This week a Polar Vortex moved in and made itself home here in Michigan. Over the course of the last two weeks we have gotten nearly 2 feet of snow and it is absolutely magical. Remind me of that feeling long about the end of February, but we have been loving it and embracing it. Granted it makes life a little more challenging and we are spending much more time settled into home than we even did home, but everything is cozier and we are loving breaking out our favorite winter pieces.
Our week has been busy as we finalize every project and story for the year. So many moving parts and pieces. But! This week we had a babysitter for about 12 hours out of our week and it has made all the difference for our week of work. We have struggled to find someone to help us mostly because we live a little bit far out, but finding regular help is something we have decided in the last 2 months is completely necessary for us and our sanity. Not sure how we EVER made it this long. All that to say, I have spent a lot of time shooting and working this week while also getting some wonderful and relaxing time hanging at home with Hayes. All in moderation in balance I would say. Needless to say it has been a good week around here. As part of the week I shot my outfits along the way. I got so overwhelmed the last month with travel and work that I got thrown off on doing these weekly posts, but I wanted to bring it back especially now the season has officially changed and I know many of you are wondering how we ACTUALLY dress for this weather. Well, I have gathered them up for you and yes, when we shoot a story that is actually the outfit I wear all day too. I like to always wear what I love in shoots so I am including the looks from shoots you saw this week because I ultimately wore those outfits the whole day.
A Winter Shoot Day:
This was right before the vortex flew in and dropped us below 20 degrees outside so wearing an open coat with a flannel and no hat was acceptable, now I wouldn’t dare step out like this. I am wearing some layers under the jeans to stay warm since we were outside shooting for about an hour and a half. If you live in the cold buy some. I was wearing these ones and honestly they do really well and are easy to layer.
Get the look:
Working and Chasing a Baby:
We have two days a week that we choose to balance between the two of us now. Many days I spend more time with Hayes as Mike is working on finalizing a consulting project for the year and my workload is more flexible so I chase Hayes and then work in and between naps. Now that he naps for two longer blocks it actually is easier. It used to be we would sometimes only get 45 minutes. Now we can see solid 1.5 hour blocks or more so I can usually get a post written or crank through emails in that time. I then finish my work later in the day after he heads to bed or now that he wakes up at 8:30 AM (our trip to Texas shifted his schedule) and he sleeps through the night, I wake up around 6:30 a few days a week to get in some personal time and get in some creative work and writing before the craziness of life happens in our day. On these days, I wear a cozy sweater and my favorite leggings. This way I feel like I got dressed for the day but I can comfortably play with him and chase him, but not just be in yoga pants all day. This keeps me in playful business attire as I call it haha.
Get the look:
Distillery Tasting:
Remember the post on Tuesday where we went Distillery tasting around TC? Yeah, that was a fun way to spend an afternoon. Well, I will be honest I was a little chilly in this outfit. Next time I am wearing those tights under these jeans. Bare knees are fun, but not when wandering downtown on a windy day. But my Merino Wool sweater and boiled wool coat from Hackwith helped counter all that chill. I also recently got these rubber Chelsea boots from Jcrew and I am obsessed. I wear them with Smartwool on days that aren’t super cold (anything above 25) and they make great going out boots so I am not always living in my snow boots.
Get the look:
Shooting at Home:
We had a few stories that needed to be shot between some naps so I kept myself in some comfy pieces. I basically live in my Glerup slippers these days. I forgot how amazing slippers are. I always felt too hot when we lived in Raleigh to wear them…not here. These are essential to life. The whole house shoe concept is a real thing around here.
Get the look:
The exact Chambray I have on is from Taylor Switch from Huckberry and it is amazing!
Running Errands During a Polar Vortex:
I have a post posting later today where I am talking about winter and you can catch some photos from my drive into town to run some errands for a shoot we are doing this weekend. I had postponed going into town all week because the roads were pretty rough, we have to shoot on Saturday and Mike had a major call Friday so I decided Thursday morning was do or die. I made my list, I bundled up, and I headed into town to brave the roads and white-out conditions because work doesn’t stop even for weather like that. I survived, but the 4 hours I spent driving and shopping for everything in Traverse City, this is what I wore, plus my Gordini Sherpa gloves I now never go anywhere without. Also, for all of you who have asked I love this down Patagonia jacket, but if you live in a climate where it gets below 20 degrees most of the winter, this isn’t the coat for you. This was awesome in Raleigh and even for days between 40 -20 degrees, but not here when it is a high of 14 degrees. I am eyeing a couple parkas to purchase after Christmas that are going to cost me, but I know I will be thankful come mid-January. Oh, and the Bean boots are great for errand running and for days you need to wear your boots for a long period of time. I have Goretex and Thinsulate in them and I wear my Smartwool socks and I was warm but never too hot even in the store. BUT if it is COLD COLD COLD I suggest pulling on Sorels. I just hate lugging them around, but I love how warm I am in them on super cold days where we are just playing in the snow or doing a few things outside.
Get the look:
