Wednesday, January 12

MARCHING BAND PLEATS

Brrr, it's cold out there! My apartment complex even stuck little notices on our doors telling us to drip our faucets while we're out so that none of the pipes will freeze and then burst due to the sudden drop in temperature. Because I am a good citizen and generally do not enjoy having the pipes in my dwelling dabble in any explosive activity, I complied. I can't believe those of you who live in colder climates deal with this stuff annually. Or maybe your pipes are actually insulated against the cold whereas ours are not... hmmmmmmm...

But, the upside to this chill spell is that I got to finally wear my favorite coat! I bought this red J.Crew number as my first "real winter coat against the elements" a few years back when I was still in college up in Boston. I just can't get behind puffer jackets, warm as they are, so instead I opted to buy a nice wool coat lined with thinsulate. It did the job admirably and has held up against sleet, rain, and snow for 3+ years.

Also note the glittens that Boyfriend got me for Christmas, which do a good job of keeping my digits warm/making my hands look street urchin-y:

button cami, gap
twisted trooper cardigan, f21
pleated sweater skirt, vintage via etsy
berry bush tights, anthropologie
kinnetic flats, steve madden
leatherette accent belt, f21 [x]
duchess stone ring, j.crew
gold bangle, kate spade
coat, j.crew (pictured below)
glittens, j.crew outlet (pictured below)





Speaking of my college life in Boston, I have awesome news: Boyfriend and I are officially going up to Boston in mid-April. Woo hoo! I am super psyched! We've already booked our hotel, so now we just have to keep our ears and eyes perked for a cheap flight. Any Bean Town ladies who want to meet up, let me know because I will most definitely be doing some shopping while I'm there!

26 comments:

  1. ahh, i might be in providence/boston in april too! how random/cool would that be? i'll let you know if it happens.

    i dig this mix of texture you have going on in this outfit.

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  2. I love your coat! You look terrific in red tones. I'm also jealous of your place- I've been telling (I mean, ASKING) my husband to put up crown molding since we moved in last summer and we STILL don't have anything on the walls except paint! Not even photos!

    I live in NH, but love Boston. The shopping in Boston is amazing. :)

    lyziologie.blogspot.com

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  3. I love that skirt! It is just stunning. And unique!

    As for the pipes. They freeze anywhere. Generally, houses in colder climates are built with the water pipes located on the inside of the building insulation, which protects the pipes from subfreezing weather. However, extremely cold weather and holes in the building that allow a flow of cold air to come into contact with pipes can lead to freezing and bursting... just like the unprotected pipes in the warmer climates. :)

    Okay... that was probably more info than you needed. LOL!

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  4. Oh yes, here in Chicago, when it gets really cold, we have to drip our faucets so the pipes don't freeze. Keep in mind, we live in an old building. I'm sure not everyone has to do that.
    You look adorable to brave the elements! How cold is it there?

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  5. What a cute sweater skirt - you're a pro at dressing for your shape and knowing what flatters. Your waist looks tiny!

    I have one long JC coat that I splurged on way back during college - it now lives at my parents because going up to the NE is the only time I need it now! (OK, except this whole past week in the south - probably could've used it then ...)

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  6. Is there anything that brightens up a dreary winter day like a warm, red coat? You look beautiful! And I agree with Lisa- you really have a talent for dressing to optimally flatter your body. I always marvel at how great you look in skinny jeans. I'm a shortie like you, and worry that they make my legs look fat and stumpy, but thanks to you, my jeans and skinny cords are *finally* beginning to see some wear.

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  7. Love your outfit! The colours and textures are wonderful. We haev to drip our faucets too when it gets really cold, especially the ones that feed the garden hose on the exterior of our houses. We turn off the valves which are on the "warm side" of the insulation, then open up the faucet on the outside of the house, to give water a place to expand out to. TMI, I'm sure. I'm sure you'll have loads of fun in Boston, looking forward to your pics (and shopping adventures).

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  8. That red coat is absolutely gorgeous! I love it, it suits you very nicely.

