Careening through December: favorite sweaters on sale & more
I decided to take a bit of a social media break for a few days while my sister was visiting. It was a relaxing week; we did some furniture shopping, reading, cooking, and watched a few episodes of “Shetland” on Britbox. I’ve been pretty focused on my redecorating project (and making some progress), and finishing up my holiday gift shopping. but did want to mention a pretty good sale on some of my favorite cashmere sweaters.
J.Crew cashmere on sale!
I’m a big fan of J.Crew cashmere sweaters, for overall quality and selection of colors. And I’m always keeping my eyes open for sales. (Often, their cashmere pieces are excluded from promotions and sales.) But through today only, many of our favorite cashmere sweaters and accessories are marked down, so I didn’t want you to miss out!
This little patch pocket cardigan is one of those pieces that just seems to work with everything. It’s great for travel too! I’m wearing the Navy in XS here.
I’ve purchased this “shrunken” cashmere crewneck in multiple colors, and wear one of them almost daily. This cropped length is great for Petites, or for pairing with high waisted pants or fuller skirts. This style runs a little small, so I size up to a Medium.
If you prefer a standard length sweater, several colors of this classic cashmere crewneck are also marked down. (Winters, this “Jungle Green” is your emerald!) The classic cashmere crewneck runs more true-to-size. I wear a small in this style.
Still looking for some stocking stuffers?
Cashmere blend trouser socks are marked down 34%. (Who couldn’t use another pair of warm socks? I ordered a couple of colors myself. 😉)
Several colors of this brushed cashmere beanie are 50% off!
And don’t forget a sweater comb to keep your cashmere looking spiffy.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
I’ve entered that circle of decorating hell known as Choosing the Right Paint Color. My painter has a window of time over the few next weeks and wants to get started soon. So I need to make some decisions. I’m still hoping to find one creamy off-white that will work throughout the house.
I’ve been doing my research, and various walls are sporting numerous paint swatches. Finding the right off-white has been tricky for our low-light rooms. Even “warmer” shades tend to skew cool in those rooms. But I’m getting close, and picking up a few more samples today to try.
I chose a neutral ivory sofa (and yes, have also ordered one of these pet throws to protect it). So I do have a lot of options for paint colors that will coordinate. I’m still deciding on chairs, and have ordered a new (larger) area rug. I’ll share more once the painting is underway…
And a question for you…
I’m beginning to look ahead to 2024, and plan my content for the next few months.
Do you prefer to see my outfit posts, collages, or a mix of both? Would you be interested in seeing daily outfits (or a weekly roundup)?
Do you find shopping posts with seasonal color palette recommendations helpful?
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I like your outfit posts. It helps me see how the clothing hangs, whether it has a boxy, wide fit or more tailored fit. The collages help me figure out what else I can wear with items, and I really enjoy the seasonal color palette. Over the last couple of years, I’ve learned that spring and autumn palettes work best for several people in my family. I prefer the daily outfit posts rather than a long weekly outfit post. When a post is really long, I tend to save it for later, but many times the tab gets closed without reading. Thank you for all that you do, and good luck with finding the perfect white-it is quite tricky.
I do find the colors for the different seasons helpful.
Happy Holidays.
I was going to suggest Maria’s colour wheel. I enjoy her blog etc. enjoy your interiors colour journey. Like your choices so far.
I like seeing your outfits and collages, so a mix of both. Whatever is easiest for you on the daily vs. the weekly. Selfishly, I love the daily, ha! I love your information about your travels, anything French! Love the color information you give. I know that I am a winter. As an older woman, have always had highlights, but that skews warm but always told a brunette color makes one look older, what to do? Perhaps a hair color post might be interesting??
Thank you for all you do. My husband is ill and this may be his last Christmas. I’ll be thinking of you this holiday also.
I’m so sorry to hear about your husband, and hope you can cherish this season and all of your moments together.
Much of our house is painted with White Dove by Benjamin Moore, which is a warm white with no yellow undertones and we don’t have great light natural light in our home either. Worth adding it to your swatches if it’s not there already.
