Warm up to winter with cool cold-weather gear
Freezing?
Well, if you're not now, then you will be soon.
Here are a couple of stylish items to help minimize the goose bumps.
• Glencoe native Kate Robertson spent time in Peru working in the Peace Corps, and it influenced her fashion design. Her new Mayu Green Eyelet Capelet features South American stylings, but also has a hood, comes in several colors and provides a unique look for those 40-degree days. ($179 at shopmayu.com)
• Land's End's winter offerings include lots of fleece pullovers and wool sweaters, including an aviator hat that looks like it can handle below-zero windchills. ($32.50 at landsend.com)
• Warm yourself up with a Thermasoft mitt. This self-heating hand and foot therapy is like a spa treatment. The mitts are filled with Soyafinn, an all-natural blend of shea-butter, beeswax and soy extracts. As it melts, it penetrates and moisturizes the skin. ($15 at JC Penney)
Christmas on State Street
If you're no longer mad about Macy's taking over Marshall Field's, you'll want to check out this year's window display and Great Tree at the 111 N. State Street store in Chicago.
The festivities begin at noon Saturday, Nov. 8, when designer Tommy Hilfiger flips the switch and lights the Great Tree. While last year's tree was done up with crystals, this year's decorations are more subdued. The tree will have thousands of red and white lights plus iconic ornaments from FAO Schwarz.
After the tree lighting, Hilfiger will meet and greet the public during a signing for his new book of pop culture images, "Iconic America."
This year's holiday window display is unique. Rather than depicting a famous story, the windows tell a Christmas story using Chicago landmarks and including a message about the spirit of the season. They'll feature more animation than ever before.
Black & Orange Tie in Geneva
The public is invited to the Black & Orange Tie Affair from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, at Zinnias's, 27 W. State St., Geneva. Several local businesses are involved in the party, which includes prizes, in-store sales and fall fashion and jewelry shows. They'll also show off Sheryl Crow's new line of Bootheel Jeans, and donate 10 percent of any Bootheel purchases to a breast cancer charity. Call (630) 845-0305.