Thanks, dcp! I love how buffistas know everything.

ita-- my advice in thermals is 100% silk thermals from thermasilk or lands' end or some other maker. I've worn cuddl duds and other acrylic thermals and nothing stacks up to silk thermals. Not only are they, by far, the warmest layer I've ever worn, they're also the thinnest. They are like methril in how incredibly protective they are, and they don't have any bulk to them. They don't look so bad since they're silk, although I wish the neckline was slightly more decorative.

I probably should wash them gentler, but generally silk thermals wear out on me in one winter or so.

This year I got a pair of wool-blend thermals that are not in the least itchy (and I have Princess Pea levels of sensitivity) so I have great hopes for them....

Theo's right that they are delicate. My last silk thermal developed a serious hole in the elbow, but I wore it anyway-- it's always a layer. But they're not that dear-- about $25 or so, last time I saw them at Sportsman's Warehouse.

What I really should do is buy four or five pairs, so that I can wash them all with silk-friendly detergent on the gentle cycle at the end of the week. That would probably be too damn practical, really.

My guest is now something like an hour and a half late. At least it's giving me a chance to get the house that much cleaner for her....

ita-- my advice in thermals is 100% silk thermals from thermasilk or lands' end or some other maker. I've worn cuddl duds and other acrylic thermals and nothing stacks up to silk thermals. Not only are they, by far, the warmest layer I've ever worn, they're also the thinnest. They are like methril in how incredibly protective they are, and they don't have any bulk to them. They don't look so bad since they're silk, although I wish the neckline was slightly more decorative.

I second this emotion. I wore them skiing and everything bon bon says about them is true. I didn't have the wear problem Theo has, but I didn't wear them everyday, just skiing, or sledding.

so it is raining/snowing and pretty nasty out. I can't decide what to wear tonight. I am thinking dark wash jeans and a silky sleeveless top. I have three tops that are options - one is peach silk with a deepish scoop neck, one is brown silk chiffon with empire satin ribbon that ties in the back, and one is two layers of nylon meshy material bottom layer is orange and top one is red and they are slightly asymmetrical and overlappy at the bottom. thoughts?

And for shoes, I was gonna wear the tall boots for traveling. should I change into heels or not even bother?

The brown silk chiffon sounds lovely, msbelle. What kind of party are you going to?

karaoke with a few friends.

I vote brown or peach (in that order), and unless they'll be too hot, I say just keep the boots on.