LET ME start by saying my husband is very smart, graduated from a really good university that I will not name-drop here for fear of being accused of name-dropping, and is quite successful in his profession. That said, I must ask: How come he’s so clueless?
A few days ago Mitch offered to go to the grocery store to pick up a few things we needed for dinner. Inwardly I groaned, remembering his past solo shopping expeditions, but outwardly I accepted the offer since I didn’t want to go myself. Naturally he said what all men say before they go off to buy food for the family: “Make me a list.” This irks me no end, since he spends an hour every night before bed making detailed To-Do lists for work the next day, but when it comes to food, he can’t make a list. (Hey, open the fridge, buy what isn’t there, how hard is that?)
Moving on. I made a short list; we needed a very few things. Minutes later Mitch called from the store to say he had left the list at home on the kitchen counter. Adept at multitasking, I read the list to him over the phone while simultaneously elevating my blood pressure, then hung up and took an extra pill.
Mitch arrived home. Instead of cole slaw to accompany our barbecued chicken, he had purchased salmon salad. “Why this?” I asked. He thought it was cole slaw; apparently in his world the two are indistinguishable.
“But there’ s a label right on the top of the clear plastic container that says salmon salad, and it costs five times as much! Didn’t you notice—besides the fact that the stuff inside is not greenish shredded cabbage but pinkish chopped fish—that this little bit of what you believed to be cole slaw cost you $8.75?”
“I thought it was pretty expensive.”
Mitch hopes I will eventually find things like this endearing. In the interest of my blood pressure, I am trying.
I AM ALL in favor of romance and have nothing against receiving boxes of chocolate truffles or macarons or gorgeous bouquets of flowers or Veuve Clicquot, or perfume, while I’m thinking about it. And if my husband happens to be reading this, hope he takes note. But when I got to thinking of the best things to give this Valentine’s Day, my thoughts turned to much less indulgent, read practical-minded gifts, to keep friends, spouses or partners protected from the pandemic and now, its scary, emerging variants. So, if you love them, keep them safe—and healthy. Below, some ways:
—Janet Kelly
LEFT: It may be that the best mask is two masks. This UA Sports Mask ($30, Under Armour), with a water-resistant outer layer and an inner anti-microbial layer, also has UPF sun protection. It comes in five sizes so you can really get a close fit but you might want to buy a slightly larger size if you intend to put it on over, say, a surgical mask.
RIGHT: Vistaprint’s Basquiat “Untitled” Face Mask ($22) with adjustable ear loops, a bendable wire nose strip, stretchy fabric and a lower section that hugs the chin ensures this mask will fit several different face shapes. The moisture-wicking fabric keeps sweat at bay. For more protection, Vistaprint sells replaceable filters in packs of 10.
LEFT: Mostly hidden behind masks, lips cry out for attention. Patchology’s Lip Service Gloss-to-Balm Treatment ($15) to the rescue. A mix of hyaluronic acid, aloe and honey, it not only moisturizes lips, it happens to taste good. You slick it on and it melts into a treatment that protects thar delicate skin area. Love at first swipe?
FAR AND NEAR RIGHT: We’ve mentioned this hydrating (a blend of aloe and glycerin) sanitizer in a cute little bird misting dispenser before, but on the theory of twice is nice, here it is again. The one-ounce size of essential-oil fragrances from Olika is $17.99 each; it comes in three-, six- and 12-packs. In addition, there’s a .6-ounce birdie ($14.99) that has a clip to attach to belt or backpack, which is also available at Anthropologie ($7). They’re all refillable.
BELOW: Never underestimate the importance of a good night’s sleep. Better than a “Do Not Disturb” sign, Fleur du Mal’s luxe Silk Eye Mask ($48) keeps light out while it coddles the eyes. Cue the soft music or the recording of falling rain.
LEFT: Republic of Tea’s Be Active Get Burning Tea ($14, Amazon) could convert a non-tea drinker into an enthusiast. It has got a slew of ingredients that I’ve heard of like ginger, cinnamon, basil and cloves and some that I haven’t like cordyceps extract and natural sea buckthorn. They all add up to a spicy herbal blend that whether or not it increases your metabolism, energy and stress resistance tastes like it could.
RIGHT: This Harry & David Red Grapefruit ($34.99) box is packed with seven juicy ones, filled with the immune-boosting properties of Vitamin C (38.4 mg for a half grapefruit). It also has a high water content, which is key to keeping the body hydrated.
LEFT: Raise your hand if you think you should learn how to meditate or know someone who should. There’s never been a better time to find out how to lower the volume in your head. HeadSpace allows an introductory period to learn some basics before signing up for a yearly $69.99 subscription.
RIGHT: Context Conversations advertises itself as “scholar-led virtual learning for the intellectually curious.” Appropriately enough for Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14, 5-6:30pm), food historian Francine Segan will talk about the beliefs behind frog saliva, rhinoceros horns and oysters, truffles and caviar in “Aphrodisiacs: Myth or Reality?” ($36.50, Context Travel) spanning a time period from ancient Egypt through the Middle Ages to today.
LEFT: Keep washing your hands. Anthropologie Ayurvedic Valentine Bar ($16.50) makes the routine more of a pleasure with its subtly scented, handcrafted soap, all wrapped up in sheep’s wool and gift-ready. For anyone needing a little Valentine’s cheer.
RIGHT: Nestle a heart-shaped soap (above) or set some sinful sweets onto Vietri’s adorable, Italian stoneware Mini Amore Plate ($18). You could also place it on a night table to neatly collect your favorite jewels.
LEFT: Some like it hot—or cold. For depuffing eyes or soothing head or muscle aches, heat this Mini Heating Pad (6-by-7.5 inches, $17, Etsy) in the microwave or cool it in the freezer. An inner bag contains corn kernels; the outer cover is a pretty print fabric, which is washable. A few years ago I got one as a gift that I use regularly—both hot and cold—on my wonky shoulder.
