When You Move, I Move

There are no shortages of chic and affordable timepieces as of late, so when MVMT reached out to me about featuring one of their watches I agreed mostly because I fell in love with this unique purple watch, and partly because I think their name is really clever. They were also kind enough to extend a 15% discount to my readers with code CHICLYDDIE15.

 

Of course if I'm being honest, this outfit is more about the bag, the Dip by Yuzefi which I spotted on another blogger's arm sometime last fall. First I balked at its $700ish price tag, and then I beat myself up for not nabbing it at 60% off before it went out of stock at Net-a-Porter. But then, as I always do, I set up my saved searches, and when this snake embossed version came up on eBay, I quickly snapped it up for $115. 

I'm always very drawn to bags that are structural and statement making, while still being functional*. I love how the design allows you to easily switch from carrying by the top handle to the shoulder strap  without needing to hook/unhook the strap or having the top handle be in the way. 

 

I know, I'm just a bit obsessed with bags, and now I have a new designer to love, I mean, just look how cute this 'Dinner Roll' bag is!

*You know I use the term functional somewhat loosely, as long as my phone, my tiny wallet, and my car key fit, then it's functional enough!

The Rundown
Wrap Blouse Banana Republic similar
Faux Suede Leggings Ann Taylor
Camel Striped Cardigan Ann Taylor
Leather Sneakers Sperry via TJMaxx
Bag "Dip" Yuzefi secondhand via eBay
Earrings Banana Republic
Paperclip Chain Necklace Cote D'argent via TJMaxx similar
Watch "Vibe" c/o MVMT
Papercilp Chain Bracelet c/o MVMT
Thin Gold Ring Etsy
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Chevron Ring Sashi via TJMaxx
Sunglasses Ray-Ban via TJMaxx

Can't Change My Stripes

The Rundown
Brown Satin Bodysuit Abercrombie
Zebra Cardigan Banana Republic similar
Flared Jeans Gap similar
Sock Booties"Neola" Naturalizer similar
Quinn Circle Necklace Gorjana via TJMaxx
Coin Necklace TJMaxx
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Don't Forget Your Booties Cause it's Cold Out There Today

I think this will be a year I need to re-watch Groundhog Day. Given the year 2020 was, there might just be some new meanings to be found.

 

The Rundown
Cashmere Cardigan Ann Taylor
Curvy Mid-Rise Skinny Jean Banana Republic
Herringbone Coat Loft
Cream Booties Aerosoles
Velvet Bag Thrifted
Necklace TJMaxx
Crescent Moon Necklace c/o Marijane Boutique
Thin Gold Ring Etsy
San Marco Twist Ring Golden Cleff via TJMaxx
Sunglasses "Nina" Ray-Ban

Watching Street Lights Glow

Taking these photos was almost like a meditation. Just me and the camera, the setting sun, the cherry blossoms. A few people would pass by, but they would either distance themselves from me, or I them. I took my time, framing my shots, changing angles, doing my best to capture the glowing light and the magic of pink flowers.

This is an old, familiar spot. Some years I come nearly every day for photos while the trees are in bloom, and others, like this one, just once. One year stands out in my mind for a few reasons; I loved my outfit, the photos were taken in the evening after the street lamps came on, and the trees were blooming before my birthday. This is the first time since 2012 these trees were in full bloom before April 12th, so I felt compelled to come take these photos as the sun was setting.

Thinking back to 2012, that was a year I took some significant steps forward in my life, small, but positive changes. Clearly 2020 is going to be a year of changes, and I hope in the not too distant future I'll be able to look back and see lots of positive ones amidst the tumultuous ones.

       

The Rundown
Fringe Cardigan Anthropologie similar
Cowl Neck Camisole Mango
 Easy Straight Jeans Ann Taylor
Cream Booties Aerosoles
Round Rattan Bag Etsy similar
Circle Earrings c/o AUrate New York
Aries Pendant Necklace Mejuri
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry 
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
Nail Polish "Cold Brew Crew" Essie

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

Spring's Arrival

The calendar has officially marked the start of Spring, so there is now only waiting for the actual weather to reflect it, and dressing without a necessary additional layer in the time being.

Since I've been home I've been feeling the need to do a big closet clean out. I've been trying really hard not to shop this year, and with the exception of a pair of pajamas, I haven't purchased any clothes or accessories this calendar year (you already know about the shopping I snuck in during the dwindling hours of 2018).

Of course through some brand collaborations, new things have arrived all the same, and I'm trying to reconcile my closet so that it is no long in a state of chaos; and I don't have to buy more hangers. I know that has been my mantra for quite sometime, but clothing being perpetually camped out on a chair isn't much better of a solution.

I've tried listing things on eBay, mostly as a way of assuaging my guilt when it comes to things I've barely, or maybe even never worn. Though for the amount of effort it takes to list things, to only sell at a fraction of the price I paid and even less than I'd hoped to get, I'm not sure it's worth it. I might just send a box to ThredUP, knowing full well I'll get pennies for every piece, but it might be better than nothing.

Are you planning on any spring cleaning this year? Or did you start in January with the rest of the Marie Kondo obsessed crowd?

       

The Rundown
Rima Fringed Cardigan Anthropologie similar
 Blush Button Down Blouse Joie via swap.com
Distressed Jeggings Gap
Blush Booties Old Navy
Monogrammed Bucket Bag c/o Marleylilly
Half Moon Necklace c/o Happiness Boutique
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

 Linking up with Style on the Daily