I wore this on a pretty nice Saturday to do some window shopping at IKEA, Best Buy and a few other random stores. The weather was great, but when we were taking these photos the wind decided to blow like crazy, so I got a bit chilly! Whoops! On the plus side, these mules I bought for $20 back in January are becoming a Spring staple. I just can't resist throwing them on at every chance I get! Maybe I should buy a backup pair...so I don't have Vince Camuto Davilla flashbacks when they start wearing out. (Still searching for a new pair because mine are slowly dying.)

Leopard Print Blouse: Equipment "Sophie" , Corduroy Pants: abercrombie, Suede Mules: Franco Sarto 'Dolly (DSW), Bag: Dark Purple Chloé Faye (eBay), Sunglasses: Gucci, Eyeglasses chain: Tinksky (Amazon),  Rings: Lumo 'Violet', Mejuri 'Stellar', Moon Magic 'Eclipse', Moon Magic 'Petite Double', vintage





P.S. 10 points if you got my Winnie the Pooh reference ;)

I hope you're not getting tired of my Chloé Faye yet because it's not going anywhere anytime soon. I wore this outfit on a cooler day while I was still trying to get wear out of my sandals. The great thing about this sheer Equipment blouse is it can work for all seasons. If I fold up the sleeves like this it's Summer appropriate and I can wear it normally with a cardigan come Fall and Winter.

Leopard Print Blouse: Equipment, Patchwork Jeans: Free People, Sandals: Ancient Greek Sandals 'Alethea' (bought in Greece), Sunglasses: Gucci (bought in Italy), Eyeglasses chain: Tinksky (Amazon), Bag: Chloé Faye (eBay)

I picked up these super fun gold flecked linen shorts before my Banana Republic Factory styling event for a whopping $8! The first thing I thought to wear them with was this feline print Equipment top. Forgive the wrinkles, I only sat in them for a little bit and they wrinkled right up.

When I got to my parents both of my brothers had interesting thoughts on my look. The youngest said I looked like Ace Ventura. The other told me I looked like an 60 year old woman. That was probably brought on by a combo of the shape of the shorts and the eyeglasses chain. But whatever, I dig it! Personally I'm reminding myself of Ellie from Jurassic Park or someone about to go on a safari.

Cat Print Blouse: Equipment (eBay),  Shorts c/o Banana Republic Factory at Clinton Crossing,  Slides: J.Crew Factory (Clinton Crossing),  Sunglasses: Chanel, Glasses chain: Tinksky (Amazon), Bag: Orox Leather Company 'Merces' (c/o)

For some reason this cat print Equipment blouse screamed Rome to me. Of all the places we went it seemed most appropriate to wear it here. Maybe it's because of gladiators and the Coliseum? I wore these pants two days on the trip and it was great because I was able to use the big pockets to hold my stuff instead of the tiny blue bag I brought to avoid pick-pockets (see it here.)

Cat Print Blouse: Equipment (eBay), Cargo Pants: G.H. Bass (Clinton Crossing), Sandals: Ancient Greek Sandals 'Athanasia' (Moda Operandi),  Sunglasses: Ray Ban 'Erika'

Disclaimer: I didn't wear these shoes while outside. I also wore a coat. That big dumping of snow we had last week was insanity. Some areas of the state had two feet of snow, luckily we had a little under a foot where I am. Spring needs to hurry on up so I can start wearing sandals again without freezing my toes off.

Top: Equipment (sample sale), Sweater: American Eagle, Jeans: Free People (Gilt Groupe), Heels: Miu Miu (eBay), Scarf: Jason Wu for Target



The Original: Top: Express

October was my birthday month and while I normally allow myself to buy an "extravagant" piece of clothing I refrained this year. I did get an Equipment cheetah print blouse I've wanted since it was debuted last year. It's quite hard to find but I spotted one on eBay in a size larger than I usually wear and pounced (pardon the pun.) I used advertising money so it was "free."

And, of course, I wrote this post too early and ended up buying something else. The Outnet's Fall sale started before the month was over and while I was looking for pieces for a post I fell in love with a crazy embellished sweater! I still had birthday money hanging around (after buying my Mickey phone and suitcase) so I used that to buy it. Thanks Mom & Dad!

I also got a pair of brand new J Brand jeans for FREE thanks to a store credit to The RealReal. It was a thank you for doing a survey, so I paid with about 20 minutes of my time. Definitely a fair trade (or unfair from their end.)

Technically I spent $0 this month since I used advertising and birthday money.  I do love loopholes!




