Cozy at home: keeping it simple for the holidays
Over the years, le Monsieur and I have simplified our holiday celebrations. We’ve kept what’s most meaningful to us from our various family traditions, and created a few of our own.
This post is sponsored by EILEEN FISHER. All ideas and opinions are my own. All clothing items shown were gifted except the light blue merino turtleneck. Accessories and shoes are my own.
It will be just the two of us this year (well three, including Gigi, the sweet-but-lively terrier mix 🐕 🐾 we adopted in August). Though we don’t do a tree, I do like to put up some greenery and lights on the mantel. I love the evergreen fragrance, and some twinkling lights make everything more festive.
Gigi likes to be a part of whatever is going on…
A cozy capsule for the holidays
Wearing:
I really like this merino turtleneck top in regenerative wool! It’s light and SO soft, not itchy at all. I’m wearing size XXS here. These pants are as comfortable as sweats, but a more polished in organic cotton knit twill. (When we’re traveling again, these would be an excellent choice for travel wardrobes!) I’m wearing Petite Small.
(And I love that EILEEN FISHER Regenerative Wool supports farmers who are using humane and sustainable practices, as well as helping to restore grassland in Patagonia.)
We’ll have to celebrate Hanukkah remotely with Jeune Homme this year. So we’ve arranged a Zoom with him one evening for the candle lighting. And we’ll drop off some presents beforehand at his group home for him to open after the candles.
Wearing:
So nice, I chose it twice…yes, it’s the same regenerative wool turtleneck in a different color (“Clearwater”). This time I’m wearing the Petite Small. The these ponte knit slouchy ankle pants are a comfortable-but-polished style, and I’m always thrilled to find ponte knit styles in other neutrals besides black. Wearing Petite Small.
Wearing:
We’ve hosted a family New Year’s Eve party for the last several years. We usually put out a buffet with a raclette station as the main attraction, and play games until midnight, when we toast the New Year. Though we’ll be celebrating remotely this year, I think I’m still going break out the raclette maker! 😋 🧀
This EILEEN FISHER velvet top and pants are as comfortable as pajamas, but can be dressed up to party. And they’re machine washable! 🥰 I’m wearing Petite Small in the top, and X-Small in the pants. (A sizing note: the top runs slightly smaller; if you’re broad through the shoulders/arms you may want to size up.)
Here’s the wonderful thing about all of these EILEEN FISHER pieces: they can be re-mixed in any combination! Any of the pants could work with any of the tops, so make a great capsule wardrobe. 😉 All styles shown are offered in Women, Petite and Plus sizes too.
More cozy picks from EILEEN FISHER…
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Wishing you a peaceful holiday! I always enjoy your content, and loved seeing adorable Gigi today.
Happy Hanukkah! Enjoy!
Happy Hanukah, Susan. Love the velvet top and pants — such a nice way to dress up but still stay comfy. That color looks beautiful on you. I wish Eileen Fisher pants fit me, but they’re too short for someone 5’9”. Her tops are lovely, though.
I’m 5’7” and EF pants are too short on me as well. If they’re narrow pants that can work, but I can’t abide wider leg pants that are not long enough (for me, 1/2 inch above the floor when wearing shoes)
Are you listening, EF? I’ve heard this complaint many times before!
I have the same issue with Eileen Fisher pants. I am a little over 5’7″ and most are too short. Why they don’t either make them longer or have a tall size is curious.
I am so sick of this short pants craze – I’m 5″6″ and many pants from diverse lines are now too short, which was never true before. Manufacturers: you can shorten pants, you can’t lengthen them!
Chiming in to say I agree! I”m 5’8″ but my legs are longer than my very tall husband’s, and EF pants are just too short. Since this is a sponsored post, perhaps EF is listening. Please bring back the tall length pants from years ago.
I love the not-black pants on you — such a perfect complement to your glasses and hair color.
How lovely! I have always gone full out on Christmas decorations, however, last year (I couldn’t) & this year are less decorated; but no less spirited. My husband & I are alone this year & we have a lovely couple of days planned (& he is off work for 2 weeks around the Holiday Season, which we love, great for travel). I think 2020 is the year of the lounge wear! I’ll be wearing a turquoise cotton/cashmere ‘sweater’ sweatshirt & joggers; unbelievably soft & warm & perfect for watching movies, eating appetizers (that’s our meal LOL) & opening gifts. Then, we’ll have another Christmas when our children can visit!! Happy Hanukah!!
Happy Hanukkah . Your menorah and candles are beautiful
These looks are fabulous on you, color and styles! Sometimes sponsored post look like they are trying too hard, but these look like you would have bought them. Great job!
