Most people reading this blog know that I'm from the Boston area, and even though it's only a 3.5hr drive away from where I grew up in New York, it almost feels like I'm in a foreign country at times. Maybe not that extreme, but it's different enough from what I'm used to that when I first moved here, I often felt out of place. But now that it's been 4 years, I feel myself changing, and adapting to the new climate I'm in.

And speaking of climate, there are two things Boston is known for: Academia, and Boston Winters. Once in a while, I'd see a person walking around in shorts in the middle of winter, and I'd think that they were either crazy, have something to prove, or from Alaska. But having just come out of a week straight of never going above 10/15° , 35° feels like Spring, and I get it. I get the shorts in the winter thing now.

I remember one day when I met up with my friend who I'm often accidentally TWINNING with. It is literally like we call each other to coordinate outfits. But that one cold winter morning we met up for coffee, I saw him from across the street and we were NOT twinning. I was wearing a jacket, and he was frolicking around in a button down shirt. Thought to myself, "ahhh, he's one of those - of course. He's from Maine!".

But as we sat down, I noticed the INSIDE of his shirt, and it had fleece lining. (like the photo above! And yes, that is snoopy on my t-shirt ) I know, this isn't a remarkable story or observation by any means, but for me, you probably know or will find soon enough that I'm ALL about the details. The reason why I took notice was because it actually just looked like a shirt when I wasn't paying attention to it. Only when I looked carefully did I see the fleece and that it was actually a shirt-jacket. I love shirt-jackets and own a few already and wear them all the time, but this time I was tricked! It actually leaned more "shirt" than jacket and so I inquired, and asked where it was from. "LL Bean" he says. Less than 24 hours later I looked into it, and found what would become my absolute favorite article of winter clothing. (I'm wearing it right now as I type!)

Though they're known mostly for their Bean Boots (another NorthEast essential), this shirt is a close 2nd for LL Bean. Let me tell ya why I'm a fan. I now see why this shirt can rival a jacket on a mild winter day. Warm enough by itself for 40s and above (maybe even 35° if you're from here!), but the perfect layer underneath a down winter jacket when it's below 10° out. I wore a t-shirt, the Bean shirt, and my jacket to go out and shovel and I felt invincible. I don't like wearing tons of layers, so that's an ideal situation for me. When I'm inside the house, and it's kind of drafty and I want to save a bit on my heat bill, I'll toss it on over a t-shirt and I'll tell ya - it's the perfect kind of cozy. My daughter loves to rub her face all over it. Love her. But I digress! It has some bulk to it because of the fleece, but it's form fitting enough for me to not even notice it might be a shirt-jacket. And it being a shirt-jacket, pockets on the sides. Yes. Form AND Function! I don't feel compelled to write like this about an article of clothes that often, but this is it. My winter fave.

We had a little break for a few days, and this morning, it was 59°! But it looks like the temperature will be dropping again soon, so go get yourself a nice effective shirt like this one, and stay warm!

What are your winter faves?!