Velvet Bomber

I've been notably quite in this space, mostly for a lack of anything to say, and I'm still trying to get through posting photos taken back in November.  

 

Life has gotten smaller this last year, in every possible way, and rather than trying to fight it by staying virtually connected to friends, family, workout buddies, and fellow bloggers, I've let myself become even more distant and disconnected. 

 

Even if the world does regain some normalcy this year, I fear the bad habits I've created over these last 11 months will not easily be undone.

 

The Rundown
Velvet Bomber Jacket Vince via Coco's
Floral Wrap Bodysuit Banana Republic
Curvy Mid-Rise Skinny Jean Banana Republic
Brown Croc Bootie "Ragon" Marc Fisher similar
Green Mini Trunk Bag c/o Italic
Paperclip Chain Necklace Serefina via TJMaxx
Earrings S.V. Decker
Blue Topaz Stacking Ring Hirajule via TJMaxx
Thin Gold Ring Etsy
Gold Croissant Ring Etsy
San Marco Twist Ring Golden Cleff via TJMaxx
Signet Ring Sashi
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

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

Draped in Velvet

I'm not always on top of things when it comes to shooting holiday content in a timely manner, aka, before the actual holiday; I usually drop the ball when it comes to taking photos on the actual holiday as well. However, approximately one month later is when I can get it together and share what I wore for Christmas Eve.

I'm sure you know I've got a bit of an affinity for Banana Republic and may have over done it when it came to purchasing holiday styles; I first bought the velvet cami in navy, but then decided I also wanted it in taupe, only to conclude that it would just be foolish to not have the matching midi skirt as well.

As Christmas Eves go, having 30+ family members gathered in a space where the oven has undoubtedly been on all day, means that sleeveless tops, bare legs, and open shoes are easy to get away with, even if I have to be extra bundled up outside. I did have a cardigan, but I barely needed it all night.

Thankfully my delays in photographing this outfit worked in my favor, as we had that warm weekend, and I was not freezing to death shooting this outside. Perhaps we can forget this was meant to be Christmas outfit and instead repurpose it for early Valentine's Day? You can even still pick up the top and the skirt in a gorgeous deep red at a delightful 60% off.

     

The Rundown
Velvet Cowl-Neck Camisole Banana Republic
Velvet Midi Skirt Banana Republic
Asymmetrical Strap Mules Zara similar
Scalloped Clutch Matine similar
Pave Disc Earrings similar
Fresh Water Pearl Necklace S.V. Decker 
Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Nail Color "Bubbles Only" Essie

Winter Classics

It's funny to think that back in September the thought of purchasing a new sweater was the last thing on my mind. I knew I had a very large dresser drawer filled to capacity, and as I was enjoying the summer heat, these frigid days seemed so far away; the idea that I could even want a new sweater seemed absurd.

Needless to say, at the first cold snap I was rationalizing how my cream sweater needed replacing and I'm so pleased with how cozy and warm this mock neck sweater from Ann Taylor turned out to be that I'm now contemplating picking it up in the new spring blush shade as well. I should probably listen to my September self, who knew I had more than enough sweaters to survive the winter, I've probably got enough blush in my closet I don't wear nearly enough as it is.

     

The Rundown
Cream Mock Neck Sweater Ann Taylor
Velvet Pants Loft
Velvet Bow Mules Loft
Fur Bag Vintage via Roundabout similar
Cream Beret Amazon
Gold Twist Hoops Thrifted similar
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
 Nail Color "Bordeaux" Essie

Friendsgiving Outfit

Thanksgiving is done, December is here; it decided to bring the first snowfall of the year with it, but it turned to rain last night and no trace of white remains this morning.

I wish I could say I had the resolve to not partake in the Black Friday shopping frenzy, but that would have only been possible if I'd turned off my phone and computer all weekend. Instead, more packages are en-route to my door - at least a few are Christmas gifts!

This year I attended my first Friendsgiving with the New England Blogger Babes, and had such an enjoyable afternoon. I can see why this tradition has caught on - no one person is responsible for preparing a huge meal, which means that everyone, even the host, can relax a bit. We drank, we ate, we played games. No one argued about sweet potatoes. (I know it seems ridiculous, but somehow this side dish has become a point of contention at my family's Thanksgiving.)

I kept my outfit relatively casual for the occasion, pulling out some old pieces that haven't been worn in a while, including my grandmother's faux fur coat and this floral blouse I purchased for Thanksgiving in 2016. The velvet mules however, had just arrived from Loft and I was anxious for their first outing before it gets to cold for them to make any sense at all. Ah yes, making irrational shoe choices since 2008.

    

The Rundown
Floral Blouse Old Navy similar
Jeans Second Denim
Navy Faux Fur Coat Vintage similar
Velvet Bow Mules Loft
Bucket Bag "Johnny" Danse Lente
Necklace Thrifted
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry

Last Year's Look

In a time when I am faced with endless sources of inspiration, it's often my own camera roll that serves me best. The pieces are already in my closet, and I'm not so distracted convincing myself that I need to be adding faux leather pants to my cart that I never manage to get dressed.

Even if you aren't a blogger, chances are you've got a phone full of half a decades worth of selfies and snapshots, and it's easy to see what you had on a year ago today. As I scrolled through my archives I found some slightly blurry and underexposed shots of this outfit (or at least a close approximation) and realized I'd never shot it for the blog.  How lovely it was to rediscover these velvet pants and appreciate how much I adore this blush leather jacket, which I've barely worn since I was in California earlier this year. (Lucky Californians and their perfect leather jacket weather, here I'm limited to the beginning of fall and the end of spring.)

Sadly to say that one week into the new month my November budget post is already shaping up to be as extensive as October's, and this outfit serves as a good reminder to spend more time getting inspired by my own archives and shopping my closet instead of Banana Republic.

        

The Rundown
Lace Camisole Coco's on the Green similar
Blush Leather Jacket Athleta similar
Velvet Pants Old Navy similar
Leopard Heels Sam Edelman similar
Bucket Bag "Johnny" Danse Lente
Loop Earrings Mejuri
Necklace "Scottie" LuxbyUK
Ruby Crystal Talisman Ring c/o Uncommon Goods
Cat Eye Sunglasses H&M similar

Wild One

For as much as I wish I had a wardrobe full of streamlined and simple pieces, all able to work together to create effortless outfits, the pieces I'm most drawn to are wild with color and print. Even though I feel like I've tamed things down over the years, always with the desire of 'effortless' looks, sometimes I find a print I simply cannot ignore.

Such was this jungle print blouse from J.Crew. With the design inspired by a vintage scarf, this mixture of three prints in shades of green, pink, and gold, was not meant to blend in. At least I know I'm not alone in my wild ways, as this blouse has nearly sold out. There are a few sizes left, which can be snapped up for $60 with the promo code 'family' right now.

      

The Rundown
Jungle Print Blouse J.Crew
Velvet Pants Banana Republic similar
Nude Pumps "Natalie" Naturalizer
Leopard Clutch Clare V c/o Shopbop
Pearl Earrings Maris Pearl Co. 
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Ruby Crystal Talisman Ring c/o Uncommon Goods

Nail Color "Mrs. Always Right" Essie