Blush

It's the time of year when I like to let my outerwear take center stage. Sure, I'm willing to freeze for outfit photos sometimes, but what is the point of having two dozen coats (just guessing, I didn't go count) if I don't create my outfits around them, or just let them be the entire look. When I go out in the world that is what most people are going to see anyway. 

Typically I'll make an excuse for one or two new coats each winter, but this year I'm likely setting records. I had my heart set on a blush coat this fall when I spotted this one at TJMaxx. I've certainly noticed the shift in the color pallet of my wardrobe; I haven't worn my red coat in a few years and perhaps I should let it go. 

The Rundown
Striped Sweater Numph via Coco's on the Green similar
Easy Straight Jean Ann Taylor similar
Blush Boucle Coat Tahari via TJMaxx similar
Boots Shutz via The Outnet
Round Crossbody Bag French Connection similar
Ram Hoop Earrings Vintage via shopgoodwill.com
Thin Gold Ring Etsy
San Marco Twist Ring Golden Cleff via TJMaxx

Pop of Color

Rarely one to shy away from color, I noticed that my winter wardrobe often tends to skew towards monochromatic.

The addition of of this blush pink coat was a sure way to brighten things up, in addition to the mix of prints, patterns and textures, the resulting look is anything but monochrome.

The Rundown
Sweater Madewell similar
Plaid Pants Gap similar
Blush Coat Tahari via TJMaxx
Croc Pumps Unisa similar
Bag Vinthanthromodern similar
Hat Forever 21 similar
Scarab Necklace Etsy similar
Thin Gold Ring Etsy

Velvet Pants

Sometime early pandemic I decided I'd waited long enough (almost three years) to get this pair of velvet pants, and when I saw them at ThredUP I bought them. However, I bought a size small and it turned out I needed the medium. I managed to resell them on Poshmark (at a loss, of course) and then purchased the medium from another Posher who wasn't too open to price negotiation, so I paid more than I did on the first pair. Then in my typical fashion, I managed to not wear them for five months. Turns out that styling them in my imagination was a lot easier than in reality.

Hopefully I can come up with a few more ways to style them before another year passes.

The Rundown
Pearl Button Cardigan Aritzia
Velvet Wide Leg Pants Joie via Poshmark
Woven Toe Cap Slingback Pumps Pons Quintana via Marshalls
Brown Croc Bag Loeffler Randall similar
Twisted Hoop Earrings Thrifted similar
Necklace S.V. Decker
Aries Pendant Necklace Mejuri
Thin Gold Ring Etsy
Sunglasses "Nina" Ray-Ban
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Gold Croissant Ring Etsy

Magnolia

It is not happenstance that I come across so many flowering trees this time of year. Over my years of blogging I've spent time each spring keeping a watchful eye of the blooms, hopefully adding a new location to my mental list of places to visit. Timing is important too, and I'll find myself taking the long way home from work most days to check on the progress of the trees.

This beautiful magnolia can be found in the center of Madison, CT, and I've only managed to catch it in bloom once before.

       

The Rundown
Ruffle Sleeve Blouse Ann Taylor similar
Satin Pants Ann Taylor similar
Nude Pumps "Natalie" Naturalizer
Suede Accordion Bag Banana Republic similar
Castillo Gold Dipped Lace Earrings c/o Uncommon Goods
Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box similar
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry
Nail Color "Fishnet Stockings" Essie

 

Linking up with Classy Yet Trendy's Trendy Wednesday
and

Thursday Fashion Files

and

Elegance & Mommyhood's Thursday Moda

Cheers to Brunch

Having blogger events two consecutive weekends got me pretty spoiled, and brunch at The Place 2 Be in Hartford, CT was such a fun scene. The atmosphere is very casual, but quirky and fun. There is a swinging wicker chair you can hang out in while you wait for a table, and while they serve fancy cocktails, it's still a place you'd take children - who will of course want the over the top milkshakes. Basically an explosion of ice cream, sprinkles, and whipped cream - too good not to share!

I'm think (hoping) we've finally reached the turning point to spring weather. More light jackets and bare ankles in my future? Trying to put together this outfit definitely stressed me out. The more blogger events I attend, the more I realize how much we all love to partake in the current trends (why wouldn't we) but I also know it's a delicate line between partaking in the trend and regurgitating the trend. Some trends, like scallops, are just ME. I loved them before they were a trend, and I'm happy they aren't going away. Then there are things like the bamboo ark bag - what once was unknown now is known and it feels like it's lost some of what made it special. That doesn't mean I wont carry mine anymore, but I am happy with my decision to get a vintage one over a replication.

How to you incorporate trends into your wardrobe?

           

The Rundown
Cheers Collector Tee J.Crew Factory similar
Blush Leather Jacket Athleta similar
High Rise Button Fly Jeans Gap
Black Pumps "Natalie" Naturalizer
Scalloped Tote Matine
Loop Earrings Mejuri
Watch "Classic Sheffield" c/o Daniel Wellington
Diamond Chip Ring c/o Crown Jewelry
Crystal Bar Ring Upper Metal Class
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
Nail Color "Princess Charming" 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

Ruffles and Flares

Clearly I'd forgotten just how comfortable these flared jeans are, as this is the first time I've worn them since possibly last April. That sounds bad. But all those fall and winter days I could have been wearing them I was caught in the monotony of cycling through the same four pairs of skinny jeans. There's a lot of my closet which went unworn over the last two seasons. It's about time to get reacquainted with the rest of my wardrobe that isn't "really old grey sweater" and "really old white sweater", which I've essentially been living in all winter, and these past couple weeks of "spring".

Not that the chill is gone from the air, but when the sun is shining, and the wind isn't blowing, it almost feels like spring. I was hoping to do an outfit post with this fun blouse before it was totally sold out, but considering it was discounted to $15, it's no surprise the stock quickly dwindled. I was on the fence when it came to the zhushed up sleeve trend, trying on tops and thinking "but I don't want to be a pirate", however since they have inundated the stores I suppose it was inevitable that I'd eventually come across one I liked, that doesn't make me feel like a pirate ;)

         

The Rundown
Ruffle Sleeve Blouse Ann Taylor
Flared Denim Gap similar
Booties "Calixta" Cole Haan similar
Round Rattan Bag Etsy
Silk Floral Scarf Ann Taylor
Gold Ball Studs Kohl's
Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box similar
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
Nail Color "Couture Curator" 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