October Budget

Another month of using shopping as the replacement for everything else in life has resulted in this mess, and I'm going to be honest, I didn't include everything. T.J.Maxx OCD online order placing aside, I did find some unique and gorgeous secondhand pieces at Coco's on the Green, and the prettiest little vintage tapestry bag at Vintanthromodern that I may have spent a tiny bit more on than I should have, but certainly couldn't let anyone else buy them!

The biggest time, energy, and financial drain of the month was that damn leopard dress from L.K. Bennett. It's my fault for following bloggers in the UK, then breaking my rules of not making purchases where I'd have to pay shipping, returning, and restocking fees. Despite how globally connected we are, and the fact that I can get a dress at my doorstep from the UK in three days, size charts and customer reviews are still utterly useless. Based on the size chart I should have been a perfect UK 12, so I took the chance and placed the order with it's $15 shipping fee. Naturally it arrived and was too big; I should have ordered the UK 10, which I would have, had I not scrutinized the size chart. Another $15 to send it back, as well as a $7 restocking fee, and then of course $15 more to ship the new dress... which arrived damaged. To be more accurate, soaking wet. Bizarrely, in it's plastic bag, drenched. It wasn't raining that day and it's hard to imagine what happened, but after a couple weeks and half a dozen emails with customer service, I got a full refund for the damaged dress and my return shipping fees reimbursed. Silver lining, when I placed the order for the replacement dress it was $16 less, so it was almost like getting my original shipping refunded. Now I just need to wear it before it gets too cold.

L.K. Bennett Leopard Dress $148
Gorjana Earrings, $8 via TJMaxx
Vince Brown Velvet Bomber Jacket, $40 via Coco's on the Green
Gorjana Quinn Circle Necklace, $13 via TJMaxx
Gorjana Tanner Bar Necklace, $13 via TJMaxx
Shutz Boots, $60 via The Outnet
Marti x Dani Stahl for Calypso Printed Leather Jacket, $52 via Coco's on the Green
Vintage Floral Tapestry Bag, $42 via Vintanthromodern
Tahari Blush Boucle Coat, $70 via TJMaxx
Numph Striped Sweater, $20 via Coco's on the Green
H&M Brown Fedora, $24
Joie Deer Print Silk Blouse, $30 via ThredUP
Joie Lace Blouse, $12 via Coco's on the Green
Ann Taylor Wide Leg Faux Suede Pants, $50
Lulu's Tan Croc Mules, $15
Banana Republic Sweater Tank, $30
Nine West Calf Hair Leopard Mules, $30 via TJMaxx
14k Gold Ring, $49 via TJMaxx
Golden Cleff 14k Infinity Curb Chain Ring, $59 via TJMaxx
Banana Republic Cream Cropped Denim Jacket, $40 
H&M Wide Leg Pants, $12
Gorjana Maya Bracelet, $13 via TJMaxx
Banana Republic Floral Wrap Bodysuit, $20
Gap Factory Black Icon Denim Jacket, $32
Banana Republic Factory Printed Pleated Skirt, $22
Nine West Jewel Strap Patent Pumps, $40 via TJMaxx

Coffee and Wine

Desperate to cling to every day left when sitting outside is enjoyable (even if it's a little chilly) there are two main reasons to go out; for coffee and for wine. 

 

Lately we've been enjoying the East Rock neighborhood of New Haven, where there is an abundance of cute spots to sit outside and enjoy either (or both). Granted, the areas are small, usually comprised of no more than five tables, but that's why we always leave the house at three in the afternoon, so there is daylight for photos and we can arrive promptly when the wine bar opens at four p.m. Then we can sip our wine and people dog watch. I saw a dalmatian puppy while we were taking these photos and you can probably tell which photo shows the genuine "I'm dying of puppy adorableness" smile.

The Rundown
Camel Velvet Blazer Banana Republic similar
White Lace Trim Cami Coco's on the Green similar
Straight Leg Jeans Ann Taylor
White Caned Pumps Just Fab
Cream Croc Purse Persaman via TJMaxx
Necklace Thrifted
Gold Croissant Ring Etsy
Thin Gold Ring Etsy
Twist Ring Etsy
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

August Light

How rapidly the daylight hours shrink the moment August ends. Sunlight past 6 p.m. feels like a dream. 

