April Budget

There really shouldn't have been a budget post this month, but I did end up doing a bit more shopping than I'd intended. I did include pieces that I got as birthday gifts, so it's not quite as bad as it looks, maybe?

I would say the worst is that rather than planning on resuming my shopping ban, I'm plotting purchases for next month, and admittedly already have a couple in the mail. Every time I try to do an extended shopping ban it seems to backfire on me, with the sudden urge to buy everything in sight. I need to work on a new approach. 

Joie Milanira Maxi Dress, $65 via Amazon*
Banana Republic Dillon Leopard Shirt, $31*
French Connection Recycled Leather Round Crossbody Bag, $69
Loft Branch Print Dress, $32
Veronica Beard Silk Blouse, $15 via Coco's on the Green*
Whiting and Davis Skyline Crossbody Bag, $83 via ThredUP
Floral Print Tassel Scarf, $15 via Coco's on the Green*
Milly Dress in 'Tiki Tile' print, $28 via Coco's on the Green (not pictured)

*Birthday Gifts!

Gingham and Blossoms

When the cherry blossoms are in bloom, Wooster Square Park is arguably one of the prettiest places in New Haven, and for the last several years I've made a point of getting at least one photo shoot in before the petals fall.

A couple years ago I made the huge mistake of going during the Cherry Blossom Festival - fun I'm sure if you like festival things, food, music, crowds - but awful if you want to take photos, as you are competing with hundreds of other people to do so. Now I stick to weekday afternoons when I can enjoy the blooms without competition.

I'll admit I'm guilty of dressing for the blossoms here - on a cool spring afternoon I'm most likely to be found in jeans, but I planned this maxi dress for the shoot. While this dress was from Old Navy last year, the style doesn't seem to be going anywhere, and the current iteration at J.Crew Factory might even be cuter with the larger scale print, but I swear I'm not going to buy it.

       

The Rundown
Gingham Maxi Dress Old Navy similar
 White Denim Jacket c/o Aeropostale similar
Ankle Strap Sandals Target
Black Straw Bag Zara similar
Straw Boater Hat Hinge similar
Tear Earrings Etsy custom design via Bonanza Studio
Rhombus Charm Necklace c/o Happiness Boutique
Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
 Nail Color "Find Me an Oasis" Essie 

 Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Spring

Easy Weekend Look

The cherry blossoms bursting into life is a sure sign that spring has finally arrived, and my mind can move away from winter's lasting grasp. While I may still be defaulting to denim, my white jeans have become my go-to. I love this pair from the Gap as they are touted as being stain resistant, have nude pockets (once you get white jeans with nude pockets you never want anything else) and are offered in different inseam lengths. I ordered the 'short' but they are still too long and I cuffed them under - I know I'm so lazy and should just hem them! Sadly I can't find these exact jeans in stock anymore, but there is a pair at Old Navy which check all the same boxes.

I started pulling some of my summer pieces out of storage (note the reappearance on the round straw bag) but there is a lot more I need to tackle. Packing away boots, taking out sandals, dealing with the rubbermaid bin of warmer weather clothes. Maybe this could be the year I finally do away with the bin? I know it would be hard and a far larger purge than the one I just did, but I'm tired of doing the switch out. The clean out bag I sent to ThredUP just got processed, I made $20. I'm always surprised at what they take and don't take, but it's out of the house, and that is all that matters to me right now.

This weekend I'm looking forward to a blogger brunch tomorrow and maybe an evening out with my friends. I'm not excited about another rainy forecast though!

      

The Rundown
Navy Floral Blouse Gap similar
White Jeans Gap
White Mules "Bianca" Target similar
Round Rattan Bag Etsy similar
Circle Earrings c/o AUrate New York
Rhombus Charm Necklace c/o Happiness Boutique
 White and Rose Gold Link Bracelet c/o Jeweshop
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry
Sunglasses "Emma" Ray-Ban similar
 Nail Color "Find Me an Oasis" Essie 

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

Green Floral Dress for a Steal

Even thought I've been trying to be good and not shop, I suppose after three months I just reached my breaking point and could no longer keep a tight grasp on my wallet. I'd had my eye on this cute green floral dress from Loft, and the price kept bouncing around, one day it would be on sale for $35, the next $50, and I'd almost given up on having a new dress to wear for Easter when it showed up for $32 and was in stock at my local Loft. I did an in-store pickup and got the dress in a size six petite.

Fortunately the petite worked out - since I'm 5'1" but don't fit definitions of petite other than in stature, pieces are often too tight in the bust or hips. This dress has the wrists cut smaller and I have to undo the buttons at the cuffs to get my hands through, but I'm otherwise happy with the fit. I feel what drew me most to the dress was that it reminded me of this Faithfull the Brand dress, just at a fraction of the price. That is of course where I thrive, always trying to find the more expensive look for less.

While I did end up wearing this dress on Easter, these photos were not taken that day. No, it was grey and rainy and cold, as it had been all week, which is why I've had such a lack of posts. I truly can't stand it when it's my favorite time of year and I'm not out taking outfit photos with my beloved flowering trees everyday.

       

The Rundown
Floral Branch Dress Loft
Wedge Lace-up Espadrille Soldous
Round Rattan Bag Etsy similar
Flower Earrings Taken for Granite similar
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
 Nail Color "Find Me an Oasis" Essie 

Friday Favorites

I've been bitten by the shopping bug, all the spring things are out, and I'm itching. Here are a few of my favorites for this week.

