As the first signs of spring show and the weather improves, little bits of optimism are creeping into my mind. Having just celebrated another birthday, I'm once again reminded that I'm not yet where I want to be, and it's time to put forth the energy to try and get there.
The Rundown White Tee Loft similar Draped Suede Jacket c/o Boscov's similar Flared Denim Gap similar Studded Booties Guess via TJMaxx similar Tilly ToteMatine Tanner Toggle Lariat Necklace Gorjana similar Stacked Rings Gorjana via TJMaxx similar Sunglasses c/o Sicky
"I know I can achieve fantastic things in my life."
Forcing spring, is what I call my insistence on wearing warmer weather clothes before it's truly warm. So with a little finagling, like a longer knit dress with over the knee boots and wearing this light jacket as part of the outfit and not my actual outerwear, I force spring. It's always funny how differently I approach 54° in April vs how I approach it in October.
While it wasn't planned, the last time I wore this dress was in October, and I took photos at this same location. Clearly next time I wear this dress I need to get a little more creative.
The Rundown Pom Pom Dress Endless Rose c/o Shopbop similar Field Jacket Old Navy similar Over the Knee BootsMarc Fisher Suede Accordion Bag Banana Republic similar EarringsSusan Roberts Twisted Glamor Bracelet c/o Swarovski Elements Green Cabochon Ring Taken for Granite similar Stacked Rings Gorjana via TJMaxx similar Sunglasses c/o Sicky
While I've been on my shopping ban this winter I kept myself from doing something I've been guilty of every winter for the past eight years - buying a new coat.
Coats always felt like an indulgence I deserved. I have to suffer through winters that linger on far too long, so having a bountiful coat wardrobe seemed necessary. Plus there was the blog to think of - I'm too much of a whimp to constantly go without a coat, but I wouldn't want a month of posts cycling through the same couple of coats.
Sometimes they were thrifted, sometimes gifted, but they have always persisted.
I feel like I'm digging into the archives when I pull out my houndstooth coat, which I purchased from Kohl's eight years ago. Though the style is classic, and it feels just as appropriate today as it did when I bought it. I've linked a few similar styles below, though this Kate Spade coat is definitely my favorite!
The Rundown White Sweater Loft c/o Swap.com similar Houndstooth Coat Kohl's similar Yoga Jeans Second Denimvia Coco & Vera's Giveaway Grey Over the Knee Boots Ivanka Trump similar Micro Perry SatchelRebecca Minkoffc/o Shopbop Crystal Chevron Earrings Express similar Stacked Rings Gorjana via TJMaxx similar Signature Spade Ring Kate Spade Sunglasses c/o Sicky Nail Color "Zip Me Up" Essie
Winter is really letting us know that is it not over. Aside from being freezing, today we are having a blizzard. The highways are closed, so there is little to do but stay inside and enjoy the day off.
Over the weekend I went to the St. Patrick's Day parade in New Haven, for as long as I could stand the cold. Sean gifted me these furry mittens I'd been obsessing over for Valentine's Day. I suppose they are little ridiculous, but they are warm and I have been known to be a bit crazy in my fashion choices, from time to time.
I am committed to making positive changes in my life.
Eighteen more days left of my three month shopping ban and I am chomping at the bit. Which is not a good thing, and not how I was hoping to feel this far into the ban. I had this expectation that I'd reach a happy zen feeling and not still be battling off every cute top that catches my eye.
It's the internet's fault, really. If all I had to do was avoid brick and mortar stores, I'd be in such good shape! But online shopping's call is inescapable. It's there, 24/7 and is at its worst when I'm at work with nothing to do. Apparently idle hands like to place Banana Republic orders. (A birthday gift for my sister-in-law and nothing else, I swear.)
Come April first I can't allow myself to do three months of shopping in one day. That would defeat everything. I need to remember to be thoughtful about any new purchases, mindful of my budget, and consider what is already in my closet.
And who knows, maybe in 18 days I'll find that zen and not immediately buy these shoes?
I perhaps foolishly went into Old Navy a few days before Thanksgiving to take advantage of half off the entire store and buy some Christmas gifts. Naturally the first thing I see is something for myself. This print immediately stood out to me when I spied it on a display and went to hunt it down. I decided I suddenly needed something new for Thanksgiving and justified the blouse as well as a pair of velvet pants. They were half off after all. Plus I even managed to get one Christmas gift.
