A simple, yet fun look thanks to my embellished sweater. Just don't hug me while I'm wearing it or you may get stabbed! Unfortunately I'm not completely happy with how this look photographed. The velvet jeans don't look good with the ankle boots. I think I need to wear them with either regular flats or heels, but not flat boots.

Sweater: Banjo + Matilda Trinket Embellished Stripe Sweater (The Outnet), Velvet Jeans: J.Crew, Boots: Vince Camuto 'Davilla' (Marshalls)

We had quite the snow storm last week. It wasn't a lot of snow but it really affected the roads. Christian got to leave work early because of the conditions and it took him an hour to get home when it should only take a half hour. I was left to shovel the snow on the driveway and sidewalk before he got home. I also did it again the next morning to get the remainder.  This is my snow day sweater, it keeps me warm and cozy while I shovel. And the best part? It was $1 at a thrift store.

Tissue Turtleneck: J.Crew, Sweater: thrifted, Jeans: Everlane Mid-Rise Ankle Jean, Boots: Grandma's, Sunglasses: Chanel

We had some really nice Spring-like weather last week so I took the opportunity to wear light layers with this tissue turtleneck and cashmere cape. I kept the cozy factor going with velvet jeans.

Cashmere Cape: b chyll (Roundabout Resale),Tissue Turtleneck: J.Crew, Velvet Jeans: J.Crew, Ballet Flats: Chanel 'Cap Toe Ballet Flat' (eBay), Necklace: House of Harlow 1960 'Five Station Blackened Arrowhead'

Happy February? Thank goodness for the shortest month of the year. I'm ready for it to start staying lighter later and get a teeeeny bit warmer.  I don't mind the cold too much (unless its biting cold) because I get to layer up in sweaters and vests but I do hate how dark it always is. Makes me not want to get dressed!  This was worn on a "warmer" day last week, aka not in the single digits or teens. I did wear a coat on top of all this but I survived for the photos!

Wearing one of my new January purchases in this look, a top I got for $7.65 - it was $0 after a gift card. The bag is a gift my brother got me while he was in Thailand. I have a bit of an owl obsession and you can never have too many bags! I had my computer, slippers, camera and the rest of my regular purse stuff in here and it all fit fine! (I took out the computer for the photos so my arm wouldn't die)

Vest: French Connection faux-fur vest (Marshall's), Turtleneck: J.Crew ribbed flare-sleeve turtleneck, Jeans: J Brand Maria skinny jeans in Blueberry (The RealReal), Boots: Cordani - similar (Roundabout Resale), Sunglasses: Chanel, Belt: unknown, Hat: Kensington Palace gift shop, Bag: from Thailand (gift from my brother)

A new year means a fresh Wardrobe Update!  My goal this year is to only add quality items to my wardrobe and not overspend. Last year I made good progress in not shopping but I still added some pieces I haven't worn much. Granted they were Disney tees so they're really only for vacations - and I used gift cards to buy them - but still.


This month I added 2 of the same item to my closet. One was the exact same pair of shoes I already own. Why did I buy them? It's my favorite pair of sandals and I know I will wear them to death so now I have a backup pair in the same colors that I won't wear until the first pair dies. I also got the same shoes in black for when I'm feeling a bit more classic. I used advertising money from 2018 on them so I don't feel bad in the slightest.

I made a pretty large J.Crew purchase this month as well during their 70% off sale sale. I've had just over $40 left on a gift card for over a year and I finally made use of it. I bought two sweaters for my husband and got myself 2 turtlenecks and a pair of velvet jeans. All for under the price of my gift card!

I also bought something that's been on my wish list since I saw it on Instagram in August. You know I'm all about the statement piece and this one is extra soft - yay cashmere! At one point it had sold out so I was pretty sad. But then one came back in my size but was still full price so I patiently waited. Eventually it went on sale plus Autumn Cashmere was offering 20% off sale prices. It was a splurge but I used the remainder of my advertising and Christmas money to buy it. It was also my big purchase in lieu of getting something in Net-a-Porter's End of Season Sale.

Hopefully I can get back to my my "don't shop as much" mantra through the rest of 2019.


THE (modified) RULES

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

MY PROGRESS 

Clothes:

1. *NEW!* Autumn Cashmere Landscape Intarsia Cashmere Crew ($240, retail $440, used Christmas + ad money)
   

Basics:

1. *NEW!* J.Crew Tissue Turtleneck ($5, retail $30, used gift card)
2. *NEW!* J.Crew Ribbed flare-sleeve turtleneck ($8, retail $45, used gift card)
3. *NEW!* J.Crew Midrise skinny jean in velvet ($10, retail $80, used gift card)

Shoes:

1. *NEW!* Lanvin Studded Suede 'City' Sandals ($60 via The RealReal, $790 retail, used ad money) 
2. *NEW!* Lanvin Black Studded Leather 'City' Sandals ($60 via The RealReal, $790 retail, used ad money) 

Accessories:

1.  None Yet

Gifted from Brands:

1. None Yet
   

Total spent in January: $0

Total spent in 2019: $0

Still looking for last minute gifts for the lady in your life who has everything? If she likes jewelry which, let's be honest, most women do, find her a beautiful pair of gold earrings. I was recently introduced to sustainable jewelry brand AUrate and sent this pair of gorgeous Sensu Ear Jackets in rose gold vermeil.  AUrate has everything you could want, from statement pieces to classic staples you'll wear for years to come. I have added quite a few other pieces to my wish list including this amazing Halo Diamond Opal Pendant. What pieces would you buy for a loved one?


What's great about AUrate is their mission is to offer sustainable, ethical handmade jewelry at affordable prices. The pieces are handmade by artisans in New York City, not a machine churning out hundreds a day. These earrings were $150 and would retail at most other stores for $390. This is because they cut out the middleman and sell directly to buyers without retail markups, much like Everlane, another favorite brand of mine.


The company only uses ethical solid gold from conflict-free suppliers in vermeil, 14K or 18K gold as well as white gold and rose gold. I had heard the phrase vermeil many times but never really knew what it meant. In essence, gold vermeil is a higher quality gold plated product. A base metal, usually sterling silver, is dipped into a coating of at least 10K gold to a thickness of 2.5 microns (one-millionth of a meter.) AUrate uses 14K gold to go the extra mile.


And, to make an even bigger difference AUrate donates a book to a student in need for every purchase made! So really it's like two gifts in one. Giving a beautifully made piece of jewelry to a loved one (or yourself) and the gift of learning to a student.

Enough about the companies awesomeness, on to the outfit! I styled the earrings for a holiday event but they would also work well with a simple outfit of jeans and a sweater.  Also - you can wear these with any studs you want! I'll probably try them with some pearl studs or my usual diamond studs in the future for some extra pizazz.

*This post was made in partnership with Nakturnal.

Llama Jewel Sweater: J.Crew, Skirt: LC Lauren Conrad Velvet Pleated Skirt c/o Kohl's, Boots: IMPO 'Omega' Patchwork Boot (DSW), Earrings: AUrate Sensu Ear Jackets (c/o)

It's Christmas sweater season! I love December because it means I get to wear this reindeer sweater. To keep with the Christmas theme I decided to wear it with green suede pants. And, although they're not RED red, my bag and nails are also Christmasy. Luckily everything  I'm wearing - except my bag - is on eBay right now! So follow the links to get your own. You know you want this reindeer sweater! I might get another for when this one gets too pilly.

Sweater: J.Crew Reindeer Sweater, Pants: Blank NYC 'Persuede' jeans (South Moon Under), Mules: Franco Sarto "Dolly" (DSW), Bag: Etienne Aigner (thrifted), Sunglasses: Gucci (bought in Italy), Eyeglasses chain: Tinksky (Amazon)