I wouldn't say I'm particularly drawn to pastel/Easter hues, but it got me thinking -- why not wear such light, subtle hues in the dark days of winter?  What makes a look so stylish is an understanding of opposites -- wearing a layered summer dress for winter, a tough moto jacket and boots with a feminine skirt or dress. I daresay pastel colors can almost be called rebellious when worn in winter -- oh the scandal!

Jack Frost isn't just nipping at our noses -- he's taking a vicious chomp right out of our faces, it's so cold.  They say you shouldn't grocery shop while you're hungry, and I think something similar could be said when you're looking for blog inspiration -- don't write a post while you're freezing to death. That is, unless you're in the Mood for some warm, cozy winter wearables. Despite a rare day of sunny weather, it is positively Ice Age-cold out there, so I can't help but let my mind wander towards fur collars, coats with layers of quilted downy feathers or hearty wool and leather. I want to be swaddled in loops of infinity scarves made of soft cashmere. I picture my head fully nestled in a hat with ear flaps. Let me wear nothing but lazy, slouchy cowl-neck sweaters with my most comfortable jeans or yoga pants. Clearly, this Bird is in a chilly winter state of mind, so let's bundle up together, shall we? 

Here's what's on my mind to keep warm and cozy during these icy-cold days: {1} Tempest by Kelsi Dagger in taupe natural, {2} Cozy cowl poncho in ponderosa pine by Hive and Honey, {3} Dyed fox fur shawl collar in olive by Diane von Furstenberg, {4} Fur trim hooded duffle coat by Burberry, {5} Ingrid-B leather jacket with arctic raccoon fur collar by Mackage, {6} Hingham in brown/quilted houndstooth by Sperry Top-Sider, {7} Original Brit cuff Welly sock by Hunter, {8} Vicki colorblock trapper hat from Anthropologie, {9} HI 5 mittens by Kate Spade New York, {10} Frayed infinity scarf in cream by Paula Bianco, {11} Chunky turtleneck sweater by Nili Lotan


Jaunty Fine Print: Images from shops listed above

The Birdy's final month-long ode to the cancelled-but-not-forgotten series Firefly is something that brings nerd-ness and style together in a single post. The look of Firefly was about as close to Steampunk as network television was going to get. It was somewhat ahead of its time, since the series came out ten years ago, prior to the level of recognition this Jules Verne-inspired costume obsession has today. Now, Steampunk has the cultural familiarity that brings to mind a quote from Triumph the Insult Dog, upon observing a fan's homemade costume: "Which of these buttons do I press to call your mom to pick you up?"

Jokes aside, it is a striking look that combines a bit of 1800s Jauntiness with a Western edge to rough it up a bit. While none of us are living in a sci-fi/western universe, having adventures on a spaceship, I found some lovely wearables that have the high drama with the fashion pedigree to match. 

As in all style common sense rules -- don't wear all this at once or you really will look like a cos-play refugee begging to have your lunch money stolen. But the pieces on their own are beautiful with a tough edge, surely putting you in a stylishly fantastical Mood: {1} Trouve faux leather panel leggings, {2} Black and bronze buckled half boots by Laurence Dacade, {3} MCQ razor blade brass and leather cuff by Alexander McQueen, {4} Rockstud driving gloves by Valentino, {5} Old and New pocket watch necklace from ModCloth, {6} Ravel Hope leather boot with double buckle detail, {7} Washed leather fingerless gloves by Vince Camuto, {8} Wool felt coat with leather lapels by Salvatore Ferragamo, {9} Tailored cotton riding jacket in camel by Burberry, {10} Multistrap leather cuff bracelet by Leatherock  

Jaunty Fine Print: items from shops listed above

The Birdy wants to give everyone a hearty shot of Vitamin C, as in COLOR, lest we fall victim to the Seasonal Affective Disorder that is Winter. Seriously, the gray rainy days are a serious downer, harshing my mellow and the like, so the Bird is offering up a Mood of color and brights to warm your winter nights. But color can be a tricky customer, not everyone loves wearing it head-to-toe and even if you do wear a bright red dress, it's likely covered beneath a gray, heavy winter coat, so no one gets to enjoy it unless you're in the comfort of a well-heated room. Oh, the conundrum! What's the solution, Magpie??

Easy-peasy -- here are colorful solutions that are universal to everyone, the magic answer being accessories! It works for those who want to show a bright hue, even if they're covered in woolly winter warmth, or if you're just feeling timid about showing off that bright personality of yours. All these items are meant to go with whatever you have, worn over or designed to peek out from whatever outerwear you may be wearing. Because color, like a good, cheery mood, deserves to be shared! Let others enjoy a bright spot of orange or a bold dash of magenta. There are little details on all these items that keep them from being color-for-the-sake-of-color; smart little flourishes like interesting seam work, a little bow, or the fact that hey, you're wearing a freakin' cape! How cool is that?!

