September Budget

This month there were some scores and some splurges, some sensible purchases, and some less sensible purchases, and lots of returns. I joke that is my third part-time job.

Let's start with the biggest steal, a pair of Manolo Blahnik sandals for three dollars. I thought they were $30, but then the sales associate said the red dot on the tag meant they were only $3.

My most irrational buy? The J.Crew jungle print blouse. The list price is $110 and it's not even silk, plus it has been consistently excluded from sale promotions... except one day it wasn't. Could have been a glitch for all I know, but I scooped it up for 30% plus an extra 10% off (so roughly 37%?) I love it because it reminds me of a tee shirt I had in high school, just in the most grownup, J.Crew way possible.

After much deliberation, and the final weigh in from my sister telling me the Naturalizer sandals were "too much like sensible old(er) lady-esk" I decided to keep the Zara sandals. Only one small problem - I bought the Naturalizer sandals direct from them instead of through Zappos because I figured I could just return them in the store, and it turns out the closest store is in Massachusetts. I swear, I though there was one near me! So back to that part time job business... at least it's on the way to my brother's house, so now I have a reason to visit within the next 30 days, haha.

Also fun, I went shopping with my mom and we both got the same jeans at the Gap. The sales associate said we were so cute. I decided to get the petites so they would be the cropped length they were intended to be, where as she doesn't go for that and stuck with the regulars, because cropped regulars = full length when you are 5'1".

I also finally went to visit S.V. Decker in Milford, and left with the pearl necklace I'd been coveting on Instagram and a little gift for my sister for when she comes home. Of course you can shop online, but if you are in Connecticut you must go check out the store, it's gorgeous and seeing the pieces in person made me want them even more.

Ribbed Sweater Top Banana Republic, $25 each (black and white)
Wrap Bodysuit, $41 at Abercrombie 
Manolo Blahnik Sandals, $3 at Coco's on the Green
Sophie open-front sweater-blazer, $89 at J.Crew
Fresh Water Pearl Necklace, $47 at S.V. Decker
Jungle Print Boat Neck Blouse, $69 at J.Crew
Sashi Signet Ring, $25 at Zappos (free with rewards)
Asymmetrical Sandals, $50 at Zara
High Rise Wide Leg Jeans, $40 at Gap
Black Ribbed Dress, $35 at H&M
Nine West Aubry Sandals, $33
Gingham Wrap Dress, $22 at J.Crew
Mid Rise Denim Shorts, $21 at Gap
Cynthia Rowley Black Silk Dress, $12 at Consignment Originals

Dinner at Vyne in Middlebury, CT

Last Tuesday I was invited for dinner at Vyne Restaurant in Middlebury, CT. I had never been before, as living on the shoreline means I don't often venture towards the center of the state - I know it's silly and clearly I'm missing out on a lot after being completely impressed by Vyne.

I didn't know much about the restaurant aside from my quick perusal of the menu before sending my response to the invitation, but I planned on leaving early and hoping I could find a cute spot for outfit photos before dinner. Little did I know the grounds outside of the restaurant were stunning; stone steps, archways, gardens, and a waterfall spanning the length of the entire outdoor seating area. The heat from earlier in the day had tapered off and no one would dare to eat dinner outside, so I had the whole space to myself while I snapped away with my tripod.

When it was time to head in, I was lead through the main dining room to the lounge area with the bar, which apparently a lot of people miss and don't even realize there is a bar! I started out with a cucumber gin martini which was as strong as it sounds and very tasty. Sadly I knew at some point I'd have to drive myself home, so I didn't give any other cocktails a try.

As for the food, an impressive tasting menu with two to three dishes from each course was served. The dishes were unique and delicious. Creamy burrata mingled with grilled peaches and balsamic vinegar, lamp lolly pops were served with pesto sauce (I had to use a piece of bread to mop of every last bit of the pesto), the wedge salad was based on a recipe from the owners grandfather, and I just about devoured the seared tenderloin and wild mushroom risotto.

After a delightful meal, we toured the building, which houses an enormous gift shop on the first floor and a banquet hall for weddings and parties up to 200 guests on the third.

If you are in Connecticut, Vyne is not to be missed!

        

The Rundown
Floral Dress J.Crew x Abigail Borg similar
Asymmetrical Strap Mules Zara
Bucket Bag "Johnny" Danse Lente
Versailles Earrings  Julie Vos similar
Gold Rectangle Chain Necklace Etsy
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Nail Color "Canyon" Ten Over Ten

Little Black Linen Dress

It might be the first day of fall, but I'm still sharing this linen dress. The last weekend of summer was beautiful and warm, and very much linen dress weather - which was good as I hadn't worn this yet. I've clearly been buying more things than I have occasions to wear them; a sad reality in my closet. One I should probably take heed to, but you know I've been saying that for months and it would be perfectly appropriate for you to roll your eyes right now.

As I stared at this dress in my closet I started to regret buying it. The return window had since closed along with my fantasies about it. Do you see a piece and imagine where you'd like to wear it and how you'd style it? I always do. I call it my pretend life; where this dress went to Martha's Vineyard and was worn with a straw hat and there was an outdoor patio overlooking the water and a cocktail in my hand.

The reality was that I went to support a local blogger's pop-up shop, sipped champagne out of a plastic cup, and then when I got home, dragged my mom to the yacht club to snap photos before the sun went down.

Looking at these photos, I don't regret buying the dress, just that always let my fantasies slip away.

