winter style

11 Winter Outfits to Get Inspiration From

Published on March 29, 2018March 29, 2018 by PeculiarPorter5 Comments

I have some very exciting news… the ground is finally thawed and there is no snow to be seen! That’s right…. spring is finally here. I decided to do a little recap on my “winter” outfits just in case you missed something or if you wanted to read one of my lovely posts. As a blogger, it is so hard to take pictures in the winter because it is always so cold and if you’re too layered you look like a stuffed cabbage. Thus, most of these outfits are secretly worn with another jacket on top of them… I won’t tell if you won’t!

Remember during New Years where the temperature wouldn’t get above zero? Well, I certainly remember begging Robert to take pictures of this outfit in the fridged cold. We actually ran to a van to bring us to the Skytop Lodge. Check out how you can layer to your advantage in my post “The Ultimate Styling Tricks to Staying Warm in Below Zero Weather“.

My commute to work is still an hour long but I’m thriving thanks to the tips and tricks found in this post. Check out my favorite podcasts and radio stations to listen to so that I don’t go crazy. P.S. I can’t tell if I’m getting better or worse at driving as the weeks go on…

After coming back to my hometown, I found myself doing the exact same things over and over again. I’ve been trying to find new places to go near my hometown (like this art gallery) and decided to write a few tips on how to find these new places in your own hometown. Check out this post here. (Also, this vest is my absolute favorite thing to wear in the cold winter).

After I graduated, I applied to over 100 different jobs and went on some crazy interviews. After doing all the hoops and jumps, I ended up with a job that will really help my future. Check out more about what finding a job after college is like by reading this post.

This post is definitely perfect for this upcoming season because I show how you can transition some of your favorite winter clothes into your spring outfits. Check out this post here. Also, thumbs up to embroidered pants… I cannot get enough of them.

This was one of those weird days in February where it was warm enough to take my jacket off for a split second. Sadly, the next week the weather dropped to fridged temperatures and I need more than a light jacket. If you’re like me, I get pretty bummed around mid-February and it lasts usually throughout March (the worst of all months). It is usually because of days like this one where I thought it would finally get warm and sunny out. Check out how I combat my winter blues by reading this post.

New England Date Ideas During in the Winter

I’m obsessed with this feminine dress from Urban Outfitters. Something about the sleeves was really calling my name. Since Rob and I have been doing a lot of weird activities for date night, I decided to make a list of date ideas for the cold, winter months. Check out those ideas here. One of my favorite dates so far was going to this aquarium in Norkwalk, Connecticut.

The pink blazer that does all the talking is this one right here. If you don’t already have a blazer in your closet it is time you invest in one. They can add so much to an outfit and they’re a staple that will never go out of fashion. Check out more of my reasons why you need a pink blazer here.

I watched the True Cost on Netflix and it changed my entire perspective on the fashion world. Since watching this documentary, I’ve been thinking more and more about what I’m consuming and if it is really benefiting my life and others. I admit, I’m a self-declared shopaholic so it has been hard but I’m really trying to follow my tips found here. If you read any of these posts it should definitely be this one. Plus, if you really have enough time you should definitely watch the True Cost. I cannot recommend it more.

Wrap me up like a big burrito all spring long. I love wrap dresses almost as much as I love burritos… and that is saying something. Check out how to style the wrap dress this spring by clicking here. Plus, the best part about wearing wrap dresses is that you can wear them a thousand different ways. I plan on doing a 10×10 challenge in the month of April so stay tuned for that.

Following up with trying to think more about how I’m consuming, I bought these adorable white jeans from Everlane. In this post, I talk about how much work goes into one pair of jeans and how we need to rethink the way we buy our denim. You’d be surprised by how much denim effects our environment.

What was your favorite post or outfit? Let me know in the comments down below.

P.S. Happy Spring!

As always,

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The Ultimate Schedule to Surviving Your Commute to Work

Published on January 11, 2018January 11, 2018 by PeculiarPorter11 Comments

Now if you saw my last outfit post you’re probably wondering why there are leaves on the ground instead of two feet of snow. I must admit, these pictures were taken before we were pummeled with snow and the temperatures dropped to a staggering 5°F. So if I were to be dressed for the temperatures now I’d definitely be throwing on some boots, a hat, and a scarf. Luckily for me, the temperatures have been rising this week (50°F today and 56°F Friday) and this outfit seems like it almost fits in… okay, fine maybe I’m just crossing my fingers for an early spring. Nonetheless, let’s get into the real reason for this post.

As some of you already know because of this post, I commute an hour to and from work each day (sometimes longer). I constantly get asked how I survive this insane commute so I decided to come up with a day by day guide on how I survive.

