Merry Christmas Eve! What are you up to tonight? We will be having a virtual family cheers over Zoom, opening a few gifts, setting out cookies for Santa, watching “A Christmas Story,” and indulging in a special Feast of the Seven Fishes menu dreamed up by Missy Robbins, famed chef and restauranteur. I cannot wait. Wishing you all the best, Magpies, no matter how strange this holiday seems. I’ll be toasting you from New York with a glass of Billecarte Salmon champagne that is currently chilling in our fridge.
Meanwhile, it has been COLD in these parts! I already shared some of my favorite cold weather items for little ones, but thought I’d share a few finds for us, too:
+Canada Goose Trillium Parka – truly the best investment piece for living in Chicago for five years and even here in NYC, which is more temperate but can still startle with icy mornings. These coats are wonderfully made and exceptionally warm. I specifically recall some of Mr. Magpie’s tough and burly buddies coming to visit us in the Windy City one winter, and as we made the short walk to a restaurant one night, they were stamping their feet and blowing in their fists to keep warm, and I was blissfully unbothered by the 3 degree temp. Mine is cherry red! If you like this look but not the pricetag, love this pastel pink style from Athleta!
+North Face Minna Mittens – another Chicago acquisition. These are lined in fleece and delightfully thick — they really keep the hands warm.
+J. Crew fur pom knit hats — I have a few of these in different colors. Similarly styled beanies are all over the place and probably about the same in terms of quality; I went with J. Crew just because I was able to use discount codes and wanted a cream/ivory color to go with my minna mittens! I shared some other cute beanies along these lines here!
+Barbour earmuffs — I LOVE earmuffs. I have four pairs and wear them constantly — I usually prefer them to hats! I love the plaid/fur combo on this pair.
+Cashmere gloves and leather gloves — for dressier days. Classics in elegant colors!
+Acne hat — I’m not usually huge into labels but I love the dimensions and color of this specific hat, especially with the matching scarf. Tres chic, ca.
+Under Armour beanie — I just added one of these to my cart because it comes in the best muted pastel colors! I selected the desert rose color so it will go with the vest below. I figure this is inexpensive enough to work for a light jog without worrying about ruining it.
+Lululemon running vest — gorgeous and the perfect layering piece.
+Pearl embellished hat or headband — j’adore a pearl moment. Also love this bejeweled turban situation!
+Darn Tough socks and Smartwools — worth the price. These keep you warm and I love the cushioning of the Darn Toughs in particular, but both are great boot socks.
+Sorel snowboots — another Chicago purchase. You really need tall snow boots there because you can occasionally find yourself wading through a foot of snow. These are ultra-heavy-duty, impervious to moisture, super-warm, and…heavy. Haha. Lifting your leg in these is like a quad workout. But I felt that I needed the big guns up there. I also like this slightly less intense-looking pair from the same brand.
+Sperry boots — love the classic look of these boots; would have bought them myself if I didn’t think I needed something with a taller profile.
+Hunter Boots Liner socks — if you make do with your Hunters in snow/slush, these are a must! You might also enjoy these plush boot liners.
+Arcteryx Sentinel Jacket — for my Magpie skiing snowbunnies. The style worn by seasoned skiiers I know!
+Wantdo Ski Jacket — $80! Gets incredible reviews. Love it in the dusty pink color. This is the perfect snag for ladies who only occasionally find themselves in snowy weather or on a slope and do not want a big investment. This promises to deliver warmth and waterproofness with style, all under $80.
+Fur headwarmer — one of my girlfriends has one of these and looks SO chic in it! I like it in the white.
+Moncler Quilted rainboots — the fanciest rainboots I ever did see.
+Orolay down coat — this brand has been tremendously popular for the past few years — so much so that it has been called “the Upper East Side mom jacket”! Love the new pastel color variations.
+Ugg fleece-lined socks — they just look comfortable. (And are wildly popular!)
+Talbots scarves — I have a couple of scarves from Talbots, including two in 100% cashmere, that my friends there have sent me the past few years and they are my favorite! Super-soft, a great length, versatile prints/colors. I wear them constantly!
+Zippo handwarmer — for seriously cold days, this does not mess around.
+Anthro oversized scarf — j’adore the dimensions and colors of this oversized beauty!
+Moncler Puffer — ultra-luxe. Also love the styling on this style (if a Bottega Veneta bag were a puffer coat…)
+Ugg scufette slippers — for thawing in front of a fire. I bought these as a gift for someone after reading countless rave reviews and have to admit am slightly envious.
+Le Set lounge set — would want to enjoy apres-ski in this look. Have been reading REALLY good things about this specific brand for loungewear. I’m eyeing this pair of pants and this matching sweatshirt.
+Waffle-knit hoodie and matching joggers — great layering.
P.S. Great statement jackets, to which I would also add this sporty Perfect Moment jacket, which many of you loved when I featured it earlier this month.
P.P.S. Are you doing any holiday baking tonight?
P.P.P.S. A shift in ballast.