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Monday greetings to you! I hope your weekend was as enjoyable as mine. This week is shaping up to be particularly special for a few reasons. On Wednesday, it's my birthday, and then comes Valentine’s Day on Saturday. Since next week is mid-winter break for the public schools in New York, we’re planning a little celebration at S’s school on Friday. She always has her birthday during this break—such a lucky girl! Meanwhile, at the studio, we’re preparing for some exciting photo shoots and getting ready to send off all our spring patterns to the printer. There’s a lot of proofreading and last-minute tweaking going on, but it’s all part of the fun.
This brings me to the second installment of our new series, "How I Wear It." Given the cold weather and snow, we had to get creative and shoot inside the studio, using the stairwell for a unique backdrop. I really hope this series inspires you to explore fresh ways to mix and match your wardrobe, whether store-bought or handmade.
Let me tell you a bit about this particular outfit. When the Bento Tee pattern first came out, I made a few samples to test the fit in various fabrics. One of my favorites turned out to be the quilted jersey from B&J Fabrics. I’ve been wearing it in both black and cream, but recently decided the cream version could use a little something extra. So, out came the seam ripper! Adding zippers to the side seams was surprisingly easy—just open them to the desired length, hand baste the zipper in place, and then secure it with a machine stitch. To keep the fabric from stretching too much, I always add a strip of interfacing along the edges before basting.
As for the rest of the outfit, it’s fairly simple: my go-to cashmere scarf, two pairs of black tights (one wool for texture and warmth, the other for extra coziness), my ever-present black booties, and a bold geometric-print pencil skirt. It’s the perfect ensemble for bustling around the city, which is exactly what I was doing when I put this look together.
Now, about accessories. These glasses have kind of become my signature look since I don’t wear contacts as often anymore. Accessories play a huge role in my style—they help elevate even the simplest outfits. My booties, my oversized men’s watch, and a necklace from my late grandmother are non-negotiables. I’ll share more about the sentimental value of that necklace soon. For now, I’d say I lean toward simplicity in my clothing choices, letting the accessories take center stage.
Apologies for the ad block below—I know they can be annoying, but they help keep content like this free. Speaking of related content, here are some posts you might enjoy:
Hope you found this post inspiring! Let me know if you have any questions or feedback—I love hearing from readers. Until next time, stay warm and stylish!