February Budget

 

Banana Republic Sweater Dress, $14
Anthropologie Headband, $10
Anthropologie Belt, $24
Express Velvet Kimono, $30
Mango Wool Coat, $67
Anthopologie Earrings, $35
Banana Republic Sherpa Jacket, $45
Kenneth Cole Reaction Booties, $50
Banana Republic Factory Velvet Pants, $24
Ann Taylor Faux Leather Leggings, $35
Loft Faux Leather Pants, $13
Banana Republic Faux Fur Jacket, $30
Loft Flecked Turtleneck Sweater, $30
Peter Millar Silk Cashmere Sweater, $39 via TJMaxx
Banana Republic Cardigan, $14
Sperry Leather Sneaker, $22 via Marshalls
Pajar Down Parka, $119 via Sierra
Ann Taylor Faux Suede Leggings, $26
Ann Taylor Long Cardigan, $45
Anthropologie Houndstooth Jacket, $30

Blush

It's the time of year when I like to let my outerwear take center stage. Sure, I'm willing to freeze for outfit photos sometimes, but what is the point of having two dozen coats (just guessing, I didn't go count) if I don't create my outfits around them, or just let them be the entire look. When I go out in the world that is what most people are going to see anyway. 

Typically I'll make an excuse for one or two new coats each winter, but this year I'm likely setting records. I had my heart set on a blush coat this fall when I spotted this one at TJMaxx. I've certainly noticed the shift in the color pallet of my wardrobe; I haven't worn my red coat in a few years and perhaps I should let it go. 

The Rundown
Striped Sweater Numph via Coco's on the Green similar
Easy Straight Jean Ann Taylor similar
Blush Boucle Coat Tahari via TJMaxx similar
Boots Shutz via The Outnet
Round Crossbody Bag French Connection similar
Ram Hoop Earrings Vintage via shopgoodwill.com
Thin Gold Ring Etsy
San Marco Twist Ring Golden Cleff via TJMaxx

Sweater Blazer

This sweater blazer was long overdue for an outing, and it really is a great piece for adding a bit of structure to a look while maintaining the comfort of a cozy knit; and I think we all can agree, comfort has been taking precedence these days.

 

The Rundown
Camel Sweater Blazer J.Crew
Brown Turtleneck Sweater Ann Taylor similar
Distressed Jeans Gap similar
Cream Booties Aerosoles
Bag "Abbot" Kate Spade
 Tiger Haircalf Belt Ann Taylor similar
Twist Hoop Earrings S.V. Decker
Thin Gold Ring Etsy
Twist Ring Etsy
Sunglasses "State Street" Ray-Ban

Fringe Sweater

It's funny, in early September when most bloggers are gushing about fall knits, nothing intersts me less than a sweater. I can even convince myself that I don't need any new ones (and there is no more room in my dresser to boot!)

 

Then the weather actually gets cold, everything that was new this fall gets discounted and forgotten in favor of a fresh wave of spring knits, and I end up six sale sweaters deep in a pile on my chair when those September feelings become a distant memory. How I will manage to store this surplus of sweaters is a problem for another day when a black chunky v-neck with fringe embellished sleeves is calling my name...

The Rundown
Fringe Sweater Ann Taylor
Corduroy Pants Banana Republic
Faux Fur Coat Express
Leopard Print Booties Franco Sarto via TJMaxx
Round Crossbody Bag Mark Cross thrifted similar
Thin Gold Ring Etsy
Gold Croissant Ring Etsy
San Marco Twist Ring Golden Cleff via TJMaxx
Sunglasses "State Street" Ray-Ban

Float On

Happy Valentine's Day!

My sister wanted to do a Valentine's shoot with balloons, so naturally that meant digging out a few pieces that would work for the pink and white color palette, and standing in the middle of the road in New Haven to take some fun photos.  

Last year for Valentine's we had a fun Galentine's party, this year was of course a bit more low-key, just a viewing of Crazy Stupid Love, a chocolate cake, and lots of wine.  

Hopefully we won't have to endure socially distanced celebrations too much longer, until then, sending you all virtual hugs!

The Rundown
Pointelle Sweater J.Crew similar
Color Block Pleated Skirt Express
Havienne Stiletto Boots Rebecca Minkoff
Bag Rebecca Minkoff
Heart Necklace Jennifer Zeuner via TJMaxx
Pearl Hoop Earrings Mejuri similar
Deco Fan Pearl Ring c/o AUrate New York
Thin Gold Ring Etsy
San Marco Twist Ring Golden Cleff via TJMaxx
Gold Ring TJMaxx
Nail Color "Sun-Day Style" Essie

Mix of Textures

On the first day of quarantine, I bought this vintage wool Pendleton coat from a shopgoodwill.com auction. Now, nearly a year later, I'm finally sharing it on the blog. Obviously I wasn't really going anywhere last spring, so it didn't get photographed until the fall, and it only makes sense that photos I took in November are being posted now.

I liked the idea of mixing textures for this outfit - the lace top paired with the leather skirt, the croc bag with a silk scarf - while sticking to a mostly neutral color pallet.

The Rundown
Lace Top Joie via Coco's on the Green
Leather Skirt Bod & Christensen via Marshalls similar
Camel Coat Pendleton via shopgoodwill.com similar
Cream Booties Aerosoles
Croc Embossed Leather Bag Persaman New York via TJMaxx
Silk Scarf Lauren Ralph Lauren thrifted
Pearl and Chain Earrings thrifted
Maya Bracelet Gorjana via TJMaxx
Thin Gold Ring Etsy
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Velvet Bomber

I've been notably quite in this space, mostly for a lack of anything to say, and I'm still trying to get through posting photos taken back in November.  

 

Life has gotten smaller this last year, in every possible way, and rather than trying to fight it by staying virtually connected to friends, family, workout buddies, and fellow bloggers, I've let myself become even more distant and disconnected. 

 

Even if the world does regain some normalcy this year, I fear the bad habits I've created over these last 11 months will not easily be undone.

 

The Rundown
Velvet Bomber Jacket Vince via Coco's
Floral Wrap Bodysuit Banana Republic
Curvy Mid-Rise Skinny Jean Banana Republic
Brown Croc Bootie "Ragon" Marc Fisher similar
Green Mini Trunk Bag c/o Italic
Paperclip Chain Necklace Serefina via TJMaxx
Earrings S.V. Decker
Blue Topaz Stacking Ring Hirajule via TJMaxx
Thin Gold Ring Etsy
Gold Croissant Ring Etsy
San Marco Twist Ring Golden Cleff via TJMaxx
Signet Ring Sashi
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx