Styling the Sweater Blazer

This is not a new piece to J.Crew's offerings, this sweater blazer has been around for quite a few seasons now, and has been offered in a number of different colors and even has a Factory version. I'd been coveting it since at least last fall, and since I've been shopping with reckless abandon lately, picking it up at 40% off seemed like a good idea.

It's got the casual throw on vibes of a cardigan, with just that little bit of extra structure and polish of a blazer. Everything the blazer loving person in me loves without the notions that I should be heading to the office. Let's not think about the white blazer I bought in June and haven't worn yet, this is the kind of piece you could wear around the house when you need that extra bit of cozy, but still look pulled together enough to head out into the world. A bit like what I'd hoped my grey cashmere cardigan would be, even though I always felt like it was missing the mark.

I probably should have posted this on Monday when the blazer was still on sale, but these days it seems like every weekend J.Crew is having some sort of promotion, so keep an eye out and snatch it up next time it's discounted. Also consider sizing down, I went with the extra small here.

        

The Rundown 
Camel Sweater Blazer J.Crew
Scalloped Camisole J.Crew Factory
Wide Leg Jeans Gap
White Mules Target similar
Bucket Bag "Johnny" Danse Lente
Gold Ball Earrings Kohl's
Gold Chain Necklace Thrifted
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Signet Ring Sashi
Cat Eye Sunglasses H&M similar

Skipped a Beat

That was an unexpected two week break; sometimes I allow the trivialities of life to keep getting in the way. I had a beautiful week of warm weather at the end of September, but both my 'regular' photographers (my mom and sister) were busy moving my sister back from the west coast, so I was left to my own devices and managed to take photos with the tripod exactly once.

When my mom and sister returned it was a week of chaos in the house, and while there is still a suitcase barricading 90% of my door and a pile of boxes that I expect will be camping out until Christmas, things are shifting into their new normal. Obviously this includes sharing my shoe wardrobe on a daily basis (because my sister only has 'California' shoes) and pretty much anything else in my closet with fluid enough sizing that it will work on her taller, slimmer frame.

Of course there are some benefits to having my sister back home, like being able to take outfit photos together, and hopefully we will get into the routine of it soon. She is still working on starting/restarting her blog, but I will be sure and share it once it's live.

        

The Rundown

Floral Cami Eight Sixty via Poshmark

White Pants Gap similar

Brown Moto Jacket c/o Wallis similar
Brown Heels Coach thrifted similar

Green Snake Skin Box Bag c/o Vintanthromodern similar
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 similar

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