Always Winter Whites

It felt like a 'mild' forty-something degrees earlier this week when I met Megan for lunch at Chowder Pot, one of her favorite restaurants in town. Since it was 'warm' I decided to pull out my white culottes, and a blazer for outerwear, but by the time we'd finished our meal, the skies had become overcast, the wind picked up, and suddenly I was feeling let down by my wardrobe choices. Not that it stopped us from getting outfit photos done, and then doing a little window shopping.

This outfit also is the debut of my little Japanese Knot Bag I made last month. I'm quite proud of myself, I feel like I haven't finished a project in ages (including the overly ambitious alteration of a thrifted top which I started at the same time as the bag). I used to love to sew, and while my patience for doing tedious and intricate things comes through in other ways, such as decorative pie crusts, I do wish I could rekindle my flame for sewing.

         

The Rundown
Black Merino Wool Sweater Gap
Plaid Blazer H&M similar
 White Culottes eBay similar
Black Pumps "Natalie" Naturalizer
Teal Velvet Knot Bag Handmade similar 
Circle Earrings c/o AUrate New York
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Pearl and Pave Ring Forever 21
 Nail Color "Bubbles Only" Essie

Linking up with Thursday Fashion Files

and

Elegance & Mommyhood's Thursday Moda

Happy 19th Chloe!

Sometimes it's hard to believe Chloe has been with us for 18 years. We weren't her first family, but her forever family. I don't believe I've ever shared the story of how we got Chloe. It was not planned, no one, including my mother knew she was coming, as she was a surprise from my grandma!

My grandma had a friend who was looking to re-home Chloe, so she decided she would give my mom the one Christmas wish she'd always wanted and never received as a child - a puppy.

We don't know too much about Chloe's past, the only papers we have came from the shelter she'd been surrendered to dated December 1st, 2000, stating that she was a one year old Bichon named Munchkin (yes, I completely spearheaded the name change).

We had no idea what we were getting into the afternoon Chloe showed up and became a part of our lives; but I can honestly say that it is hard to imagine what our home would be like without her. And as for the tree farm photos - we'd just gotten home with our tree that Saturday in 2000, and so the following year we chose to celebrate Chloe on the same day we got our tree, and have done so ever since, our little Christmas Tree Dog.

       

The Rundown
Plaid Shirt J.Crew similar
Plush Fleece Excursion Vest J.Crew similar 
Jeans Joe's via saks off fifth similar
Brown Boots "Mullin Spice" Clarks via eBay
Gold Ball Earrings Kohl's
 Antler Ring House of Harlow similar
Nail Color "Twill Seeker" Essie
Dog Chloe similar

 

Pop of Red

On Saturday it was in the mid 40°s and sunny, so I decided I could get away with not wearing a coat. I also decided I could get away with ballet flats. I can't say it was 100% the correct choice, but lately we've been having two types of weather - either overcast, wet, and warm, or bright and sunny but below freezing. So I saw a chance to wear my Ferragamo flats without the threat of rain and I took it.

I sort of feel like the red bow Ferragamo flats are my 'holiday' shoes. No guarantees I'll end up wearing them on Christmas itself, but they do feel terribly festive. I don't have a great deal of red in my closet as of late. Most of my bright red pieces were donated in recent years and with the small exception of searching for something festive to throw on this time of year, I haven't missed them. Though it turns out, a great red accessory offering just a pop of color is enough.

As you know I love shopping second-hand, it’s my favorite way to get designer names into my closet for less. I could have never paid retail price for these shoes, but thanks to online shops like Micolet, thousands of beautiful previously loved pieces from my favorite brands are only a click away from my closet and the low prices let me shop guilt free.

        

The Rundown

Striped Turtleneck Ralph Lauren via TJMaxx similar
Plush Fleece Excursion Vest J.Crew similar
White Jeans Gap
Red Bow Pumps Ferragamo via eBay
Red Willis Bag Vintage Coach via eBay similar
Gold Ball Earrings Kohl's
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
  Nail Color "Bubbles Only" Essie

Linking up with  Style on the Daily

Polka Dot Midi

When I buy clothes that I know full well need alterations, often they will sit in my closet for months, or even years before I get around to doing them. There once was a time when my sewing machine was a permanent fixture in the room, and I prided myself on stitching together my own creations. But I was always afraid. Afraid of messing up, of ruining the piece. To force myself to move forward, I'd just rationalize that I could always go back to Joann Fabrics and buy more material and start again. Yet, that self doubt always caused me to dislike my creations. I have almost nothing left in my closet that I made myself.

When I know a dress needs a simple hem, it intimidates me. This dress was nearly maxi length on me, and deciding to chop off six inches made me fearful. The slippery silk refused to be cut in a straight, clean line, and once again I wanted to just give up and let the dress sit unfinished.

I had plans to meet up with five other bloggers last Friday, and I wanted my polka dot dress to be a reality, so I forced myself to finish. I know the hem isn't perfect. The stitches are crooked in some places, a tiny pucker here and there, a raw edge inside by the buttons. It isn't perfect, but it's done. Sometimes done is better than good.

     

The Rundown
Polka Dot Shirt Dress Kate Hill via ebay similar
Toe Cap Pumps "Varesse 70" Shoes of Prey
Vintage Japanese Bamboo Bag via eBay similar vintage
Versailles Earrings  Julie Vos similar
 Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box
 Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Nail Color "Caviar Bar" Essie

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Spring

and
By Lauren M's Mix it Monday

April Closet Additions

I didn't shop too much this month, but that was more than my goal of not shopping at all, if I'm being honest. I let temptation get the best of me and snagged a vintage macrame bag on Etsy, and also got an eBay win for a Rachel Comey fringe sweater than I've been coveting since 2015 (evidenced by this tweet). I also included some of my birthday gifts (the ones which were linkable, haha) because that did happen this month, much as I'd rather not discuss that milestone.

