Winterized

It doesn't take long for me to grow tired of my daily winter uniform of jeans and sweaters, longing for my summer dresses while months of cold still lie ahead. February tends to be the coldest month, I fear the temperatures of the surprise warm days January offered might not come around again for some time.

Thus, I try to make the best of it, I let myself suffer a little in the cold pairing a sweater dress with over the knee boots - sure I could put on a pair of tights, but I convinced myself the hem of the coat was just long enough that I didn't need them.

This outfit is the first appearance of a few new things, the wrap coat which I purchased immediately after seeing it (or something very similar) on my sister-in-law, and the brown over the knee boots which took four purchases and subsequent returns as well as a price adjustment before I was happy with the size, color, and price. I initially got them from DSW on Black Friday, tried three different sizes, and ultimately got them from Aerosoles.com which had the best sale price, and then got it adjusted when they went to an extra 60% off - it ended up being a $40 difference from the original DSW price I paid, so I feel like it was worth all the effort. As for my previous brown-ish suede boots, they found a new home in my sister's closet.

       

The Rundown
Camel Sweater Dress Banana Republic similar
Black Wrap Coat Ann Taylor similar
Brown Over the Knee Boots Aerosoles
Cashmere Knit Hat Ann Taylor similar
Croc Embossed Leather Bag Loeffler Randall
Signet Ring Sashi
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry

Cozy Neutrals

As much as I love color and print, chilly grey days often have me reaching for cozy neural colors, and true to form, I'm continuing my end of year boycott of tights. Thankfully over the knee boots provide the perfect solution to staying warm while still getting to don a dress.

This month is already flying by, and hopefully this weekend we'll get the tree and then it will really start to feel like Christmas. I still have so much shopping - and wrapping - to do! I also have some lofty baking goals, and just had to talk myself out of spending $10 on a copper reindeer cookie cutter at Williams Sonoma, since I only wanted it for the purpose of being a background element in photos. I decided to be rational and ordered a $1 cutter instead (but split the difference by adding half a dozen other shapes to my cart). Are you ready for the holidays yet?

       

The Rundown
Grey Sweater Dress Old Navy similar
Cream Funnel Neck Teddy Coat Loft similar
Over the Knee Boots Marc Fisher similar
Suede Accordion Bag Banana Republic similar
Tortoise Earrings Loft
Diamond Chip Ring c/o Crown Jewelry
Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry
Nail Color "Twill Seeker" Essie
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Linking up with

Jeans and a Teacup's Flashback Friday (one year ago today)

Venturing North

This weekend I met up with Courtney of Live Lovely Photography, we had coffee at Oxford Baking Company and ended up chatting for hours. She then showed me a couple of her favorite spots in Woodbury and took outfit photos for me. It's crazy to think having lived in this state my whole life, there are still so many towns I've never been to, so many cute places I haven't seen. It's easy to scroll through instagram and get hung up on all the exciting places in New York or Los Angeles, but I know if I were to take the time, I could find amazing spots right in Connecticut.

Focusing more on what my home state has to offer is something I've been trying to do more of over the last few years, not just for the sake of content, but for my own benefit! While I was chatting with Courtney she told me she had a whole list of places to visit, and I need to take a page from her and set about discovering all of Connecticut's little gems.

         

The Rundown
Burgundy Sweater Dress Target similar
Navy Coat Mark New York via South Moon Under similar
Grey Over the Knee Boots Ivanka Trump similar
Fur Bag Vintage via Roundabout similar
Earrings Susan Roberts

Gold Herkimer Diamond Ring c/o Lumo

Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry
Gold Ring Thrifted
Nail Color "Couture Curator" Essie

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Fall

and

Oh To Be A Muse's Lookbook Linkup
and
By Lauren M's Mix it Monday

Photos By Live Lovely Photography

Leopard fur coat

Back in the heat of September when I was hastily packing up my apartment and trying to decide which of my clothes were going into storage, along with all my furniture, I had to significantly pare down my outerwear collection. Admittedly, it dominated the whole of our shared coat closet. (I am always rationalizing that winter is long, and variety is key to beating my winter style doldrums.) I know being without them for one winter isn't the end of the world, but still, I'm missing them.

Of course my leopard fur coat was not going into storage - it's classic and warm, it was one of those pieces where I tried it on in the store, left without it, and drove back a day later when I couldn't stop thinking about it.

I'm not entirely sure what my rational was when I boxed up 90% of my winter accessories, hats, scarfs, gloves, ect. for the storage unit, so when I spotted these rust colored leather gloves on clearance at TJMaxx, I tossed them in my cart. Aside from my current infatuation with the rust orange shade, I thought it would be nice to have gloves in shade other than black. While the leather is soft, it's nowhere near as supple as the leather on my Glove.ly pair, nor are they lined with cashmere, but for $14, I can't complain too much!

       

The Rundown
Camel Cashmere Boatneck Sweater Thrifted similar
Grey Jeans Gap similar
Grey Over the Knee Boots Ivanka Trump similar
Leopard Fur Coat JCP similar
Suede Accordion Bag Banana Republic similar
Rust Orange Leather Gloves TJMaxx similar
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Fall

and

Oh To Be A Muse's Lookbook Linkup
and
By Lauren M's Mix it Monday

Over the Knee Boots with Jeans

What a change in temperature from my last post to this one! Things you aren't seeing as I try to preserve the notion of a fall outfit: gloves, hat, and heavy winter coat. But at least I've got my over the knee boots to keep me warm, and I'm collaborating again with J's Touch of Style, this time we are styling our over the knee boots with jeans.

I can't believe we are basically a week away from Thanksgiving already! I think mentally I'm still two months behind, and I've not even come close to adjusting to the time change. When it's dark at 5 p.m. I feel like I just want to be in for the night at 6! I think I'm probably one of the few people who dislikes the arrival of fall, but looks forward for the first day of winter, because I know that after December 21st the days will be getting longer again, and I'll take every minute I can get.

Check out how Jodie, Nancy, and Charlotte styled their boots here:      

The Rundown
Lace Cami H&M similar
Black Cardigan Gap similar
Yoga Jeans Second Denim via Coco & Vera's Giveaway
Grey Over the Knee Boots Ivanka Trump similar
Huntley Tote c/o Joie similar
Modern Rings Pendant Necklace Banana Republic
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Linking up with Walking in Memphis in High Heels

and

Classy Yet Trendy's Trendy Wednesday

Over the Knee Boots with a Skirt

This week I'm collaborating with the fabulous trio of J's Touch of Style, Jodie, her mother Charlotte, and step mother Nancy. Today we are showing four different ways to style over the knee boots with skirts.

Since temps have been steadily dropping, I've finally had to pull out all my boots, and I must say that I love my over the knee boots paired with a skirt. They are like having a secret weapon in my mission to avoid wearing tights. The extra few inches of leather do make a difference in overall warmth, plus tall, thick socks can be worn underneath.

While the combo isn't something I'd wear for the office, it's perfect for my weekend wandering.

Check out how Jodie, Nancy, and Charlotte styled their boots here:       

The Rundown
White Sweater 89th & Madison via Marshalls similar
 Suede Mini Skirt Thrifted similar
Over the Knee Boots Marc Fisher similar
Suede Accordion Bag Banana Republic similar
Hexagon Threader Earrings c/o Metrix Jewelry
Gold Hammered Ring Thrifted
Stacked Rings Gorjana via TJMaxx similar
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Fall

and

Oh To Be A Muse's Lookbook Linkup
and
By Lauren M's Mix it Monday