It’s the 4th one from the top in the paint swatches image.
Ah- we have Dove White from Sherwin Williams… I wonder if it’s close to White Dove from Benjamin Moore? It’s a warm white that I’ve lived with for years (and still love). We are in CT and have lots of gray winter days. This really helps lighten up the house.
Your columns on colors and how to wear them are very helpful. Perhaps showing more diversity in styles.
Yes seasonal palette recommendations are very helpful. I like both outfit and collages. A weekly round would be great. Colors are most intriguing so keep up the recommendations ! Thank you!
Susan – I am excited to see your decorating. As for the questions you asked at the end; I would appreciate a smattering of both outfits and collages and I definitely find your knowledge about seasonal palletes helpful when you suggest pieces. I like your daily e-mails and weekly round-ups but I’m excited to read your posts when I see them in my in-box so daily outfits is my vote.
I particularly enjoy outfits for seasonal pallets. I always enjoy your choices for everyday & info on shoes. Thank you for your blog!!
I just painted my bedroom SW aesthetic white. It’s soft and a great neutral. I know how hard it is to find that perfect white.
I love the seasonal color recommendations – so helpful! I like the mix of outfit posts and collages. And, check out Cappuccino Froth by Benjamin Moore. It’s ivory with a slight peach undertone. I’ve used it in three homes. Beautiful color, but not overpowering.
I would like to see a mix of content. As far as your paint selection – narrow down to three or so, then go to the paint store and ask them to print out the paint formula. That will let you see if the color has blue, green, yellow, etc. in it to work with the colors in your rug and other items you have selected. Works every time!
I love both outfit posts and collages. I often recreate your collages with what I have in my closet app. Doing so has helped me fill in some holes in my wardrobe and has been so helpful! Please never stop the seasonal color recommendations! You’re one of the few content creators who do this and I find it essential! The more I lean into my palette the happier I am!
Happy Holidays Susan! I always enjoy your content with seasonal choices. You do a good job of that and please keep it up!
I like the seasonal palette color ideas which you post.
Hard to beat Benjamin Moore White Dove. There’s a reason it’s so popular!
That one one of the colors I tried, and had high hopes for, but it goes purplish-gray on my walls. 🙁
Any color you try out against a beige or tan background will always look dirty.
As another poster said, get some white poster board and paint samples on them. I don’t see a representation of the new rug. It will be a large element and must be considered. Suggest you make a mood board before deciding. You are on the right track using Maria Killam’s system of finding the undertones of your neutral first.
I do like the mix of outfit posts and collages, but I really like the recommendations for seasonal color palettes. Sometimes it’s difficult to find pieces in a winter palette (and perhaps I don’t know what to look for), so I appreciate your advice very much.
I’m excited to watch your redecorating! Also would appreciate seasonal color palette shopping. As a Dark Summer I find many stores have limited options in those colors.
jfyi I think farrow and ball has lovely whites (and other colors!)and the paint is very low smell and is a very high quality
I’d like to see posts of your home redecorating projects, especially the process as well as results.
Happy holidays to you.
I enjoy your daily ootd photos. I also like your comments on the seasonal colors in various clothing items.
I have a similar style to yours but I am 5’9″ but you still provide inspiration.
Thanks for your hard work.
I really enjoy the variety of your posts! You might try the paint color Pale Oak. I’ve used this in several homes and love it.
Such fun to watch your re-decorating process. Have you looked at Benjamin Moore’s Skipping Stone CSP-155? It is a beautiful color with much nuance. I discovered it after trying many griege/off white/neutral shades. If it is not right for your space, the right color will eventually be found. You will know!
Love your posts with color for each season type. I would like to see more posts about personal style with examples. Right now the posts are heavily skewed to your Gamine style.
Now for your wall color. Benjamin Moore has a hugely popular white that has a slightly green undertone and works well with earthy tones and clashes with anything in the gray family. It is Swiss Coffee and seems it might work with your decorating colors as well as your personal clothing colors. Just use the same principles of color in your home as you do with your personal clothing colors.
