Apparently this year is all about re-buying favorite pieces in my closet because the originals are too loved. Last month it was a bathing suit, this month I finally re-bought an item I have been hunting for for a couple years. My beloved pair of silk pants from Sea New York. 

I originally bought these printed silk pants in March 2015 for $56 in The Outnet's Clearance Sale for my trip to Santorini that Spring. They became a staple in Summer and I wore them all the time. I kind of stopped posting them on the blog because I had featured them so often, but their last appearance was in June 2019. Then a couple years ago the fabric underneath where I sit ripped, probably from so much sitting on planes, ha ha! 

I was following a pair on Poshmark for much of that time but the seller wouldn't budge on their price so I waited. While shopping for another replacement at ThredUp I happened to find a pair for just under $30 thanks to a 50% off deal! Funnily enough I did a partnership with them way back in 2014, crazy how time flies! I also picked up a J Crew printed camisole for $7.99 and a replacement for my Who What Wear shirt dress for $11.50. I used blog revenue for all 3!

I'm still on the hunt for a replacement pair of GH Bass cargo pants that are really starting to wear out. I got them in 2017 with a gift card, but they were $21 (retail $69) so I guess I can allow myself a slight splurge on the new pair knowing how much I wear them. I found a blue pair in medium, but I want the green, and a small, but I should be okay with a medium as well.

2026 Purchases:

THE (modified) RULES

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

MY PROGRESS

 

Clothes:

1. *NEW!* Sea New York patterned silk pants ($29.50, retail $100; used ad money)
2. *NEW* Who What Wear floral shirt dress ($11.99, retail $30?; used ad money)
3. *NEW!* J.Crew tropical print camisole ($7.99, retail ?; used ad money)

Basics:

1. J.Crew vintage relaxed v-neck in Evening Shadow ($9.50, retail $34.50, used ad money)
2. J.Crew broken-in t-shirt in Bellport Blue ($9.50, retail $36.50, used ad money) 

Shoes:

1. None yet

Handbags:

1. None yet

Accessories:

1. None
   

Activewear/Swimwear:

1. Eddie Bauer Polar Fleece-Lined Pants in Black - similar ($18, retail $90)
   
2. Eddie Bauer Tank Top  in Grey ($5, retail $25)
3. Eddie Bauer Trail Tight High Rise Legging in Grey - similar ($19.80, retail $99)
4. Michael Kors one piece swimsuit in walnut print ($32.99, retail $140)
5. Lands End Side Tie Wrap One Piece Swimsuit in Navy/Prism Pink Multi Palm ($26.99, retail $134.99, used ad money) 
6. Lands End SlenderSuit Wrap One Piece Swimsuit in Violet Rose/Navy Ombre ($44.69, retail $164.95, used ad money) 

Gifted from Brands:

• Aurate x Marilyn Monroe: Lab Grown Red Marquise Earring Threader
• Aurate Pearl Drop Necklace 
• *NEW!* Aurate Unbreakable Barely There Chain Necklace
• *NEW!* Aurate Lab Grown White Sapphire Station Necklace
• *NEW!* Forme Science Arch Booster Socks 

Spent in July: $0

Spent in 2026: $75.79

Spent in 2026 - counting ad money: $215.95

We're getting closer to Fall, my favorite season. While I'm not ready for sweaters just yet, I can start getting into the spirit with my jewelry. Layering gold necklaces from Aurate New York is a perfect way to do that while not burning up in the end of Summer heat. After all, there's still 2 weeks until Autumn officially starts! (on my 4th wedding anniversary! Yes, we love Autumn so much we got married on the first day - although some years it's a day or two later)

I wore this on a warm early September day (aka this past Friday) and, since we're still experiencing Summer weather, I decided to celebrate the upcoming season with my color choices rather than pieces of clothing. These Proenza Schouler tweed colorblock shorts are quite an odd piece to style. I've worn them in warmer temperatures with tees and tanks but also wore them for Thanksgiving last year with tights underneath and a sweater on top. I could easily wear this on an early-Autumn day in a month with a sweater and no tights. The color palette is perfect for Fall, the colors remind me of falling leaves.

Sandals will remain in my outfits until it becomes too cold for my toes. They're my favorite form of footwear so it always takes a while for me to give them up for the rest of the year. These black leather ones can also be worn into Autumn & Winter with jeans, especially with tights or socks!

