Tick Tick Tick

I am committed to making positive changes in my life.

Eighteen more days left of my three month shopping ban and I am chomping at the bit. Which is not a good thing, and not how I was hoping to feel this far into the ban. I had this expectation that I'd reach a happy zen feeling and not still be battling off every cute top that catches my eye.

It's the internet's fault, really. If all I had to do was avoid brick and mortar stores, I'd be in such good shape! But online shopping's call is inescapable. It's there, 24/7 and is at its worst when I'm at work with nothing to do. Apparently idle hands like to place Banana Republic orders. (A birthday gift for my sister-in-law and nothing else, I swear.)

Come April first I can't allow myself to do three months of shopping in one day. That would defeat everything. I need to remember to be thoughtful about any new purchases, mindful of my budget, and consider what is already in my closet.

And who knows, maybe in 18 days I'll find that zen and not immediately buy these shoes?

       

The Rundown
Plaid Shirt J.Crew Factory similar
Cable Knit Sweater Ralph Lauren thrifted similar
Yoga Jeans Second Denim via Coco & Vera's Giveaway
Camel Coat J.Crew thrifted similar
Brown Booties "Upton" c/o Vionic
Red Willis Bag Vintage Coach via eBay similar
Leather Pom Matine
Plaid Scarf c/o Front Row Shop similar
Gloves Antonio Murolo via TJMaxx similar
Pearl Earrings Gift similar
Sunglasses c/o Sicky

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Fall

and

Oh To Be A Muse's Lookbook Linkup
and
By Lauren M's Mix it Monday

Faux layers

I'll be the first to admit I sometimes get hung-up trying to layer things. Pieces I imagine will go together just won't, the extra pieces appearing bulky and lumpy. Then there is the fussing - continually needing to tug and pull and readjust. Sometimes it's nice to have the layering done for you, effortlessly.

As I'm anxiously shedding as many layers as I can bear, I loved the idea of this faux layered sweater from Chadwicks. Adding to it my own high-low layered necklaces, it made the perfect outfit for a casual date night.

The Rundown
Layered Look Sweater c/o Chadwicks
Jeans Joe's similar
Lace-up Flats Gap similar
Cream Fold Over Clutch Gap
Bling Earrings JoJo Loves You
Mini Punk Princess Bracelet CC Skye c/o Serendipity and Grace
Choker Banana Republic
Necklace Lauren Conrad for Kohl's
Stacked Rings Gorjana via TJMaxx similar
Knot Midi Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry

Gold Herkimer Diamond Ring c/o Lumo

Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry

Sunglasses "Caravan" Ray-Ban via Ditto
Nail Color "Cement the Deal" OPI

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

Chadwicks provided me with this sweater for the purpose of this post, my views and opinions are my own.

Extra layer

A fur vest under a coat is somewhat of a bulky layer, and truthfully it was not my intent to feature the coat as part of the outfit, however as a testament to how much the weather changed over the last week, I was feeling much too cold to bear taking it off.

I'm happy to see the days getting noticeably longer and the possibility of photos after work just before the light fades is a reality again. I love how you can see the sun's glow reflecting off the windows of the building in the distance in the third photo. It came out just for a moment before the passing clouds overtook it yet again.

The Rundown
Black Sweater Gap similar
Fur Vest American Eagle via TJMaxx similar
Red Peacoat Nine West similar
Black Jeans Old Navy
Boots Migliorini via TJMaxx buy on ebay similar
Fringe Bucket Bag TJMaxx similar
Cashmere Beanie Portolano via TJMaxx
Necklace "Greer V" Gorjana
Snake Ring Brilliant Imports

Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Linking up with Mix and Match Fashion's What I Wore to Work

and

Happiness At Midlife's Throwback Thursday (last time I wore this hat)

All about the layering

My approach to layering is that less is more. I would love to pile it on and still look like a J.Crew model, but that is never going to happen. I try not to bring in too much bulk and stick to a limited color pallet.

I hate it when my sweaters bunch in the middle over a button down, so by choosing a thinner knit I can fold it under, thus giving the sweater a more cropped appearance that allows the button down to show and the bunchiness to be eliminated.

What are your layering tips?

The Rundown
Jeweled Sweater Kohls similar
Chambray Shirt Tommy Hilfiger via TJMaxx similar
Herringbone Vest "Whatever You Like Vest" c/o Mint Julep Boutique
Jeans Joe's Jeans via Saks off Fifth
Boots Migliorini via TJMaxx buy on ebay similar
Bag Linea Pelle "Astor" c/o Serendipity and Grace
Black Leather Gloves J.Crew similar
Watch "Classic Sheffield" c/o Daniel Wellington
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Winter pastels

In a spring inspired winter look, pale pink, cream, and grey are a welcome break from the darker shades I've been gravitating towards. If only wearing pastels could be the fashion equivalent of a rain dance and make the warmer temps arrive sooner.

However, the one lovely constant is the lengthening of the days, and last week I forced myself to 'man-up' and took photos six out of the seven days - four of those days with the tripod, four in extreme cold, one in a snowstorm.

Unfortunately the trend did not continue into the start of this week, Sunday was too frightfully cold and windy to dare venture outside. I spent my day baking cookies. On Valentine's day I had a 'date' with my Mom, I got her flowers, she got me chocolate, we went to Starbucks and then saw Fifty Shades of Grey. Not a bad way to spend the weekend.

The Rundown
Pink Sweater Banana Republic thrifted similar
White Silk Shirt J.Crew similar
Grey Jeans c/o Max Jeans
White Fur Collar Coat Zara thrifted similar
Boots Migliorini via TJMaxx buy on ebay similar
Bag "Alexa" Danielle Nicole c/o Serendipity and Grace
Earrings Topshop similar
Necklace Lauren Conrad for Kohls similar
Pave Toggle Bracelet Banana Republic similar
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Blanket of white

White is my favorite color, and I especially love winter white, so I'm styling my white jeans again. They are a bit on the thin side, but I was hoping the Joules boots would provide better insulation than they did. Perhaps they only work well in cold weather if you have the fleece liners?

Despite my lower half being chilly, the combination of chambray, wool, and down kept me feeling pretty toasty on top.

This weekend I'm going to NYC with Sean, and I'm really stressing over what to pack. With freezing temps and snow in the forecast I feel like it's going to be tough to balance something that is walkable, slush proof, cute for going out to dinner, and sufficiently warm.

If you are reading this anytime before Saturday morning, give me your suggestions!

The Rundown
Birdseye Print Sweater Woolrich thrifted similar
Chambray Shirt Tommy Hilfiger via TJMaxx similar
Puffer Vest Gap thrifted similar
White Jeans Old Navy
Green Rain Boots Joules target version
Willis Bag Vintage Coach thrifted
Red Tassels Etsy via RinartsAtelier
Shine Necklace Ily Couture
Anchor Bracelet Knotical Knovelites
Black Leather Gloves J.Crew
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx