Fall Feels

I didn't need my jacket for these photos, and rather than put it on, or tote it around or do any of those things I might normally feel compelled to do, because I planned this outfit and so help me it's going to be photographed! I left it in the car instead. I reveled in the warm fall air, I got an iced coffee (which was perhaps a tad over ambitious, but I suspect it will be the last one I have this year) and I took my photos sans jacket.

The foliage by the Milford duck pond was looking brilliant, orange to my right, yellow to my left, and just enough cloud cover for that perfect even light. Even though I was only out enjoying the weather for a couple hours, I can admit it was my idea of a perfect fall day.

I wore this outfit to the opening of the new Dave and Buster's, the sneakers were a calculated move in case there was Dance Dance Revolution, sadly there was not. I debated sharing the photos I took there and writing a post, but I don't think I will. Mostly because I was a bit underwhelmed by the games. Everything was too big and too bright - how can you play a game if your eyes can't even take in the whole landscape? Also the titles were underwhelming, tell me again why I'd want to play Fruit Ninja with my finger on a 36" screen? But really the lack of DDR was the biggest fault in my eyes. Even though I'm sure I would have failed in five seconds because I'm ten years out of practice, I still would have loved to play.

      

The Rundown
Leopard Dress c/o Wallis similar
 White Sneakers "Dainty" Converse
Crystal Chevron Earrings Express similar
Bucket Bag "Johnny" Danse Lente
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Linking up with Thursday Fashion Files

and

Elegance & Mommyhood's Thursday Moda

Autumnal Shades

As we set out into November, I suppose it's time I start embracing fall a bit more. A lot of the trees in my neighborhood are very lackluster this year, with leaves turning from green to brown and depriving me of the one of the most redeeming qualities of the season. Perhaps I should plan a day to take a foliage drive before it's too late. But in the meantime, I've got my own pop of yellow/rust with this Zara bodysuit. Honestly I was hoping it would be more rust orange than mustard yellow, but that is a common problem I've had when seeking out the shade. Regardless, it pairs beautifully with leopard's chocolate browns and tans, resulting in the inspiration for this outfit.

         

The Rundown
Bodysuit Zara
Jeans Gap similar
Leather Jacket c/o Wallis similar
Leopard Heels Sam Edelman similar
Suede Accordion Bag Banana Republic similar

Gold Hoop Earrings Amazon

Hexagon Necklace TJMaxx
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Crystal Bar Ring Upper Metal Class
Nail Color "Caviar Bar" Essie

Linking up with

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

Black, Brown, and Navy for Spring

I'm not fully embracing spring style, even though it is technically spring, it is also currently snowing. Much like I'm not going to head out on an 80° September day layered up in sweaters, I'm not going to shiver on a 45° March day for the sake of blogging more spring-like outfits. Sure, I could have lightened things up a bit, but this top and jacket have been hanging together in my closet since December, waiting for a day when a leather jacket was an appropriate outerwear choice.

This color combination gave me a chance to show off how fabulous black, brown, and navy look together. I think the combo is often ignored or even outright avoided, but I love it. I also have a ridiculous amount of love for the Coach Willis Bag. Even though I already have two, when I was searching for one to link to on Etsy, I came across it in white, and I'm practically clicking 'add to cart'. As far as I'm concerned, the design of this bag is simply perfect.

It's funny, when I was in high school I used to think Coach bags were the ugliest things, as the only ones I ever saw were the signature logo bags. It wasn't until I came across this vintage Willis bag in a thrift store that a love of Coach arose, and I discovered that the same company which churned out coated canvas bags peppered in the letter 'C' once made gorgeous leather bags, with such thick, full grain leather, that a lining isn't needed to hide anything. I admit I do like some of Coach's current offerings (logo bags aside) but they still aren't quite as wonderful as the vintage styles.

       

The Rundown
Floral Swing Blouse Gap similar
Black Jeans Old Navy
Brown Leather Jacket c/o Wallis similar
Brown Booties "Upton" c/o Vionic
Willis Bag Vintage Coach thrifted similar
Gold Bar Earrings Argento Vivo via TJMaxx
Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box similar
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Nail Color "Couture Curator" Essie

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Spring

and

Oh To Be A Muse's Lookbook Linkup
and
By Lauren M's Mix it Monday

Saving made simple

This post is sponsored by Wikibuy, but my views and opinions are my own.

