Wearing two things that haven't been getting much wear lately; my crazy boots and super soft oversized blazer. I go through phases and I haven't been wearing my blazers all that much lately, but I still love every single one I own and could never get rid of them. I'm such a hoarder! And these boots are so wild that I sometimes find it hard to wear them. Instead I just need to remember they're a statement and I can wear them with anything because they're so crazy!

Blazer: PBM Women's (Coco's $10 sale), Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater: Vince (Marshalls), Jeans: J Brand 'Maria' in blueberry (The Real Real), Booties: Tabitha Simmons 'Elisa' - also in black - for Runway to Green (Roundabout Resale)

Another outfit with my trinket embellished sweater! This time I went with super skinny jeans and over the knee boots. I feel like I can pair it with anything, the only thing that makes it different from a basic sweater is the "trinkets" and they're silver so they match with everything. So happy with this birthday buy! I'll be wearing the heck out of this over the next few months.

Sweater: Banjo + Matilda (The Outnet), Jeans: J Brand Maria High Rise (The RealReal), Over the Knee Boots: Audrey Brooke 'Mirie' (DSW)

I may have gone a little overboard with the blue in this outfit. But I finished it off with a crazy green sweater so an overdoes of blue is the least of my worries. These new jeans are SO comfortable. It's like I'm wearing sweatpants, except they're high waisted so sitting for long periods can get a little uncomfortable. But they're super soft and thin.

Suede Jacket: Ralph Lauren (Marshalls) Sweater: French Connection c/o Marshalls, Jeans: J Brand Maria High Rise (The RealReal), Boots: Candies c/o Kohl's

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)

Happy Thursday!! I'm currently on my second day of a quick trip to Orlando with a friend so this is definitely not what I'll be wearing today.  And I confess I do have the original heels from this look but I decided I liked it better with the dark brown Prada's instead. I'm also sporting my latest pair of sunglasses from Ditto's Endless Eyewear program! I sent my Miu Miu pair back after just a week but I'm keeping these a little longer before I trade them in.  Use code CLOSETFASHIONENDLESSDITTO for your first month free!

Tee: Everlane, Skirt: Vince Camuto  (Lord & Taylor), Heels: Prada (The Real Real), Necklaces: Vanessa Mooney and Geoclassics, Sunglasses: Jason Wu 'Brigitte' via Ditto Endless Eyewear



The Original: Heels: Guess (Marshalls)

I hope everyone had a great Christmas (or time off if you don't celebrate.) This is what I wore for our first party, with my Mom's side of the family.  I had wanted to wear this dress for Christmas last year but ended up wearing a brand new dress instead since I had worn this a couple months previously (here and here). What I love about this dress is I don't have to worry about accessories! Just throw on shoes and you're good to go.

Dress: Altuzarra for Target (shirt version), Heels: Prada (The Real Real)

We are just over a month away from Christmas (and very close to Hanukkah) so Christmas gift shopping is in full swing. I try not to do anything Christmasy until after Thanksgiving, but when you find the perfect gift for someone you have to buy it, whether it's June 3rd or December 24th.  I'm almost done with all my shopping but I do have a few more gifts to buy.

One gift that never goes out of style is jewelry. And when you can personalize your jewelry gift it's even better! Thanks to Onecklace you can find a ton of great personalized jewelry options for your loved ones! They sent me two great pieces to feature on the blog. First I chose an adorable silver heart midi ring that is going to be a permanent fixture on my hands (always on the hunt for cute silver rings, I can't get enough!) For my second piece I chose a personalized chevron birthstone necklace.

From name necklaces to birthstone jewelry you'll be able to find the perfect piece for everyone on your list. They carry very simple pieces, such as my chevron necklace and also have more intricate pieces like a family tree birthstone necklace (a great gift for mothers or grandmothers!) If you want to do some holiday shopping over at Onecklace, use code closet10 for 10% off!

Sweater: Ann Taylor c/o Tanger, Skirt: Vince Camuto (Lord & Taylor), Heels: Prada (The RealReal)

The main reason I bought this crop top, first seen here, was to wear it with these jeans. I wore this to a martini making class Lydia hosted at Polpo in Greenwich. I didn't want to dress up super crazy so I figured adding a blazer and heels to my outfit made it appropriate for the occasion. I know the title says shaken, not stirred, but our bartender teacher told us you should never shake your martinis, no matter what James Bond says. My Dad disagreed when I told him, but since I don't generally drink martinis it doesn't matter to me. I do have to say, I think I made a pretty mean drink, I was a pro at using the strainer from Absolut. Check out photos from the event over at Lydia's blog!

At the end of the party we were given adorable pineapple pins. Absolut have chosen the pineapple because it represents hospitality and they want the world to know that they are devoted to serving as best they can.  To go a step further, they've a created copper Pineapple drinking vessel that has been exclusive to certain bars for quite some time. They will start selling them soon (for $85) and for every pineapple sold they will provide water for a month for one family in need.  (By purchasing Absolut Elyx you provide water for one week.)

(I was not asked to post about this, but I love that they support a great cause)

Top: Zara, Blazer: Elie Tahari (Coco's on the Green), Jeans: J Brand 'high rise Maria' (Gilt), Heels: Prada (The Real Real)

My awesome Absolut Elyx martini. Stirred, not shaken.

Sometimes you just HAVE to wear heels even if the occasion doesn't call for it. I've been dying to wear these new Prada heels since I got them a couple weeks ago so I styled this outfit around them to go to dinner.  I had been hunting for brown heels for almost a year and finally decided to check The RealReal and found these beautiful, brand new, shoes for $135 thanks to an additional 30% off sale!

Top c/o ThredUp, Jeans: J Brand 'high rise Maria' (Gilt), Heels: Prada (The RealReal), Sunglasses: Ray Ban 'Erika' (Ditto), Bag: Wink & Winn (giveaway)