June Closet Additions

This month I tried to rein in my shopping. I actually wasn't too bad.

The poor reception via Instagram Story Poll of the red and white Topshop dress I got last month left me feeling doubts about it. I decided to go to the Westfarms mall to return it (the only one with a Nordstrom near me) and while I was there I spotted the red and white wrap dress I really wanted at H&M. It had been sold out online forever, so I was delighted to see one lone dress on the racks. It was a size 10 and I probably could have sized down to an eight, but the wrap dress design made it easy to cinch in the waist a little. I got a 20% off coupon for subscribing to text messages so that it wouldn't cost more than the Topshop dress I'd just returned.

This month there was also some eBay shopping. I'd become taken by the polka dot dress resurgence and especially liked this Reformation dress. But at $218 I wasn't going to do it. So I took to eBay and after losing a couple auctions, I finally scored at silk brown polka dot dress for $24. The Reformation dress isn't even silk! I did have to hem the dress, which took more mental effort than physical (I'm always convinced I'm going to ruin things) but I did it, and it came out great.

The second item was due to an eBay saved search I'd had forever. It was for a particular Kate Spade dress, I'd wanted ever since I saw it on Classy Girls Wear Pearls. In 2016 I got a different dress from the collection, but I still wanted this one. Finally last week the dress, in my size, new with tags (not that I would have even cared) popped up. The buyer had it listed as buy it now for $150 or best offer, so I made an offer, and it was instantly accepted! Am I nuts? Yes. Do I care? Maybe a little.

While I know I've already got a field jacket, it's from Old Navy and got discolored under the arms (some bad reaction to deodorant, maybe?) so when I saw this J.Crew Factory one at Coco's on the Green, I rationalized it was a good deal and I'd just use it to replace my old jacket.

As for the Nordstrom hat - I haven't gotten it yet, but I included it anyway. Until next month!

H&M Red Floral Print Wrap Dress, $50
Brixton Joanna Hat, $44 at Nordstrom
AUrate Gold Circle Earrings, $90 c/o
Kate Spade Florence Broadhurst Matty Dress, $97 via ebay
J.Crew Factory Field Jacket, $21 via Coco's on the Green
Kate Hill Polka Dot Shirt Dress, $24 via ebay

Fill It Up With Something

I've noticed several of the bloggers I follow talking about how they want to get back to writing meaningful posts. When I started blogging ten years ago it was such a different place. It's something I miss, but also forces me to think about why I continue to blog. Why devote time and energy to this hobby when most days it just leaves me feeling like some kind of failure.

Recently Blogger made some changes to their comments and as a result, I've stopped receiving them as emails. That is a feature I've had set up since day one, and as I've also had an iPhone for the last ten years, hearing that chime and reading a new comment was a bright spot of my day. I know, much as getting 'likes' on Instagram is said to trigger a dopamine reaction, seeing others interactions with my words and photos was what helped me get through all the days when I felt like I needed some justification for staying up late editing photos because I had to get a post up.

I know I've mentioned it before, but as of late, shopping has become a way of trying to fill up my emptiness. I know it's futile, but I realize it likely won't stop until I can come to terms with how to change my life to make the emptiness feel like less of a chasm and more of a pothole. Perhaps being more honest about it is the first step.

But I know the answer to what keeps me blogging is everyone who reads.

         

The Rundown

Floral Jumpsuit Old Navy similar

Mules Madewell similar
Round Rattan Bag Etsy
Wide Brim Fedora "Lady Roulette" Goorin Bros. via ebay similar
Coin Pendant Necklace Julie Vos

 Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
Nail Color "Caviar Bar" Essie

Linking up with Thursday Fashion Files

and

Elegance & Mommyhood's Thursday Moda
and

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

Connecticut Bloggers Anniversary Party

Over the last year I've been so grateful for the wealth of opportunities that the Connecticut Blogger Collective has afforded me. From meeting and collaborating with other local bloggers, to the fun events, having a local blogger group has been wonderful. I am constantly in awe of the amazing events the groups founder Nonee puts together, and last week's one year anniversary party was no different. A rooftop venue in Hartford with catering from The Place 2 Be, I got to sip mimosas while taking in the views and chatting with the other bloggers who I've gotten to know over the past year.

I'm really looking forward to what the next year will bring, and I would love to get to know all the Connecticut bloggers even better. Many thanks to Nonee, Caitlin, The Connecticut Blogger Collective and the rest of the evenings' sponsors, The Place 2 Be, The Write Board, Adoro Paper Co., Linda June Beauty, Poshlolgy, Krimson Prints, and New England Foodie.

