Entrenched

My poor shopping habits are numerous, and proving difficult to break. Even though I will happily throw on a pair of jeans that are over a decade old, the moment I see something I want, I resolve to have it, even better if it's a challenge.

Take for instance this faux suede trench. I saw a genuine suede trench at Banana Republic for just shy of $600. Even with their generous holiday offer of 30% off, it still wasn't going to happen. Naturally my next step was to search for dupes and secondhand pieces; lastly I arrived at this inexpensive coat from china, which I won in an eBay auction for $23. It might not have the luxury of real suede, the seams aren't perfect, the flaps on the pockets are decorative, and it isn't lined. Not to mention I don't how much I'll actually get to wear it, since it rains here pretty much every other day and I wouldn't dare to take even faux suede out in inclement weather, however, I was determined to have it, so I got it, and I'm not sure that is a good thing.

       

The Rundown
Rust Turtleneck Tee J.Crew Factory
Jeans Max Studio via TJMaxx
Faux Suede Trench Coat eBay similar
Leopard Loafers Franco Sarto via TJMaxx similar
Snakeskin Box Bag c/o Vintanthromodern similar 
Wide Brim Fedora "Lady Roulette" Goorin Bros. via ebay similar
Gold Ball Earrings Kohl's
Evil Eye Necklace c/o Belcho
Gold Circle Ring Thrifted

Linking up with Thursday Fashion Files

and

Elegance & Mommyhood's Thursday Moda

Seasons Change

I know so many people relish the fall season. I never quite get it, I'm too fixated on the thought that the leaves are dying, the days are getting shorter, and my bare shoulder days are numbered. The seasons always change though. We cycle through, and I should spend more time appreciating what I have than worrying about what I'm losing, and not wishing all the months away just to get to spring again.

       

The Rundown
Scalloped Cami J.Crew Factory
Suede Culottes Old Navy similar
Nude Pumps "Natalie" Naturalizer
Springbok Clutch Oliveve c/o Shopbop similar
Tear Earrings Etsy custom design via Bonanza Studio
Evil Eye Necklace c/o Belcho
 Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Sunglasses "Emma" Ray-Ban

Linking up with Shopping My Closet Style Me Wednesday
and
Style on the Daily

Anything But Ordinary

Thanks to Tenth Street Hats for sponsoring this post!

My love affair with hats started back in 2010. One day I had the realization that anyone could be a hat person, and that was the kind of person I wanted to be. I started out with inexpensive paper straw hats, but soon realized they were not made to last. They were malleable and easily misshapen, and an incident with bird poo lead to the demise of my then favorite panama hat.

It's often when a favorite piece reaches the end of it's life that I see it as an opportunity to upgrade, to seek better materials, craftsmanship, and careful attention to detail, so I know my addition will serve me well for many years. And so, I started investing in my hat collection.

When Tenth Street Hats reached out to me, I knew their brand would be a perfect fit. They have been family owned and operated since 1921, and their hats are handmade with one of a kind hat making machines. They source the best materials and expert craftsmen to create their hats, so that their wearers can fashion outfits which are anything but ordinary.

This Panama hat reminded me of my first one, only it's woven from natural palm leaf straw, comes in five sizes to insure a proper fit (one size fits most never fit me) and has a couple of features I simply love - the first being a crush-proof crown, and the second is a teflon coating to make the hat water resistant, and hopefully bird poo resistant too, as I want to have this hat for a very long time.

       The Rundown

Silk Floral Cami Joie via ThredUP
White Denim Shorts Gap
Sandals "Glorious" Franco Sarto via DSW similar
Round Rattan Bag Etsy
Scala Panama Straw Hat "Taos" c/o Tenth Street Hats
Loop Earrings Mejuri
Evil Eye Necklace c/o Belcho
 Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry

Nail Color "Zip Me Up" Essie

Linking up with Thursday Fashion Files

and

Elegance & Mommyhood's Thursday Moda

A Lengthy Dilemma

These jeans are supposed to be cropped. Given my height, naturally they do not fall at a cropped length on me, but I left the hem alone and wore them anyway. But I need to know, in your expert opinions, should I shorten them? If so, how much needs to be chopped off? (For reference, this is how they looked on the model.)

