December Diary
The skinny on life and outfits lately
We are about 1 week out from Christmas and frankly it feels like yesterday was October 1st to me. To say I’m struggling with the frequency in which the days have gone by, is an understatement. At this point I check my phone for the date about 3 times a day! A lot of life has happened in the last 4ish weeks and that’s probably why I can’t seem to get a grip hahah. I turned 30, it was Thanksgiving, work is insane, and I’ve had a holiday related thing every weekend.. all of which I am loving and enjoying but it has also put me a little bit on auto pilot in other branches of my life (such as talking style and sharing outfits on my instagram and in this newsletter.) I thought this week we could take the opportunity to reconnect via outfits… and maybe emotionally.. we’ll see where this diary takes me.
Last night we went with our friends to a neighborhood tour of homes to peak at (and maybe slightly judge) historical homes and their interiors and Christmas decor. I just found this pre-loved CP Shades plaid skirt at a local consignment shop (Labels for the girlies in Atlanta) and have been waiting all week for the right day to wear it. Since I was leaving the couch for the first time that day I opted for what I felt was a very an American-does-english-countryside-cozy type of look with the long skirt, stolen shaggy dog sweater from Jack, and tall cowboy boots (large barn coat not pictured.) This would be a great outfit if you’re having a cozy Christmas at home this year
and for another version of “wearing plaid”…
This little madras top is currently at Ann Mashburn and I have had my eye on it since November! I gave it to myself as an early Christmas present last week and I have zero regrets. It is by no means a “wardrobe fixer” but it makes me happy and I love looking at it and wearing it! Not everything has to feel practical always, right? This shell top gives me just the right dose of holiday whimsy.
And if the madras plaid silk shantung wasn't enough whimsy, I’d like to introduce you to my gold tinsel double breasted sweater jacket! It kind of has a nutcracker costume vibe to it, right? It was mandatory that I wear it to at least one holiday party this year. I also felt that a jacket of that caliber required me to actually blow dry and curl my hair, of which I do about 3 times a year so this was a special occasion (feast your eyes.)
The friendship Christmas dinner we had this past weekend was fabulous and fun and felt like a great reason to wear what has already become my favorite turtleneck. I really believe in the psychology and social science behind the clothes we buy and the outfits we choose to wear and in this case I really felt the desire for comfort while around close friends. As far as comfort goes for me, its big flowy silk pants and this uber soft turtleneck from line by K, WHICH has the most amazing little fluffy cuffs.
These big ski sweaters are like comfort food for me. I believe I have picked one up every year I have worked at Ann Mashburn because frankly AM has some of the best sweaters. It’s so big and fluffy and fantastic and I think gives the ideal Apres ski look, even when your at work.. in Atlanta.. where there are no slopes in sight!
I must immediately tell you all to go and watch Umbrellas of Cherbourg and take in the beauty that is Catherine Deneuve and her wardrobe. Above is a very closely inspired look from Catherine’s character in the movie, which came to mind after pulling out a black ribbon for my hair. I felt as close to french as I’ll ever be!
Above is a little nod to my current fixation on red. It is obviously still a reigning color in the fashion cycle and is pretty obvious for the holiday season and I’m all on board! The color matching possibilities with the right shade are superb and the above gray/red/camel combo gives me life. I think a lot of people may still find themselves a little afraid of wearing red and my advice to you would be to try several different shades, there is the perfect one out there for you. I’ve found that I love and feel best in a warmer orange-red, but will play with other shades of red with my accessories. I encourage you to go explore with reds!
Most of the past month has honesty been filled with days of recuperating and bopping around Atlanta with Jack in old Levis’ and borrowed J. Press sweaters. In a season that can be very overwhelming I’ve been trying to make a point to still have slower Sundays and that tends to mean wearing the pieces that feel most natural to me, a la the above.
December still has a few weeks left and I hope you all have your head on straight and are keeping up with the craziness of the season. Enjoy yourselves and take in these last few weeks of the year!
Cheers xx,
Taylor