Great Scott, it's cold!

Blazer (Target - really!); Sweater (Steinmart); Skirt (Steinmart); Watch (Michael Kors, Nordstrom);  Purse (Michael Kors, TJ Maxx); Boots (Zoubaby; find them locally at 14 Districts in Carmel)

Last week's record cold temperatures and heavy snowfall, followed by rain and flooding, had me scrambling to stay warm and dry, and Scottish plaid flannels were a (the) staple of my wardrobe during the height of the "Arctic Blast."  With nearly a foot of snow blanketing our frozen little piece of heaven, we were stuck inside for most of the week, and I have to confess my daily attire consisted of tartan plaid pajamas and boiled wool slippers. 

When I was finally able to venture out into our winter wonderland, I traded my cotton plaid flannel pajamas for a wool flannel blackwatch blazer.  Blackwatch is my favorite tartan.  It's a timeless classic that can be dressed up for a formal night on the town (see a favorite formal look in my prior post) or dressed down for a weekend excursion (see my "blackwatch and baseball" post).  It's also a perfect pajama pattern!
  
Though temperatures have risen exponentially compared to last week, it's still quite cold, so lots of layers were in order - we're talking a turtleneck and a cableknit sweater under the blazer, and two pair of tights (this really works!).  There is also a considerable amount of salty, dirty wet slush everywhere, but my favorite monogrammed rubber wellies are easy to clean and keep my feet dry (I cannot stand the feeling of wet socks).  Even the stuff in my purse stays cozy in a bag that's knitted to resemble a thick wool Irish fisherman's sweater.

Being snowed in for a week wasn't all bad, despite poor rationing of our Diet Coke supply.  I can't think of a better excuse to cozy up to the fireplace and watch the first season of both Sherlock and Dr. Who on Netflix (we started them because the storm knocked out our satellite dish, but now I'm hooked on both!)  It also gave me an opportunity to experiment in the kitchen.  When you're low on your "go to" meal ingredients and stuck inside miles from the nearest grocery, you get creative with that can of pumpkin that's been in your cupboard for the last 12 months.  The result was a cinnamon coffee cake that proved I still remembered how to cook using basic ingredients like flour, butter, vanilla and baking soda, rather than relying on Pillsbury.  I also remembered that it's entirely possible to make a delicious shrimp fra diavolo that does not involve Chef Boyardee and takes full advantage of Indiana home canned tomatoes from my mother-in-law!  Not to say that I won't buy canned spaghetti sauce and cake mix next time I go to the grocery (I love convenience), but still it was nice to get creative.

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

Linked up with:  Friday's Fab Favorites, Three-fer Thursday