Month's End

"I accept change as a positive force in life."

Happy Friday! Today not only marks the end of the month and the end of the first quarter of the year (seriously) but the end of my shopping ban!

I embarked on this three month ban with Lorena with the intentions of getting through the unworn items in my closet, taking stock of what I have and reaffirming that I really do not need anything new.

I wouldn't call the ban a failure, but I don't feel like it was a success either, in that I have not yet taught myself how to quell the need to shop. I wasn't buying clothes, shoes, or accessories, but when I found myself devoting an afternoon to picking out a new dish rack on Amazon, I realized I am still far from having my shopping under control.

I'd like to see how long I can continue the ban for, though Lorena suggested the possibility of allocating a small budget for thrift shopping. I like that idea, but I know it's also a slippery slope, and I think any new purchases need to conform to a one-in one-out rule, that way I have to want something badly enough to let go of something else.

        

The Rundown
Floral Blouse Banana Republic similar
Mint Cocoon Coat Banana Republic similar
Yoga Jeans Second Denim via Coco & Vera's Giveaway
Nude Lace Up Flats Gap similar
Micro Perry Satchel Rebecca Minkoff c/o Shopbop
Beetle Earrings Banana Republic similar
Turquoise Necklace Gift similar
Beaded Bracelet Alex & Ani
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry
Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry
Bee Ring Kohl's similar
Sunglasses "Emma" Ray-Ban similar
Nail Color "Zip Me Up" Essie

Linking up with Jeans and a Teacup's Flashback Friday (one year ago today)

Back to Winter

I give thanks daily for a long, happy, healthy life.

It seems I like to pull out this cocoon coat on the coldest of days, and after last weekend's brush with spring, nothing could have felt more harsh than the freezing cold that settled in these last couple days. I suppose I should be grateful to have plenty of opportunities to use the weather as an excuse to do little more than settle in for an early night with a hot cup of tea and whatever is new on Netflix. I just binged Santa Clarita Diet and I had very mixed feelings. After the first episode I was so grossed out I didn't think I'd watch anymore... but I did. It was a strange combination of funny and disgusting, and somehow I liked it. At least I can say I think I've turned a corner on this cold and am starting to feel a lot better!

       

The Rundown
 Grey Cable Knit Sweater Gap similar
Distressed Rockstar Jeans Old Navy
Mint Cocoon Coat Banana Republic similar
Booties "Calixta" Cole Haan
Micro Perry Satchel Rebecca Minkoff c/o Shopbop
Grey Cashmere Scarf Banana Republic similar
Green Cabochon Ring Taken for Granite similar
Gold Circle Ring Thrifted
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

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

Winter Green

My positive attitude promises a coming year of great happiness and success.

Monday has a way of sneaking up on me, but I can't say I didn't have a lovely weekend. I met up with Meg on Saturday for some outfit photos, lunch, and coffee - nothing is more crucial for the blog on these short winter days than being able to get in a few outfits over the weekend, and getting to do it with another blogger always makes it enjoyable and efficient!

We got another dose of snow, a bit more than the 'dusting' predicted, but I suspect it will disappear like the last bout just as quickly.

On Sunday I baked an apple pie, Sean roasted a chicken, and it was the perfect low-key day to wrap up the weekend.

Is it strange to plan an outfit around a coat? Because while I wouldn't typically opt to wear head to toe black, I knew I wanted something minimal to just let the coat shine.

          

The Rundown
Black Sweater Banana Republic
Black Jeans Old Navy similar
Mint Cocoon Coat Banana Republic similar
Booties "Calixta" Cole Haan
Tilly Tote Matine
Necklace Taken for Granite
Watch "Classic Sheffield" c/o Daniel Wellington
Stacked Rings Gorjana via TJMaxx similar
Pavé Star Ring TJMaxx similar

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Fall

and

Monday Mingle
and
By Lauren M's Mix it Monday

Florals for spring

Oh wait, nevermind, it's not spring after all! It snowed yesterday and then all iced over and the weatherman said that the temperatures would "struggle to reach 40° today". Which I'm sure is just how the cosmic shift of weather is working, it was a balmy 60° on Christmas, so naturally it would be below freezing in April.

Last week when it was ever so marginally warmer I thought I could get away with at least dressing like it was real spring, but in truth, I was freezing. And once again, I'll I have to talk about is the weather.

The Rundown
Floral Blouse Banana Republic
Grey Cobblestone Cardigan c/o Cabi
White Jeans Old Navy
Lace-up Flats Gap similar
Mint Tote Gap similar
Earrings JoJo Loves You
Gold Twisted Bracelet The Cavernous Jewerly Box similar
Gold Herkimer Diamond Ring c/o Lumo
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
Nail Color "Marshmallow" Essie

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

Frost

We are past the middle of February and I'm reaching the point where I'm ready for winter to just be over. An icy highway the other morning made my 26 minute commute into a 96 minute commute, and I simply have zero patience when it comes to warming up my car. My desire to take outfit photos has been limited, and compounded by a lack of sun and over abundance of cold.

Hence the limited posts this week, because even on the days when I brought my camera and my best intentions to snap a few frames after work with me, going straight to my parent's house to have coffee with my mom and catch up on our shows consistently won out.

Perhaps next will be a little bit brighter, a little less cold, and I'll be a bit more diligent with outfit photos, but right now I'm looking forward to a relaxing weekend.

The Rundown
White Sweater 89th & Madison via Marshalls similar
Black Jeans Old Navy
Cocoon Coat Banana Republic similar
Boots "Jabine" Adrienne Vittadini
Huntley Tote c/o Joie similar
Grey Fur Pom Amazon
Black Gloves J.Crew similar
Vista Cuff Gorjana via Rocksbox (one month free with lydiaxoxo)
Stacked Rings Gorjana via TJMaxx similar
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Linking up with Jeans and a Teacup's Flashback Friday (One year ago today)