RIGHT: When there’s no gym class, you don’t have a Peleton, and you can’t take another Zoom session of anything, Gaiam’s Restore Strength and Flexibility Kit ($14.98, Amazon) can help out with three color-coded bands in light, medium and heavy levels of resistance. For anyone with an accursed frozen shoulder—like mine—they’ve worked magic on my range of motion.
LEFT: When minds are spinning, jigsaw puzzles can help with focus, problem-solving skills and even improve short-term memory. No wonder their popularity has soared during the pandemic. Fans of L.A.-based, Parisian-influenced fashion label Clare V. will appreciate the distraction of this 1,000-piece puzzle CV Collage ($39), inspired by the brand’s signature graphics.
RIGHT: Okay, so there’s nothing innately healthy or protective about this Amore Sterling Silver Pearl Necklace ($155, Moda Operandi), except it’s charming and could put a happy smile on the face of its recipient. And there’s a lot to be said for a gift that improves one’s outlook on life. Strung with freshwater pearls and crystal-embellished letters that spell “love” in Italian. Isn’t that romantic?
MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale. We are also an Amazon Associate.
VICE PRESIDENT Kamala Harris has a penchant for pearls—and sneakers. A not-so-likely pairing that’s become her uniform, even featured on the February cover of Vogue. We took a page from her playbook for this post.
—Janet Kelly
LEFT: The freshwater pearls in different sizes that line this Madelyn Genuine Pearl Beaded Necklace ($105, Nordstrom) will shine even more brightly when stacked with your other favorite chains and strands.
RIGHT: VP Kamala Harris’ favorite pair of kicks is this Converse Chuck Taylor All Star ($50). She told Oprah magazine she owns white ones, black leather ones, a collection for cold and hot weather, and ones that lace up and ones that don’t.
ABOVE, TOP: Old is new again in sneakers. New Balance updated the design of its classic 996 ($89.99) with new details on the upper and improved stability and cushion of its midsole. The red “N” looks fresh and sassy, but it’s also available in sleek all black and in white with black trim. ABOVE, BELOW: Cariuma makes old-school sneakers with new-school ethics. The company manufactures its footwear out of materials like Fairtrade cotton, so its shoes are sustainable while being comfy and stylish, too. We chose the OCA Low Stripe Burgundy Red Canvas Sneaker ($79) as a neutral that will go with most items in our wardrobe. Can’t make up your mind among the color options? Buy more than one.
LEFT: Why should necks have all the fun? Decorate your wrist with this Ben Amun Round Pearl Bracelet ($220, Kirna Zabete). From the brand’s Gold Link collection, it’s reminiscent of the chunky chain designs of the ’80s and ’90s. The links are 24-karat gold, accented by Czech glass pearls.
RIGHT: The mission of Alighieri jeweler Rosh Mahtani, who graduated from Oxford University in 2012, is to create modern heirlooms based on her literature studies. In the brand’s website description, Mahtani says Those Are Pearls That Were His Eyes necklace ($449, Farfetch) are inspired by T.S Eliot’s “The Waste Land.” Anyway, this unusual piece is made with freshwater pearls and 24-karat gold-plated bronze.
LEFT: I have been admiring Emma Villedrouin’s jewelry ever since I interviewed her prior to the Smithsonian’s 2016 Craft2Wear show. A staple of her collection, this Pinwheel Pendant ($340) will float freely on a chain (sold separately, or use your own) and go happily with a white T-shirt or a cashmere crew. You can have your pick of pearls for the pendant—say, multicolor fresh waters or baroque akoyas.
RIGHT: Nike’s ’70s running shoe gets reinvented, thanks to the texture of recycled canvas, springy foam cushioning and a sporty sole. The old-guard signature swoosh remains the same on this new Cortez Premium Sneaker($90, Nordstrom).
LEFT: Leave it to jewelry designer Lizzie Fortunato to pair freshwater pearls and multicolored African glass beads on her Daydream Necklace ($295, Nordstrom)—a fresh tweak on a favorite silhouette. Double it up to wear close to the neck or wear it long as a single strand.
RIGHT: Not your expected pearl necklace, either. Five 9mm cultured pearls framed by 18-gold accents are the central attraction on Lagos’s sterling silver Luna Station Necklace ($695, Nordstrom).
LEFT: Céline’s Phoebe Philo came out for her bow at the end of her fall 2010 runway show wearing a moss-green turtleneck, black pants and crisp white tennis shoes. The designer’s five-second appearance turned that particular sneaker into a trend almost overnight. These Adidas Stan Smith Originals ($61.50, Zappos) come very close to what Phoebe wore. They might even improve your tennis game.
RIGHT: Pearl studs are a little bit, shall we say, on the dull side. These Harlequin Pearl Hoop Earrings (Catbird, $578) are anything but. The contrast of classic 4mm and 7mm cultured pearls with 14k gold hoops strikes just the right balance of traditional and original, like our new VP.
MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale. We are also an Amazon Associate.
YESTERDAY I purchased a can of Planter’s Mixed Nuts, the label of which promised less than 50% peanuts and plenty of almonds, cashews, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts and pecans. When my husband opened the can later, he shouted from the next room, “It’s a lie, way more than half is peanuts!”
I ignored him, or at least tried to, but his grumbling made me well aware of his foraging for another snack. Because he is on some esoteric no-peanuts regimen, he rejected the nuts and opted for some blueberries. (Mitch is now one of those hyper-health-conscious eaters recently classified as “mentally ill,” but that’s another blog.)
Today I ventured into the same can of nuts and found it ridiculously full of peanuts and without one Brazil nut in there! I know this for a fact because my husband hates Brazil nuts and would not eat one if you paid him (unless you paid him a lot, but otherwise no way), and I love Brazil nuts—in fact, I would go so far as to say they are my favorite nut. Also, there were about three cashews in there, two hazelnuts and maybe twelve almonds, and the rest was all peanuts! (Any pecans surely were eaten by Mitch on sight.)
