If the shoe fits

"I believe in my ability to create my own life."

Last Thursday I had an opportunity to visit Park & Oak restaurant in West Hartford with several other Connecticut bloggers, which was a lovely excursion for a weeknight, and the perfect opportunity to wear my latest closet additions, this one shoulder top and these fabulous gold earrings.

I've finally started wearing these black pumps I got sometime in May, they were the result of trying dozens of black pumps - dear Zappos, Amazon and my UPS guy, I'm sorry for all the returns - and coming to the realization that my shoe size isn't really an 8, but rather a 7 WW! It's not that I haven't been wearing pumps in a size 8 for all these years, just that they would always have a large gap in back and I made it my mission to find a pair of black pumps which fit without needing heel pads. So Naturalizer came to the rescue, and for a comfort brand, I think these pumps are a stylish step in the right direction. You can't really tell in these photos, but the inside of the heel itself is metallic, and that little detail really sold me on them. Plus they met my price cap $100... but of course I waited to take advantage of a 30% off sale and grabbed them in nude too.

        

The Rundown
Ruffled One Shoulder Top Banana Republic
Black Pants Gap similar
Black Pumps "Natalie" Naturalizer
Grayson Bar Bag Linea Pelle similar
Gold Bon Bon Earrings The Dressing Room Boutique
Gold Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Starburst Ring TJMaxx similar
Nail Color "Twill Seeker" 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

'Fall For All Of It' at Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets

Thanks to Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets for sponsoring this post!

This past weekend Meg and I attended the "Fall For All Of It" fall preview event at Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets, where we partook in a fall trend scavenger hunt, seeking out styles for both women and men that are going to be huge this year.

Before the shopping began, we made a stop at the Lindt Chocolate shop for one of their signature truffle beverages. The truffles are melted into steamed milk, and either served that way as hot chocolate, or combined with coffee. So yummy!

Next we headed over to the Timberland for their Tiltson try-on event. The booties were really cute and surprisingly comfortable! The thick soles would make them great for the colder weather as well. While we were there I spied one of the first items on our scavenger hunt - a pair of suede moccasins - and our hunt was on. Keep scrolling to see all the trends and the fabulous pieces we found at Clinton Crossing!

It's always great that when shopping the outlets, there are always so many chances for amazing savings. With their new digital savings passport, VIP members can easily access all the current offers from their phones - it's as easy as going to premiumoutlets.com/vip!

Needless to say we had a great afternoon and I did not leave empty handed either. After, we were treated to a lovely meal at Chow, which was right down the road and so delish!

    

This post is sponsored by Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets. As always, my views and opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands who support Chic on the Cheap!

So long summer

I don't much care for fall. This is a very difficult position to take, as every other person in the northern hemisphere is currently over the moon, gleefully layering on sweaters and hats, even if the temperatures are still climbing to 80° by mid afternoon.

I find it hard to love fall because all I can think about are the days getting shorter, the impending holidays, and the inevitable, painfully long, cold winter which will follow. Maybe someday I'll learn to live in the present and enjoy fall. Until then, I'm going to dress like it's summer before the cold actually hits.

      

The Rundown
Black Maxi Dress Gap similar
Platform Sandals MRKT similar
Panama Hat J.Crew
Straw Clutch Rodo Italy via Goodwill similar
Monogram Necklace oNecklace
Cuff "Vista" Gorjana via Rocksbox
Gold Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Gold Wrap Ring gift from Meg similar
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Linking up with Mix and Match Fashion's Summer Style

and

Elegance & Mommyhood's Thursday Moda

Spring preview at Clinton Crossing Outlets

I love being a short drive from the outlet malls, the Simon Premium Outlets in Clinton, CT are home to several of my favorite stores (and typically have amazing Memorial Day weekend sales, that I will have to abstain from this year).

When I got the invitation for the Spring Preview Event this year I was so excited! I had a great time last April, and while they mixed things up with a different format this year, it still did not disappoint.

Rather than visiting all the different storefronts, participating stores brought all their favorite spring pieces into one location for us to peruse, and the rest of the area was set up for mingling, with a fun spread of food and drink, complete with a three tiered platter of lindt candy, yes, please and thank you!

Lucky Brand had all of the most perfect bohemian summer styles, I pretty much wanted to walk out with that maxi dress. Aeropostale had a wonderfully simple and affordable little black dress, and Le Creuset was showing off their new turquoise shade in cookery.

I loved getting to meet and mingle with other Connecticut bloggers, in the photo below I'm with Dianna of Budget Babe, Lynzy of Lynzy & Co., and Lauren of Lauren McBride. I was also happy to meet Jackie of Living after Midnight and Lauren of From Earth to Style. It was lovely to catch up with the ladies I met at the event last year as well, Rosa of Lady Diana's Pearls, Bonnie of Home Place Blog and Meg was in attendance too of course! We both brought our Moms as our guests, so they got to join in on the fun.

There were some great giveaways at the event, though sadly I didn't win any, it was hard to lament between the laughter and chocolate covered strawberries.

The Rundown
Floral Blouse Banana Republic
Navy Minnie Pant J.Crew via Coco's
Trench Coat London Fog thrifted similar
Silver Pumps Kate Spade via Coco's similar similar
Micro Perry Satchel Rebecca Minkoff c/o Shopbop
Turquoise Necklace Gift similar
Turquoise Bracelet Vintage thrifted
Stacked Rings Gorjana via TJMaxx similar
Nail Color "Cement the Deal" OPI

Linking up with I Do deClaire's Confident Twosday
and
Cute and Little's on Trend Tuesday

2015 in Fashion and Photos

I always look forward to putting together this roundup post, a chance to look through a year of outfit successes (and fails, not that you will see those here), to get a little nostalgic, to think about which pieces I've worn non-stop, and which only got worn once (oops).

I always like to think that with every new year as my style evolves I will somehow get my shopping habits under control, that I will only buy amazing pieces I'll wear all the time, that I'll only make sensible purchases and not another grey sweater just because I love grey sweaters.

Even with that optimism, I know deep down that I am that impulsive shopper, a bargain hunter who can't pass up a silk skirt for $10 even if I only wear it once, and an obsessive compulsive shopper calling stores across the country to track down a dress that I saw and will stop at nothing to own.

I'll try to be good, but I suppose it is only a matter of what sale I can't resist first!

January

February

March

April

May

June


July


August

September

October

November

December

Wishing you all a happy, healthy, and fashionable new year!