Hi Gae, thanks for the feedback. Unfortunately Swiss Coffee (another color I had high hopes for) just looks grayish green on my walls.
I, too, just went thru paint “hell.” What really worked for me was taking a large poster board. They are cheap. Buy paint sample and paint the board leaving an inch of white border. I did a couple when I was getting closer to my color. I could tape them on the wall and leave them for lots of viewing !
Anything that says dove usually has lots of grey. Good luck. Decorating is my fav!
I love every aspect of your blog, but the best for me are the travel wardrobes. I especially love your. start with the shoes!! It’s so true. The advice has always been spot on for me.
Being petite myself I also love seeing you in the clothes to see how they look on a shorter person.
Happy holidays to you from grey old England.
Looking forward to decorating project reveal! I enjoy your outfit posts and either daily or weekly formats, but I really love how you break items down by color season. Yes, please continue the shopping posts broken down by seasonal color palettes.
Please keep the seasonal selections. Maybe a mixup. Sometimes clothing, sometimes decor, sometimes lifestyle. Whatever you’re “feeling” that day.
Thanks.
Thank you for all you do, Susan. You bring color and brightness into all of our lives. Wishing you comfort and peace this Holiday season and throughout the new year.
Choosing the right paint color (to use throughout my 4000ft sq house) turned into a headache for me, and led to a few false starts. Finally I fell upon an article that recommended Creamy by Sherwin Williams paired with Cotton Balls for trim work. Im thrilled by the results. Creamy is classy and beautiful, a warm pale cream. Cotton Balls is stunning, a warm, slightly powdery white. Im glad I didnt just plump for the usual Brilliant White, this is so much better.
I’m interested that readers are recommending paint colors for your walls. In my opinion, that can’t be done. As Maria Killam stresses, choosing the right color has to include your floors, the other rooms that segue in, the hard finishes that won’t be changed, the window placement and light, any furnishings you intend to keep, etc. Even using her color wheel, Maria shows there is far more involved than simply choosing your favorite — as you’ve found with White Dove! Short of hiring an expert, I like to tentatively choose one or two colors, buy the smallest amount of paint possible, and actually paint a (large) section, not just a swath, before committing.
(Your site keeps saying I am probably a robot, so not capturing? I hope this message doesn’t post three times I’ve repeated. Sorry.)
Good morning, Susan! You are a busy gal. Paint colors are challenging as they change throughout the day. I had professional help choosing mine so could quit perseverating, thank goodness. Our home (“cabiny”) has a mix of redwood, pine, and walnut woods in floors, walls, and cabinets. Sherwin Williams Balanced Beige was her/my choice; seven years later, it still goes well with gray, navy, white, and almond textiles. I’ve enjoyed many JCrew petite purchases at your suggestion, and you help me stay up-to-date. I appreciate your outfit posts over a weekly outfit post (more time to really look). I like palette suggestions, though I stick to ‘winter’ basic colors.
It is tricky trying to find just the right white. Several years ago I was trying to find a warm, cream color paint for the hallway leading to our bedrooms. I finally settled on a white that has a peach undertone. All of what I would call soft whites or creams looked gray in my hallway. Drab and gloomy. (I am a warm toned individual and hate cool grays or any color that has been toned down with gray.) The soft whites looked great in sunlight, but not in the hall. After much trial and error I found the peachy white. The funny thing is that it does not look peach at all in the hallway. It just looks like a soft, warm cream. I wish i remembered the name of the color so I could tell you. Sorry….
Hi Susan! I love seeing your outfits and a collage of outfit ideas, and I do find the shopping ideas by seasonal color palette really helpful. Good luck with choosing a paint color; I remember that struggle ! And Happy Holidays!
Benjamin Moore Sugar Cookie
I like a mix of content and daily outfits. Big fan of shopping posts with seasonal color palette recommendations! Happy holidays!
Hi, Susan! I would love to see your daily outfits, perhaps as a weekly roundup. Your own outfit posts are so helpful so that I can see how garment proportions, fits, and colors all work together. I also like the outfit collages, since I am a different season (summer) from you, and won’t see you wearing my colors. Love the travel outfit collages! I’ve saved and printed pics of them for inspiration. Please, please continue the seasonal palette recommendations. This sets you apart from the other bloggers I read, and is one of the many reasons you’re my favorite!
