American-Made Cold Weather Essentials

Last winter was cold and snowy. Last winter was downright brutal. As a native Upstate New Yorker, you can call me an expert on knowing how to bundle up and battle the snow. If reports are correct, this winter could be just as bad. I've already been taking inventory of my winter gear and making some key purchases to make sure I am ready for it. For me, the key to good winter clothing is function first, style second. Thankfully, I've been able to locate items that both fend off the chill and are fashionable.

Here are almost 20 American-made items that I'd consider cold-weather essentials:

Putting Away Winter

I took the opportunity while I was on a spring beach vacation to send all my heavy wool and cashmere knitwear to get professionally cleaned. This past weekend, I happily tucked them away in my underbed storage. Ta-ta winter!

Sugar Daddy

This classic, almost-nude pink is a great basic nail polish to have in your personal stash, for when subtle trumps bold or when you want to take a break from dark colors.

The Portland Collection, Spring 2014 (Part II)

Here are some of my favorite men's looks from the Portland Collection's inaugural spring/summer line. As I mentioned in Part I, Pendleton gives us some sporty, camp-y pieces here.

The Portland Collection, Spring 2014 (Part I)

Little Crane Pullover | Champoeg Romper

Here are some of my favorite women's looks from the Portland Collection's inaugural spring/summer line. All I have to say is: why, oh why, did they wait this long to design clothing for the warmer months?

Fall Wish List

Having my spring wish list was a great way to set priorities for things that I needed and wanted. It was really helpful for me and I've referred back to a lot over the past months, updating as I found American-made products and made purchases. While not everything got crossed off, I did find the majority of the items.

So, of course, I set out to make a wish list for fall. In addition to some basics (tank tops, tees, leggings, socks), here are the top 12 things on my fall wish list for clothing, accessories, and beauty products:

The Portland Collection, Fall 2013 (Men and Accessories)

Yesterday, I posted some women's looks from Pendleton's Fall 2013 Portland Collection. Here are my favorite men's looks and accessories.

The Portland Collection, Fall 2013 (Women)

If you've been paying attention to my blog for more than a day, you'll know that I've been crazy about Pendleton's Portland Collection since their inaugural fall line in 2011. I'd like to spend a couple of posts highlighting some of my favorites from their impressive 2013 collection. Still rich with nods to the historical Pendleton prints, the designs are clean and deliberate.

Here are a few more women's looks that I love:

The Portland Collection, Fall 2013

The entire lookbook for Pendleton's The Portland Collection for Fall 2013 is now available. Oh man. They really have outdone themselves this time.

See more of my favorites from this collection here.

(Photo courtesy of The Portland Collection.)

Pendleton 2012 Portland Collection Fringed Scarves & Another 2013 Teaser

Are you still hemming and hawing over getting in on a fringed scarf from the Fall 2012 Portland Collection? My two from the 2011 Collections are some of the clothing items I get most complimented on.

Now is the chance to feed your inner desire and buy one, on sale. 
Painted Hills Sand, Ram's Horn Blue, and Ram's Horn Natural available for 20% off at Tildevailable for 20% off at Tilde.
Banded black scarf available for 20% off at Shopbop.

If you are in the Portland, Oregon area, Pendleton is having their closeout sale for the 2012 Portland Collection on Sat., Feb 23rd, 10 am to 4 pm. More information on their Facebook page.

P.S. Did you see the other teaser photo of the Fall 2013 Collection?

Wowzers.

(All photos courtesy of The Portland Collection.)

Wicked

 

This is one of my all-time favorite nail polishes. Described as "a deep and dark creamy sinister red," Essie's Wicked is the perfect vampy red polish. This is a perfect color to wear when the weather gets chilly, but it is classic enough to wear year-round. Great for hands and toes. Applies in two coats to a creamy opaque finish.

Pictured here with a Harding scarf in the squash color from Pendleton's 2011 Portland Collection (no longer available) and a deep v-neck tee from American Apparel. 

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

From Head to Toe: The Snowy Weekend Outfit

 

 

Boy, has it been really cold lately. It was particularly cold and windy in Upstate NY where I spent last weekend. I did little else than to snuggle in front of the fireplace, drink cups of piping hot tea, sit around chatting with a few friends, and bundle up in a chunky sweater for the snowy outdoors.

The Portland Collection, Fall 2013: A Teaser

This teaser of the Fall 2013 collection was posted on the Portland Collection's Tumblr site a couple of days ago. (Wheee! Now I can't wait.)

(Photo courtesy of The Portland Collection.)

Bordeaux

In yesterday's winter travel outfit post, you may have noticed my red nail polish. It's one of my favorite nail polishes, Essie Bordeaux. Described as "a deep red wine," it's a color that I can wear wherever and whenever. It looks just as fitting with a tee shirt and jeans as it does with a tailored suit. A true classic.

Pictured here with my Harding scarf in black and tan from Pendleton's 2011 Portland Collection.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

(Almost) From Head to Toe: The Winter Travel Outfit

 

 

 

This is the perfect outfit for winter travel: black skinnies, chambray tunic, cashmere socks, wool fringed scarf, and some black riding boots.

The Portland Collection, Fall 2012

In Fall 2011, Pendleton Woolen Mills presented the Portland Collection, fashion and home items merging archival Pendleton patterns with the fresh designs of a group of up-and-coming Portland designers. The collection featured fabric woven at the Pendleton Northeast mills and all the pieces were produced in the USA. It was one of the first fashion collections that I was truly excited about and I snapped up two wool fringed scarves and a wool trench coat.

Their sophomore collection for this fall continues the trend of pairing the heritage prints with some edgy designs. Some of my favorites from their Fall 2012 lookbook: