The Perfect Fall to Winter Coat - NEW Housley Jacket by Craghoppers

Doing the Cliff Walk in New England this fall in The Housley Jacket by Craghoppers. PHOTO: The Breakers courtesy of the Preservation Society of Newport County.

Newport, Rhode Island Ever wish for just one coat that could go everywhere and DO everything you'd like this fall? How about a jacket that can transition from a sunny day to a blustery winter storm? I've got the PERFECT COAT for you! I'm wearing my Craghoppers Housley Jacket in Dark Mushroom with its detachable, zip off hood removed for an autumn walk.

With the hood removed the Housley has a separate inner ribbed collar to keep out the cold.

New Design - The Housley Jacket
This coat has three different looks because the hood as well as the faux fur trim is detachable. Wear it like a trench with the hood off as it is water resistant.  Pop the hood on for a completely different "snow bunny" look. The choice is yours!

Here, I've put the faux fur trimmed Housley Hood back on for a different look and chillier weather

The Housley is super soft and toasty too. The full length zipper and snaps make sure of that. The fabric has a bit of stretch so no problem added a thin sweater under it if need be. The two front zippered slash pockets are thermal Hot Pockets, so perfect for keeping hands warm sans gloves. There's also a zippered inner pocket which I really like for traveling.

Throw that hood up! This lined jacket is 37" in length.

Craghoppers UK knows how to make the most comfortable travel and outdoor wear with an eye towards fashion. The Housley Jacket is a new style this season and has the following features:

• Pockets: 3; 2 zipped lower and 1 zipped inner
• Stud-fastening stormflap with inner zip guard
• Inner knitted rib cuffs
• Brushed chin guard
• Brushed polyester with Water Resistant finish outer, AquaDry Membrane liner, polyester lining and wadding 1335g
• Main fabric: 100% Polyester, Lining: 100% Polyester, Filling: 100% Polyester,  Trim: 85% Polyester/15% aluminized Polyethylene

Travel Time!  The Housley Jacket comes in Black and Dark Mushroom. Carry All by GLC.

Travel in Style & Comfort
If you are traveling this fall and winter for the holidays, YOU NEED a proper coat. This is an injection styled jacket but as you can see, doesn't make you look like the Michelin Man. It's very well tailored with lots of comfort features you'll appreciate. Next to my leather & fox fur Thinsulate lined coat, this is my favorite.

Fall into Winter, this is my new favorite travel coat.

 Jacket c/o Craghoppers, UK
Skincare & Makeup by Embryolisse, Paris France and Kett Cosmetics NYC respectively.

Resort Fashions Newport Mansions - LBD Goes from Beach to Evening

PHOTO: The Breakers, the grandest of the Newport Mansions

The Breakers, Newport RI One of the things I really enjoy about traveling in New England is the easy, yet elegant style you'll see from Nantucket Island, Mass. to Newport Rhode Island. When I took the tour of The Breakers which was the Vanderbilt summer cottage, there was the Cliff Walk and many other seaside attractions. Newport also has a vibrant nightlife as it is home to the Newport Jazz Festival each year. So how about a dress that can go from the shore to a night out at a posh dinner club?  Here you go!

Horny Toad's Metamorphose Dress can be worn so many ways.

Daytime
Hand Bag: Handwoven Pewter Sand Dollar Bag from NewportStyle.net, the Newport Mansions Stores.  This bag is somewhere between a tote and a Nantucket basket purse. Handwoven of natural Ata grass, it is a work of art but the leather straps and sturdy construction only underscore its beauty.

Shoes: Earthies Vista Leather Wedges in Alpaca The woven leather picks up on the handcrafting of the Pewter Sand Dollar Bag and these shoes go from the Mansion Tour to the shore. Comfortable yet pretty they remind me of a similar design by Diane Von Furstenberg this season.

Nightlife 
Really, this is what that special little black dress is for. You can dress it up or down. When you are traveling, you'll appreciate having it along because you will have worn it to the beach and now it's time to make dinner plans.

Necklace: Green Quartz from Club Monaco, 5th Ave. Bag by Betsy Johnson. Raynia Pumps by Earthies available at Nordstrom.com.

Your Evening Look

Lips
Here you need to go bold or go home! Classic RED lipstick adds a touch of elegance to your evening look so try a sheer moist orange-red like this one from Clinique in 06 Red Red Red. It is long lasting and enriched with olive fruit and aloe.

Add a bright, bold lip, lots of golden glow and some serious fragrance.

Skin
This dress shows a lot of skin so make it count.  Hard Candy's Glow All the Way in Tropical Tan is an instant bronze and gradual self tanner with 24 karat gold! You get a good 2.7 oz tube so go for it.

