This one’s for all the polka dot princesses. I’ve batted for Team Polka Dot since I was a child and it’s still my favourite pattern because of its magically graphic simplicity. I like a polka dot in black and white best, but colours have my heart too. Take a peek at the polka dot items below and be sure to click through all colour options. 

1. Banana Republic Polka Dot Cardigan: A fun way to kickstart your Spring wardrobe and great for pattern mixing. 
2. Commando ‘Big Dot’ Sheer Tights: These are worth the price because the waistband does not dig into your skin at all. Uber comfy. 
3. Full Circle Polka Dot Pussy Bow Shirt: If boxy blouses are your thing, check out this irregular spot. 
4. ASOS Blazer In Spot Jacquard: Here’s a different take on a Chanel inspired cropped jacket. 
5. ASOS Polka Dot Pleat Neck Tie: Sweet! I love blouses and shirts that are buttoned all the way to the top. 
6. Dotty Snake-Print Lil Ukita Shoulder Bag: This bag looks best worn as a cross-body and it almost came home with me.
7. Seafolly Spot Boy Leg Swimsuit: Gloriously retro and feminine. 
8. Poetic Licence Charm School Pumps: Quite the arty, charming little shoe.
9. Whistles Large Square Spot Dress: This is technically not a polka dot, but it’s fun all the same. We have to nab those sleeved dresses when we can. 
10. Marc by Marc Jacobs Hot Dot Scarf: A fun classic. You could wear this season after season and always look fab. 

I have many polka dot items, from blouses and bags to scarves, umbrellas, and even an iphone case. I used to have a polka dress, but it tore at the sleeve and that was that. I’d love to add another one to my dress capsule. Do you have any polka dot items in your wardrobe?

A few days ago we were talking on the forum about dressing up or going casual for the holidays. Today is Christmas Eve and this got me thinking about other holiday traditions, like favourite foods you serve every year, opening presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, watching old movies together on TV.

I’ve always loved the image of everyone settling down after dinner, dressed to the nines, to listen to an old radio play or an audiobook. Very nostalgic of me, I know. Although my parents love books, there never was much reading aloud when we were kids. However, we did always watch The Blue Bird. The movie is pretty dated now and it doesn’t actually have a holiday theme, but somehow it always happened to air over the holidays. To this day my sister and I agree that Christmas vacation just wouldn’t have been the same without it. 

A few years ago I started a new tradition when I finally got around to reading A Child’s Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas. It’s a story with no obvious plot, a boy’s idealized view of a magical Christmas with plenty of presents and mischief around every corner. The tale evokes slower and simpler times, where the world is always covered in snow, there are always hot drinks, many, many aunts and uncles, and snowball fights, of course. To tell you the truth, I was sold the moment I read the passage below. Mrs. Prothero sure is an aunt after my own heart…

“…But we only called the fire brigade, and soon the fire engine came and three tall men in helmets brought a hose into the house and Mr. Prothero got out just in time before they turned it on. Nobody could have had a noisier Christmas Eve. And when the firemen turned off the hose and were standing in the wet, smoky room, Jim’s Aunt, Miss Prothero, came downstairs and peered in at them. Jim and I waited, very quietly, to hear what she would say to them. She said the right thing, always. She looked at the three tall firemen in their shining helmets, standing among the smoke and cinders and dissolving snowballs, and she said, ‘Would you like anything to read?'”

Now I listen to it at least once every December. The mix of easy contentment, a child’s carefree excitement and the idea that life and the holidays don’t have to be a continuous succession of earth-shatteringly spectacular events to be special, always gets to me. Hearing it told by Mr. Thomas himself really adds to the experience.

Did you have any similar traditions when you were younger? Is there a special story you, family and friends now love to read every holiday season? A book you can’t wait to revisit this time of year? Or a movie perhaps that brings back memories and always gets you in a festive mood?

This is our last Book Nook post for 2011. We are taking a short break and will be back on 6 January with YLF Book Club and Bill Cunningham New York.

