these boots were made for walking (in 40 below)

I am jonesing for these boots. They're called the "Joan of Arctic," made by boot-company-extraordinaire Sorel.
They're totally sexy with faux fur trim and waterproof soles but at some $120.00 bones I'm not sure I can justify the purchase. But ... they are weatherproof up to -40 ...

And they do go along with the whole "fur trapper chic" look, that seemed to be hip from this season's winter lines (see last photo below) and just in time for Fur Rondy- Anchorage's winter festival honoring its economic past in the pelt trade. It's so much fun and a must-do in winter if you're in the area.

(It's such a big deal that in honor of the Fur Rendezvous Festival there used to be a dress-up day at the elementary school and a little kids would parade the hallways. When I was five, my Mom's idea was to dress me up as a mail-order bride, I had no idea what that meant at the time. My brother made me a little pixelated "mail order bride" sign on the old Mac computer and everything! And then in second grade I wore an old fur jacket and went as Miss Fur Rendezvous! Amazing.)

When did Sorel become so sophisticated? I have to admit there's a special place in my heart for the old Sorel boots that my Dad used to wear to snow-blow the driveway. You know the ones that are so dorky that they're cool? I used to have the light pink version of those when I was a kid because my boots just had to match the rest of the ensemble. According to my Mom, I would cry and not leave the house if my outdoor gear did not match--it's hard being fashionable!

(Photo courtesy of www.in70mm.com)

You love it when she wears that hat! Doctor Zhivago knows what's up.

(Fashion spread photo from http://www.annesage.com/blog)

On another note, the fashionable use of fur and faux fur does bring about some ethical questions. Some think wearing dead animals is gross and even sporting the fake stuff is continuing to promote unjust deaths. Even vintage fur--animals that have been dead for years--brings about the same debates. Personally, I like the aesthetic and appreciate the nod to historical usage but what do you think?

Stay tuned for Part II on Arctic Explorer fashion--with a special section on Antarctica Explorer Ernest Shackleton!

this is what we wear to go snowshoeing...

You gotta look good while scaling those ridges.

I'll post the "after" photo later--the one where we actually made it up the mountain!

grrrl crush

My roommatie Heidi is fabulous!
Just look at this getup.

Carhartts, winter boots and just look at that jacket! It's wool with a fake lambskin lining and it has a collar and a hood! (even though you can't see it in the picture). She said she got the jacket at a thrift store in Anchorage. Love it!

fishermen (and fisherma'am) sweaters

Any local worth her wait in silvers knows that the fisherma'am sweater is where it's at!

Appartently, the fashion world calls this a "shawl collar sweater," but I prefer the other name--the name that invokes old salty dawgs with big beards and corncob pipes off the coast of Maine.

And those rosy-cheeked fishmongers (or pastrymongers) in Valdez, like Magpie below! (photo by me)

(photos from Banana Republic and J.Crew)

When I moved here I knew I needed to find meself one of these fashion statements! And luckily, like all good things should, after a few weeks of thinking (and searching), it came to me! I snagged a cool, North Face version on sale at The Prospector. I do wish however that I could have gotten one at the thrift store in Glennallen for $5 like Magpie but there'll be other fish in the sea!

hearts!

happy love month!

a few of my favorite local faces

(All photos by yours truly)
All these faces tell so many stories-- about homesteading in Alaska, the 1964 earthquake, living off the grid. I think I like these mugs the most because they were each so charming and I have my own story for all of them!

best beard in town...

belongs to this guy!

I've seen him around and sometimes, to accompany the feat of facial hair, he wears the most amazing neon pink windbreaker jacket. Wowza.

He should totally compete in the World Beard and Moustache Championships hosted this May in Anchorage! It's only the second time this bi-yearly competition is being held in the United States.

I'm going for sure. I mean, an even more concentrated plethora of bearded mountain men than usual in the 49th state? yes, please!

The last gold medal winner of the "Natural Full Beard with Sculpted Moustache" competition was from Olympia, Wash. and my friends who went to school there would see the champ around town! I'm so jealous.

Icelandic Feel.

My ambient music obsessed roommate Netflixed the Sigur Ros film, Heima. It documents the Icelandic post-rock band through their 2006 tour. So after a long day of glacial snowshoeing (no joke) we had a screening. It’s a beautifully shot film with lots of ethereal images of the band performing in the countryside as demonstrations on environmental conversation.

Besides the gorgeous scenery something that caught my eye was this sweater that one musician is wearing (far left). It must be the Official Sweater of Iceland because in every crowd scene multiple Icelanders are wearing it!

I feel that Alaska and Iceland are kindred spirits--the geological features and weather are similar, especially to Valdez. So many shots could have been taken up in Thompson Pass.

(photos from sigur ros, www.nordicstore.net, and Thompson Pass moss and scenery by me!)

What do you think is the official sweater of Valdez?

I'll have to do a post about fishermen pullovers later!