Miami-native in a frozen New York, checking in! The biting cold this January has me channeling some winter wisdom I learned a few years back. It was 2021, the pandemic's grip still tight, and winter felt particularly brutal and lonely. I took this amazing Winter Wellness workshop with Dr. Abby Paloma where we explored winter as a pre-spring slumber, a time to embrace solitude, quietude, and introspection. During the course, Dr. Paloma recommended Katherine May's "Wintering," which housed a quote that resonated deeply.
"Winter," May writes, "is the time for slow breathing, for lying fallow. It is the time for going within, for nourishing the roots, for dreaming and planning."
Fast forward to this January, and that message of solitude and replenishment has become my mantra. The cold has me yearning for nothing more than slowing down and doing less. In terms of what I’m wearing, I've been focusing on simple joys and laser-targeting my needs. Like gloves (I desperately needed new ones), a replacement black puffer jacket (RIP to my lost one), and prioritizing practicality for those work and friend-date treks through the cold.
To conclude, I leave you with another quote from "Wintering," followed by my monthly finds – the things on my mind while I wait for signs of spring.
“When I started feeling the drag of winter, I began to treat myself like a favored child: with kindness and love. I assumed my needs were reasonable and that my feelings were signals of something important. I kept myself well fed and made sure I was getting enough sleep. I took myself for walks in the fresh air and spent time doing things that soothed me. I asked myself: What is this winter all about? I asked myself: What change is coming?”
Finds of the Month:
Products I’m wish-listing, wearing, or coveting
A. Lemaire AW24 Show - Not a specific item, but I've been revisiting the most recent Lemaire show for city dressing inspiration. The tonal layering, the thoughtfulness, the way it reflects real people's style – it's a reminder that I can be practical and chic, even while schlepping to work.
B. COS Cashmere Lined Leather Gloves, $99 - Speaking of practicality, these COS gloves have been a godsend. No more endless shopping trips – I walked into their store last week and walked out with warmth in hand. At $99, they feel like a solid investment for years to come.
C. Flore Flore Max Long Sleeve Tee, $110 - I've been reevaluating my wardrobe basics, and Flore Flore's tees have been on my radar. I love their color palette, simple designs, and heavy-weight organic cotton fabric. Their Max Tee feels perfect for uniform days when putting an “interesting” outfit together feels like too much effort.
D. Lola James Harper 213 Rue Saint Honore Candle, $54 - This Christmas gift from my brother has become my winter go-to. Inspired by the legendary store, Colette, it smells like a fig tree and fills my apartment with warmth and fantasies of the Mediterranean.
E. Proenza Schouler Chocolate Suede Brown Boots, $551 (on sale) - My winter wardrobe tends towards black, but Ali Pew's newsletter post on styling grays and chocolate browns inspired me. Then, I saw a girl on the train rocking chocolate brown suede western boots, and suddenly, all of my black boots felt so boring! These Proenzas are definitely calling my name.
F. Nili Lotan Fair Isle Sweater, $755 - The iconic Fair Isle sweater, its geometric patterns synonymous with warmth and comfort, gets a beautiful reinvention by Nili Lotan. The relaxed, cocooned shape is soft and enveloping without the bulk. While this might be the blueprint for my dream Fair Isle, the price tag stings. Luckily, the benefit of this timeless style lies in its accessibility. For instance, I love this hand-knit one on Etsy, customizable to your preferred color palette.
Finds With Substance:
Listen to The Row’s January Playlist.
Visit the Grace Wales Bonner Exhibit "Spirit Movers" at MoMa.
Drink Mariage Frères Tea. My favorite flavor is The De Lune. A fruity, vanilla forward, velvety tea bringing me comfort this winter.