M.M.LaFleur Cashmere Lea Sweater (The McKenzie Sweater is also fabulous!), Finley Stretch Pants in Ribbed Cardigan Knit, and Zelda Boots (Look into the Nina Boots, too. They’re the taller version, and they’re on my wish list!)
**Use code “kellyinthecity15” to take 15 percent off your first full-priced M.M.LaFleur purchase through 12/31!**
Gammy and Pop-Pop wanted the girls for a couple of days of holiday fun, so Mitch and I were like, “Okay, fine” 😉, and headed to the Christkindlmarket right next to Wrigley Field in Chicago. It really got us in the spirit!
What I wore
I wore some new pieces from M.M.LaFleur’s Ring It In Holiday Collection, designed for “a season of celebration—whatever that looks like to you.” Isn’t that nice?! Often, the media feeds us images of women dressed to the nines in sparkly stilettos at over-the-top events during the holidays. And while I love a pretty photo just as much as the next person, I try to stay cognizant of the fact that I lead a different life. :) Yes, I will dress for the holidays! But I’ll also be warm and cozy and unrestricted so I can do fun things with family, build traditions with them, and reflect and rest.
Some notes on my Christkindlmarket outfit:
Cashmere Lea Sweater: I’d actually had my eye on this sweater since the fall! As someone with incredibly sensitive skin, I recently said goodbye to all wool (besides coats) in my closet. It was tough, but I’m so much happier with A) my smaller wardrobe and B) the fact that I’m never uncontrollably itchy anymore. Because of this, I have a newfound appreciation for owning a few nice cashmere sweaters. And this is a favorite. The Lea is a plush cashmere, made from an ultra-heavy yet ultra soft gauge, which is perfect for Chicago winters. Oh! And it’s slightly oversized and tunic-length, making it great for maternity. If you’re looking for other options, the McKenzie Sweater is also fabulous!
Finley Stretch Pants in Ribbed Cardigan Knit: HELLO, comfort. These are magic pants. They’re pants you could wear to work or to dressier events depending on the shoes you pair ’em with, yet they feel like you’re in sweatpants. They feature an awesome fold-over waistband that can be worn both ways—again, really nice for maternity—and the cropped straight leg looks super sharp with booties. Note: I sized up!
Zelda Boots: Stretchy knit boots, where have you been all my life?! Made using a low-waste 3D knitting process, the Zelda Boots have an extra-supportive footbed, natural odor resistance and a two-inch scratch-resistant blockhead. They even mold to feet! HUGE fan. I went with my normal boot size. (I wear a 7.5 in flats but usually order a size 8 in boots.) Note: Look into the Nina Boots, too. They’re the taller version, and they’re on my wish list! (Wouldn’t they look awesome paired with this skirt?!)
**Use code “kellyinthecity15” to take 15 percent off your first full-priced M.M.LaFleur purchase through 12/31!**
In case you’re new to the brand, M.M.LaFleur—a female-founded start-up “for women, by women”—specializes in simplicity, and aims to take the work out of getting dressed in the morning so we can focus on what’s most important to us. (Music to my ears!) Products are machine-washable, wrinkle-resistant, stylish and comfortable. The M.M.LaFleur team actually says they strive for “I-could-nap-in-this” kind of comfort! 😉 The team also believes that “instead of dressing for the job you want, dress for the life you’ve made.” And I’m obsessed with that. While jobs are important, the larger picture—all the parts that make up a life—is more important.
Above are some favorites from the Ring It In Holiday Collection, and below is some info on Chicago’s Christkindlmarkets!
About Chicago’s Christkindlmarkets
First, I should mention that there are two German-style Christkindlmarkets—famous for amazing shopping and warm mulled wine—in the city: The one right outside Chicago’s Wrigley Field in the Wrigleyville neighborhood (which is where we are in these photos), and the one in The Loop at the Daley Plaza. We’ve always gone downtown for the Christkindlmarket, but this year decided to mix it up! Each location has special offerings: The Daley Plaza is home to the famous heated Timber Haus restaurant while Wrigley boasts an iceskating rink and hosts the Lantern Parade, for example.
Dates: November 19 – December 24, 2021
Hours: Sundays – Thursdays: 11am – 8pm, Fridays – Saturdays: 11am – 10pm (Special hours/closures on holidays.)
What to do: Check out the market map and the event calendar!
Dates: November 19 – December 31, 2021
Hours: Mondays – Thursdays: 3pm – 9pm, Fridays – Saturdays: 11am – 10pm, Sundays: 11am – 7pm (Special hours/closures on holidays.)
What to do: Check out the market map and the event calendar!
Shop the post:
M.M.LaFleur Cashmere Lea Sweater (The McKenzie Sweater is also fabulous!), Finley Stretch Pants in Ribbed Cardigan Knit, and Zelda Boots (Look into the Nina Boots, too. They’re the taller version, and they’re on my wish list!)
**Use code “kellyinthecity15” to take 15 percent off your first full-priced M.M.LaFleur purchase through 12/31!**
This post is sponsored by M.M.LaFleur; all opinions are my own. As always, thank you so, so much for supporting the partnerships that keep Kelly in the City up and running!