Today's Outfit: Shirtsleeves

• Uniqlo faux fur scarf
• Lover coat
• Vintage Coach bag
• J. Crew white shirt
• Banana Republic sweater
• Fine Finds necklace
• Nicholas Kirkwood flats
• Lipstick: Stila Long Wear Lip Color in 'Intriguing'

Subsisting on a diet of soup, congee and Halls cough lozenges for two weeks has a funny way of wearing you down. After a prolonged bout of illness, I've become more of a weenie than ever about posing for outfit photos outdoors without a coat. I'm also a lot more diligent about bundling up and keeping warm.

Normally "bundling up" translates into cardigans worn over short-sleeved or sleeveless tops, which means that my lovely silk blouses, button-up shirts and long-sleeved tees don't get worn nearly enough. I spent last autumn and winter wanting a good quality knit vest or short-sleeved sweater--preferably cashmere or merino wool--to layer over long-sleeved pieces. Not wanting to settle for anything less than perfect, I despaired of ever finding what I was looking for until I saw this sweater on the Banana Republic website. Cashmere, black, perfect weight and neckline and sleeve length for layering. It was fate, I tell you.

As I mentioned before, dark winter months plus indoor lighting produce some pretty grainy photos. Being at work 9 to 5 doesn't help either. I tried taking pictures in the morning before work to take advantage of the natural light, but unfortunately none of them turned out quite right except for this one of my Nicholas Kirkwood flats. Aren't they beauties?

I'm slowly getting back into the routine of work, salsa, yoga, cooking, blogging, fashion events and writing that this horrible cold disrupted. One step at a time, I guess, one step at a time.

P.S. If you haven't entered my Brave belts giveaway yet, do it now!