I wore this outfit for my "Valentine's Day" date with Christian. We usually eat out once during the week so this was just a slightly more expensive version of that, and it wasn't even that expensive because it was lunch, ha ha. It was basically an excuse to eat at a restaurant we've been putting off for a while.

The Chowder Pot in Branford has been one of my favorite restaurants since I was young and now Christian loves it too. Their honey butter bread is divineeeee! I usually ask for a second one to take home when we're getting out check.

We ran some errands in the morning on Saturday and got to Branford a little too early for the Chowder Pot's 11:30 opening time so we decided to take photos at the library to kill some time. BOY was it cold. Can you tell I was freezing in these pictures?

Sweater: Everlane "The Wool-Cashmere Square Crew" in Crimson, Jeans: J Brand 811 Photo Ready Mid-Rise Skinny (Gilt), Boots: Audrey Brooke 'Mirie' (DSW), Sunglasses: Chanel, Bag: Chanel Classic 2.55 Double Flap (shop pre-loved Chanel)

We've got sort of a cosmic/moon theme going on in this outfit. It started off with me picking this cosmic embroidered cardigan to build my look and ended with my painting my nails with some gold splatters and topping the look off with a moon necklace.

This look felt a little frumpy until I made a couple changes. First I tucked in the tee instead of having it out over the high waisted jeans. Second I slightly rolled up the jeans so they rested just above the boots. Both of these modifications instantly made me look taller.


Cardigan: J.Crew Cosmic Embroidery sweater (shop more cardigans), Tee: Zara (shop short sleeved tees), Jeans: Everlane high-rise skinny jean in mid-blue (shop more high waisted jeans), Ankle Boots: Candie's c/o Kohl's (shop more heeled booties),  Simple Pearl Necklace c/o AURate (shop delicate necklaces), Crescent Moon Necklace: Marrin Costello

Well, we made it. My final wardrobe update for 2019! I did a pretty good job this year at not spending too much on clothes. I still bought a few things I haven't worn much (the blazers) but I love them all the same.  I still have to wear the black polka dot dress from Joie but I think I have an appropriate occasion coming up so stay tuned!

The champion of my 2019 spending is my Autumn Cashmere sweater. It's only been on the blog 4 times but I've worn it much more than that since buying it in January. The mark of a good wardrobe item is if it brings you joy and this sweater does that. Every time I wear it my mood is instantly lifted!

 I got a few clothing items as gifts for Christmas this year and that's all I added to my closet!



THE (modified) RULES

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

MY PROGRESS 

Clothes:

1. Autumn Cashmere Landscape Cashmere Crew ($240, retail $440, Christmas + ad money)
2. Sandro burgundy double breasted blazer ($36 via Roundabout Resale, retail ~$500)
3. Massimo Dutti white wool blazer ($19 via Roundabout Resale, retail $130-$250)
4. Rag & Bone 'Jackie' purple leather trimmed wool jacket ($32 via Roundabout, retail $495)
5. eight sixty floral camisole dress ($7 via eBay, used ad money)
6. Joie 'Johnesha' black polka dot tiered dress ($39.99 via Marshalls, $398 retail)
7. Edun red printed silk dress ($25 via eBay, $500+ retail) 
8. Splendid Duke Striped Pullover ($0 c/o Shopbop, on sale for $47, retail $148)
9. *NEW!* rag&bone high rise ankle skinny jean in burgundy  (Christmas Gift) 
10. *NEW!* Ellen Tracy cashmere v-neck sweater in orange (Christmas Gift)

Basics:

1. J.Crew Tissue Turtleneck ($5, retail $30, used gift card)
2. J.Crew Ribbed flare-sleeve turtleneck ($8, retail $45, used gift card)
3. J.Crew Midrise skinny jean in velvet ($10, retail $80, used gift card)
4. AG Jeans 'The Evan' pleated linen pant, Sulfur Harvest Olive ($39 @ Marshalls, $178 retail) 
5. Splendid Arabesque Cargo Short in Antique Military Olive ($29.99 via Marshalls, $108 retail)
6. Everlane Cotton V in Heather Gray ($0, after $20 credit)

Shoes:

1. Lanvin Studded Suede 'City' Sandals ($60 via The RealReal, $790 retail, used ad money) 
2. Lanvin Studded Leather 'City' Sandals ($60 via The RealReal, $790 retail, used ad money)  
3. Ancient Greek Sandals 'Apteros' in Crosta Wine ($158 in Athens, used ad money)
4. Ancient Greek Sandals X Gas Bijoux 'Stephanie Charms' in Natural/Red Charms ($254 in Santorini, used ad money)
5. Sam Edelman 'Gigi' ($12.49 via DSW)
6. Restricted Memo Flat ($12.49 via DSW)
7. *NEW!* Everlane Double-Strap Block Heel Sandal in Strawberry (Christmas Gift)

Accessories:

1. Mini Leather Bag (25€ in Italy, used ad money)
2. Olive Leaf + Branch + Pearl Necklace ($50 in Santorini, used ad money)
3. DSW Backpack (free with purchase)

Gifted from Brands:

1. Simple Pearl Necklace c/o AUrate
   

Total spent in December: $0

Total spent in 2019: $245.46

Another day, another comfy oversized sweater. I wish I had counted every time I wore this sweater because I'm pretty sure its one of the most worn items in my closet. When I first bought it I wore it at least once a week and every time I went on a plane it was my outerwear of choice because I could wear it like a blanket.  The past couple years I haven't worn it as much, because I've been trying to wear less-worn pieces in my closet, but it's still way up there in wears.

Cardigan: DKNY Oversized striped knitted cardigan (Net-a-Porter Sale), Sweater: Everlane The Fall Seed Stitch Raglan, Jeans: rag & bone (Shopbop), Boots: Audrey Brooke 'Mirie' (DSW), Sunglasses: Chanel, Bag: Dark Purple Chloé Faye (eBay), Necklace: Marrin Costello, Hat: Kensington Palace gift shop

Whenever Christian gets his haircut we make it a morning of fun. On this particular Saturday we were out bright and early at 8:30am for his appointment with Cassie at H Salon (she cuts my hair too, but I go a lot longer between cuts.) After he was all spiffed up we headed over to Terrain to check out their holiday displays. Terrain is one of my favorite stores, even if I can't afford to shop there. We did pick up a frosty fern for $10 and I splurged on a couple candles for $20.

After Terrain we headed to Mecha Noodle Bar in Fairfield for some delicious ramen! Sooo good! I would eat here all the time if I could. Their chicken ramen (Shoyu Paitan) and red oil dumplings are my favorite!

Sweater: Everlane "The Wool-Cashmere Oversized Cable Turtleneck" (shop more turtleneck sweaters), High Waisted Jeans: J Brand 'Maria' High Rise in Supreme (shop more J Brand), Boots: White Mountain lace-up boots (shop more boots), Bag: Dark Purple Chloé Faye (eBay), Sunglasses: Gucci aviators in tortoise

Happy day after Thanksgiving! I hope all my American readers had a great holiday and ate lots of turkey (or no turkey if you're vegetarian!)

This month I added a few pieces to my closet but paid $0 out of pocket! Love when that happens.  Last week Everlane surprised me with a $20 credit and since I couldn't decide between two pairs of jeans ($30 difference in price, haha) I decided to just go for a plain v-neck tee.

I also bought a couple things during Shopbop's Buy More, Save More sale with my store credit from my partnership with them. They should arrive on Monday, hopefully they both fit or I'll be sending them back....sad. It took me HOURS to decide what to get. Funny how even when something is "free" you second guess all your decisions. I had so many things in my cart and Christian helped me whittle it down to boots and a sweater. I'll be on the lookout for a few of the other things I wanted to actually go on sale (more than the 20% off I would have gotten if I bought 4 of the things I wanted)

I still haven't made my Net-a-Porter sale purchase but I will probably buy something next month at the end of the sale.  Right now I have about $75 in Paypal thanks to Ibotta and Survey Junkie and should have a payment from RewardStyle on the way as well. That'll help soften the blow if/when I splurge on something.

