At Peace in The Heart of Winter

You will have noticed the lack of sewing around these parts recently.

The funny thing is, it hasn't been a problem, because I am currently at peace with my wardrobe.  I haven't been feeling a great yawning gap that needed to be filled, and although I have fabrics in the stash that I am looking forward to sewing, I just can't imagine wearing any of those planned garments.  It has just been too cold.

FL and I were discussing it the other day:  there has been so much wind and rain and snow and darkness that we feel like we are living through an endless winter with no sign of spring.  But it must be coming, right?  There's a little more daylight every day. 

Weather approaching at 8am

But back to that peaceful wardrobe...

I thought you might be interested to know what I have been wearing to work.
Jackets, shoes, hair?  Nope.  Not even slightly.

I have kept a note of my daily outfits over the past few weeks and they have been built around the following:

Airelle (pre-shrinking!) and cord skirt (short enough, thanks!)

Skirts:  (4) Tweedy Kelly, gold cord mini, teal wool Ginger, rockabilly rose.  That gold mini has been a surprising success, despite initial fears it was too short!

Tops:  (7) Pheasant Airelle, 70's Airelle, stripey renfrew, spotty renfrew, sparrow renfrew, 2 plain old rtw long sleeved t's in rust and aubergine.  Though... my pheasant Airelle shrank in the 30 degree wash!  I am gutted.  I can only just squeeze it on and the collar is warped.  SOB!

Woolies: (4) Navy cardi, Seasalt cardi, Bettie's pullover, Betty Jean McNeil
 
Dress:  (1) my Velvet Bird pumpkin plaid mini, layered up with long sleeved t underneath and cardi on top.  I wear this combination once a week without fail.

Velvet Bird dress and l-sleeve t

Trousers?  Nope.  I have been too much in love with my woolly tights and tweeds.  (I wear my jeans and multiple top layers in the house, but we're talking about workwear.)

On the one day I wore trousers to work recently, I discovered I was due to "present" to a Committee. (I have now learned my lesson and will be checking my diary the night before!)  I felt like such a scruff-ball, and although I initially blamed it on the stripey Renfrew and baggy cardigan I was also wearing, somehow these look smart enough with a skirt. But not with trousers? Even though the trousers (my grey Portfolio pants) are fairly tailored-looking?  Curious. 

Another regular combination

The good news is that I seem to have created a seasonal capsule wardrobe without really planning it.  Almost everything goes with almost everything else.  I can mix up those 16 items in multiple combinations.  I have scarves and woolly shawls in complementary and matching colours.  I have a few bits and pieces of smart or quirky jewellery that "work" with my outfits.  I even have shoe options:  my cowboy boots or my black ankle boots.  (And yes, I started polishing them!) 

Just another blurry day at the office

Blimey, I sound smug, don't I?

But thank goodness for that!  I "made it work" and it has got me through the winter without a single episode of  "OMG I have nothing to wear!".  OK, I might not have looked like Ms Career Woman 2013, but I have been warm, comfortable and... at peace.

Being "at peace" is FL's wish for me.  If ever I am upset, he tries to hypnotise me into a state of serenity by stroking my forehead and murmuring "be at peace".  And unless it's him I'm mad at... it works!

Now all I have to do is carry this through into spring, summer, autumn...  What are the chances?!