This blazer is one of my favorites. My blog friend Christine generously gave it to me a couple years ago because she was getting rid of it and knew I loved it. You can actually see her in it in this post from 2012! I wore it with super skinny jeans and over the knee boots to emphasize the oversized look. Funny how it makes my purse look less purple. My mom insists that it's burgundy but depending on my look it really is the "dark purple" that is on the tag.

Blazer: Evan Picone (from Christine),  Sweater: Everlane, Jeans: J Brand 'Maria' High Rise in Supreme (Gilt Groupe), Boots: Audrey Brooke 'Mirie' (DSW), Necklace: Indulgems (Gilt Groupe), Bag: Dark Purple Chloé Faye (eBay)

This is one of my favorite sweaters. It's nice and thick but still comfortable. It looks great with everything too! I remember I was so excited when I saw Jamie-Lee was selling it from her closet, she wore it better than I do though. And since it's almost Star Wars: The Last Jedi time (December 15th!!!) I decided to throw a little Star Wars to my outfit with my cute R2D2 pendant necklace!

Sweater: Witchery (Jamie-Lee's blog shop), Jeans: FRAME 'Le Skinny de Jeanne' (Shopbop), Loafer: Burberry Prorsum (Net-a-Porter, another pair), Bag: Dark Purple Chloé Faye (eBay), R2D2 Necklace c/o Kohl's

Happy December!!!!! As is tradition, the day after Thanksgiving, my family went to find our perfect Christmas tree at Jones Family Farm in Shelton, CT. After finding our tree, we head to Grandma's for leftover turkey soup and sandwiches!

I've worn this sweater to get our tree almost every year since I bought it.  In 2014 I wore a fun llama sweater I had just got, but 2013, 2015, 2016 and now 2017 have been all about this Stella McCartney polar bear sweater! It just screams Christmas to me and will never go out of style.

The sweater's story on the blog started in 2011 when I featured it in a "dream" Christmas Tree picking outfit. Little did I know that the following year I would find it in The Outnet's clearance sale (going on now.) It was still pricey at $229, but far better than the regular price of $1075. I've successfully styled it in different ways each time. But this year I had to add another layer since I ran out of different colored tights.

Polar Bear Sweater: Stella McCartney (The Outnet), Faux Fur Vest: Simply Vera Wang c/o Kohl's, Rain Boots: däv (giveaway win), Sunglasses: Gucci, Eyeglasses chain: Tinksky (Amazon)


And now pictures of Jones Family Farm, where we've been getting our tree since I was little.

I successfully went the whole month without spending money on clothes!!! I'm not sure if I'll be able to keep it up in December as Net-a-Porter's sale will be undergoing some more price reductions during the month. I'm going to attempt to limit myself to only buying something from that sale. Although... rag & bone has a special Star Wars collection coming out tomorrow that I might be tempted by if the price is right.

Just because I didn't spend money doesn't mean I didn't buy anything. I was well behaved until Cyber Monday when I remembered I had a J.Crew gift card from last year. I decided to check out their sale to see if anything tickled my fancy. (The sale was 40% off plus an extra 10% off AND free shipping.) I ended up with just one piece and still have $60 left on my gift card for another month where I need a pick-me-up.

The sweater I bought 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.  Now let's just hope it fits once it arrives!

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. Vintage Havana Floral Embroidered Sweater via Pearls & Plaid ($50, used gift card) 
9. Context Three-Quarter Bell Sleeve sweater via Lord & Taylor ($20, retail $68, used renters insurance refund)
10. *NEW!* J.Crew Cardigan sweater with cosmic embroidery ($39, retail $110, 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,  advertising $$) 
5. Alice + Olivia blue striped cashmere sweater via Roundabout ($25, $368? retail)
6. Everlane "Square Tee" in Burgundy ($18) 
7. Everlane "The High-Rise Skinny Jean" in Mid-Blue ($68)
8. Everlane "The Cotton Tee" in Rose ($15, used renters insurance credit)
9. Everlane "The Cashmere Crop V-Neck" in Black ($100, $62 after insurance credit)

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. Zigi Soho Velvet Floral Embroidered Open Toe Mules via T.J. Maxx ($20, retail $60?, used gift card) 
9. BCBGeneragion Yerra slip on sneaker (birthday gift, $79 retail)
10. Kelly & Katie Amour mule (birthday gift, $50 retail)

Bags:

1. Disney x Coach 'Patricia' with Mickey ears ($179 at Coach Outlet, $395 retail)
2. Chloe 'Faye' in Dark Purple via eBay ($1500, $1950 retail) 
3. Louis Vuitton 'Epi Sac D'Epaule' via HauteTrader ($0, retail $1600?)

