Month's End

"I accept change as a positive force in life."

Happy Friday! Today not only marks the end of the month and the end of the first quarter of the year (seriously) but the end of my shopping ban!

I embarked on this three month ban with Lorena with the intentions of getting through the unworn items in my closet, taking stock of what I have and reaffirming that I really do not need anything new.

I wouldn't call the ban a failure, but I don't feel like it was a success either, in that I have not yet taught myself how to quell the need to shop. I wasn't buying clothes, shoes, or accessories, but when I found myself devoting an afternoon to picking out a new dish rack on Amazon, I realized I am still far from having my shopping under control.

I'd like to see how long I can continue the ban for, though Lorena suggested the possibility of allocating a small budget for thrift shopping. I like that idea, but I know it's also a slippery slope, and I think any new purchases need to conform to a one-in one-out rule, that way I have to want something badly enough to let go of something else.

        

The Rundown
Floral Blouse Banana Republic similar
Mint Cocoon Coat Banana Republic similar
Yoga Jeans Second Denim via Coco & Vera's Giveaway
Nude Lace Up Flats Gap similar
Micro Perry Satchel Rebecca Minkoff c/o Shopbop
Beetle Earrings Banana Republic similar
Turquoise Necklace Gift similar
Beaded Bracelet Alex & Ani
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry
Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry
Bee Ring Kohl's similar
Sunglasses "Emma" Ray-Ban similar
Nail Color "Zip Me Up" Essie

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

Birthday Wishlist

It's two weeks to my birthday, which means it's time to share a few things I'm wishing for this year.

Back in October I ordered a bike. In December it showed up on my doorstep, Sean and I put it together and I haven't ridden it yet. But warmer days are coming, and I'm going to need a helmet. When I found out I could have a gold one, naturally I put it on my list.

I'm feeling very swept up in all the new spring and summer things hitting the shelves as of late, but I'm trying not to indulge and only make purchases after I've considered how much use I'll get, how much I love it, and how much value it will add to my closet. Even if I don't actually receive any of these pieces for my birthday, I've definitely been considering them and would like to gratify myself with at least one.

Gold Helmet, $95 at Thousand
Mini Opal Ring, $82 at Moorea Seal
Lace Camisole, $29 at H&M (also like this silk one)
Rebecca Minkoff Gold Sophia Bag, $135 at Amazon
Marc Fisher Crisscross Slide, $140 at Nordstrom

Borrowed

I give myself permission to feel good right now.

I told Shea I was going to borrow her look as soon as enough of the snow melted so I could wear my suede boots again (one of these days I'll actually get around to applying the suede protectant I bought months ago).

This dark moody floral, especially paired with black and red has more fall vibes than spring, but since it feels more winter than spring right now, I think it works. Hopefully winter will release us from its grasp soon!

         

The Rundown
Floral Blouse Old Navy similar
Black Textured Long Cardigan Gap
Rockstar Jeans Old Navy similar
Over the Knee Boots Marc Fisher
Red Willis Bag Vintage Coach via eBay similar
Watch "Classic Sheffield" c/o Daniel Wellington
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry
Green Cabochon Ring Taken for Granite similar
Sunglasses "Emma" Ray-Ban similar
Nail Color "Zip Me Up" Essie

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Fall

and

Oh To Be A Muse's Lookbook Linkup
and
By Lauren M's Mix it Monday

Dryel 101

This post is written in partnership with Dryel, I was selected to be a brand ambassador for them, but as always, all my views and opinions are my own.

When it comes to staying warm and cozy during the winter months, there is nothing I love more than a cashmere sweater, or perhaps merino wool, or basically any fiber where I know I'm going to find "Dry Clean" on the label.

Trips to the dry cleaners are costly and trying to find places using environmentally friendly cleaning methods is a challenge. My previous approach had always been hand-washing with gentle detergent and air drying, which while inexpensive, was tremendously time consuming. One of my super thick cardigans took three days to dry completely!

Dryel was a product I'd always been aware of, but never thought to try - would it really get my clothes clean? Would it really be okay to put something in the dryer I would never dare put in the dryer?

The Dryel starter kit includes environmentally responsible cleaning cloths which have no phosphate, perchloroethylene, or trichloroethylene, along with a spot cleaning spray, and a special bag to protect fabric by creating a temperature controlled environment. The starter kit can clean up to 20 garments when doing five at a time, but since I was cleaning bulky sweaters, I only did three as the clothes need some room to move around.

I started by checking my sweaters for any bad stains, food stains were given a good spritz with the booster spray and blotted with paper towels. Those came out pretty readily. Makeup was a bit tougher, while sweat stains on my white sweater were not going to budge.

Once I was finished spot cleaning, I put the sweaters into the bag with one of the cleaning cloths and popped them in my dryer for 30 minutes. Dryel instructs medium heat, but my dryer only has two settings, low and high, so I put them on low.

Call me a little crazy, but I decided to take measurements of a couple of my sweaters just so that I could be certain there was no shrinkage, and they all came out perfectly!

Using Dryel was so fast and easy - my sweaters smell clean and fresh, are wrinkle free, and ready to wear.

The starter kit which sells for $9.99 cleans up to 20 pieces, which means it only costs 50¢ per garment - a tiny fraction of dry cleaning costs - plus you can get a coupon for $1 off a starter kit.

  

Houndstooth

I am full of infinite, creative energy.

While I've been on my shopping ban this winter I kept myself from doing something I've been guilty of every winter for the past eight years - buying a new coat.

Coats always felt like an indulgence I deserved. I have to suffer through winters that linger on far too long, so having a bountiful coat wardrobe seemed necessary. Plus there was the blog to think of - I'm too much of a whimp to constantly go without a coat, but I wouldn't want a month of posts cycling through the same couple of coats.

Sometimes they were thrifted, sometimes gifted, but they have always persisted.

I feel like I'm digging into the archives when I pull out my houndstooth coat, which I purchased from Kohl's eight years ago. Though the style is classic, and it feels just as appropriate today as it did when I bought it. I've linked a few similar styles below, though this Kate Spade coat is definitely my favorite!

The Rundown
White Sweater Loft c/o Swap.com similar
Houndstooth Coat Kohl's similar
Yoga Jeans Second Denim via Coco & Vera's Giveaway
Grey Over the Knee Boots Ivanka Trump similar
Micro Perry Satchel Rebecca Minkoff c/o Shopbop
Crystal Chevron Earrings Express similar
Stacked Rings Gorjana via TJMaxx similar
Signature Spade Ring Kate Spade
Sunglasses c/o Sicky
Nail Color "Zip Me Up" Essie

Stylin' in St. Louis's Spotlight Linkup

and

Elegance & Mommyhood's Thursday Moda

Grey Scale

I know that I am truly worthy of my dreams.

I've been reaching for this cardigan on repeat all winter - it's by far the warmest one in my collection and perfect for work, where the heat has two settings - on and too hot and off and too cold. Yet this is the first time it's made it onto the blog all season. Though I don't suppose you weren't missing much, I almost always pull out one shade of grey or another to pair with it.

        

The Rundown
Grey Tee Gap similar
Plaid Cardigan Ann Taylor Factory c/o Tanger similar
Grey Skinny Jeans Gap similar
Booties "Calixta" Cole Haan
Bag "Lewis Drive Michela" Kate Spade similar
Leather Pom Matine
Grey Wool Hat Forever 21 similar 
Grey Cashmere Scarf Banana Republic similar
Watch "Classic Sheffield" c/o Daniel Wellington
Stacked Rings Gorjana via TJMaxx similar
Pearl and Pave Ring Forever 21
Sunglasses "Emma" Ray-Ban similar
Nail Color "Zip Me Up" Essie

Linking up with I Do deClaire's Confident Twosday

and

Sandy a la Mode's On Trend Tuesday

Props to you

The more I love life, the more life I have to love.

Chloe hasn't been in outfit photos in ages, since the fall I think, though neither of us were having it with this photo session. The wind was chilling, and regrettably there was no warm beverage in my cup at that time. Here is a little secret - you really can't draw on your Starbucks cup until it's empty. Two reasons for this, first achieving an optimal drawing angle will result in spilling coffee, and second, by the time you've decided what you should draw, you'll have finished your coffee.

       

The Rundown
Creme de la Creme Sweatshirt Tobi similar
Leather Jacket Express similar
Yoga Jeans Second Denim via Coco & Vera's Giveaway
White Sneakers "Dainty" Converse
Bag "Lewis Drive Michela" Kate Spade similar
Grey Fur Pom Amazon
Bling Earrings c/o JoJo Loves You
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry
Sunglasses "Emma" Ray-Ban similar
Nail Color "Zip Me Up" Essie
Dog Chloe
Chevron Leash Dabney Lee via TJMaxx

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Fall

and

Oh To Be A Muse's Lookbook Linkup
and
By Lauren M's Mix it Monday