The Jauntily Technicolor collection includes: {1} Mikumi Scarf from Anthropologie, {2} Transatlantic Bag from Anthropologie, {3} Portolano teal nappa leather bow detail gloves from Bluefly, {4} Rena Lange button cape in fuschia from Neiman Marcus, {5} Ribbed Tights in Decadent Red from J. Crew, {6} Karlie Colorblock small shoulder bag in Bright Fuschia from Banana Republic, {7} Martina suede wedges in Bright Persimmon from J. Crew, {8} Juicy Couture felt riding cap in Pom Pom Red from Piperlime 

Jaunty Fine Print: images from retail shops listed above

Winter's official first day was December 21st, but after the holidays, when the Christmas trees start disappearing and the holiday lights start coming down (unless you're one of those who leave 'em up till March -- you know who you are!), the gloomy days of Winter seem more apparent. Over the holidays, the Birdy had this talk with friends, right on Christmas Day, funny enough, and we all agreed that even the most dreary of days don't seem as bad when you're surrounded by the glow of holiday lights and sparkle all around. But once it's all put away, it's hard to keep a cheery spirit, especially when the sun disappears by five and it's dark as pitch out there. At least, that's how it is up here in the Pacific Northwest.

So I turn to the holiday gifts from friends and family to add some brightness to the gloomy days -- there were some particularly sparkly items that pair so nicely with an icy chill. While they can't warm my feet like a pair of wooly socks, they do warm my spirit and soul, when the days are short and the nights are long. You need a little sparkle to shine through the dreary days, no?

To pair with some winter sparkle, here's an exerpt from a poem by Thomas Campion, reminding us of the cozy comforts of winter, which is something not to be forgotten:

Now winter nights enlarge
This number of their hours;
And clouds their storms discharge
Upon the airy towers.
Let now the chimneys blaze
And cups o'erflow with wine,
Let well-tuned words amaze
With harmony divine.
Now yellow waxen lights
Shall wait on honey love
While youthful revels, masques, and courtly sights
Sleep's leaden spells remove.

Jaunty Fine Print: photos by Denise Sakaki, gifts by wonderful sweet friends and family - thank you! xoxo

This Bird has a great love for classic films -- especially since so many of the current movies just seem to be remakes or sequels! Watching some old favorites, the Magpie couldn't help but completely J'adore the frosty delight of the wintery meetup between Richard Harris' King Arthur and his "Ginny" Guinevere, the beautiful Vanessa Redgrave, during the title number for the musical, Camelot. Harris is both cheeky and dashing, and his legendary bride is irresistably sweet and charming. Switch gears to the David Lean directed epic, Doctor Zhivago, a love story amid revolutionary-torn Russia, between a thoughtful doctor (Omar Sharif) and his enigmatic mistress (Julie Christie).

Very different films, but both have beautiful settings for equally beautiful and tragic lovestories. I make it a point to call out the heroines of each story as Winter Queens, not because the women are cold, but that they are such commanding forces of nature, and seem almost best-suited in their luxurious fur-collared costumes. These are women in complete control over their feminine wiles and the capacity to influence those around them -- namely the fellas. They are not capricious, they love with genuine passion, and they seem driven by the fates into a place of legend. If you haven't had a chance to see either of these films, do give them a try, and make sure you have a warm winter blanket to curl up with!

Jaunty Fine Print:  images are screencaptures from films Camelot and Doctor Zhivago 

 

So, color me obsessed, I know -- if there's any nationally-known store I'd spend my paycheck on, Anthropologie would be it. Well, either that or Target. But the way Anthropologie presents itself, you'd think they all lived in some magical, imaginary land, full of inspiration and ideas, and everyone knows how to crochet lace and mix a perfect gimlet. So what if in reality, it's a total cubicle hell like the rest of retail corporate America -- I can live in my dream, can't I?

Where I'd really like to live is Anthro's latest catalog. I'm such a print hound -- I'll save catalogs from favorite stores and keep them for years, and this 09 November one is a keeper. Dr. Zhivago dreamlike salons filled with snow, hand-cut paper silhouettes made from book pages, overcast misty country hills whisked from a Bronte novel... who wouldn't keep this to moon over? If you want to take a look at it online, do give it a peek here.

Wanting another dose of inspiration? Their microsite, The Anthropologist, features several artists of written word and image, creating visual, intellectual mood boards that features objects of inspiration. Director Jane Campion is personal favorite, and her collection is comprised of things that made her go "hmm" while she was making the film, Bright Star, chronicling the affair between poet John Keats and Fanny Brawne. As our fickle autumn days ebb into the lull of winter's dearth, it's all the more important to keep the candle of inspiration alight.