It doesn't seem to matter how much I have, I love to shop. I can always find an excuse for a new dress (wedding shower this weekend!) and even more so, I love to get a great deal. I never place an order online without first checking for a coupon code, searching other sites to see if there is a better sale elsewhere, or seeing if I can finagle free shipping. The hunt for a great deal is part of what makes shopping feel fun and rewarding right? So that is why I'm excited to share Wikibuy with you, as it is a site that which is an asset when it comes to making sure a great deal is never missed.

While there are lot of couponing sites out there, what sets Wikibuy apart is their Chrome extension, which will automatically search for and try coupon codes before checking out of a store, in addition to being an amazing tool while shopping on Amazon, as it will search the web for the item to see if it's being sold at a better price (including tax and shipping) anywhere else. Products can also be added to a price drop watch list, so the moment it goes on sale a notification will be sent.

So when I set my heart on this dress at Loft, I'll I had to do was add it to my cart, head to the checkout, and let Wikibuy try all the best coupon codes for me to find the best discount. Codes can also be searched for directly at Wikibuy. If you are a Chrome user doing a lot of shopping online, Wikibuy is definitely worth having around.

        

The Rundown

Skyline Dress Loft c/o Wikibuy
Brown Leather Jacket c/o Wallis similar
Mules Madewell similar
Navy Foldover Clutch Clare V. similar

Gold Ball Hoop Earrings Loft c/o Wikibuy
Gold Circle Bracelet St. Thomas c/o TJMaxx similar
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
Nail Color "Twill Seeker" Essie

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

How I have better mornings

I feel energized and motivated by the potential that this new day holds.

With Sundays being so good, Monday can feel like a dreadful alarm, waking me up before I'm ready, and well, usually includes an alarm waking me up before I'm ready. While I don't look forward to weekday mornings, I've been trying to make changes to improve them. Here is what has been working:

The first thing I do to have a better morning is to get up earlier. I know it's hard, and occasionally I fail, but giving myself the time to be able to get ready without being in a frantic rush makes my morning better. Having time to eat breakfast is important. Studies show!

The second thing which made a big difference for me was Sean getting up with me. The months when I got up and got ready while he snoozed away made me (unfairly) resent him. We have opposite schedules, but when he obliged my request to get up with me it improved my mood a great deal, and not just because he's making me lattés while I do my hair. We have breakfast together, get to share a few quiet moments in the morning, and then he can go back to bed as soon as I leave.

Commutes can be a pain. 22 minutes without traffic is generally 30 in the morning, but on some unfortunate days, can be stretched to an hour. Which brings me to the third way I make my mornings better; keeping myself from fixating on how slowly I'm going by having something good to listen to. I love the NPR One app. There is so much great content, including podcasts like Radiolab and a new favorite, "How I Built This". If I'd rather listen to music and I'm bored of my Spotify playlists, Radio Paradise is usually on point, and commercial free.

I'm not going to tell you that I have my outfits planned out, because I never do, even though it would probably make for a better morning. Planning out lunch is also really great, and I'd highly recommend that.

What do you do to have better mornings?

      

The Rundown
Sweater Dress Target c/o Swap similar
Brown Leather Jacket c/o Wallis similar
Over the Knee Boots Marc Fisher
Springbok Clutch Oliveve c/o Shopbop
Hammered Pendant Necklace Avon similar
Beaded Bracelet Alex & Ani
Gold Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Cloudy Agate Bracelet J.Crew
Stacked Rings Gorjana via TJMaxx similar
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Fall

and

Oh To Be A Muse's Lookbook Linkup
and
By Lauren M's Mix it Monday

Crisp autumn air

Where did this weekend go? I know it's all too common a phrase spoken, but I still can't help it. Thankfully it was warm and sunny and I had a chance to get a few sets of outfit photos taken, otherwise I'd be sorely lacking content for this week. Much like the two months of summer fly by, the weeks leading up to the holidays go by just as quickly, or perhaps even faster with the early sunsets. Most nights I feel like if it's dark at 6 p.m., I can just be in my pajamas, and that is perfectly okay.

I am feeling so envious of people who live in climates where 60° is their winter, beause that is something I could do. It's when get into the 50° nonsense that it's just a mess and I don't know what to wear anymore. So this week, every outfit is a perfectly lovely thing to wear when it's 60° (in the sun).

       

The Rundown

Button Down Shirt Old Navy similar

Distressed Jeans Old Navy similar

Brown Leather Jacket c/o Wallis similar

Brown Booties "Upton" c/o Vionic

Leather Bucket Bag Banana Republic similar

Plaid Scarf Zara similar

Gold Ring Thrifted

Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Nail Color "Fishnet Stockings" Essie

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Fall

and

Monday Mingle
and
By Lauren M's Mix it Monday