On me: Red Parka: J.Crew Chateau Parka (Under $200!) also comes in tan // Jeans: Madewell (obsessed with them–really. They run true to size) also similar here, and budget friendly version here // Striped Tee: J.Crew (comes in several colors! Also love this similar t-shirt version) // Sunnies: Ray Ban // Booties: c/o Sole Society Chris booties (nearly sold out) but identical here, and I also love these from Rebecca Minkoff, and these Vince combo booties/sandals! // Tote: J.Crew Uptown tote (currently only available in black) but love this similar red tote. 

On Neal: Jacket: Barbour Tinford Quilted Jacket, also comes in red (nearly identical here, similar here in navy and also love this quilted vest) // Jeans: Old, similar here // Watch: Shinola, also love this classic white-faced version // Shoes: Cole Haan, similar here (splurge), and here (budget). 

One of our favorite things to do on a Saturday or Sunday is roam around our neighborhood–the West Loop!  The typical weekend routine starts with me going to Yoga (CorePower–if you haven’t tried it, it’s awesome! I love their C2 classes), Neal going to the gym, and then we come back, shower, and then head out for a late brunch or an afternoon of exploring the neighborhood. 




The West Loop is essentially a hub of Chicago’s most amazing restaurants, with plenty of patios just itching to open when given the slightest uptick in temperatures. A couple of my favorite spots? Parlor Pizza, Nellcote, Kaiser Tiger and RM Champagne definitely top the list. (Just in case you were wondering, they’re also fabulous in NON patio weather!) 

This time of year is probably the hardest time for me in terms of getting dressed everyday. I cannot bring myself to put on my puffer coat, but it’s pretty tough to weather 40 degrees in a spring parka. This past weekend gave us some drop dead gorgeous weather, but let’s be honest, it was still COLD in comparison with the rest of the U.S. 

So what’s a girl to do when she wants to act like it’s spring even though it feels like winter? Here are a couple of my go-to winter to spring weapons: 

A great transitional coat: Go with a coat that still has some weight to it. I just picked up this red Chateau Parka from J.Crew (it runs really narrow in the armpits–weird, I know, so size up. I’m wearing a 4 and I’m usually a 2 in coats!) and while it’s meant for spring, it’s much heavier than your standard spring trench! It’s made of canvas, which is effective for blocking the wind and keeping warmth in. 

Great layering tees: I just picked up this adorable striped top at J.Crew, which is perfect for layering. What you can’t see though, is this tank layered underneath it (hehe–sneaky). If you get too hot, you can take it off and stuff it in your purse. I’m serious–I do it all the time. 

Zippo Hand Warmers: Zippo recently sent Neal and I some of their hand warmers to try out, and I’m not even kidding–these are the BEST THINGS EVER. They come in two different sizes, and fit right in your pocket to keep you warm and toasty for up to twelve hours at a time. To activate them, you pour in Zippo lighter fluid, and then light them with a lighter to heat them up. Then, pop them in their little warming bags, and into your pocket (or gloves, or boots, or wherever!) These would be amazing for ski trips too! 

The larger version is perfect for the large coat pockets of my parka, and Neal loves the smaller ones for the breast pockets of his new Barbour coat (I just got him this one for his birthday!) He also wanted to make sure I told you that they are going to be “really awesome for Bears and Northwestern games in the fall.” 

(P.S. if you purchase now through 2/29, you can get $5 off with code “GETHEATED”)

Neutral, transitional booties: Because it’s still too chilly for open toes, transitional booties are a must-have in my book. They’re not too “wintery” and the lighter, neutral hue pairs really well with springy items as well as winter ones. (I also love this version!) 

What are your transitional tips to staying warm in spring?

Thank you for Zippo for sponsoring this post. As always, opinions are 100% my own!