       

The Rundown
Linen Button Front Dress Banana Republic
White Slides Ferragamo via Coco's on the Green
Micro Perry Satchel Rebecca Minkoff c/o Shopbop
Pearl Hoop Earrings Thrifted similar
Gold Chain Thrifted
Gold Rectangle Chain Necklace Etsy
Rhombus Charm Necklace c/o Happiness Boutique
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry

The Last Summer Evening

This is the very last summer weekend, though it certainly doesn't feel like it. Fall came a week early. Last Sunday however, still felt like summer. The evening air was warm enough to go out for ice cream and I finally got my first (and I suppose last) cone at Arethusa for the season.

While I'm sure warm days will still pop up during this last week or so of September and even through the middle of October, the moment that chilly air settled in, it felt like I had to say goodbye to summer.

I wish I could be waxing poetic over sweaters and plaid and pumpkin spice lattes, but that is not who I am. I'll just be here, waiting for spring.

       

The Rundown
Button Down Old Navy
 Leopard Skirt Gap
White Slide Sandals Banana Republic 
Black Straw Bag Zara similar
Loop Earrings Mejuri
Fresh Water Pearl Necklace S.V. Decker
Cat Eye Sunglasses H&M

Gingham Pants

I had thought these gingham pants would be cute for the summer, because I am delusional. Tight fitting pants on a humid summer day is practically a form of torture, and I should know by now that when wearing a dress is an option, it's one I will take.

But these gingham pants were so cute! And everyone was wearing them! And they were on sale!
...and there they sat in my closet. I even tried to wear them a few times, but overheating for fashion is not a choice I tend to make (freezing for fashion is unfortunately another story).

Now that Labor Day has passed, and perhaps some collective intention about being desperate for fall weather (present company excluded) was able to elicit a change in the atmosphere seemingly overnight, as there has been a noticeable chill in the air. Now I'm looking at pants with fresh eyes and will try to take advantage of this small window of time when I can wear them by choice, rather than necessity.

      

The Rundown
Point Sur Square Neck Top J.Crew
Gingham Pants Old Navy
Pearl Slide Sandals Ann Taylor
Black Straw Bag Zara similar
Pearl Earrings Maris Pearl Co. 
Gold Rectangle Chain Necklace Etsy
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Cat Eye Sunglasses H&M
Nail Color "Bed Rock & Roll" Essie

Bold Prints and Fringe

I mentioned closet workhorses the other day, and while I can sometimes be sensible, I can't resist a good print, unique detail, or some combination thereof. Even having purchased this top on Poshmark for far less than retail, know I still spent too much considering how much I will probably wear it. I think it might even be hard for me to make a case for three ways to style it, unless you count white, black, and blue jeans separately. (I tried it with shorts but it was too long.)

I will admit I am envious of minimalists. I feel anxious when I look at the things I buy that I clearly have no space for, but shopping makes me happy. I can easily spend hours browsing and perusing, and lets not forget my favorite thing to do, get something at a good discount.

Shopping used to be much harder, but the internet changed that. No longer confined to what was local and available, suddenly I could shop the world, and while I might now have to spend a disproportionate amount of time returning things, the pleasure of a package on my doorstep has yet to get old.

       

The Rundown
Patchwork Top Dodo Bar Or via Poshmark
White Jeans Gap similar
 Ankle Strap Sandals Target
Black Straw Bag Zara similar
Gold Bar Earrings Argento Vivo via TJMaxx 
Gold Rectangle Chain Necklace Etsy

Half Moon Necklace c/o Happiness Boutique
Gold Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Cat Eye Sunglasses H&M

 

Layering Gold Necklaces

In their heyday, I was a statement necklace fiend. I latched on to all the trendy styles and for nearly half a decade my jewelry box overflowed with my expansive collection of bold and colorful baubles. But trends shifted, perhaps our necks had grown tired with all the excess weight, and understated gold necklaces, ideally layered in pairs of two or three, became the new statement.

Delicate pieces that once belonged to my Grandma became my new go-tos, and I realized the value of owning a timeless piece of jewelry made from materials meant to stand the test of time and not just until the next trend.

It will be a slow process, but a beautiful one, of acquiring jewelry I want to invest in, and once again, I must make mention of AUrate - priced without jaw dropping markups and made from high quality 14 and 18 karat gold, AUrate allows my desire to own 'forever jewelry' to become a little more attainable. The pieces are handcrafted in New York with only ethically sourced materials, and come with an amazing lifetime guarantee - that includes breaks, re-plating of vermeil pieces, and polishing scratches.

Statement necklaces may become trendy again, but I doubt I will regret the ones I've since donated to the thrift store, new designs will have replaced them. Delicate gold pieces, however, will always be in style. No matter how old, they are simply classic. This pearl necklace would have been a piece my Grandma could have worn just as easily as I wear it now. Granted, she probably wouldn't have layered it with another chain, but that is just a little way to take a timeless piece and style it on trend. Now I just need to get a nifty necklace layering clasp like this one to keep the chains from twisting together as I let my gold layers shine.

      

The Rundown
Gingham Wrap Dress J.Crew
White Slides Ferragamo via Coco's on the Green
Round Rattan Bag Etsy
Gold Ball Earrings Kohl's
Simple Pearl Necklace c/o AUrate
Gold Chain Thrifted
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Signet Ring Sashi

Cat Eye Sunglasses H&M
Nail Color "Bed Rock & Roll" Essie

Thanks to Nakturnal for partnering with me on this post!