September Closet Additions

I made some poor choices this month. What stands out the most is the anchor wrap bracelet. It was a Poshmark purchase and I foolishly didn't think it was possible for the size to be anything other than what I'd consider 'normal bracelet size'. Alas, it's huge, but not so much that I could just loop it around an extra time and go on with my life. I went to a local bead shop to see if they could help me resize it but they didn't have large enough end caps. So naturally I went on Etsy and bought some. However now both the bracelet and the end caps are just sitting there, as I'm afraid of messing it up. Do I move forward in trying to resize it, or just cut my losses and try to resell it?

I mentioned that I treated myself to a new handbag this month, the Danse Lente Mini Johnny bag. Paypal money tends to burn a hole in my pocket, and while I know I justified it in my mind since it was money that I'd earned through the blog and through eBay, in my heart I know that money should have gone into my bank account to cover all my other impulsive purchases for the month.

Last October was a no shop month for me - it wasn't that I'd planned it, it just happened. However this year I'm feeling that it needs to be the same. Time for that budget reset I've been talking about, and clearly needing.

Loft Scattered Dot Dress, $35
Loft Tortoise Shell Hoop Earrings, $15
Danse Lente Mini Johnny Bag, $300 via eBay
Joie Assoulin White Lace Dress, $50 via Poshmark
Gap Weekend Tee, $6
Gap White Satin Trousers, $12
KJP Anchor Bracelet, $24 via Poshmark
Gerard Darel Leopard Skirt, $38 via ThredUP (sign up and get $10 towards your first purchase!)
J.Crew Factory Top, $18
Gap Denim Shorts, $31
Gap Wide Leg Black Pants, $22
Gap Plaid Ankle Pants, $17
Target Wrap Knot Front Blouse, $15


Still up for debate:
Gap Pull On Trouser in Vamp Red
Gap High Rise Wide Leg Pant in Black
Joie Woven Sandals via ThredUP 

Malibu Wine Safari

The first time my sister and I visited California a trip to Malibu's Saddlerock Ranch and Vineyard didn't make it on to our itinerary. So this time we made sure to book tickets to the 'giraffe experience' on the Malibu Wine Safari.

The sprawling 1,000 acre property is home to retired celebrities like Stanley the Giraffe (he doesn't have an IMDb page, but they mentioned one of his acting credits included The Hangover III) and a number of other animals visitors have a chance to feed carrots and lettuce. The wine safari is more like a tasting at a vineyard with the twist of getting to feed animals petting zoo style.

There were several tours divided up by group going on at the same time, each assigned to a different animal print coordinated, 12 passenger seated truck. The safari includes a small tour of the property, some background on the family who owns the ranch (spoiler alert, they are incredibly wealthy), a tasting of six wines, and of course some photo ops with the animals.

We booked the 105 minute Giraffe Tour, which cost $95. While I'm aware that isn't a terribly long amount of time, if I had one complaint it would be that I constantly felt rushed. There were a dozen people all trying to feed and take photos with the animals, a dozen people all waiting for pours from one bottle of wine at a time, and the tour guides need to keep things moving at a steady clip to not interfere with the other simultaneous tours.

It's there were I have my mixed feelings; this is a super popular, heavily photographed tour. I feel like I could say with confidence that no one was there because they were interested in tasting wines from a region not known for producing amazing wines. I could even say most people weren't there because they were excited to feed a giraffe. Everyone was there for the photos. My tour group was mostly female, and few heeded the instructions to not wear heels. The idea was to look cute, take photos with Stanley, and post on Instagram. So who am I to complain I didn't feel like I had enough time to get the photos I wanted when I should have been focused on the fact that a giraffe licked my hand, something which will likely never happen again.

                

The Rundown
Floral Jumpsuit Old Navy similar
Knotted Button Down Old Navy similar
Slides Steve Madden similar
Round Rattan Bag Etsy
Tear Earrings Etsy custom design via Bonanza Studio
Pineapple Necklace Moon & Lola via Rocksbox 

Fatima Bracelet c/o Gorjana similar

Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
 Sunglasses "Caravan" Ray-Ban
 Nail Color "Sunday Funday" Essie

Linking up with Shopping My Closet Style Me Wednesday
and
Style on the Daily

Ten Days in a Carry On

When I started packing for California I knew I didn't want to have to check a bag. Not just for the added cost, but also for the inconvenience of hauling around multiple bags, and my propensity for over packing. I wish I had ten outfits to post, but of course life always gets in the way and I only ended up getting five of them photographed. However, I did manage to cram far more than ten outfits into my single carry on, with my laptop, camera, two purses, snacks, and a novel tetrised into a beach bag serving as my personal item. Oh and a giant straw hat, just to prove how nuts I am.