I wish everyone at YLF wonderful holidays and a very happy, healthy 2012 filled with laughter, a touch of magic and a few good books!

It’s just Greg, Rosie and me at the Holiday Cox Castle. My Papa is in London celebrating with my brother’s family, and Jasmine is very sadly no longer with us. Both were here for Christmas last year when festivities were in full swing. Despite the quieter atmosphere, we’re spreading good cheer because Christmas is magical when you’re at home with your loved ones. 

You can’t go wrong embellishing a topper capsule when you live in cold and wet Seattle. Jackets and coats are always money well spent, especially when you feel the cold like I do. Although I have plenty of coats, there was room for one more. I’ve been looking for the right classic peacoat for ages, and actually had my mind set on one in ink blue with bright gold buttons. But when I fitted on J.Crew’s Majesty peacoat in warm lemon, my heart skipped a beat and the idea of ink blue went flying out the window.

I see a pattern in my style and wardrobe choices. A lot of the time, I enjoy wearing classic items in unexpected colours. It’s the colour, not the style, that gives these particular pieces their edge. Of course, some classic pieces look so very perfect in conventional colours, like a fitted black blazer and turtle neck or crisp white button down shirt. And I enjoy wearing those items just as much. 

Although I bat for Team Red, I’m wearing yellow, black and blue for this year’s Christmas post. It’s the exact outfit that I wore when shopping with a client earlier this week amidst the hectic holiday hustle and bustle. Black turtleneck, dark skinny jeans and flat over-the-knee boots are my cold weather wardrobe staples, while the yellow topper adds a much needed cheerful accent on a dull, grey day. I’m also wearing my extra wide cats-eye specs, which is as close as I get to “geek chic” eyewear. 

Yorkshire Terrier Rosie’s red and white sweater is perfectly cozy for a cool stroll along Alki’s Beach Drive, which is where these photos were taken. Rosie wore her yellow harness to match my new coat. Her blonde bare legs are plenty warm, and her little grey foot pads are wardrobe workhorses. Such a naturally beautiful little lady is effortlessly stylish no matter what she wears. 

Greg bats for Team Black, Charcoal and Dark Blue without many exceptions. He does look stunning in a cherry red, but clearly I have more influence over Rosie’s colour choices than I do over his. As much as I like to see Greg in colour, I adore his dark, urban, no-nonsense style. He loves to wear his Winter uniform of tapered jeans, turtle neck, Dr. Marten boots, scarf and leather jacket. Rosie and I figured that we wear enough colour to make up for Greg’s almost entirely black wardrobe. Furthermore, Greg’s bright blue eyes are one killer accessory that I wish I could have too! 

We at YLF wish you a very festive yet peaceful Holiday weekend. We hope that your hearts are filled with much love and laughter. A good dose of cake and cookies won’t hurt either. 

You are on Team Present if you prefer to receive a real present. It still counts if your hints nudged the giver in the right direction. You are on Team Gift Card if you prefer to receive gift cards. It takes a little longer before you enjoy the benefits of this gift, AND you have to go to the effort of choosing your own gift after receiving the card. But you can spend the money as you please. 

I used to be 100% on Team Present. I didn’t enjoy receiving money or gift cards quite as much, because the thrill of opening a present and being able to enjoy it immediately could not be beat. I also appreciated the thoughtfulness of the person who went to the trouble of selecting the gift.

But over the years I have changed my mind about wardrobe gift cards and these days I love receiving them too. I always have a wish list and it’s wonderful to receive an unexpected budget for it. In some ways gift cards are more considerate. I personally have a hard time returning gifts when they are not my cup of tea, which makes the gift card a much more practical solution.

These polls do not usually allow you to bat for both Teams because the point is that you think a little deeper about your style preference and pick a side. But with gift giving Christmas around the corner, batting for both teams is allowed. And I am so batting for both Teams on this one. 

Over to you. Are you Team Present or Team Gift Card? Remember to tell us why you picked that side if you’re not batting for both teams.