Bright Spot Through the Clouds

Over the weekend it rained nearly non-stop. Torrential, buckets of rain. I suppose since this is the only rain Los Angeles is getting for probably the rest of the year, it has to get it all in?

On Saturday I accompanied my sister on her side hustle, which is grocery shopping and delivery. We had to brave the rain through four Trader Joe's shopping trips, but at least they all had different free samples (tell me I'm not the only one who feels motivated to go there for the samples alone). At the end of the day just before sunset there was the most beautiful rainbow, or so I saw on Instagram, on multiple accounts. Sadly, we missed it.

Sunday was set out to be another full day of rain, but the sun came out for a bit, and we diverted from another grocery store run to snap these photos. Just as we finished all the clouds rolled back in and the rain resumed. Fingers crossed there will be more bright skies for the rest of my stay, especially because the only boots I brought are suede, and this jacket is both missing its hood, and isn't waterproof.

P.S. I'm terrible at packing.

      

The Rundown
Striped Ruffle Sleeve Tee Green Envelope via TJMaxx
Field Jacket J.Crew similar
Jeans Banana Republic
Silver Regan Mule c/o Vionic
Monogrammed Bucket Bag c/o Marleylilly
Circle Earrings c/o AUrate New York
Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
Nail Color "Couture Curator" Essie

Linking up with Style on the Daily

Thrifted Joie Jacket

This Joie jacket was mentioned in my October budget post, and thankfully the weather was good for a bit and I got to wear it! Joie is one of my favorite brands to buy secondhand. Well, I only buy Joie secondhand (or at TJMaxx) because their retail prices are far to high. However $14 for this jacket, which retailed somewhere in the $400 range is a steal.

Also worth mentioning, no I didn't buy a designer bag - I was taking photos with Caitlin and left the purse I'd planning on carrying with this outfit in the car. Rather than go back I just borrowed her cute Louis Vuitton pouch, which did happen to match perfectly. Someday I might have a designer bag of my own. I just keep telling myself I need to stop buying everything else - the $20 Target shoes, the $100 J.Crew dresses, etc., - for a year, and then I'll likely have enough to get a designer bag. Secondhand, of course. I just need to find the willpower to do it!

       

The Rundown
Tweed Moto Jacket "Pattyn" Joie thrifted
Grey Tassel Tee H&M similar
High Rise Button Fly Jeans Gap
Silver Regan Mule c/o Vionic
Clutch Louis Vuitton (borrowed from Caitlin)
Loop Earrings Mejuri
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Fall

Striped Trench

Transitioning into lighter outerwear means this striped trench is making another appearance, and I'm enjoying being able to slide bare feet into my silver loafers. They are surprisingly versatile and of course so comfortable!

        

The Rundown
Striped Trench c/o Cabi similar
Scalloped Cami J.Crew Factory
Navy Pants J.Crew thrifted similar
Silver Regan Mule c/o Vionic
Micro Perry Satchel Rebecca Minkoff c/o Shopbop
Silk Floral Scarf Ann Taylor similar
Gold Knot Bracelet Banana Republic similar
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry

Linking up with Thursday Fashion Files

and

Elegance & Mommyhood's Thursday Moda
and

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

Button Up Buttercup

High wasited jeans on short waisted people is delicate balance of proportions. Still, I had to have these jeans. I was in love with the button fly, something I've not had since high school (they were a pair of mint green denim shorts, and my favorite thing to pair them with was a finely knit lavender cami). When I saw them peppering the spring lineups, that bit of nostalgia was all I needed to click 'add to cart'.

I was initially intimidated by Gap's description of these jeans being 'super high rise'. I imagined something along the lines of Madewell's 10" rise version, however they are only 7" high, and that is only 1" more than their mid rise. The disappointment lies in the inseam length - these are a far cry from a cropped jean on my 5'-2" frame, and I don't trust myself to duplicate the frayed hem. Aside from that, they still feel like denim, but have enough of a stretch that they aren't 'standing room only' jeans. Considering they are currently on sale for $45, I'd say they are a good buy.

