Here are some updates and recommended reading right before we start the weekend. Happy Friday!
1. First, a quick update on my search for the warmest parka. My Canada Goose Kensington parka finally arrived from being on backorder, and I have to say that it is a keeper! The quality is great, the fur muff is lush and I’m surprised at how thin it is. I am 5’1 and it comes down to almost exactly my knees, so definitely covers the tush. Highly recommended for anybody who will need to keep warm in the coming months.
2. This New Yorker article about social signaling through nonconformity was one of the most interesting reads I came across this week. Though I was disappointed to learn that in the end, I will not get Mark Zuckerberg like status points in public for wearing hoodies, until I have actually accomplished something substantial, ala Mark Zuckerberg.
3. I purchased this Smythson travel wallet as a gift for a friend and like any truly committed gift giver, I now have been thinking about one for myself. I’ve always just used one of my regular wallets while traveling, and relegated my passport and boarding passes to a fate of floating around my bag, but now I’m thinking that this may be a nice to have. Anybody have a travel wallet who can share their experience?
I’ve also been looking at this very cool Comme des Garcons version. What do we think?
4. Jo Nesbo has been one of my favorite crime writers for years now and I am so happy that almost all of his books are now being translated and are available in the United States! I would recommend the Harry Hole series to any fan of well written crime fiction, but today I am going to plug Headhunters – a great standalone crime thriller. Very fun to read and I was happy to have it after exhausting Air France’s limited entertainment selections.
33 Comments
Titti
January 10, 2014 at 11:28 amI love your down
Titti
January 10, 2014 at 11:36 amI am sorry. I love your parka but I think Nesbö is to raw for me. You are wonderful and I love your blog.
Katherine
January 10, 2014 at 11:53 amDear Titti, don’t be sorry! I’m glad you that shared your experience with Nesbo – he is indeed quite “raw”. I’m happy you like the parka!
Revanche
January 10, 2014 at 12:28 pmI LOVE the idea of a travel wallet but I’ve yet to find the perfect one and I refuse to buy one til it’s perfect. This probably means I’ll never find it. Though, that Smythson is amazing and you’re a very generous friend. 🙂 Do you have a firm preference on how wallets close? Zippers vs buttons?
Belen
January 10, 2014 at 4:39 pmHi Katherine! Hope you had a great year start.
I’d love to see the parka on you, I LOVE outerwear so I’m curious.
Last year I did the 10 tops 5 bottoms per season experiment and it went well, but I still need to get better at selecting my items. Some of them turned out not to be very good quality and didn’t wear very well.
As far as limiting myself to 25 garments a year… I feel like I still need so many basics in my closet that I couldn’t commit to 25. But I do have a monthly budget for clothing so it stays under control. Do you count shoes and accessories in your 25? How about things like pajamas or active wear?
Katherine
January 11, 2014 at 1:31 pmI do count shoes and accessories in the 25 but not things like PJs or socks, undies, etc. If it’s just a plain tee that I’m replacing, I don’t count it either, but any graphic T’s do count, lol. Just my random rules for myself. I will try to post a picture with the parka on later! Was supposed to be going somewhere cold earlier this month but the trip was cancelled!
reeder
January 10, 2014 at 7:26 pmI like using a minimalist wallet when travelling and taking the receipts out periodically. Usually I write what it was I purchased in English if it isn’t in that language and pop it into an envelope which goes into a carry-on. No need to keep them all in my wallet and I’m not left with an unidentifiable stack at the end of the trip.
Still haven’t figured out a good method of keeping the passport and boarding pass un-crumpled and ready. Those usually go into a coat pocket while I’m in transit. It seems like everyone always wants the passport removed from the cover, ideally opened to the pertinent page, and want to process the line quicker so efficiency matters over style.
Katherine
January 11, 2014 at 1:25 pmYes, that’s also true about the passport removal – I used to have a very nice cover but gave it up because i was asked to remove it quite a few times. So now with a travel wallet, I want something where I can just take out the passport whole. I also do the same thing with receipts 🙂
Rubiiee
January 11, 2014 at 12:12 amThat travel wallet is gorgeous!
<3 Carolyn
Ammu
January 11, 2014 at 4:26 amI used to keep a travel wallet, given to me by my dad, but these days I find it easier to use a see-through Muji pouch for my travel docs and phone. I usually keep currency separately – have a phobia about keeping my ids, cash and cards in the same wallet, in case it goes missing.
Katherine
January 11, 2014 at 1:24 pmThe Muji pouch is a great idea! Thank you!
Groupthink7
January 11, 2014 at 8:21 amHey, I like Smythson. I have a grey tote from them. Beautiful leather. I believe it is made out of goatskin.
TC
January 11, 2014 at 10:46 amI’m not a fan of keeping my cash, cc’s, passport, and boarding pass in the same folio/wallet because you misplace that one thing and you’re screwed. Plus I don’t want to have to fumble with a wallet when I all I need is my passport. So I keep my boarding pass tucked in my passport while going through security and I go through the metal detectors with it in my hand vs having to put my entire wallet in a bin. Then I place said passport and boarding pass in the zipped pocket of my purse and they stay nice and unwrinkled.
But if you want to keep them together, I really like Valextra’s passport cover with 8 cc slots, a slot for the passport, a slot for receipts, and a huge bill compartment that can accommodate different currencies. The one thing it doesn’t have is a coin compartment. It’s so nice that I have almost purchased it several times even though I’m not sure I’ll actually get much use out of it (I already have a matching coin case):
http://www.barneys.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-BNY-Site/default/Product-Show?pid=00505019153612&q=valextra%20passport&index=1
Katherine
January 11, 2014 at 1:24 pmOoh that one is really nice. I looked at it online earlier when I was searching for travel wallets, but didn’t realize it had extra slots! I agree with you on carrying everything together – the last few times I’ve traveled though I’ve used a canvas tote which doesn’t have a zipper pocket unfortunately. Maybe I should just travel with different bags 🙂
JC
January 11, 2014 at 3:05 pmLove your new parka!
I was looking at the same one online, but of course, now my size and color are sold out everwhere 🙁
How do you like the fit? I am about the same size as you. Is your XS roomy enough to size down to XXS for a more fitted look?
Katherine
January 11, 2014 at 5:21 pmI like XS on me, but I like a little bit looser – if you like a fitted I might do XXS. However there are straps that you can pull in to define the waist and make it look slimmer – I do that 🙂
S
January 11, 2014 at 7:17 pmHi Katherine! I’m looking at the Kensington parka too and I’m about the same size as you –would you mind doing a post with measurements some time? Thank you!
Katherine
January 13, 2014 at 9:55 amHi, I can try! I would recommend either XS or XXS for somebody of our body size 🙂
Mila
January 11, 2014 at 8:30 pmLove your parka. Don’t love that size xs is sold out and it’s cold in NY!!!! 🙂
Katherine
January 13, 2014 at 9:55 amStay warm Mila!
Story Paige
January 13, 2014 at 6:37 amI have this exact Smythson travel wallet and I love it with the exception of one minor issue–there’s no credit card slots so I essentially have to also carry a small card holder and tuck it in. You can find the CDG version at Dover Street Market. I saw plenty of them in the London store, and I think there’s a store stateside in NY.
Katherine
January 13, 2014 at 9:55 amLucky you!! I love the wallet! Thank you for the feedback about the cards – I didn’t even realize that, just thought I might dump the cards in. I would love to see the CDG version in person, I might just order one and check it out.
ava
January 13, 2014 at 8:10 amYou DESERVE the travel wallet.
Get it. You certainly travel enough and think of it as a reward for all you do!
Really, I think you will put it to very good use and as long as you’re ok w your cc’s being in another area it’s super cute visually.
🙂
Ava
Katherine
January 13, 2014 at 9:53 amHi Ava, thanks so much for the encouragement, lol 🙂
guest
January 16, 2014 at 10:09 amThere is a great movie version of Headhunters too – starring the very hot Nikolaj Coster-Waldau!
Katherine
January 16, 2014 at 10:14 amI just watched it! I love evil Nikolaj! Haha
Shirling Vanessatime
January 17, 2014 at 9:01 amNice parka Kat! 🙂
Beau
February 9, 2014 at 4:52 pmDear Katherine,
I love your new parka! It looks well made and so reliable. Would you be so kind to please post the length of the back, shoulder width and sleeve length measurements? Is fur trim removable? Thank you.
Katherine
February 9, 2014 at 6:08 pmHi Beau, fur is removable…I got the measurements from an eBay auction I just quickly looked up, I am traveling right now 🙂
HOULDER TO SHOULDER SEAMS: 15-15.5 INCHES
WIDTH OF THE JACKET LAID FLAT (ARMPIT SEAM TO ARMPIT SEAM): 18.5-19 INCHES
LENGTH OF JACKET (TOP OF COLLAR TO BOTTOM OF JACKET): 35.5-36 INCHES
LENGTH OF SLEEVES (SHOULDER SEAM TO BOTTOM CUFF): 23.5-24 INCHES ADD 3 MORE INCHES WITH INSULATION CUFFS
HEIGHT OF HOOD WITH FUR ELEVATED: 20-22 INCHES
CHEST SIZES: 31-34 INCHES
Beau
February 9, 2014 at 9:06 pmHi Katherine, I appreciate your responding very much. Love the versatile knee length. Have a great travel experience!
June
February 28, 2014 at 9:16 pmSince you posted about Mr and Mrs Furs I’ve been lemming for one. I live in the tropics but that still doesn’t stop me from wanting one! How do you find yours?
Katherine
March 1, 2014 at 1:41 pmHi June, I love my jacket and it’s super fun….and also REALLY warm. You need to save it for your cold weather getaways then!
Melissa
August 22, 2015 at 2:27 pmHi! I know this is a really old post, but I’ve found it really helpful reading all the comments suggesting different parkas for the winter!
On the off chance you’ll see this comment, I wanted to ask: Since you mentioned you’re 5’1 (me too! ~100lb), what size did you buy of the Kensington CG? I’m a pretty small gal and usually go for XS, but I’ve read that the CG run a little large. Should I go for the XXS?