basketweave

maje coat {sold out / similar style} . chelsea 28 sweater {similar here + here}. american eagle jeans . sorel boots {last seen here} . mulberry handbag . smartwool hat . madova gloves {similar} . world market scarf {similar / also love this one!}. chanel nail polish in 'may' (wishful thinking, right?)

The word "basket" will always remind me of improv. Early last winter I was in a practice group with some of my classmates from 301. We'd rent a room in an old building in the garment district and meet once or twice a week. The back wall was always a mirror with cheap curtains you didn't want to touch to cover it, a dusty upright piano stood nestled in the corner, and the sounds of dance numbers being practiced occasionally drifted in from down the hall. I struggled in this group. It was my first experience with "actors", the dramatic types that don't like to share the spotlight or play by the rules. Back then I wasn't yelling boarding instructions at strangers on the subway. It was clear I didn't fit in with these more aggressive players. Our wonderful coach, Nicole, expertly took on the massive task of controlling this unwieldy group. One of my favorite memories from this time was the couple of weeks in which we were repeatedly given the word "basket" as a suggestion. It forced some interesting ideas out of us after the third time, with everyone trying to think of something new and different. Recently, at one of her shows, JD shouted the word as a suggestion. Nicole rolled her eyes. Their idea was immediate and one we hadn't thought of all those months ago in the old dance room with steam heat and a snow covered balcony. It was a gift basket for a Grandmother for Christmas, which led to a conversation about why Nicole won't tell them where she grew up - "don't worry about it". 

This basketweave sweater was a Christmas gift from my Aunt. This past Saturday, I wore it to brunch with jeans (you know, to switch things up from my usual uniform of white sweaters and black pants) and my snow boots, which I foresee becoming my shoe of choice if New York City get as much snow as predicted this week. 

Happy Monday and thank you for reading!