Magnoila

Some days, despite the heaviness of quarantine, I can still feel the hopefulness of spring. The reminder that things will get better and life doesn't have to only be doom and gloom. Though to be fair, there are plenty of those days; when I get an email about yet another event being canceled, when I try to buy hand sanitizer but the only place it's in stock is eBay for double the retail price, when it's cold and raw and raining for days on end...

But then there are the other days. When the sun comes out, when I look out my bedroom window and see the cherry blossom tree in full bloom, when I get packages in the mail, even if they contain boring things like shampoo and deodorant, (but you know there are enough 'fun' packages ending up on my porch too). Sometimes positive thoughts come into my mind and they get to linger for a few minutes before the negative ones overtake them. Sometimes I scroll though my spring blog posts from all the years past and revel in the comfort that the flowers always arrive, the world turns green, and eventually the cold fades away.

      

The Rundown
White Ruffle Sleeve Sweater Sara Campbell via Coco's on the Green
Gingham Pants Old Navy
Pointed Flats Rothy's
Black Straw Box Bag Zara similar
Aries Pendant Necklace Mejuri
 Gold Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

The Spring Wardrobe Challenge

Before the pandemic and the stay at home recommendations and my fit of add to cart madness, I was planning on joining Courtney in her spring wardrobe challenge. The rules are simple, no new clothes, wear as much of my existing spring wardrobe as possible, decide what should stay and what is just taking up closet space.

Clearly the no shopping portion of the challenge was pretty significant, and I definitely failed there - however - the important thing to do is just reset and try again, rather than continuing down the path of more shopping. This weekend every time I wanted to make a purchase, I added the piece to a Pinterest board instead. If I'm still obsessing come June 20th (and they are still in stock) then I can buy them.

The second component of the challenge I approached with more gusto, pulling out this Madewell silk wrap top that was purchased December of 2018, and to the best of my recollection, was still yet to be worn; along with this houndstooth print coat, which I've had for over a decade, but hasn't been worn in a few years.

The verdict - I think both pieces can stay. Would you agree?

Now I just need to get out of my lounge wear and put the rest of my spring wardrobe to the test, even if it's for no other reason than to take photos and decide if the pieces should stay or go.

       

The Rundown
Silk Cropped Wrap Blouse Madewell similar
White Jeans Gap
Houndstooth Coat Kohl's similar
Pointed Flats Rothy's
Bucket Bag "Johnny" Danse Lente
Simple Pearl Necklace c/o AUrate
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Indestructible Denim

I've mentioned that it's been a while since my last office job, and my current gig has been dog walking. It tends not to require blazers, but jeans are on heavy rotation. I of course have the problem of not having any 'bad' jeans to wear, so mostly I've just been wearing whatever pair needs to be washed.

Last week, while wearing this pair of Yoga Jeans (that I won in Cee's giveaway five years ago) I was leaving the home of a dog, who in his efforts to get me to stay (he has bad separation anxiety) bit me. It was my first real dog bite on the job, and while, ever. I didn't even realize how bad it was until I saw the blood soaking through the denim. I went home to get cleaned up, tended to my wounds first, but the jeans were an immediate second. I rinsed out the blood and much to my surprise, found no evidence of holes or tears. They look far better than my leg at the moment. (It's not that bad though, I swear).

So all I can say is, invest in a pair of Yoga Jeans, they were built to last.

      

The Rundown
Rib Knit Sweater H&M
Jeans Second Denim
Plaid Blazer H&M similar
Pointed Flats Rothy's
Round Crossbody Bag French Connection
  Silk Scarf Ann Taylor
Simple Pearl Necklace c/o AUrate
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Sunglasses Ray-Ban via TJMaxx
Nail Color "Caviar Bar" Essie

Second Fresh Start

While I didn't start off the year with any grand resolutions, particularity with regards to my shopping habits as I have in past years, as I was starting to compile my January budget post I came to a somewhat upsetting realization about the number of things I managed to buy in just one month. It started off innocently enough, as it always does, those extra 40%-70% off sale price ads start invading my inbox, instagram feed, and just about anywhere else wifi touches. I think there is no harm in placing an order just to try something, and then it snowballs.

I may or may not have gotten three coats today.

I know I need a hard reset, but I don't know how to combat the temptation without removing myself from my internet connected life. I also need to find something to fill the void I keep trying (and failing) to fill with clothes.

     

The Rundown
Cable Knit Sweater Banana Republic
Button Fly Jeans Gap similar
Plush Fleece Coat J.Crew
Pointed Flats Rothy's
Pom Beret Madewell
Vintage Coach City Bag thrifted similar
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx