Happy February? Thank goodness for the shortest month of the year. I'm ready for it to start staying lighter later and get a teeeeny bit warmer. I don't mind the cold too much (unless its biting cold) because I get to layer up in sweaters and vests but I do hate how dark it always is. Makes me not want to get dressed! This was worn on a "warmer" day last week, aka not in the single digits or teens. I did wear a coat on top of all this but I survived for the photos!
Wearing one of my new January purchases in this look, a top I got for $7.65 - it was $0 after a gift card. The bag is a gift my brother got me while he was in Thailand. I have a bit of an owl obsession and you can never have too many bags! I had my computer, slippers, camera and the rest of my regular purse stuff in here and it all fit fine! (I took out the computer for the photos so my arm wouldn't die)
Vest: French Connection faux-fur vest (Marshall's), Turtleneck: J.Crew ribbed flare-sleeve turtleneck, Jeans: J Brand Maria skinny jeans in Blueberry (The RealReal), Boots: Cordani - similar (Roundabout Resale), Sunglasses: Chanel, Belt: unknown, Hat: Kensington Palace gift shop, Bag: from Thailand (gift from my brother)
Wearing one of my new January purchases in this look, a top I got for $7.65 - it was $0 after a gift card. The bag is a gift my brother got me while he was in Thailand. I have a bit of an owl obsession and you can never have too many bags! I had my computer, slippers, camera and the rest of my regular purse stuff in here and it all fit fine! (I took out the computer for the photos so my arm wouldn't die)
Vest: French Connection faux-fur vest (Marshall's), Turtleneck: J.Crew ribbed flare-sleeve turtleneck, Jeans: J Brand Maria skinny jeans in Blueberry (The RealReal), Boots: Cordani - similar (Roundabout Resale), Sunglasses: Chanel, Belt: unknown, Hat: Kensington Palace gift shop, Bag: from Thailand (gift from my brother)
A new year means a fresh Wardrobe Update! My goal this year is to only add quality items to my wardrobe and not overspend. Last year I made good progress in not shopping but I still added some pieces I haven't worn much. Granted they were Disney tees so they're really only for vacations - and I used gift cards to buy them - but still.
This month I added 2 of the same item to my closet. One was the exact same pair of shoes I already own. Why did I buy them? It's my favorite pair of sandals and I know I will wear them to death so now I have a backup pair in the same colors that I won't wear until the first pair dies. I also got the same shoes in black for when I'm feeling a bit more classic. I used advertising money from 2018 on them so I don't feel bad in the slightest.
I made a pretty large J.Crew purchase this month as well during their 70% off sale sale. I've had just over $40 left on a gift card for over a year and I finally made use of it. I bought two sweaters for my husband and got myself 2 turtlenecks and a pair of velvet jeans. All for under the price of my gift card!
I also bought something that's been on my wish list since I saw it on Instagram in August. You know I'm all about the statement piece and this one is extra soft - yay cashmere! At one point it had sold out so I was pretty sad. But then one came back in my size but was still full price so I patiently waited. Eventually it went on sale plus Autumn Cashmere was offering 20% off sale prices. It was a splurge but I used the remainder of my advertising and Christmas money to buy it. It was also my big purchase in lieu of getting something in Net-a-Porter's End of Season Sale.
Hopefully I can get back to my my "don't shop as much" mantra through the rest of 2019.
THE (modified) RULES
Clothes:
Total spent in 2019: $0
This month I added 2 of the same item to my closet. One was the exact same pair of shoes I already own. Why did I buy them? It's my favorite pair of sandals and I know I will wear them to death so now I have a backup pair in the same colors that I won't wear until the first pair dies. I also got the same shoes in black for when I'm feeling a bit more classic. I used advertising money from 2018 on them so I don't feel bad in the slightest.
I made a pretty large J.Crew purchase this month as well during their 70% off sale sale. I've had just over $40 left on a gift card for over a year and I finally made use of it. I bought two sweaters for my husband and got myself 2 turtlenecks and a pair of velvet jeans. All for under the price of my gift card!
I also bought something that's been on my wish list since I saw it on Instagram in August. You know I'm all about the statement piece and this one is extra soft - yay cashmere! At one point it had sold out so I was pretty sad. But then one came back in my size but was still full price so I patiently waited. Eventually it went on sale plus Autumn Cashmere was offering 20% off sale prices. It was a splurge but I used the remainder of my advertising and Christmas money to buy it. It was also my big purchase in lieu of getting something in Net-a-Porter's End of Season Sale.
Hopefully I can get back to my my "don't shop as much" mantra through the rest of 2019.
THE (modified) RULES
- Be mindful of purchases
- Quality over quantity
- Basics are best
Clothes:
- *NEW!* Autumn Cashmere Landscape Intarsia Cashmere Crew ($240, retail $440, used Christmas + ad money)
- *NEW!* J.Crew Tissue Turtleneck ($5, retail $30, used gift card)
- *NEW!* J.Crew Ribbed flare-sleeve turtleneck ($8, retail $45, used gift card)
- *NEW!* J.Crew Midrise skinny jean in velvet ($10, retail $80, used gift card)
- *NEW!* Lanvin Studded Suede 'City' Sandals ($60 via The RealReal, $790 retail, used ad money)
- *NEW!* Lanvin Black Studded Leather 'City' Sandals ($60 via The RealReal, $790 retail, used ad money)
- None Yet
- None Yet
Total spent in 2019: $0
Since I've been slacking on outfit posts lately, I decided to bring back one of my old blog features - Closet Worthy - where I feature things I would love to add to my closet. Today I'm putting my tiny spotlight on Sofia Zakia. If you have read through my wedding posts, you will know that my wedding band and engagement ring are both by Sofia Zakia. The engagement ring is a customized version of her Wandering Star ring and my band is the Altair ring that fits into it.
Sofia Ajram (Zakia is a name she created for her label) hand-makes all her jewelry in a Montreal studio. I believe she recently hired a few other people to help out but when we bought my rings it was just her. Sofia is very committed to using ethically sourced materials for all her pieces from diamonds to opals and other gemstones. Last year she won The Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent in Accessories at the Canada Arts & Fashion Awards.
What I love about her pieces is that they have a mystical element to them which makes them unique. She uses unique sources for her inspiration such as Sailor Moon, Zelda, UFOs, Tarot and more. What's funny about this is I'm obsessed with Sailor Moon and my husband loves Zelda. I guess we were meant to find each other and then Sofia!
Below are some of her other pieces I want to add to my jewelry collection.
Serena Earrings
Most of you will know I don't change out my earrings often so for me to want a pair of earrings they have to be GOOD. As I mentioned above I'm a huge Sailor Moon fan and this earring is inspired by Serena's earrings when she transforms into Sailor Moon. They're so playful and pretty and I love that only Sailor Moon fans will realize they're a geeky reference.
Rainbow Stardust Ring
This is a band version of my engagement ring and it's so much fun! There is a plain diamond version but if I'm going to spend a lot of money on another ring by Sofia I want it to be bold! She also made a sapphire version at one point so I'm sure you could customize this to use and color(s) you want!
Those first two are pieces I will hopefully save up for in the future. Here are some more gorgeous pieces I would be happy to own as well!
* Images from SofiaZakia.com and Catbird
** I was not paid for this post, I just really enjoy Sofia's work
Worn to run a bunch of errands last week. It was a very chilly day so Christian and I decided to take photos inside to spare our bodies from more freezing temperatures.
How perfect is the color of this sweater with my chevron faux fur vest? It's like they were made to be worn together. So funny how I always manage to have a color that matches it so well - example 1, example 2, example 3. I guess that's what happens when your wardrobe contains mostly the same colors.
I've had these boots since college and they're one of my favorite eBay finds! I was just looking for brown heeled boots and saw these for $7 and got them. Didn't think I would love them as much as I do and I almost got rid of them a couple years after I bought them because I hadn't worn them a lot. So glad I didn't! I actually found a pair on eBay if you want them too!
Cashmere Sweater: Ellen Tracy (Marshalls), Chevron Vest: Romeo & Juliet Couture 'Colorblock Faux-Fur Vest' (gift from Lydia), High Waisted Jeans: J Brand 'Maria' High Rise in Supreme (Gilt Groupe), Boots: White Mountain lace-up boots (eBay), Necklace c/o oNecklace, Bag: Louis Vuitton Epi Leather Sac D'Epaule (HauteTrader), S
How perfect is the color of this sweater with my chevron faux fur vest? It's like they were made to be worn together. So funny how I always manage to have a color that matches it so well - example 1, example 2, example 3. I guess that's what happens when your wardrobe contains mostly the same colors.
I've had these boots since college and they're one of my favorite eBay finds! I was just looking for brown heeled boots and saw these for $7 and got them. Didn't think I would love them as much as I do and I almost got rid of them a couple years after I bought them because I hadn't worn them a lot. So glad I didn't! I actually found a pair on eBay if you want them too!