THE (modified) RULES

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

MY PROGRESS 

Clothes:

1. Saint Laurent Silk Patchwork Blouse ($350 via eBay, xmas money, $2390+ retail)
2. Free People Jax Patched Skinny Jean ($52, retail $128) 
3. Jason Wu snakeskin pussy bow blouse ($122 via Roundabout, $1395 retail) 
4. Cynthia Steffe 'Naomi' feather print shirt dress ($10 via Lord & Taylor, $248 retail) 
5. Greylin 'Osten' Open Back Romper ($27 via Gilt) 
6. Proenza Schouler Jacquard pants ($247 via Yoox, $1,650+ retail) 
7. Zara striped knit dress ($35 via Poshmark) 
8. Natalie Martin Printed top ($9.75 via Roundabout, retail $133) 
9. Miss Selfridge sweater dress in rust ($15 via Lord & Taylor, $70 retail) 
10. *NEW!* Equipment cat print signature short-sleeve blouse ($80 via eBay; $228 retail, used advertising money) 
11. *NEW!* Banjo & Matilda Trinket embellished sweater ($98 via The Outnet, $375 retail. used birthday money)

Basics:

1. J.Crew Factory colorblock sweater ($24, used gift card)
2. Banana Republic 'patch-pocket' shorts ($11 at Clinton Crossing Premium Outlet) 
3. Old Navy black bikini top & bottom ($18, used gift card)
4. Everlane The Ryan Long-Sleeve in black ($20, used advertising money)
5. Highline Collective turtleneck tank in black ($14 via Lord & Taylor, $70 retail) 
6. Abercrombie & Fitch  super skinny corduroy pant in blue ($40, used advertising money)
7. Abercrombie & Fitch v-neck sweater in burgundy ($34, used advertising money) 
8. *NEW!* J Brand Maria High Rise skinny jean in Blueberry ($0 via The RealReal, $198 retail)

Shoes:

1. Ancient Greek Sandals 'Athanasia' in Croc ($238 via Moda Operandi, $280 retail)
2. J.Crew Raffia Seaside Sandals (Mom bought at Clinton Crossing) 
3. Lanvin Studded Suede Sandals ($316 via Net-a-Porter End of Season Sale, $790 retail)
4. Cole Haan 'Chelsea' Leopard Calf Hair Pump ($45 via Roundabout, $386 retail)

Accessories:

1.  Gemstone Necklace via Geclassics in Boston ($8.50)

Gifted from Brands:

1. Simple Retro crop top (via Amazon)
2. Pom-Pom Sandals c/o Soma
3. Larimar Bypass ring c/o Larimar Bliss

Total spent in 2016:  $1150.25
(not counting Saint Laurent top, which used Christmas money, or items bought with advertising money)

This leopard print blouse and light jeans look is a favorite combo of mine. I've worn it many times with lots of different shoes. What can I say, if it's not broke, don't fix it! I find it funny that I bought both of these on the same day too, guess it was meant to be! Sadly the third item I got at this particular sample sale hardly got any wear so it's sitting sadly in my closet.

Blouse: Equipment "Sophie" (Sample Sale), Jeans: Current/Elliott (Sample Sale), Heels: Lanvin (Roundabout Resale)



The original:

Say hello to my gorgeous new sandals!! After 5 months of drooling they have finally joined the rest of my shoe collection. I can see these getting a LOT of wear all through the year! Such a great transitional shoe since they're sandals but also suede.  Hopefully I'll get the cost per wear nice and low! The cost per wear on these shorts is already nearing $1 per wear and I've only had them a few months. Definitely my favorite piece of the Summer, so far!

The Net-a-Porter sale ends TOMORROW, so snatch up some pieces while you can! Use SALE20 for 20% off Sale Must Haves!

Top: Equipment c/o Marshalls, Shorts: Banana Republic Factory, Sandals: Lanvin (Net-a-Porter Sale), Necklace: BubuRuby

The only pieces in this week's throwback outfit that are the same are my accessories. I graduated on to better jeans and wore the top into the ground.  The top in today's post is sadly on it's way out as well, but for different reasons. I bought it the same day I bought my, very beloved, pink leopard button up at an Equipment & Current/Elliott sample sale but it has only been worn 3 times, if that. I need to sell it but I can just never bring myself to do it. Anyone want to take it off my hands? ;)

Top: Equipment, Jeans: Frame 'Le Skinny de Jeanne' (Shopbop), Necklace: Vanessa Mooney, Sandals: Michael Kors (DSW), Watch: Michael Kors (Lord & Taylor), Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Shopbop)



The Original: Jeans: American Eagle, Top: Express

For my second Thanksgiving outfit I went a little dressier but in the same color palette as our first get together. It wasn't specifically planned that way, but it worked out nicely. I was saving this skirt from my Kohl's Star Wars photoshoot for Thanksgiving because of the rich color, perfect for the occasion! It would also be good for Christmas too so maybe you'll see it again in another few weeks!

Top: Equipment (Sample Sale), Skirt: Lauren Conrad Runway Collection c/o Kohl's, Tights c/o Wolford, Heels: Dolce & Gabbana (Uptown Consignment), Bag: Emm Kuo 'Westbourne Satchel' (Roundabout Resale)

Here's a nice breezy outfit for this Tuesday morning. It contains some of my favorite pieces: my mouse flats and this skirt my mom made with fabric we bought at Mood in New York City before my  photoshoot with The Outnet in 2011. The proportions of the outfit are a little long, but I like it anyway.

Top: Equipment c/o Marshalls, Skirt: made by mom, Mouse Flats: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Shopbop), Necklace c/o By Boe, Bracelets: Ten Thousand Villages