Considering that shoes take up the most room, I packed a lot of flat sandals, one pair of heels, and my converse sneakers, which I never wore. In my mind, sneakers felt like a logical choice, but I hardly ever wear them at home, so what made me think they'd suddenly become my go-to while I was away?

Other things I packed and didn't need included two pairs of jeans (though if I'm being honest I did need them, just only when I got back to the east coast, but more on that another day), more than one pair of statement earrings, more than one pair of sunglasses, more than one swimsuit (I packed three), and if I'm being honest, more than one purse. I was convinced I'd be wanting with only one, but I ended up carrying this straw bag most of the trip, and there was one day I borrowed a bag from my sister, but more for the sake of mixing things up for outfit posts than actual necessity.

I'm quite pleased that I was able to prove to myself, my sister, and the world that I could pack for ten days in just a carry on, but I'll admit it was only made possible because my sister has a steamer. (Anyone who tells you rolling clothes leaves them less wrinkled clearly isn't then jamming them into my carry on.)

        

The Rundown
Black off the Shoulder Tee Express similar
Button Fly Denim Shorts Gap
Black Slides c/o Soak
Round Rattan Bag Etsy

Earrings Ann Taylor similar

Fatima Bracelet c/o Gorjana similar

Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
 Sunglasses "Caravan" Ray-Ban
 Nail Color "Sunday Funday" Essie

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Fall
and
By Lauren M's Mix it Monday

New In

At the beginning of each month I think I'm going to be so good and watch my budget very carefully. Then three weeks in as I start putting together my budget post for next week, I realize how much blatant disregard I've had for 'the budget'. I think it's about time I got serious about creating and following an actual budget, as opposed to my present budget deemed worthy of air quotes. Especially after my trip to California (photos will finally be coming next week), my bank account is not very happy right now.

However for the moment, I have two new purchases to share - my nominal $15 top from Target (size down for this one) and the Danse Lente bucket bag. I'll admit I've been coveting this bag for months since I saw E carrying it, and used a combination of Paypal money from everything I've sold on eBay and a RewardStyle payout, plus I got it on eBay myself, so I saved $80 off the list price. And it's gorgeous, and I love carrying it, but now I really need to stop treating myself.

       

The Rundown
Black Wrap Top Target
White Wide Leg Jeans Gap similar
Woven Mule Sandals Ann Taylor similar
Bucket Bag "Johnny" Danse Lente
Necklace "Scottie" LuxbyUK
 Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Linking up with

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

Checking Out, Not In

I'm sure you've seen this greenery covered, twinkle light lit arch before. Even if you have no idea where it is, what building it serves as the entryway to, or that those vines are indeed plastic, you've probably seen this place before.

These are the times we live in, the world made to be instagrammable. A few weeks ago I headed to the city with Alexandra on a mission to visit some of the most trendy photographed locations. Trying to find a moment to snap a photo under this arch without another group, or two, or three, doing the same was a struggle. I'm sure none of them were staying at NOMO SoHo, the hotel this serves as an entryway too. But it's just one of those spots, geotagged so that everyone can find it and take their very own identical photos.

As much as I am aware this photo location is far from original, the draw did not lessen. I've seen it on so many other blogs, always looking so magical, craving for it to be on my own. I like to think of myself as someone who doesn't follow the masses, someone who doesn't always need the next trendy thing, someone who'd rather own a vintage bag than a new one, but do my actions speak to those beliefs? Because here I am, posing under this arch, wearing a dress I saw another blogger wearing on instagram, with vintage earrings I got because they reminded me of a pair I saw at J.Crew.

       

The Rundown

Red and White Printed Wrap Dress H&M similar
Wedge Sandals Loft similar
Vintage Macrame Tote Etsy
Earrings Vintage similar 
Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box

Gold Circle Ring Thrifted

Linking up with Shopping My Closet Style Me Wednesday
and
Style on the Daily

Last Light

You know those evenings when you glance out the window and see the sun starting to set and think you need to drop what you are doing and go take outfit photos? This was one of those nights. So I dragged my mom to play photographer and drove to the sunflower field we'd shot in a couple weeks earlier.

With the fading light, most of the flowers were bowing their heads, but the bees had yet to call it a night, and it was much to my mother's chagrin when I told her I was pushing my way through to a small clearing in the center of the field and she was to follow me. But we made it out without being stung, and for the second time this year I had some challenging lighting conditions to contend with in this sunflower field, though it was completely worth it.

          

The Rundown
Bamboo Print Wrap Dress New York & Co. similar
Woven Mule Sandals Ann Taylor
Round Rattan Bag Etsy
Circle Earrings c/o AUrate New York
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
Nail Color "Sunday Funday" Essie

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Spring
and
By Lauren M's Mix it Monday