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  9. There's something about a red coat - just ups the style ante or something! I love your pleated skirt too...it's perfect for our cold weather today :)

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  10. Lol, I share similar feelings as you on puffer jackets. I've just concluded in my head that wool coats are more stylish and even sophisticated (so no matter how freezing it gets here in NJ, I still stroll around town in a coat). I'm in love with your entire outfit (skirt, cardi, top, belt, shoes, tights, coat)..everything, everything! You pair things together so wonderfully! And always manage to find/wear the cutest things from forever21.

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  11. It is totally freezing out! You look adorable as always...I love that red coat on you!

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  12. I love that coat, it's such a classic! My bff lives in Boston so we visit often. Would love to meet up if we happen to be there around the same time! Otherwise, you guys will have to come shopping in NYC one of these days :)

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  13. Girlfriend, you are wearing the tomato colored Sybil coat. Yeehaw! Couple of us Crew obsessed girls did a post on our faves, and the Sybil coat was my fave! :) http://truecrewlove.blogspot.com/2011/01/true-crew-love-our-favorite-jcrew.html

    And yes can I please have your tights? Please with sugar?

    Stay warm!

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  14. That cardigan has been sitting at the bottom of my hamper, unworn since December of 2009 because I've been too lazy to hand wash it! I need to get that thing washed so that I can wear it because it's so dang cute!

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  15. This is one of my favorite outfots on you yet...super figure flattering and perfect head to toe! Love the color dombination too! Hpe you stay warm the best you can...that cute jacket should help! =) I'm with you...not a fan of cold!!

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  16. Hallelujah for dress up days and girls who appreciate them! :) I love the tagline of your blog and your mission. How wonderful! ;)

    XOX,
    Little Miss Paige

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  17. Perfection, and the red coat knocks the outfit out of the ballpark. WOWSIE!!

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  18. Whoa, I've never heard of dripping the faucets for that before! And here I thought I was freezing at what now seems like a very warm 47 degrees. I adore your glittens, and the red coat is the perfect topper.

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  19. Oh Amy, you are just as cute as always today! And I am totally smitten with your fabulous red coat. Covet!

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  20. You look so wonderful, Amy! I LOVE that! When I lived in upstate NY, the pipes in the 2nd story apartment two units down from us exploded. After witnessing the damage, we decided that we absolutely needed to heed the warnings to leave the thermostat set at 60 degrees, whenever we left.

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  21. love love love the red coat. and that skirt is excellent ~ etsy has so many great things! i'm an expert on freezing pipes...it's not fun. at all. i have heating coils wrapped around my pipes that plug in during the winter months. it's key with how bitter cold it gets in the midwest. let it drip!

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  22. Kelinda, I love this outfit. I love the cardi and the skirt, I am going to try this one soon. :)))

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  23. Gosh what a lovely outfit. That full pleated skirt is seriously stunning on your figure.
    I love that red coat! All my winter coats are black (or dark coloured). And i REFUSE to wear puffer jackets. Looks great on a lot of people, but on me....i feel like the michelin man!

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  24. Hi Amy. I gava Alex a great big hug from you. I even showed him your picture.....yes, im that kind of dog owner. Alex says "woo woof" i love the combination of colors, textues and patterns in your outfit. i crown you Queen in that department. you look gorgeous!

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  25. Hmmm. I don't know what is up with out pipes (in Canada) but we don't have to drip them so they don't freeze. Maybe they're constructed of some special, super strong, cold repelling Canadian steel. Who knows. And I'm not a huge fan of puffer jackets either, but some days, when it's 40 below, there's no other choice.

    When I was looking for my new coat, I would often go back to the J.Crew website and came so close to buying one of their wool coats. But the shipping/duty got in the way. So I am really jealous of your red J.Crew Coat. But it looks fantastic on you. This whole outfit is wintery wonderful. You always look so great in pleated skirts. I, on the other hand...

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  26. Oh I know everyone needs a coat for this season. It's freezing! How I love your coat. You look stunning in red. And the black belt complements well with your cardigan.It looks cool to be fashionable. If you know how to mix and match colors. It will truly show your fashion desire in every clothe you wear.

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