Seasons

Today (in Richmond at least) it FINALLY feels like winter! I know, I know...winter hasn't officially started, but thanks to festive Starbucks cups, snowflakes in store windows, and the almost daily influx of holiday catalogs in my mailbox, it feels like it should be winter. I'm a December baby, and as much as I love fall ("autumn" is one of the prettiest words in the English language, and I have an obsession with stepping on really crunchy leaves), winter is probably my favorite season.



I think there is just something so wonderful about feeling the sharp, cold air against my face while the rest of me is bundled up in a warm coat and every imaginable winter accessory. The coffee shop in campus starts carrying peppermint syrup & I can order my favorite indulgence again - peppermint lattes :)


For today's post, I wanted to re-cap my fall finds & spending. And after going through and listing all of my purchases, I'm realizing I really need to budget my spending! It's so easy to buy and buy without realizing just how much you're actually spending. This represents about 4 months of shopping, but holy cow, I need to check myself into retail therapy rehab...



Shoes: $185

This season I added several new pairs of shoes to my admittedly modest collection. I bought 2 pairs of flats, both by Report, from Shoes.com (nude ballets) & Nordstrom (black pointed toe). Earlier in the season I also snapped up a pair of faux leather black boots from Target ($30), as well as the glitter-embellished leather sandals from the J.Crew Warehouse Sale ($40).

Report, $50 on sale (Shoes.com)

Report, $55 @ Annual Sale (Nordstrom)

Mossimo Supply Co, $30 (Target)

Tops & Sweaters: $111

This fall - much to my checking account's dismay - I realized that most of my sweater were too small, REALLY outdated, and/or had been eaten for lunch by moths. As I shared in earlier posts, I purchased a navy blue open cardigan from H&M ($30), a yellow 3/4 length cardigan from the J.Crew Warehouse sale ($20), and a Bergdorf Goodman chevron-stripe cashmere cardigan on Ebay ($22). I also bought a Madewell crystal-embellished bow tee ($8), a purple oversized Modal tee from Target ($10) and 3 other basic tees, also from Target ($21).


Pants: $82

Most of this stems from my ongoing love affair with color (and the J.Crew Warehouse sale). I snapped up the purple wool Cafe capri and black wool Minnie pants ($15 each) at the sale, plus the bright flame stretch twill Minnie pants ($50) and ankle-zip dark wash denim Minnies ($2!)  I purchased on Ebay. 



Jackets/Blazers: $40

Considering how I've fallen madly in love with blazers and jackets this season, I'm proud of myself for not going overboard here. I purchased an Ann Taylor LOFT black tuxedo blazer back in August from Ebay ($15), and a navy knit boyfriend blazer from Macy's a little over a month ago ($25).


Jewelry & Accessories: $102
Again, as much as I love jewelry in particular, kind of surprised I didn't go more nuts here. One of my only Black Friday buys was this cute pair of earrings from Forever 21 ($4) - I usually try to steer clear of supercheap, poorly made clothes & accessories, but for the price I just couldn't resist :) I also purchased the double-row chain link necklace in silver from J.Crew ($50), and my Ebay find for the season was the Lee Angel faux pearl necklace I wrote about last time ($18). I also bought a teal infinity scarf ($17) and a black and white printed umbrella ($13) from Target.

Necklace, $55 on sale (J.Crew)

Earrings, $4 (Forever 21)

Long Time, No See!

I'm back! My apologies for the extended vacation - it's that time of year again where everything gets a little more nuts than usual :)

It's also the season of wean-myself-off-of-Ebay-so-there's-enough-money-to-buy-people-presents. For the past year or so, Ebay has been my latest hobby - it's insanely addicting to win cool stuff, and almost as exciting when you get cash for things you don't wear anyway. So in honor of my slightly unhealthy obsession, I thought I'd get back in the swing of things by sharing some of my recent purchases. Enjoy, and happy Thanksgiving!

J.Crew Bi-Stretch Twill Minnie Pants, Bright Flame

 John Bartlett for Bergdorf Goodman sweater

Lee Angel Faux-Pearl Necklace

• Pants, $50
• 100% Cashmere Sweater, $21.50
• Necklace, $17.50

Forward Motion

So I finally have some time to write...but it's good, I promise!

I'm a business major, and I recently won a consulting case competition at my university (nerdy, I know). But what was NOT nerdy was the $75 Visa gift card I received as a prize! :) Naturally I began contemplating the many ways I could update my closet for $75 or less. Yesterday, my boyfriend (and occasional stylist, he has great taste) accompanied me on what was quite possibly one of the most fun shopping trips I've even had (Get pretty things! Checking account balance not depleted! No buyer's remorse! Hooray!).

I've already babbled about how much I want a chunky, cozy, oversized-yet-chic sweater for fall/winter, so of course that was on the list. Also included on my mental wishlist were: a fluffy, shaggy faux-fur coat; a navy cuffed boyfriend blazer; nude patent flats or pointy toe flats; gum-sole wedges, and; long sleeved stripe tees for layering.

After browsing through J.Crew, Ann Taylor, & Ann Taylor LOFT, I had only found one cozy sweater I liked - and it was $56. Even though I had $75, I really only wanted to spend $50 so that I could use what was left over to go out to dinner with my man. And as luxe and snuggly as the pricey J.Crew open cardigan was, I didn't quite want to pay that much for a single item.

Jou Jou, $25 [purchased in navy, Macy's]

At my boyfriend's suggestion, I reluctantly tried the junior's section at Macy's. I know, I know. I cringed. Tacky glitter-splashed jeans, matted faux fur, and cheap velour came to mind. As we browsed the racks of flamboyant, frilly satin dresses, whiskered jeans, screenprinted tees and cheap-looking tracksuits, I had all but given up hope. But then, I spotted a corner filled with racks of boyfriend blazers and Southwestern-printed wrap cardigans. Although the cardigan I tried on was ill-fitting and cheaply made, I was delighted with the fit and style of the navy boyfriend blazer I'd found - and it was only $25!

