Anticipating Spring

What's wrong with me? It's January in Massachusetts, and already I'm excited for spring! I'm bundled up in a billion layers, huddling under a quilt, drinking potsful of tea and just dying for more welcoming weather. Part of that includes furtive scrounging the online clearance racks for nice things for my warmer wardrobe. And though I wouldn't have believed myself a year ago if you told me, I have such downright pretty things in mind...

...and apparently all of those things can be summed up by "magical blackberry garden teaparty, with oatmeal".


I mean, I'm partially already living the dream. This morning I showered with "blackberry and sage tea therapy" shampoo and conditioner and oatmeal and shea butter body wash (as you can see in the picture). Even now I'm eating a bowl of cold, nutty granola in milk and waiting on an experimental pot of blackberry tea to finish steeping. I just converted two beautiful but awkwardly fitting wool sweaters in the most delicate grey and oatmeal shades into sleek wearable cardigans, complete with little nut-brown buttons. I really wanted to go for a walk today, but (never mind the temperature!) I have too much by way of homework and chores to do still. A picnic was, sadly, out of the question.

But I have made some wardrobe progress. The checked dress in the picture should be on its way, as should those sandals and the rosette cardigan. I also ordered a teal dress like the one in the picture, as well as a simple white cotton one and a thrifted blue one with polka dots. While I will not own that pretty green cardigan, I ordered two others-- one forest green and the other raspberry red-- for one-tenth of the price. "Between seasons" (fashion seasons, that is) is a great time to fill in gaps in your wardrobe because retailers want to dump all the old stuff to make way for the new, but of course basics like comfy dresses and lightweight cardigans are wearable in almost any season.

Those beautiful silk slip dresses are another story, as even though they're the PERFECT colors, and marked down all the way to $30 from $160, come with a great price too, they look super thin... pajama only, if that. If I weren't such a waffler I would snatch up the mauve one immediately. I'm still looking for a suitable blackberry juice colored frock for legitimately wearing, but it seems I'm out of luck so far. Just look at that gorgeous "Royal Robin Deer". Just, GUH, so pretty. Maybe if I'm real good that'll be coming my way eventually.

As you can see, I've already carefully eviscerated a big chunk of my plump tax return for this year. Having given up on most clothing besides dresses, I've had to reinvent my wardrobe this past year. It's good to know that everything I bought, will last me years and bring me a lot of happiness... magic blackberry oatmeal gardens, though, are harder to find ;).