Trench and Slouchy Beret

Since moving to a much, much colder climate, I've become a bit of a collector of winter hats.  So, when offered the opportunity to try, and review, a slouchy beret from Scala Pronto, of course I accepted.  And I'm so happy I did.

I chose the oatmeal colorway and I love it.

This hat is perfect for fall because it pairs well with my trench coat.  And also because it covers less of my head than a beanie so it helps keep me warm but not over-heated.


It's also offered in gray and both colorways have a subtle metallic yarn running through the knit and a mix of stitches to add interest:

Scala Slouchy Beret via Village Hat Shop

As I mentioned, I chose the oatmeal color and yes, I chose it specifically to wear with my trench, because it's my go-to coat for fall:

Although, now that I think about it, I might need the gray as well.  If only to match my suede boots:

Hat: c/o Scala Pronto  Trench: Banana Republic (similar, hooded, cape version)
Skirt: Gap   Tights: Gap  Boots: Circa Joan & David (similar)

Because, really, in Western PA, you can't have too many knit caps.  Happily, these hats are only $32 a piece and you get free shipping at Village Hat Shop.  Definitely worth it to have two, I think.


Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Hats, Flowers & Rabbit Deer Creatures

I don't like wearing hats.  I never know how to wear them or what to do with my hair.  And because my head is kind of small for a giant, they often don't fit me right and tend to blow off.  Even when it's not windy.  So, no.  Not a fan of hats.  But, I'm even less of a fan of sun damage.  So, I'm always looking for a sun hat that fits my wee head and protects my face.

Enter the roll-up visor from the Dorfman Pacific Scala Collection*:

This thing is brilliant.  First of all, it rolls up for slipping into a beach bag with ease, and because it's paper braid, it does so without wrinkling.  Speaking of wrinkling, I firmly believe the 5-inch peak, which offers the equivalent of SPF 50 protection, will help keep me from doing so as well.  And, it's adjustable, so it fits my tiny head perfectly.  The best part though?  I can wear a bun or a pony tail with it, because it's a visor, not a hat:

No more having to wear my hair down and getting all sweaty and angry.  And, it's perfect for laying in the sun (with sunscreen, of course) as well, because it doesn't continue all the way around.  It's just seriously altogether brilliant.  And reasonably priced as well; it retails for about $25.00.  You can find them, in multiple colors, from brights to neutrals, here.

This past weekend was beautiful here in Oregon, so I took my visor out on a test run to the farmer's market.  And it was perfect; it stayed put, even with the strong breeze, and I don't appear to be any more wrinkled.

Also perfect?  The market:

Purple Dutch iris

Blue Dutch Iris

Cascade Baking Company Bread

A red sedum for my nephew's collection.

The center of this thunder egg kind of looks like a leaping rabbit-deer-creature.  Kind of.

Dutch iris in zinc pails.

Potatoes.  I don't know.  I just like them.

So, in summary, this visor is awesome.  Farmer's markets are awesome.  They are awesome together.

Happy Tuesday, All!  Don't forget to enter my Shabby Apple Giveaway!

Gracey


*This sunhat was sent to me courtesy of Dorfman Pacific.  However, all of the opinions voiced in my review of the hat are mine and mine alone.

Philomena's Sunny Day Giveaway

This is Philomena the Foam Head:

Philomena is wearing a lovely sunhat sent to us by Dorfman Pacific.  The hat has a four-inch brim that provides UPF50 sun protection, which is doubly important to someone as fair as Philomena.  Philomena also appreciates that the hat is very lightweight and can easily packed into a bag or suitcase for vacation. (We really can attest to this; it was mailed to us folded up in a large envelope and unfolded just as lovely as you please).

It also comes adorned with a little bow:

And that little bow isn't just for decoration.  It is actually a functional sizing tie, in case your head isn't the same size as Philomena's.

That's right, this hat can be yours.  Philomena and I are giving away this very Dorfman Pacific Scala Collezione hat to one lucky reader.  All you need to do is leave me a comment, by midnight on Sunday, June 17th, letting me know where you'd take this easily-packable hat this summer.  Oh, and leave me a way to contact you if you win.  And, just in case you don't win, you can get a Scala Collezione hat of your own, here, at 20% off, using the code: SunHatSave20.  The code is good through June 30th, 2012.

Good luck, Reader Friends!

Gracey (and Philomena)