H&M, $25

To round out the day, I snapped up a cozy, thick-knit open cardigan (not as soft, but otherwise identical to the J.Crew one I'd seen earlier in the day) from H&M, also in navy & $25.


So I admit, I can be a fashion snob sometimes. But this shopping trip got me thinking. To me, shopping in the junior's section - or at stores that specialize in cheap, poorly-made garments and accessories - usually isn't really that much of a "value" for classic pieces. It makes more sense, in my opinion, to buy a classic wardrobe staple that is well made but expensive (perhaps on sale or at an outlet) because the well-made item will last longer than it's cheap imitation counterpart. Besides, a cashmere sweater just feels so much better than a cotton or synthetic knit against your skin.

There really can be some fun, inexpensive pieces in the junior's section or in cheap, mass-produced chain stores like H&M or Forever 21 (see below). Am I a sellout for spending my money on 2 less-expensive pieces, or should I have gone with the higher-quality sweater? If you had money to burn, would you go for one timeless classic, or several trendy pieces to update your wardrobe?

Velvet Torch, $46 [Nordstrom]

H&M, $18

Forever 21, $38

H&M, $60

Forever 21, $28

Snuggle Sesh

Here in the 804, the weather can be pretty hormonal. One day it's 82 and sunny, the next it's raining. A few weeks ago it tried out a new 85-and-raining hybrid that my hair and I despise.

But lately, it's been pretty "autumn." That crisp, J.Crew catalog, dancing in the leaves, pumpkin spice latte kind of autumn. With a couple of classic 46-in-the-morning-but-82-by-the-afternoon days sprinkled in just for kicks.

So (natch) I start rifling through my storage boxes of sample-sale cashmere and warm but unfortunate-looking sweaters I've had since middle school. I've got a rainbow of 3/4 length cardigans (thanks, banking internship) and maybe 3 or 4 cozy-but-chic sweaters. And maybe $50 in my checking account.

I'm thinking I want one of those super snuggly, chunky oversized cardigans, the kind you see on the edgy, modern bohemian girl walking down the street or ordering coffee in front of you at Starbucks. I think it gives you this effortless look that actually is pretty effortless. Step 1: put on chunky cardigan. Step 2: order pumpkin latte/other fall activity. I'm also drooling over interesting takes on the open cardigan, like asymmetric or drape/cascade-front styles, and sweater/jacket (swacket!) combos.

Here are a few picks under $70 that I'm currently eyeing:

Gap, $40

Old Navy, $55

Ann Taylor LOFT, $56 on sale

Staring at the Stars, $69 [Urban Outfitters]

J.Crew, $70 on sale

Element, $65 [Bloomingdale's]

Jack by BB Dakota, $70 [Piperlime]

Also, since when did Old Navy start selling any kind of sweater for $55?!

Mecca.

For the past year or so, I've been taking advantage of the sort-of-secret sales at the J.Crew Warehouse in Lynchburg, Virginia (2 hours west of Richmond). Not to be confused with Factory Stores or outlets, the Warehouse (or Factory Warehouse) sales are more like giant sample sales with returns from online orders mixed in - 70-80% of the items are in like-new condition, but be advised that there are a number of items with missing sequins/beads, snags, holes, or other defects.

Today I scored some INSANE deals at the Warehouse's big fall sale, so I thought I'd share :) All images c/o J.Crew except if otherwise noted.

1. J.Crew Crushed Glitter Sandals: 

Original: $265
Current Price (online): $80
I paid: $40

2. J.Crew Bi-Stretch Wool Minnie Pant (Black):

Original: $98

I paid: $15

3. J.Crew New Cafe Capri in Wool (Bright Dahlia):

Original: $118
I paid: $15

A Note About Fit: These gorgeous pants fit one size small in my experience. I'm an avid J.Crew fan & regularly fit into their size 4 pant; I bought a size 2 at the sale and planned on selling them on Ebay, but tried them on out of curiosity & they fit! I've been trying to lose a few pounds lately, so it's slightly possible that I'm legitimately a size smaller (but I am almost entirely certain that 3 weeks of sporadic gym sessions and a handful of veggies twice a day has not caused me to drop a size). Anyway, try these in a size smaller than you usually wear. I suspect J.Crew is subtly trying to tell us that shelling out the equivalent of 23 lattes (or a shiny new pair of Hunter wellies, or a cashmere sweater, or 2 tanks of gas in my car) makes us magically skinnier.

Image Courtesy of Polyvore

4. J.Crew Jackie Cardigan (Bright Yellow):

Original: $62 (no longer available online in this color)

I paid: $20

5. Madewell  Sparkle Bow Tee: (image to be posted soon)

Original: Unknown
I paid: $8

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For the Boys:

Although the primary focus of this blog is women's style and shopping, I thought I'd also share what my brother picked out as well as some finds I picked up for my boyfriend.

My brother scored:

• Merino Wool Fisherman's Sweater - $20
• Ludlow Italian Wool Sportcoat, Black - $25
• Printed Swim Trunks - $10
• White Raffia Fedora - $5
• Khaki Chino Pants - $15
• Argyle Dress Socks - $2

And for my boyfriend:

• Merino Wool Cardigan, Navy - $20
• Gray Chino Pants - $15
• Khaki Chino Pants - $15

Has anyone else shopped the Warehouse sale before? Please feel free to share any fabulous finds! :)