Penny Pincher Fashion

Fashion, Beauty and Style

Fall· Fashion· Personal· Winter

My Monthly Edit

SEARCHING
When we first moved to New York 7 years ago, I had no idea what a harsh winter looked like.  So I bought a puffer coat for $50 & figured that I’d be fine – after all, we didn’t plan on staying in the Northeast permanently.  But, now that it’s clear we aren’t moving again anytime soon, I’m realizing that I need to make a serious upgrade.  So, I’ve decided that it’s finally time to invest in something well-made before the snowy weather hits.   Options I’m currently considering: here, here, here & here.  If you live in a frigid climate & have a warm winter coat that you swear by, please share with me in the comments below!

CRAVING
Several of you have been asking about comfortable but dressy shoes that you can wear to holiday parties where you’ll be standing all night.  These classic flats in a festive print, with a slightly pointed toe & embellished detail are basically perfect in every way & I instantly added them to my Christmas wish list (they also come in a neutral tweed).  Other fancy flats to try include these tasseled loafers, this embellished pair & these jacquard slip-ons.

MAKING
One of my fondest childhood memories from the holiday season was helping my mom bake all of our favorite treats and deliver them in special tins to neighbors, teachers & friends.  When I first switched to a mostly Paleo & gluten-free diet, I was so sad that I wouldn’t be able to enjoy her classic cut-out cookies or famous fudge again.  But, after  some research & a little kitchen testing, I’ve been able to find a few recipes that are just as good so I won’t feel deprived while everyone else is having dessert.  These no-bake truffles are gluten-free, vegan & dairy-free and they’re insanely delicious (if you need to take them into the classroom, try swapping out the peanut butter for sunflower seed butter).  More of my favorite recipes include these oatmeal creme pies & these cinnamon roll cookies – also, if you’re looking for a great main dish that will impress friends & family, try these stuffed acorn squash.

LOVING
My skin always struggles with the transition to winter & I find that I have to constantly be slathering on lotion to keep it moisturized & soft.  So, earlier this month, after reading the rave reviews, I ordered this body butter to try and I’ve been so impressed.  It has a light whipped texture that quickly absorbs into skin + the scent is amazing!  Because it is a bit pricey, I alternate using it with this body lotion (which is a great drugstore moisturizer) – I’ve found that this combination has been really effective & keeps my skin well hydrated so I don’t have to apply multiple times throughout the day.

PLANNING
My parents arrive tomorrow from Oregon & they are spending 6 weeks with us here in New York!  As I was planning out our schedule for the next month & a half, I realized that the last thing I want to be doing is working 50-hour weeks while they are here.  My mom & dad are in their 70’s now and we only get to see them once a year…so, after talking it over with my husband, we both decided to cut back on our work schedules & focus on making memories with them.  Our budget may be a little bit tighter as a result, but I know this is valuable time that we can’t get back once it’s gone.  So, if you notice me posting less frequently between now & the New Year, just know that it’s for a good reason & I will get back to a regular routine after January 10th.

WEARING
During the winter months, I’m mostly wearing chunky knitwear & loose-fitting sweaters so I tend to opt for a comfortable bralette instead of my usual underwire bra.  But, the issue I’ve had in the past (and many of you have also mentioned as your reason for not buying one) is that there isn’t a lot of support or coverage with this particular style.  So I was happy to discover these padded bralettes that are more of a hybrid between the two (sizing note: I’m usually a 32B and I wear a Small in these).  They come in several different colors & silhouettes and they’re all reasonably priced so you can stock up!

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Comments

  1. Kellyann says

    Good for you, enjoy all the time with your parents! The gift of time is one you never regret giving or receiving.
    xo,
    Kellyann

  2. Kimberly says

    Thank you so much for sharing! I love the dark berry color & it’s 50% off with code HOLIDAYS. Would you say it runs true to size? Trying to decide between an XS and a S.

    • Katy says

      Sorry I’m so late! Yes, I think it does. I ordered a medium because I like a little extra room for sweaters underneath. I’m 5’6″ and about 145 pounds, for reference.

  3. Mkw says

    I bought a long, hooded Eddie Bauer two years ago. It’s amazing. I’m finally not cold in Iowa! I recommend finding a store (I purchased at an Eddie Bauer outlet) and trying on the styles and sizes. It took me quite a pile of coats to find a good fit for my petite size

  4. Millie says

    Hope you enjoy your time with your parents and have a wonderful holidays! The best you can do! I wish I can see my parents and my two sister this Christmas. My parents are in their 80’s.They live in Puerto Rico and this year is not possible for us. At least I talked with them every single day two times a day. So, enjoy this time with them.

  5. Stephanie says

    Hope you have an amazing time with your family! That’s wonderful they’re able to stay so long, and taking the break is completely worth it.

    And I totally get you on the transition to winter…I’ve always lived somewhere humid, and just moved to Colorado from Texas a couple months ago! I’ve been having to use so much moisturizer everywhere it’s crazy, and I’ve never needed to use it anywhere other than my face before. If you’re looking for another good drugstore buy, I really like Jergens wet skin moisturizer! You put it on right after the shower and before drying off, and it drys quickly and feels like it lasts a long time. Definitely a good option! And I’ll have to check out Kiehl’s, once the cold actually sets in here I have a feeling I’ll be needing even more.

  9. Diane says

    We have been in the mountains of southern Virginia for 10 years now and I own MANY coats… but I always found that my legs got cold, so last year I purchased a super warm coat by Cole and Haan and now when the cold winter winds blow at 6AM and I am taking the pups outside, I am snug as a bug in this VERY warm coat.

    https://www.macys.com/shop/product/cole-haan-layered-down-puffer-coat?ID=2813247&CategoryID=269&swatchColor=Navy#fn=sp%3D1%26spc%3D1073%26ruleId%3D78%7CBOOST%20SAVED%20SET%7CBOOST%20ATTRIBUTE%26searchPass%3DmatchNone%26slotId%3D7

  11. rchiariello says

    The Eddie Bauer Sun Valley Down Parka is serious business. I live in Wisconsin and it gets crazy cold here. I got it when it was 70% off during an after season sale a few years back. I’m 5’10” and the Small Tall comes down to my knees. I don’t think I’ll ever buy another winter coat.

  12. Shadowy_lady says

    I live in Ottawa, Canada and we experience frigind winters. We can go as low as -35C. I have a lot of wool coats (all of mine are 80% or more wool, one is 100% wool) and generally I prefer the look of coats to parka’s. But you know at -35C no wool coat is going to cut it. So for those days I wear my Katie parka by Lole (Canadian brand, I think you can still order online). It’s 700 down fill, water proof, slim fitting, hits me at the knee (I’m 5’7″), is light weight and has a very warm hood and thumb hole too. It’s warm enough for our winters and I have worn it in Urale region in Russia in the winter too and it was warm there as well.

    109% recommend it!