Being a spoiled American who has never been hungry for a second except maybe once on Yom Kippur many years ago, I was outraged and called the number printed on the label that invited customer’s comments. I got a live person almost right away, which was good news, but the bad news was she was totally pissed off at me from the word go. Her tone was quite condescending, as if she could not believe that someone was pathetic enough to make this very phone call, and she gave me some spiel about how “the contents are machine-controlled” and it was “highly unlikely” that I was correct. Perhaps I had not assessed the situation accurately?
“Hey, I know a g-d Brazil nut when I see one!” I said, perhaps too loudly. She said there was no need for profanity. In the end she took my address and said they would mail me a rebate coupon. Then she asked for my email address so that “Mr. Peanut can see how you’re doing in a few weeks.”
WINTER weather always make me feel boot challenged. Neither my beloved Dries Van Noten knee-length taupe-green leather boots with an angled heel nor my favorite Rag & Bone ankle boots are a match for snow/ice-covered sidewalks. Nor do my other random pairs of boots hold up well in the elements. But, this season, it looks as if we would-be boot buyers have plenty of choices for combating cold and wet.
For example, there’s a slew of lace-up styles in attractive colors with contrasting shoe laces. They’re lined with faux fur, fleece or genuine shearling with lug soles providing sure-footed traction from brands like Sorel, L.L. Bean, Timberland and Bogner. Ugg has a new zippered mini that looks like a puffy down coat on a ridged sole. Laces not your thing? Slip-ons from Doc Martens and Aquatalia offer style as well as practical, winter-ready soles. Just want to hang out at home or make a quick run to the nearby grocery store? Laidback London’s got a moccasin-like bootie for that. Remember Moon Boots? Yup, you can find them, too—the ones inspired by the moon landing—in Crayola colors with padded insulation and also in ankle versions in suede or with metallic or animal prints.
Here, take a peek at our picks:
LEFT: Come in from the cold to snuggle your feet in these comfy Laidback London Naira Boots ($190, Anthropologie). Inspired by traditional moccasins, these fluffy sheepskin-lined boots with hand-stitched details also have a lightweight yet sturdy sole, enough so to wear them to run out of the house on an errand.
CENTER: In the late ’80s, I went hiking in the Italian Alps with a group of Milanese, including two women who wore the latest-fashion skiwear, lots of dangly jewelry and whose feet were encased in nylon-and-foam-insulated Moon Boots. Weren’t those supposed to be for après sport not during? Despite the occasion, I remember feeling totally underdressed. In any event, Moon Boots have been making a comeback, some with design tweaks, such as these ankle-length Mars Shearling Boots ($456, Moon Boot) in suede and protective sheepskin and light with a flexible sneaker-like sole. The wraparound laces make sure the fit you get is snug.
RIGHT: Boot label Montelliana makes luxurious hiking footwear, like these splurge-y Marlena Boots ($585, Shopbop), with a dyed hair calf upper and shearling lining. BTW, love those red shoelaces. But you don’t have to tackle tough terrain to wear them. Amortize the price by making them your favorite everyday booties to pair with jeans or leggings.
LEFT: You can’t come up with a better combination of practical and good-looking than Sorel’s Caribou Waterproof Boot ($169.95, Backcountry). Sealed seams and waterproof nubuck leather mean dry feet while a felt inner boot and a fleece cuff guarantee warm ones.
CENTER: For anyone who likes boots with some lift, Voile Blanche’s Loden 003 Boots ($310, Shopbop) with chunky heel provides a nice boost. Contrast panels leather, suede and shearling panels give them an interesting edge.
ABOVE RIGHT: Ugg boots keep on getting reinvented. Take this Ugg Ridge Mini ($159.95, Zappos) that looks like a puffer jacket in the form of a shoe. Waterproof and wool-lined, it’s supposed to keep your feet dry and warm in temps as low as 0 degrees F.
BELOW RIGHT: You don’t have to give up wearing sneakers this winter, thanks to a shoe hybrid like Ugg’s Aika Sneaker Boots ($120, Anthropologie). The top part of the shoe looks like a hiking boot and the bottom part —a sporty rubber sole—offers the comfort of a sneaker. Best for winter days on the milder side and early spring.
LEFT: These charming Timberland Premium Waterproof 6-inch Boots with Liberty Fabric ($99.99) with a sure-footed lug sole and laces made of recycled plastic are sold out online. For availability at a store near you, go to the Timberland website.
CENTER: Jacquie 2 (reduced to $90 from $150, Zappos) combat-style ankle boots from Sam Edelman come with a center zipper for easy on-and-off. A faux shearling cuff and faux-fur lining will keep your toes toasty.
RIGHT: L.L. Bean’s Rangely Waterproof Pac Boots ($139) put a spin on the classic snow boot with upper panels and lining in fleece, along with PrimaLoft insulation to keep feet warm, dry and comfortable in cold winter conditions.
LEFT: I’ve been pining over Aquatalia boots for a while. They’re spendy, but I could convince myself to spring for this sleek taupe suede Kyla ($475) with an inside zipper and shearling lining on a lug sole. (It’s also available in black and navy.) Note to self: It’s weatherproof, not waterproof.
CENTER: Bogner is best known for its elegant, fashion-conscious ski wear—for experts and snow bunnies alike. We like the look of these gray Copenhagen Leather Snow Boots ($429, Mytheresa) with contrasting white shearling lining and rugged ridged rubber soles. For icy conditions on city streets or around the lodge, they’ll keep you upright and your feet cozy. A similar pair, St. Anton ($479, Bogner), comes in black suede with shiny eyelet accents and matching padded lambskin collar.