Hi Susan! I hope you and your sister are having a great time. We used White Dove as trim in our house and a warm gray green (an HC color–‘historic’) on our walls. We might have more light than you. It’s a beautiful backdrop. We used the lighted value everywhere except the bedroom–that is the next darkest value.
I love seeing your outfits along with the collages. Your outfits are more useful for me but both are fun. Daily would be fabulous! I love love love having the seasons shopping section! Thank you so much!
What about dressing strategies? How to make do with what you have. You seem to always be buying and that isn’t the message for most of us. Also-
Do love your travel wardrobes and a peek into what you are doing.
take a look at Ben Moore stoneware in their aura line. we used this on our trim, and it is beautiful, warm and looks good in all lights
I’d love to see a weekly round up of outfits you wore! Love your content.
Dear Susan,
Thanks for a fun, informative year of blog posts.
In terms of what to see in 2024, a person in clothes is so much more informative than a flat lay. It’s fun to see your outfits! (And I say this as a person who wears almost none of the same things you do.)
I feel comfortable with my personal color theory, but dressing to honor style persona in different settings is an ongoing challenge. Your commentary on dressing for style persona is most welcome. I am not a Gamine, but I get a lot out of your comments on the aspects of an outfit that make it work for you–it gives me ideas about how to support Gamines in my life and how to apply those same principles for different effect. Your chat with Manina about being Gamine was super useful also.
Best,
Elizabeth
Susan,
I renovated in 2022. You might give Benjamin Moore “Swiss Coffee” a look (https://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-ca/paint-colours/colour/oc-45/swiss-coffee). If you remember the movie Something’s Gotta Give (Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton), I love the feel of her house in that movie. Swiss Coffee gave me that (ceilings, cupboards and trim) as did Benjamin Moore “Beach Glass” (https://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-ca/paint-colours/colour/1564/beach-glass) for main living area walls. Stonybrook (https://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-ca/paint-colours/colour/1566/stonybrook) in my bedroom. It is a daunting task. But I can’t tell you how many people comment on how much they love the colors in my house. Good luck!!!
Dressing strategies would be a good plan. I’d like to see different ways to style the same outfit. Choose a basic outfit and show how to make it chic.
Hi Susan, I am glad to hear you had some time to enjoy your sister. No one is more consistent than you when it comes to posting, a little time off was well deserved.
Yah, paint color hell. The light in the space makes such a difference. Plus the orientation of the house, trees, etc. I have also found that latitude makes a difference, having lived in different parts of the country. I hope you can use one of Benjamin Moore’s low VOC paints. Good luck!
As for you questions: I like a combination of outfits and collages. Daily or weekly posts are up to you. I find the color palette posts very helpful. I especially enjoy seeing how you assemble different hues with accessories and a variety of garments. I find that far more helpful than just following whatever color has been deemed the one to wear by retailers. Plus, it can be so hard to get details of clothing if they are only shown in black.
I don’t perceive your approach to clothing as being mindless consumption. There is a lot of artful use of a combination of new and old.
I like to see the seasonal color palettes. Choosing a white paint color is one of the hardest colors to get right. Who knew there could be so many! I bought a fixer upper apartment in Aix en Provence last year and had the whole apartment painted white. I spent many hours reading about whites and then trying to read about specific brands of paint available in France. One of the rooms had a dark blue accent wall. It’s amazing how the white makes the space so much brighter, and bigger. Good luck, I look forward to a tour when your done!
Hello Susan: A weekly roundup of your outfits would be great. I love all your content as is, however, so if you decide to change nothing I will still be here. Your style and taste are the best!
Susan , have you looked at SW Dover White? It’s a warm creamy white.
This might not be helpful…..
I love everything you post. Your content has a nice balance and combinations, variety and flow. Sharing your decorating journey is now also fun for me.
Thank you for all your hard work!
