Ordinary Life

I can't believe I haven't posted in three weeks, though in my defense, the last two have been a blur with the world turned to panic over the corona virus pandemic. Remember back at the beginning of the month when life was normal and the virus seemed like a problem far, far, away? Apparently just a few miles from me a party was taking place actively spreading the virus in my state.

My month of fun blogger gatherings has been canceled, though rare, I actually had something for every weekend, and each passing Saturday has felt just a little more sad, thinking about the life being missed out on as we remain tucked away at home.

As my only income at the moment is dog walking with Wag!, naturally the more people are staying home with their pups, they less they need me. I was grateful to have a couple clients this week, I assume their moms have essential jobs they can't stay home from, thus making my job essential. That's how I look at it anyway - I don't think there is much risk in going into a house empty of people as long as I regularly use hand sanitizer. I soaked in every moment of my walks this week, trying to cling to the sense of purposefulness I had at that moment, and the joy of spending time with a dog.

The days at home lead to boredom, which lead to shopping, and now I feel like I can't even scroll through two posts on Instagram without being sucked into a vortex of shopping temptation. Despite my sudden drop in income, there seems to be a disconnect with the logical part of my brain that should be telling me not to click 'add to cart'. In my weakest defense, realtors desperate to keep operations going are serving up some good sales.

I want to try and get back to normal blog posts, try to FaceTime more with my friends who I now haven't seen in weeks, and try to find some creativity in myself. I've been missing it for a long time now, and this housebound situation is making me acutely aware of it.

Of all the disasters that keep us stuck at home, at least we get power and internet access for this one. Silver lining, right?

     

The Rundown
Brown Cardigan Target similar
Black Tee Banana Republic
High Rise Skinny Jeans "Ann" c/o Mott &Bow
 Karen Croc Embossed Boots Aquatalia
Bucket Bag "Johnny" Danse Lente
 Scarab Necklace Vintage via Etsy similar
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Second Hand, First Love

In a time of instant access to shopping all hours of the day, it's easy to see why the secondhand market has been facing troubles. Even as a lover of thrift stores and eBay, when I contemplate ideas like only shopping secondhand, I know all too quickly I wont last when endless Banana Republic sales flood my Instagram feed.

Though I wish I could, as I do enjoy the hunt and the victory of finding that coveted piece (or the piece I didn't know I needed) for a fraction of the price. This Rachel Comey sweater is one such piece, I lusted over and stalked eBay for more than a year before it became mine, and I was lucky that the color I wanted turned up, and the size just so happened to work. That is not always the case, as a pair of Loeffler Randall sandals from Poshmark sit unworn as they seem to be about a size and a half lager than marked. The downfall of secondhand shopping (particularly online) is that sales tend to be final, or returns not worth the effort. Which isn't to say I don't have pieces I bought in person that have never once been worn. Sometimes that guilt free 90 day return policy is the only thing that prompts me to shop retail over secondhand.

While inspecting the tag of this sweater (who am I kidding, I knew it would say dry clean) I noticed a note the designer included, which read "Keep Forever". Clearly if the original owner had abided by that request I wouldn't be in possession of the sweater at all, but it did serve as a reminder of all the pieces which come and go from my closet, and made me wonder if I could ever come to terms with the idea of only having things I'd like to keep forever. It's something to keep in mind, next time the velvet jumpsuit from Banana Republic Factory, now half off, crosses my feed.

     

The Rundown
Fringe Hem Sweater Rachel Comey similar
High Rise Skinny Jeans "Ann" c/o Mott &Bow
 Sock Booties "Neola" Naturalizer
Fur Bag Vintage via Roundabout similar
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry

Gold Herkimer Diamond Ring c/o Lumo

Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry
 Nail Color "Bordeaux" Essie

January Thaw

Over the weekend we experienced some of the warmest January weather the north east has had in quite some time - in many places it was even record breaking. In comparison to the below freezing temps we had the other week, mid-sixties and sunny felt downright blissful. Even the wind felt pleasant with the sunshine at my back, a stark contrast to the bitter and biting winds we've been contending with for months.

Such a weather event needed to be taken advantage of, so my sister and I packed up the car with four sets of outfits and shot until the sun set. Naturally when we finished we had to join everyone else and partake in an ice cream cone from Arethusa.

The cold and snow will be back soon, spring will feel just as distant, but it was nice to have a weekend getaway from winter without even having to hop on a plane. 

      

The Rundown
Balloon Sleeve Wrap Crop Top Moon River via Nordstrom Rack
High Rise Skinny Jeans "Ann" c/o Mott &Bow
Kitten Heels "Moxie" c/o SAS
Croc Embossed Leather Bag Loeffler Randall
 Vintage Gold Hoop Earrings Thrifted similar
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Nail Color "Bubbles Only" Essie

Elevated Basics

This week has been a blissful reprise of autumn weather, warm sun and cool air, the scent of the fallen leaves. I was grateful to be able to spend each of those gorgeous days outside walking with my favorite dog clients; the only thing I really miss about my office job is the chance to get dressed in clothing I would not welcome muddy paws on.

Lately my work day attire has been about the quick change - comfortable jeans that can effortlessly transition from sneakers and a tee shirt into a look that lets me feel polished and confident for any part of my day which doesn't involve my furry friends.

As much as denim silhouettes have been pushing for change, I am not ready to give up my skinny jeans, and styles that hold their shape, wear after wear, are the only ones I want in my closet. I'm happy to share the Ann jeans from Mott & Bow, a power stretch denim, designed to flatter every curve and provide the quality of designer jeans at half the price.

I love my silk button downs - it's likely I have far more than I could reasonably need, but they are a weakness. A classic, a staple, and Mott & Bow wants you to know that you can wear silk and skip the dry cleaner. Isn't that little tag frequently what stands in the way of pieces that get worn regularly and those which get saved for special occasions? It makes so sense not to wear what I love, even if that means simply switching tops and shoes for running errands between walks, with the right basics I can.

       

The Rundown 
Silk Shirt "Harper" c/o Mott &Bow
High Rise Skinny Jeans "Ann" c/o Mott &Bow
Black Velvet Blazer Urban Outfitters similar
Mules Charles David via TJMaxx
Bag "Lewis Drive Michela" Kate Spade similar
Loop Earrings Mejuri
Diamond Necklace Belonged to my Grandma
Fresh Water Pearl Necklace S.V. Decker
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry

Gold Herkimer Diamond Ring c/o Lumo

Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry
Sunglasses Ray-Ban via TJMaxx

Thanks to Mott & Bow for providing my jeans and blouse. As always, my views and opinions are my own.