ABOVE RIGHT: Vasque boots are made for hiking, yes, but I wear my 15+-year-old pair in snowy conditions in the city, and they provide all the traction I need, plus keep my feet from getting wet, thanks to Gore-Tex. An updated version of mine, this Talus XT GTX Waterproof Hiking Boot ($209.99) is sporty- and spiffy-looking, and will take me into spring when, who knows, I may even take a hike.
BELOW RIGHT: You can’t go wrong with a pair of faux-fur lined, slip-on Dr. Martens Leonore Sherpa Chelsea Boots ($160, Shopbop).
MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale. We are also an Amazon Associate.
IN LIGHT of the attack on our Capitol, the Black Lives Matter movement and the inauguration of a new president, make some time today to reflect on the influential American civil rights leader and his tireless quest for racial equality in the United States.
PERHAPS I should have paid closer attention this fall when I noticed my favorite 14-year-old wearing a golden-colored fleece jacket— it almost matched her hair. She is kind of my barometer of what’s trending. Last summer, she was walking around in Crocs, sales of which grew a record 12 percent in 2020 and are expected to go much higher in 2021, according to a CNBC post yesterday. The Covid effect, reportedly. While I doubt I will ever set foot in Crocs, I can relate to fashion’s newfound appreciation for fleece, which is having its pandemic moment as well.
Often made from recycled plastic, fleece keeps you warm—a good thing in cold weather. It’s durable and moisture-resistant, plus it’s also lightweight and comfortable against your skin.
I suspect that fleece will have staying power post-pandemic. It’s no longer the dull green pullover you remember your office colleague wore endlessly in the late-90s or that sensible but lackluster layer you put on under your ski jacket. Even before the coronavirus hit, fitness and outdoorsy labels such as Patagonia and UnderArmour have been elevating fleece from simple sweatshirt styles to those with fresh shapes, colors and distinguishing details. With her fanciful jackets, designer Sandy Liang has singlehandedly made fleece fashionable.
As for me, it fits into my sweet spot of function combined with good looks. Want some examples? See below.
—Janet Kelly
LEFT: When designer Sandy Liang launched her own label in 2014, the fashion crowd cheered, especially for the brand’s signature statement jackets. Her fluffy Seven Fleece jacket ($695, Shopbop) is a coat of only two colors and quite the splurge but charming with its gingham button placket and zippered patch pockets. The high collar will keep a neck coddled, and the reflective stripe on the back will make sure you’re noticed—in the dark. Wear with a taffeta skirt and combat boots or sneakers.
RIGHT: Made from a wool and polyester blend, this Teddy Fleece Overshirt ($135, Cos) is a go-to snuggly piece for tucking under a coat or to wear alone as a jacket during a January thaw.
LEFT: Although Everlane’s ReNew Fleece Raglan Sweatshirt ($48)—made from recycled plastic bottles— is available in black and oatmeal, this pale sage color is sooo cheery. An antidote to winter blues.
RIGHT: The Fjallraven brand, which means “arctic fox” in Swedish, is synonymous with durable, classic outdoor clothing, such as this forest-green Greenland Pile Fleece Jacket ($124.99, Zappos). Note the attention to details: the ribbed collar, hem and cuffs as well as the practical snap front pockets.
LEFT: Say no to drab while staying warm in this statement stoplight yellow and orange Sherpa Fleece Snap Pullover($298), a wool-polyester-acrylic blend from Tory Burch’s Tory Sport division. A neutral beige bottom half with satin patch pocket and rope pull zipper is just the right amount of contrast.
RIGHT: We like the hood on UnderArmour’s new Hustle Fleece Hoodie ($44.99) almost as much as its Carolina blue color. For grown-up girls who are sporty and those who wanna look like they are.
LEFT: Outdoor Voices touts the fleece on its MegaFleece Bomber Jacket (reduced from $158 to $104) as its coziest fabric, a combo of 63% reclaimed wool, 24% nylon and 13% polyester. What’s new is the bomber silhouette. Bare midriff not encouraged.
RIGHT: Madewell’s corduroy-trimmed, boxy Sherpa Chestnut Jacket (reduced from $150 to $109.99) looks cuddly. Wear it with a sweater or instead of one.
LEFT: With a name like Denimist, you’d expect, well, denim, and you do see plenty of jeans (many distressed and ripped) on this newish brand’s website. But there are also baggy blazers and oversize coats, fleece jackets, sweaters and tops, styled with those jeans and accessories, such as long pearls, bucket hats, sunglasses and L.L. Bean duck boots. It’s a little old J. Crew and Ralph Lauren with a shot of old Kate Spade. This Fleece Jacket is $325 at Saks Fifth Avenue.
RIGHT: I’m a sucker for loden green, which we don’t see enough of these days. That’s one reason I’m attracted to Topo Designs’ plushy Sherpa Jacket ($149,Backcountry). Just the slightest bit cropped and boxy, it will play nicely with either a pencil skirt or high-waisted jeans.
LEFT: I turn to Sweaty Betty for workout leggings, which don’t sag and have a conveniently placed pocket to stash a key or tissue. But I’d be game to slip on this Escape Luxe Fleece Hoodie ($148), which comes in misty rose pink, light blue, gray, oatmeal and spring green. The relaxed-fitting hoodie with a curved hem is made from recycled cotton and offers more-than-adequate butt coverage.
RIGHT: This taupe Classic Retro-X Fleece Jacket ($199, Urban Outfitters) is an example of how Patagonia has gone from its original no-frills origins to bend to style with its pink trim and stand-up collar. Still, function and sustainability matter most. Cue the internal wind flap, moisture-wicking mesh lining and the material (100% polyester, 50% of which is recycled).
MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale. We are also an Amazon Associate.