 
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. Birthstone Star and Mickey Mouse ring ($15 with discount, used advertising $$) 
5. Birthstone Mickey Mouse earrings ($15 with discount, used advertising $$)

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. Diane von Furstenberg Fanny dress (also here) c/o HauteTrader 
8. Missoni Purple Wool Chevron Metallic Knit Sweater Dress  c/o HauteTrader 

Total spent in November: $0

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: $3136 - $2836 not counting sunglasses

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

For my second monochromatic Thanksgiving outfit I went for the classic black and white. But this look is anything but basic thanks to my crazy Proenza Schouler printed pants!

Sweater: Everlane "The Cashmere Crop V-Neck", Printed Pants: Proenza Shouler (Yoox), Shoes: Nicholas Kirkwood suede Prism pumps (NET-A-PORTER), Bag: Chanel Classic 2.55 Double Flap (Madison Avenue Couture, Necklace: Pearls & Plaid (gift from Lydia), Earrings: Mejuri 'Loop' by Jamie-Lee

For Thanksgiving this year I decided to wear two monochromatic outfits. The past few years I had worn my fun burgundy leather pants (2014 b, 2014 a, 2015, and 2016) Unfortunately, they ripped last year after getting caught on something, so they had to be retired.

For my first monochromatic look I went with my favorite color - purple! The look is completed with gold accents from my belt, ring (that belonged to my Grandmother,) earrings, necklace, Chloé Faye and a fun gold stripe on my pumps!

Cashmere Double V-Neck Sweater: Calypso St. Barth (Gilt Groupe), Pants c/o Banana Republic 'Sloan' (in purple), Heels: Coach 'Nacie' (Marshalls), Bag: Dark Purple Chloé Faye (eBay), Earrings: Mejuri 'Loop' by Jamie-Lee, Necklace: Acanthus Jewelry 'Gemma'

My favorite sale of the season, the NET-A-PORTER End of Season Sale started on Monday! Today I'm sharing what's on my wish list. My main strategy for the sale is to try and wait for final reductions which happen a month or so after the sale starts. The danger here is that something you want may sell out. So if an item you REALLY love is on sale and looks like it may sell out, GRAB IT.  It's a bit like playing chicken, see how long you can hold out before pulling the trigger. Make sure you keep checking back because they are always adding new items!

P.S. Their sister site The Outnet's Clearance sale ALSO started!!

My process: On the first day of the sale I go through every item and add anything I like to my sale wish list, not paying attention to price. Yes, I am insane. But I have a system... After everything I like is in my wish list I let it sit there. Slowly items sell out and I go through and get rid of things I definitely won't wear. I also wait until the final reductions, which come in a few weeks. This is risky, but also good for my wallet.  If an item I have been lusting over for a long time shows up in the sale I may purchase it in the first round, but that is rare.  If I do that, I don't wear the item until the sale is over. Why do you ask? Because it could go more on sale and I can buy it again and return one (they don't do price adjustments during the sale) or I may find something better when final reductions start and I can return the more expensive piece in favor of something that is kinder to my wallet.

Shop the items: Gabriela Hearst Bridget chiffon-trimmed velvet midi dress, See by Chloé Wool turtleneck mini dress, M.i.h Jeans Welbeck Velvet Wide-leg Pants, By Malene Birger Glittha Leopard-jacquard Coat, Bottega Veneta Nodini Small Embroidered Intrecciato Leather Shoulder Bag, Anya Hindmarch Fox Leather Shoulder Bag, Aquazzura Nairobi Embellished Faille Point-toe Flats, Jimmy Choo Lucy 85 Suede-trimmed Devoré-mesh Pumps, Marc Jacobs Intarsia cashmere sweater, ELEVEN SIX Lorena fringed cable-knit alpaca-blend sweater, Alexander Wang Abby Leather-trimmed Velvet Sandals

Shop my full wish list (this will update as I add more)