I have a zoom call today — not a big deal or presentation, but it just felt like a good excuse to wear real clothes even though I can’t go anywhere (it’s currently freezing rain and our driveway is covered in a sheet of ice that salt just isn’t penetrating, I haven’t been out in the car in almost a week and I’m going nuts).

These pants are an oddity for me. Ive had them for maybe three years but don’t wear them very much. I typically stay away from patterned pants because they tend to draw too much attention to hips and thighs. But the fit of these is so good, I was willing to take a risk on the pattern (Anthro/Pilcro, please please make more of this cut in some good solid colors!). The colors aren’t super easy for me to work with — a lot of pink and brown — but there is enough dark burgundy mixed in there that I have a couple of pieces that “go” even if they don’t 100% match. I struggle with anything that doesn’t have some black in it, since I use black to ground my outfits and quiet loud/bold patterns.

The length of these pants is also tricky — they’re supposedly full length but a bit short on me, so I’ve pinned them up an inch to make them appear more deliberately cropped. I would be tempted to try to release the hem and see if they can be hemmed a little longer, but the side accent makes it a little tricky (someday I’ll take them to my tailor to have a consult on them).

So, here they are with my burgundy Pikolinos boots snd an ancient Alexander Wang sweater that I bought probably 8 years ago in white and this raisin color. They have far exceeded my expectations for knitwear and have held up beautifully.

I even put on a little makeup and jewelry, haha!

I took the razor to my hair again a couple of days ago, and today I blow-dried it for the first time in ages. Even though I know a stylist would probably find plenty to critique about my cutting skills, I at least did seem to succeed in cutting out some of the bulk on the sides that tends to give me what I call the cocker spaniel ear look — flat on top and puffy from the ears down, kind of triangular in shape. I’m trying to get my hair into a more shag-like shape and that’s a challenge for someone who is not a trained hairstylist!

Hope you all have a great Monday!

Bonus pics from snowy-slushy-icy walks in the woods the last few days. Sunny has been a terrific hiking companion. And the Sorel boots have been brilliant. Hubs has been out of town for a month and is finally heading home this week, so we’re all looking forward to being together again!