Throwback

In 1999 I was in 8th grade. Middle school was the worst, people who I thought were my friends turned out not to be, and in regards to fashion, the only way to get respect from my peers was to have the name "Abercrombie & Fitch" emblematized across my chest.

In total I think I owned five pieces from the store; it wasn't long before I realized Abercrombie was not the store for me, and the tiered skirts with lace and ribbon belts at Windsor started calling my name. I went through my teens with a new, and still completely regrettable sense of fashion, and as it evolved I never once imagined that it would again include Abercrombie & Fitch.

When I was at the Trumbull mall last month I breezed by the storefront as I have done many times before, yet this time something caught my eye. A sweater with a nordic snowflake print. I didn't buy it right then or even try it on, but later I found myself perusing their website and with the holiday sales going on I ended up putting both the snowflake sweater and this grey turtleneck in my cart.

Sometimes we can even surprise ourselves.

The Rundown
Grey Sweater Abercrombie & Fitch
Black Jeans Old Navy
Red Peacoat Nine West similar
Black Toe Cap Flats Easy Spirit
Bag Linea Pelle "Astor" c/o Serendipity and Grace
Wool Fedora H&M similar
Pearl and Pave Ring Forever 21 similar

Linking up with Mix and Match Fashion's What I Wore to Work

and

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

Strides

I feel like I got a lot done over the weekend, and at the same time, I feel like I barely even scratched the surface of my list of things. I also didn't manage to snap more than a single set of outfit photos, and with these short days it's becoming more and more of a challenge. Sometimes I wish I were more of a morning person and could get up early enough to take them before work. That would be something, considering I've consistently left at least five minutes later than I should since I moved.

At least through all this holiday hustle and bustle, the weather has been amazing. Truly, it feels like fall out there - you know the perfect fall that everyone dreams about but never actually happens? This is it, in December.

The Rundown
Plaid Cardigan Ann Taylor Factory c/o Tanger similar
Black Tee Gap similar
Yoga Jeans Second Denim via Coco & Vera's Giveaway
Boots Migliorini via TJMaxx buy on ebay similar
Bag Linea Pelle "Astor" c/o Serendipity and Grace
Castillo Gold Dipped Lace Earrings c/o Uncommon Goods
Hammered Disc Necklace Avon similar
Antler Ring House of Harlow
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry
Nail Color "Sole Mate" Essie

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Fall 

and

Monday Mingle

Wishing

It's good that it's Friday, as I'm feeling just a bit frazzled right now. Yesterday I showed up to work wearing one black boot and one brown. I feel like days are just disappearing and I'm unsure as to where.

My holiday shopping officially done, and now I can focus on wrapping and baking and maybe, just maybe a little relaxing. I'm also indulging myself in an extravagant wish list (because it's slightly more fun than window shopping knowing there might be the slightest of possibilities of receiving something). I've yet to properly protect my new iPhone, so a case might be in order. If only I could choose one! I also have a huge weakness for jewelry by Gorjana, and would love another piece or two, perhaps a lariat necklace. I'm also liking this fur scarf trend that is happening right now - how fun would one be?! I'll have to think about everything I'm wishing for this weekend and share them next week.

The Rundown
Blush Silk Blouse Max Studio via TJMaxx similar
Black Cardigan Gap thrifted similar
Yoga Jeans Second Denim via Coco & Vera's Giveaway
Booties "Calixta" Cole Haan
Bag "Alexa" Danielle Nicole c/o Serendipity and Grace
Ear Crawlers Gorjana via Rocksbox (one month free with lydiaxoxo)
Hammered Disc Necklace Avon similar
Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Pavé Z Ring Sophie Harper via Rocksbox (one month free with lydiaxoxo)
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
Nail Color "Sole Mate" Essie

Linking up with Jeans and a Teacup's Flashback Friday (One year ago today)
and
Linking up with Forage Fashion's Friday Finds

Mint to be

Winters in New England are long, the days are short, and the cold is biting. Every year I appease myself with new outerwear, rationalizing that since it has to become the focal point of all my outfits for the next four months or so, I need options.

With the promise of an extra 60% off sale items and $50 in credit card rewards I went to Banana Republic with the intention of leaving with a sensible black peacoat, as that is the one color I oddly don't own. When the black peacoat disappointed, there was this moto cocoon coat, thrice reduced. I slipped on the extra small. Still oversized I wasn't certain this was a silhouette I could pull off, but the color and the price had me sold. I left paying under $2 out of pocket.

Today I'm also featuring some gorgeous pearl baubles from LydellNYC, their pearl collection is so holiday ready and has on trend pieces like the pearl back stud earrings, along with updates on classics like this choker necklace. If past years are any indication, hold out making any purchases until Black Friday - it's usually half off the entire site.

The Rundown
Leopard Dress c/o Wallis similar
Cocoon Coat Banana Republic similar
Over the Knee Boots "Atilla" Ivanka Trump via DSW
Bag "Alexa" Danielle Nicole c/o Serendipity and Grace
Pearl Classon Earrings c/o LydellNYC
Pearl Montague Necklace c/o LydellNYC
Pearl Pacfic Bracelet c/o LydellNYC
Ring Vintage thrifted
Nail Color "Cement the Deal" OPI

Linking up with I Do deClaire's Confident Twosday
and
Cute and Little's on Trend Tuesday

Take time

I requested several days off from work around the holidays and I could not be happier with my decision. Just knowing I have a few extra long weekends in my future is making me a bit giddy. I still haven't had a proper vacation in years, but I'm already really looking forward to nearly a week off for Christmas to just spend time with my family, watch movies and bask in a little holiday spirit.

This weekend my Mom and I have our holiday fairs mapped out and we are going to attempt to make it to eight of them. I'm always hopeful I will find some vintage jewelry gems, get a bit of Christmas shopping done, and at the very least indulge in homemade confections like the Swedish Tea Log.

The Rundown
White Sweater Ralph Lauren thrifted similar
Black Leather Moto Jacket Express similar
Boyfriend Jeans Old Navy similar
Sneakers "Dainty Ox" Converse
Bag "Alexa" Danielle Nicole c/o Serendipity and Grace
Watch "Classic Sheffield" c/o Daniel Wellington
Opal Ring T Tahari
Gold Ring Thrifted similar

Linking up with Jeans and a Teacup's Flashback Friday (One year ago today)
and
Linking up with Forage Fashion's Friday Finds

Fur

I am quite happily pulling out the faux fur pieces of my wardrobe now, and this vest is usually one of the first to come out. I remember back in 2012 when I got it, finding seemed like such a feat, where as today you can go to Forever 21 and have your pick of dozens. If I were feeling so tempted to add another to my closet it would be a toss up between this moto-style shearling vest and this creamy pelted open front vest.

The Rundown
Silk Blouse J.Crew similar
Fur Vest American Eagle via TJMaxx similar
Yoga Jeans Second Denim via Coco & Vera's Giveaway
Over the Knee Boots "Atilla" Ivanka Trump via DSW
Bag "Alexa" Danielle Nicole c/o Serendipity and Grace
Necklace Kendra Scott via Rocksbox (one month free with lydiaxoxo)
Ring Gorjana via Rocksbox (one month free with lydiaxoxo)

Linking up with I Do deClaire's Confident Twosday
and
Cute and Little's on Trend Tuesday