Reminiscing about longer days

These photos were taken right before I went to get my hair cut last week, and even though I was feeling in desperate need of getting the dead ends off and the layers refreshed, I couldn't help but feel sad to lose some of the length.

I have always defined myself by my long, dark, never-dyed hair. Sometimes (all the time) it is an unruly beast that needs to be tamed, but the long hair battle is one I'm prepared to fight.

However, on the heels of another cut, I found myself reminiscing about when it was about five inches longer, back in 2012. No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to get back to that length and have the hair be healthy - in a few months my split ends will have split ends and the inch I grew will be trimmed off again.

Since I'm taking a stroll down memory lane, I thought I'd share my five favorite long hair posts of 2012.

One | Two | Three | Four | Five

On another note, this Sunday is my birthday! Naturally my weekend plans involve those of the party persuasion, and I'm pretty excited; first of all to go out with my best friends, secondly to see my family, and third of course, to eat lots of chocolate cake. As a bonus, the forecast for the weekend is decidedly spring - high 50s and sunny (I may have done a gleeful little dance when I saw that). 

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

The Rundown
Polka Dot Shirt Kohl's similar
Black Blazer Kohl's similar
White Jeans Old Navy
Leather Trainers Nike c/o JD Sports
White Mini Satchel Tignanello via TJMaxx similar
Watch "Classic Sheffield" c/o Daniel Wellington
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
Nail Color "My Very First Knockwurst" OPI

X Marks the Spot - how you could win a pair of Pumas from JD Sports

One part treasure hunt and one part social media competition, JD Sports has launched a fun, interactive social media campaign spanning several cities that began earlier this week.

The prize - Two pairs of Puma Trinomic XT1 trainers.
The challenge - A crate containing vouchers for the shoes (you've got to get the right size after all) has been hidden somewhere in each of the participating cities, and the only way to discover their location is to follow along on twitter and decipher the clues given. The first person to find the crate must announce it on twitter!

The hunt started across the pond in London, but will be arriving in New York City this week after it rolls through Manchester and Liverpool.

To make sure you don't miss any clues, follow @JDSportsfashion as well as the appropriate account for the city you are in on twitter! Keep an eye on the #JDXPUMA hashtag as well.

This post is sponsored by JD Sports, however I love to share fun contests and events with you and thought it would be something you'd enjoy!

Somehow I will make it through this winter

It's Friday! I wish I could say I had some fabulous Valentine's Day plans for tomorrow night, but alas, those are scheduled for Monday night.

That is assuming it does not snow again. We have had snow storms every Monday for the last three weeks. Work and schools have been closed every Monday for the last three weeks. Being snowed in is not my favorite thing; I like my routines and schedules. A snow day once in a while is great, three weeks in a row just gives me anxiety.

Hopefully the relentless winter will not mess up my Valentine's plans!

The Rundown
Black Merino Wool Sweater Gap
Grey Jeans c/o Max Jeans
Leather Trainers Nike c/o JD Sports
Red Willis Bag Vintage Coach via ebay similar$
Navy Coat Mark New York via South Moon Under
Grey Knit Cap Handmade similar
Black Leather Gloves J.Crew
Pave Hexagon Earrings Thrifted similar
Gold Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box

Arctic tundra

I am waiting and hoping for this cold spell to break. The teens are just no fun, and lately outfit photos have become a game of just how quickly we can get them done and then literally sprint back to the car and try to revive our frozen digits.

Sean, who is always so sweet, gifted me with two merino wool sweaters for Christmas, because he just wants me to be warm, but also indulged my request for jewelry with this Gorjana Chevron necklace. It's the one I tried out from Rocksbox, which I liked, but sent back.

For my most recent, and what will be my last free trial Rocksbox, I requested various sizes of rings that I could wear together. I received one set of chevron stacking rings by Gorjana that I really like, along with another set by 8 Other Reasons, which are unwearable (too bulky, small, and uncomfortable), and a House of Harlow necklace.

