Thanks to the snow this week I don't have an outfit post for today, but since it's been quite a while (over 3 years...) since I've done a favorite things post, now's the perfect time! What better piece to feature than my current bag obsession: the dark purple Chloé Faye bag I bought in August! This was the biggest clothing purchase I've made, apart from my Chanel 2.55 purse back in 2012.

My middle name is Faye after my grandmother. She passed away when I was 13 so this bag has added meaning because it will always remind me of her.



Chloé debuted their Faye bag in September 2014 at the Spring/Summer 2015 show. It was tapped to be an it bag for Spring. Admittedly, I forgot about it until I saw it pop up in my thrice weekly "New In" email from Net-a-Porter in Spring. Once I saw it again my shoulder was itching to carry the 70s inspired bag.

The Chloé Faye comes in multiple sizes and in smooth calfskin, smooth & suede calfskin, and embellished versions.  The sturdiness and accordion style is also what drew me in. You can carry it long or short shoulder and cross-body. The ring loop with hook and chain hardware is also a really fun added touch! Another awesome detail is that the hardware is gold AND silver, perfect for my metal mixing ways. It's classic with a twist, just my style!



The Faye was made in so many beautiful colors but I couldn't justify spending $2000 on a bag color I already owned or was just "basic." There was a gorgeous burgundy but I already had that same color in a smaller bag so I resisted.

It wasn't until Fall of 2016 that I absolutely HAD to have the bag. They released a dark purple which, as many of you know, is my favorite color. The day I saw it I decided to start saving up so I could eventually buy it. Unfortunately they didn't make dark purple for very long and after only a few months I couldn't find it anywhere. I knew I would have to resort to eBay and consignment shops when I finally had enough saved up.



I scoured eBay, The Real Real, Luxury Garage Sale, and Vestiaire Collective for at least 8 months. During that time I came across maybe one or two dark purple bags in passable condition. Then I found one NWT on eBay and decided to go for it even though I didn't have enough saved. After a week of debating with myself, I talked the seller down $300 and robbed my (still unplanned) Australia vacation savings account [read about how I handle personal finance] to pay for the rest. So while I splurged it's not a huge deal since I borrowed from a vacation that won't happen for at least another year. I have now successfully built that account back up to where it should be, after only 4 months.



Here are all the outfits it has appeared in on the blog.  I've worn it many more times that haven't been shown, but you get the idea. I'm pretty obsessed with it.

It was a little cold for these shoes I'm wearing in the photos, but you have to make some sacrifices for the sake of fashion, right? (Obviously I wore different shoes when I was really outside, but for 5 minutes of photos I dealt with it) The original pants in this look were from ASOS. I liked them but the quality was poor so eventually I got rid of them. Now I have these purple Banana Republic pants to fill the gap!

Sweater: LAUREN Ralph Lauren (Lord & Taylor), Tee: Cullen (Rue La La), Pants c/o Banana Republic 'Sloan' in purple, Heels: Miu Miu leopard platform sandals (eBay), Necklace: Vanessa Mooney (giveaway), Watch: Michael Kors, Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs 'Ozzie Square Baby Aiden' (Shopbop)


The Original:

I bought this sweater with a gift card in November and it is so soft and comfy! It is a modified version of a sweater from the J.Crew Fall 2017 Ready to Wear collection. I do prefer the larger scale of the embroidery that was in the collection but this sweater is still really cute and the sun, moon and stars hold special meaning for me. I actually bought another cardigan from J.Crew a couple weekends ago (with that same gift card) and it also has stars.

Cosmic Embroidery Cardiagan: J.Crew, Sweater: Everlane, Jeans: Michael Kors, Boots: Audrey Brooke 'Mirie' (DSW), Bag: Louis Vuitton Epi Leather Sac D'Epaule (HauteTrader), Sunglasses: Gucci, Eyeglasses chain: Tinksky (Amazon)

I've been trying to get out of my jeans and sweater rut so I looked through my fashion week folder on my computer and found this Daks Fall 2017 look I wanted to recreate. It's not exactly the same since I'm wearing a navy blue and boots instead of loafers, but it gets the feel! Who says you can't wear black and blue together, right?

Sweater: Phillip Lim x Target, Skirt: Siena Style (Coco's $10 sale), Boots: Candie's c/o Kohl's, Bag: Chanel Classic 2.55 Double Flap (Madison Avenue Couture)



The Inspiration:

On Monday I shared the details of the LIQUID GOLD event I attended at Red Bee's Honey House Barn with Connecticut Blogger Babes. Now here's what I wore to keep warm while learning all about honey! We were indoors for the event but it was held in a barn so we had to make sure to dress warmly. I doubled up on sweaters (with a bodysuit underneath) and wore tights under my jeans to stay extra warm. I topped it off with the cute hat I bought in London earlier this year and my trusty Winter boots.

Cardigan: Burberry Brit (Net-a-Porter), Sweater: Banjo + Matilda 'Trinket' sweater (The Outnet), Jeans: Everlane "The High-Rise Skinny Jean" in Mid-Blue, Boots: Grandma's,  Bag: Emm Kuo 'Calle Bahia' (Roundabout Resale), Hat: bought in London

It's been a while since we've had a throwback outfit. I blame my trip to Florida and the holidays. But here we are with an outfit from over 5 years ago. This blazer was one of my first designer "splurges" on eBay. I think I paid less than $30 for it back in 2010. I added in my Gucci aviators and dark purple Chloé Faye to update the look a bit. But everything else is the same.

Tee: Zara, Blazer: Moschino Cheap & Chic (eBay), Jeans: Free People (Gilt Groupe), Heels: Alexander Wang 'Freja' (The Outnet), Scarf: Yarnz c/o NET-A-PORTER, Bag: Dark Purple Chloé Faye (eBay), Sunglasses: Gucci


The Original:

Here's another one of my Christmas gifts, a nice big red sweater. I was definitely in need of more color in my closet and this red fits the bill! I wore this on New Years Eve to go out for Indian food with my brother, his girlfriend and my boyfriend. Then we spent the rest of the day/evening lounging.

Sweater: Everlane 'Wool-Cashmere Square Crew', Jeans: J Brand 811 Photo Ready Mid-Rise Skinny (Gilt), Boots: Cordani (Roundabout Resale), Bag: Emm Kuo 'Calle Bahia' (Roundabout Resale), Sunglasses: Gucci