There’s no getting around the fact that it is ridiculously cold outside. All we can do is bundle up and hope for the best, while hopefully spending a limited amount of time outside. Thanks to Columbia, my bundling up just got a lot easier via the Reach the Peak™ Down Jacket ($170), available in five colors. Extremely lightweight, yet warm and fitted, the down jacket includes 700 fill-power down, Omni-Heat® thermal reflective liner to capture and retain body heat, Omni-Shield® repellency fabric to prevent it getting soaked from rain, sleet, snow, the usual culprits. Last but not least, it comes with a small nylon pouch, about the size of a shoe bag, to roll the jacket into, making it even more convenient — and portable! It’s great for travel, especially if you’re lucky enough to be heading to a resort or warmer locale and can just making it lumbar roll size for the plane or your carry-on suitcase.
January 25, 2011
Can You Fold Your Winter Coat into a Small Bag? The Columbia Reach the Peak Down Jacket
January 11, 2011
There’s a Snowstorm Coming This Way? I’m Not Worried! Columbia’s Heather Canyon Omni-Heat Boots
Why am I not worried you may ask? Well, perhaps it’s because I’m walking on air – and it’s for no reason other than these Columbia Heather Canyon™ Omni-Heat Boots ($140) — they are so incredibly warm, water-resistant and light! The sound of me dragging my feet on carpet or pavement has been replaced by a joyous, skipping noise – I pretty much have to exert zero effort to lift up my feet in these boots! What they’ve got:
- Water-resistant suede leather upper with faux fur collar
- Omni-Heat technology reflects natural body heat for added warmth
- 200g Thermolite® rated -25/-32C
- Techlite molded material provides cushioning and protection in a lightweight, flexible shell
- Non-marking Omni-Grip rubber compound outsole for optimal traction
These boots really do rock my world- they are ultra easy to take on and off, without any assistance or cussing, and the Omni-Heat Technology (if you’re not familiar with it already) is VERY cool. Although this style doesn’t have it, Omni-Heat Thermal Electric allows the wearer to keep her/his feet warm at the push of a button by activating a patent-pending, battery-powered array of heating elements located strategically throughout the footbed in select Columbia boot styles.
In this look, I’m also rocking the Columbia Fast Trek™ Fleece Headring Omni-Heat® ($12) and the Columbia Reach the Peak™ Down Jacket ($170).
May 31, 2010
Would You Like SPF with Your Dress? Columbia Sportswear’s Marrakesh Maven Dress
I recently tested out the Marrakesh Maven Dress by Columbia Sportswear, $65 to see for myself how their Omni-Dry Advanced Evaporation and Omni-Shade SPF 50 Sun Protection Clothing worked – the moisture repellent technology is supposed to keep sweat away from the body and quickly evaporate, while the sun protection technology shields you from UV rays . Sounded like great stuff to incorporate in a garment, so I went out on this past ultra-sunny, Memorial Day weekend in my cute little new dress. The fabric on the dress had a stretchy, combed cotton jersey top, while the skirt portion was a different, slightly more silky jersey material. I really liked the slight contrast of the two fabrics, and the dress also came equipped with pockets, which is always a plus in my opinion.
After being out for both brunch and lunch, I felt the heat of the 88 degree day, yet was not coated in perspiration (sorry to be a little graphic). As for the SPF factor, this technology is also recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation, and being etremely pale (I know, it’s pretty obvious), it’s nice to feel that I’m getting a little extra coverage. All in all, I definitely recommend this as a perfect summer day dress for work, travel, or play; this particular Marrakesh Dress is available in three colors, or try the Costa Bella Dress which offers the same technologies plus a built-in bra.
~Julia DiNardo
May 18, 2010
What FPD Has Been Up to Lately
We’ve been attending so many fashion previews and events our heads have been spinning! Check out the cool stuff we’ve seen, coming in Fall 2010, and please excuse the cell phone-quality photos!
The Columbia Sportswear Preview
This brand is definitely on the cutting edge of technology; come winter, I will definitely look to them for their unique technologies to keep one warm, especially with these boots for men and women, that has a removable battery to generate heat – how cool is that?
The new collection for Nine West features some of the most creative, opulent adornment I’ve seen on footwear, at an affordable price point, for some time! Be sure to check it out!
Sorel Fall/Winter 2010 Preview
As you know, Sorel is my most favorite footwear brand for surviving inclement weather, with next season’s offerings including a range of fun fabrications, fur, and of course, incredibly warmth and durability.
Jaeger is back! The famed British brand is surfacing in the USA again for Fall 2010! The new collection features fabulous accessories, sexy knits, bouclé, and much more — once you’ve checked out their offerings, I guarantee you will be smitten too!
RM By Roland Mouret, Jonathan Saunders, and Alexander Berardi Fall/Winter 2010
Please dress me for my next major event! Please!
Lauren Bush FEED 1 Guatamala at Lord & Taylor
Each bag has proceeds going to United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) from the “FEED 1 Guatemala” pouch and “FEED 3 Guatemala” pouch and tote styles to promote health and well-being for children in Guatemala — what’s not to love?
KIN Free Concert – The Ting Tings!
KIN, Microsoft’s brand new phone with a focus on social media, has staged free concerts in four cities across the country – I was excited to attend the latest one with The Ting Tings this past weekend! The word got out about the concerts solely through social media, so follow the KIN Facebook page to get the details about next weekend and potentially other cities. You can also connect with KIN via Twitter.
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