I absolutely love celebrating the holidays in NYC. Ever year, Manhattan is transformed into a wonderland of iconic experiences like the tree lighting at Rockefeller Plaza, the first snowfall in Central Park and ice skating at Bryant Park. This year, however, we decided to take the celebration upstate in honor of our new home nestled in the woods. In preparation for the first snowfall of the season, I packed my most stylish yet comfortable faux winter furs from Banana Republic to stay cozy and warm in Woodstock.

Packing for our first weekend in the new home, I had three requirements. My outfits had to be warm, comfortable and stylish. Warm because it was absolutely freezing upstate and I already naturally run cold. Comfortable because the plan for the weekend involved organizing, cleaning and light landscaping (although most of the time, I just walked around the property exploring and playing in the snow!). Stylish because we were expecting several impromptu visits from our friends and neighbors throughout the weekend so I wanted to be prepared to welcome guests on a moment’s notice.

I have to start with what may be my favorite piece of the season, the Faux Fur Vest in Natural. As soon as I saw it, I knew it would be the perfect statement piece that could be worn layered as an outerwear look and that could easily transition into a cozy indoor ensemble. I’ve even worn it over my favorite black, lightweight winter coat to add warmth and a pop of natural color.

If you’re wondering if this vest is warm and soft, I can confirm that it is both toasty and luxurious to the touch. The vest runs a tiny bit large; the small was perfect since I wanted to be able to layer without looking bulky or feeling sardined in the layers.

For my second look of the weekend, I kept the plush theme going with the Faux Fur Bomber in Cream. This is a bestseller, and I can see why. This jacket combines the classic silhouette of a bomber with the sophistication and luxury of a faux fur. You can wear this to a night at the Met or to dress up relaxed denim look. In my case, I was in a “winter white” kind of a mood, so I paired it with a white print dress over my thermal leggings as I ventured out for a walk in the meadow.

In addition to the super soft touch, this coat is warm. I only have one thin layer underneath and I didn't feel even the tiniest chill, which is unheard of in my world.

So while I’m a warm weather kind of girl, I have to say these pieces make cold weather fashion something to look forward to next year. What do you think? Which one is more your style?

Note: This is a sponsored post by Banana Republic. All views are 100% authentically mine!

Holiday Style for a Weekend Upstate: Banana Republic