Polka Dot Dress, $178 at J.Crew
Linen Blazer, $90 at Mango Outlet
Tear Earrings, $50 at Mango
Recycled Leather Round Crossbody Bag, $98 at French Connection (use code bunny for 30% off)
Scalloped Edge Swimsuit, $30 at H&M
Vince Darlington Flat, $200 at Nordstrom

Revisiting Old Pieces

I've always loved shopping, and I would be lying if I didn't say I sometimes considered the blog as an excuse to buy something new. I would also like to say that my efforts to be good this year and not shop were going well, however this month I found myself in more than one slip up.

When I was doing my closet clean out, I noticed several neglected pieces that I wasn't ready to part with, but still decided I need to try and bring back into rotation. The first was this peplum top. I purchased it in 2016 while I was in California and wore it to dinner once while I was there, and didn't take outfit photos. I wore it again over the summer, and then it sat. Regardless of rational, two and a half years seems like a long time to hold on to a piece that isn't being worn. It isn't the only article taking a backseat to new items coming in.

This Linea Pelle bag was once the pride and joy of my bag collection. It was purchased back in 2013 and was on heavy rotation for about two years before new bags came in and usurped its status. The CC Skye pyramid stud bracelet was once a favorite to pair with it, so I decided to reunite them. I stopped wearing the bracelet after the clasp came undone on a couple occasions and I almost lost it forever.

The shoes I should be most embarrassed about - one wear in one year! Now up to three as of this post, but still, these adorable heels in a neutral shade didn't do anything wrong, why so much neglect?

As much as I crave filling my closet with new things, I really need to step back, focus on what I have, and find new love for old pieces. (Not sure how long this mentality will last, this dress is calling my name!)

       

The Rundown
Black and White Peplum Top Banana Republic
Jeans Banana Republic
Blush Leather Jacket Athleta similar
Kitten Heels "Moxie" c/o SAS
Grayson Bar Bag Linea Pelle similar 
Alphabet Necklace c/o Gorjana similar
Circle Earrings c/o Grand Avenue Jewelry
Mini Punk Princess Bracelet CC Skye similar
Crystal Bar Ring Upper Metal Class
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Sunglasses "Raglan" Warby Parker
Nail Color "Cement the Deal" OPI

Linking up with Thursday Fashion Files

An Everyday Diamond Ring

Last Friday I celebrated my 33rd birthday, and as I enter my mid-thirties, it seems like I can't make it through the month without hearing about an engagement, wedding, or pregnancy announcement. I had always thought that I would be more settled by the time I reached my thirties, and I spent a good part of my last relationship dreaming about the diamond ring I'd hoped I'd receive. Even as trends are moving towards non-traditional stones for engagement rings, I'm an April baby, the diamond is my birthstone, and so help me, I want to wear a diamond ring.

So I started of this new year with a little gift from AUrate, my very own (albeit tiny) real diamond ring. AUrate is the company that is going to help me expand my jewelry collection into higher quality, solid gold pieces that actually fit into my budget. Because of AUrate's direct to customer business model, they can offer pieces for less than half of what the traditional retail price would be.

My new ring is 14k solid gold with a conflict free 0.07 carat diamond, the gold has been ethically sourced, and it comes with a lifetime warranty. Since it's small, it's also perfect for stacking, and I truly hope that I can add to the collection soon - how pretty would it look nestled with this stunning chevron ring?

I think being able to build my fine jewelry collection, all on my own can be a very meaningful thing. I can curate the exact pieces I want, and feel pride in my ownership. I've gotten over the idea that the first diamond ring I would own would be an engagement ring. I can wear a diamond everyday and all it has to mean is that I love myself.

Would you buy yourself your own diamond ring?

      

The Rundown
 Turtleneck Sweater Banana Republic similar
 White Pleated Skirt TJMaxx similar
Nude Pumps "Natalie" Naturalizer
Skyline Crossbody Bag Whiting and Davis via ThredUP
Bling Earrings c/o JoJo Loves You
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box

Nail Color "Zip Me Up" Essie

 

Linking up with Walking in Memphis in High Heels

and

I Do deClaire's Confident Twosday

Thanks to Nakturnal for partnering with me on this post!

A Perfect Leather Jacket

A leather jacket is such a wonderful wardrobe staple. Even if though they are only two season pieces here in Connecticut, I've still amassed a small collection, as a great leather jacket can be a truly transformative piece.

When The Jacket Maker reached out to me about creating my own bespoke leather jacket, I was delighted at the prospect. I scoured my Pinterest feed and made notes of all my favorite jackets and the details which I loved, then I emailed my contact some reference images as well as a description of my dream jacket. After a little correspondence to nail down the small details, I provided my measurements, and then I waited. After about four months I finally received an email with photos of my finished jacket, and I couldn't believe how gorgeous it looked!

Now I finally have my dream leather jacket in my closet, and I'm very impressed with the level of detail found on the piece; the zippered side pockets are nice and deep, there is an inside pocket as well, and I love how the small quilted section came out.

I would definitely work with The Jacket Maker again, it's so amazing to see a piece I'd imagined come to life!

         

The Rundown
Grey Tee Gap
White Jeans Gap
Custom Made Leather Jacket c/o The Jacket Maker
Nareen Block Heels c/o Vionic
Micro Perry Satchel Rebecca Minkoff c/o Shopbop
Tortoise Earrings Loft
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry

Gold Herkimer Diamond Ring c/o Lumo

Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry
Sunglasses "Raglan" Warby Parker
Nail Color "Cement the Deal" OPI

Linking up with

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

The Jacket Maker provided me a custom leather jacket for the purpose of this post.