January Closet Additions

Everything I bought in January. Because I'm a crazy person, clearly.

Brown Mock Neck Ribbed Sweater, $33 at Ann Taylor
White Satin Blouse, $30 at Banana Republic
Moon River Balloon Sleeve Crop Top, $25 at Nordstrom Rack
Camel Tippi Sweater, $20 at J.Crew
Feather Trim Sweater, $25 at Ann Taylor

Denim Marina Pants Ann Taylor
Green Pleated Skirt, $43 at Banana Republic
Wide Leg Satin Pants, $38 at Banana Republic
Leopard Maxi Skirt, $35 at Banana Republic
Wide Leg Velvet Pants, $25 at Gap

Aerosoles Katherine Booties, $50
Ann Taylor Leopard Silk Scarf, $10 via eBay
Leopard Robe, $15 at Ann Taylor
Silk Scarf, $12 at Ann Taylor
Ann Klein Croc Embossed Boots, $40 at DSW

Brown Faux Fur Coat, $97 at Banana Republic
Double Breasted Camel Coat, $80 at Loft
Cheetah Print Faux Fur Coat, $138 at J.McLaughlin
32 Degrees Down Coat, $59 at Macy's

Second Fresh Start

While I didn't start off the year with any grand resolutions, particularity with regards to my shopping habits as I have in past years, as I was starting to compile my January budget post I came to a somewhat upsetting realization about the number of things I managed to buy in just one month. It started off innocently enough, as it always does, those extra 40%-70% off sale price ads start invading my inbox, instagram feed, and just about anywhere else wifi touches. I think there is no harm in placing an order just to try something, and then it snowballs.

I may or may not have gotten three coats today.

I know I need a hard reset, but I don't know how to combat the temptation without removing myself from my internet connected life. I also need to find something to fill the void I keep trying (and failing) to fill with clothes.

     

The Rundown
Cable Knit Sweater Banana Republic
Button Fly Jeans Gap similar
Plush Fleece Coat J.Crew
Pointed Flats Rothy's
Pom Beret Madewell
Vintage Coach City Bag thrifted similar
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Winterized

It doesn't take long for me to grow tired of my daily winter uniform of jeans and sweaters, longing for my summer dresses while months of cold still lie ahead. February tends to be the coldest month, I fear the temperatures of the surprise warm days January offered might not come around again for some time.

Thus, I try to make the best of it, I let myself suffer a little in the cold pairing a sweater dress with over the knee boots - sure I could put on a pair of tights, but I convinced myself the hem of the coat was just long enough that I didn't need them.

This outfit is the first appearance of a few new things, the wrap coat which I purchased immediately after seeing it (or something very similar) on my sister-in-law, and the brown over the knee boots which took four purchases and subsequent returns as well as a price adjustment before I was happy with the size, color, and price. I initially got them from DSW on Black Friday, tried three different sizes, and ultimately got them from Aerosoles.com which had the best sale price, and then got it adjusted when they went to an extra 60% off - it ended up being a $40 difference from the original DSW price I paid, so I feel like it was worth all the effort. As for my previous brown-ish suede boots, they found a new home in my sister's closet.

       

The Rundown
Camel Sweater Dress Banana Republic similar
Black Wrap Coat Ann Taylor similar
Brown Over the Knee Boots Aerosoles
Cashmere Knit Hat Ann Taylor similar
Croc Embossed Leather Bag Loeffler Randall
Signet Ring Sashi
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry

Draped in Velvet

I'm not always on top of things when it comes to shooting holiday content in a timely manner, aka, before the actual holiday; I usually drop the ball when it comes to taking photos on the actual holiday as well. However, approximately one month later is when I can get it together and share what I wore for Christmas Eve.

I'm sure you know I've got a bit of an affinity for Banana Republic and may have over done it when it came to purchasing holiday styles; I first bought the velvet cami in navy, but then decided I also wanted it in taupe, only to conclude that it would just be foolish to not have the matching midi skirt as well.

As Christmas Eves go, having 30+ family members gathered in a space where the oven has undoubtedly been on all day, means that sleeveless tops, bare legs, and open shoes are easy to get away with, even if I have to be extra bundled up outside. I did have a cardigan, but I barely needed it all night.

Thankfully my delays in photographing this outfit worked in my favor, as we had that warm weekend, and I was not freezing to death shooting this outside. Perhaps we can forget this was meant to be Christmas outfit and instead repurpose it for early Valentine's Day? You can even still pick up the top and the skirt in a gorgeous deep red at a delightful 60% off.

     

The Rundown
Velvet Cowl-Neck Camisole Banana Republic
Velvet Midi Skirt Banana Republic
Asymmetrical Strap Mules Zara similar
Scalloped Clutch Matine similar
Pave Disc Earrings similar
Fresh Water Pearl Necklace S.V. Decker 
Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Nail Color "Bubbles Only" Essie

Cee & NYC

Back in November I got to meet one of my oldest blogging friends Cee, for the very first time. Cee spends as much time traveling as she possibly can, and over the years I've thought about the times our paths almost could have crossed. When she mentioned that she'd impulsively booked a trip to New York, my first thought was, "We could meet up!"

Several weeks and email exchanges later we'd made plans for Sunday brunch at Augustine. It's been quite some time since a 6 a.m. alarm excited me, but that morning I woke before it chimed and excitedly headed to the train station before the sun had barely risen.

When we met outside the restaurant, the first order of business was outfit photos, of course. I admit, I attempted to pull off Cee's signature subtle smile, and massively failed. My grin was a far better reflection of my mood anyway, and we had the most wonderful afternoon together, dining, talking, shopping, and enjoying New York.

Whenever I ask myself why I'm still blogging after all these years, the answer is always the same; the wonderful connections and relationships with other bloggers we've created together.

     

The Rundown
Cream Mock Neck Sweater Ann Taylor
Black Faux Leather Pants Ann Taylor
Leopard Fur Coat Loft
 Sock Booties "Neola" Naturalizer
Bucket Bag "Johnny" Danse Lente
 Gold Twist Hoops Thrifted similar
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry

Winter Classics

It's funny to think that back in September the thought of purchasing a new sweater was the last thing on my mind. I knew I had a very large dresser drawer filled to capacity, and as I was enjoying the summer heat, these frigid days seemed so far away; the idea that I could even want a new sweater seemed absurd.

Needless to say, at the first cold snap I was rationalizing how my cream sweater needed replacing and I'm so pleased with how cozy and warm this mock neck sweater from Ann Taylor turned out to be that I'm now contemplating picking it up in the new spring blush shade as well. I should probably listen to my September self, who knew I had more than enough sweaters to survive the winter, I've probably got enough blush in my closet I don't wear nearly enough as it is.

     

The Rundown
Cream Mock Neck Sweater Ann Taylor
Velvet Pants Loft
Velvet Bow Mules Loft
Fur Bag Vintage via Roundabout similar
Cream Beret Amazon
Gold Twist Hoops Thrifted similar
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
 Nail Color "Bordeaux" Essie

Second Hand, First Love

In a time of instant access to shopping all hours of the day, it's easy to see why the secondhand market has been facing troubles. Even as a lover of thrift stores and eBay, when I contemplate ideas like only shopping secondhand, I know all too quickly I wont last when endless Banana Republic sales flood my Instagram feed.

Though I wish I could, as I do enjoy the hunt and the victory of finding that coveted piece (or the piece I didn't know I needed) for a fraction of the price. This Rachel Comey sweater is one such piece, I lusted over and stalked eBay for more than a year before it became mine, and I was lucky that the color I wanted turned up, and the size just so happened to work. That is not always the case, as a pair of Loeffler Randall sandals from Poshmark sit unworn as they seem to be about a size and a half lager than marked. The downfall of secondhand shopping (particularly online) is that sales tend to be final, or returns not worth the effort. Which isn't to say I don't have pieces I bought in person that have never once been worn. Sometimes that guilt free 90 day return policy is the only thing that prompts me to shop retail over secondhand.

While inspecting the tag of this sweater (who am I kidding, I knew it would say dry clean) I noticed a note the designer included, which read "Keep Forever". Clearly if the original owner had abided by that request I wouldn't be in possession of the sweater at all, but it did serve as a reminder of all the pieces which come and go from my closet, and made me wonder if I could ever come to terms with the idea of only having things I'd like to keep forever. It's something to keep in mind, next time the velvet jumpsuit from Banana Republic Factory, now half off, crosses my feed.

     

The Rundown
Fringe Hem Sweater Rachel Comey similar
High Rise Skinny Jeans "Ann" c/o Mott &Bow
 Sock Booties "Neola" Naturalizer
Fur Bag Vintage via Roundabout similar
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry

Gold Herkimer Diamond Ring c/o Lumo

Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry
 Nail Color "Bordeaux" Essie