On to the main event - Pre-Fall layering! Since we can't layer our clothes, why not our jewelry? It's so easy to do with any necklaces you have. I make sure they're different lengths and also try to have one stand out from the rest. The buttery and bronzed tones of the semi-precious stones in this Destination Aura beaded necklace are perfect to carry me into those cooler months. The colors go perfectly with the colorblock shorts; they were meant to be worn together! I wore the beaded necklace with the clasp up front because I loved the detail of it.

If you're also an Autumn lover, how do you celebrate the coming season with your wardrobe choices? Do you ease in with colors or go all out and wear sweaters in September even if it's hot. (No judgment ;) )

Bodysuit: Who What Wear x Target

Tweed Colorblock Shorts: Proenza Schouler (Roundabout) 

Belt: Kenneth Cole Reaction (Marshalls)

Bag: Louis Vuitton Epi Leather Sac D'Epaule (HauteTrader)

Sandals: Lanvin studded leather 'City' sandal (The RealReal)

Sunglasses: Ray Ban 'Erika' c/o Shopbop

Necklaces: AUrate Simple Pearl Necklace, AURATE X KERRY: Lioness Pendant & Destination Aura Beaded Necklace (Marrakech)

 *This post was made in partnership with Responsival.  Thank you for supporting brands I feature*

I wore this back in July when Christian had to do an afternoon video shoot in Newtown. I was having a slow work day and decided to tag along because it was an informal "get shots around town" kind of situation. We drove around town getting videos and drone shots of various parks and buildings. This was a fun Victory Garden at Fairfield Hills.  It is kind of hidden in the back of the park, we almost didn't find it, ha ha. There were so many cool vegetables and trees growing - even peaches! It was basically Christian's dream garden. Hopefully one day he's able to have a nice, big garden to grow everything his heart desires!

Dress: Who What Wear Floral Shirt Dress via Target

Bag: Purple Prada Cahier in Viola (Rebag via Vestiaire Collective)

Sandals: Ancient Greek Sandals 'Apteros' in Crosta Wine (bought in Athens)

Sunglasses: Gucci Aviators (bought in Rome)

They also had some really cool paintings on old doors. There are 2 of my favorites but there were a ton more!

The past two weekends I've had some good quality time with Layla! 2 weekends ago a friend came over and wanted to see her so I stole her from my cousin for a sleepover. Then this past weekend my cousin was going to a wedding so I took her overnight again. She also got to hang out at my parents' house for a bit. All the field trips!

She always enjoys coming down the road to our house because she can run around our backyard smelling all the new smells. On the way to my parents' house for a labor day get together we made a pit stop for outfit photos and a quick sniff for Layla. She was dragging me all over the place hunting for who knows what. Dogs are so funny.

I rarely wear this kimono for outfit photos because it just doesn't photograph that well, but I think these came out pretty good.  Whenever I wear this, which sadly isn't very often, I'm reminded of the infamous Extreme Cheapskates episode I filmed with Lydia in 2014. It still amazes me how people think shows like that are real. Spoiler: they are not. 90% is fabricated. They approached Lydia to highlight her "thriftiness" and then made up pretty much every segment of the show to make her look like a crazy person. 

Kimono: Sonnetts Design - Rhode Island (Goodwill Outlet)

Bodysuit: Who What Wear x Target

Jeans: Current/Elliott skinny jean in Love Destroyed

Espadrilles: Sam Edelman 'Lars' (Net-a-Porter)

Sunglasses: Chanel

A couple weekends ago Christian and I went out to eat for the first time since February 2020 and boy was it weird! It was so nice to have hot food delivered to you at a table rather than opening up slightly cooled takeout (which is still delicious.)

I won a gift card to Sherkaan in New Haven back in April and was super excited because I was always jealous of my food blogger friends enjoying their tasty food and never made it there before the pandemic! The gift card was pretty big so I invited my brother and sister-in-law because they've wanted to try it out too! We got a bunch of different dishes to share. It was so nice to be out somewhere. 

Dress: Who What Wear x Target floral dress

Sandals: Ancient Greek Sandals 'Clara' Sandal c/o Shopbop 

Sunglasses: Gucci Aviators (bought in Italy)

Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Medium in Nile Shark Embossed Leather (Bag, Borrow or Steal) 

Necklace: Olive Branch Pearl Necklace, bought in Santorini

Photos of everything we tried!

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eight sixty floral camisole (dress version)

Who What Wear x Target floral shirt dress

Crop top from Greece

Carven Jungle Print Skirt

Vince Tee

Sweater Tank made by Grandma