The Best Cure for the Winter Blues

Imagine waking up in the most beautiful place in the world.  Yesterday you covered in heavy layers, shivering, and everything was gray.  Today there's a warm breeze blowing in the window and calling your name to come out and see the richest colors, the most beautiful beaches, and the bluest ocean blue.  It sounds too good to be true, but it's just another winter day in Curacao.  

It's been a while since I've done a travel post, but I was fortunate enough to be able to spend a week on this beautiful island and I had to share a few pics with you.  My time on this island was all too brief and I would like nothing better than to go back again one day, although I'm afraid if I did, I'd never want to come home.

The hotel is right on the beach and has an open air reception area, not to mention friendly and helpful staff.

It's always been funny to me how these little creatures are such tough guys, ready to pinch your fingers at the slightest provocation, but the bigger ones hide in their shells and hope you go away.

This Iguana was showing off for his girlfriend by being bold enough to grab pieces of our fallen lunch for her.

 I truly could stand here and watch the ocean all day.  The changing sky, the soothing sounds of the waves, it was all too much to take in in a single visit.

I loved this little cabana bar and grill located on the beach so we could just stay there all day without having to pack a lunch or wander off to find some.

Curacao was originally colonized by the dutch and the island housing has a European style but with its own so colorful flare.  We made time to explore the old walled fort and I loved how the walls were made with coral.

 I don't remember the history behind this particular chapel, but I do know that the oldest Jewish temple in the new world is found on this very island.

Ruby in Santropez

KarinaDresses.com has just released their 2019 Resort Collection.  These slinky dresses with their bright prints and classic styles always makes me want to pack a bag, grab my floppy sunhat and sunglasses, and hop on a plane to the Caribbean.  I spent a few winter weeks there and it truly was the very best cure for the winter blues.  I don't know when or if I'll make it back to the Caribbean, but this dress helps me keep dreaming and it never hurts to be prepared.

Shopping Info:  Ruby Dress in Santropez from KarinaDresses.com

The Fair Isles Sweater Club

I'm not sure why this style of sweater has captured my heart so, but it has and it really didn't take that long.  Sure, I grew up in the 80s and my delightfully stereotypical prissy cousin wore nothing but those bulky Benetton cable knits, usually with a turtle neck underneath, slouchy socks and a perm.  And in my mind she never wore anything else...was it always winter in the 80s or was she just atypically cold.  Anyway.  Sweaters weren't my thing.  Until there were.  Which is now.  I love them now.  I have more cardigans than I care to admit or even count and my Fair Isles collection is growing with each passing winter.  They're so lovely, so cozy, so cheery in the bleakness of winter.  So, if you're a fellow lover of Fair Isles, I propose we start a club.  There must be others like-minded out there in the great big internet.

Shopping Info:  Fair Isles-style sweater from Old Navy.  Sweet Your Heart bow skirt from Chicwish

The Day is Done

Today's post will be brief.  I took a little trip to my new favorite quiet spot just as the evening kissed the sky with gold and pink.  The creek is rustling along it's lazy way and the world for one moment is just as it should be as this day is done, so I'll leave you with  a little selection from one of my favorite poets:

The day is done, and the darkness 

      Falls from the wings of Night, 

As a feather is wafted downward 

      From an eagle in his flight. 

I see the lights of the village 

      Gleam through the rain and the mist, 

And a feeling of sadness comes o'er me 

      That my soul cannot resist: 

A feeling of sadness and longing, 

      That is not akin to pain, 

And resembles sorrow only 

      As the mist resembles the rain.

Come, read to me some poem, 

      Some simple and heartfelt lay, 

That shall soothe this restless feeling, 

      And banish the thoughts of day. 

~by: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow~

Shopping Info: Whatever Will Be Wool-Blended Lilac Skirt from ChicWish, Squirrel Away Top from Princess Highway, Charter School Cardigan from ModCloth

Maxi Dresses Aren't Just For Summer

It's strange to think of an extra long dress as being a hot weather staple, but somehow it is.  That doesn't mean that it has to be a summer only style.  The thing about maxi dresses that makes them traditionally incompatible with winter is that winter is for thick bulky fabrics and lots of layers.  Floor length bulk can swallow a person.  On the other hand sheer fabrics can be far too breezy for days below freezing.  There has to be a happy medium.  I chose this Vero Viva Maxi because it had longer sleeves. and a wrap style that allows me to adjust the size slightly so I can add a camisole and slip underneath to keep me warm.  Add tights and a nice crop cardi that falls right at the waist line and I think I could handle a winter day tolerably well without all the bulk.

Outfit info:  Vero Viva Women's Floral Print Maxi Dress

Exuberant Meadow

It's been a while since I've featured one of ChicWish's printed midis, so I thought I'd take this floral fuchsia number out for a photo op.  

Shopping Info:  Exuberant Meadow Midi Skirt from ChicWish, XXI top and AE Cardi are old

Ethereal Woodland

I'm amazed at how much color there still is in the woods at this time of year.  The reds and golds are gone but in the right light, the deep rust colors of the dogwoods set against the odd cedar tree here and there still picks up quite well on camera.  I'm in the woods today to debut my latest purchase from Collectif.  I first became a fan of Collectif from their collaboration with ModCloth, but I love their solo work as well.  For my purchase I chose this Ethereal Woodland print dress because I think the colors with just the right mix of pink and blue with tan and rust will look just as lovely in springtime as in autumn.

Shopping Info:  Ethereal Woodland Dress from Collectif, Fool Me Once Pyrite Bracelet from LilyBoutique, Charter School Cardi and Heels from ModCloth