WINTER'S WOOL

This is the last post today, I swear.  There was just one last piece of my outfit that I wanted to tell you about.

Last week, I wrote about the newest addition to my winter coat arsenal.  Well, this is last year's major score.  This is an Esprit, military-inspired wool coat that I scored at Ross for $80!  Unfortunately, when I found it, I couldn't commit right away, then when I got home, I had the opposite of buyer's remorse.  Instead, I had why-didn't-I-buyer's remorse.

Once I realized the error of my ways, I sent my husband back to Ross to secure the last coat for me.  But, alas, someone had beat me to it.  Poo!  I immediately started scouring the internet for the same coat, but the cheapest price online was $300!  Talk about insult to injury!

Luckily, I'm as stubborn as they come and wasn't going to give up that easily.  The very next weekend, I drove to the next closest Ross, which was 45 minutes away.  And there, I completely lucked out!  They had ONE left in my size.  See?  If it's meant to be, it will be - but you may still have to work for it!

P.S.  Even better - this coat has a detachable, fur-lined hood!

BREAKING OUT THE BIG GUNS

A faithful reader asked yesterday if I was cold in my velvet blazer.  Well, yes, I was.  When I take my pictures outside, I opt to ditch the coat for the glory of a cute outfit and beautiful backdrop.  Once it gets this cold, I wear the warmest coat I can find, which means function over fashion.  So, I thought I'd share one of the pieces that I run for after taking those daily shots.

While function takes priority, I don't abort the fashion aspect altogether.  I've mentioned before how much I hate buying coats and nothing has changed on that front.  I definitely prefer higher quality when it comes to outerwear and that, of course, comes with a higher price tag.

Since I'm such a bargain hunter, I end up agonizing over the purchase for most of the winter, refusing to give in to anything less than the deal of the century.  I prefer not to pay more than $100 for a winter coat, which can be a pretty difficult task, but it's not impossible.

We live in a valley in central Pennsylvania where the winters can get a little brutal.  It's not so much the cold or the snow that will penetrate your core, it's the wind!  I moved here to go to college almost 11 years ago, and since then, a long puffer jacket has been a crucial part of my winter wardrobe.  I hate being chilled to the bone and nothing blocks it out quite like down.

I happen to have three long down coats at the moment, but since the purchase of my third one, the first two will be on their way to goodwill very soon.  Since they're so old, they are way too big and and after having to wear them and feeling miserable in them last winter, I vowed to replace them.

Well, my stubborn and miserly ways have proven fruitful once again!  RueLaLa was an awesome sponsor of the Weardrobe Conference back in September and left us each with a sizable credit to use in one of their discounted designer boutiques.  Long before the impending winter chill, RueLaLa launched a Betsey Johnson boutique where I snagged this cloak of winter warmth.  After my account credit, I only paid $40!  It was the most boring and practical purchase at the time, but now I'm 100 times thankful for my foresight!

Oh, Betsey, your unexpected details make me giddy!

P.S. Drop me an email if you'd like an invitation to join RueLaLa!