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!
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.
I still have a handful of outfit photos taken pre-quarantine, when I wasn't agonizing over putting on jeans and a sweater for a low-key day of visiting with family.
I surprised myself last month when I decided to buy this same v-neck cashmere sweater in both the cream color and black; truly I was going to return the cream and just keep the black, but it's so terribly soft and was on sale for $50 and I convinced myself this time would be different.
I have a terrible track record when it comes to buying duplicates of pieces in different colors. I always end up loving one far more than the other - how could such a perfect and versatile piece in one color feel like an impossible style challenge in another? (The first thing which comes to mind would be linen joggers I loved so much in olive green that grabbing the blush pink seemed like a necessity. I never wear the pink.)
However perhaps the issue isn't with the piece, but simply the color, and it feels like both cream and black are safe bets. Fingers crossed.
If you were to ask me what has changed in the last ten years, I know my immediate response would be "not much", but that is because it's all too easy to dismiss the small changes and milestones which have transpired. I might choose to mention that I haven't traveled abroad since 2010, rather than recalling my three visits to the west coast. I certainly wouldn't consider the confidence I've gained, instead insisting that I don't have nearly enough, nor would I reflect on all the hard work and devotion I've given to this blog, dismissing it because it's not where 'it could be'.
That however, is no way to start a new decade, or a new year for that matter. While this might be an easy time to think of shortcomings, wouldn't it be better to focus on everything that has changed, grown, or improved, even slightly, and try to polish off memories so that they shine in a positive light?
If there is one resolution I need to follow through with in 2020, it is to believe that I am enough.
The Rundown Black Ribbed SweaterH&M Wide Leg Houndstooth PantsH&M Teddy Bomber JacketJ.Crew Sock Booties"Neola"Naturalizer Bag "Lewis Drive Michela"Kate Spadesimilar Double Ring BeltExpress Pearl Hoop Earrings c/o Mejuri Thin Gold RingEtsyvia Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Last weekend I attended an event hosted by the New England Blogger Babes, and it was the first time I got to go to a blogging event with my sister Anna, now that she has officially launched her blog, In a City Night! It's still a work in progress, but in a way, I suppose all our blogs are. We always love to tweak, change, and improve them; after helping her get set up I was starting to feel like things have gotten a bit dusty around here!
It's certainly been great to have someone to shoot with, and I hope we can plan even more adventurous shoots in the future. She wants travel to be a big part of her blog, so naturally I'd more than happy to join her, where ever that may lead.
I hope you will visit her blog and say hi, and don't be surprised if a lot of her clothes look familiar ;)
Shopping used to be a lot harder. I had to make a conscious decision to shop; drive to a store, hunt for my size, try something on, and then decide in that moment if I wanted to make a purchase. It was all very tangible.
Now I open up Instagram and am fed a bombardment of images, both from other bloggers and from targeted ads. Facebook is tracking my every keystroke, and I'm convinced listening in as well. It does not take much to lure me into making a purchase, it's so simple and hypothetical. I can make these purchases and I don't have to commit to them. I will have the small excitement of a package arriving at my door, then I can make my decisions. The money spent seems less real when I'm always rationalizing I'll return things.
I do swear I'm trying to be better. It does not seem like it or feel like it, but the thought process is there, telling me to be more discerning, to make returns, to act as if I'm shopping in a real store instead of a virtual one.
A couple weeks ago I followed a predictable route. I opened Instagram, started scrolling, and was immediately served an ad for Banana Republic. Naturally, I shop there a lot, and the carousel of products typically includes whatever I was last looking at. I should know better than to peruse the images, but I couldn't help myself, and I spotted this skirt, which is normally $128 on a flash sale for $45. My interest was peaked and it wasn't long before the skirt along with two other pieces were in my cart and the order was placed.
The package arrived, I tried everything on, I shared on Instagram, and made the decision to just keep this skirt. I felt pleased when I returned the other items and believed I'd gotten a good deal. However, I was not looking for a green pleated skirt. It was not on my radar nor is it filling a gaping hole in my wardrobe.
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Lydia: 0
The Rundown Floral Pleated SkirtBanana Republic Off The Shoulder Tee Express similar White SlidesBanana Republic Round Rattan Bag Etsy similar Pearl Hoop Earrings Thrifted similar Gold Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box Thin Gold RingEtsyvia Ellyn Blue Jewelry Sunglasses "Meteor"Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
