Worn on a slightly chilly day last month. These jeans are definitely a transitional pair for me since they're looser fit. When I wear them with anything other than sandals they make me look a little dumpy. I don't wear this cashmere sweater often since it's pink, but I keep it around because it's so soft! It's also a nice darker shade of pink so it doesn't feel as frilly.

I didn't really get a chance to wear any of my Summer sweaters this year since we've really only been going to the grocery store. We have had a few backyard visits with my parents as well, but those didn't really call for sweaters, ha ha.

Cashmere Sweater: Paolo Rodesco (Roundabout Resale), Jeans: IRO "Faxy Cropped Jean" (Gilt c/o Wikibuy), Sandals: Ancient Greek Sandals 'Apteros' in Crosta Wine (bought in Athens), Sunglasses: Chanel, Amethyst Necklace: BubuRuby

After quite a busy shopping August I tried to behave in September. Even though I didn't spend "actual money" in August (only blog advertising money and Shopbop gift cards) I wanted to slow down a bit.

I was doing well until the end of the month and a Bag, Borrow or Steal Instagram ad about their 30% off sale ending. I figured I would check on the off chance they had one of the bags I was looking for. They didn't. But I decided to do a quick look to see what else there was and I found it...the perfect 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli bag. It was shark textured and in a beautiful teal. I debated buying it all day and finally broke down at 9pm. The bag retailed for $895 when it was new, they were selling it for $350 but it was on sale for $315 AND the 30% off coupon brought it down to $220. How could I resist?!

Remember when Pashli bags were all the rage? I definitely lusted over them back in the old blogging days. I also posted one in a closet-worthy post in March 2020. Funny how it took me 7+ years to get my hands on one. But just goes to show, if you like something you won't care if it's an "It Bag" or not so you can wait years to add it to your closet at a fraction of the original price. It's arriving some time today so hopefully it's just as beautiful in person and the condition is "gently used" with not many signs of wear like the site claimed!

P.S. Shout-out to Louise from the Sex and the City movie. I always think of her when I browse BBS, haha!

THE (modified) RULES

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

1. FARM Rio Amazonian Ombre Mini Wrap Dress c/o Shopbop ($127.50, retail $170)
2. Burberry beaded owl sweater via eBay ($75, retail $2950 in 2012)
3. Stella McCartney Wild Cat Skinny Ankle Jeans via eBay ($15 after ad money, retail $735)
4. Ba&sh "Perla" dress in Green Light c/o Shopbop ($236.25, retail $630)
5. Nili Lotan Cashmere Abbey Sweater c/o Shopbop ($133.88, retail $525) 
6. Mickey Mouse Football Jersey in purple ($28, used gift card)
7. Disney State Fair Connecticut Tee ($17.47, used gift card)
   

1. J Brand 811 Mid Rise Skinny Leg Jean in Moral ($0 after $25 credit & ad money, retail $228)
2. Madewell Camp Shorts in Faded Rosebud c/o Shopbop ($35, retail $50)

1. Ancient Greek Sandals 'Clara' Sandal c/o Shopbop ($221.25, retail $295)
2. Sperry Rio Aqua Slip-On Sneaker ($14.83 via DSW, retail $64.99) 
3. Ancient Greek Sandals 'Faye' embellished leather sandals via Net-a-Porter Sale ($112, retail $289, used side hustle money)
   
4. Ancient Greek Sandals 'Clio' leopard-print leather slingback sandals via Net-a-Porter Sale ($74, retail $185, used side hustle money)
   

Handbags:

1. Madewell Medium Slim Saddle Bag c/o Shopbop ($118.50, retail $158) 
2. *NEW!* 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Medium shoulder bag in Nile Shark Embossed Leather via Bag, Borrow or Steal ($220, retail $895)
   

 Accessories:

1. Ray Ban 'Erika' Sunglasses in Havana c/o Shopbop (retail $163)
2. Shashi Princess Leia Necklace c/o Shopbop ($55)

1. SPANX Look At Me Now Seamless Leggings in Indigo Leopard c/o Shopbop ($68)

1. AUrate Pearl Studs in Rose Gold (retail $150)
2. AUrate Medium Chain Bracelet in Rose Gold (retail $50)
3. AUrate Gold Twist Huggie Earrings (retail $80)
4. AUrate Stackable Twist Ring (retail $80)
5. AUrate Mini Infinity Ring (retail $70)

This dress is one of my favorite eBay finds in recent years. I got it last October for only $25 and luckily was able to wear it on a trip to Disney that November. I finally had the chance to wear it again on a warm day. Just to the grocery store and a backyard visit with my parents. But at least I was able to squeeze in a wear before Summer ended. 

