Say hello to my gorgeous new purse! I bought it the weekend before Thanksgiving and it has barely left my arm since! See this post for the story on how I ended up buying it. I had to wear it the day I bought it because that's what crazy people do with new purchases.  It was a warm-ish day so I was able to wear this 3/4 sleeve dress and knee high boots without tights!  Apparently this is a new trend called "lampshading"...so weird. Although I'm not in a dress as short as the ones those celebs are wearing.

Dress: London Times (from Lydia), Belt: Kenneth Cole Reaction (Marshalls), Boots: Audrey Brooke (DSW), Bag: Emm Kuo 'Westbourne Satchel' (Roundabout Resale)

This past Friday I headed to the Westfield Trumbull Mall for a blogger event they hosted. This is my local mall so I've been going there since I was young. They've been going through a lot of changes the past couple of years so it was great to visit some of their new (and old) offerings. We were greeted by the Merry Makers who are spreading holiday cheer during the holiday shopping season.
We started off at one of my favorites, Lord & Taylor, to see their new Design Lab which is full of great pieces for all your holiday get togethers. Lots of velvet, lace, dresses and vests! I tried on a really fun suede fringe dress and striped top with suede detailing.
Stop number 2 was a really fun store - Denali which just opened this Fall. While I'm not a huge winter sports/outdoor type person (I prefer camping and hiking in the Summer) I really enjoyed the way this store was laid out. It felt like you were walking into an enchanted forest.  We all know how much I like animals on clothes, and they had a bunch of animal sweaters that were rather tempting.
Next up was The Time Store and an amazing selection of watches! I was really taken with a pretty rose gold Guess watch. I may have to put it on my Christmas list! Unfortunately it isn't on their website, but you can find it here or here. They are currently having a promotion where if you spend $50 off $200, $100 off $400 or $200 off for spending $600.
Our third stop was LUSH Cosmetics, another new store for the Trumbull mall and one of 4 Connecticut locations.  I had never been to a LUSH before despite hearing a lot about it and having a friend work there (on the other side of the country.) It was great to get to see all the fun natural and handmade products they carry. The store is perfect for finding a gift for someone who likes to pamper themselves.
Finally we headed to Banana Republic for their 40% off sale! Very dangerous! I was very well behaved and walked out with a black cashmere and merino wool blend cardigan which I've been wanting for a while. But as always, I was tempted by their more whimsical sweaters and great jackets.

Lydia and I also stopped in Forever 21, Old Navy and Target after having dinner at Asian Ten Bistro. I bought some cute Star Wars pajamas at Forever 21! A 'May the Force Be With You' top and 'Trust Me I'm a Jedi' bottoms.

The day after Thanksgiving instead of braving the crowded stores my family and I headed to Jones Family Farm, as we do every year to find our perfect Christmas tree! I don't buy a live tree for myself since I'm far too lazy to care for it, so I put up a fake tree in my house. But I'm at my parents often enough that I get to enjoy it.

Sweater: Stella McCartney (The Outnet), Leggings: Rock & Republic 'Star Wars' c/o Kohl's, Boots: Eighteen 68 (Gilt Groupe)


And some scenery photos!

For my second Thanksgiving outfit I went a little dressier but in the same color palette as our first get together. It wasn't specifically planned that way, but it worked out nicely. I was saving this skirt from my Kohl's Star Wars photoshoot for Thanksgiving because of the rich color, perfect for the occasion! It would also be good for Christmas too so maybe you'll see it again in another few weeks!

Top: Equipment (Sample Sale), Skirt: Lauren Conrad Runway Collection c/o Kohl's, Tights c/o Wolford, Heels: Dolce & Gabbana (Uptown Consignment), Bag: Emm Kuo 'Westbourne Satchel' (Roundabout Resale)

Here's the first of my Thanksgiving outfits! I went more casual for my first look, but my second outfit (which I wore on Saturday) is a bit more dressy. Both are burgundy though...imagine that. Haha!  Unfortunately I had a hair curling disaster and didn't have time to rewash my hair to leave it straight before heading over to Grandmas. Oh well, live and learn...won't be using that wand attachment again! I look like a poodle.

Sweater: J.Crew, Leather Pants: Madewell, Pumps: Coach 'Nacie' (Marshalls)

How is it December already?! I still feel like Halloween was yesterday but Thanksgiving has come and gone. Before I get to my two Thanksgiving outfits, here's one featuring my new cashmere sweater! I bought it with a gift card I got from returning a sweater from my birthday (it didn't fit right.)  I probably could have gotten this in an XS, but I like the looser fit, more cozy.  These faux suede pants are super soft so combining them with the cashmere was a no brainer! Super comfortable but chic at the same time, I'm sold! Plus, how can you go wrong with navy and army green?

This necklace is also new thanks to a gift card I got to Luisaviaroma at the RewardStyle NYFW party back in September. I couldn't decide on what to buy that was over the gift card amount so in the end I chose to pick up this necklace for just under $100 after a discount rather than forking over my own money for a pair of mules I liked. What can I say? I'm cheap.

Cashmere Sweater: Vince (Marshalls), Pants: Blank NYC (South Moon Under), Heels: Simply Vera by Vera Wang c/o Kohl's, Necklace: Isabel Marant c/o Luisaviaroma, Bag c/o Orox Leather

I was doing such a good job this month...until Roundabout sent an email saying they were having a Chanel sale in their Greenwich location. I usually go to Westport since it's a half hour closer but for Chanel I drove the 45 minutes to check out the other location. Sadly I went on the second day of the sale so there wasn't much Chanel left (just a big oversized sweater for $300, but it wasn't unique enough to warrant spending that much money) Rather than just leaving the store I walked around since I drove all the way. I almost walked out with a pair of Stuart Weitzman calf hair leopard print pumps but then I saw a GORGEOUS green-ish purse and before I knew it I was swiping my credit card. It was double the price of the shoes, but I think it was a better purchase because I don't own many purses and have a TON of animal print shoes.

I was also bad and bought a new pair of J Brand jeans on Gilt because they had a code for 40% off AND free shipping for Black Friday, can't pass that up! I wanted another pair of high rise jeans but they were all sold out in my size so I opted for mid-rise instead.


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)

Basics:

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

Shoes:

1. Audrey Brooke over the knee boots ($75 via DSW, birthday gift)

Accessories:

1. *NEW!* Emm Kuo 'Westbourne Satchel' in snakeskin & stingray ($295 via Roundabout Resale, regularly $1300)

Other:

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. *NEW!* Onecklace chevron birthstone necklace
14. *NEW!* Onecklace heart midi ring
15. *NEW!* Isabel Marant 'On Plane Collection Necklace' c/o Luisaviaroma