April Budget

How is it that I can walk into Banana Republic and literally want everything I see? It's bad. I had to return some things and ended up falling victim to the half off clearance.

I had some gift cards to TJMaxx from my birthday, so I splurged on some new luggage, and decided to fund a Kickstarter campagin for a company called Oddo, I read Shira's article at Refinery 29 and just admired her mission and thought, sure, why not spend $35 on a pair of underwear. Considering my usual cost per pair is $2-$6 I figure it balances out.

May really, really needs to be a no spend month, and truthfully I might not be done with April yet - I have a $5 coupon for DSW that expires tomorrow, and $10 coupon to Kohl's as well. Not missing out on my free money will likely result in spending money.

I am really looking forward to a restful weekend, this week has worn me out!

Mixed Floral Maxi Dress, $60 at Banana Republic
Honey Fringe Sandal, $60 at Banana Republic
Striped Tank, $25 at Banana Republic
Drew Woven Top, $30 at TJMaxx
Papercrane printed top, $13 at TJMaxx
Rockstar Jeans in Grapefruit, $22 at Old Navy
Tilly Clutch, $148 at Matine
Samsonite Luggage, $120 at TJMaxx (minus some gift cards, but I don't remember how much they were for)
Oddo, $35 at Kickstarter

Total = $513

Birthday gifts
Kensie Hepburn Heeled Sandal
Banana Republic Beetle Earrings
Turquoise Necklace

Gifted Items
Safari Dress, $119 at Cabi
Alexa Romper, $129 at Cabi
Plaza Top, $86 at Cabi
Rebecca Minkoff Micro Perry Satchel, $220 at Shopbop

The Panama Hat

The staple of my spring and summer hat wardrobe, the Panama Hat has found it's way out of winter hibernation, and I was delighted to fall in love with it all over again. Savior of bad hair days, the quick and easy refresh to even the most tired of combinations. Even those of you who claim to not be hat people should wander over to J.Crew and at least try it on. Perhaps you will be converted, and you can get an extra 30% off through Friday.

The Rundown
White Button Down J.Crew via Coco's
Field Jacket Old Navy similar
Distressed Jeans Old Navy similar
Lace-up Flats Gap similar
Bag Tahari c/o TJMaxx similar
Beetle Earrings Banana Republic
Stacked Rings Gorjana via TJMaxx similar
Panama Hat J.Crew
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
Nail Color "Find Me An Oasis" Essie

Linking up with Mix and Match Fashion's What I Wore to Work

and

Happiness At Midlife's Throwback Thursday (last time I wore this hat)

Laced up

I would be lying if I said I haven't been dressing with the intent of coordinating with the flowering trees I adore so much. Rows of white just make me want to pull out pastels and lace and anything which feels delicate and feminine.

Naturally I thought to coordinate a lace blouse with lace earrings, a lace ring, and lace up flats.

The Rundown
White Lace Blouse c/o Choies
Grey Skinny Jeans Gap
Distressed Denim Jacket Gap similar
Lace-up Flats Gap similar
Micro Perry Satchel Rebecca Minkoff c/o Shopbop
Castillo Gold Dipped Lace Earrings c/o Uncommon Goods
Ojai Cage Ring Gorjana
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Linking up with I Do deClaire's Confident Twosday
and
Cute and Little's on Trend Tuesday

Passing by

It's lovely to have the weekends to breakup the monotony of the Monday-Friday schedule. A time to sleep just a bit later and be able to start my day by baking muffins and keep alive that feeling of optimism that the days might just last a little bit longer before the 7:30 a.m. alarm rings again.

Saturday I visited New Haven and had lunch at Caseus, which is a restaurant that has a menu built around cheese. Clearly I love this place. While I have a strict rule to never order in a restaurant an item I could easily cook myself, here I ordered the grilled cheese. I am satisfied to report that it was an item worthy of being ordered out.

Sunday I had the Styled by James panel at South Moon Under, which was a fun event, and I'll hopefully share a little more about it later this week.

As for that closet clean out... maybe next weekend? This weekend I just went and bought more hangers.

The Rundown
Kaleidoscope Print Blouse via TJMaxx
Scalloped Hem Blazer H&M similar, similar
Navy Minnie Pant J.Crew via Coco's
Silver Pumps Kate Spade via Coco's similar similar
Micro Perry Satchel Rebecca Minkoff c/o Shopbop
Earrings TJMaxx
Necklace Lauren Conrad for Kohl's
Cuff "Vista" Gorjana via Rocksbox
Blue Ring c/o TJMaxx similar
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
Nail Color "Find Me An Oasis" Essie
Dog Chloe
Pearl Leash Fabuleash via TJMaxx

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Spring

and

Fizz & Frosting's Mix it Monday

and

Monday Mingle

Fedora Friday

This weekend I think my closet is due for a little tidying, I found this fedora under two other hats, under two pairs of jeans, and realized that I hadn't worn it in months. Despite my resolve to keep the clothes piles at bay, I haven't been diligent enough.

Previously I had a chair in my bedroom that became a dumping ground for everything. I thought that by eliminating the chair I'd be forced to deal with the clothes, but I was wrong. Instead they end up in piles on the closet shelf or on the bed (which means they will inevitably end up on the floor).

With nicer weather approaching, I also need to get all my summer dresses out of 'storage' aka my closet at my parent's house and find a way to incorporate them into my closet which is already at capacity.

I also want to mention once more that on Sunday I will be part of a fashion panel James Sanders put together for his stop at South Moon Under in Westport, CT on the Styled by James Tour. I hope to see some of you there!

The Rundown
White Tee Loft similar
Grey Cobblestone Cardigan c/o Cabi
Navy Blazer Gap similar
Yoga Jeans Second Denim via Coco & Vera's Giveaway
Leopard Pumps Sam Edelman
Micro Perry Satchel Rebecca Minkoff c/o Shopbop
Navy Wool Fedora J.Crew
Turquoise Necklace AJS Design Studio via TJMaxx
Stacked Rings Gorjana via TJMaxx similar

Linking up with Jeans and a Teacup's Flashback Friday (One year ago today)

Grey days

This post feels out of place with all the lighter, brighter photos I've been posting this week, but they were taken only last week! Somehow, seemingly overnight, spring arrived - the buds on flowering trees popped open, my tulips came up, seas of happy yellow daffodils can be spotted around every corner.

Perhaps it's just because I'm a spring baby, I love spring. I love when the world becomes awash with new life and bright colors and the feeling that every day is getting just a bit longer and hopefully just a bit warmer. It's a hopeful time.

There will still be plenty of grey days though I'm sure, and the trees will only bloom for so long before they shed all their petals. I'm just looking forward to making the most of the season and sharing my favorite trees along with my outfits for the next couple weeks.

The Rundown
Grey Boat Neck Tee Gap
Distressed Jeans Old Navy similar
Brown Leather Jacket c/o Wallis similar
Booties "Calixta" Cole Haan
Leopard Clutch Clare V. c/o Shopbop
Gold Bar Earrings Argento Vivo via TJMaxx
Abalone Sunburst Necklace House of Harlow
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry
Sunglasses "Caravan" Ray-Ban via Ditto

Linking up with Mix and Match Fashion's What I wore to work

and

Happiness At Midlife's Throwback Thursday (last time I wore this jacket)