I miss routines. I miss knowing what day of the week it is without having to look at my phone. I miss yoga class, Starbucks runs, and TJMaxx. I miss seeing my friends, and I miss being in this space. I don't know how all these weeks have just drifted away, a blur of watching the world shutdown, not leaving the house, and perpetually waiting for a tomorrow when things will be better.
Businesses are starting to open up again, but what has actually changed? The same risk associated with going out into the world is still there. I may have ordered some cute masks, but that wont make eating at a restaurant any safer. Will I be able to find an outdoor social distancing yoga class, or will I just continue to be left to my own devices, which in short, are not good.
Will attempting to be out in the world, shopping, dining, exercising, be more stressful than satisfying?
I feel like the last three months have just been lost. Can I stand to lose another?
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 TopMoon Rivervia Nordstrom Rack High Rise Skinny Jeans"Ann" c/o Mott &Bow Kitten Heels"Moxie" c/o SAS Croc Embossed Leather BagLoeffler Randall Vintage Gold Hoop Earrings Thrifted similar Thin Gold RingEtsyvia Ellyn Blue Jewelry Nail Color "Bubbles Only" Essie
I've always loved shopping, and I would be lying if I didn't say I sometimes considered the blog as an excuse to buy something new. I would also like to say that my efforts to be good this year and not shop were going well, however this month I found myself in more than one slip up.
When I was doing my closet clean out, I noticed several neglected pieces that I wasn't ready to part with, but still decided I need to try and bring back into rotation. The first was this peplum top. I purchased it in 2016 while I was in California and wore it to dinner once while I was there, and didn't take outfit photos. I wore it again over the summer, and then it sat. Regardless of rational, two and a half years seems like a long time to hold on to a piece that isn't being worn. It isn't the only article taking a backseat to new items coming in.
This Linea Pelle bag was once the pride and joy of my bag collection. It was purchased back in 2013 and was on heavy rotation for about two years before new bags came in and usurped its status. The CC Skye pyramid stud bracelet was once a favorite to pair with it, so I decided to reunite them. I stopped wearing the bracelet after the clasp came undone on a couple occasions and I almost lost it forever.
The shoes I should be most embarrassed about - one wear in one year! Now up to three as of this post, but still, these adorable heels in a neutral shade didn't do anything wrong, why so much neglect?
As much as I crave filling my closet with new things, I really need to step back, focus on what I have, and find new love for old pieces. (Not sure how long this mentality will last, this dress is calling my name!)
The Rundown Black and White Peplum TopBanana Republic JeansBanana Republic Blush Leather Jacket Athleta similar Kitten Heels"Moxie" c/o SAS Grayson Bar Bag Linea Pelle similar Alphabet Necklace c/o Gorjana similar Circle Earrings c/o Grand Avenue Jewelry Mini Punk Princess Bracelet CC Skyesimilar Crystal Bar Ring Upper Metal Class Thin Gold RingEtsyvia Ellyn Blue Jewelry Sunglasses"Raglan"Warby Parker Nail Color"Cement the Deal"OPI
Sometimes I wonder if I'm a failure as a fashion blogger. After all, I'm someone who purportedly has a good eye for putting pieces together and creating cohesive, yet unexpected looks. However the reality is that I tried half a dozen different tops ranging from olive green (likely would have worked with blue jeans, but not the grey) to windowpane print (I've had that top for three years and haven't worn it yet, maybe it's time to give it up) only to land on cream, the very obvious choice.
I suppose it's okay to not be as adventurous with my outfits as I once was, maybe I should take my new perspective on color and print as a sign of maturity. Though the truth is, there are some people who make bold style choices work and appear effortless. I'm just not one of them, and perhaps it's time to accept my middle ground approach and stop trying to make 'extra' work.
Where is the edge of your own outfit comfort zone?
The Rundown Tweed Moto Jacket "Pattyn"Joiethrifted similar Cream Tank J.Crew thrifted similar Grey Jeans Gap similar Kitten Heels"Moxie" c/o SAS Grayson Bar Bag Linea Pelle similar Pave Hexagon Earrings Thrifted similar Necklace"Scottie"LuxbyUK Thin Gold RingEtsyvia Ellyn Blue Jewelry
San Antonio Shoemakers provided me with shoes for the purpose of this post, but as always, my views and opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands who support Chic on the Cheap.
Part of me knew when I could lovingly refer to a pair of shoes as vicious, there was a problem.
When I was younger, never would I dream of suffering in uncomfortable shoes, and as such, my go-to footwear was black suede rubber soled clog. I had them in red too, when I was feeling fancy. But I got older, became more fashion conscious, started this blog, and the clogs swiftly got replaced by cuter, trendier footwear. Band-aids or anti-chafing balm applied in anticipation of blisters, ball of foot pads or other inserts to help soften the footbed, all feeling like poor, stop-gap solutions to what could just be simple - better designed shoes.
Over the last few years I've been advocating finding more shoes that are offered in different widths. The idea that we should settle for most shoes only being offered in one width feels akin to bras only being offered in one cup size - it makes no sense.
So I keep an eye out for shoe brands who dare to consider comfort and the idea that not all feet are the same width. When I got an email from SAS, touting their shoes as the cute solution to comfortable shoes, I had to head straight to their website.
I was pleased to find numerous designs that would check both those boxes (to be fair, they do have a pair of clogs that bare a striking resemblance to the aforementioned clogs of my younger years, but there are plenty of adorable shoes to balance things out). I especially love their made in Italy line of shoes, my favorites include a flat round toe slingback, a simple bootie, and the shoes I'm wearing here. Moxie is a pointy toe kitten heel with that vintage silhouette I've been seeing a lot of. Even the name evokes the idea of some old fashioned chutzpah.
Depending on the shoes, SAS's sizing offerings encompass sizes 5-12 and widths AA-WW. They are made from premium leather that will bend and move with the foot, and have padded footbeds (ahhh so comfortable). A leather sole with a rubber insert insures a good grip on the ground.
With SAS shoes, I can get from place to place in comfort with shoes that actually fit my feet. It's time to rid my closet of the 'vicious' shoes and invest in shoes I can just enjoy wearing. My feet are worth it.
The Rundown Green Silk Dress Tory Burch similar Leather Jacket Express similar Kitten Heels"Moxie" c/o SAS Leopard Clutch Clare Vc/o Shopbop Loop EarringsMejuri Necklace"Scottie"LuxbyUK Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box Thin Gold RingEtsyvia Ellyn Blue Jewelry
