Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day! It was such a rainy and cold weekend, I didn't leave the house, and barely got dressed. It felt very much like being back in lockdown, and how readily I accepted putting on my loungewear and doing nothing should probably be considered a bad sign.

I've been trying to be good and not shop too much this weekend, but it seems possible I'll cave in the 11th hour. You know how that goes. Thus far I've just ordered a white belt bag from Coach. I actually liked the factory version better, but it's sold out and everyone on Poshmark is asking crazy prices.

Aside from that, I have been on a Poshmark kick again, ordering a Lucky Brand dress that I tried on in TJMaxx in 2019 and didn't buy then, but suddenly decided I needed now? Hopefully it still looks as cute as it did then! As well as a light floaty Theory dress, a white Coach backpack, and a cream Theory leather jacket.

Sometimes I actually think I'm being good with my shopping until I take a moment to stop and think about it!

The Rundown
Lace Puff Sleeve Blouse Adiva via TJMaxx similar
Straight Leg Jeans Ann Taylor similar
White Block Heel Sandals Kenneth Cole Reaction via TJMaxx similar
Straw Basket Bag TJMaxx similar
Blue and White Silk Scarf Lillian Vernon via eBay
Pearl Hoop Earrings c/o Mejuri similar
Thin Gold Ring Etsy
Signet Ring Sashi
Nail Color "Pre-Show Jitters" Essie

Spring Magic

It's no secret I love spring, the two main reasons being; one: my birthday, and two: blossoms. 

 

I still haven't made it to D.C. to see the cherry blossoms there, but even here in Connecticut we've got our beautiful spots; Wooster Square in New Haven has yet to disappoint. The blossoms always come and go in a flash, and this year their peak weekend was doomed to get rained out, so I hustled to get there before the inclement weather arrived. So did everyone else, and the park was packed at golden hour.

Spot was visiting, so he came along too, though he was far more interested in sniffing than taking photos. I swapped out his retractable leash for a jeweled one - don't tell his mom!

Few things are quite as magical as pink flowers and the glow of the setting sun. Even if it only happens but once a year.

The Rundown
Sage Green Sweater Banana Republic
White Wide Leg Jeans Banana Republic
Sandals Seychelles via TJMaxx
Vintage Japanese Picnic Bag eBay
Link Earrings with Pearl Drop South Moon Under
Bold Cherry Blossom Necklace c/o Rellery
Sunglasses "State Street" Ray-Ban
Dog Spot

Remember Kindness

In my life I am largely silent. I'm afraid of my thoughts and feelings being perceived as, or revealed to be incorrect, and prefer to say nothing rather than face that fear.  Often times when discussions of politics are brought up, I state that I can't participate as I don't know enough about the issues and policies. The solution to the problem isn't staying silent, it's taking the time to educate myself, so that I can form an opinion, so that I can be involved with things that matter.

It wouldn't be an understatement to say that I've lived my life inside a bubble, and since the quarantine started, I've allowed that bubble to shrink even further. I haven't read a book, listened to a podcast, socialized outside of my immediate family, and withdrawn from this space and community.

I've taken in current events through the lens of Instagram, and felt ashamed at how little diversity I've curated on my own feed (the Instagram algorithm can't be blamed for this either, my explore page is 99% photos and videos of dogs). Though it did bring this thought to the forefront of my mind, the internet has leveled the playing field, we are no longer relying on magazine editors or Hollywood producers to decide who we see. We choose the Bloggers, YouTubers, and Instagram accounts we follow. We get to pick the people who we want to have influence over our lives. We can make different choices.

It's my responsibility to not continue to to be passive, though from what I've seen spoken by others who may feel similarly, I want to remind you to be kind. To yourself, to others; we are all learning and growing, foster that growth with kindness.

       

The Rundown
Camel Wrap Sweater Amazon
White Jeans Gap
Nude Pumps "Natalie" Naturalizer
Tortoise Acrylic Bamboo Bag  Rachel Roy via TJMaxx
Gold Ball Stud Earrings Kohl's
Fresh Water Pearl Necklace S.V. Decker
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Gold Ring Vintage via Etsy
Sunglasses Ray-Ban via TJMaxx

The Importance of Getting Dressed

While it seems like the end of quarantine as we know it is finally within view, I imagine the reopening will be a slow process, and changes to our day to day lives will likely be small at first. Over these last two months I haven't gotten fully dressed too often, but I at least embraced the routine of getting dressed, moving from nighttime pajamas into daytime pajamas (or loungewear, if you prefer).

