Oh Hello

Yes, it's been a while since my last outfit post.

Taking pictures is basically impossible in the winter time. Because I hate mornings and leave myself exactly 20 minutes to get out the door, which means we're lucky if everything is buttoned properly and I have mascara on. And it gets dark at roughly 2pm in Boston during this time of the year.

Truthfully, I don't really love having photo shoots in my kitchen at 10pm when my day finally slows down, when I could instead be catching up on Downton Abbey (SHHHH, I'm only on Seasons 2), planning what awesome recipe I'm going to make from this new cookbook, hanging out with my husband, or just enjoying life unplugged.

And I don't want to write one of those posts that sounds something like "Five Faux Fur Vests I'm Dying to Have," or "10 Baroque Print Pants You Must Buy Now" or "37 Ways to Spend Money Because I Told You So." Because that ultra commercial, you-must-buy-into-this-trend-now-to-feel-worthwhile side of blogging is bothers me, and is not why I'm here. I started this little thing as a way to revisit my interest in the art of putting together an outfit and developing a personal style, and I don't think you need to spend a ton of money all the time to do that.

So you will see photos from me again when I adventure out into the daylight with Mikhail and his camera again :).

But in other news, these wedge sneakers have made their way to Target.

And I'm confused. At first I thought they were awesome, and I love how bloggers like Jules style the original Isabel Marant pair with dresses and other girly things to take the dainty edge off. The very similar knockoff (Steve Madden Hilight) costs $150, which is still too much for me to spend on something that does not have staying potential likely after this season. So I was seriously considering taking Leandra's advice here, and going for the more classic Nike sneaker (see below), which she says is the stripped down source of this wedge sneaker craziness.

But Target's sub-$40 price tag makes the wedges something I'm OK with buying and wearing mostly just this year.

What's one to do? Bite the bullet on the Target pair and wear them to death? Or hold out for something more classic (and quality) and resist the trendiness? I'm torn and I want your thoughts!

Pretty Pretty Print

[T-shirt: Target; Skirt: Forever 21; Sandals: Madewell; Necklace: flea market; Sunglasses: Ray-Ban; Nails: Essie Lilacism and Muchi Muchi]

Today I'm going to talk about these sandals, and how I saw them and loved them months ago but was determined to get a more budget-friendly version. No dice. I conceded fake leather is not worth it and that these babies will hold up for years to come, in both style and quality. I love the simple, classic shape, and warm cognac-y color. They go with lots, too, like this fun print skirt I picked up last fall for my honeymoon in Mexico.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Minimalist

[White Blouse: Forever 21 (earlier this season); Black Skirt: Banana Republic outlet (old); Sandals: Target (old); Leopard Bracelet: SoWa Vintage Market]

I've been on a classic/minimalist kick recently, thanks to my summer reading: I Love Your Style, by Amanda Brooks. You'll hear lots more about this book, as it's recently joined the ranks of my favorite style-related things (alongside stripes and Atlantic-Pacific).

Amanda talks about how minimalism requires a sense of editing and restraint. I love that. I was immediately challenged to look at my closet and see how I could exercise that discipline and effortlessness with my current wardrobe. I'm still trying my hand at the whole thing, but I thought a black and white ensemble was an easy way to dive in and experiment with minimalist style. It was hard to resist the instinct to jazz up the outfit with piles of jewelry, but I'm pleased with the result, and the carefully chosen single leopard bangle. I thought the strappy sandals added a simple but interesting sense of detail and shape to the outfit. 

Stay tuned for more black and white looks, and lots more dishing on what I've learned and loved from I Love Your Style. 

All photos by Mikhail Glabets