Cold War

January and Toronto is one of the most miserable combinations imaginable. It’s dark (so dark), freezing, damp (if not outright wet), grey and (often) icy. During this month – and, in truth, through much of February – I wonder daily about why I live here. I mean, there are other northern climes that bring charm along with colder temps (Montreal, anyone?)*. I can’t tell you how fast it gets old, wearing wool socks with shearling slippers, jersey knit pjs, a sweater and a scarf to watch TV in the evenings! And we have the heat on. It just doesn’t seem to penetrate the dreary meteorologic reality. And, apparently, century homes have their detractions.

One thing keeps me sane though: walking. And I’m not talking about ambling along in a swing coat, catching snowflakes on my tongue. I mean, bundling up like some arctic explorer and kicking ass to get somewhere by foot - before said foot falls off from frostbite. To wit: The evening walk from work to daycare (to pick up M) takes an hour mid-summer. And I’m not going slowly. The January version takes 40 minutes. Sometimes I sweat despite the sub-zero temps. Because I’m practically running, you know. Running to beat the cold.

Because it’s so fascinating, here’s an example of my midwinter walk-wear for your reading pleasure: I start with wool socks. I wear an underlayer (cami or T shirt) which might or might not be partially visible under the merino or cashmere sweater I drape over top. I always wear a long, sweater-weight cashmere scarf. Where I fall down, I’ll admit, is on the pants front. I refuse to wear leggings underneath my jeans. Leggings and tights are for dresses and skirts. I don’t care how cold it is. But, as it’s often too cold for regular pants (never mind dresses or skirts!), thick denim has the edge. Of course, I make it dark and accessorize it chicly, as if I work in some fun creative environment. J

For the outerlayer: I go with fur (the warmest fabric on earth) or a combination of down and fur. For example: Canada Goose parka with fur hat. My boots are waterproof, flat (for the most part), and lined with shearling.

That, my friends, is how to spend 2 hours a day outside in TO in the winter.

Yesterday, I had the faintest glimmer of hope encouraged by a) a vague evening increase in temperature and b) the dimmest edge of daylight at the horizon, for almost my entire trek! Another trick in my arsenal of “northern maintenance of sanity” is vitamin D3. I’m not talking about wussy doses. Nor am I suggesting you follow my strategy, as it is naturopath prescribed/montiored and temporary. I take 4000 IUs of the stuff a day. Just for 6 weeks in the darkest part of the year. I’d like to tell you it makes me buoyant with energy, despite the hideous lack of light, but I suspect it’s just forestalling the suicidal impulse :-)**

*Necessary disclosure: People everywhere else in Canada despise Torontonians, for a variety of reasons (many of them inaccurate). All of them can agree, however, that we are soft and pathetic in our response to winter. And that, in TO, we don’t get real cold, thank you very much.

** If ever I am truly suicidal, I assure you I won't talk about it.

Jersey Girl

You know I am a not-so-secret fan of Isabella Oliver. I think the brand does drape - and elegant fluid fabrics - just perfectly, but that's not all. Its product is sold solely online, which seems so modern given an extensive - and rather luxurious - collection. Maybe I'm just drawing a blank, but I can't think of another fashion company (excluding the grassroots ones, natch) that runs its entire business over the web.

Which leads me to my next point...

Recently, I have been predisposed to look at the site, not only as a stage for the lovely eye-candy, but also as a vehicle of commerce, because the fab PR peeps have suggested that I might want to choose a piece and tell y'all what it's like in real life. I know, I know, but don't girly-scream too loud. It will freak out your neighbours (she says, speaking completely theoretically).

Of course, you will hear about that at length - when it arrives, but let's get back to the website.

I look at a lot of sites. I'm sure you do too, but my consideration is based, in part, on my professional experience of them. They factor into my work life so I do know a thing or two about how they're supposed to function. Isabella Oliver's my lovlies, is top of the line, IMO.