I AM SO textbook it’s not funny. Like a good Baby Boomer, I have done everything according to plan: High school, college, Woodstock, marriage, career, divorce, remarriage, motherhood, hip replacement. The only thing missing is grandchildren, but really that’s up to my son as my husband keeps reminding me. Now, according to a recent newspaper article, I should be focusing on “downsizing.” After getting rid of the treasures we have collected over the years, my husband and I are encouraged to sell our home and move to an inexpensive foreign country like Costa Rica, which is apparently the new Collins Avenue, where we can start all over at some new vocation. That’s what people my age do, and who am I to buck the trend?
But what if I want more out of what’s left? So now I am wondering how to make the most of my so-called Golden Years, because simply aging in place and making more paintings is not a very “boomer” thing to do, except if you are George W. Bush whose post-presidency art virtually flies off the walls. After mulling things over, I’ve come up with the following:
1. If Freddie Mercury were still alive I could become a groupie and follow Queen around from concert to concert. That might even make the news, or at least the internet: “Oldest Queen fan bucks the trend.” Alas, Freddie died in 1991 and I only discovered his music after his death, being busy having a career and getting married and then divorced and married again and having a baby and then hip surgery. (See opening paragraph.)
2. If my husband were not so much younger and also felt like retiring, we could pack ourselves into an RV and see the USA. Or, because driving with him is really scary even in a car and I certainly am not up for handling one of those big rigs, we might just fly to a sunny Mediterranean isle and live on the beach, if I were not so prone to getting skin cancer and didn’t hate the beach so much. So, no.
3. I could completely deny my true personality and devote myself to God and start doing His work by adopting babies from Ukraine or wherever there are babies needing adopting, which I would definitely do if I were younger but at my age it is cruel to adopt a baby, or even get a puppy for that matter.
4. Write my memoirs for my progeny.
I better call my son and tell him to get busy on those grandkids.
WELCOME, 2021, another year that promises to be anything but ordinary. Still, as we arrive at the first days of a new year and leave the old one behind, inquiring minds (ours) are thinking about what’s in and trendy and to what we can say bye, bye.
Fashion-wise speaking, there wasn’t a lot of excitement. Instead of something you changed into after work, loungewear (sweat pants and the like) was the clothing we worked and stayed in all day. But outdoorsy fleece gave pullovers and hoodies a new stylish look and a quarter-zip added a fresh detail. Pink’s popularity dimmed, overtaken by a ready-for-anything army green. The most eye-catching and frankly fun item we’ve been liking during these pandemic times has been statement outerwear. Thumbs-up to designer-y faux fur coats. Some of the best fashion we’ve seen in the past few months has been on Netflix. Anya Taylor Joy’s (Beth Harmon’s) wardrobe on The Queen’s Gambit has inspired a raft of retro styles on Anthropologie, while Bridgerton’s 7,500 Regency-era costumes make delicious eye candy.
We expect Vice-President Elect Kamala Harris to be an influential force in fashion. Her wardrobe staples—comfortable sneakers (Converse Chuck Taylors, in particular) and pearls—are already desirable buys.
And, we’ve got more picks on our in-and-out list below. So, without further ado, our popularity predictions for 2021. Please note that this reckoning is a compilation of our own opinions and completely random.
WHEN THE clock strikes 12 tonight, 2020 will be so last year. With a new president and two new vaccines, we welcome 2021 with open arms—and the highest expectations for a better year.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Women who used the power of fashion to make a personal statement: Solange Knowles at the 2018 Met “Heavenly Bodies” Gala in an Iris Van Herpen gown and a durag (a staple of Black culture) with a halo headpiece. Mexican-American singer Selena Quintanilla was known for her fearless style, which is still copied today, 25 years after her senseless murder. Ruth Bader Ginsburg in an official 2018 portrait of the Supremes after the confirmation of Bret Kavanaugh. Michelle Obama wearing her signature sleeveless black shift, defying critics, showing off her beautiful, sculpted arms. And Princess Diana, resplendent in her “revenge dress.” She wore it the same night Prince Charles admitted to adultery on national TV, turning a humiliating moment into a personal victory.
CLOTHES can speak volumes. So says ANN SHEN’s new book, Nevertheless, She Wore It: 50 Iconic Fashion Moments ($22.50 Chronicle Books), a fun, informative, illustrated romp through fashion history, zeroing in on sartorial choices that defined their time. From Marie Antoinette’s excoriated gaulle (a simple muslin dress loosely draped around the body and belted around the waist with a sash) to Serena Williams’s oh-so scandalous sleek black Nike catsuit, Shen explains how generations of women have used the power of fashion to make a political and/or cultural statement.
Looks include the Flapper Dress, the unofficial outfit of women’s independence in the 1920s; the Afro, the hairstyle that was an emblem of Black beauty, power and pride; and the Mini Skirt, which became a symbol of liberation and rebellion against the post-war 1950s.
There also are nods to Marlene Dietrich and the tuxedo, Coco Chanel and the tweed suit and to statement-making red. Shen cites the story of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who was advised to wear neutral nail polish instead of red for her confirmation hearings. She didn’t listen to the advice.
Here, more examples of the clothing women wore that changed the way we think about how we dress.
—Janet Kelly
The late, great RUTH BADER GINSBURG changed the world for women, fighting all her professional life for gender equality. Shy and diminutive, she became a rock star in her 80s. Her special-occasion collars served as her personal code. When announcing an opinion for the court, she wore a yellow crochet jabot with pink edges that features a chain and gold appliqués (a gift from her law clerks). To express dissent over a court ruling, Ginsburg opted for a black bib necklace with rhinestones, because “it looks fitting for dissent.” In the official photo of all nine justices in 2018 after Justice Brett Kavanaugh joined the Court, Ginsburg wore a spiky feathered collar, made by accessories company Stella & Dot. Make of it what you will.
LEFT: It wasn’t until 1993 amid challenges by Senators Carol Moseley-Braun and Barbra Mikulski that women started wearing pantsuits on the Senate floor. HILLARY CLINTON rewrote the rules about women’s clothing in the political scene. She chose to take on the power of the suit, reflecting her personal preferences and personality through them. She was known for her colorful pantsuits, but as a nod to suffragettes she wore a white one to accept her presidential nomination, the first for a woman of a major political party.
RIGHT: Speaker of the House NANCY PELOSI’s first meeting with Donald Trump came after the 2018 midterm elections when the Democrats won control of the House and Pelosi regained her Speaker role. After a contentious session, she emerged in this high-collared, fire-engine red coat from Max Mara, accessorized with dark sunglasses and high heels. Not just clothes, but “diplomacy in motion,” award-winning filmmaker Barry Jenkins noted.
LEFT: In 2018, after the birth of her daughter, SERENA WILLIAMS returned to tennis wearing a black Nike catsuit with a red sash about which she said, “I feel like a warrior princess… like a superhero when I wear it.” The French Tennis Federation banned it from future French Open tournaments and critics voiced their displeasure (read sexism and racism). Despite the criticism of what she wears and how she plays, Serena keeps winning, a real-life superhero to her followers and fans.
RIGHT: Jumpsuits (boilersuits, coveralls), which started out as garments for manual workers, became a popular style for women in the 1970s, thanks to the likes of Cher and DIANA ROSS. In 1983, Ross became the first woman Black singer to headline a show in Central Park. As rain began falling, Ross told the 450,000-person audience, “It took me a lifetime to get here, and I’m not going anywhere.” She celebrated her powerful stardom in a purple sequined jumpsuit, inspiring a future generation, notably Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez.
I RECENTLY visited an optometrist for my dry eyes, an annoying but not life-threatening condition that afflicts 4.88 million Americans over the age of 50. Common though it may be, still it’s a pain in the ass, as well as the eyes. Blurry vision, watery eyes, mild headaches and the inability to read small print even with perfect vision and great reading glasses sent me there.
This was the second eye doctor I went to. The first had recommended a treatment—a special eye mask filled with beads that I heated in the microwave and then placed over my eyes for 20 minutes every morning—that worsened the condition, so I decided to get another opinion.
This one, Dr. X let’s call her, appeared to have come in the morning mail. Okay, fine, I reasoned, she’s young, fresh out of eye-doctor school, full of the latest info. The fact that she wore yoga pants and a long T-shirt, an outfit I might wear when cleaning the bathroom, irked me, but hey, I’m old and stuck in my dinosaur ways of expecting professional people to look professional. Those days are gone, I chided myself.
But the woman-child knew nothing. She quickly examined my eyes and declared them perfect, concluding I had dry eye syndrome, which I had said on the phone when I made the appointment and again on the patient questionnaire I filled out when I arrived. She offered two prescription medications, citing them both as “the very best available” treatment, and left the room to get me a sample so I could try some out. But she returned with a third drug saying, “I haven’t ever used this but my colleague just told me it’s new and pretty good. It’s quite expensive so we’ll have to see if your insurance covers it. Oh, and it won’t start working for about two months. Anyway, I don’t have any samples of the other ones.”
I left with my one-month trial of the very expensive Cequa, a prescription for my pharmacy for more of the stuff, and an appointment for a checkup with the doctor in three months. Not being a moron, when I got home I read all I could find about Cequa on the Internet. I learned that it had some very serious side effects and some less serious side effects. These included intense burning of the eyes upon insertion of the drops, blurry vision, watery eyes, headaches, increased floaters, increased sensitivity to light, haloes, urinary tract infections, lower back pain and sharp pain in the side.
So I could start taking this costly drug and for the next two months feel a lot worse than I do now, and then maybe feel better, or not. I called Dr. X and told the receptionist that I would not be taking the drug and thus would bring back the sample packs. She put me on hold, then came back and said, “No problem. You don’t need to bring them back. Just throw them in the trash.”
LAST WEEK, in the middle of the night, I woke up thinking that the Pantone Institute hadn’t yet named their color of the year. No idea why that thought was buzzing around in my brain. But the strange thing is the next morning I got an email from a friend, asking if I’d read about Pantone’s pick for the color of 2021.
As you probably know by now, Pantone chose not one but two colors—Ultimate Gray and Illuminating. In other words, a pebble gray and a bright yellow. Pantone’s color gurus come to their decision by traveling around the world (this year, more like Zooming), looking for color influences from new artists, fashion and interior designers, popular travel destinations, upcoming films and new technology.
According to Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, this year’s pick is combination of resilience and hope. Yellow cheers us up while gray assures and steadies. In the clutches of the coronavirus pandemic, though, gray alone might read as bleak; yellow, too optimistic.
I don’t know if I just hadn’t noticed it before, but as I’ve browsed around fashion sites in the past few days, lots of yellow and gray either alone and/or in combination with each other stare out from my screen.
Here, some examples of the color duo to wear now and post-pandemic.
—Janet Kelly
LEFT: See? Yellow and gray make a good-looking couple. A handmade embroidered floral bouquet bursts unexpectedly over Prada’s boxy, school-girlish Crewneck Sweater ($1,260, Farfetch).
RIGHT: A 1950s-inspired full skirt-and-sweater, updated with holes in the layered knitwear, was one of the runway looks from the first collection of Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons as co-creative directors at Prada.
LEFT: Plaid feels fresh for winter, especially in new color combinations and in modern shapes and styles like this Driftwood Ryan Sherpa Shirt Jacket ($148, Anthropologie). A cushy addition to cold-weather wear.
RIGHT: A partnership between Supreme Streetwear and North Face resulted in this whimsical yet practical (it’s waterproof) Statue of Liberty Backpack ($240, Farfetch). Warhol-esque, don’t you think? And a fun gift for someone who always seems to be hauling stuff around.
LEFT: Isabel Marant’s linen-and-silk blend, checked Celeigh Jacket ($1,195, Farfetch) is oh-so-sophisticated—and hip-looking when styled with a turtleneck and dangly earrings.