UPDATE: Sadly had to return the boots as they were a lot chunkier than I expected and I didn't like how they looked on my feet.

THE (modified) RULES

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

MY PROGRESS 

Clothes:

1. Autumn Cashmere Landscape Cashmere Crew ($240, retail $440, Christmas + ad money)
2. Sandro burgundy double breasted blazer ($36 via Roundabout Resale, retail ~$500)
3. Massimo Dutti white wool blazer ($19 via Roundabout Resale, retail $130-$250)
4. Rag & Bone 'Jackie' purple leather trimmed wool jacket ($32 via Roundabout, retail $495)
5. eight sixty floral camisole dress ($7 via eBay, used ad money)
6. Joie 'Johnesha' black polka dot tiered dress ($39.99 via Marshalls, $398 retail)
7. Edun red printed silk dress ($25 via eBay, $500+ retail) 
8. *NEW!* Splendid Duke Striped Pullover ($0 c/o Shopbop, on sale for $47, retail $148)

Basics:

1. J.Crew Tissue Turtleneck ($5, retail $30, used gift card)
2. J.Crew Ribbed flare-sleeve turtleneck ($8, retail $45, used gift card)
3. J.Crew Midrise skinny jean in velvet ($10, retail $80, used gift card)
4. AG Jeans 'The Evan' pleated linen pant, Sulfur Harvest Olive ($39 @ Marshalls, $178 retail) 
5. Splendid Arabesque Cargo Short in Antique Military Olive ($29.99 via Marshalls, $108 retail)
6. *NEW!* Everlane Cotton V in Heather Gray ($0, after $20 credit)

Shoes:

1. Lanvin Studded Suede 'City' Sandals ($60 via The RealReal, $790 retail, used ad money) 
2. Lanvin Studded Leather 'City' Sandals ($60 via The RealReal, $790 retail, used ad money)  
3. Ancient Greek Sandals 'Apteros' in Crosta Wine ($158 in Athens, used ad money)
4. Ancient Greek Sandals X Gas Bijoux 'Stephanie Charms' in Natural/Red Charms ($254 in Santorini, used ad money)
5. Sam Edelman 'Gigi' ($12.49 via DSW)
6. Restricted Memo Flat ($12.49 via DSW)

Accessories:

1. Mini Leather Bag (25€ in Italy, used ad money)
2. Olive Leaf + Branch + Pearl Necklace ($50 in Santorini, used ad money)
3. DSW Backpack (free with purchase)

Gifted from Brands:

1. Simple Pearl Necklace c/o AUrate
   

Total spent in November: $0

Total spent in 2019: $245.46

I still remember when I bought this top. I almost didn't do it because it was still $66 but it had so many of my favorite colors to wear that I had to do it. Good thing too because it's one of my favorite mid-weather tops! I've worn it with layers, on its own and it even kept me warm on those chilly Florida Winter days (aka slightly cold.)

I've been a Marc Jacobs fan ever since I first got into fashion so it's no surprise that I have so many bags and clothes from the brand. Shopbop has a HUGE selection of Marc Jacobs pieces and quite a few have made it on to my wishlist. I'm always drawn to the printed dresses, they're just so fun and unique. And you can't go wrong with Marc Jacobs bags, I have 3 and am always resisting buying more!

Sweater: Marc by Marc Jacobs "Pyo" Striped Sweater (Saks Off Fifth), Jeans: Everlane "The High-Rise Skinny Jean" in Mid-Blue, Ballet Flats: Chanel 'Cap Toe Ballet Flat' via eBay (shop ballet flats), Italian Leather Bag: shop mini bags

If you know me, you know the fact that I love this shorts is a miracle. I'm not the biggest fan of white because I'm terrified of getting it dirty. But somehow with these shorts that doesn't matter. Maybe it's the purple? Or perhaps the large floral print? I've had them for SEVEN years and have worn them with everything from a purple button down to a knitted tank.

Tee: Everlane Cotton U-Neck, Floral Shorts: Zara, Sandals: Ancient Greek Sandals 'Astrapi' (Net-a-Porter), Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs 'Perfect Purse ostrich-effect PVC' (Net-a-Porter), Sunglasses: Chanel