Farewell, My Pet

Yesterday we had to say goodbye to our beloved Chloe. She lived an incredibly long live of over 19 years and brought joy to our lives each and every day. When I took that last set of outfit photos, I was adamant that Chloe be in them, because I knew it would be our last chance, and I'm grateful that Chloe has been a part of this blog since the beginning. Even thought I've known this day has been coming, that hasn't made it any easier, but looking at all the old photos brings a big smile to my face, so here are some of my favorites, in no particular order.

               

Goodbye Chloe, Love you forever.

Past Season Favorites

As much as I love shopping and having a constant rotation of new pieces to share - believe you me, springtime is my favorite season to shop and a lot of 'add to cart' has been going on here - my ultimate goal is to have a closet full of pieces I love and can style again and again.

The Denim Jacket
I found this jacket in 2013 and haven't craved a new denim jacket since. It was a long search for just the right wash, length, and level of distressing. Plus price always counts and I know I managed to get this from Gap at a discount. My choice proved to be on the money, since Gap is still selling a near identical jacket today - pick it up and hopefully keep it in your closet forever.

The Wrap Dress
I've always had a soft spot for wrap dresses, as they are one piece which can be relied upon to always accentuate my hourglass figure. I love when designers include a hook eye at the bustline, because that is usually the easiest way to make things a little more work appropriate, however I'm not opposed to adding a safety pin when needed. While this dress carries the current trend of 'the' leopard print, I don't see it falling from regular rotation all too quickly.

The Two Tone Shoe
Chanel's two tone slingback has been around since 1957 and isn't going away anytime soon. That shoe was my main inspiration when I had the chance to design this pair with Shoes of Prey (now defunct, so sad!) While I could have easily chosen a slingback style, I decided I didn't have to have an outright copy and selected a d'orsay silhouette instead.

The Ring Shoulder Bag
When Chloe introduced their Faye shoulder bag with its signature ring in 2015 it quickly became a must have piece. The 70's inspired bag felt just as fresh four years ago as it does now with new styles still being created and plenty of bags taking the inspiration as this Banana Republic bag did in 2016. While I frequently settle for 'designer inspired' over owning actual designer pieces I still try to look for quality items I'm going to want to wear for many years.

Pearl Leash
Even Chloe has her past season favorites! This pearl Fabuleash was a TJMaxx find back in 2011 for a mere $7.50. She wears it a lot and always loves the extra bit of glam. I don't know why I never got her the matching collar!

      

The Rundown
Leopard Wrap Dress via Poshmark similar
Denim Jacket Gap similar
Toe Cap Pumps "Varesse 70" Shoes of Prey similar
Suede Accordion Bag Banana Republic similar
 Filigree Stud Earrings Thrifted similar
 Layered Charm Necklace c/o Grand Avenue Jewelry
 Cloudy Agate Bracelet J.Crew
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry

Dog Chloe

Pearl Leash Fabuleash

Linking up with
Pink Sole's How I Spring

Friday Favorites

When I create these kinds of posts, they are generally more or less a collection of what I've been filling up my Pinterest boards with and lusting after. With maybe some filler items when I have an awkward empty space, haha. After my last Friday Favorites post I went and purchased three things on it (and then some). Yes, I've been very reckless with my shopping this month, and we are barely into it. Hopefully I wont follow suit with this post, but really, tell me you aren't completely in love with those Zara sandals?

Polka Dot Blouse, $50 at Mango
Tortoise Sunglasses, $13 at H&M
Box Bag, $30 at Target
Brass Earrings, $50 at Ink+Alloy
Topshop Satin Midi Skirt, $55 at Nordstrom
Leather Sandals with Geometric Heels, $90 at Zara

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

A Distinction of Leopard Print

I went shopping with a friend a few weekends ago, and as we entered the store I made a bee line for a display featuring several pieces in leopard print. My friend commented that I was likely a leopard in my past life.

It's true, my love of leopard print has grown exponentially over the years, it's almost funny to think that before the blog I owned no leopard print. That first purchase - I think a pencil skirt from Forever 21 - became a catalyst for this now decade long love affair.

There was one type of leopard print that I'd never had in my closet, a print with the animal itself. Try searching google for this distinction and you might have some difficulty, so it was only by happenstance that I came across this blouse on Poshmark while in the midst of some other feverish search (which I've now forgotten). For a mere $8 I was willing to take a gamble on this possibly vintage blouse and fill a leopard print need I wasn't even aware that I'd had. Plus I'm always looking for slightly cropped silhouettes that will show off the cute button fly of these high rise jeans.

Are you a leopard print lover?

       

The Rundown
Blouse with Leopards on it Poshmark similar
High Rise Button Fly Jeans Gap similar
White Mules "Bianca" Target similar
Round Crossbody Bag French Connection
 Gold Hoop Earrings Amazon
Half Moon Necklace c/o Happiness Boutique
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Sunglasses "Raglan" Warby Parker
Nail Color "Canyon" Ten Over Ten
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry

Linking up with  Style on the Daily

Spring Layers

The best part about transitional seasons is the ability to create layered looks, and while I've never mastered the number of layers commonly found on J.Crew models, I do love being able to add a favorite jacket, blazer or cardigan to complete a look.

I also love layering my jewelry, and while it can sometimes be tricky to find just the right pieces to mesh with one another, this layered necklace Grand Avenue Jewelry sent over takes the guess work out and provides two adorable 14k gold plated charms at just the right lengths.

It makes me sad to see the cherry blossom trees in the center of my town already losing their petals - of the four trees there, only one was still clutching to its delicate pink flowers. They are only in bloom for such a short time, it makes me appreciate their beauty even more. What is your favorite part of the spring season?

Grand Avenue Jewelry is offering Chic on the Cheap readers 20% off their entire order with code CHIC20 - happy shopping!

       

The Rundown
Scalloped Cami J.Crew Factory
Wide Leg Crop Jeans Gap
Denim Jacket Gap similar
White Mules "Bianca" Target similar
Round Crossbody Bag French Connection
Gold Ball Earrings Kohl's
 Layered Charm Necklace c/o Grand Avenue Jewelry
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Sunglasses "Raglan" Warby Parker
Nail Color "Canyon" Ten Over Ten

 Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Spring

Between Sun and Rain

“If you don't like the weather in New England now, just wait a few minutes.” - Mark Twain 

Over the weekend I found myself in Hartford for brunch at The Place 2 Be, and I happened to notice (check posts on Instagram) that the cherry blossoms in Bushnell Park were starting to bloom. Since I'm not typically in the area I didn't want to miss an opportunity to catch the blooms in the gorgeous park.

After a brief taste of sunny skies, the weather had reverted back to gloom, and on this particular day, it couldn't seem to decide if the sun or the rain was going to win out. Since I couldn't convince any of my fellow brunchers to accompany me to the park, I was solo with the tripod. Almost as soon as I had my shot set up the rain started. Nothing torrential, so I thought I could just keep shooting, but as rain drops fell on my lens they confused the auto focus so much that none of my shots were anything but a blurry mess.

Even as the rain was falling I could see the sun trying to break through, so I waited out the rain, dried off my lens and tried again. With the clouds moving and light constantly shifting it made for a bit of a challenge, and just when I thought I'd found a sweet spot, the wind kicked up. Frustrated, I retreated to my car, reviewed what I'd gotten, and decided it was enough to call it day. Even though I would have loved to have spent more time exploring the park and snapping away among the blooms, the crazy weather was more than I could handle, and I don't like risking a strong wind toppling my tripod, which has happened in the past.

They might not be 100% the photos I'd hoped for, but I gave it my best, and I suppose there is always next year!

         

The Rundown
Leopard Button Down Banana Republic similar
Grey Cardigan c/o Cabi similar
Distressed Jeggings Gap 
Nareen Block Heels c/o Vionic
Round Crossbody Bag French Connection
Circle Earrings c/o AUrate New York
Gold Plated Disc Necklace Matteo via TJMaxx
Crystal Bar Ring Upper Metal Class
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Nail Color "Canyon" Ten Over Ten