It's always fun to find pieces you've been wanting for a long time. I originally posted the dress on the blog in 2012 and said I was "obsessed" with it. Definitely an overused word but as you can see I loved it enough to find it 7 years later. I've always been drawn to Edun and their prints so it's very sad that they are out of business. I guess I can keep searching for secondhand pieces!

Dress: Edun Fuchsia printed silk dress (eBay - another version), Sandals: Ancient Greek Sandals 'Faye' embellished sandal (Net-a-Porter Sale), Sunglasses: Chanel

Temperatures are on the decline but I still have some hot weather day outfits to share before we get to my favorite - jeans and sweaters! I will be sad to "put away" all my sandals though! I say that in quotes because in reality they stay out on display all year thanks to my closet room.

 This is one of my favorite thrifting buys/alterations. I bought it back in 2012 for $6 and it was super long. I wore it that way a couple times and then decided to have my Mom shorten it so I would wear it more. I probably should have left it a little longer but I think we had to go all the way to the top of the slits so it wouldn't be noticeable. 

I wore this to go for a walk in the park and then Christian and I headed to Brick + Wood to pick up a pizza! We then drove to a parking lot and ate it in the car because we didn't want it to get cold on the way home, haha. It was soooo good! Definitely recommend if you're near Fairfield.

Animal Print Dress: no brand (thrifted), Leopard Print Sandals: Ancient Greek Sandals 'Clio' leopard-print (Net-a-Porter Sale), Sunglasses: Ray Ban 'Erika' c/o Shopbop, Necklace: Geoclassics (a since closed gem store in Newport, RI)

The original dress:

This year has certainly been a test on everyone's ability to stay positive. With the pandemic starting at the beginning of the year, racial tensions increasing and a crazy election season it's sometimes hard to find the good. People are discovering all new ways for self care because of the current stay safe at home and social distancing rules. Many bloggers I follow are exploring their local areas and discovering hidden gems. I am sticking to mostly home activities for the time being.

 *This post includes sponsored links through Nakturnal.*

Read a Good Book with a Warm Mug

I've been slacking on this because I've been more focused on movies - see below - but I did just buy Austenland for $3 (yay used books!) and will hopefully finish another book I started months ago.  I think my problem is the book I am trying to finish is a bit on the darker side and I want to be reading something more light and happy. Why not pick up a classic like Little Women, The Princess Bride or Pride and Prejudice? Or perhaps a fun, quick young adult series like Percy Jackson? I've been meaning to do a reread of that and Harry Potter, I better start a list!

Park yourself on the couch or a comfy chair, pour a mug of your favorite hot beverage and get lost in a different world. If you're a coffee or tea fanatic, or need gifts for tea lovers, check out Adda Coffee & Tea House! They're based in Pittsburgh but also ship their products. I'm not a huge tea drinker - unless I'm in London - but I've got my eye on some of their other offerings like mugs and a pretty woven tote bag. I ordered a chocolate box with a gift code they sent me! 

Go Through Old Vacation Photos

Just because we may not be able to travel the way we used to doesn't mean we can't travel in our minds!  I keep finding myself going through old photo albums (digital and physical) to relive the happy memories. It's almost like being on the trips again! If you don't want to go through your own photos there are plenty of travel blogs you can check out to plan future trips. Some museums are even offering virtual tours so you can experience them from home! Check out this article for museums you can visit from your couch!

Escape with Movies

I did a post early on in the pandemic about what movies I've been watching to lift my spirits. In between watching old favorites I've been working my way through my TCM watchlist which never seems to get any smaller. Every day I check the new movies added to their On Demand offerings so my list is constantly around 50 movies. It's a race to watch them before they expire, which can happen pretty quickly depending on the movie.

Now that Fall is almost here I'm looking forward to curling up on the couch with a blanket, hot chocolate and my favorite Halloween movies! Check out this old post for my must-watch Halloween movies.

Music Therapy

On busy work days where I can't even partly pay attention to a movie I'll turn my iTunes on shuffle and listen to music. I'm more of an oldies fan myself so you won't find any new artists on my list.  Unless you count John Mayer as new. It's mostly The Eagles, James Taylor, Billy Joel, The Beatles, etc. It's so fun to sing along while I work and forget all my problems.