Cashmere Sweater: Ellen Tracy (Marshalls), Chevron Vest: Romeo & Juliet Couture 'Colorblock Faux-Fur Vest' (gift from Lydia), High Waisted Jeans: J Brand 'Maria' High Rise in Supreme (Gilt Groupe), Boots: White Mountain lace-up boots (eBay), Necklace c/o oNecklace, Bag: Louis Vuitton Epi Leather Sac D'Epaule (HauteTrader), S
Outfit taking weather has been in very short supply so far this year. So here we go with another reminiscing post on pieces from the past! Today I'm focusing on some of my favorite blazers and the ways I've worn them!
Shop a few of the blazers below:
Marc by Marc Jacobs Velvet Polka Dot Blazer
I think I can say this is my favorite blazer. It was the first designer item I ever purchased for myself. I searched on eBay for quite a while to find it because I saw Emma Watson in a green version and had to have it. I ended up having to buy a second one in the next size up because I outgrew the first one. You'll see a lot of old cringy photos below. Enjoy.
Chanel tweed blazer - 1998 Autumn Collection
My most expensive and second favorite blazer is my Chanel! Along with getting a classic Chanel bag I always wanted one of the iconic blazers. I found this one at a consignment store and it was purple (technically pink but the color combo makes it look purple), instantly I knew I had to have it and lucky for me it was way cheaper than the other Chanel blazers they had because of some imperfections (that you can't even see unless you look super close!...rich people, right?) I actually left it in the store at first, because it was still too expensive, but couldn't stop thinking about it, and went back the next day to buy it.
Etro patchwork blazer
Another consignment store find this one is also up there in my favorites. I love the color and I love the different prints of the jacket, such a statement piece! By the looks of this I always wear it the same way, hah. There was one look with a leather skirt but the photos were too blurry so I didn't want to include it.
Paul Smith Book Print Blazer
Yet another find at my favorite designer consignment store. I don't wear this blazer as much but it's just so fun! It fits with most of my closet because of the blue/teal undertone but the book print makes it stand out from the rest. I've only worn it for the blog 4 times, perhaps it's time to bring it out again!
Evan Picone Purple Blazer
This was a hand-me-down from one of my old blog friends Christine (still friends, she just doesn't blog anymore.) She knew how much I loved it whenever she wore it so when she was getting rid of it in 2015 she offered it to me. I was SOOOO excited!
PBM Women's Vintage Oversized Camel Blazer
I had a hard time choosing the 6th blazer to feature but in the end decided on another oversized one since most of these are regular cuts. This is one of the cheapest blazers on the list coming in at $10 from a thrift store! It's so soft and warm and I obviously love the color.
Shop a few of the blazers below:
Marc by Marc Jacobs Velvet Polka Dot Blazer
I think I can say this is my favorite blazer. It was the first designer item I ever purchased for myself. I searched on eBay for quite a while to find it because I saw Emma Watson in a green version and had to have it. I ended up having to buy a second one in the next size up because I outgrew the first one. You'll see a lot of old cringy photos below. Enjoy.
Chanel tweed blazer - 1998 Autumn Collection
My most expensive and second favorite blazer is my Chanel! Along with getting a classic Chanel bag I always wanted one of the iconic blazers. I found this one at a consignment store and it was purple (technically pink but the color combo makes it look purple), instantly I knew I had to have it and lucky for me it was way cheaper than the other Chanel blazers they had because of some imperfections (that you can't even see unless you look super close!...rich people, right?) I actually left it in the store at first, because it was still too expensive, but couldn't stop thinking about it, and went back the next day to buy it.
Etro patchwork blazer
Another consignment store find this one is also up there in my favorites. I love the color and I love the different prints of the jacket, such a statement piece! By the looks of this I always wear it the same way, hah. There was one look with a leather skirt but the photos were too blurry so I didn't want to include it.
Paul Smith Book Print Blazer
Yet another find at my favorite designer consignment store. I don't wear this blazer as much but it's just so fun! It fits with most of my closet because of the blue/teal undertone but the book print makes it stand out from the rest. I've only worn it for the blog 4 times, perhaps it's time to bring it out again!
Evan Picone Purple Blazer
This was a hand-me-down from one of my old blog friends Christine (still friends, she just doesn't blog anymore.) She knew how much I loved it whenever she wore it so when she was getting rid of it in 2015 she offered it to me. I was SOOOO excited!
PBM Women's Vintage Oversized Camel Blazer
I had a hard time choosing the 6th blazer to feature but in the end decided on another oversized one since most of these are regular cuts. This is one of the cheapest blazers on the list coming in at $10 from a thrift store! It's so soft and warm and I obviously love the color.
