Easy weekend outfit

I wore this (and was actually a bit too warm with the cardiwrap) for neighborhood errand running, a trip to Target, and a dog walk. I've been trying to make more of an effort to photograph outfits outdoors. I know it will not be practical for me to do so all the time. But when I can, I plan to try.

March feels a bit less busy than February in some ways. But all of my formerly postponed tasks have been re-prioritized so I am really just as swamped. My on-campus hours have eased up a bit which is nice. Next month brings my birthday, the end of the term, and travel to San Diego. I have never visited this city and will be staying in Little Italy (which feels fitting as a current resident of Pittsburgh's Little Italy) so bring on the restaurant, sight-seeing, and shopping suggestions! I will be there for a conference but hope to also have some fun.

Outfit details: 
Parameter cardiwrap from Piperlime (similar and well priced)
Gap body shirt underneath (via Gabes)
J. Crew matchstick cords
Coach captoe flats (similar)
Anthropologie scarf (via Gabes) (similar)
Cynthia Rowley bag from Zappos (similar and budget similar)

As an aside, I was featured on the Facebook Page of Hanes Hosiery! I have a few pairs of thigh high and control top sheers to giveaway and will be doing so this week. So stay tuned! 

Mystery Money OOTD and how I'm curbing my consumption

Nanette Lepore You'll Be Mine dress

Forever 21 belt

Coach sequined captoe flats

Michael Kors Calista hobo

Earlier this week I decided to venture to the Tanger Outlets in Washington, PA because Chris and I had Mystery Money coupons from Off Fifth. I figured that even in the worst case of us both only getting $10, $20 off any two purchases would make it worthwhile. We indeed got the smallest mystery amount but everything in the store that is not on clearance is an additional 25% off. And the clearance selection is pretty decent. I personally didn't like the fit of anything I tried. But I spotted some cute things.

For example, you can get a DVF wrap dress for around $60 after the clearance discount (plus mystery money can bring down the price further). I saw a few Nanette Lepore dresses, some Tibi tops, and some MBMJ dresses that would have been around $40 or less.

Normally this would have meant I walked out with major clothing haulage. But I am trying, after years of sale-goggle purchasing to only buy stuff that I love and that fills a gap in my wardrobe. This process of consumption curbing is partially inspired by what I've been reading on the fantastic blog, The Year of Nothing New. It is written by another Anthro and DVF lover who is managing her enthusiasm for shopping with a year of abstinence.

Although I am not personally abstaining, it is inspiring to read her blog along with all the participants in Kim from Anthroholic's Shopping Ban/Shop Your Closet Challenge. With my coupon I did end up buying a set of Nambe crystal bud vases for the house.

I have bad luck with glass vases and seem to break anything that isn't very sturdy. So I consider this purchase to be a good one since this crystal set was on major clearance. I also find it to be very pretty, like most Nambe pieces. Because I walked out of there without any new clothing or accessories I felt pretty victorious. Chris got two packs of cookies than ran him .50 after the coupon!

Soon after, Chris was driving in Squirrel Hill and the car overheated. Long story short, a week after I spent a small fortune on car repairs, the car is back in the shop. And I am glad I have been curbing my consumption because that means I have more emergency funds and more savings. But still. :(

So much for couches and cameras until we figure out what is wrong and how expensive the repair will be!

Casual Holiday Shopping OOTD

J Crew Annalise Cami

Twg cashmere cardigan

Old Navy cords

Coach captoe flats

Tibi ruffle coat

Wore this to run some errands and buy some last minute gifts. I know it isn't technically last minute but my personal available shopping days are numbered. I am nearly finished save for a few tiny odds and ends. What about you?

Casual Sunday Brunch OOTD

Friends of Chris's and mine were visiting from DC for the long weekend. We had a great time with them on Saturday for dinner at Kaya and drinks at the Brillobox. The next morning we reconvened at Coca Cafe where we were treated to a delicious brunch as a thank you for the lengthy email of advice Chris offered on what to do in the city. It was an unexpected surprise that made a chilly morning that much warmer.

I wore my new Burberry jacket from the Larrimor's sale with some old gap jeans and the same beaded Urban Outfitters via Gabes top I wore two days prior. I carried my vintage Coach satchel and wore padlock flats by Chloé.

Rainforest Evening: Anthropologie OOTN

I wore Moulinette Souers' Rainforest Morning Shirtdress to dinner with friends the other day and snapped these photos after I got home. I knew it was humid but didn't realize I was about to dine in a place with an amazing patio. When given the option and weather permitting, I will always choose to eat outdoors! By the end of the night I was glistening a bit (as you can see above), but very sated. I paired it with my Anthropologie pop-back Infinity Belt and gray Burberry Jeweled flats. I carried a vintage satchel by Coach. Chris was mocking me and my indulgent self-photography in the center side view, hence my bemused look.

Dinner outfit: After a long day of moving

I spent all day Saturday helping Chris's family move things. Furniture, boxes of books, photos, artwork. All of it felt much heavier thanks to the thick humidity and heat. Afterwards I was starving and filthy. A quick shower and some thrown on duds later, we went to dinner at J'eet which helped me feel totally refreshed. Speck hates a move and a thunderstorm so her clingy-ness can be explained because yesterday had both.
Forever 21 grommet top (similar fancy here; similar budget here)
Odille peplum skirt from Anthropologie in 2009 (similar here, here, and here)
Vintage Coach bag (similar here)
Miu Miu jeweled flats (similar here and here)

closeup of shoes:

Speck being a ham:

Moschino Cheap and Chic Ruffle Trench Coat

Way too small but the only one in the entire store. Size 4 and still too expensive but too beautiful not to try on just for fun.

Not to be Rachel Zoe but I DIE.

Here Chris and I are, pretending our last name is Rockefeller at the outlet. He is wearing some impossibly expensive suit jacket by a brand I never heard of cause I don't know a lot of men's designers.

BTW, there is a giveaway over at You, Me, and Anthropologie. Check it out here!

Dog walks, dinner, and errands: OOTD

It was bright and warm today in the sun, but windy and brisk in the shade. I managed this confusing but springlike mix with comfortable layers. I purposely misbuttoned the jacket to give it some asymmetry.

Military button jacket from the juniors section at Burlington Coat Factory (similar here and here)
Boyfriend cardigan from Forever 21 layered underneath (similar here)
T-shirt from Old Navy  
Ann Taylor Loft Cords (similar here)
Chloe zipper flats (similar and reasonably priced here, here, and here) 
MBMJ Dinosaur tote bag (similar but fancy with cool Trompe L'oeil details here; similar but reasonable with cool Trompe L'oeil details here)

Wore this to dinner the other night. Now that I am seeing the photograph, I feel a lot less confident in the execution.

Black Marc by Marc Jacobs cardigan (similar here)
Old Navy long sleeve tshirt in purple underneath
Printed Target Ruffle Skirt (in purple here but it also comes in black, pink, and printed)
Jimmy Choo Morse flats in purple (here)
Vintage Coach satchel

And I realized after purchasing the tiered ruffle skirt from target that it is vaguely reminiscent of this cool DVF piece I didn't buy.

I guess they aren't that similar but I am sure my love for this skirt was what subconsciously influenced me to buy the Target one.

A Suitable Replacement

I became enamored of the Proenza Schouler PS 1 handbag a long time ago but knew it wasn't in the cards for my budget any time soon. Unwilling to pursue a blatant knockoff, I channeled that enthusiasm more generally to the category of vintage leather satchels. Recently I decided to take the plunge and bid on one from the Coach of yesteryear, on Ebay. I knew I loved vintage Coach leather so it seemed like a safer bet than going with a stiffer, shinier contemporary version in the realm of my budget.

I was pretty pleased when I received the result. While it was more worn than I anticipated, I grew to appreciate the aged leather. The cross-body strap makes it an idea purse for quick errands or dog walks.

It's certainly no PS1 but it was also only 1/100th of the cost. Shown with a Zara coat, Old Navy cords, and Tory Burch flats.