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 BlazerJ.Crew Brown Turtleneck Sweater Ann Taylor similar Distressed Jeans Gap similar Cream BootiesAerosoles Bag"Abbot"Kate Spade Tiger Haircalf Belt Ann Taylor similar Twist Hoop EarringsS.V. Decker Thin Gold RingEtsy Twist Ring Etsy Sunglasses"State Street" Ray-Ban
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 TopJoievia Coco's on the Green Leather Skirt Bod & Christensen via Marshalls similar Camel Coat Pendleton via shopgoodwill.com similar Cream BootiesAerosoles Croc Embossed Leather BagPersaman New York via TJMaxx Silk Scarf Lauren Ralph Lauren thrifted Pearl and Chain Earrings thrifted Maya BraceletGorjana via TJMaxx Thin Gold RingEtsy Sunglasses "Meteor"Ray-Banc/o TJMaxx
Taking these photos was almost like a meditation. Just me and the camera, the setting sun, the cherry blossoms. A few people would pass by, but they would either distance themselves from me, or I them. I took my time, framing my shots, changing angles, doing my best to capture the glowing light and the magic of pink flowers.
This is an old, familiar spot. Some years I come nearly every day for photos while the trees are in bloom, and others, like this one, just once. One year stands out in my mind for a few reasons; I loved my outfit, the photos were taken in the evening after the street lamps came on, and the trees were blooming before my birthday. This is the first time since 2012 these trees were in full bloom before April 12th, so I felt compelled to come take these photos as the sun was setting.
Thinking back to 2012, that was a year I took some significant steps forward in my life, small, but positive changes. Clearly 2020 is going to be a year of changes, and I hope in the not too distant future I'll be able to look back and see lots of positive ones amidst the tumultuous ones.
The Rundown Fringe Cardigan Anthropologie similar Cowl Neck CamisoleMango Easy Straight JeansAnn Taylor Cream BootiesAerosoles Round Rattan Bag Etsy similar Circle Earrings c/o AUrate New York Aries Pendant NecklaceMejuri Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York Thin Gold RingEtsyvia Ellyn Blue Jewelry Sunglasses "Meteor"Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx Nail Polish"Cold Brew Crew"Essie
These photos were taken last month after visiting Continuum Distilling in Waterbury - a very unique distillery that takes the leftover yeast from beer making to create spirits. I sampled cocktails and indulged in a gorgeous cheese board.
Having never visited Waterbury before, I did a location search on Instagram to find this gorgeous marble building. I believe it's the town hall, or maybe the library - the map didn't seem too clear - Instagram got me in the vicinity, and that is all that matters.
I'm not sure why it took me over a month to post these photos, but I suddenly felt like I had to get them up, because I can't be posting fur coats in April (regardless of whether or not we still have a few days which require them!)
The Rundown Cashmere SweaterNordstrom Distressed Jeans Gap similar Leopard Fur Coat J.McLaughlin similar Cream BootiesAerosoles Vintage Bag Anna Pearl's Curiosities similar Cream Wide Brim Fedora Goorin Brothers similar NecklaceFrench Kande Gold Rectangle Chain NecklaceEtsy Thin Gold RingEtsyvia Ellyn Blue Jewelry
I can be very fickle when it comes to what I want to fill my closet with. You might not think that, because I've been shopping with such reckless abandon as of late, but I'm not good with on the spot decision making. I tend to ruminate about my purchases, probably too much, which is why after shooting these photos I went and returned this coat. Loft might have listed this coat at $200, but I know it's not a $200 coat. It was, and is on sale for $80 - reasonable, I thought, but actually, not really. It wasn't particularly warm, it was comprised more of polyester than any other fiber (I'm picky about my fibers) and was it the very exact right shade of camel that I wanted?
Nope.
Back it went. Then I decided I'd rather have a vintage coat, bid on this one at shopgoodwill.com and wasn't thrilled with it when it arrived. The problem with buying vintage however, is that I can't just return it. The answer that I dream of giving is that I will carefully tailor it myself until the fit is perfect, the reality is, beyond ripping out the shoulder pads I will be too afraid to take my scissors to the coat, it will sit unworn, and then likely get donated once more.
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.