With each of the three Rocksbox sets I only ended up liking two out of the three items, and I hated feeling obligated to wear the pieces just because I knew I only had them for a limited amount of time. I feel like I have two kinds of jewelry, the simple piece I wear nearly everyday, and the statement piece I pull out once in a blue moon. As a lover and collector of jewelry, I've decided Rocksbox isn't really a good fit. For someone with a more limited collection who doesn't feel the need to collect, I say give Rocksbox a try! You can get your first month free with code lydiaxoxo at checkout.

The Rundown
Black Merino Wool Sweater Gap
Distressed Jeans Old Navy similar
White Fur Collar Coat Zara thrifted similar
Leather Trainers Nike c/o JD Sports
Bag "Alexa" Danielle Nicole c/o Serendipity and Grace
Grey Knit Cap Handmade similar
Black Leather Gloves J.Crew
Necklace "Greer V" Gorjana
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry
Chevron Rings Gorjana via Rocksbox
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Linking up with Mix and Match Fashion's What I wore to work 

and

Penniless Socialite's Look What I Got

and

Happiness At Midlife's Throwback Thursday (last time I wore this coat)

Starting things off

My first outfit of the new year, an appropriately layered up one, as temps were in the 20's. Dressing for the cold is probably my least favorite thing to do. My pants never seem to be the right length, my search for cute boots is unending (though I may unfortunately be stuck with a pair I bought at Nine West in NYC because to my surprise, there are no Nine West retail stores in CT) and even when I have my gloves on, I still lose all the feeling in my middle and index fingers.

Even though it goes against my sense of style, I tried on these Ugg gloves and they were really warm and I wonder if they might be worth the $160 investment if it means keeping my hands safe from the cold this winter. Or maybe this, slightly less expensive and more fashionable pair would work? All I can say is that these new J.Crew factory gloves, while only $16, are not doing the job.

The Rundown
Jeweled Sweater Kohl's similar
Grid Print Shirt J.Crew thrifted
Black Coated Jeans Joe's via TJMaxx similar $
Leopard Fur Coat JCP similar
Leather Trainers Nike c/o JD Sports
Willis Bag Vintage Coach thrifted
Grey Knit Cap Handmade similar
Black Pashmina Target similar
Black Leather Gloves J.Crew
Watch "Classic Sheffield" c/o Daniel Wellington
Bar Rings c/o Kohl's
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry
Sunglasses Halston thrifted
Nail Color "Set in Stones" Essie c/o Kohl's

Not your average party shoe

Recently I've been embracing the idea of incorporating more trainers into my wardrobe, and when JD Sports offered to send over a pair of shoes, I had to choose the most glam pair on the site.

Something about the shiny black snake embossed leather on this pair of Nike trainers made me want to dress them up with velvet and jewels. With all the running around on the holidays, I wondered if these trainers could be just glitzy enough to complete a party look - and I do think they are!

Even if I might not opt to wear them in place of heels all night, it's always good to have a backup, and they will most certainly add a lot of flare to my weekend looks. It's great to have the comfort of a Nike trainer with the style of fashion trainer. The monochromatic look sets these apart from so many other styles.

This weekend I will undoubtedly be doing a lot of running around! The last weekend before Christmas there will be no relaxing for me - I'm already worried about getting it all done; so many cookies to bake and gifts to wrap. My fellow procrastinators, it is time to rally.

The Rundown

Jeweled Sweater Kohl's similar

Skirt c/o Vera Wang for Kohl's similar

Black Velvet Blazer Urban Outfitters similar

Leather Trainers Nike c/o JD Sports

Fold Over Clutch Alberta Di Canio via TJMaxx similar
Gold Twisted Bracelet The Cavernous Jewerly Box similar
Naomi Druzy Ring c/o Kendra Scott

Pearl and Rhinestone Ring Forever 21

Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Nail Color "Lion Around" Essie

Thanks to JD Sports for sponsoring this post!