Silk variety is the spice of a cozy life!
Now serving more than 90 styles of
long underwear.
With 5 Warmth Factors, 4 sleeve lengths, 3 specialty sizes, 2 pant rises, and 1 amazing new fabric, we have a long john for every taste. As the foremost experts and enthusiasts of silk warmth, it’s no surprise winter is our favorite season, our chance to ‘wow’ you with the latest and greatest in natural comfort. First up? Our new mid-weight spunsilk long underwear… now offering a loftier hand-feel, think cotton’s softest cousin, yet they provide the superior breathability and moisture control only silk delivers. Looking for a bit more warmth? Our 3-Factor mid-weights are the ultimate in indoor/outdoor versatility, and pure, bulk-free filament silk has the highest warmth-to-weight ratio of any natural fiber. For more adventurous types, we’ve cooked up SST technology, providing unparalleled wicking power, in both our lightweight Performance Silks and heavyweight Techno Silks long underwear for women and men. We invite you to peruse our entire selection by Warmth Factor to order up your perfect set today. Oh, and for a comfy warm head, fingers, and toes, don’t forget a side of natural silk accessories!
Quarterly Update:
What’s on the menu for 2012?
Sunny spring days will soon be here again, and to gear up for the warm up we’ll soon be offering new fanciful fabrics in deliciously bright colors. Debuting this February is our favorite new fabric, silk fuji. It offers the most delightfully soft feel and flatteringly fluid drape, making it the best fabric for a classically styled blazer or jacket. Another trend we can’t wait to share is the knit-woven mix. You get the best of all worlds with the look of a dressy woven front, but the comfort of a tee with a knit jersey back. Find a similar style available now in our exclusive knit top with silk taffeta collar, perfect for dinner party or diner counter. (Shhh, a secret sneak peak from our spring & summer photo shoot is at the bottom of this newsletter.) Finally this spring, we’re again embracing lace. Our designers found the softest lace available, paired it with natural silk, and created tees, intimates, and sleepwear that sweetly bid winter doldrums adieu.
Appetite for history? Tastes and tales of The Silk Road.
We’ve previously examined how silk and other goods served as a catalyst for the spread of ideas and beliefs, so too is it true for culture of the culinary persuasion. In addition to the alluring, exclusive, secretive trade of silk, spices and herbs were exchanged along the 5000 miles from northern Asia to the Roman Empire. Similarly as well, the origins of cinnamon, pepper, saffron, and more were kept mysterious. It was said cinnamon from the land of Bacchus was collected from the nests of giant birds on steep cliffs. Others claimed the spice was guarded by flying snakes. These stories were relayed to purposefully increase the value of such non-perishables. Spices and herbs were prized not only for their flavor, but also aromatic and medicinal properties. Cardamom was used to cure nausea and fever; cloves were beneficial to the kidneys; and pepper aided in digestion. As values and prices of spices continued to increase, new trade routes were mapped in order to engage in more direct negotiations. Christopher Columbus was sent in search of pepper, for example. And people adapted the products for their own needs. Coriander seeds from India were planted to create cilantro in China. So whether you’re dipping into a chutney or salsa, or curling up in our ultra-fine pashmina, we have the Silk Road to thank!
Confessions of a scarf-a-holic. Our resident epicure and Creative Director Wendy professes her love for pashminas.
Stylish in her trim pant suits of the late ’60 & ’70s, my mother introduced me to the splash of color a silk scarf added. As an adult, I experimented with scarves for flair— the added panache to finish an outfit. Now, my routine has gone beyond mere ascetics.
Like a toddler’s blankie, my silk cashmere pashmina has become my constant companion. Wish I had a nickel for every morning I dashed out of the house, only to run back in, “where’s my scarf?” An assortment of colors keeps me looking coordinated, but it is not for style so much as a desire— no, the need—to keep my neck swaddled in silk. I am not alone in this habit. Officemates, you know who you are! I see we share the love of fine silk cashmere knotted in our own personal style. We also share contempt for our uncontrollable office A/C.
As I write this, I am climbing to 30, 000 feet in a drafty airplane returning from our latest photo shoot. Not one, but two pashminas came aboard tucked in my carry on. Now, I rest in comfort with one draped around me like a lap blanket, the other wrapped around my head a la Greta Garbo. It smells a little of the sea, a pleasant reminder of our breezy beach location.
“A recipe has no soul. You, as the cook, must bring soul to the recipe.”
--Thomas Keller
From the President:
Cheers to leaping into 2012!
Happy New Year to all our great silk friends. I wanted to take this opportunity to express how much you, as the heart and sole of our company, are appreciated by each and every member of our WinterSilks team. Year after year, our first and foremost priority is guaranteeing you receive the very best, in both value of our products and the service you receive. One example of how we’ll be striving to enhance your experience is by launching a WinterSilks Facebook page in the next year. We are excited to be able to have more direct communication with our valued silk patrons, and I always look forward to hearing your product suggestions and learning how you use your silks. Being a new year, we’re especially focused on continuing to improve on every aspect of your shopping experience. So, for this leap year, we’ll endeavor to provide you the exemplary experience you deserve, and aspire to exceed your expectations by leaps and bounds!
Warmest Regards,
Jeff Baudhuin
President
Win spices of the silk road!
Want to spice up your kitchen with some favorites of the Silk Road? Win an 8-jar gift box of traditional Asian spices from our favorite local Wisconsin spice source, Penzeys Spices (a $43.95 value). Simply answer the following question: What spice, in particular, was Christopher Columbus sent in search of by the Spanish crown? (Hint: the answer is in this newsletter.) Email us your answer by 01/13/12, and one correct response will be chosen at random to receive the gift box. Happy exploring!
Valentine’s Day treats
for your sweet.
What are the most decadently soft, giftably priced his and her presents this February 14th? Renowned silk sleepwear for men and ladies! We’ve got the largest assortment of pure silk pajamas, at values you won’t find anywhere else. For him find everything from versatile woven boxers to fine jacquard full pajama sets, the hallmark of lounging luxury. For her shop fabulous gowns, dreamy pajamas, and our new Crazy Hearts print silk cotton nightshirt, made exclusively for Valentine’s Day. Gift giving doesn’t get any sweeter.
Feeding our furry friends.
WinterSilks helps keep
a local fuzzy tummy full.
This winter, we’re making a donation to our local Madison, Wis zoo to help feed one of its Red Pandas, Chang Tan. The red panda is an endangered species native to the bamboo forests of the Himalayas. As an endangered animal, Chang Tan came to the Henry Vilas Zoo by way of a Species Survival Initiative, in hopes of helping to breed and protect Red Pandas around the world.
Come see what we’re cooking and baking up this winter!
Our favorite recipes to warm you from the
inside out.
Your winter catalog is on its way, and in it you’ll find our favorite recipes for a cozy warm season. Main dishes, sides, and desserts await to comfort you on even the coldest of days.
|