Over the weekend I had a slip up; I stayed in my nighttime pajamas all day, and suffered dearly for it. The day started off well enough, I cooked soufflé pancakes for a Mother's Day brunch, with every intention of getting dressed before eating, but the process was slow and the shelf of the pancakes extremely short, so by the time we were ready to eat at noon, it felt like the window had passed and I might as well not bother changing. The combination of pajamas and mimosas resulted in a sloth-like existence for the rest of the day, later accompanied by a myriad of aches; head, stomach, back. In a futile attempt to reverse the damage, I chose a short yoga flow from YouTube at random, took a shower, and changed into a fresh pair of pajamas. Sadly, it was too late, my headache got worse before it got better, and my sister is mad at me for falling asleep five minutes into the episode of "Dead to Me" she'd put on. 

The moral of the story is of course, to just get dressed. It's more the action than what is put on, and I have no excuse as I've added several new loungewear pieces to my collection these last few weeks. Also ordering more Cosabella bralettes, because I tried it, and underwire is just not happening right now.

         

The Rundown

Floral Midi Dress H&M similar

Sandals Manolo Blahnik via Coco's on the Green

Caned Bag Vintage similar

Woven Leather Belt Thrifted similar

Gold Rectangle Chain Necklace Etsy

Earrings Thrifted similar
Rings Vintage via Etsy
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Nail Color "Just the way you Arctic" Essie

Birthday in Quarantine

Yesterday was my fourth and final Easter Birthday, because it won't fall on April 12th again until 2093.

I'd been looking forward to going out to celebrate with my friends on the Saturday evening before, followed the big family gathering on Sunday, with all our traditional Easter dishes, especially the cream pie and ricotta pie, plus my birthday cake...

But of course that didn't happen. My friends called to wish me happy birthday, one left a gift on my doorstep. The family got together via Zoom, and with seven little children vying to be the center of attention, it was a chaotic virtual gathering, to say the least. No Easter pies were baked, since it would just be us eating them, no huge meal cooked; we just had my birthday cake, and per my request blonde lasagna.

I got dressed for the first time in while, and I stayed dressed all day long! I don't think that has happened in quite sometime, but it felt good. The day started off beautifully, sunny and warm - I didn't even need to add a cardigan until later in the afternoon (well, pretty much when we took these photos). Practicing social distancing while taking outfit photos does tend to add an extra challenge, even though I routinely wait until people pass so they aren't in the background, suddenly it felt like getting six feet away from everyone who passed by was difficult without going into the street or dodging into an alleyway. But pandemic or otherwise, on my birthday, when cherry blossoms are blooming, and it's not raining, so help me I'm going to take outfit photos.

Overall, it was a pretty good birthday, my sister and I drank a bottle of wine, I made meringue frosting for my cake and then toasted it with a blow torch, gifts were received, candles blown out, and I got to feel grateful for all that I have.

        

The Rundown

Clipdot Wrap Bodysuit Abercrombie similar

Blue & White Toile Maxi Skirt H&M similar
 Jeweled Strap Mule Banana Republic
Vintage Beaded Bag Anna Pearl's Curiosities similar
Pearl Earrings Maris Pearl Co. 
Aries Pendant Necklace Mejuri
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Nail Polish "Cold Brew Crew" Essie

Spring Layers

The best part about transitional seasons is the ability to create layered looks, and while I've never mastered the number of layers commonly found on J.Crew models, I do love being able to add a favorite jacket, blazer or cardigan to complete a look.

I also love layering my jewelry, and while it can sometimes be tricky to find just the right pieces to mesh with one another, this layered necklace Grand Avenue Jewelry sent over takes the guess work out and provides two adorable 14k gold plated charms at just the right lengths.

It makes me sad to see the cherry blossom trees in the center of my town already losing their petals - of the four trees there, only one was still clutching to its delicate pink flowers. They are only in bloom for such a short time, it makes me appreciate their beauty even more. What is your favorite part of the spring season?

Grand Avenue Jewelry is offering Chic on the Cheap readers 20% off their entire order with code CHIC20 - happy shopping!

       

The Rundown
Scalloped Cami J.Crew Factory
Wide Leg Crop Jeans Gap
Denim Jacket Gap similar
White Mules "Bianca" Target similar
Round Crossbody Bag French Connection
Gold Ball Earrings Kohl's
 Layered Charm Necklace c/o Grand Avenue Jewelry
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Sunglasses "Raglan" Warby Parker
Nail Color "Canyon" Ten Over Ten

 Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Spring