Sorel - The Seventh Sphinx

I like all sorts of taupe shades, and especially wearing them together. Throw some olive and chocolate in the mix and I have all of my favorite colors in one place.

These boots are still going strong in their second (or third? Why can’t I tell time?) year.

The wind is not our friend.

Really liking these new corduroys, which have a nice skinny fit and large back pockets. I like large back pockets. They seem to make my bum look bigger and more generous, somehow, which I like. Friendlier? More approachable? I don’t know. Tiny, miserly (or even just small) back pockets look so unflattering to me (adolescent, too), and they are useless in the bargain.

Free People corduroys, Sorel Tofino boots, Jean Pierre cable sweater (via Marshall’s), Thinsulate gloves, Old Navy vest, Muk Luks hat, heart pendant from Etsy. The wooden earrings were a gift, long ago. Favorites. On the lips: Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Esprit (mostly blotted off to give the tiniest hint of color). On the cheeks: Chanel cream blush in Fantastic, a beautiful deep berry color that looks entirely natural.

I am wearing so much more makeup than it looks like I am wearing here. [This Lisa Eldridge tutorial has the best advice regarding no makeup makeup I’ve seen thus far.] I see charm in both ends of the spectrum (the conspicuous as well as the inconspicuous makeup), as well as in the very reasonable act of actually wearing no makeup, which is closer to my usual approach. Maybe a little something on my cheeks. Maybe mascara. Maybe. If I was in the right kind of mood that morning. The world of the blog is only fractionally indicative of life (and it is—for now—the world of photos, a world with slightly different laws and prescriptions). That said, a little bit can go a long way. I’m curious to experiment with wearing more both for the sake of testing products and to see…what it’s like. Just what is it like to be transparently made up on a semi-regular basis? What would it be like for me (other than time-consuming)? What can it do?

Anyhow, this kind of dark berry color is another winter blush I was craving, and I wanted this cream blush particularly, a relatively new and rightly much-lauded formula. Chanel’s beauty products are so, so nice. Not cheap, but not disappointing, either.

I have a theory that you could pair any two plaid patterns and it would work. It’s the kind of choice that could only be purposeful, that projects purposefulness. This kind of choice is immune to color disasters, I find, as my impression upon seeing a poor color pairing* is generally that the wearer was somehow blind to the combination, that it was not consciously done (or that their taste is entirely distinct from my own). I think you can wear anything and look put together, look good [or look at least like you think it looks good, which is an excellent beginning], if only you can make it look like you are wearing everything on purpose.**

*This is rare, though, I realize midway through the sentence. I think most colors can pair with a massive range of other colors, if not well than at least without jarring.

**That said, there is much to be said for a certain air of carelessness in dress.

Decided to go to town with the pearls. Faux choker with genuine strand and studs. I have no qualms mixing authentic and costume jewelry. In this I follow in the estimable footsteps of Coco Chanel. There is only a 2mm difference between these two sizes but it looks like much more, doesn’t it? Here is some math explaining why 1mm differences have such a significant visual impact. Found this so interesting.

Zara scarf, Kenneth Cole coat (thrifted), plaid shirt (unlabeled, thrifted), Express leather-look leggings, Sorel Tofino boots, Pearl Paradise 8mm necklace, Pearls of Joy 10mm studs, Mulberry Roxanne bag (thrifted). On the lips: MAC RiRiWoo lipstick.

Tag: Sorel

monochrome: stone

plaid on plaid