


Outfit: Etoile Isabel Marant Kady leather jacket (similar here or here), Asos jumper, The Kooples sweatpants (similar here or here), ankle boots (similar here) and Barbour canvas shopping tote.
Vogue's Sarah Harris coined the term haute casual to describe super-luxe anti-fuss separates. This is taking normal wearable everyday pieces to the next level where more attention is paid to the construction and fabrics. I couldn't be happier now that the very idea of sweatpants are actually considered chic and not relegated to the ranks of PJs. Gone are the days of slouchy and baggy sweatpants. These days, they resemble skinny jeans along with pockets and zips albeit ones that come with elastic bands (faaaabulous if you're gorging or you're having a fat day) and super soft fabric. I know....I know..... I'm darn good at justifying the reasons why I wear sweatpants out in the public.

The weekends leading up to Christmas are always frantically busy with pop up stores, fairs and Christmas markets all happening simultaneously. We headed over to check out my friend, Tiphaine's stall at the craft fair. She's made these adorable bracelets from Liberty fabrics.


The vintage Baloo brought back memories of watching Disney's Jungle Book cartoon. The rocking horse is a throwback to the days where it was a must have toy in the nursery. The slightly shabby coat and the worn wooden base reminded me of the conversation between the wise Skin Horse and the Rabbit from one of the most beloved storybook, The Velveteen Rabbit.
"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."
"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.
"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"
"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in your joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."
(excerpt from the Velveteen Rabbit)






We did a bit of window shopping. I love the old apothecary type bottles, so rarely found these days. The shelves held some of my favorite scented candles and skin care range.


It was a magical feeling walking past the 1000 year old church which was once part of the castle and the canopy of lights as the sun set. Lil L pointed out the nests on the trees as we watched a plane flew past with a trail of smoke behind it. How was your weekend?
Lovely post and pics - you seem so much at home in your new life and place. I really need those sweatpants - you wear them perfectly!
ReplyDeleteOMG I adore that jacket - and your daughter is just the cutest thing ever! Brilliant photos - thanks for sharing! xx
ReplyDeleteAmazing jacket on you and your daughter.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pics as usual. Love the leather jacket and Lil L looks adorable! :)
ReplyDeletelove this casual rocker look. i have similar sweat pants that i wear around the house and was thinking it would be a cool look to wear out too! and you totally motivated me to try it! btw...i'm drooling over the isabel marant jacket!
ReplyDeleteI want your jacket. And those Liberty bracelets are incredibly cute. lovely post
ReplyDeleteI wore my sweatpants out last week, the blog post is drafted, published tomorrow, love them and you look great!
ReplyDeleteI think it must be a sweatpants week for everyone - I got mine last week. I'm not sure mine should be seen out though - yours are nice and I love the grey. The Kady is looking awesome :o) Looks like you had a lovely weekend - the perfect weekend actually! I've not heard of the Velveteen Rabbit before - that's a new one for us.
ReplyDeleteYour entire first paragraph about haute casual totally made me giggle... as I was nodding my head "yes" the entire time. SO TRUE. And actually, I didn't even notice you were wearing sweatpants, I really thought they were just regular gray pants... mostly because I was completely fixated on that awesome leather jacket.
ReplyDeletexo, Yi-chia
Always Maylee
i love old apothecary bottles too. always fall for them even tho sometimes the products aren't the best. but they LOOK so credible!! haha. you look amazing in sweatpants, actually want to try this when it's not so hot.. :)
ReplyDeletesteph / absolutely-fuzzy.com
I love how the kady has distressed so nicely! Nice jogging pants, Marlene! And little A is getting to look more like you!:)
ReplyDeleteExcellent! Comfy and chic, my fav combination! Wonderful photos, very xmasy and Lil L always looks so happy and cute as a button.
ReplyDeleteamazing jacket! Love it!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos!
I love the decorations this time of year!
xo,
nancy
I love the sweatpants. I'm thinking of buying a pair myself. Just have to figure out what to wear them with.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that I have never attempted the haute casual look, but I really like it on you - you suit it! The leather jacket with its soft buttery texture totally turns it up a notch. Gorgeous as usual love!
ReplyDeleteLooks like another fun day. The outfit is wonderful on you! Hi to Little L!
ReplyDeleteLove that jacket on you!! I still can't get over how adorable and stylish Lil L is!!
ReplyDeleteHaute casual!!! LOVE that term - new and now going to be used in my vocabulary! You look very CHIC haute casual!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I ADORE the pic of Lil L by Mona Lisa! Please come visit us in Texas any time!! :)
xo, sam
**Style of Sam**
hey, my Kady twin! I love your mod pics and your DD is such a cutie!
ReplyDeletehugs to you and may the holiday season begin!!
Bises
freida
Hi Freida!! Hope to see you sometime next year. I bet you wear the Kady far far more stylish than I do.
DeleteYou do Haute Casual so well and it's a tricky thing.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you and Lil L enjoying the holiday season. The markets are so fun!
first of all, love this casual look, the leather jacket really make it fun and chic at the same time. i love that tote bag....
ReplyDeleteand i always enjoy your photos....very artistic detail shots.