November Budget

I know it's Black Friday and I "should" be posting about sales, but I think the sales started about a week ago due to how late Thanksgiving was this year, and I already did a lot of my shopping (Christmas and clearly for myself) during the Friends and Family promotions and more or less got half off everything without having to wait.

Which isn't to say that there aren't lots of good deals to be had today - just that I'm not posting them here. Instead, I'm marveling at how much I managed to buy for myself this month when I (once again) told myself not to be shopping.

The gold dress was for Thanksgiving, and the velvet skirt and camisole are for Christmas Eve. The rest I managed to rationalize into my cart for some other reasons which I'm sure were very good at the time, but are currently escaping me. The reason could have very well been "it's 50% off".

I think the worst part of writing this post, was that with all the ordering and subsequent returning I did this month, I was sure I'd left something out, which should be a pretty good indicator that it was not something I really needed or even badly wanted. But now that December is nearly upon us, I will most likely just be saving my shopping resolutions for January.

Do you shop for yourself during the holiday sales, or are you good and only shop for those on your gift list?

Giraffe Print Blouse, $25 at Banana Republic
Cream Mock Neck Sweater, $45 at Ann Taylor
Black Faux Leather Pants, $55 at Ann Taylor
Black Rib Knit Sweater, $18 at H&M
Jeweled Slides, $8 at Banana Republic (after credit card rewards)
Velvet Camisole, $31 at Banana Republic (both taupe and navy)
Velvet Skirt, $44 at Banana Republic
Velvet Bow Mules, $40 at Loft
Wrap Cardigan, $25 at Target
Cheetah Print Wrap Dress, $75 at Ann Taylor

Elevated Basics

This week has been a blissful reprise of autumn weather, warm sun and cool air, the scent of the fallen leaves. I was grateful to be able to spend each of those gorgeous days outside walking with my favorite dog clients; the only thing I really miss about my office job is the chance to get dressed in clothing I would not welcome muddy paws on.

Lately my work day attire has been about the quick change - comfortable jeans that can effortlessly transition from sneakers and a tee shirt into a look that lets me feel polished and confident for any part of my day which doesn't involve my furry friends.

As much as denim silhouettes have been pushing for change, I am not ready to give up my skinny jeans, and styles that hold their shape, wear after wear, are the only ones I want in my closet. I'm happy to share the Ann jeans from Mott & Bow, a power stretch denim, designed to flatter every curve and provide the quality of designer jeans at half the price.

I love my silk button downs - it's likely I have far more than I could reasonably need, but they are a weakness. A classic, a staple, and Mott & Bow wants you to know that you can wear silk and skip the dry cleaner. Isn't that little tag frequently what stands in the way of pieces that get worn regularly and those which get saved for special occasions? It makes so sense not to wear what I love, even if that means simply switching tops and shoes for running errands between walks, with the right basics I can.

       

The Rundown 
Silk Shirt "Harper" c/o Mott &Bow
High Rise Skinny Jeans "Ann" c/o Mott &Bow
Black Velvet Blazer Urban Outfitters similar
Mules Charles David via TJMaxx
Bag "Lewis Drive Michela" Kate Spade similar
Loop Earrings Mejuri
Diamond Necklace Belonged to my Grandma
Fresh Water Pearl Necklace S.V. Decker
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry

Gold Herkimer Diamond Ring c/o Lumo

Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry
Sunglasses Ray-Ban via TJMaxx

Thanks to Mott & Bow for providing my jeans and blouse. As always, my views and opinions are my own.

Pieces from the Past

Considering my proximity to New York City (about an hour and fifty minutes if I get an express train) it had been over a year since my last visit. Going twice in the span of seven days was certainly not something I expected would happen this month, yet both trips reminded me of how much I love being in the city.

Stepping off the subway at Canal Street brought back a flood of memories from my trips with my friends when I was in high school. As soon as my mom decided I was old enough to go without adult supervision, the months that would pass without at least one trip to New York were few and far between.

This was before I had my iPhone (or any cellphone) offering me turn-by-turn walking directions, telling me which subway train would get me to the right place, before I could call a car with the tap of a button. I'm so spoiled now, but perhaps back then, with nothing but a printed set of Map Quest directions, getting lost was part of the fun. Lost we did get, wrong turns, walking ten blocks in the wrong direction, riding the subway to the end of the line because we'd missed our stop long ago but hadn't noticed.

There was sometimes a plan for our trips, a concert, dim sum in Chinatown, or to see a movie in one of the huge IMAX theaters, but often there was not - it was about being able to wander, on our own, without an agenda.

For a moment, lost in my nostalgia, I wondered if I could find photos from some of those trips, but of course if any exist, they would be prints from a disposable camera, buried deep in a poorly organized drawer. Maybe it's better that way.

