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

Forbidden Garden

Last Friday I met up with Diana in West Hartford to take some outfit photos. We shot three looks in the sweltering heat under a grey sky threatening rain. For the last outfit Diana suggested we go to Artisan, the restaurant we'd had dinner at during the last West Hartford blogger shoot, as it has a beautiful outdoor seating area with a garden. We spoke with the hostess who said we could get drinks at the bar, then just head out to the garden.

The space was a bit tight for my 50mm lens, but we took the liberty of moving around some chairs to make it work. We were far from the only patrons snapping away in the garden, but it wasn't long before someone from the restaurant came out and told us that we couldn't take 'professional' photos. I said I wasn't a professional, but he said the issue was with my DSLR, and that we were free to take iPhone photos. A bit of a strange rule, if you ask me, but thankfully we had managed to get some photos taken, finished our drinks, and headed elsewhere for dinner.

       

The Rundown

Striped Kimono Sleeve Top Gap

White Wide Leg Jeans Gap similar
Mules Madewell similar
Round Rattan Bag Etsy
Palma Wide Fedora Lack of Color
Gold Ball Earrings Kohl's
Evil Eye Necklace c/o Belcho
Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box 
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Nail Color "Fishnet Stockings" Essie

Linking up with Thursday Fashion Files

and

Elegance & Mommyhood's Thursday Moda

Connecticut Blogger Holiday Soiree

This post is going up much later than I'd anticipated, (where did the last two weeks go?) but better late than never, right?

A week before Christmas the CT Blogger Collective hosted a Holiday party at Flora in West Hartford. There was a huge turn out - I had no idea there were so many bloggers in Connecticut! I am continually impressed at how quickly Nonee, the groups founder was able to assemble the members and host three events last year, with a fourth event this coming Sunday. Seriously, she has my utmost respect and admiration. When I arranged a blogger meetup and there were six of us, I was pretty excited.

I met and chatted with some beautiful, talented bloggers and if I've snapped you in a candid shot, I'm sorry. I didn't take as many photos as I would have liked to, but there is just always that dilemma of focusing on being the photographer, or trying to be social, and I really did want to have some conversations that evening. And eat - there was quite the spread of delicious food, and I'm not one to hold back to try and be polite or proper. I got seconds, for sure. There was also some great live music for the first half of the evening which was fun and festive.

Even though it was an hour drive for me and it was a Monday evening, I'm happy I went. Plus it gave me an excuse to buy these pretty satin pants, which I need to exchange for a petite, and they literally arrived that day, giving me just enough time to rush home from work, tear open the package and cross my fingers they'd fit, before jumping in my car so as not to be too late.

Thanks to Nonee for putting the whole event together, the guest speakers, Kallie of But First Coffee, Alycia of CT Eats Out, Sandra of The Rustic Life, Rachel of Pinteresting Plans, and the sponsors, Flora, Melanie Ruth Photography, BakaFana, Anika Zebron Design, Java Skin Care, April Marin Accessories, Ooh La La Boutique.

         

The Rundown
Scalloped Cami J.Crew Factory
Merino Wool Cardigan Gap
Satin Pants Ann Taylor
Black Pumps "Natalie" Naturalizer
Necklace "Scottie" LuxbyUK
Ring The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Nail Color "Twill Seeker" Essie

Stylin' in St. Louis's Spotlight Linkup

and

Elegance & Mommyhood's Thursday Moda
and
Linking up with Jeans and a Teacup's Flashback Friday (one year ago today)

Happenstance

I'm not in West Hartford too often, perhaps once a year. But the other weekend it was my cousin's birthday, so we went to go visit him. It was a perfect evening for having dinner outdoors, people watching in Blue Back Square. Then we recognized a couple passing by, Sean's cousin who's wedding we attended a month ago. As we socialized with them, another familiar face appeared, my best friend's little brother, and to top it off, it was half off cheesecake day at the Cheesecake Factory.

It was kind of a perfect evening, even if bumping into people in the town they happen to live in isn't an extraordinary thing, it still felt like it was meant to be.

        

The Rundown
White Bodysuit Gap
Dalmatian Print Skirt Loft via Consignment Originals
Huarache Mules "Camila" Rebecca Minkoff similar
Vintage Japanese Bamboo Bag via eBay similar vintage, only $65!
Silk Scarf Loft similar
Teagan Earrings Slate via Rocksbox
Teagan Necklace Slate via Rocksbox
Fatima Bracelet c/o Gorjana similar
Liho Liho Ring Rudiment via Rocksbox
(Use code lydiaxoxo for a free month of Rocksbox!)
Nail Color "Couture Curator" Essie

Stylin' in St. Louis's Spotlight Linkup

and

Elegance & Mommyhood's Thursday Moda

Pond House

A couple weekends ago I attended a baby shower in honor of one of my oldest friends. It was held at the Pond House Cafe in West Hartford, CT inside Elizabeth park. The venue hosts events, but also has a cafe open to the public, and if you are in the area it is not to be missed. The grounds surrounding the pond are perfectly manicured and in full bloom. There is outdoor seating, and in the summers, even a special area where you can bring your dog. If I weren't on the shoreline, I'd probably be a frequent visitor!

For the occasion I wore a silk dress by Etro that I picked up during the summer sale at Roundabout last year - I think I missed the sale this year :(
The dress was a steal (I think about $125) and I was drawn to it because it was 1) silk and 2) made in Italy. Sadly this is only the second time I've worn it, the first being to a wedding last fall, which went undocumented. Hopefully I can sneak in another wear soon, because this dress is far too good to be stuffed in my closet 364 days a year.

The Rundown
Silk Dress Etro via Roundabout
Heels "Reverse" Charles by Charles David similar
Green Box Purse c/o Vintanthromodern similar
Loyce Earrings Elizabeth Cole c/o Shopbop
Diamond Necklace Gift
Pave Toggle Bracelet Banana Republic similar
Nail Color "Marshmallow" Essie

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