Past Season Favorites

As much as I love shopping and having a constant rotation of new pieces to share - believe you me, springtime is my favorite season to shop and a lot of 'add to cart' has been going on here - my ultimate goal is to have a closet full of pieces I love and can style again and again.

The Denim Jacket
I found this jacket in 2013 and haven't craved a new denim jacket since. It was a long search for just the right wash, length, and level of distressing. Plus price always counts and I know I managed to get this from Gap at a discount. My choice proved to be on the money, since Gap is still selling a near identical jacket today - pick it up and hopefully keep it in your closet forever.

The Wrap Dress
I've always had a soft spot for wrap dresses, as they are one piece which can be relied upon to always accentuate my hourglass figure. I love when designers include a hook eye at the bustline, because that is usually the easiest way to make things a little more work appropriate, however I'm not opposed to adding a safety pin when needed. While this dress carries the current trend of 'the' leopard print, I don't see it falling from regular rotation all too quickly.

The Two Tone Shoe
Chanel's two tone slingback has been around since 1957 and isn't going away anytime soon. That shoe was my main inspiration when I had the chance to design this pair with Shoes of Prey (now defunct, so sad!) While I could have easily chosen a slingback style, I decided I didn't have to have an outright copy and selected a d'orsay silhouette instead.

The Ring Shoulder Bag
When Chloe introduced their Faye shoulder bag with its signature ring in 2015 it quickly became a must have piece. The 70's inspired bag felt just as fresh four years ago as it does now with new styles still being created and plenty of bags taking the inspiration as this Banana Republic bag did in 2016. While I frequently settle for 'designer inspired' over owning actual designer pieces I still try to look for quality items I'm going to want to wear for many years.

Pearl Leash
Even Chloe has her past season favorites! This pearl Fabuleash was a TJMaxx find back in 2011 for a mere $7.50. She wears it a lot and always loves the extra bit of glam. I don't know why I never got her the matching collar!

      

The Rundown
Leopard Wrap Dress via Poshmark similar
Denim Jacket Gap similar
Toe Cap Pumps "Varesse 70" Shoes of Prey similar
Suede Accordion Bag Banana Republic similar
 Filigree Stud Earrings Thrifted similar
 Layered Charm Necklace c/o Grand Avenue Jewelry
 Cloudy Agate Bracelet J.Crew
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry

Dog Chloe

Pearl Leash Fabuleash

Linking up with
Pink Sole's How I Spring

Fringe Sweater

Rushing against the setting sun, the time on the meter, to get home to the dog. How do I seem to find myself with so much time, yet perpetually rushing?

I always admire the bloggers who's outfit photos feel crafted, planned, staged. I know that life just doesn't occur in photogenic conditions naturally, such things require a lot of time and effort. I always want more, that production element.

Yet most days, it comes down to getting it done. Find a cute spot, snap the photos, hope the light is in my favor, run and put money in the meter, get home to the dog. And on bitter cold days like this one, skip the detail shots.

At least I finally wore this Rachel Comey sweater, which I purchased via eBay back in the spring. It's been tucked away in my sweater drawer, waiting for the first properly cold day. This sweater is really lovely, but even still, I could have waited longer.

       

The Rundown 
Fringe Hem Sweater Rachel Comey similar
Yoga Jeans Second Denim
Toe Cap Pumps "Varesse 70" Shoes of Prey similar
Bucket Bag "Johnny" Danse Lente
Tortoise Earrings Loft
Diamond Chip Ring c/o Crown Jewelry
Nail Color "Twill Seeker" Essie

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Fall

Where to Eat: Oak Haven Table and Bar

I often feel fortunate to live so close to New Haven, because there are a seemingly endless amount of amazing restaurants to dine at! The other week I had an opportunity to visit Oak Haven Table & Bar on State Street.

Since the days are getting shorter and I wanted to take advantage of any amount of daylight, I went shortly after dinner service started at 5 p.m. (which also means getting to take advantage of happy hour!) and had the restaurant completely to myself for at least the first hour. Another perk of being an early bird was not worrying about taking over several tables to take photos.

Oak Haven's menu is setup so that you can eat your way through it, with most dishes designed with sharing in mind. Thankfully I brought my mom along so that we'd get to try several things!

Whenever presented with a cocktail list, I usually just scan it for whatever drink has gin in it, and go from there. My cocktail not only was gin based, but also served in a teacup. It was a blend of gin, sweet vermouth, Lillet Rouge, birch liqueur and whiskey aged bitters - strong and very tasty!

For the food, we started out with the vegetable tempura, then tried the fried chicken bao, which was so tasty, and finally the braised beef short ribs with spaetzle and mushrooms, and the duck leg with mango jasmine rice. While everything was delicious, the short rib dish was a true standout. The meat was so tender, the mushrooms and spaetzle incredibly flavorful.