Monday: Radio

Monday morning moods are a serious thing. After having a fun or relaxing weekend, I like to just not think in the morning. So I turn on the radio and start listening to the morning banter of the talk show hosts. If you live in Connecticut, my favorite radio stations are KISS 95.7, HOT 93.7, Country 92.5, STAR 99.9, and KC 101. STAR 99.9 is my favorite radio station to listen to in the morning because of the two radio hosts, Raven and Anna, do a segment called “couple’s court” where the audience picks who is right an who is wrong in a fight.

Tuesday: Singing in the Car

By Tuesday morning I’ll most likely take a break from the radio and listen to some of my favorite playlists on Spotify. I literally have my own playlist of “Singing in the Car.” Yeah, embarrassing I know… but if I ever go to karaoke with you be sure to bring your A-Game with you because I’ll know most of the words. If you want to survive the commute I suggest making a playlist for singing in the car. Trust me, it’s embarrassing but it’ll keep you entertained while you’re in traffic for two and a half hours. If you want a quick singing in the car playlist this is mine. Warning: you may get Adele or you may get ScHoolboy Q.

Coat | Sweater (Similar)| Jeans (Same Style Different color) |Necklace

Wednesday: Audio Books

I am a member of Audible that allows me to get a “free” audiobook every month. It’s not really free because you’re spending $14.95 on just that one book. Most audiobooks are pretty expensive due to the amount of time and editing it takes to actually make an audiobook so it is a pretty good deal in the end. So far the audiobooks I’ve listened to are “Content Inc.,” by Joe Pulizzi, “Tales from the Back Row” by Amy Odell, “#GirlBoss” by Sophia Amoruso, “Leave Your Mark: Land Your Dream Job, Kill it in Your Career, Rock Social Media,” by Aliza Licht, and “Over-Dressed The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion,” by Elizabeth L. Cline. I’ve loved each and every one of these books for different reasons. If you’re into fashion and blogging all five of these books would be a perfect match for you.

Thursday: Small Town Murder Podcast

Thursdays are my favorite day to commute because my favorite podcast releases a new episode every Thursday. Okay, I admit it’s a totally morbid and sometimes rude podcast, but I’m obsessed with Small Town Murder. James Pietragallo and Jimmie Whisman make an invincible team that goes into depth talking about murders that occur in small towns. Plot twist: they’re both comedians who make fun of the murderers while explaining the story. It sounds so morbid but after one episode you’ll be hooked.

Friday: Free for all

Friday really depends on my what is going on that upcoming weekend. Sometimes I’m in the mood to sing to songs and sometimes I’m ready to dive deeper into my audiobook. Fridays are usually the best days because sometimes people take a long weekend and take it off. This means the traffic is light and my tunes are tuning.

Let me know how you survive your long commute in the comments down below.

As always,

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The Ultimate Styling Tricks to Staying Warm in Below Zero Weather

Published on January 3, 2018January 9, 2018 by PeculiarPorter25 Comments

This past weekend, I endured the cold and ventured out the Skytop, Pennsylvania for every winter activity you can think of. I’m not one to go outside when it is actually cold out (bless your heart if you’re a cold weather lover), I’m more of a girl that runs from building to building when it is super cold. Instead of dodging the cold, I embraced the cold during tubing, hiking, and ice skating with Robert and his family. Each morning excursion was greeted by his family members teaching me how to prepare for the frigid, cold weather. I learned that neck warmers and fleece-lined leggings are my best friend. Here are some of the tips I learned on the way.

Diamonds aren’t a girl’s best friend… layers are.

Layers were my best friend this past weekend. I wore three pants, five shirts, a coat, and two pairs of socks all at once… and boy, was I warm. If you want to be a stuffed warm burrito like me pile up those clothes like it’s no one’s business. Underneath these green pants, I’m actually wearing fleece tights and the thickest smart wool socks you can imagine. Underneath my stripe turtleneck sweater, I’m wearing a fleece turtleneck long sleeve. Bundle up if you want to stay warm.

Winter boots may not be the cutest thing but sometimes you have to sacrifice style for survival.

This weather is brutal and it will knock you right off your bum into a blubbering, cold idiot. To make sure that doesn’t happen to you invest in a pair of boots that will keep your little piggies warm. These Sorel boots were actually borrowed for the weekend and they kept me so warm that I’m thinking about buying the same exact pair. The nice part about these boots is that they have a ton of room to stuff thick socks in and they’re waterproof. Plus, they’re probably the cutest, durable winter boots you’ll find. Going with one of my new years resolutions Sorel is a sustainable company that cares about who is working for them. You can read more about Sorel’s social responsibility here.

Stay warm by protecting your noggin and your ears from the brittle cold.

The best part about being a girl is that our winter accessories are super cute. Throw on a big pompom hat to protect your ears and your head. If you don’t wear a hat you’re losing 95% of your body heat. If you’re going to wear an accessory definitely find a big knit hat like this one. Hats with fleece or wool lining will keep you the most warm in this insane cold weather.

