I am LOVING these Blanket Scarves (Ruana) that are so popula

I have been wanting one of these since last Fall. I saw a really awesome fashion photo spread where a girl had one of these blanket scarves in a Scottish Tartan plaid pulled over her neck with both sides hanging down flat over a cashmere cardigan sweater with a cool wide "corset" style belt over both. She wore a peacoat/military style blazer open with an a line tweed long skirt and chelsea style ankle boots, and another had hers wrapped around her neck (like the model in the above link) on top of a classic J Crew style navy blazer with slim jodhpur style pants with knee high riding boots. Another girl had on a thick Irish wool fisherman style pullover sweater with a long tweed straight skirt holding the blanket scarf behind her like it's a huge blanket she was going to wrap around herself or sit down on.

I got my first pashmina scarf around 2004. I had a formal cocktail party to attend in December in Chicago, and my dress was a sleeveless short navy velvet dress with a draped neckline in front that was lower in the back, down to my bra line. Finding some sort of jacket or sweater to wear on top if I got cold during the evening was difficult, and I had very little money. I found a navy and bone woven wool paisley pashmina at TJ Maxx for $20. It looked awesome with my dress AND used as a thick scarf with my peacoat during the bitter Chicago winters. (having a scarf large enough to cover my head to protect it from the snow and wind was a huge plus). I also have a Ralph Lauren sleeveless navy wool boatneck shift dress that looked great with that scarf as well. 

I used that first scarf so much that I kept adding to my collection. I love scarves in general--so easy to dress up a simple tee and jeans and add some extra style to your handbag or even in your hair--I get lots of compliments when I use a scarf as a headband--also covers your roots when you're in need of a touchup and can't get to the salon yet. 

I've been wanting a cobalt blue cashmere pashmina for a few years but couldn't justify the high price. This summer I found an awesome deal on a really awesome quality one on Haute Look. Retailed for $150, got it for $50. It's really wide and such an awesome colour with beautfiul sheen. I've gotten lots of compliments on it--I use it as a wrap over a tee when I go to the doctor's office and am too hot to wear a cardigan. I love that the pashminas are big enough to use as a small throw. 

I have quite a few pashminas and get so many compliments. I consider them classics. I would really love a Hermes, but the prices are so expensive! They do hold their value or increase and are lovely just hanging on the wall or draped on a chair. 

I love wrapping one around my shoulders with one end dangling over my shoulder like Angie Jolie's character in The Tourist. I know that's not a pashmina, but the look is the same. 

I am also starting to collect pretty brooches to wear with the pashminas. I'm going to experiment with using magnets to secure the brooch instead of having to stick a pen through the material. There are some really high powered magnets. If it works, I'll post a tutorial.