Between Brunch and Ice Cream

It was admittedly, a pretty leisurely Saturday. Friday had been a late night of seeing Eliot Glazer's Haunting Renditions followed by an hour of driving around looking for a parking space so we could get dinner. (Honestly L.A. how do you live like this?) Thus resulting in a late Saturday brunch. We went to one of my sister's favorite spots in Manhattan Beach, Cafe Wild, where the cinnamon french toast was tasty, and their mimosa pitcher might as well have been bottomless, for we couldn't finish it - and we really did try our best.

After brunch we strolled down to the boardwalk while admiring the stretch of coastline, the dozens of surfers, and the million cute dogs walking by. The day had somehow crept into late afternoon, and we decided that our indulgent brunch wasn't enough, so we headed to the ice cream shop.

As for this outfit - I haven't worn this jumpsuit in forever - or at least I didn't wear it even once last year, which I feel guilty about. It was another one of those pieces where I needed to hem it, and truthfully I should have sized down on this as well, because I had to safety pin it to keep it from sliding down. It's strapless and the weight of this fabric is just immense. It's probably the reason my suitcase was overweight! However from the moment I brought this jacket home last fall I'd imagined pairing it with this jumpsuit, and I felt like this trip would be the perfect time. I'm really pleased I got it wear it and photograph it.

       

The Rundown
Rust Wide Leg Jumpsuit Free People similar
Tweed Moto Jacket "Pattyn" Joie thrifted
White Mules "Bianca" Target
Wide Brim Fedora Goorin Bros. via ebay similar
Monogrammed Bucket Bag c/o Marleylilly
Half Moon Necklace c/o Happiness Boutique
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Nail Color "Couture Curator" Essie

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Fall

Date Night Look Under $100

Every day I am becoming more and more open to receiving the great abundance of the universe.

Shopping secondhand can be so satisfying; in a world where a single item under $100 is considered a deal, I was delighted when Swap.com invited me to the challenge of putting together an entire look for $100.

If you aren't familiar with Swap.com, they are an online consignment shop, home to hundreds of thousands of items, some new, some vintage, all at huge discount.

Since I knew Sean's birthday, as well as Valentine's Day were fast approaching, I decided I would go for a date night look. I started by searching for lace dresses, and finally decided on this one by Free People, which was new with tags for $40. Since I didn't actually own a simple black coat, that was the next item I started searching for. By using the search modifiers, I was able to easily narrow down size and color options to find a great Lauren by Ralph Lauren cashmere blend coat for $35, which left me with shoes, the biggest challenge. I looked and looked, and it took me a couple days, but I decided to take a chance on a pair of vintage Andrea Pfister pumps for $12. And then, because I took too long to find the shoes, someone else bought the coat! There being no shortage of black coats, I settled on this H&M wrap coat for a mere $16, bringing the grand total of my look to $68.

It's always worth it to shop secondhand, give clothes a second life, get some unique items, and get unbeatable deals! If you are ready to give Swap.com a try, you can get 20% off your first order and free shipping!

         

The Rundown
Black Lace Dress Free People c/o Swap.com
Black Wrap Coat H&M c/o Swap.com
Leopard Pumps Andrea Pfister c/o Swap.com
Tilly Scalloped Clutch Matine
Earrings TJMaxx
Necklace Taken for Granite
Bracelet Vintage
Ring Vintage

Classy Yet Trendy's Trendy Wednesday
and
Shopping My Closet's Style Me Wednesday

Swap.com provided me with a credit to shop their site in exchange for this post. Thanks for supporting the brands who support Chic on the Cheap!

Brocade Coat

I can easily envision myself being happy and successful in 2017.

This week has been a jumble. Wednesday morning I woke up convinced it was Saturday, or at least Friday, while Thursday night I caught myself thinking it was Monday. At least today is Friday and the first weekend of the new year is upon us.

If this outfit looks familiar, it's because I wore it a few weeks ago when I went to the Red Door, but never got proper outfit photos. As far as I'm concerned, that's fair game to wear it again. This brocade coat is one of my favorites, I've had it for probably a decade now and it always garners a compliment or two whenever I wear it. Naturally one of my favorite elements of the coat is the paisley lining, which typically only I ever see, but it's those little details that make a piece special. Surprisingly, you can still find the coat on eBay.

       
The Rundown
Black Dress Old Navy similar
Brocade Coat Free People similar
Boots "Jabine" Adrienne Vittadini
Red Willis Bag Vintage Coach via eBay similar
Pearl Earrings Gift similar
Pearl Necklace The Cavernous Jewelry Box similar
Fatima Bracelet c/o Gorjana similar

Gold Herkimer Diamond Ring c/o Lumo

Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry

Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
Nail Color "Nothing Else Metals" Essie

Leopard dress goes on safari

This leopard dress still isn't getting as much wear as it should be, considering how awesome it is.
As much as I would like to avoid dressing to a 'theme' this jacket found it's way on to me and refused to come off. Safari-chic it is.

(And of course by going on safari, I mean, going to the office.)

The Rundown

Leopard Dress Calvin Klein Similar Similar - Jacket Free People - Sandals Ciao Bella Petunia - Color Block Clutch Zara - Belt Thrifted - Chain Link Bracelet Macy's Similar - Ring American Eagle - Sunnies Old Navy

Polka Dotty

For someone who claims they hate how they look in pants, I've certainly been wearing them an awful lot lately. I'm still in my tights rebellion I suppose, and I still haven't unpacked any winter things (including my eight million pairs of tights). I was really beginning to think that I just wouldn't at all, but I am kind of wanting to wear this sweater dress, so maybe I will soon. Maybe in December.

Let us give the coat some attention. I love this coat. I got it on clearance a couple of winters ago for $50. As much as I adore the navy and black brocade on the shell, it was that gorgeous paisley lining with jacquard trim that really had me over the moon. I always just want to walk around with it open, so everyone will be privy to it.

When I shop, I always check out the linings of garments. I think this is one of the best ways to evaulate the qualtiy of a piece, because when corners get cut, lining is the first to go. Well made garments always have beautiful linings.

The Rundown

Top Gap - Jeans TJMaxx - Bag Coach Thrifted - Ring American Eagle - Ring The Cavernous Jewelry Box - Earrings Aldo - Coat Free People

Have you entered to win $100 to Shopbop?

More leopard & Free People Inspiration

It seems that every morning when I think to myself "What is something chic I can wear today?" Leopard print is what comes to mind, and this top has become indispensable.
Knotted, of course, and mixed up with navy for a change. Boots without tights, since this outfit is from October after all.

The Rundown

Leopard Top Anne Klein - Skirt Charlotte Russe - Boots Migliorini - Ring American eagle

Now on to the inspiration. The Free People Holiday catalog arrived in my mail box and it was a feast for my eyes. I think this might be my favorite catalog from them yet, I want to don these clothes, I want to be in these places, in these photographs. Can I just please live in this catalog?

Their theme was "Through the Decades" and they are so chic, so decadent; lace, sequins, velvet, all utilizing pieces to create both vintage and modern looks. There is even a 2012 calendar in the center pages, with seasonally themed outfits.

It was hard to to not post every page, but here are some of my standout faves:

What if I promised to wear this to every holiday party this year?

I love these pieces together, and the dress is so cute, even though it seems better suited for warmer months.

These accessories are killer.

I'm not sure what I love the most, the dress, the boots, or the bike?

Leopard tights! So glad I just picked up that pair from Old Navy...

I do not need anymore scalloped shorts, but I'm crazy about that ring!

Are you seeing this Sequined Jacket?

Okay velvet pants. I might love you, or I might loathe you, but no matter what this look is awesome.