This is the last set of the true summer photos. I'm not sure why I held on to them for so long, though perhaps it's because I don't want to accept that summer is over.

The Rundown
Rust Floral Dress Mango similar
Sandals J.Crew similar
Caning Bucket Bag Tommy Bahama via TJMaxx
Earrings S.V. Decker
Necklace S.V. Decker
Gold Croissant Ring Etsy
Thin Gold Ring Etsy
Sunglasses Ray-Ban via TJMaxx

Dark Floral

Fall makes promises of being cool and crisp, but some days still manage to be warm and oppressively humid, causing me to change half a dozen times before I can leave the house because every piece of seasonally appropriate clothing I put on feels stifling. You know it's a warm day in October when your Starbucks is completely sold out of pumpkin cream cold brew. 

During these bipolar seasons, one day I'm getting cozy in my new velvet bomber jacket and croc booties, the next it's back to light dresses and sandals, no matter how sad a state my pedicure is currently in. Thankfully, maxi dresses provide style solutions on such days; coverage while allowing air flow, easily layered when it invariably gets cold the moment the sun sets. 

I'm never one to turn my nose up at a 68° day in October, but the 90% humidity can go. 

The Rundown
Floral Maxi Dress Rachel Roy via TJMaxx similar
Sandals Nine West similar
Tortoise Acrylic Bamboo Bag  Rachel Roy via TJMaxx
Scarf Thrifted
Tortoise Buckle Belt Loft similar
Hoop Earrings Gorjana
Coin Necklace TJMaxx
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Blue Topaz Stacking Ring Hirajule via TJMaxx
Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Fall Fashion Style Challenge with Connecticut Post Mall

I am so excited to be a part of the Connecticut Post Mall's second annual Fall Fashion Style Challenge with four other Connecticut bloggers! Naturally the day I went to shop for my look, I had no plan, I just started shopping. I purchased three bottoms and no tops, a blazer, a fedora, a pair of pumps. I felt like once I found the perfect 'anchor' piece the rest of the look would fall into place. It was a bit overwhelming to put one look together when there was a whole mall full of shops with pieces and styles that could go in any direction. 

I thought I'd settled on my look, which featured lots of layers, plaid, a blush pink coat, and several accessories. However, once I added up my total, I realized I'd exceeded my budget of $300, and then I found out that accessories couldn't be included. Naturally I was very attached to the accessories I'd chosen, and when I found that out they weren't allowed, I ended up scrapping the whole look save for the shoes. 

I realized I needed my 'anchor' piece to be a coat, and headed to Macy's. There were so many gorgeous coats that even on sale would have consumed my entire budget; but then I found the most perfect brown leather jacket, priced just right. I immediately recalled the long sleeve wrap dress I'd looked at in Express earlier, with its metallic flecks of caramel brown among a black and white print, and knew would be a standout piece even sans accessories. 

I was (mostly) good and returned all of my 'maybes' with the exception of the wool fedora and wide leg pants which were on sale for a mere $12 at H&M. 

If you haven't cast a vote, please head over to the post on Instagram and do, I would very much appreciate it!

P.S. If I win I'm going back for this coat!

The Rundown

Metallic Ruffle Wrap Midi Dress Express

Leather Jacket Michale Miachel Kors via Macy's

Croc Pumps Unisa via Macy's Backstage

All pieces c/o Connecticut Post Mall

Spring to Fall

When it comes to seasonal color pallets, there may have been a time when pastels were for the spring and jewel tones only came out once temperatures dipped, but colors are no longer treated with such simplistic biases. Instead the same colors will trend season after season, morphing from cozy knits to sundresses, and offering a closet that feels a bit more seasonless. 

Therefore, when I found I'd never posted these photos after I took them in the spring, I decided to just hold on to them until denim started to creep back into regular rotation and share them for fall. I'm pretty sure your only clue these were taken six months ago is my far more pale winter complexion. 

 

       

The Rundown
Floral Blouse Joie via ThredUP
Cropped Jeans Gap
Rust Suede Mules Madewell similar
Vintage Purse Anna Pearl's Curiosities similar
Loop Earrings Mejuri
Necklace Taken for Granite
Sunglasses Ray-Ban via TJMaxx