Fragrance
The evening won't be complete without applying a little perfume to your pulse points. As the nightlife heats up, it will continue to mix with your chemistry for a lasting scent. Lancome's Hypnose and Salvatore Ferragamo's F for Fascinating are two of my favorites.

Black Sequined Lip purse by Betsy Johnson

My Evening Makeup:

Kett FIXX Creme Foundation is waterproof and stays on all day without blotting or retouching.
Kett Hydro Foundation & Blush applied through an airbrush
Purely Cosmetics Diamond Perfect Finishing Powder (infused with pure diamonds!)
Lips: Clinique Long Last Lipstick in 06 Red Red Red
Eyes: Sephora Waterproof Liner in Navy Blue




Dress, shoes and Woven Handbag c/o Horny Toad, Earthies and NewportStyle.net respectively.

Resort Fashions-Newport Mansions Style

My tour of the Newport Mansions wouldn't be complete without a stop at the Gift Shop!  PHOTO: The Breakers Driveway Entrance, courtesy of The Preservation Society of Newport County

Newport, RI: I had the pleasure of taking an August tour of New England which included visiting Mystic Connecticut, Nantucket Island, Cape Cod and Newport County Rhode Island.  If you've never gone, this is a great time of year to make the trip. One of the most lovely area attractions however are the Newport Mansions. I took a sumptuous tour of The Breakers (shown in the collage above) and walked though those beautiful "cottage" gates that lead to the front entrance.  There is a LOT to see so be sure to wear comfortable (but fashionable shoes)!

Cloche Hat in Camel and Peach Taupe Scarf  via NewportStyle.net.  ExOfficio FlyQ Trench in Cigar and The Field Outfitting Women's Croc Leather Clutch.

After doing quite a few of these fabulous excursions, there are some travel tips I've learned along the way. The first is to be organized to get through the airport and make your connection with ease.  Wear the right coat and shoes and you can rule (and tour) the world!

ExOfficio's FlyQ  Trench Coat

Trench shown here in Cigar has multiple organized zippered inner pouches for everything from your passport to your iPhone. Lined open slash pockets in the front keep hands warm and toasty and if you hit some rainy weather, you'll be ready for that too. ExOfficio is known the world over for their well thought out travel-wear.

Horny Toad's WalkOn Shorts

Peeking out from under my trench, these are walking shorts in an organic cotton blend with just a touch of spandex. The look SO classic. Dress them up, dress them down. They are perfect for traveling or as the name implies, walking!

Dansko Franka Antique Full Grain Clogs in Brandy

New for fall 2013, the Franka is from their Havana Collection. Completely on trend with lovely strap details, buckle, brad embellishments and a super comfortable foot bed, these are touring super-stars.  

NEW for fall 2013! Franka in Full Grain Leather by Dansko.

   

Gift Shop Finds at the Newport Mansions

Taking a guided tour of the Vanderbilt's summer cottage in Rhode Island was such a treat. So much history and art.  I love both!  One thing you must do upon completing your tour of The Breakers is stop in at the Gift Shop in the lower level of the mansion. Two beautiful classic finds you can order online for fall right now are:

Yes, I love to shop!

Cloche Hat in Camel

So elegant, this very warm Women's Camel Buckle Cloche is made of 100% wool felt. Has a self fabric belt and an elegant gold buckle detail. As a added bonus, wool is naturally wicking and water-repellent so if you get cause in a bit of rain or snow, you're covered.

Peach Taupe Scarf

You can definitely dress like one of the Vanderbilt ladies in this deliciously peachy scarf. Made with the softest silk, this lightweight scarf is accented with a beautiful paisley pattern and lovely fringe adds the finishing touch to any outfit!

   

Resort Fashions with the timeless elegance of the Newport Mansions

The Field Outfitting of Dutchess County, New York

This is a new company but they definitely "get it" when it comes to easy-chic travel style. They offer goods and clothing for the most discriminating traveler and their fall 2013 line under "Ladies First" is definitely worth a look. One item from Field Outfitting has become my favorite for obvious reasons. It's gorgeous and practical!

The Field Outfitting Women's Croc Leather Clutch Wallet 

This does double duty actually. It is a large Women's embossed croc leather Clutch Wallet. Fully appointed leather interior has more than enough room for cash, credit cards, passport and more. Carry it alone for when you don't want to bring a large handbag. Has a sturdy zip closure and leather tassle. Reptile leather is so hot this season. This is a beautiful example of how fashion meets function.

 

PHOTO: The Breakers Entrance, driveway courtesy of The Preservation Society of Newport County

Clothing and accessories c/o Newport Style.net, ExOfficio, Dansko Shoes, Horny Toad and The Field Outfitting