I'm pleased that bare ankles are even up for debate right now. I can't believe April is nearly over and we are finally getting some brushes with spring weather. There were even some blooming cherry blossom trees behind Yale's gates. I was really sad I couldn't get to them. I mean, I suppose if I were the conniving kind of person who follows people with keys through locked gates it wouldn't have been too hard. But those kinds of situations are so far out of my comfort zone you might as well ask me to go take outfit photos on the moon. I'll just patiently wait for the trees within my reach to bloom.

         

The Rundown
Scalloped Cami J.Crew Factory
White Wide Leg Jeans Gap similar
Grey Cashmere Cardigan TJMaxx similar
Black Pumps "Natalie" Naturalizer
Scalloped Tote Matine
Double O-Ring Belt Express
Evil Eye Necklace c/o Belcho
Gold Bar Earrings Argento Vivo via TJMaxx
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Diamond Chip Ring c/o Crown Jewelry
Sunglasses "Caravan" Ray-Ban

Linking up with I Do deClaire's Confident Twosday

and

Cute & Little's On Trend Tuesday

New Moon

Thanks to www.MoonstoneShop.com for sponsoring this post!

We had a brief heatwave at the end of last week, it was up to 100°! What better than a heatwave to make me feel like dressing a little bit bohemian? I was heading out to dinner at Bartaco with my sister, so I grabbed this fun mixed print slip dress and paired it with the Rainbow Moonstone jewelry that I'd just received from www.moonstoneshop.com. All of the pieces are handmade in Florida with genuine moonstone and sterling silver, and some incorporate other stones, like the lovely turquoise in the pendant.

As I don't wear too much silver, I forgot that I didn't have a chain for the pendant, but then I found this silver choker which belonged to my mother, and conveniently chokers are having a moment again. Naturally my favorite piece is the ring, I just love wearing delicate little rings on my index finger and www.moonstoneshop.com has so many other rings which would be fabulous for stacking.

        

The Rundown
Leopard Print Dress c/o Cabi similar
Distressed Denim Jacket Gap similar
Lace-up Sandals "Mariachi" Report
Fringe Bucket Bag Margot via TJMaxx similar
Vintage Mellow Moonstone Earrings c/o Moonstone Magic
Turquoise Assemblage Moonstone Pendant c/o Moonstone Magic
Petite Double Moonstone Ring c/o Moonstone Magic
Toggle Bracelet c/o Belcho USA
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
Nail Color "Go Overboard" Essie

Linking up with I Do deClaire's Confident Twosday

and

Sandy a la Mode's On Trend Tuesday

www.MoonstoneShop.com provided me with jewelry for the purpose of this post. My views and opinions are my own.

A change in color

While many of the trees in my area are reluctant to transition, slowly but surely the yellows, oranges, and reds emerge. I've noticed a change in my color pallet as well, reaching now for greys and blacks over the more brilliant shades. At least I've taken one cue from the autumnal color shift and brought out the red Coach bag.

I'm trying not to fall into the habit of always reaching for darker neutrals come fall, but if my recent purchases are any indication, I'm clearly not doing well. I think ultimately, there is no point in trying to force something, I want to wear what makes me feel the most comfortable and happy on any given day. Somedays that might be chiffon pleats, others a cozy grey sweatshirt.

The Rundown

Sweatshirt Dress Gap similar

Black Cardigan Gap similar

Black Loafer Pumps Ferragamo via Roundabout similar

Red Willis Bag Vintage Coach via ebay
Leopard Belt c/o TJMaxx similar

Evil Eye Necklace c/o Belcho

Chain Link Bracelet Thrifted similar

Gold Framed Monogram Ring c/o Onecklace

Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry

Sunglasses "Cat Eye Combination" Cole Haan via TJMaxx
Nail Color "Deep Blue Red" Mode

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Fall

and

Monday Mingle