jacket like this or this. Wherever you live, the holidays is a great time to get those nice classic pieces for your loved ones. This year I'm asking for a down jacket with fur trim. We'll see what husband comes up with! ;)

Here are some other fun accessories for the snow bunnies:

Scarves, mittens and socks all make perfect stocking stuffers. My stocking is always filled with at least one pair of socks and I'll never tire of it. Especially tall socks to be worn with knee boots!

Past Gift Guides:
For the Hostess
Monogram Gifts

Do you have any warm clothing on your list?!
xoxo

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Fashion: Favorite Winter Clothes Remix

Last week I was in Michigan visiting my boyfriend, and I'm not sure about where you live, but Michigan is real, real cold. Like, my-eyes-water-when-I-walk-outside-cold.  Being from California {where, just so you know, we're in a drought and it's been 70 degrees all through January…}, I had to buy a few new jackets, sweaters and miscellaneous snow gear to get me through the week and today I'm sharing my favorite items with you, incase you're in search of some warm items for arctic temperatures! In addition to these outfits, I also LOVE this coat I showed you last week. 

My boyfriend is quickly learning about my job as a blogger, so he offered to take these pictures. Soon he'll be an expert photographer just like my dad, who takes most of my pictures you see here for fashion posts. The men in my life are really good sports ;)

LOOK ONE:

 LOOK TWO:

LOOK THREE: 

DETAILS:
Look One: Gray Puffer Jacket / Scarf (similar, similar) / Jeans / Boots / 

Look Two: Striped Shirt (similar-- sale!) / Sweater / Jeans / Boots / Gloves / Necklace

Look Three:  Striped Shirt (similar-- sale!) / Black Coat / Jeans / Booties (very similar and on sale!) / Gloves / Scarf (similar) / Hat (sold out, but these are cute!)
***
My favorite look is probably the last one, as that coat is about 50% wool, so it really does keep me warm! Not pictured are the cuddle duds I have on UNDER my jeans, and boy are those things lifesavers. I've never worn a pair of them before my trips to Michigan, but I'm not sure how I would have survived without them now. The best things I purchased for this trip, though, were definitely my black Ugg gloves. They are lined with really warm fur and you can use your phone with them! I definitely recommend everyone who lives in freezing temps to get yourself a pair. They make great Valentine's gifts, too! I've learned if my hands and feet are cold, the rest of me will surely be cold, so the most important items are warm socks and toasty gloves. These definitely do the trick.

Hopefully these looks have inspired you to stay stylish AND warm :) What are your lifesavers in cold weather?! This California girl wants to know.
xoxo

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Fashion: Snow Day

*photos by Ashley Slater Photography

DETAILS | Navy Shift Dress: c/o Simple Southern Style; Tights: Target; Scarf: Target; Coat: Macy's; Booties: Steve Madden (Sale!); Gloves & Hat: Nordstrom

I just got in last night from Michigan where we got LOADS of snow! It was weird waking up in California without a blanket of white outside my window this morning, that's for sure. Even though I love my sunshine, there's something sweet and Christmassy, and oh-so-fun about being in the snow. Since I am from California, I struggled to know what to bring on this vacation to visit my friend and boyfriend in their arctic tundra ;) I pulled a few key things together: tights, long underwear, sweaters, this adorable coat, hats, headbands that cover my ears, and boots with warm, fuzzy socks!  It was so fun to spend some time with Ashley, baby Caleb and my guy (which you can see more of on my instagram!) 

This navy shift dress, though layered under a big wool coat, was a fun one to wear and I also can't wait to wear it in California (maybe minus a few layers!) Shift dresses are one of my very favorite types of dresses because the cut is so flattering and they're comfortable. To see some of my other favorite dresses, check out this post. Simple Southern Style is the sweetest shop that offers cute dresses, adorable sweaters and lots of other fun goodies for your wardrobe!

Do you live near the snow? What do you bundle up with?! 
xoxo

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Fashion: Mint Pants & Floral Top

*photos by Claire Giffen Photography

DETAILS | Mint Cords: Anthropologie; Top: Anthropologie (MAJOR SALE!), Scarf: c/o EcoShag; Shoes: J.Crew (similar, similar sale) ; Bag: Tory Burch

Finally the warm clothes have been unpacked and hung in my closet. The cold is here to stay for a few months in California (and by cold, I mean 50-60's, but we'll take it!) Once a week I drive into San Francisco to work for Caitlin, and last week while I was there, we took these pictures in the most charming of SF neighborhoods. I think I'll move in. Also, don't be fooled; I was wearing a coat but took it off for these pictures!

Thankfully I had my EcoShag scarf, because it was blustery and cold. I've always loved scarves, but never had an infinity one before. Now, I won't ever not have one! Tania makes the most gorgeous, warm, and cozy scarves-- I honestly wear it every day. I wish I was joking ;)

Use code MICHAELA15 for 15% off your purchase!!

Aside from my new winter-staple (the cute scarf) I've also added a pair of cords to my wardrobe. And mint, nonetheless. These keep me warm and are unbelievably soft. Here are a few other pairs of great cords, incase you're in the market:

Is it cold where you live yet, and what is your go-to cold weather staple pieces?!
Happy Wednesday!
xoxo

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