Love your puppy
Just took advantage of the promotion EF is having. Decided my Christmas outfit would be the cassis joggers and a Vince cashmere v neck sweater in black plum. Not dressing up this year as it’s just me and the husband. Girls not coming from Rome, which is having a recurrence of Covid, and son and DIL not wanting to travel from DC. Not feeling very festive but may put up a tree this weekend. Seeing you decorate your mantel has motivated me a bit. Trying to feel a bit grateful despite it all. Happy my physician husband has managed to stay Covid free so far!
Happy Hanukkah, Susan.
Susan, your decorations – and outfits – are lovely! And the pic of leaping Gigi is adorable. The first night of Hanukkah is such a little light; I’m so impatient for more that we usually light three menorahs. We put white lights and gold stars in our windows to chase away the dark. Happy Hanukkah and all the best in the coming year!
Christmas is just around the corner and will be gone before we know it. What an odd year this has been.
Stillwater is such a pretty name and a pretty color. I love the brown velvet on you. Someone told me I shouldn’t wear brown with silver hair. They were wrong, I’m loving my new warm color pallet. The golds, red oranges and Browns, caramel, toffee, so many pretty shades of brown. Im going to try this shade of blue. So far, I haven’t added blue.
I love raclette and the idea of a raclette station is awesome for future holidays. Can you share info on where you got your raclette maker from? I’ve only seen them in restaurants.
Hi Carrie, ours is decades old, but here’s one perfect for home use: https://bit.ly/2W1P9Jo
Thanks so much for the recommendation, Susan!
Thanks for sharing. Info on your tan sneakers? Paul Green?
Yes!
What a lovely post. Your outfits colors really caught my eye. I wish you and your family a joyful Hanukkah and a blessed 2021. Your puppy is so cute and you can just see her zest for life.
That little dog is entirely too cute for words. We always do raclette on Christmas Eve, but this year it is going to be part of the Christmas Day party in our Spanish courtyard around the outdoor fireplace. Since California is on lockdown again (sigh) we won’t be doing the celebration inside the house. We learned raclette from our French family in Savoie, and while we do the traditional (cheese, potatoes, pickles, etc.) we also do some twists of our own. My grandson puts Mozarella cheese and a slice of pepperoni on a baguette slice for “raclette pizza.” Broccoli with the cheese is another regular. We have two sets, so there are trays and grills enough for our big family. With some tweaks, the raclette will substitute for the usual turkey dinner I would be serving if this weren’t 2020.
Looking great in all the outfits!! Good colors and shapes.
Happy and healthy holiday!!
Happy Hanukkah, SusanThank you for all your posts, especially this year.
Happy Hannukah Susan to you and yours! I am new to style posts and I have loved reading yours this year; thank you for the joy!
Happy Hanukkah. Thanks for sharing a glimpse of your holiday decor and home. You have a very cozy style and was wondering if you could mention the brand and paint colour of your living room. Also enjoy seeing how your personal style has evolved since you had your colours “done”. Thanks for providing great content.
Love seeing your new outfits… you look so comfy & stylish! Love Puppy! The velvet outfit is really stunning & festive! Thanks for sharing, as always… mb
I love all the pieces! Eileen Fischer is usually out of my price range, even on sale but the looks are great.
Happy Chanukah! We will be lighting the candles virtually too.
Hi Susan,
In a past post you mentioned a Nespresso machine. Does yours make both espresso, cappuccino and regular coffee? I’m thinking of purchasing a new one as our old one is at least 15 years old. I think we have the original when you had to send away for the coffee pods. Are you happy with that particular machine? It seems like a good price. I saw that William-Sonoma has them in stock and you can now buy the pods in store.
Thanks!
Hi Lisa, I have one of the original ones, not the Vertuo. (I tried the Vertuo coffee and didn’t like as much as the espressos). Mine’s a “Pixie” which is perfect for a smaller household. Have been very happy with it. I have the separate automatic frother for cappuccino too.
You look lovely in all 3 outfits. And, love seeing another part of you beautiful home. Very peaceful. Happy Hanukkah!
Happy Hanukah and thank you for all of your posts this year – you are always so positive and it is a joy to read the posts especially this year when many of us are more isolated than we ever have been before.
Stay safe and well.
I bought the shoes! I hope they look as good on me as they do on you!
I ❤️ your fur baby!
Happy Hanukah Susan. And wishes for a better 2021 for you and yours. I loved you Menorah.
Ever such good stuff. Like you, I love Eileen Fisher. Sometimes they are too basic for me, but the quality of their clothes is so good! And of course with jewellery you can make any basic looking great. The clothes you are wearing are all lovely.
Greetje
Thanks, Greetje!