Suz from Vancouver
You’ll have to let us know how the pet throw works out. I see it recommends dry cleaning, but could also be washed. I have a bigger dog who sometimes forgets to wipe her feet before she jumps up on the sofa so I’d be giving that throw a try in the washer.
The good thing about a light sofa is it’s easy to find covers for them that blend in.
Susan,
I love your posts on seasonal color palettes. I don’t follow many fashion bloggers, but you’re the only one I follow who understands that concept. I’m a blue autumn and I do look at the posts you have where you highlight clothing in colors that work for an autumn palette. Thank you for sharing those.
I find shopping posts with seasonal color palette recommendations helpful as well as styling-I’m a summer, natural classic + gamine.
I had the same issue with finding a white paint that didn’t end up with weird undertones – ended up with Sherwin Willams Greek Villa. You might want to try it.
I would love shopping posts with seasonal color palette recommendations. That would be fantastic.
Thank you so much for your posts. I find them very helpful, especially the travel ones.
Happy Holidays to you!
Amy
Susan, like all of the above. Particularly enjoy the photographs when you’re out and about, so can see how your choices look in the real world.
I suggest Sherwin Williams sample pints in satin or eggshell finish. Avoid flat finishes Paint a small area onto walls.
I have used SW Egret White again and again.
I’ve used Benjamin Moore Cloud White a lot, and I love it! It’s a nice, creamy white. Have fun with your decorating project!
Benjamin Moore OC 86 White Blush
A quiet beauty, this off-white has a slight pink undertone that gives it a soft glow. This reads soft white in my house on a sunny day. I chose it because on cloudy days, especially in winter, other whites felt too cool and grey. This color retains warmth when overcast or raining.
Please use at least 2 coats and apply it on several walls.
Good suggestions, and funny, I just swatched that one earlier this morning. It’s a lovely color, good in a couple of rooms, but the pink undertone doesn’t work with some of the tiles & cabinetry in others.
Hi Susan, I enjoy seeing your daily outfits (vs a weekly roundup) and the collages as well. I really enjoy the seasonal palette posts (Winter here). I am very much enjoying following your decorating plans as well. I’d always heard “White Dove” was the perfect white too, it is so hard to find the perfect white! I recall when my mom had all the walls painted “navajo white” in the 1970’s. Wishing you peaceful holidays.
Dear Susan, your blog is the only one I’ve stayed with after many others strayed too far from their original content. e.g. Home styling morphed into fashion. Your proportion of content works well and I’m glad you’ve made that choice to be you, not someone or something else. Paint is so subjective, personal and works when it is at one with your own surroundings. Our house is painted the same all through but each room has some soft furnishing colour tweaks to reflect the difference in light quality throughout the day and seasons here in New Zealand. The bigger picture has saved my sanity over several house moves.
Thank you for your commitment to blogging.
Have you seen Swiss Cafe(?) A nice neutral off white. Not as stark as Navajo white. Ivory sofa? Not only pets but general dust in the air, yellowing, etc. But you do you. 8-)) Diane C
I very much appreciate shopping by color palettes! Thank you
Hi Susan,
I’m glad you had a lovely break with your sister…a very good time of the year for that!
Good luck with choosing your paint colour/s, it’s not easy. I’m looking forward to seeing what you choose, and your ivory sofa.
I’m happy to read anything you post! But to answer your questions:
1. A mix of both
2. Either or
3. Absolutely!
I have a pair of merino pants in a similar colour to yours above, what other (autumn) colours could I wear with them please?
Best wishes,
Julie
We did our house in Kelly Moore Featherstone, a neutral grieve color. Love it.
Good luck with your decorating project. Just a suggestion…maybe hire an interior decorator to come over for an hour or so to help you choose the right shade of white. I couldn’t figure out the right paint colour for our house & someone told me to hire a decorator for just this purpose. The decorator charged by the hour & was worth every penny. In some ways, this is like learning about what colours suit you, like your new business. An idea…swap your talents: you do the decorator’s clothing colours & decorator does your house wall colour.