By the time we finished the place was packed, and under different circumstances I could have easily seen myself lingering over a cheeseboard and a second cocktail, though I'll just have to keep that in mind for a future visit.

If you find yourself in the neighborhood and want to stop into Oak Haven for a drink or a bite, mention SiggPay and you'll get 10% off your bill!

Thanks to Oak Haven Table and Bar for offering me the chance to stop in and check them out! I was given this opportunity through SiggPay, my views and opinions are my own.

           

The Rundown
Leopard Print Poncho FRAAS similar
Burgundy Long Sleeve Tee Target
High Rise Button Fly Jeans Gap
Toe Cap Pumps "Varesse 70" Shoes of Prey
Bucket Bag "Johnny" Danse Lente

Gold Hoop Earrings Amazon

Tanner Toggle Lariat Necklace Gorjana similar
Gold Circle Ring Thrifted

Nail Color "Caviar Bar" Essie

Linking up with

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

Chill in the Air

I felt like I needed to pull out these white pants before it got too much later into the fall season, not that I don't enjoy wearing white year round, but these are a somewhat thin satin and wont tolerate much cooler weather.

I'm a little disappointed that these pants were final sale and I ordered a size four petite instead of sizing up to the six. I should know by now that the petites always run smaller overall, and I should size up! The fit isn't too bad, but I do believe they were meant to be a touch looser and when I sit for even five seconds they get terribly wrinkled. When I edited these photos I actually went over them with the skin softening brush in Lightroom to help downplay their state of wrinkledness.

That aside, these pants were a total steal, and right now are only $11! I could almost justify buying the alternate size, but I probably wont. I just hate final sales.

       

The Rundown
Camel Sweater Thrifted similar
White Satin Pants Gap
Toe Cap Pumps "Varesse 70" Shoes of Prey
Suede Accordion Bag Banana Republic similar
Neck Scarf Loft similar  
Loop Earrings Mejuri
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Nail Color "Caviar Bar" Essie

Linking up with Shopping My Closet Style Me Wednesday
and
Style on the Daily

Thrift Mates

Whenever I find myself in Westport, I always want to stop at the Goodwill, as it's generally known that the wealthier the town, the more high end goodies are bound to end up getting donated. I probably spend a good hour and a half scouring the racks and filling my arms with anything that peaked my interest.

From the armload, I ended up with three pieces which fit, all of which were skirts. A printed Lilly Pulitzer skirt, a navy Dana Buchman wrap skirt, and this Kate Hill silk floral skirt. I decided I probably wouldn't get much wear from the Lilly and the Dana Buchman was overpriced, so I left with just the Kate Hill for $10.

It wasn't until I put together this look that I found my one and only other item by Kate Hill, which is this silk beaded shell, also thrifted sometime in 2014. I suppose they were just meant to be together!

Hard to believe we are over half way through October, and the warm weather we had when these photos were taken feels like ages ago. The cold settled in quickly, once again skipping over fall and going straight to winter. The lack of seasons is disheartening to say the least.

        

The Rundown
Beaded Silk Shell Kate Hill thrifted similar
Silk Floral Print Skirt Kate Hill thrifted similar
Toe Cap Pumps "Varesse 70" Shoes of Prey
Suede Accordion Bag Banana Republic similar
 Scalloped Brim Floppy Hat TJMaxx similar
Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Pearl Ring Thrifted
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Nail Color "Caviar Bar" Essie

Linking up with

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

Polka Dot Midi

When I buy clothes that I know full well need alterations, often they will sit in my closet for months, or even years before I get around to doing them. There once was a time when my sewing machine was a permanent fixture in the room, and I prided myself on stitching together my own creations. But I was always afraid. Afraid of messing up, of ruining the piece. To force myself to move forward, I'd just rationalize that I could always go back to Joann Fabrics and buy more material and start again. Yet, that self doubt always caused me to dislike my creations. I have almost nothing left in my closet that I made myself.

When I know a dress needs a simple hem, it intimidates me. This dress was nearly maxi length on me, and deciding to chop off six inches made me fearful. The slippery silk refused to be cut in a straight, clean line, and once again I wanted to just give up and let the dress sit unfinished.

I had plans to meet up with five other bloggers last Friday, and I wanted my polka dot dress to be a reality, so I forced myself to finish. I know the hem isn't perfect. The stitches are crooked in some places, a tiny pucker here and there, a raw edge inside by the buttons. It isn't perfect, but it's done. Sometimes done is better than good.

     

The Rundown
Polka Dot Shirt Dress Kate Hill via ebay similar
Toe Cap Pumps "Varesse 70" Shoes of Prey
Vintage Japanese Bamboo Bag via eBay similar vintage
Versailles Earrings  Julie Vos similar
 Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box
 Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Nail Color "Caviar Bar" Essie

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Spring

and
By Lauren M's Mix it Monday