What to Wear When Spring is a Big Fat Tease & Spread The Kindness Link Up On the Edge #803
It’s that time of year again when most of the northern hemisphere is experiencing the beauty of springtime weather. The sun is shining, the temperatures are warming, and the flowers are blooming. However, I live in a place that experiences very unique weather patterns with spring being nothing more than a tease for the first six to eight weeks following the equinox.
We have seen some lovely temperatures recently but those days are almost always tarnished by rain, leaving me feeling a little depressed during the gray days, which happen with much more frequency than sunny ones.
Although this is typical weather for the North Country, I can’t seem to adapt to the extended winter weather despite having lived in this weather-weary place for 13 years.
Recently, I was wondering if the consistently precipitation-heavy weather in far northern New York effects my mood so dramatically, how are people faring in places like Seattle, Washington, which is known for its high concentration of rainy days. So I did a quick search to determine just how much more rain Seattle gets compared to my geographical region in New York.
What I discovered shocked me…but only a little. Watertown, New York, actually experiences more precipitation than Seattle, Washington. In fact, areas around me like Syracuse and Buffalo are considered the rainiest locations in the United States averaging about 170 days per year with some sort of precipitation (rain or snow) while Seattle averages 150-160 days annually, consisting mostly of light drizzle.
So I guess the answer to my question about the moods of people in Seattle is that they are probably slightly more upbeat than Watertown residents as we impatiently await the arrival of summer, the very short period of time between winter and winter.
It has been unseasonably mild the last few days with temperatures reaching into the low 70s (21-23˚C) while our normal averages this time of year are generally in the low to mid 50s (13-15˚C). However, the consistently inconsistent weather here will be sending some snow flurries our way over the weekend with a predicted high of 38˚F (3.3˚C) and lows below freezing on Monday. We definitely can’t plant anything outside until mid-May as it is very common and highly probable that we will have frost warnings past Mother’s Day and sometimes even into June.
I know that I complain about my weather every single year around this time because I just can’t help myself. It irritates the heck out of me because I just want some warmth and sunshine for a little while. But I know my complaints are fruitless because the weather doesn’t care. The weather will do what the weather will do no matter how annoyed or frustrated I get. But I am ready to wear all of my pretty warm weather clothing and Mother Nature simply does not care about me or my wardrobe desires!
So what is a girl to wear when spring is just a big fat tease?
Why layers, of course. Lots and lots of layers that are easy to remove and put back on as the weather goes through its insanely erratic changes hour by hour.
However, one positive thing that comes from our extended winter weather is that I can buy season end clearance clothing and still wear it for two more months before transitioning my wardrobe. If you live where spring weather actually begins in mid-March like it’s supposed to, your winter clearance pieces are forced into hibernation until late fall.
But not for me. I can purchase gorgeous new winter pieces in March and April and still wear them a few times before the weather demands a change to my outfit plans.
Last week, I shared my stunning new Gabriela Duster by Soft Surroundings, a winter weather garment that works perfectly for the North Country springtime. This week I am sharing the Soft Surroundings Scarlet Serenity Long Knit Topper which is constructed from a channel-quilted cotton knit in a gorgeous black and red Jacobean patchwork-print. The details are extraordinary with a quaint mandarin collar, frog closure, and bracelet length sleeves. The knee length hem and relaxed fit lend themselves to effortless layering Shelbee-style. This beautiful topper retailed for $219.95 and it is truly worth that price with its high quality construction and pristine attention to details. However, I scored it for a mere $59.97, approximately 72.5% off the original price.
I have always found the combination of red and black to be remarkably striking so I styled my outfit using those two colors. Starting with my basic under layer of black leggings and a red tunic, I added a lightweight kimono robe in red and black floral, my old black cowgirl boots, a solid black fringed scarf, and my black felt floppy hat with the rooster brooch.
Because the robe has some pretty gold threads woven into it, I wore black and gold jewelry including large gold earrings with black tassels, a black and gold long tassel necklace, and a preloved black and gold beaded necklace. After taking these photographs on a Sunday morning three weeks ago, I wore this outfit to church as it felt like a perfectly appropriate look for Palm Sunday.
But now I am ready to ditch all the coats and heavy toppers in favor of lightweight kimonos, summer maxi dresses, and sandals!
Has spring sprung in your part of the world yet? Does consistent precipitation start to affect your mood? What do you wear when the weather is uncooperative?
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Wishing you all a lovely weekend filled with sunshine instead of rain and snow!
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
18 Comments
Laura Kathleen Bambrick
Spring really does love to keep us guessing, and I love how you styled your outfits to handle those in-between days. Great reminder that layering and a little creativity go a long way! Thank you so much for the feature!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Laura! Before long I’ll be complaining that it’s too hot for layers! LOL Actually, we don’t get terribly hot or humid weather here in the summer so I can continue with light layers all year round. I hope you have a wonderful weekend, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Nancy
It sounds really horror too me, such short summers. You know how i hate winters. Gerben is getting the lounge set out today and that makes me so happy! But next week it will be very chilly again here, lol. That’s karma for you! Happy weekend love! Looking so forward to Monday!!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh, you definitely would not like it here, Nancy! Although the summer is beautiful even if it is way too short. If all goes well, you’ll have a warm hug for the chilly weather next week!
xoxo
Shelbee
Di
I really enjoyed your humorous description of the Watertown weather, and how it wreaks havok with your wardrobe choices! You are truly in one of the wettest parts of the entire country, and so cold, too. I know you appreciate the warmth and sun when it comes out! Love your red and black kimono, it is a truly beautiful work of art, and a very special addition to your kimono wardrobe. Hope you enjoy your week and thanks for sharing and hosting the link up!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Di, thanks so much! I do think that laughter heals all things including weather-weariness! At least the cold weather allows me to wear more of my clothing at once and God knows I have enough clothing to change my outfits 3 times a day and never repeat one all year long. LOL I hope you have a lovely weekend, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Joanne
Our weather has been crazy warm this week– it got up to 88 yesterday. That is pretty much unheard of this early in the season here (and it wont last as it’s supposed to be in the 40’s/50’s this weekend and into next week) but it does make it really, really hard to dress. I pulled a few of my spring clothing totes out to pack for our girl’s trip to Asheville and I decided to just leave them on the floor of my closet for now since I still need my heavier stuff out too.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Yeah, I have seen that much of the United States (and likely other places as well) have been experiencing really bizarre weather patterns right now. My sister lives in Pennsylvania and she was just complaining that it was in the 90s the other day and her central air conditioning stopped working. Ugh. That is brutal. As much as our winter weather drags on, at least we do have beautiful summers which barely surpass 80 degrees except for a few days. When is your trip to Asheville? That is super exciting! It’s one of my favorite cities. I hope you have a super trip and safe travels.
xoxo
Shelbee
Gail Is This Mutton
Every cloud has a silver lining….and for you it’s being able to wear winter pieces for longer. I bought some heavy pants a couple of weeks ago but it’s too warm now to wear them. Have to wait a few months. I much prefer winter clothes. Our weather has also been a bit varied, we get a couple of days of sunshine and then a few days of overcast or rain. But it’ll be sunny eventually. I enjoy the vagaries of the weather.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, thanks so much, Gail! That is definitely a silver lining for me. At this age, I am always looking for the silver lining, too! I find it useless to get annoyed with the weather, but still I get annoyed. Hahaha. I hope you have a beautiful spring and summer ahead of you, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Melody Jacob
This really captures that in-between season feeling so well, when you’re ready for spring but the weather just will not cooperate. The layering ideas make a lot of sense for those unpredictable days, and the way you styled that red and black look is striking and practical at the same time. I also liked the mix of reflection and real-life frustration with the weather, it feels very relatable, especially the part about just wanting a bit of warmth and sunshine to settle in properly.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Melody, thank you so much! I am embracing today as we have beautiful spring weather before the temperature drops and the snow comes tomorrow. It definitely keeps things interesting! And I really never any reason to rotate my wardrobe because the weather never settles on just one season! Have a fabulous weekend, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Marsha Banks
Wow! That really surprised me as the Pacific Northwest always gets top billing for being the wettest! Maybe it’s drearier than Watertown! It has been much too warm for my liking so soon in the season. I want a true spring that lasts well into May. Of course, it’s not unusual (well, it never used to be unusual) to have snow in April. I am very happy with 60s and would love it if spring and fall would lengthen and winter and summer would shorten. It seems, however, they are doing the opposite.
I love this absolutely radiant outfit, Shelbee! It’s so cool seeing your hair down. It’s gotten so long! I really do love that duster because of the frog closures. I think those are the neatest things ever! Thanks, my friend for the link up!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Marsha! Actually, places in Hawaii and Mobile, Alabama are the “wettest” getting the most inches of rain while the Pacific Northwest is considered one of the “rainiest” places with a lot of days of rain. Since most of our precipitation is snow, I think we get forgotten…all buried in the snow! LOL I would love for the seasons to be more equal like they’re supposed to be. Three months of each season would be perfect!
xoxo
Shelbee
nicole orriens
I totally get your longing for lighter clothes and Spring like weather. Layers are very smart! I always wear tshirts with a small vest so I can take it off if needed. Anyway, hang in there!
P.S. I kind of want to move to where you live, because I prefer Fall and Winter and love rain.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Nicole! Fall used to be my favorite season but now spring is. We do have beautiful autumns here although they are short lived. I do enjoy having four distinct seasons. I just wish they were more equal in duration!
xoxo
Shelbee
Amy Johnson
Although I don’t think our weather is quite as bad as yours, as a Wisconsinite, I can certainly relate. This week I was really schizophrenic; temps in the 70’s, hail, thunderstorms, tornadoes, now were in the 30-40’s again.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I saw on the news all the tornadoes out your way. I pray everyone is safe! And that gave me some perspective, for sure. I’ll take perpetual snow over tornadoes any day!
xoxo
Shelbee