The calendar pages of 2020 are blowing away, this year that seemed like it was going to stretch out forever is reaching its end sooner than imaginable. Not much is going to change the moment the clock strikes midnight on December 31st, but for a renewed sense of hope and the promise of a new year bringing better things than the last.
That's what I'm hoping for anyway.
The Rundown Navy Floral Jumpsuit J.Crew similar Cream Denim JacketBanana Republic Brown Wool FedoraH&M Slide Sandals Nine West similar Caning Bucket BagTommy Bahamavia TJMaxx Woven Belt Thrifted similar Loop EarringsMejuri Circle Necklace Gorjana via TJMaxx Blue Topaz Stacking Ring Hirajule via TJMaxx Thin Gold RingEtsy
Fall makes promises of being cool and crisp, but some days still manage to be warm and oppressively humid, causing me to change half a dozen times before I can leave the house because every piece of seasonally appropriate clothing I put on feels stifling. You know it's a warm day in October when your Starbucks is completely sold out of pumpkin cream cold brew.
During these bipolar seasons, one day I'm getting cozy in my new velvet bomber jacket and croc booties, the next it's back to light dresses and sandals, no matter how sad a state my pedicure is currently in. Thankfully, maxi dresses provide style solutions on such days; coverage while allowing air flow, easily layered when it invariably gets cold the moment the sun sets.
I'm never one to turn my nose up at a 68° day in October, but the 90% humidity can go.
The Rundown
Floral Maxi Dress Rachel Roy via TJMaxx similar
Sandals Nine West similar Tortoise Acrylic Bamboo BagRachel Royvia TJMaxx
Scarf Thrifted
Tortoise Buckle Belt Loft similar
Hoop EarringsGorjana Coin NecklaceTJMaxx Thin Gold RingEtsyvia Ellyn Blue Jewelry Blue Topaz Stacking Ring Hirajule via TJMaxx Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry Sunglasses "Meteor"Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
I love a good vintage piece, in fact, when I notice a vintage style coming back again I will often go to great lengths to track down an original; a small way of proving to myself that I'm an individual, even while blatantly partaking in a trend. In this world of blogging when everything I'm wearing is supposed to be immediately shoppable, I am frequently a failure.
Neither the sweater nor the bag have brands; they can't be linked to, but they can still inspire, and wasn't that what this was supposed to be about? Inspiration, instead of exact copies?
SandalsNine West Vintage Bag Anna Pearl's Curiosities similar Gold Chain Necklace Vintage Gold Pendant Necklace TJMaxx similar Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York Thin Gold RingEtsyvia Ellyn Blue Jewelry
While I am in no way ready for summer to be over, this week has cooled down significantly. Rather than fear for the worst (I'm sure there will still be quite a few hot days before fall officially arrives) I'm embracing the cooler temps with a new knit dress, in the perfect summer into fall shade.
Curve hugging is not my usual silhouette, but I've been embracing it with these knit dresses, as they are so comfortable and easy to wear, and make me feel put together with the least amount of effort.
Today I have a special guest in my photos, Ollie, a mini Australian Shepard I was sitting over the weekend. He is a wonderful dog, definitely a handful though! Being with such a high energy dog for 48 hours made me realize just how easy and laid-back Chloe was.
I'm also collaborating with several other bloggers to show seven ways of styling a denim jacket. You can see everyone's looks on Instagram!
The Rundown Rust Knit DressH&M Denim Jacket Gap similar Wedge Sandals Loft similar Round Rattan Bag Etsy similar Palma Wide FedoraLack of Color Gold Ball EarringsKohl's Gold Rectangle Chain NecklaceEtsy Gold Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box Thin Gold RingEtsyvia Ellyn Blue Jewelry Dog Ollie (borrowed)
Shopping used to be a lot harder. I had to make a conscious decision to shop; drive to a store, hunt for my size, try something on, and then decide in that moment if I wanted to make a purchase. It was all very tangible.
Now I open up Instagram and am fed a bombardment of images, both from other bloggers and from targeted ads. Facebook is tracking my every keystroke, and I'm convinced listening in as well. It does not take much to lure me into making a purchase, it's so simple and hypothetical. I can make these purchases and I don't have to commit to them. I will have the small excitement of a package arriving at my door, then I can make my decisions. The money spent seems less real when I'm always rationalizing I'll return things.
I do swear I'm trying to be better. It does not seem like it or feel like it, but the thought process is there, telling me to be more discerning, to make returns, to act as if I'm shopping in a real store instead of a virtual one.
A couple weeks ago I followed a predictable route. I opened Instagram, started scrolling, and was immediately served an ad for Banana Republic. Naturally, I shop there a lot, and the carousel of products typically includes whatever I was last looking at. I should know better than to peruse the images, but I couldn't help myself, and I spotted this skirt, which is normally $128 on a flash sale for $45. My interest was peaked and it wasn't long before the skirt along with two other pieces were in my cart and the order was placed.
The package arrived, I tried everything on, I shared on Instagram, and made the decision to just keep this skirt. I felt pleased when I returned the other items and believed I'd gotten a good deal. However, I was not looking for a green pleated skirt. It was not on my radar nor is it filling a gaping hole in my wardrobe.
Targeted ads: 1
Lydia: 0
The Rundown Floral Pleated SkirtBanana Republic Off The Shoulder Tee Express similar White SlidesBanana Republic Round Rattan Bag Etsy similar Pearl Hoop Earrings Thrifted similar Gold Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box Thin Gold RingEtsyvia Ellyn Blue Jewelry Sunglasses "Meteor"Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
I've been so slow to unpack my summer things. I don't know why - it's not as if waiting longer will prolong the summer. But I finally pulled out my vintage bamboo bag. Now that the market is flooded with them, I'm not sure if they've lost their charm, however the price inflation in the vintage market has calmed down significantly. I've linked up several below on Etsy and they are all under $50.
Even if the bag feels over saturated in the blog world, when I take it out into my own microcosm, it still catches many eyes.
When the humidity dropped down just a titch, I felt like it was my opening to pull out my white wide leg jeans and finally pair them with this bodysuit - the outfit I've had in mind since I added the bodysuit to my closet last fall.
Humidity or otherwise, I'm happy summer is here. The long days, warm sun, and valid excuse to eat ice cream everyday make these some of the best months of the year.
The Rundown Wrap Bodysuit Zara similar White Wide Leg Jeans Gapsimilar Wedge Sandals Loft similar Coin Pendant NecklaceJulie Vos Vintage Japanese Bamboo Bag via eBay similar vintage Gold Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box Hammered Gold Ring Thrifted Thin Gold RingEtsyvia Ellyn Blue Jewelry Sunglasses "Meteor"Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx Nail Color"Barely There"Avon
