No Shop October

No budget update this month because I haven't made any purchases! I wasn't planning on not shopping this month, but when I realized I'd passed the two week mark without buying anything, I figured I might as well just stick with it.

I also found myself embroiled in a major closet clean out, sending a box of stuff off to Swap.com, filling one of ThredUP's clean out bags, another two garbage bags were donated, and now I'm in the process of listing a few bags on eBay that just haven't been getting the love they deserve. Yet somehow, despite everything that I removed, it still looks like I have zero space! It's like my closet is Mary Poppin's bag, I can't imagine how all that even fit in there. So a little break from shopping feels like a good idea right now, and hopefully one I can continue through the end of the year. With the holidays approaching (yikes) it's always a good idea to cut back on shopping for myself and switch gears to thinking about giving to others.

        

The Rundown
Leopard Tee Joe's via South Moon Under similar
Suede Culottes Old Navy similar
Scalloped Mules Marc Fisher via Poshmark
Leather Bucket Bag Banana Republic similar
Cloudy Agate Bracelet J.Crew
Gold Ring Thrifted
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Linking up with I Do deClaire's Confident Twosday

and

Sandy a la Mode's On Trend Tuesday

Chilly spring

Lately we've switched from summer back to spring - chilly, rainy, and grey. Which makes me reach for darker colors and add cozy layers, like this black wool cardigan I recently thrifted for $6.

In a rare occurrence, I went to the thrift store with the objective of finding a long, black, open cardigan and actually had my choice of three. I could have taken all of them home for less than I would pay for one new cardigan, but instead I was disciplined and ultimately went with just this one.

The Rundown
Leopard Tee Joe's via South Moon Under
Black Cardigan Gap thrifted similar
Black Cropped Pants Gap
Shoes Me Too via TJMaxx similar
Huntley Tote c/o Joie similar
Gold Bar Earrings Argento Vivo via TJMaxx
Triangle Necklace Moon & Lola via Rocksbox one month free with 'lydiabff1'
Crystal Chain Cuff Slate via Rocksbox one month free with 'lydiabff1'
Gold Twisted Bracelet The Cavernous Jewerly Box similar
Hammered Gold Ring Thrifted similar
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry
Sunglasses Vogue via Sunglass Hut
Nail Color "Da Bush" Essie

Last of winter

I'm fairly certain these will be the last snowy photos I will have to share with you until next winter. However, if I'm wrong, it will at least give me another chance to wear a pair of tights.

I feel like I was a bit of a failure this winter - cycling through every sweater and pair of jeans I possess and abandoning the skirts and dresses I love.

I'm blaming the extreme cold and abundance of snow for my lack of more outfits like this one over the last few months, though I suppose in truth it was an absence of motivation on my part. Not that I feel I dressed horribly all winter - just that I severely limited what I was wearing. I'm feeling better now that we are finally taking strides towards spring, and I can resume utilizing the other half of my closet.

The Rundown
Leopard Dress c/o Wallis similar
Navy Coat Mark New York via South Moon Under
Booties "Calixta" Cole Haan
Fur Ball Bag Vintage via Roundabout similar
Necklace LC for Kohls similar
Gold Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box similar
Gold Twisted Bracelet The Cavernous Jewerly Box similar
Gold Herkimer Diamond Ring c/o Lumo
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry
Nail Color "My Very First Knockwurst" OPI

Vintage sweater

I picked up this sweater at the Goodwill the same day I found my camel coat. If I had been sensible, I would have taken the coat straight to the register and left without looking around any further, but I've rarely been known to be sensible when it comes to shopping.

What drew me to the sweater was the v-neck, since the deep-v Rag & Bone copycat sweaters are everywhere these days, and this felt like a way to participate in the trend while doing something different. Also it was made in the USA and was only $6. I can't wait to pair it with a black mini skirt.

The Rundown
Vintage Sweater Thrifted similar
White Jeans Old Navy
Navy Coat Mark New York via South Moon Under
Booties "Calixta" Cole Haan
Bag Vintage Coach thrifted
Black Leather Gloves J.Crew similar
Bling Earrings c/o JoJo Loves You
Vintage Bracelet Gift
Watch "Classic Sheffield" c/o Daniel Wellington
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry
Bar Rings c/o Kohl's
Nail Color "Wrap Me Up" Essie

Close calls

Yesterday was an odd day, with a series of frustrating and upsetting things happening one after the next.

It started off with my bracelet falling off my wrist, and my not realizing this until much after the fact. After frantically searching and retracing my steps, I miraculously found the bracelet in my coat pocket. When I got home I replaced the faulty toggle clasp with a secure lobster clasp.

I wont go into the in-between stuff, but the day ended with my attempting to take outfit photos with the tripod and having the wind blow it over mid-shoot, smack down onto the brick sidewalk. I feared the worst, but because of the way the camera was set up in the tripod when it fell, the tripod took the brunt of the damage and knock-on-wood, the lens and body appear to be unscathed and thus far, functioning normally.

As annoying as the day was, I have to recognize the fact that it could have been far worse. And I'm never going out with the tripod when it's windy, ever again.

Considering that was yesterday, I hope I at least get a break today, Friday the 13th.

The Rundown

Navy Blouse Thrifted similar
Printed Pants Gap similar
Navy Coat Mark New York via South Moon Under
Black Toe Cap Flats Easy Spirit
Huntley Tote c/o Joie similar
Turquoise Necklace AJS Design Studio via TJMaxx
Evil Eye Bracelet C.Wonder similar
Gold Open Ring c/o Lumo
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Snowing

Snow has been making some regular appearances this week. Nothing too bad yet, just a few flurries. There is a part of me that loves snow - the part that wants to go out and take pretty photos and then not have to leave the house, shovel anything, drive anywhere, or deal with the aftermath in any way.

I feel like all my outfits this week have been pretty much the same. Jeans, brown boots, me desperately trying to pretend like I'm not dying of cold. It does not look like conditions will improve any time soon, so hopefully you won't get bored of my current formula.

The Rundown
White Sweater Marshalls similar
Jeans Joe's Jeans via Saks off Fifth
Red Pea Coat Nine West via TJMaxx similar$$, similar$
Boots Crown Vintage via DSW similar
Knit Beanie D&Y via South Moon Under
Plaid Scarf c/o Front Row Shop similar
Black Leather Gloves J.Crew

Gold Twisted Bracelet The Cavernous Jewerly Box similar
Knot Bracelet Banana Republic

Just one

I'd hoped to grab a quick set of outfit photos after work this week - even though it was still freezing cold, the sun had been out all day for a change, and it wasn't a dark abyss at 4pm.

By the time I had the camera set up and the shot framed, my fingers became so cold they were throbbing in pain. I fired off a few shots as quickly as possible and hoped I had something useable as I hustled back to the still warm car.

So just one photo today.

The Rundown
Striped Shirt Gap similar
Jeans "Lola" Lucky Brand
Navy Coat Mark New York via South Moon Under
Boots Crown Vintage via DSW similar
Bag Linea Pelle "Astor" c/o Linger Rose
Wool Fedora H&M similar
Cashmere Scarf Second Time Around borrowed from Sean
Black Leather Gloves J.Crew