               

The Rundown

Red and White Printed Wrap Dress H&M

Huarache Mules "Camila" Rebecca Minkoff
Round Rattan Bag Etsy
Tear Earrings Etsy custom design via Bonanza Studio
Alphabet Necklace c/o Gorjana similar
Fatima Bracelet c/o Gorjana similar
Hammered Gold Ring Thrifted
 Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Nail Color "Caviar Bar" Essie

Linking up with I Do deClaire's Confident Twosday

and

Cute & Little's On Trend Tuesday

Luna

Last Sunday I joined three other bloggers for a fun meal at Luna Pizza in West Hartford. The family owned restaurant has been around since 1997 and have done their best to keep all the ingredients and methods unchanged over the last 21 years. They are a very family friendly restaurant, but offer plenty of options for anyone who enjoys a more adventurous pie. I loved the briny, tangy, kalamata olive and goat cheese pie, along with the white honey garlic, and the bacon avocado reminded me of a BLT in pizza form.

Since I don't go to the Hartford area too often, I took advantage of an otherwise open Sunday afternoon and stopped at the Westfarms Mall. In a world where it feels like malls are dying, this one was surprisingly bustling. Every store I stopped in had a line for the dressing rooms and checkout, and at least three strangers stopped to compliment my cherry shoes. They have been around since nearly the inception of this blog, and are probably the most 'whimsical' shoe I own. They don't come out as often as they once did, but it's nice to know they are still as eye catching as ever.

           
The Rundown
Striped Ruffle Bodysuit J.Crew Factory

Jeans "Tomboy" M.I.H. via The Outnet
Cherry Pumps Cha Cha Oh...Deer! pair on ebay
Straw Clutch Rodo Italy via Goodwill similar
Versailles Earrings  Julie Vos 
 Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry

Stacked Rings Gorjana via TJMaxx similar

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Spring

and

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

Peaks of the Week

Kayu Piñata Fringe Tote

 
When I decided to start doing "Peaks of the Week", it wasn't just so that I could share fun or interesting articles and things to buy, it was to force me to reflect on the week and actually talk about what the good parts were. So far I've pretty much failed to abide by that. That said, the actual peak of my week was when a groundhog ran into my office. I keep the door open when it's nice out, so it's basically always been an invitation for the chipmunks to run in, but this is the first time I've ever seen a groundhog. He was really cute, he disappeared for about five minutes, then came running out covered in cobwebs (I blame the cleaning people, they consistently do a poor job). I managed to snap a photo of him as he peered in.

Other than that, I finished season two of Santa Clarita Diet, and it was so good. I love that they managed to find a way to have Nathan Fillion's character return, and if the concept of Drew Barrymore as a zombie doesn't appeal to you, I urge you to give it a try anyway. The comedy is so good, and the half hour episodes zip by and leave me wanting more.

❖  In case you missed it, a raccoon's accent up a skyscraper went viral on Twitter.

❖ When Anthony Bourdain defended an 88 year old food critic's review of Olive Garden, and then went on to help her publish a book.

❖ Adorable bucket bag in white leather and straw.

❖ Some influencers are overstepping when it comes to what they expect to be gifted.

❖ I've been thinking I want to learn how to do weight training.

❖ I'm not sure if I like that Instagram is more shoppable, or am coming to resent that everyone is just trying to sell me something.

❖ This recipe for Tahini and Halva Brownies has definitely peaked my interest.

❖ Another red and white floral dress - I have a problem.

❖ This might make a ponytail look chic, but it's still a $630 hair tie.

❖ I'd all but forgotten about Chicane, but when Running to the Sea turned up in my Discover Weekly, it turns out that 21 years later, they are still making music, and I still like it.

Summer Vibes

Bodysuits and high waisted pants were pretty much made for one another. And nothing beats the comfort of a flowy wide leg and an elastic waist. These pants are great, because with heels and a cardigan, I wore them to work, but then put them on to relax in over the weekend. They are currently on sale for under $40, so grab a pair!

          

The Rundown

White Bodysuit Gap similar

Striped Culottes Gap
Black Slides c/o Soak
Vintage Japanese Bamboo Bag via eBay similar vintage
Circle Earrings c/o AUrate New York
Alphabet Necklace c/o Gorjana similar
White and Rose Gold Link Bracelet c/o Jeweshop similar
 Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Linking up with 
Classy Yet Trendy's Trendy Wednesday
and 
 Thursday Fashion Files

and

Elegance & Mommyhood's Thursday Moda