        

The Rundown
White Ruffle Sleeve Sweater Sara Campbell via Coco's on the Green
 Black Jeans Gap
Trench Coat London Fog thrifted similar
Leopard Mules Franco Sarto via TJMaxx
Camera Bag "Palma" ONA
Pearl Hoop Earrings Thrifted similar
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Sunglasses Ray-Ban via TJMaxx
Nail Color "Generation Zen" Essie

Fleece Bomber Jacket

It wouldn't be fall (but really winter) in Connecticut if I didn't add a new coat to my collection. And I suppose my sister wouldn't be my sister if she didn't then buy the same coat in a different color. Not that I didn't do my part to encourage it - you know I'm a shopping enabler.

This weekend my plans include checking out the new mall in South Norwalk, the SoNo Collection, and meeting Cee in New York City! I'm so excited, as I feel like I've known her for the last decade, but we've never met in person!

      

The Rundown 
Sweater Banana Republic
 Plush Fleece Bomber Jacket J.Crew

Black Jeans Gap

Open Heel Booties c/o Vionic
Willis Bag Vintage Coach via eBay similar
Gold Ball Earrings Kohl's
Scarab Necklace Vintage via Etsy similar
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Sunglasses Ray-Ban via TJMaxx

Pearl Buttons

Earlier this year when I was smitten with a cardigan from Musier Paris, save for its plunging neckline, I thought I might get a similar cardigan and swap the standard brown buttons it came with for faux pearl buttons.

Even the simplest of DIY projects are known to take me ages to complete, but I was feeling motivated a few weekends ago and finally tackled my to-do pile, which included hemming two pairs of pants and of course changing the buttons on the cardigan.

While I was pleased with how it came out, when I started searching for similar items to link for this post I discovered that not only does Forever 21 have a perfect dupe of the original cardigan with a slightly higher neckline, but at only $25 it would ring in even less than my DIY. And don't even get me started on the cropped wide leg houndstooth pants I spotted at Zara, now that I finally took the time to hem the pair I got at H&M.

     

The Rundown
White Cardigan Nordstrom Rack similar
Black Wide Leg Pants Ann Taylor
Mules Charles David via TJMaxx 
Bucket Bag "Johnny" Danse Lente
Gold Ball Earrings Kohl's
Gold Rectangle Chain Necklace Etsy
Sunglasses Ray-Ban via TJMaxx

What to Wear to Thanksgiving

Some years Thanksgiving is a casual affair, you can find me in my most comfortable pair of jeans and a sweater, other times I delight in the idea of having an occasion to get dressed for. The past few years I've been a big advocate for the long sleeve dress - sleeveless dresses in late fall tend to require additional layers, but with sleeves, a simple one piece outfit is back within grasp, and isn't that the best part of a dress after all?

The moment I saw this golden leopard faux wrap dress, I knew it would be perfect for Thanksgiving. The rich color epitomizes the fall season, with the jacquard leopard print being just my style. Plus it was on sale for $75, and I don't need much more convincing than that! Fortunately it can still be scooped up for 40% off plus an additional 10% as the Friends of Ann sale lasts through Tuesday.

The final reason I advocate for wearing a dress on a holiday such as Thanksgiving is for the comfort factor - I love my high waist skinny jeans, but they can stay in the closet until after the leftovers are gone.

Do you enjoy getting dressed up for Thanksgiving, or do you prefer to keep it casual?

       

The Rundown
Cheetah Print Jacquard Wrap Dress Ann Taylor
Nude Pumps "Natalie" Naturalizer
Leopard Clutch Clare V c/o Shopbop
Pearl Earrings Maris Pearl Co. 
Diamond Necklace Belonged to my Grandma
Fresh Water Pearl Necklace S.V. Decker 
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry

Nail Color "Mrs. Always Right" Essie

Last Year's Look

In a time when I am faced with endless sources of inspiration, it's often my own camera roll that serves me best. The pieces are already in my closet, and I'm not so distracted convincing myself that I need to be adding faux leather pants to my cart that I never manage to get dressed.

Even if you aren't a blogger, chances are you've got a phone full of half a decades worth of selfies and snapshots, and it's easy to see what you had on a year ago today. As I scrolled through my archives I found some slightly blurry and underexposed shots of this outfit (or at least a close approximation) and realized I'd never shot it for the blog.  How lovely it was to rediscover these velvet pants and appreciate how much I adore this blush leather jacket, which I've barely worn since I was in California earlier this year. (Lucky Californians and their perfect leather jacket weather, here I'm limited to the beginning of fall and the end of spring.)

Sadly to say that one week into the new month my November budget post is already shaping up to be as extensive as October's, and this outfit serves as a good reminder to spend more time getting inspired by my own archives and shopping my closet instead of Banana Republic.

        

The Rundown
Lace Camisole Coco's on the Green similar
Blush Leather Jacket Athleta similar
Velvet Pants Old Navy similar
Leopard Heels Sam Edelman similar
Bucket Bag "Johnny" Danse Lente
Loop Earrings Mejuri
Necklace "Scottie" LuxbyUK
Ruby Crystal Talisman Ring c/o Uncommon Goods
Cat Eye Sunglasses H&M similar