        

The Rundown
White Tee Loft similar
Grey Cashmere Cardigan TJMaxx similar
High Rise Button Fly Jeans Gap
Silver Regan Mule c/o Vionic
Willis Bag Vintage Coach thrifted similar
Silk Floral Scarf Ann Taylor
Loop Earrings Mejuri
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry

Linking up with Classy Yet Trendy's Trendy Wednesday
and

Stylin' in St. Louis's Spotlight Linkup

and

Elegance & Mommyhood's Thursday Moda

Chasing the Light

Thanks to Vionic for sponsoring this post! My style and opinions are my own.

These shoes are so nice, I had to share them twice, and when we had the most divine taste of spring weather earlier this week, I felt motivated enough to take outfit photos after work. It's funny how when you continually take photos in the same places over the years, you get to notice the nuanced changes of the sunlight at different times of the year. I mention this because the library is a frequent backdrop in my photoshoots, and where I shoot largely depends on the light.

In the late afternoon as we reach the tail end of winter, my favorite staircase is just engulfed in light, so much so that I tend to avoid it, not being a fan of direct light. There is a more favorable place, also west facing, but I can shoot with the light behind me. However, what was once a picket fence and trees is presently a construction zone with a new house springing up.

I relocated once again, to more northern spot, which looks lush and vibrant in the summer, but presently just feels barren and raw. In a few more months the trees on the eastern side of the building will be in bloom, but right now there isn't much to see. Traipsing around to the front still wasn't quite giving me the light I wanted, as well as having the disadvantage of being the main entrance - ideal for shooting on bank holidays and after hours.

I circled again, the sun was setting. I finally spotted a staircase, not as grand or pretty as the others, but secluded and with just enough of the sunlight to get that rim light, and that glow.

All I could think was, thank goodness I was shooting my flat, comfortable Vionic mules; in a different shoe, I might have given up before I found my light.

       

The Rundown
White Silk Button Down J.Crew
Blush Leather Jacket Athleta similar
Grey Jeans Gap similar

Silver Regan Mule c/o Vionic
Grayson Bar Bag Linea Pelle similar
Earrings Taken for Granite similar
Diamond Chip Ring c/o Crown Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx similar steal
Nail Color "Couture Curator" Essie

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

Stepping into Spring

Thanks to Vionic for sponsoring this post! My style and opinions are my own.

I know I'm far from alone in my anticipation of spring, and maybe even Mother Nature is feeling a little anxious right now, having swiftly dispatched of the four inches of snow which fell on Sunday. Even if the temperatures do still hover around freezing, this is the time of year when I start to swap my black shoes and accessories for whites, brights, and metallics. Even when layered up in coats and sweaters during the chilly start to spring, ditching the black makes me feel as though I’ve mentally flipped the switch and started the transition into spring.

Plus, on the days when there isn't snow, I can slip into these super comfortable loafer slides that Vionic sent over. I think we can all agree that mules and loafers are having their moment and I can not get over how cute these are in the metallic silver! Vionic is another wonderful shoe maker who puts comfort on the same level as style, offering shoes with arch support as well as a padded footbed, and resulting in a pair of shoes I can happily wear all day. On the note of prioritizing comfort while not sacrificing style, I'm not embarrassed to admit that I do wear nude trouser socks with my flats in the winter, because every little bit helps, and I bet you can't even tell.

For sizing with Vionic's shoes, I've found they run wide enough that I can go a half size down in the flats and sandals. Though for the boots I went with my usual size.

       

The Rundown
Grey Sweater Abercrombie & Fitch similar
Funnel Neck Fleece Teddy Coat Loft similar
White Jeans Old Navy
Silver Regan Mule c/o Vionic
Micro Perry Satchel Rebecca Minkoff c/o Shopbop
Leather Pom Matine
Loop Earrings Mejuri
Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry

Stacked Rings Gorjana via TJMaxx similar

Nail Color "Caviar Bar" Essie

Linking up with Classy Yet Trendy's Trendy Wednesday
and

Stylin' in St. Louis's Spotlight Linkup

and

Elegance & Mommyhood's Thursday Moda