Alice Catherine

I treasure those days when the sky is a crisp blue colour, and the sun is warm enough to take the edge off the ever decreasing temperature drop. I like to call this heavenly combination coats and sunglasses weather – British winter at it’s finest. Still warm enough to feel chic in your outfit, but cool enough to wear that new winter coat you’ve been waiting on. There’s something very comforting about wearing an oversized coat with a big pair of sunglasses – almost as though you’re putting on a disguise for the day, and can be whoever you want…

I think that’s what I love most about this time of year – It’s suddenly acceptable to be swamped in layers of clothing, and to consume five hot chocolates in one afternoon alone…

October was a whirlwind of a month for me, and now I’m kind of just looking forward to just being at home – catching up with friends and family, and planning cosy activities. I want to start going to the cinema once a week now that the days are getting shorter too, and I’ve been spending a lot more time baking and experimenting in the kitchen. You’ll be pleased to know that I’ve know perfected my banana bread, and chocolate chip cookies – farewell waist, I don’t need you when I have oversized jumpers anyway…

I tend to go into nesting mode at this time of year – I’m twenty six going on seventy six, and it’s much harder to prise me away from home comforts when the weather is cold and dark (unless it’s coats & sunglasses weather of course). I’ve been thinking a lot about the new year too – particularly where I’d like to travel, and where I’d like my first trip away to be. I think Paris will be on the cards for the start of the year – I love shooting there, so I might carry on the tradition and have a few days over there to create some beautiful content. It’s true what they say, Paris is always a good idea…

Other than that, my only real big goal for next year is to finally get myself over to Canada – there’s so much of it I want to explore, particularly the incredible lakes. Sam and I are throwing around ideas at the moment, so hopefully we will be able to bring them to life in the very near future. It seems strange to be thinking so much about next year when there’s still so much of this year to get through, but as I’ve got older, I find planning out the next year way more cathartic than talking about Christmas or New Year.

Over the past few years, they very much became festivities that made me feel bad for not feeling jolly and excited like most people seem to be, and I’ve definitely found myself becoming a little less invested in them. Don’t get me wrong, I bloody love Christmas, but I just don’t think there should be so much pressure surrounding it. Every year it seems to get longer and more expensive – we forget that it’s really just time to switch off and spend quality time with the ones that matter.

Anyway, I guess what I’m trying to say is that I find it really useful to pen down ideas that reach much further into the future than upcoming ones I find overwhelming. Even if they never end up happening, it’s really healthy to give yourself things to strive for and look forward to…

I definitely want to slow down a bit in the lead up to Christmas – something which I’ve definitely not done over the last couple of years. I want to take time out for self care more often, and beat myself up less for not churning out endless content. That’s why these rare sunny moments in the midst of winter are so special to me – they remind me to stop and appreciate the little things. To slow down, because most things in life can wait a little longer than our anxiety likes us to believe…

I guess there’s not really much to say about this simple outfit, but I can definitely recommend this And Other Stories coat to you – if you happen to be in the market for a classic longline piece that is. It’s nicely oversized – fits jumpers underneath easily, and makes any outfit look really chic and minimal. If you’re lucky enough to find some blue skies, then throw on your favourite sunglasses and watch the world go by for a minute…  

Photographs by Catherine Booty 

Coat – And Other Stories

Jumper – Urban Outfitters (sold out/similar here)

Jeans – vintage Levi’s (similar here)

Boots – Finery (old/similar here & here)

Bag – vintage (similar here)

SHOP THE LOOK