Rose quartz and Serenity

I'm always intrigued by the color Pantone chooses to be the color of the year, and this year, either as fun twist, or a stage set for things to come, they selected two colors.

Both are pastels, the unassuming blush pink, Rose Quartz and the bolder periwinkle blue, Serenity. The blush I can see weaving itself into my wardrobe effortlessly. The pumps would be seasonless, and the fur vest would be just as gorgeous with olive shades in the fall as it would with spring florals.

The blue I find to be a bit trickery. While I adore the shape of the bag and the idea of the fur scarf, ultimately I think the coat would be the most wearable.

What are your thoughts on the colors of the year? Excited to add them to your closet, or just another trend to forget about as swiftly as you heard about it?

Rose Quartz
Pink Fur Vest, $35 at Forever 21
Juliet & Company Cerise Earrings, $44 at Shopbop
Alice + Olivia Dina Suede Pumps, $295 at Shopbop
Michael Michael Kors Selma Bag, $248 at Shopbop

Serenity
Kate Spade Toddy Bag, $298 at Shopbop
Regent Topcoat, $350 at J.Crew
Lapiz of Luxury Essie Nail Polish, $8.50 at Nordstrom
Bandits Faux Fur Scarf, $49 at Gilt

The fake out

One December Friday I got out of work early enough to stop in the thrift store before they closed. I spotted this cute green blazer with a detachable fur collar from Loft, and even though the tag said size two, it fit nearly perfectly (just a tiny bit tight under the arms).

The date on the tag was the following Monday, meaning that it would become half off in just a couple days, only I wouldn't get out of work early enough to go back for it, so I snapped a photo and asked my mom if she would buy it for me.

Come Monday afternoon she texted me that the blazer was gone. I was a little disappointed, but what can I say, I have one of those 'meant to be' mentalities when it comes to buying things I know I don't need.

Suffice to say I was pleasantly surprised when one of the boxes I opened on Christmas contained the blazer. My mom has always been queen of the gift fake out.

The Rundown
Red Sweater Thrifted similar
Fur Collar Blazer Loft similar
Distressed Denim Old Navy similar
Booties 'Upton' c/o Vionic
Red Willis Bag Vintage Coach via ebay similar$
Wool Baseball Cap San Diego Hat Co. via Zappos
Necklace Gorjana via Rocksbox (one month free with lydiaxoxo)
Antler Ring House of Harlow
Gold Wrap Ring gift from Meg similar
Leopard iPhone Case Kate Spade gift
Nail Color "Nothing Else Metals" Essie

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

Answers to no one

During the holidays it can be easy to get carried away with sponsored posts. Everyday my inbox would yield at least one request to mention, style or feature one product or another. While I try to only work with brands I'm genuinely interested in, there is still a limit to how much I want to do, or how much I should.

When I started out blogging the idea that any company would ever send me free stuff just to wear it on my blog was the farthest thought in my mind. While I'm grateful for the opportunities that I've received over the years, I've come to realize that the more work I take on for others, the less the blog feels like my hobby and the more it feels like a job. Sponsored posts mean working on someone elses schedule and terms - and often they aren't upfront about them.

I want this blog to be a place you want to visit, so I need to make sure it's a place I love to work at. I'm not saying I will never agree to another sponsored post (my collaboration with Shopbop is still on going through this month) but I will make sure the brands I post about are ones worthy of your time, as well as my own.

I'm not the kind of blogger who only wears clothes from the 'new arrivals' section; many of my favorite pieces are vintage or thrifted, TJMaxx is my favorite place to shop, and the jeans I'm wearing in this post are literally 10 years old. (It freaked me out a little when I realized that). And darn it all if these brand new lace-up flats are sold out at Gap already!

I am Chic on the Cheap. Cheers to a new year of celebrating style on a budget!

The Rundown

Striped Turtleneck Ralph Lauren via TJMaxx similar
Camel Blazer Vintage similar
Jeans Max Studio via TJMaxx
Lace-up Flats Gap similar
Huntley Tote c/o Joie similar
Grey Fur Pom Amazon
Navy Fedora J.Crew similar
Earrings Thrifted
Ring Thrifted
Nail Color "Nothing Else Metals" Essie
Dog Chloe
Pearl Leash Fabuleash
Red Sweater TJMaxx

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Fall

and

Fizz & Frosting's Mix it Monday

and

Monday Mingle