Music can be helpful in more than just lifting your spirits. Incadence, a new company founded in 2019, provides music therapy through video calls, perfect for sessions during quarantine. Music therapy provides individualized treatments to help treat individuals with disabilities, injuries, illnesses, anxieties or to improve general well being.

GIVEAWAY: Incadence have offered one of my readers in the USA a free music therapy session. To enter, follow Incadence on Facebook and comment on this post with how music therapy could help you or a loved one! In my case I'd love it to help me fall asleep at night, I have such trouble turning my mind off! Confirm you've completed both parts of your entry in the form at the bottom of this post.
 

*I have not tried the company myself but have been offered a free session and gift card in exchange for hosting this giveaway for you all!*

Find New Recipes to Bake or Cook

If you follow me on Instagram you'll know that I have been spending my weekends trying new recipes and perfecting old favorites. You can check out Part 1 and Part 2 of my baking adventures. (More to come once I get a few more recipes under my belt.) If I'm feeling really fancy and want to splurge I'll use some of our grocery budget to buy a week of Blue Apron meals. Have you found a hidden talent for cooking or baking?

Gardening

To go along with cooking, many people have started their own gardens as a way to keep entertained and avoid the grocery store. We are on our second year of having a garden. And when I say we, I mean Christian. He's the brains behind the operation, I just cook the few things we're able to grow. He really enjoys getting off his computer and tending to our peppers, lettuce, herbs and more. Although he wishes we could get rid of the squirrels!

Go For A Walk, Hike or Bike Ride

We haven't been doing this as much as I'd like (aka not at all unless I make Christian take my photos at the local park) but getting some fresh air and Vitamin C is super important. You could even do a socially distanced walk or hike with friends to keep in touch safely.

Play Games

My husband is a HUGE gamer so he always wants me to join in on the fun. I have a few games I played before I met him that he bought for me to play on the Nintendo Switch. He also introduced me to Animal Crossing, which he has been obsessed with since he was younger. They released it on the Switch right at the beginning of quarantine so we've been playing it quite a bit. It's a fun way to escape reality by entering a world we created. We've even played with my sister and his Mom with online play!

I first featured them as a "favorite thing" in summer 2013 after I bought my first pair - their iconic Ikaria winged sandal - earlier that month. I posted about them a few months previously in a Shopbop sale post that is now broken, ha ha. I did try to buy a pair then but they didn't fit. Back then Ancient Greek Sandals only came in a few styles and colors. They have since expanded into a plethora of colors, materials and styles. I wish I could buy them all, but I'll settle for my already too big collection of ELEVEN.

Founded in 2011 by Christina Martini and Nikolas Minoglou, Ancient Greek Sandals are handmade in Greece using traditional techniques that have existed for centuries. They are inspired by ancient Greek Gods and myths, pottery, jewellery and sculpture. One of my favorite things about the brand is their adorable wing buckles that appear on almost every pair.  I'm also kicking myself for not buying some cute accessories at their flagship store in Athens. (I was trying to behave and not spend too much money, ha ha!)

I used to only allow myself to buy 1 pair a year but that kind of went out the window the past couple years. I bought two pairs on our honeymoon in Greece last September and have bought THREE so far this year, whoops! To be fair, I used a gift card and advertising money from the blog to buy all three pairs (plus they were all on sale) so I don't feel too horrible. And I skipped buying new pairs in 2017 and 2018, ha ha.

Here's a look at my current collection. Some pairs have literally been all over the world with me so they definitely show signs of wear now. Luckily you can't tell in these photos.

Ikaria in Natural - bought June 2013

Beach Days

Athena in Terracotta - bought February 2014

Saturday in the Park

Astrapi in Natural Metallic (Net-a-Porter Exclusive) - bought June 2014

Monochromatic Blue in a Sea of Green

Clio in Marine - bought May 2015

Those Hard to Find Basics

Alethea in Perforated Black - bought in Santorini April 2015

Windblown in Venice

Athanasia in Croc - bought April 2016

Into the Wild

AGS x Gas Bijoi Stephanie Charms in Natural with Red - bought in Santorini September 2019

Grocery Store Chic

Apteros in Crosta Wine - bought in Athens September 2019

Dainty Pinky Rings in the Summer Heat

Clara in White - bought March 2020

Introducing the Stella McCartney Wild Cat Skinny Jeans

Faye in Brown (Net-a-Porter Exclusive) - bought August 2020 

Clio in Leopard - bought August 2020

Thrifted Safari Print Dress

*This post is NOT sponsored, I just love the Ancient Greek Sandals. Although, I wouldn't say no to a partnership with them...wink wink*