ABOVE: I’m not mourning the loss of those narrow “X Men” sunglasses that were so popular last spring. Isn’t the whole point of sunglasses to be large enough to protect your face and eyes from harmful UVA/UVB rays? These blond and gray Leonard II Sunglasses (Ilesteva, $240), named after a trendy Tribeca street, will accomplish that handily with a 50mm lens width. (They’re also available in 10-plus other frames and lens colors.)
BELOW: MAC Cosmetics’ Grand Illusion Glossy Liquid Lipcolor ($13.50) is, alas, sold out in this combination of shiny gray and gold gloss. The sheen comes from iridescent pearls and works best for a swipe over a matte-color lipstick.
MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale. We are also an Amazon Associate.
Keeping warm and cozy with plush, techy earmuffs, fleece-lined leggings, a trapper hat and an oversize bouclé scarf.
LEFT: Personally I prefer a cloche like this Australian Sheepskin Hat ($159, Overland) to a bucket hat. It sits more elegantly on the head. No fussy details, just a simple design with a 3-inch-wide brim and an internal plastic frame that provides structure. ABOVE RIGHT: The Apparis brand’s top seller is their faux fur jackets, which are available in colors such as bubblegum pink and army green. The label has expanded into other categories, for example, these Ariel Faux Fur Fingerless Gloves ($60, Bloomingdale’s) that wrap the hands in plush leopard from the wrist to above the knuckle. BELOW RIGHT: I like ear muffs instead of more hair-flattening wool beanies, so I’m tempted by this UGG Water Resistant Sheepskin with Bluetooth Tech Earmuff ($114.95, Zappos). And, if my head stays warm in snow and rain while plugged into music, what’s not to like? Consider it as a gift for yourself or for your exercise-obsessed friend who, like your mail carrier, walks in any weather.
LEFT: Generously sized without being heavy and unwieldy, Barbour’s Tartan Boucle Scarf ($75, Bloomingdale’s) can coddle your neck beneath your coat or jazz up the look of your black leggings and neutral turtleneck. Tassel lovers, take note. RIGHT: Several years ago, on a frigid day in New York City, MyLittleBird Managing Editor Nancy McKeon and I found ourselves unhappily hatless. I found warmth in my purchase of shearling earmuffs; Nancy, with a trapper hat, mainly for dog walking, similar to this Yukon Faux Fur-Lined Shell Trapper Hat (also available in khaki, $250, Moda Operandi). Encouraged by her neighbor who also has one, Nancy has recently begun wearing hers again, flaps down as shown above. For variety (not as much warmth), wear yours with the ties knotted above the head.
LEFT: You don’t have to ski to wear thermal long underwear. This winter when getting outside despite the chill is key to sanity, they’re a must-have. Two layers of soft jersey knit trap warm air in this Hot Chillys Bi-Ply Bottom ($36.95 Amazon) to keep you comfy and protected against the frigid air. CENTER: The Bali Outdoors Gas Fire Pit (50,000 BTU) Table from Amazon shown above is currently sold out, but a similar square model with a similar cost ($209.99) is available. A couple of weeks ago I sat around the former, masked and socially distant, with a few friends. Our host’s two varieties of homemade chili were delicious and so was the heat emanating from this attractive fire pit. One of us picked up a few of the glass stones and started rolling them around in his hands. Who knew that an outdoor fireplace could do double-duty as a hand warmer! RIGHT: Want to work out outside, take long walks or bike ride? Stay warm with Baleaf’s Thermal High-Rise Brushed Fleece-Lined Contour Leggings ($29.99), says my knowledgeable cold-weather-sports-enthusiast friend. Made from polyester and spandex, they come in six other colors besides this gray-blue. Alternatively, another Pittsburgh pal notes, “An old-fashioned trick to stay warm that I used before fancier cold-weather gear became popular —nylon pantyhose or tights—are not bulky and still warm. A pair of wool socks or knee highs and I could hit the slopes (if I skied).”
LEFT: Uniqlo’s Heattech Turtleneck (a recent buy for $19.90) does keep me feeling toasty. The rub is that it rides up. Which is why I’m thinking of trying Under Armour’s ColdGear®Authentic ½ Zip ($60), also stretchy and lightweight but doesn’t ride up—and dries quickly. Also, depending on level of activity, the ColdGear® collection offers different degrees of insulation. RIGHT: Get that warm, fuzzy feeling from Mother’s Faux Fur Funnelneck Zip Jacket (reduced from $345 to $207, Saks Fifth Avenue). The red contrast trim, cropped length and neckline give this fleece its stylish look.
—Janet Kelly
MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale. We are also an Amazon Associate.
THE NIGHT before last, as I was getting ready for bed, I was surprised to see a fly circling the room. It was a common housefly that we rarely see in the house even in summertime, ever since we had our new windows and super-tight screens installed. Oh well, I thought, maybe he got in through an open door. Moments later I saw another one. This guy was on my pillow, which really pissed me off/grossed me out. I killed him immediately, something I hate doing because it is, after all, a life.
The next morning, which was yesterday, we awoke to see several more around the house. One there, two there. What’s going on, we wondered. Downstairs in the kitchen making coffee, three more were hanging out on the walls and one was on a lampshade. I became officially freaked out. I’d swat one and turn around to see another one right behind me.
Googling “flies in the house,” I learned that they are attracted to open garbage. Well, we not only don’t have open garbage, but when we have even the smallest amount of kitchen waste I take it to the outside trash bin. Obviously there could be only one explanation: We were cursed. But by whom? Then I remembered that woman online who had written hateful things about me in response to a recent blog post she found objectionable. I thought at the time she was a witch; it must have been her.
Last night a friend came for dinner (don’t tell Dr. Fauci), and she agreed that we had a “situation” on our hands as we swatted away flies during our meal. They seemed to drop with just the lightest tap, so they were old and weak already. Possibly they had gotten the wrong address and thought this was the Fly Hospice?