Know what else is from 2015? My copy of Photoshop Elements, which I bought so that I could do basic things like put together these collages for the blog, but then never ever used. But considering Polyvore is no more, my hand was forced, and honestly, what was I holding out for? I got it for a crazy good price too, only $30. It's currently $90, but if you need something for basic blog photo editing it's a decent program. In a pinch and in need of something free, I've used Pixlr (and why did I do that when I had Elements? I don't know...)

To sum up, this month I bought a sweater I didn't buy in 2015 and I used a program for the first time that I did buy in 2015.

J.Crew Factory Scalloped Cami, $17
J.Crew Factory Side Tie Shell, gift
Gap True Skinny Sculpt White Jeans, $34
Ten Thousand Villages Lush Floral Scarf, gift
J.Crew Factory Striped Ruffle Bodysuit, $18
Vintage Macrame Tote via Etsy, $40
Rachel Comey Fringe Sweater via eBay, $54

Worth repeating

Some outfits are just too good to not wear again, and sometimes I get stuck when styling a piece and decide a slight variation on what worked before is the best way to go.

What's worse is that I don't think I've worn either the dress or the jacket since I last wore them together... and that was over a year ago.

I think I'm in need of some style inspiration for both of these pieces!

The Rundown

Lace Dress Ebay similar

Jacket Free People via TJ Maxx similar

Leopard Wedges Sam Edelman Jorgia

Color Block Clutch Zara

Belt Gap similar

Chain Bracelet Macy's
Spike Bracelet Ebay similar
Crystal Spike Bracelet c/o t+j via LuckyFabb
Ring c/o Poshlocket

Monogram Necklace Amazon similar

Sunnies Ray-Ban Emma

The Frye Company Boot

The name Frye elicits a certain feeling of classic American wardrobe staple. A well made leather boot that will wear for years and years and always be in style.

I really want a pair.

But since Frye's average price point is $300, I'm left feeling high and dry. Even on sale the knee high styles nary dip below $100.

So I though I might try ebay. While ebay always has a decent offering of NIB items, I wouldn't be opposed to a 'gently worn' pair if it would get me a pair of Frye boots for under $50.

Unfortunately the general trend of previously worn frye boots end with auction prices from $80 to $200! Am I alone in thinking that is absurd? We are talking about shoes that other people have worn! What makes last season's used Fry Boot worth half it's retail value, when you could buy a new pair of leather boots from Aldo for the same price?

Is it so wrong to think that once worn, the resale value drops to the thrift store price of $15?
Am I really the only person to think that used boots are worth that much?

Sequins and Stripes: An impractical purchase to solve other impractical purchases

Five Dresses, One magical tank top?

There are a number of things in my closet that I do not wear, and aside from trying them on in the dressing room, have never worn. These are things meant to be worn by women who can get away with not wearing a bra.

(My rationalization for the purchases was that I would somehow find a magical bra that would in fact work. But I just never did.)

That being the conflict, I started searching ebay for a top that I could layer with the impossible pieces.

What I bought was a tank top with horizontal stripes covered in clear sequins (under $10)! Something I would have most likely scoffed at had I seen it in a store (actually, defiantly have) – particularly with the presents of the stripes. I’m not sure why my attitude towards them is softening lately, but if this slightly over the top glam tank top does what I’m envisioning, many clothes will be grateful to finally make it out of the closet.

Of the five dresses I’m hoping to make wearable with the top, it will probably only workout for one of them, but we shall see.

Stormy Weather Ahead

It’s the first decent day in what feels like the summer of eternal rain; but I can’t get my hopes up – the outlook for this evening and the rest of the week seems dismal at best.

So, MacBook and iced coffee in hand, I’ve spent the better part of the day on the porch, perusing ebay for some essential rain gear I’ve been lacking.

The past few weeks I’ve witnessed many people donning wildly printed “go with anything, because they go with nothing” rain boots. The worst offender was wearing a pair with a full on cow face.
I can understand how easy it would be to fall into the rain boot trap, all those fun patterns making siren calls, and who wants to wear plain boring black anyway?

But keeping my sensible mindset, I scrutinized the 207 results of size 8 boots on ebay, and found a few standout pairs that should keep my dignity and my wallet intact.

The first pair, navy blue booties with a starting bid of $5 and $8 shipping. I think the idea of short rain boot is both practical, and fashionable. No worries about overpowering an outfit, simple snaps at the side.

Turquoise is a weakness of mine, and I don’t consider a solid color to constitute a rain boot style nightmare. Yes, the orange accent color does cost it some points, but they could be a cute weekend look. The buy it now price is $20 with $10 shipping, but there is a best offer option, to be taken advantage of.

Lastly, this pair of black and white striped knee highs with bright pink accents. I know, the sirens, but black and white is pretty basic, stripes are a respectable print, and a little pink never destroyed my self respect before. Opening bid is $15, with $10 shipping.

Also worth noting are these Banana Republic pointy toed booties, with a kitten heel. Black patent leather, stylish enough to wear even when not in the rain. Just under $30 shipped.
Ahh decisions, what boots are best? I know no matter what I choose I’m going to have to want to wear them again, and again, and again, and hope that some bright shiny new boots will help me to enjoy this endlessly rainy summer.