White Dove went completely grey in my east facing condo, which gets little sun due to being next to the woods. I used Benjamin Moore Ivory White 925. Almost t glows like candlelight.
Hi Susan,
I love seeing outfits on you, and find the montages helpful. So…both! But if I had to pick one, then outfits on you. Most of my shopping has to be done online so your inclusion of sizing is very helpful.
I’d really like to see the back of outfits from time to time if that’s possible.
Including seasonal colors is wonderful! Please, please continue.
I’ve enjoyed all your blog posts and appreciate the time and thought that goes into the effort.
Good luck with the paint!!
Thx…Linda
A: Benjamin Moore #912 Linen White. Get a paint sample and paint some dollar store foam core poster boards, then move them around from room to room at different times of the day.
I have a recommendation for a house paint color for you. I used a latte’ color (a light coffee with cream color) on my living room walls, and it REALLY made the walls seem to recede and made the room look larger. Previously the walls were Navaho white (a dark white). I was surprised by the difference, but it’s still very neutral.
As for your outfit posts, please do which ever you prefer, but bundling them up for one end of the week round-up makes sense to me. I’m a somewhat tall, long-waisted Summer so your clothing choices and colors don’t generally work for me, but I do like it when you post Summer colored outfits for each season. I look forward to seeing your home decorating projects as well. Happy Holidays!
I love your seasonal color palette recs!
Please don’t become a Home Decorating Blog. Stay with your wonderful and successful fashion and color focus.
Try “Bone” from Dunn Edwards. It’s a great off white that just warm enough without appearing yellow and cool enough without being chalky or too grey. It also helps to paint swatches on a large enough board to really see the color, and place it around the house in various places and during different lighting conditions. I love Mighty Boards for that (Amazon has them). They’re pricey, but not as expensive as making the wrong choice. They also don’t curl up like foam boards and they’re easy to hang up. Good luck!
I love seeing posts that include seasonal color palette recommendations for clothing. Have you ever thought of recommendations for hair color? I was a natural redhead with very fair skin and blue eyes. My hair is coming in white now. I’m afraid I would look too washed out if I didn’t have some coloring done.
I have a long torso and the current trend of cropped sweaters doesn’t work for me. Please continue to show options for others like me. It’s much appreciated.
I like both the collages and individual photos. I really appreciate the. Color suggestions for the season, I have made some interesting purchases based on suggestions.
Thanks for asking.
I would love to see some of your daily outfits and love your collages! I also love your seasonal palettes and find your travel wardrobe really helpful!
Maybe…Benjamin Moore ” Philadelphia Cream.”? Warm yellow/peachy undertones. Worked great in our town Library renovation in NH, where we need inside warmth. Not too much color, really. Lovely in the right place.
Susan, can’t wait to see your lovely home as you work on your French style redo. I have a cashmere question, how do you store your sweaters? My favorite turquoise cashmere has a few chunks missing, I’m guessing something feasted on it over the off season. I am looking at storage bags with cedar, any suggestions are appreciated. Arlene
I second Cloud White by B. Moore. It looks great in both east and west facing rooms. Not too dark, not too light, just perfect!
Thank you for your blog posts, and all the best for the holiday season.
I do enjoy seeing you in your clothes (Spring?) and then collage (S) of similar pieces highlighting the other “seasons”?
I enjoy whatever you post!
Susan, give Roman Plaster by Behr a try. I’m an architect and have used it in multiple projects. It’s a hair darker than off-white and just a bit warm. Really enjoy your thoughtful blog posts!
I like both the collages and your outfits, and yes, the seasonal color tips are helpful. I’d love to see some comments on style personalities, too— especially those tricky ones like what Naturals can wear to a formal occasion or what a lawyer Princess might wear to go to court.
I read every column and really enjoy each one, so thank you. My favorites are
Your petite size (I’m petite but not as tiny petite as you)
Your outfit posts – for me, it’s best to see clothes on an actual person
You keep us updated about sales
Daily outfits or weekly roundup-whatever is easiest for you
Very helpful for me to see the seasonal color palette recommendations
Thank you for asking for our input.