I went to sleep gripping the fly swatter, telling myself that in light of the global pandemic this was nothing. Still, it really was something, and on top of a global pandemic! (Talk about adding insult to injury.) Happily, this morning has been fly-free. It’s too soon to celebrate but I’ve put the swatter down to write this post, so perhaps it’s over. What I want to know is where did they go and from whence did they come?
EVER SINCE Nicole Kidman donned a succession of dramatic coats in the HBO twisted murder mystery, “The Undoing,” the Web has been buzzing with coat commentary. Kidman as Grace Fraser is a clinical psychologist who lives in the rarified air of NYC’s Upper East Side with her oncologist husband and young son.
Unlike the kind of classic, less-than-colorful coats we can imagine her colleagues would wear, Kidman appears in long dreamy coats in red velour, moss green textured fur and floral brocade. Her boho-influenced outerwear also sets her apart from the other wealthy mothers in her son’s school, including her BFF lawyer friend played by Lily Rabe, who is clad in creamy ivory/beige throughout the miniseries. Her father wears Savile Row; her murder-suspect husband’s tweed jacket looks as if it comes from a sale bin somewhere.
Whatever Kidman’s coat selection may signify about her (I have my own theories), her choices are not ordinary. And that has caused us to think about stepping out of our comfort zone to take a page out of Kidman’s playbook.
Now that the Fahrenheit is dipping (we currently have a couple of inches of snow), about the only thing that distinguishes us from our mask-wearing circle of friends physically distanced around the fire pits, under porch heat lamps or on winter walks is our outerwear. Might as well make it fabulous. As to what you have on underneath, no one sees—or cares.
Statement, eye-catching winter coats from high-end design houses like Celine, Valentino, et al., are investment-grade expensive. But newer brands like Swedish label Stand Studio offers a large selection of cozy, faux-fur teddy coats in lots of unexpected colors (like pastel blue) and patterns, some of them on sale at Farfetch for less than $500. Anthropologie, too, carries several fun, faux-fur choices in the $300-and-under range. And Norma Kamali has reinvented her fab sleeping bag coat of old in a more streamlined silhouette with the same long-lasting fabrics worth shelling out $800-plus for.
Be noticed—in a good way. Shop our choices below for not-to-be-missed outerwear.
—Janet Kelly
LEFT: Michelle Waugh uses luxury fabrics from sustainable sources for her collection of classic coats with a modern edge. Thanks to the designer site’s archive sale, the water-repellent Sylvie Long Puffer with 100 percent goose down fill is discounted by 50 percent, from $1,995 to $995. RIGHT: For now, wear this statement Black Floral Brocade Swing Coat ($325, Buru) over your basic jeans or leggings and t-shirts or turtlenecks for a festive Zoom celebration en famille. Looking ahead, it’s an elegant topper to wear to an IRL soirée.
LEFT: Not for those who shun the spotlight. Stand down, all you black puffy coat wearers. Shrimps designer Hannah Weiland has an eye for bold color and whimsy, like this azure Aidan Gingham Faux Fur Coat (reduced to $398 from $995, Outnet). RIGHT: Make this fun Marbled Faux Fur Coat ($268, Anthropologie) in a not-so likely combo of pink and dark olive green the star of your winter wardrobe.
LEFT: Norma Kamali’s Classic Sleeping Bag Coat ($840) is not the one you remember from the early ’70s. Although it’s still boxy, comfy and generously cut and uses the same method to keep out the cold (each coat is actually two coats sewn together with air pockets in between), the revived silhouette is leaner, comes with a waist-cinching belt and in patterns like the herringbone tweed above, as well as plaid, leopard, python and pinstripe. CENTER: We could easily warm up to Stand Studio’s Linda Faux Shearling-Trimmed Faux Leather Coat ($656, Matches Fashion) with its rainbow-colored faux leather exterior. That’s plush faux shearling at the lapels and on the cuffs. And the lining is faux astrakhan—in sunny orange. RIGHT: Bright, playful floral patterns are the stars on this boho-chic Damask Zip-Up Sherpa Hoodie ($345) from Johnny Was. The hood makes it feel especially cozy for any cold-weather occasion, like a socially distant, masked gathering around your pal’s fire pit.
LEFT: Get your shine on with this Metallic Jacquard Swing Coat ($495) with gold lining from Kate Spade sibling, Frances Valentine, known for vintage-inspired designs. Dress it down with black cigarette pants. Or go for broke à la the late Kate herself with with a leopard bag and pomegranate pants. RIGHT: Although Moncler is mostly known for its spendy ski wear, reserve this Bouteille Giubotto Belted Hooded Coat ($1,900 Farfetch) for après ski or any time you’re inclined to look stylishly sporty and warm.
LEFT: Labeled as a brand that marries Swedish simplicity with French style, Stand Studio is getting lots of fashion-industry buzz for its innovative coats, such as this zebra print Aurora Faux Fur Midi Coat ($644, Farfetch) with faux leather trim. RIGHT: Named after co-founder Sarah Staudinger, L.A.-based Staud’s specialty is retro styling and flattering, feminine silhouettes. The textured faux fur on this Frankie Oversized-Collar Faux-Fur Coat (reduced to $357, Matches Fashion) looks similar to the green coat Nicole Kidman wears in the first two episodes of “The Undoing.”
LEFT: Plaid coats feel and look fresh for the season. Pair the pattern with faux-fur cuffs, hem and collar, and the cool quotient goes way up. Hurry if you want to make Shrimps River Tartan Coat (reduced from $1,075 to $645, Matches Fashion) your fashion statement. It’s only still available in a couple of sizes. RIGHT: Long coats with oversized, shaggy collars were the go-to silhouette on 2020 fall fashion runways. The fringed hem is a delightful detail. Pinko’s Fur-Paneled Houndstooth Coat is $895 at Farfetch.
