Last Sunday Lydia hosted an event at Athleta in Greenwich to help fashionable ladies get fit in style! I don't exactly work out (I take walks with my Mom when it's warm out) but I went to check out their offerings and to support her! They had quite a few cute pieces and bathing suits. But I resisted and walked out with nothing.

This is my last post for two weeks because on Sunday I'm headed off to...ITALY!!!! WOOO! I'll be back to regular posting on May 22nd, but in the meantime stay tuned to my Instagram for snaps!

Top c/o Simple Retro, Printed Pants: Proenza Schouler (Yoox), Mules: BCBGeneration 'Beverly' (Saks Off 5th at Clinton Crossing), Bag: Chanel Classic 2.55 Double Flap (Madison Avenue Couture), Sunglasses: Chanel, R2D2 Necklace c/o Kohl's

I wore this for a belated birthday lunch date with a friend last week. VERY belated since her birthday was in March...oops! We went to our favorite restaurant, The Chowder Pot in Branford. It is SO good. We always stuff ourselves with salad, honey butter bread, shrimp and fish! This time we shared blackened tilapia and shrimp scampi....mmm!

P.S. Happy Star Wars Day!!!! I'll be spending my day working and watching Rogue One and Episodes 4-8! May the Fourth Be With You!

Leather Jacket: Theyskens Theory (Nordstrom Rack), Sweater: T.Babaton c/o Aritzia & Lucky, Jeans: Rag & Bone (Shopbop), Sandals: Seychelles (DSW)



The Original:

Last Thursday I attended Clinton Crossing's Spring Preview event. This is the third year of the event and I always manage to find something awesome! The first year it was my beloved DKNY romper, last year I got my Banana Republic shorts and this year it might just be the black suede mules I picked up at Saks Off 5th!

Before I recap the event - time to share the outfit!

Suede Jacket: Ralph Lauren (Marshalls), Top: Zara, Jeans: M.I.H. Jeans 'The TOMBOY' (Net-a-Porter), Studded Suede Sandals: Lanvin (Net-a-Porter), Bag: Etienne Aigner (thrifted)


On to the event! A selection of Clinton Crossing's retailers chose a selection of Spring must haves from their stores to showcase. There were also a couple giveaways where I won a Tommy Hilfiger bucket bag (similar) and $100 to the outlets (which I promptly used that evening!) I bought BCBGeneration 'Beverly' black mules at Saks Off 5th, G.H. Bass cargo pants and a cardigan that I can't find online.

Getting set up!

Lydia and I with the bags we won!

Always a great selection at Saks Off 5th!

Really loved this two-piece set from Saks so I went ot the store to try it on. Sadly I'm too short for it! I'm on my tippy toes in the picture and its still too long (Can't tailor them because they have a fun slit at the bottom)

Plenty of brights at Banana Republic!

Stripes are a Spring staple and these ones from Dooney & Bourke are great!

Dooney & Bourke has a line of MLB bags, super cute! Chico's is also getting in on the print fun for Spring.

How fun are these espadrilles from G.H. Bass! I was tempted to buy them but realistically I know I wouldn't wear them that much since I'm mostly a sandal girl come Summer.

More G.H. Bass shoes! this time their classic Weejuns in a bright blue.

Vera Bradley has introduced a new print exclusive to outlets! It comes in suitcases, bags, flip flops, water bottles and so much more!

This is the most luxurious and soft tee I've ever worn. If I am lucky enough to find another one for a similar price ($20 rather than $135) I will DEFINITELY be scooping it up!  I do love The Outnet for all the steals and deals! Speaking of deals, everything I'm wearing in this outfit is designer, and I paid full price for NOTHING. The bag and loafers were still a splurge, but both will last for quite a while so cost per wear will go down. However, the jeans were free after a gift card.

I pride myself on not paying full price for my clothes. How do I do it? I wait for sales and shop at stores like eBay, Roundabout, Marshalls and The Outnet. I even make sure to wait for sales at these types of stores to get even better deals! 90% of the time I'm successful, but there are times when I can't wait for something to go on sale.

Tee: Vince (The Outnet), Jeans: J Brand (The RealReal), Animal Print Loafers: Burberry Prorsum (Net-a-Porter), Necklace: Indulgems (Gilt)

Since I gave up buying clothes for Lent I made it through half of the month without buying anything. The weekend after Easter I went to Marshalls with my Mom and luckily nothing I tried on fit me. I did want to find something new to wear in Italy. Well, new-er. I do have a few pieces I bought last year/got for Christmas that I'll be taking on the trip, but they don't seem as "new" since I've been staring at them for months.

Yesterday I attended a Spring fashion event at Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets and won a $100 gift card AND an adorable bag! With my gift card I picked up some gorgeous black mules, which I've been wanting for a couple years. I also bought an oversized (aka size large because they didn't have my size) cardigan and cargo pants and I still have $10.52 left on my gift card. SCORE! 

We still have this weekend, and an event with Lydia in Greenwich, so we'll see if I add anything else...




THE (modified) RULES

1. Be mindful of purchases 
2. Quality over quantity
3. Basics are best

MY PROGRESS 

Clothes:

1. She Made Me Essential crocheted cotton swimsuit via Net-a-Porter sale ($45, retail $150, used Christmas money)
2. *NEW!* G.H. Bass burgundy cardigan at Clinton Crossing ($0,  sale price w/coupon $7.5, retail $99) 
3. 
   
4. *NEW!* G.H. Bass cargo pants at Clinton Crossing ($0,  sale price w/coupon $21, retail $69) 

Basics:

1. Calypso St. Barth Gylden Cashmere Sweater via Gilt ($71, $295 retail, used Christmas money)
2. M.i.h Jeans Tomboy cropped mid-rise skinny jeans via Net-a-Porter sale ($98, retail $245, used Christmas money)

Shoes:

1. Miu Miu ankle boots via Roundabout Resale - also here and here ($146, retail $850)
2. New Look Metallic Block Heel sandal via ASOS ($35, used advertising money) 
3. *NEW!* BCBGeneration 'Beverly' black mule via Saks Off 5th at Clinton Crossing ($0,  SOF price $55, retail $110) 

Accessories:

1. *NEW!* Tommy Hilfiger (similar) via Clinton Crossing ($0,  retail $?) 

Gifted from Brands:

Total spent in 2017:  $146
Total spent with Christmas/advertising money included: $395

After my cousins wedding I decided to keep my hair in for another day. It was a little messy and the curls had mostly come out so I braided the ends. I spent my day relaxing with my family and then doing some shopping in the afternoon with my Mom. Luckily I didn't find anything to buy.

Tank Sweater: Willi Smith (TJ Maxx), Sweater: Forever 21, Jeans: Free People (Gilt), Sandals: Seychelles (DSW), Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Shopbop)



The Original: (Rag & Bone jeans from Shopbop that I still own, mis-remembered and thought they were the Free People ones above! OOPS!)

I swear it was raining when I put on this outfit! But, happily for outfit pictures, the weather decided to clear up. Normally when it rains all I want to wear is big chunky sweaters and jeans. I changed things up this time and went with a bright striped sweaters and my fun printed wellies! Notice how the pink on the boots matches the sweater, I am sooooo cool! (not really...)

Sweater: Banana Republic, Jeans: Rag & Bone (Shopbop), Boots c/o Joules