Cold and sunny is a good combination.

Like gray and brown, up and down, warm and fuzzy, or light and shade…

Sunday was a gorgeous, sunny winter day. Perfect for a long walk.

The intense blue sky made everything look so beautiful.

Blue skies and bright colors make me happy.

Waking up on Monday, I once again had a view — a beautiful wintry view.

Gusts of wind were blowing the powdery snow around the rooftops — rooftops that look so much better covered with snow.

New York is having temperatures below freezing for the first time this winter. Everybody is talking about the cold. Yes, it is cold, but in Sweden we have a saying: “there’s no bad weather, only bad clothes.”

I say, get over it and bundle up. Winter clothes are fun! I whipped out some seriously warm mittens and the fluffy scarf that my love bought for me in Tokyo. Very cozy.

/// coat, Tiger of Sweden / fluffy scarf from Tokyo / pants, BDG / mittens, gift from my sister / hat, gift from my friend Liza / faux-leather fringe bag, Lindex / boots, vintage store in Toronto ///

I stayed in bed until 1:30 yesterday, reading the paper and having my morning coffee — so nice!

Then I went for a run, across the Williamsburg Bridge and back. It’s an OK run, but I do miss my Prospect Park route very much — there were more trees and less cars.

I did not do any laundry, vacuuming or other domestic activity that was actually needed. Instead I went out to meet some friends for pre-holiday drinks on the LES.

I wore my vintage faux-shearling jacket — one of my all-time favorite vintage finds — for the first time this year. My grandmother bought it for me for 75 SEK (about $11) when we were out Salvation Army-shopping a few years ago. Score!

/// faux-shearling coat, Salvation Army / faux-fur hat, Fjällräven / tee, H&M / skirt (worn as dress), 12-year-old H&M / belt, vintage / stockings, American Apparel / socks, gift / faux-leather fringe bag, Lindex / shoes, Vince Camuto ///

Tiny snowflakes were falling off the trees, dancing in the breeze, glistening in the sunlight. The temperature one degree below freezing — a perfect winter day.

/// hat, 10 years old from H&M / coat, H&M / jeans, Habitual / boots, Doc Martens / bag, Lindex ///

On Tuesday in Gävle, Sweden, it was -1ºC (30ºF) and sunny. Little snow crystals formed glittering rain as they fell from the tree tops.

The skies were blue and the air was fresh — perfect winter weather.

It was my mom’s birthday and we had lunch at an Italian café.

Afterward, we took a walk down to the stream to enjoy the last bit of the day’s sun rays.

Then a bit of shopping before we went home and made mushroom pasta for the whole family who were coming over for the birthday party.

Oh, such a perfect day.

I’ve decided my feet are not going to freeze this winter.

So, I ordered these Caribou boots from Sorel. They’re toasty as can be — supposedly good down to 40 below!

For someone who is prone to stepping in puddles, it doesn’t hurt that they’re waterproof either.

They run big, so get a size smaller (I’m a 10 and the 9 fit me perfectly). Got ‘em for $88 from Amazon.

All in all, this feels like a very responsible purchase. I think my mother will be proud.