Hibernating Until Spring

Each week I start off with the optimism that I'm going to dedicate time to the blog; I'll edit photos, I'll write thoughtful posts, and I will finally catch up with all my favorite blogs I'm so behind on. Then it's Friday and the days seem to have simply evaporated. Seemingly simple tasks like responding to an email or scheduling an oil change consume large swaths of time, and are only rewarded with the response that requires the next reply or the news that my car has an oil leak, a coolant leak, a mouse nest, and when can I bring it back to address these things?

So often I find myself stuck in the mental clutter, convinced I can't do anything else until it's been cleared, but the problem with clutter is that it takes hours to address and mere seconds to accumulate. By telling myself I can't focus on anything else until the clutter is gone is a way of making sure I stay suck, when the reality is, sometimes the mess needs to be neatly stacked into a pile which can be dealt with later to make a little room for the things that will enrich my life now.

      

The Rundown
White Pearl Button Cardigan Nordstrom Rack similar
Wide Leg Jeans Gap
Nareen Block Heels c/o Vionic
Croc Embossed Leather Bag Loeffler Randall
 Silk Spotted Scarf Ann Taylor
Layered Charm Necklace c/o Grand Avenue Jewelry
Cat Eye Sunglasses H&M similar
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Nail Color "Bubbles Only" Essie

Fleece Bomber Jacket

It wouldn't be fall (but really winter) in Connecticut if I didn't add a new coat to my collection. And I suppose my sister wouldn't be my sister if she didn't then buy the same coat in a different color. Not that I didn't do my part to encourage it - you know I'm a shopping enabler.

This weekend my plans include checking out the new mall in South Norwalk, the SoNo Collection, and meeting Cee in New York City! I'm so excited, as I feel like I've known her for the last decade, but we've never met in person!

      

The Rundown 
Sweater Banana Republic
 Plush Fleece Bomber Jacket J.Crew

Black Jeans Gap

Open Heel Booties c/o Vionic
Willis Bag Vintage Coach via eBay similar
Gold Ball Earrings Kohl's
Scarab Necklace Vintage via Etsy similar
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Sunglasses Ray-Ban via TJMaxx

Fall Colors in New Haven

Even though the reds and oranges of fall pale in comparison to the bright pinks of spring (I know not everyone feels that way), they are beautiful in their own way, and feel like a last hurrah - going out in a brilliant blaze before the world turns brown.

During the spring my most important mission is to seek out as many flowering trees as possible, track when each will be at their peak, and pray the weather cooperates so I can capture my photos with their splendid beauty in the background. In the fall, I drop the ball. I forget about the changing leaves, and before I realize, the branches are bare and the opportunity has past.

While my initial desire was to take photos along side one of the buildings of Yale, the orange leaves on the Green beckoned me, and added color to this black and white look.

     

The Rundown

Leopard Print Shirt Banana Republic similar

Black Jeans Gap

Open Heel Booties c/o Vionic
Bucket Bag "Johnny" Danse Lente

Cream Wide Brim Fedora Goorin Brothers similar
Loop Earrings Mejuri
Gold Chain Necklace Thrifted
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Style and Support

For many years I had a fraught relationship with heels, buying shoes I thought looked cute, only to be faced with the harsh reality of trying to navigate the world in a wobbly stiletto that was too narrow for my foot, despite all my DIY attempts to stretch them.

Thankfully there has been a shift, comfort brands like Vionic are working hard to bridge the gap between the shoes we visualize when we hear the word 'orthotic' and the fashion forward shoes we might have chosen to suffer a little to wear.

This open heel bootie is from Vionic's new fall collection, featuring a fabulous tortoise block heel, hovering at just about 3" - a perfect blend of height, support, and style. The shoes are offered in wide widths, though I will mention that Vionic's medium width shoes do seem to run a touch wider than average.

Sometimes my shoes need to take me a little farther than door to car, and I'm happy that brands like Vionic exist, filling my closet with heels I can walk confidently in.

      

The Rundown
Button Camisole J.Crew Factory
Plaid Blazer H&M similar
Mid Rise Jeans Banana Republic similar
Open Heel Booties c/o Vionic
Bucket Bag "Johnny" Danse Lente
Gold Twist Earrings Thrifted similar 
Fresh Water Pearl Necklace S.V. Decker
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry

Vionic provided me with footwear for the purpose of this post.

Between Sun and Rain

“If you don't like the weather in New England now, just wait a few minutes.” - Mark Twain 

Over the weekend I found myself in Hartford for brunch at The Place 2 Be, and I happened to notice (check posts on Instagram) that the cherry blossoms in Bushnell Park were starting to bloom. Since I'm not typically in the area I didn't want to miss an opportunity to catch the blooms in the gorgeous park.

After a brief taste of sunny skies, the weather had reverted back to gloom, and on this particular day, it couldn't seem to decide if the sun or the rain was going to win out. Since I couldn't convince any of my fellow brunchers to accompany me to the park, I was solo with the tripod. Almost as soon as I had my shot set up the rain started. Nothing torrential, so I thought I could just keep shooting, but as rain drops fell on my lens they confused the auto focus so much that none of my shots were anything but a blurry mess.

Even as the rain was falling I could see the sun trying to break through, so I waited out the rain, dried off my lens and tried again. With the clouds moving and light constantly shifting it made for a bit of a challenge, and just when I thought I'd found a sweet spot, the wind kicked up. Frustrated, I retreated to my car, reviewed what I'd gotten, and decided it was enough to call it day. Even though I would have loved to have spent more time exploring the park and snapping away among the blooms, the crazy weather was more than I could handle, and I don't like risking a strong wind toppling my tripod, which has happened in the past.

They might not be 100% the photos I'd hoped for, but I gave it my best, and I suppose there is always next year!

         

The Rundown
Leopard Button Down Banana Republic similar
Grey Cardigan c/o Cabi similar
Distressed Jeggings Gap 
Nareen Block Heels c/o Vionic
Round Crossbody Bag French Connection
Circle Earrings c/o AUrate New York
Gold Plated Disc Necklace Matteo via TJMaxx
Crystal Bar Ring Upper Metal Class
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Nail Color "Canyon" Ten Over Ten

 

A Perfect Leather Jacket

A leather jacket is such a wonderful wardrobe staple. Even if though they are only two season pieces here in Connecticut, I've still amassed a small collection, as a great leather jacket can be a truly transformative piece.

When The Jacket Maker reached out to me about creating my own bespoke leather jacket, I was delighted at the prospect. I scoured my Pinterest feed and made notes of all my favorite jackets and the details which I loved, then I emailed my contact some reference images as well as a description of my dream jacket. After a little correspondence to nail down the small details, I provided my measurements, and then I waited. After about four months I finally received an email with photos of my finished jacket, and I couldn't believe how gorgeous it looked!

Now I finally have my dream leather jacket in my closet, and I'm very impressed with the level of detail found on the piece; the zippered side pockets are nice and deep, there is an inside pocket as well, and I love how the small quilted section came out.

I would definitely work with The Jacket Maker again, it's so amazing to see a piece I'd imagined come to life!

         

The Rundown
Grey Tee Gap
White Jeans Gap
Custom Made Leather Jacket c/o The Jacket Maker
Nareen Block Heels c/o Vionic
Micro Perry Satchel Rebecca Minkoff c/o Shopbop
Tortoise Earrings Loft
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry

Gold Herkimer Diamond Ring c/o Lumo

Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry
Sunglasses "Raglan" Warby Parker
Nail Color "Cement the Deal" OPI

Linking up with

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

The Jacket Maker provided me a custom leather jacket for the purpose of this post.