Just another scarf in the crowd

Some trends I can only resist for so long, this fall I caved to the plaid blanket scarf. It's ridiculously big, and I still need to work on wearing it in such a way that it doesn't appear to swallow me whole, but at least it's quite cozy.

I also feel I need to give a nod to Alex, who's outfit I blatantly copied. It was just too perfect, my blanket scarf arrived in the mail, it was probably the last possible day for skipping out on tights, all the colors melded into the ideal fall outfit. Though completely unseen, I've also got my merino wool cardigan layered over the sleeveless dress.

Thanks for all your kind words on Friday. While I may never reach some perfect balance, I will just do my best, every day.

Have you entered to win a $400 Gift Card to Nordstrom yet?

The Rundown
Scalloped Hem Dress Target similar
Trench Coat London Fog thrifted similar
Boots Migliorini via TJMaxx buy on ebay similar
Red Willis Bag Vintage Coach via ebay
Plaid Blanket Scarf Zara similar
Gold Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Gold Herkimer Diamond Ring c/o Lumo
Gold Open Ring c/o Lumo
Gold Ring Thrifted similar
Nail Color "Go Overboard" Essie

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Fall

and

Monday Mingle
and
Trend Spin

Life lately

Lately I've been feeling like I can't keep up with things. Last month I got a new office job, and even though it's only part time, I'm struggling to get back into my old schedule, where I had balance between work and the blog. I also forgot what it's like to learn a new job. I'm anxious to reach the point when I know how to handle everything and feel comfortable and confident.

As happy as I am to be gainfully employed once again, I still really want to keep focused on growing the blog. I want to see how far it can take me, and that is in part why I agreed to be on Extreme Cheapskates, for the exposure; however I never imagined the level of completely fabricated, scripted things I would end up doing. I also never thought about just how many times TLC re-airs their programming.

I don't check the listings or anything, I know when it airs because as soon as it does, I receive half a dozen Facebook friend requests from people (mostly men) that I don't know. I also get tweets - some are kind and positive, while others are quite mean. I don't want to be called sick, uncompassionate, disrespectful, disgusting, or morbid, even if it is in regards to something I don't actually do, even if it is from strangers who can't spell, hiding behind screennames on the internet. My Cheapskates appearance even earned me a few seconds of mockery on The Soup.

Honestly, was my acting really that good? Because I don't believe myself for a second.

Lately, what I want the most is a weekend without obligation. Where all my blogging is done, all my errands are run, the laundry is clean, and I can just be without worry of what is going to require my attention next. When I can spend an hour picking out a holiday card from Minted and not be using it as a procrastination device latent with guilt. And while I'm daydreaming about an impossible weekend, I would like to be able to spend it with Sean, the perpetual weekend worker, as well.

Thanks for listening to me ramble, hope you have the weekend you've been dreaming of, or at least a pretty good one.

Have you entered to win a $400 Gift Card to Nordstrom yet?

The Rundown

Grey Tee Gap similar

Navy Blazer Gap similar

Diamond Print Pants Gap similar

Black Loafer Pumps Ferragamo via Roundabout similar

Bag "Alexa" Danielle Nicole c/o Linger Rose

Necklace "Greer V" Gorjana via Rocksbox

Gold Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Gold Twisted Bracelet The Cavernous Jewerly Box similar
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry

Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Nail Color "Go Overboard" Essie

Rocksbox

These days, you can rent anything. I rent my movies from Netflix, and I'm perfectly happy to never buy a video again. I rent my music from Spotify, and while at first I was skeptical, thinking I would always want to own my music, it wasn't long before I was won over.

Renting fashion isn't new either - I think we all remember the big plug for Bag, Borrow, or Steal in the Sex and the City Movie, when Carrie's assistant reveals that her never ending rotation of designer bags are in fact rentals.

Rocksbox is a rental service for jewelry, however unlike many other rental services, rather than choosing which pieces you receive, you fill out a style profile, are matched with a stylist, and hand-selected pieces are chosen for you.

The service is $19 a month, and provides three pieces of jewelry at a time. You can wear them for as long as you like, and if you become smitten with something and don't want to mail it back it's simply charged to your credit card at 20% off list price.

My first box included a bracelet from Margaret Elizabeth with a discounted price of $70, a pair of geometric earrings from Urban Gem, priced at $32 and a necklace from Gorjana, priced at $52.

Of the three pieces, I like the bracelet, but I certainly don't $70 like it. I'm not partial to the earrings at all, they were too heavy and I never wore them. However, I love the necklace (it was actually one I picked while filling out my style profile). Gorjana pieces are 18k gold plated, and I have a couple so I can honestly say they hold up, but at the end of the day, I'm going to send the necklace back, and perhaps just add it to my Christmas wish list.

Rocksbox is offering me three months free to try out their service, and I'm still undecided if this is something I would continue to use after the trial. On the one hand, my jewelry box is over run with trendy statement necklaces, on the other, I LOVE buying jewelry. I think I will finish out the trial before making my final decision.

Want to give Rocksbox a try? Get your first month free! 

Have you entered to win a $400 Gift Card to Nordstrom yet?

The Rundown
Striped Sequin Tee The Limited similar
Black Skirt Thrifted similar
Brown Leather Biker Jacket c/o Wallis
Leopard Pumps "Okala" Sam Edelman similar $
Bag "Alexa" Danielle Nicole c/o Linger Rose
Necklace "Greer V" Gorjana via Rocksbox
Bracelet Margaret Elizabeth via Rocksbox
Gold Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry
Gold Herkimer Diamond Ring c/o Lumo
Gold Open Ring c/o Lumo
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
Nail Color "Bordeaux" Essie

Linking up with Mix and Match Fashion's What I wore to "work"

and

Penniless Socialite's Look What I Got

and

Happiness At Midlife's Throwback Thursday (last time I wore this shirt)