How is this the first post of 2016?! I think 2015 went by way too fast, but it was full of fun and magic!  Starting the year off with a dreary-backgrounded outfit post. But at least my outfit includes some brightness, even if it is monochromatic.  This really fun necklace was my Christmas gift from Lydia. And, oddly enough, I almost bought her the same thing! That happened last year too...

Sweater: BCBG, Jeans: Free People (Marshalls), Boots: Candie's c/o Kohl's, Necklace: House of Harlow Sunburst Pendant (gift)

No throwback outfit this week since it's New Years Eve and I doubt anyone will be visiting the blog today! Also, it's the last day of the month so that means Wardrobe Update time!  I got a few new things for Christmas, but sadly I think only 1 is definitely staying so I only listed that piece for now. I already returned the two things I picked myself because they didn't look great. I made a replacement order so hopefully the new items are a better fit (literally and figuratively!) They should be delivered this afternoon!

[Update: The Madewell order came in, everything was great! They've been added below]

I'll be heading to Lord & Taylor with my Mom today to return a dress she got me. It's really fun and fits me great but I know it won't get a lot of wear. I decided to keep a pretty tan and white cardigan she picked out. At first I wasn't sure about it since it isn't my usual dark colors, but it's so soft and cozy!

I blame my aunt for my regular spending this month. When I went for my monthly massage we decided to go to some consignment stores in the area. I ended up buying two coats and a pair of loafers. BUT I only spent $50, so not as horrible as it could have been.

Overall I think I did pretty good with spending this year. There were a few months where I fell off the less is more train, but these last few months - excluding December - I really only bought one or two things that enhanced my wardrobe. My best purchases of the year, by far, were the DKNY colorblock cardigan and DKNY romper. Both of them got a ton of wear (on vacations and while at home.)


THE RULES

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

MY PROGRESS

Clothes:

1. Zara cropped sweater ($49.90, used advertising money)
2. *NEW!* Love Life & Freedom faux shearling jacket ($18 via Consignment Originals)  
3. *NEW!* Za&Za navy and burgundy colorblock coat ($25 via Karma's Closet)
4. *NEW!*  Disney's Bambi by LC Lauren Conrad Graphic Sweatshirt (Christmas gift, Kohl's)
5. *NEW!* Calvin Klein cardigan (Christmas gift, Lord & Taylor)

Basics:

1. Max Studio cardigan (gift from Lydia)
2. Vince Overlay Hem Cashmere Turtleneck ($59.99 via Marshalls, used birthday gift card) 
3. Everlane 'The Cotton V' in navy ($15) 
4. J Brand Mid Rise Photo Ready Super Skinny Jean in Bluebird ($62 via Gilt)
5. *NEW!* Madewell Hexcomb Texture Sweater in hthr spruce (Christmas gift, Madewell)

Shoes:

1. Audrey Brooke over the knee boots ($75 via DSW, birthday gift)
2. *NEW!*Etienne Aigner Loafers in burgundy ($4.50 via Consignment Originals)

Accessories:

1. Emm Kuo 'Westbourne Satchel' in snakeskin & stingray ($295 via Roundabout Resale, regularly $1300)
2. *NEW!* House of Harlow 1960 Sunburst Pendant Necklace (Christmas gift from Lydia) 
3. *NEW!* Madewell Houndstooth Patchwork Scarf (Christmas gift, Madewell)
4. *NEW!* Madewell Ribbed Texting Gloves(Christmas gift, Madewell)
5. *NEW!* Madewell Stonework Drop Necklace (Christmas gift, Madewell)

Gifted from Brands:

1. Mighty Fine Star Wars R2D2 Sweatshirt c/o Kohl's
2. Mighty Fine Star Wars ''The Empire Strikes Back'' Thermal Tee c/o Kohl's
3. Rock & Republic Star Wars Studded Leggings c/o Kohl's
4. Star Wars R2-D2 Pendant c/o Kohl's
5. Simply Vera Vera Wang Faux-Fur Collar Shawl Vest c/o Kohl's
6. LC Lauren Conrad Runway Collection Pleated Velvet Skirt c/o Kohl's
7. Simply Vera Vera Wang Mary Jane Heels c/o Kohl's
8. Candie's Ankle Boots c/o Kohl's
9. Nike Air Max 90 Premium iD sneaker
10. Ann Taylor wrap sweater c/o Foxwoods & Tanger Outlets
11. Charlotte Russe ombre cardigan c/o Foxwoods & Tanger Outlets 
12. UncommonGoods necklace 
13. Onecklace chevron birthstone necklace
14. Onecklace heart midi ring
15. Isabel Marant 'On Plane Collection Necklace' c/o Luisaviaroma
16. *NEW!* Banana Republic Italian Cashmere-Blend Boyfriend Cardigan c/o Westfield Trumbull Mall
17. *NEW!* Forever 21 'May the Force Be With You' top c/o Westfield Trumbull Mall
18. *NEW!* Forever 21 Trust Me I'm a Jedi' bottoms c/o Westfield Trumbull Mall

I've never been a huge ombre fan, but a couple weekends ago Lydia and I went to an event at the Tanger Outlets at Foxwoods Casino where we had a gift card to buy as many sweaters as we could and I found this at Charlotte Russe for only $11! It's super soft and the price was right so I figured I'd try it out.

Tee: Everlane, Sweater: Charlotte Russe c/o Tanger Outlets, Jeans: Free People, Loafers: Burberry Prorsum (Net-a-Porter Sale), Necklace: House of Harlow c/o South Moon Under

This is the companion outfit to the brunch outfit I shared last week. Two weekends ago I headed up to NYC for a girls' night with one of my friends and a bunch of her other friends. She wanted to put together a group that had never met before (apart from her) which was really fun. I got to know some great new friends and came out of my shell a bit.

We started the night by having a late dinner at Antibes Bistro followed by some drinks at The Back Room, one of only two speakeasies in New York City that operated during Prohibition and is still in existence today! Most of you know that I don't drink much (because I can't find anything I like!) but I did try Antibe's namesake cocktail, sadly it was too bubbly for me since there was champagne in it.

I didn't take any photos of my outfit that night so I put the outfit back on just for you guys! ;)

Top: Marshalls, Skirt: T by Alexander Wang (Net-a-Porter), Pumps: Jimmy Choo (Roundabout Resale), Necklace: House of Harlow (South Moon Under)

I bought this skirt with a gift card back in April at the Clinton Crossing shopping event.  It's a size XL but it was only $6 and I had a gift card burning a hole in my pocket. I haven't had my Mom make the waist smaller so in these photos I'm wearing it dangerously low on my hips (with shorts underneath). If it was the proper size I have a strong feeling it would be WAY too short on me, so I guess it was a blessing in disguise that they didn't have my size. Ha ha.

Top: Cullen (Rue La La), Skirt c/o Aeropostale (Clinton Crossing), Sandals: Ancient Greek Sandals 'Alethea' (also here, here & here), Necklace: House of Harlow

Well, we've entered Summer weather territory with temperatures in the 80s recently! On this particular day I wore my new dress from Aeropostale and layered this cashmere sweater on top for some more coverage. The dress is more appropriate for the beach being so short and very skimpy up top. But it is so comfortable, I love the softness of the fabric!

Cashmere Sweater: Paolo Rodesco (Roundabout Resale),  Dress c/o Aeropostale and Clinton Crossing, Sandals: Madden Girl (TJ Maxx), Necklace: House of Harlow c/o South Moon Under

This is my version of dressing down, the closest I'll get to wearing sweatpants. These awesome new Puma's are so me. Any time you make something purple I will automatically want it. For their first outing I styled them pretty basic: jeans + hoodie; a throwback to my younger years. Hopefully I'll be brave enough to try them with a skirt or something to dress them up a bit, but I'm not sure I can pull that off.

As a fun side-story: I have only worn sweatpants out in public once, not counting going to and from gymnastics practice, and that was due to extreme circumstances. I was in college, it was midnight, very snowy and my roommate asked me if I wanted her to take me to the 24 hour Walmart to buy Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince on DVD. She had promised to take me the day it came out and figured there was no time like midnight, ha ha! So off I went in the snow in my sweatpants and Emu's.

Tee: Everlane, Hoodie: American Eagle Outfitters, Jeans: Current/Elliott (The Outnet), Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Saks Friends & Family Sale), Necklace: House of Harlow c/o South Moon Under, Shoes: PUMA c/o Kicks USA


Thanks to my sister for taking these photos!

As has been the norm the past few times I've actually had somewhere to go (other than my parent's for dinner) the weather did not want to cooperate. This is what I wore to go to New Beauty Magazine's 10th Anniversary party in New York last Thursday. Disregarding the misting/rain the whole time I was walking to and from the event it was fun! I got my "perfect shade" of Paula Dorf lipstick picked out for me ("Attitude") and got my hair braided with help from John Barrett Salon.

The event was three floors of experiential beauty, so everyone was just walking around trying out all the different products! I really liked the Per-fekt Brow Perfection Gel, will have to buy some when my shopping ban is over! At the end of the event I got an amazing goodie bag filled with products to try! Going to be fun going through all of them! Already gave some stuff to my mom and sister since I can't possibly use it all on my own.

P.S. This weather was making me think of this part in The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh, poor Rabbit! Ha ha.

Jacket: Theyskens' Theory (Nordstrom Rack), Top: Daniel Rainn (Piperlime), Jeans: J Brand 'Maria High Rise Skinny' in Supreme (Gilt), Necklace: House of Harlow c/o South Moon Under,  Rings: old, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Lumo 'Violet, Lumo 'Rope', Heels: Jimmy Choo (Roundabout Resale)

A couple weekends ago I took a last minute trip to New York City for brunch with friends.  I wanted to wear this camisole I got during Piperlime's 60% off sale sale (only $12!) but it was going to be quite chilly. So I wore a suede jacket and topped it off with a leopard coat. I took these photos at about 8:30am so I forgot to take a quick shot with the jacket - oops! I also broke a fashion "rule" and wore black and navy together, but it totally worked!

Luckily it wasn't too cold so after brunch a few of us walked through Central Park to head back to our respective locations. Grand Central for me! I was only in the city for 4 hours, and my travel time was 3.5 hours. Sometimes you have to sacrifice time for fun! :)  Right when I got home I headed out to dinner with all my cousins, so it was truly a whirlwind day!

Camisole: Eight Sixty (Piperlime), Jacket: Lauren by Ralph Lauren (Marshalls), Jeans: Current/Elliott (The Outnet), Boots: Vince Camuto (Marshalls), Necklace: House of Harlow c/o South Moon Under, Bag: Gianni Notaro (Marshalls)

This cardigan is so warm and cozy. I have been throwing it on over my pjs at night to keep me extra toasty so I figured I should wear it in an outfit too! I believe I only paid $4 for it, score!  It wasn't super cold this day so I was okay in this layered look - tank top, sweater and cardigan. I like mixing over-sized sweaters with tighter fitting under-layers, that way I don't look like a snowball, ha ha. Although, sometimes I feel like looking fat and fluffy, so I just wear this.

Sweater: Vanessa Bruno (Roundabout Resale), Caridgan: Lauren by Ralph Lauren (Goodwill),  Jeans: J Brand c/o Marshalls, Boots: R2 (DSW), Necklace: House of Harlow (South Moon Under)