I wore this a couple weeks ago for a blogger's night out event at Park and Oak Restaurant in West Hartford Connecticut.  It was a bit of a hike driving for an hour and a half but totally worth it. A few bloggers were invited by chef and co-ownder David Borselle to sample some of their popular dishes as well as some new items that will be coming this Fall! I'll share more about the event below my outfit.

When I got my Chloé Faye bag I knew I wanted to wear it with my crazy Saint Laurent patchwork blouse and Free People flares. It has such a fun 70s vibe about it. I decided to go a bit wild with my shoes and wore leopard print to add even more print to the look.

Silk Patchwork Blouse: Saint Laurent (eBay), Flared Jeans: Free People (Marshalls), Leopard Pumps: Cole Haan 'Chelsea' (Roundabout), Bag: Dark Purple Chloé Faye (eBay), Earrings: Mejuri
 'Loop' by Jamie-Lee, Moon Necklace: Marrin Costello

Now on to the food! Park and Oak opened on November 30, 2016 and they have been a hit ever since. I can see why because the attention to detail in the food is amazing! Chef David calls the style American comfort food with a chef's touch. Meaning they make comfort food, but with a twist to make it more creative. They also use responsibly sourced local ingredients to give customers the highest quality product possible. Now let's get on to the food!

Cheers!

Chef David walking us through what we're eating and how Park and Oak Restaurant started

Park & Oak's Pimento Cheese Dip

Park & Oak's Pimento Cheese Dip

Fried Green Tomato with feta cheese, pickled onion and sauce

Sustainably farmed trout with crab and corn succotash over jasmine rice - this was my favorite and is new for Fall

Sustainably farmed trout with crab and corn succotash over jasmine rice

Chocolate hazelnut tart with candied hazelnuts, caramel and espresso whipped cream

We also had a delicious roasted sweet potato with roasted peppers, chili pepper and cojita cheese,  but my picture came out too dark.

This cardigan may be one of my favorite thifted finds; at least top 5. I got it for $8 (I think) at a Goodwill and it is SO perfect for Fall and Winter. It's heavy, yet light, if that makes sense. I can throw it on over a tee or tank on cooler days and on COLD days layer it with other sweaters and wear it like a coat. I'm wearing all the same pieces in this look as I did 5 1/2 years ago, these pieces have definitely stood the test of time and will continue to!

Cardigan: Ralph Lauren (Goodwill), Turtleneck Tank: Willi Smith (TJ Maxx), Jeans: Free People (Marshalls), Wedges: Burberry Metallic Mutlistrap Espadrille - similar (The Outnet), Watch: Michael Kors, Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs 'Ozzie Square Baby Aiden' (Shopbop)


The Original:

My favorite season has finally arrived! We had a bit of an Indian Summer the past week or so and it's been nice to finally need a sweater. Maybe it's the fact that I was born in October but Fall has always been my favorite season. The pretty leaves, the smells, the sweaters...so perfect.

This crop top is one of my favorite Zara buys ever. It's made up of all my favorite colors and is just perfect for Autumn! Rather than wearing it with dark high waisted jeans I decided to go with my lighter wash Everlane jeans and Lanvin studded suede sandals. Keeps it a little more "transitional" in a way.  These sandals seriously go with everything. I love the way they bring out all the different colors in my top. I'm still seriously considering buying a backup pair if I ever find another in my size that isn't too pricey.

Crop Top: Zara, Jeans: Everlane "The High-Rise Skinny Jean" in Mid-Blue, Studded Suede Sandals: Lanvin - also here (NET-A-PORTER), Aviator Sunglasses: Gucci, Eyeglasses chain: Tinksky (Amazon), Bag: Dark Purple Chloé Faye (eBay)

I hope you're not getting tired of my Chloé Faye yet because it's not going anywhere anytime soon. I wore this outfit on a cooler day while I was still trying to get wear out of my sandals. The great thing about this sheer Equipment blouse is it can work for all seasons. If I fold up the sleeves like this it's Summer appropriate and I can wear it normally with a cardigan come Fall and Winter.

Leopard Print Blouse: Equipment, Patchwork Jeans: Free People, Sandals: Ancient Greek Sandals 'Alethea' (bought in Greece), Sunglasses: Gucci (bought in Italy), Eyeglasses chain: Tinksky (Amazon), Bag: Chloé Faye (eBay)

How is September already done?! I was aiming to not buy anything this month but I did end up getting a pair of high waisted jeans from Everlane as well as a new tee (free shipping when you buy 2 items, how can you not?!) Everlane is known for their amazing basics so when they came out with jeans for $68 I had to test them out before they sold out like all their other cult favorites. Then I bought some AMAZING velvet mules at TJ Maxx with a gift card. I also got a sweater from Pearls & Plaid with a gift card I won at the CT blogger brunch.  Finally I got two new dresses thanks to HauteTrader, see my post here!

Also a quick life update - This Monday I moved back in with my parents.  For the last 4 1/2 years (WOW!) I've lived with two of my cousins in a house that one of them bought. He sold the house and is moving to a city I don't particularly want to live in. Luckily my parents were kind enough to let me move back in to my old room until I decide my next move. I haven't lived at home since August 2011 but I frequently went home for dinner during that time. It's definitely going to be strange being back, but I enjoy my parents company. Once I get settled back in I may do a post on how I've fit my clothes and possessions in my room.

Unfortunately, this means no more Instagrams with Layla since she's actually my cousin's dog. I'm quite depressed, but hopefully they'll still bring her around when we go to my Grandmother's on Sundays.


THE (modified) RULES

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

MY PROGRESS 

Clothes:

1. She Made Me Essential crocheted swimsuit via Net-a-Porter ($45, $150 retail,  Xmas $$)
2. G.H. Bass burgundy cardigan at Clinton Crossing ($0,  $7.5 w/coupon, $99 retail) 
3. G.H. Bass cargo pants at Clinton Crossing ($0,  $21 w/coupon, $69 retail)  
4. Disney Mickey tee ($10 at Target)
5. Who What Wear x Target Sleeveless Floral Dress ($30) 
6. Uniqlo Mickey Mouse sweatshirt ($30) 
7. Proenza Schouler tweed colorblock shorts via Roundabout ($57, $1680 retail)
8. *NEW!* Floral Embroidered Sweater via Pearls & Plaid ($50, used gift card)

Basics:

1. Calypso St. Barth Gylden Cashmere Sweater via Gilt ($71, $295 retail, Xmas $$)
2. M.i.h Jeans Tomboy cropped jeans via Net-a-Porter ($98, $245 retail, Xmas $$)
3. Who What Wear x Target bodysuit ($14, $20 retail) 
4. FRAME Ribbed wool & cashmere-blend sweater via Net-a-Porter ($104, $325 retail, used advertising money) 
5. Alice + Olivia blue striped cashmere sweater via Roundabout ($25, $368? retail) 
6. Chloe 'Faye' in Dark Purple via eBay ($1500, $1950 retail) 
7. *NEW!* Everlane "Square Tee" in Burgundy ($18) 
8. *NEW!* Everlane "The High-Rise Skinny Jean" in Mid-Blue ($68)

Shoes:

1. Miu Miu ankle boots via Roundabout Resale - also here/here ($146,  $850 retail)
2. New Look Metallic Block Heel sandal via ASOS ($35, advertising $$) 
3. BCBGeneration 'Beverly' mule via Saks Off 5th at Clinton Crossing ($0,  $110 retail)  
4. Impo 'Omega' boot (or Onnie, can't tell) via DSW ($12, $112 retail - in black) 
5. Vince 'Mason' in pony fig via DSW ($23, $275+ retail) 
6. Nicholas Kirkwood suede prism pumps via Net-a-Porter sale ($250, $625 retail) 
7. Sam Edelman Lars slub satin espadrille slide via Net-a-Porter sale ($36, $90 retail)
8. *NEW!* Zigi Soho Velvet Floral Embroidered Open Toe Mules via T.J. Maxx ($20, retail $60?, used gift card)

Accessories:

1. Tommy Hilfiger (similar) via Clinton Crossing ($0,  retail $?)  
2. Mejuri Loop Earrings by Jamie! ($55)
3. Gucci aviator sunglasses ($300, bought in Rome) 
4. Disney x Coach 'Patricia' with Mickey ears ($179 at Coach Outlet, $395 retail)
5. Birthstone Star and Mickey Mouse ring ($15 with discount, used advertising money) 
6. Birthstone Mickey Mouse earrings ($15 with discount, used advertising money)

Gifted from Brands:

1. IRO Faxy Cropped Jean via Gilt c/o Wikibuy (retail $285)
2. Banana Republic Peplum Sweater c/o Banana Republic Factory at Clinton Crossing
3. Banana Republic Cherry Blossom 'Ryan' Pant c/o Banana Republic Factory
4. Banana Republic 'Sloan' in purple c/o Banana Republic Factory
5. Banana Republic ruffle sleeve top in teal c/o Banana Republic Factory
6. Banana Republic linen shorts c/o Banana Republic Factory 
7. *NEW!* Diane von Furstenberg Fanny dress (also here) c/o HauteTrader 
8. *NEW!* Missoni Purple Wool Chevron Metallic Knit Sweater Dress  c/o HauteTrader 

Total spent in September: $86

Total spent in 2017:  $1253 - $953 not counting the sunglasses
Total spent including Chloe Faye: $2,753 - $2,453 not counting sunglasses
Total spent with Christmas/advertising money included: $1636 - $1336 not counting sunglasses

*the money for the sunglasses came out of my vacations savings account rather than "regular" money

It's peep toe bootie timeeee!!!! I can't believe I've had these boots for just about 6 years. I still love them just as much as when I begged my mom to help me pay for them as part of my birthday gift that year.  I'm dreading the day they become too tight or too worn out to wear anymore, but hopefully that won't be any time soon!

Snake Tee: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Marshalls), Sweater: Ami Dans La Rue (Shopbop), Jeans: Free People (Gilt Groupe), Booties: Alexander Wang 'Freja' (The Outnet), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La)



The original:

This was an outfit I threw on to go visit my aunt for my monthly massage. I slept over and met up with Lydia at Clinton Crossing the next day for our Fall Fashion Preview. Luckily she decided she wanted to do two sets of outfit pictures otherwise this never would have made it on the blog and I actually REALLY like it.

Camisole: eight sixty, Jeans: IRO c/o Wikibuy, Velvet Floral Embroidered Mules: Zigi Soho (T.J. Maxx), Amethyst Necklace: BubuRuby (etsy), Aviator Sunglasses: Gucci, Eyeglasses chain: Tinksky (Amazon), Bag: Chloé Faye (eBay)