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

Summer of the Vineyard

 The August days are melting away, or perhaps it's mostly me who is melting? Not that I would trade the heat - however the humidity can go. The heat will be gone soon enough, and the days of dining al fresco will fade away, which will be a terrible shame in this post pandemic world. Outdoor dining has been the saving grace of the summer, the feelings of normalcy in sharing a meal with a friend, and where better to do so than a vineyard? 

Connecticut is somewhat surprisingly rife with them, considering how difficult it can be to grow grapes in this climate, however I did recently read a piece in a local publication that mentioned how a winery can call themselves an estate grower even if as little as 25% of the grapes are grown locally, with the rest imported from California. Fortunately I'm not a wine snob, or connoisseur, or even particularly discerning - naturally I make most of my wine purchasing decisions based on how much I like a label - so I'm quite content with what the local vineyards have to offer. 

Sometimes there is table service and tasty offerings of burrata cheese and fresh tomatoes, other times we just throw a blanket on the grass - it's usually pretty easy to social distance, and is free from the worries of being a table hog, no one minds how long you linger, even if it's after closing time.

        
The Rundown
White Lace Maxi Dress "Assoulin" Joie via Poshmark
Straw Hat "Marcos" Brixton via eBay
Slide Sandals "Gracie" Vince Camuto via TJMaxx
Raffia Waist Bag Etsy
Mother of Pearl Earrings Argento Vivo via TJMaxx
Good Directions Necklace S.V. Decker
Blue Topaz Stacking Ring Hirajule via TJMaxx

Thin Gold Ring Etsy

Nail Color "Pre-Show Jitters" Essie

 

 

Bag Collector

I've had my eye on this raffia bag from Mango since March. I knew I didn't need it, I already have a similar shape bag, and the raffia seems delicate - something I felt I should take into consideration as last summer I had my macrame bag fall apart on me (a friend offered to try and repair it, but still no word on if it can be saved). Yet, when it was on sale with the potential for an extra 20% off, I thought what could be the harm in at least seeing it in person. Obviously the harm would be that I wasn't about to send it back!

I have no defense, my love of summer fashion holds strong, and what's one more bag, right?

        

The Rundown

White Eyelet Midi Dress Madewell similar
Wedge Sandals Loft similar
Raffia Half Moon Bag Mango
Straw Hoop Earrings Loft
Gold Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box  
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Why I'm loving black this summer

While it may be the unpopular opinion, I don't love black. When I walk into a store, my eyes usually dart right past racks of black and on to colors, prints, and white - my favorite color. Even in my own closet, black gets lost. During the winter I often gravitate towards cozy greys, but in the summer I fall in love with bright colors again and again.

So what is with my sudden black love affair? I haven't even worn a single white dress this summer, and I'm on record having said that if my closet was nothing but white dresses I'd be perfectly happy. Perhaps it has to do with a saturation point - I really couldn't justify getting this jumpsuit in white, as I've already got piles of white eyelet in my closet. Black eyelet on the other hand was unexploited. Once I put it on, it just felt right. Simple, understated, freeing of worry that I might get coffee stains, loving how much less pronounced wrinkles became, and throwing caution to the wind that wearing black in the summer would make me hotter.

I'm by no means done with white, but I'm enjoying this little love affair with black.

     

The Rundown
Black Eyelet Lace Jumpsuit Banana Republic
 Ankle Strap Sandals Target
Black Straw Bag Zara similar
Pearl Hoop Earrings Thrifted similar
Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry

4th Street Bridge

When I took photos with Jessica in the Arts District of Los Angeles, we were able to get a couple outfits in, and for our second shoot location, Jessica had chosen the 4th Street Bridge. Every blogger loves a good bridge, naturally.

While I'm now back on the east coast, and back to the snow, I do still have a couple more sets of photos from California to share. I really wish I had more, that was a failure on my part! Sadly it will be right back to winter outfits while I await the arrival of spring.

       

The Rundown
Lace Blouse c/o Choies similar
Jeans Banana Republic
Blush Leather Jacket Athleta similar
Nareen Block Heels c/o Vionic
Black Straw Bag Zara
Tear Earrings Etsy custom design via Bonanza Studio
Coin Pendant Necklace Julie Vos
Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Diamond Chip Ring c/o Crown Jewelry
Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
Nail Color "Caviar Bar" Essie

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Fall

What I Wore to Girls Night

The title of this post says it all, as I don't really have many other photos of the evening which was put on by The Shops at Yale. I have always loved downtown New Haven. People can say what they want about the city, it was the butt of many a Gilmore Girls joke, but I rather like it. Good shopping, great restaurants, and hundreds of great places for outfit photos.

The Girls Night consisted of wine and cheese tasting at J.Crew, Moonrocks cookies at Gant, Cupcakes at Lou Lou, and shopping discounts all around.

I arrived a little before the event so I would have time to take outfit photos before it got dark, and since I was tripoding it, I went for a place where I could find the least amount of foot traffic, but also close to my car, so this little spot right next to the parking lot fit the bill.

I always find it hard to be at an event and participate in it, but also be a blogger dutifully documenting it. How does one sip wine, stuff their face with sample cheese, shop, and take photos of it all? I feel like I can only wear one hat - either I'm the guest enjoying myself, or I'm the photographer documenting the evening and saving the memories for everyone else. This particular evening I chose to simply be a guest, and I practiced so much self restraint at J.Crew. But if you are wondering, I wanted this leopard print blouse, this floral dress, and this bucket bag.

      

The Rundown
Lace Cami H&M similar
Tan Cardigan Max Studio via TJMaxx similar
Black Jeans Old Navy similar
Scalloped Mules Marc Fisher via Poshmark similar
Bucket Bag "Johnny" Danse Lente
Tortoise Earrings Loft
Alphabet Necklace c/o Gorjana similar
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Nail Color "Caviar Bar" Essie

Linking up with Shopping My Closet Style Me Wednesday
and
Style on the Daily