For example: Sale items are clearly marked, easy to find and searchable by discount percentage. You have easy access to the chic online magazine, each product in which is linked to the actual item. But, let's cut to the chase, when you visit said item (which will take you admirably from day to night), you are treated to numerous excellent photos, a video of the garment being worn (by an admittedly very gorgeous and thin model), a sketch view of the item (revealing seam lines) and a matrix providing info about what the garment is made of, how to style it, various detailing and sizes.

Ah, about sizes... It may be gimmicky, but I really appreciate how the clothing is sized by letters. It's not like they're pulling the wool over your eyes (ha!), but it's nice to enter a world of beautiful jersey fabrics, all of which integrate so nicely together, and which use a fairly uncommon sizing system. Takes the edge of preconceptions about how number sizes and measurements interact. And it's kind of novel. (Note: If British companies size like this routinely, you have to let me know. I haven't seen this often before.)

One other thing I really enjoy about the product is that it's ageless. The adolescent, who raids her mother's closet, will look hip. The working woman - from day's meetings to a dinner date - is well-outfitted and elegant. Mums of young kids can bend and stretch in this stuff (although they should avoid children when they are eating!). My own mother, in her early 60s, would look great in many of these pieces.

I can't wait to touch the fabric and try it on. Please stay tuned.

What Can I Say...

...I'm a girl who likes a good breakfast nook.

Photo courtesy of desire to inspire

Public Pool Chic

Now this is a community space I can get with! (If you'd like to assist - plane fare to France and membership are appreciated :-))

Les Bains des Docks, Le Havre, France photos courtesy of things I have seen

How Do You Measure Up

I gotta say, secretly I love this product... I realize it's not in vogue to approach the new year with diet-oriented resolutions, but - as anyone who reads this blog knows - I am a portion measurer (a calorie counter, even, via my online food diary, which I've been keeping for years) from way back. Don't worry, I take the holidays off. And, for me, this isn't a resolution. It's a lifestyle.

The diary is a way to encourage my accountability. I am, by nature, a list maker, an organizer. I love to see how input and output correspond. On some level, I view myself as a cool science experiment, peeps :-) Of course, I know that some people should avoid this method at all costs. It's not healthy for them. Or, it's cumbersome and unpleasant. But I find it very comforting. It suits my nature. Oh, and I love to eat so tremendously, that left to my own devices, a "serving" is synonymous with a "carton of ice cream".

I'm considering buying this item because I measure out a reasonable amount of my food as it is. (Much of it, I can eyeball at this point, but when I'm dealing with junk food or new food, I do like to apportion with a scale.) I also find it ingenious. I think it's practical design and I'm all in favour of that. Apparently, the woman who developed the Measure Up products, did so because she got sick of spending so much time with measuring cups, as she used a food diary to help her lose a substantial amount of weight after the birth of her children.

But let's get talking about this: What do you think? Do you think food measurement is a good idea? Do you hate it? Have you tried it? Would you purchase this product? Curious to know your perspectives.

Way To Bring In the New Year

I decided that, to match our wild mushroom brie fondue tradition, I'd go retro with the outfit.

Yes, that is me wearing an orange-esque vintage scooter dress with fuchsia tights. It's made in Italy, doncha know. And it's hand stitched along the button placket at the front of the skirt. I really wanted it just to see how it was put together :-) But I'm so thrilled this garment fits. I have never bought a vintage dress, sight unseen. Cherie gives very good sizing information on her site. And she has a return policy!

Oh, and those shoes, my favourite taupe suede YSL - they're ones that never make it outside (they're not outrageously practical) but which really give impossible chic to any ensemble.

On a related note, I'm really enjoying The Beautiful Fall by Alicia Drake. It's about Paris fashion and the careers of YSL and Karl Lagerfeld. Those two were worthy rivals!

Teaser

What better way to ring in the new year than with a dress so neon that it is sure to get you over that hangover? I mean, it is veritably the colour of Tang circa 1962!



Of course, the outfit post will follow, but I couldn't resist showing you a little preview...

PS: Here, as on Cherie's website, the oufit looks red/pink. But in real life, it is definitely orange. Fortunately, I'm one of the 8 people in the world who actually thinks orange flatters her and who wears it, in all hues, rather regularly. Let's just say I'm going to get a lot of comments on this one :-)