Grizzly

Though the title of this post is intended as a gesture toward the gray fogginess that has been lingering over the District for the past few days, a unintended trifecta of memories bubbled to the surface as I typed: Grizzly Mountain, the sound of wind in gray Aspen trees, and the crisp-cool pinch of alpine air. When I was growing up, we spent every summer in Aspen, CO. Aspen is a popular skiing destination in the winter months, but it is lovely and quiet in the summer, and besides — my father is a through-and-through mountain guy, and since he was paying the bills, that’s where we went. {He actually hates the beach.} We would fish {or watch my father fish — one of the most beautiful memories I have of him}, hike, “camp” {use that term loosely, as it generally consisted of my father lugging 34345 lb backpacks filled to the brim with Barbies, and half the time, we would make him drive us home before the night was done}, ride horses, attend rodeos and chili cook-offs, and all around learn what America is all about. And so, while I had intended to talk through some gray-with-pops-o-neon looks I’ve been coveting, I’m instead inclined to curate a wardrobe for a mountain escape weekend. You know, the sort of thing you’d wear in this adorable little scenario:

{image discovered via Tumblr}

First, while I’m now coveting my bestie’s brand new Barbour {her fiance surprised her with it though they’d agreed not to do big gifts for the holidays}, I saw this simple black style ($348, Steven Alan) from Steven Alan and drooled over it. Perfect with a simple knit hat ($69 plus 50% off all sale items, so — $35! — Intermix), jeans, thick camp socks {I swear by Smart Wools, but liked the color of this $12.50 J. Crew style}:

I’d finish with some printed wellies (~$60, Joules):

Oh, and a classic J.W. Hulme bag ($240, J. W. Hulme — and you can get it monogrammed!) filled with outdoor essentials: Persol shades (one of Mr. Magpie’s birthday gifts! These are the CLASSICS, worn by Steve McQueen and all the greats — $310, J. Crew), a classic Field Notes notebook (love the retro typeface — $9 and up, Field Notes), and Smith’s lip salve ($6, Anthropologie):

Or, how about a borrowed-from-the-boys heathered vest ($195, Sid Mashburn)? Perfect with a classic pair of Sorels ($112, Zappos):

The appropriate accent? A classic walnut Swiss Army knife ($80, Old Faithful Shop):

For cozy fireside canoodling, slip into this oversized fisherman’s knit sweater (on sale for $99, Calypso), an adorable fair isle knit scarf from Moschino ($98, Forzieri), leggings, and some cozy mukluks (on sale for $144, Endless). I live in mine in the cold months.

Snuggle up with a big plaid throw ($118 each, Room and Board):

Or, how about this cozy sweatshirt-tee ($68, Madewell) with a trapper hat in faux fur ($88, Hat Attack):

Perfect with snuggly knit gloves (on sale for $6, Forever21):

The perfect antidote to cold weather, of course, is a nice big cozy pancake breakfast after an early-morning adventure out of doors. I’d like my stack made from Williams Sonoma’s “Flappin Jack” mix ($10.95, Williams-Sonoma) and slathered in Noble 1 maple syrup (matured in bourbon barrels — woah! — $24, Mikuni Shop):