Gown Envy.

Isn't it a bit tragic that a girl only gets to wear something as fabulous as a wedding dress once in her lifetime? That is, if she even chooses to have a wedding. Here's to making wedding gowns acceptable as everyday attire.

*This post inspired by a very exciting new bridal project I'm working on. Stay tuned.

Weathering Winter.

I may still be a New England newbie, but I've already picked up a thing or two about surviving frigid temperatures. I've got a 15-minute walk from the bus stop to my office each morning, and I've learned that with the proper attire, even single-digit temperatures can be bearable. It's funny how we adapt, isn't it? 

1. I live in leggings lately, wearing them under my jeans on cold days then sleeping in them at night. The fleece-lined ones are the absolute best, and they even make wearing skirts an option (though my rule is it has to be above freezing for skirts).

2. Socks, duh. But they've got to be good, thick socks. 

3. In Charleston, I wore cardigans all winter (often without a coat), but here they just don't feel warm enough. On the coldest days, I wear a chunky crew-neck with a thermal underneath.

4. Thick, touchscreen-friendly gloves are a must. I've heard that it works to double up with mittens. I haven't gone that far yet. 

5. Leather boots just don't cut it in the snow and slush. My rubber-soled, shearling-lined Sperrys were the best gift I got this Christmas (I got the red). 

6. I always wore scarves as decoration, but here they'll protect your face from the cold, not to mention sick people on public transportation. I prefer super long, chunky scarves — if you don't look like you're wearing a neck brace, you're doing something wrong.

Merry Christmas.

 If you celebrate Christmas, I hope you're having a lovely one! We are sipping eggnog, baking cookies, watching Christmas Vacation, and basically being very Christmas card-esque. Here's to minimizing the stress and enjoying these rare lazy days with family and friends. 

Holiday Gift Guide: Eight Ideas for Everygirl

Gift Guide 2013

I'm honestly not the best gift giver. I've always obsessed over whether or not someone will like something, whether they already have it, or whether they'll throw it away the moment they get home. And if it's someone I don't know particularly well—forget about it. Luckily, I've figured out a few basic gifts that just about any gal—including myself—would be happy to receive.

1. A fancy candle. It's one of those things that most of us are hesitant to buy for ourselves, but that's so nice to have.
2. Pajamas. Who doesn't love a cozy pair?
3. Notebooks. Because it's getting harder and harder to find a page to scribble on these days.
4. Drinkware. Whether they like to sip Moscow Mules or bubbly, choose a vessel that's perfect for their favorite beverage.
5. 2014 Planner. The new year is here. We all need to stay organized.
6. Fancy soap. Again, most people won't spend $8 on a bar of pretty soap, but they'd be happy to receive it.
7. Jewels. This is a bit harder to pick out, but Baublebar always has a bevy of sparkly—and cheap—options.
8. Books. One of the best things to give, I think.

Maine.

Earlier this fall, Todd and I drove up the coast with no real plans in mind besides making it to Portland, Maine in time for dinner. We stopped in Portsmouth, New Hampshire first, where we poked around the cute downtown area and escaped the drizzle in a little pub. It had stopped raining by the time we made it to Old Orchard Beach, Maine, so we took our time exploring the tacky beach shops then continued up the coast, stopping at Crescent Beach State Park and Cape Elizabeth. We reached the Portland Head Light just as the sun was setting and an old park ranger was shooing everyone away, then drove into Portland for dinner at Eventide Oyster Co. My favorite thing about this trip? Realizing how incredibly diverse this small patch of New England coastline is. One minute I felt like we were in Ireland; the next, Florida.

cabin in the woods.

Todd and I had to admit that driving 12 hours was a bit far for a four-day weekend—especially since we'll be doing it again in a few weeks—so we decided to stick closer to home for Thanksgiving this year. We knew we didn't want to stay home and be lonely all weekend, so we rented a teensy little cabin on Cape Cod. Sadly, I don't think this monster storm is bringing us any snow, but I'm still excited to get cozy with a stack of books, movies, and magazines. If anyone has Cape Cod recommendations (specifically Provincetown), please leave a comment!

winterizing.

I've always loved Boston, but for years I said I'd never move here because of the winters. Then I changed my mind. Being an obsessive planner — I always like to have a five-year plan, a 10-year plan, etc. — this change was a bit disconcerting. But it's also exciting to know that I can surprise myself. Who knows where I'll be in five years? I really can't say.

So here I am, prepping for my first New England winter. The autumn leaves are blowing away fast now, and it's pitch black when I get out of work. I thought this would be depressing, but I find myself more energized than ever as I watch the lights come on in downtown's tallest buildings. I've always loved a skyline at night. It makes me want to take a long walk through the city, even though it's dark and cold and the wind makes me want to cry a little. The other night, I bypassed the warm tunnels of the T and walked straight through downtown, across Boston Common, and down Newbury Street to meet Todd for dinner.

I'm stocking up on fleece-lined leggings, sensible boots, and crock pot recipes. I'm winterizing the house and car and piling the bed and couch with blankets, and we even bought the dog a coat (why should he get cold and wet on walks?). I'm obsessively tracking the first snow, which might come as soon as next week. Call me crazy, but for the first time in my life I'm excited for winter.