Mittens will keep you warmer than gloves.

This isn’t something I knew until I was thrown into the cold with dazed eyes. Mittens keep your fingers together which lets them huddle together to stay warm. The best part about these mittens is that they have a strap where you can tighten them on your wrists to prevent cold air from reaching your hands. Here are a similar pair that has extra straps to block out the cold air.

Now all I need to know is how to fix my super dry hands… if you have any ideas please let me know in the comments down below. Also, let me know how you stay warm in this insane cold. It’s supposed to be -16°F on Saturday and I’m not sure if I’m going to make it…

Shout out to Robert who actually took pictures of me in the -14° weather. He really is a trooper.

As always,

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9 Traditions My Family Celebrates During the Christmas Season

Published on December 19, 2017December 19, 2017 by PeculiarPorter9 Comments

Christmas is less than one week away and I couldn’t be more excited! My family is big on Christmas… and that is an understatement. As soon as hits mid-November… yes, before Thanksgiving… my mother plops up all four of our Christmas trees and starts blaring the Christmas tunes. Personally, it is my favorite time of the year because it’s an excuse for the whole family to get together. Plus, it helps that everyone is in a great mood.

Setting up Christmas trees

You would think setting up four Christmas trees would be very time consuming, but my mother does it very quickly. Each tree and decorations has a labeled box that we store in our attic and bomb shelter. When November comes around those boxes fly into their assigned rooms and the Christmas music starts to blare. Depending on the year, the trees go up one day at a time or sometimes multiple in one day. Each tree has a theme ranging from Snowman, Antique, Family, and Folk Art. There are two tiny trees one with mini ornaments and another with cardinals. We also have had an animal tree and a Disney tree in the past. The Snowman tree has a very special place in my heart.

Christmas tunes

Speaking of Christmas tunes… they are nonstop playing during this time of the year. If my mother is home the tunes are on. Doesn’t matter if she is downstairs watching a Christmas Hallmark movie… the tunes are on. It is the first thing that wakes everyone up on Christmas day.

Oplatek

On Christmas Eve, each family member is given a wafer called an oplatek. Each person goes up to a family member, breaks off a piece of that person’s oplatek, wishes them something for the new year, and then eats the other person’s piece of oplatek. The idea is to wish everyone something for the next year. It’s a great time way to tell your loved ones how much you love and care about them.

Wigilia – Meatless Christmas Eve Dinner

On Christmas Eve, we always have fish and the meal is typically a white meal. This meal usually includes handmade pierogies, swordfish, crab, rolls, and some add-ons. We tend to keep this meal very white, unlike Christmas day. On Christmas day we usually have ham, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, broccoli casserole, gravy, and some add-ons. After these two days are over, we’re stuffed to the max and can barely wabble into our new clothes.

PJs

Before Christmas mass, everyone opens up their Christmas eve/day PJs. We typically wear these PJs all the way into the afternoon on Christmas day. We are a very casual family on Christmas day because all we do is eat and play games. Last year, my brothers and I all received matching PJ shirts.

Midnight Mass

On Christmas Eve, my mother, brothers, and I go to Midnight mass at a Franciscan Catholic church. My dad is Protestant so he goes to his church around the same time. Some years he comes with us but he usually does sound for his Church. My favorite part of this mass is how cheerful everyone is. The last song sung on Christmas Eve is usually Joy to the World and we all sing it at the tops of our lungs. I’ll be wearing this outfit for Christmas Eve. I think the metallic skirt is perfect for fitting in with the cheerful music and bight poinsettias.

Stockings

Personally, stocking are my favorite presents to open. There is always such random goodies in there. When we were little, Santa used to bring use Beanie Babies and stick them out of the tops of the sock along with sweets and random toys. We usually open these stockings before we have breakfast. After breakfast, we continue opening presents under our family tree. Even though we have multiple trees, we Santa only puts the presents under the family tree. We usually open presents in the order of oldest to youngest or vice versa.

French Toast

Every year, my mother decides that she has found the “winning” french toast recipe. This usually ends up with some kind of messed up version of french toast. We’ve probably have had every french toast recipe known to man and every year it ends up being terrible. My dad then picks a spatula and starts frying french toast the old fashion way. This year mom is making a creme brûlée recipe…. wish us luck.

Pinochle

After we unwrap presents, we break out the Pinochle cards and play for hours. Pinochle is a game I was taught when I was little from my Babci and Dziadzui (Polish Grandmother and Grandfather). They would constantly throw signs out left and right and my cousins and I would just learn by watching. This game has thus trickled down and my family plays it every Christmas. The teams are usually girls vs. boys and they’re pretty even. However, my mom is a card shark so we tend to win a little bit more often than the boys, but they’ll never admit it.

How do you celebrate the holidays? Do you have any family traditions? Let me know in the comments down below.

As always,

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