Tightening up for the new year

Good morning, Wednesday and HAPPY 2013. 'Twas a lovely chill night in with a fabulous New Year's Day brunch, but I wish I could say it's a beautiful day here in the big citay but it's not. Baby, it's colddddd outside.  Maybe it's my rapidly approaching advanced age, but the cold and I are not loving each other the way we used to. I can't seem to get warm, and even with my new warm puffy coat thing and layers and gloves, I'm a shiverin'.

Like many of you, today is a hump day that's tougher than most. Going back to the office after the holiday break is always a challenge- a lump in throat combination of "where did this last week go" and "I really don't want to set my alarm again. Ever". But you gotta do what you gotta do, so if it's going to be a bit rough, it's the little things that help get you by. Like good tights. Yes, I know. You thought I was going to say a Xanax or a good single malt, but no. 

One great thing about the cold east coast winters is the fashion. All those balmy years in Miami as person after person nudged and winked at each other with that "this is why we live in Florida" thing, I was never quite content. I missed sweaters, coats, and boots. I craved a bit of license to be a complete slug, and hot chocolate is just not as great in warm weather, full stop. And besides all the other yummy fashions we get to wear in winter, man did I miss wearing tights. I'm one of those girls, and you probably are too. I mean- look at these yellow tights. Could you be in a pissy mood wearing these? Um, no. No you couldn't. Sure colored tights feel a bit 60s go go, but what in heck is wrong with that? Sock (well, tight) it to me.

My tights collection knows no bounds- stored haphazardly in a wicker basket in my closet, there's always a pair at the ready when I'm rocking a dress or skirt in the winter. And though i may have mentioned it before, allow me to say that my hands down favorite brand is American Apparel- sure their ill fitting hipster shit is lost on me, but their tights are simply the greatest and at $14 are a great deal - the waist band is exceedingly comfortable and does not dig and the coverage and fabric is quite perfect. I find my black pair is a true black without that weird shiny thing going on (hate that) and let me just say that I am now on a colored tights bender- today I've got oxblood on and have since purchased forest green, milky grey, and navy (navy tights are fantastic ps). Something about a colored leg in this cuckoo cold and back to it blues makes it just a little better, and it sure makes life a bit more colorful amidst all this gloom.

So as you Miami friends of mine try to read between the lines and wonder if you think I'm sorry I left your balmy shores, I'm not. I get to wear tights and you don't, so at least that's one point of consolation as I make my way through the Manhattan tundra this winter. In all seriousness, go to your local American Apparel (we are all right down the street from one really) and get yerself some tights.  A lil color pop can't hurt you, or just go black and channel your inner Edie/beatnik and make your legs look super chic in the process- is there a better silhouette than a (fake) fur, short dress, black tights, and heels? I think not. Check out this image from the Sartorialist below.LOVE. LIVE FOR. FABULOUS. CHICCCCC.

And that's what's up this tightly wound Wednesday in the 212. Gotta get to it. Hope your first day back is fabulous, colorful, and well accessorized. XO