Dotted

[Pants: Forever 21; Top: Forever 21; Cardigan: J.Crew via Buffalo Excahnge; Shoes: Dolce Vita (similar); Nails: Essie 'Sew Psyched']

Not much to say here. Just really, really, really sick of snow. 

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Sartorially Inspired

Sometimes I see photos of street fashion and think I can never come up with such crazy outfit combinations.

And then I see photos like this, and think, yes, that I can do, and that I love.

via The Sartorialis

I noticed style surrounding New York Fashion Week can be so outlandish, but I love the more refined, minimalist sensibilities of these European fashionistas. They look so cool and understated and not like they spent hours dressing to catch a photographer's eye.

Anyways, here's my interpretation.

[Sweater: Thrifted; Jeans: Old Navy; Pumps: Zara; Coat; Gap (thrifted!!); Necklace; BaubleBar; Ring: Forever 21; Watch: Nixon; Nails: Essie 'Sew Psyched']

You can't really get more basic than jeans, a sweater, and a good wool coat, but that photo from The Sartorialist was a reminder of just how chic that combination can be.

I took some liberties with the jewelry (and posing), though.  

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Spring Cravings

Boston just keeps dumping snow on us and I'm officially sick of all my giant winter sweaters.

So what do I do? Start buying some spring clothes already. I feel like I've been accruing dresses for the last six years, so I switched my focus to fun pants. Here's what I came up with:

1/2/3

I've been searching for some styling inspiration for these, since they're not my typical wardrobe item, and Pinterest has turned up lots of treasures!

I love how this pair is styled with a two-tone neutral sweater, some classic black pumps, and almost  no jewelry. The minimalist styling really lets the print of the pants shine.

via

I'm always a fan of a chic but super casual look, so this one definitely caught me eye! I'm loving the graphic tee and sneakers. Socks too! It shouldn't work, but it just does. 

via 

I also love the simplicity of a white tee, necklace, and sandals in this look 

via 

Anh of 9to5Chic makes these track pants look very polished with a blazer, and I'm hoping to do the same with my blue pair.

via 

I can't wait until the spring weather is here to cooperate with these looks. Bare toes and short sleeves are not a match for the snow. The silver lining, though? This look from Laura of On The Racks has plenty of inspiration for styling up my printed pants for winter, with the right amount of layers and booties! 

via

What do you think? How would you still printed pants? 

Slouchy Stripes

[Striped Sweater: H&M (old); White blouse: Forever 21; Pants: Forever 21; Booties: Report; Watch: Nixon; Necklace: J.Crew factory store]

I absolutely saw an outfit similar to this in Lucky Magazine, and was excited to recreate with pieces I already owned. And I'm not the least bit ashamed of that. Why not take inspiration wherever you can get it?

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Texture Overload

 [Blazer: Forever 21 (similar); Shirt: Behnaz Sarafpour for Target, via Buffalo Exchange; Pants: Francesca's (similar); Shoes: Zara; Ring & Earrings: Forever 21; Nails: OPI 'Skyfall']

I would normally balk at sticking a shiny pink & grey blazer, lace top, and black baroque print pants all in one outfit. But I couldn't find the right dress to wear to my office holiday party earlier this month (all my dresses are suited for the summer months), and this combination seemed to provide just the right dressy feel. I've since stocked up on some more season appropriate dresses, and I guess will have to wait until next year's office soiree to sport them. Unless any of you has a fancy party you'd like to invite me to? 

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Merry Christmas Eve

[Sweater: thrifted; Black shirt: Old Navy; Jeans: Forever 21; Shoes: Cole Haan; Ring: Aloha Sunday]

I wore this outfit  a couple weeks ago for the first-ever Christmas party my husband and I hosted at our home (the shoes were one of my very thoughtful Black Friday purchases). So I thought I'd reprise it on the blog tonight to say Merry Christmas Eve! Oh, and to announce the winners of the Joyo giveaway: congratulations Lauren & Alexandra!!

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Rainy Day Blues

[Shirt: Gap; Vest: H&M (old); Pants: Forever 21 (similar); Boots; Hunter; Earrings: BaubleBar]

This vest is a case of fortune telling on my part. I bought it four years ago, long before I knew I would be obsessed with this color this year.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Detective

[Sweater: Thrifted; Jeans: Citizens of Humanity (similar); Booties: Report; Coat: Verrryyy old (similar); Hat: Forever 21]

I didn't realize it until reviewing these photos, but this outfit is one pair of baggy khakis away from making me look like a detective.

I was too distracted by the mustard yellow sweater with epic shoulder pads to notice. Oh, the treasures of thrifting. 

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Resist the Temptation

Something happens in the four days following Thanksgiving

After waking up from my post-Turkey coma and 13 hours of sleep, I check my phone to discover 50-plus e-mails in my inbox, each and every one carrying the equivalent of shoppers' crack. 30% off plus free shipping at that store I shopped at once. 45% off if you buy seven pieces of jewelry at BaubleBar, plus a free gift. 40% off plus free shipping plus 15% off $100 orders plus a free puppy at J.Crew Factory.

To top it off, every style blogger and their mom has been putting together a very tantalizing roundup of their top BlackFridayCyberMondayThanksgivingWeekendSaleNonsense picks. Peplums and pleats and polka dots and cozy cute knit things and every trend that has been barfing all over you all season, except now it's half price! Great news, right?

Certain offers are incredibly tempting. You mean that jacket at Forever 21 that matches my cute mini skirt is marked down to $13, meaning after the 50% off sale code is applied, I can get it for $7? And fake leather oxblood-colored wedge booties for $5? This is CRACK, I tell you.

Yes, the aforementioned items cost the equivalent of a lunchtime sandwich and a Starbucks latte, respectively. But I forced myself to resist. I'm not knocking Forever 21. I just like to put a little more thought and planning into even the least expensive of purchases, looking for reasons other than mega-awesome sales and discounts to buy them. Will they last? Can I wear them in dozens of outfit combinations across different seasons? Is the material even the least bit nice? Impulse-driving sales result in hasty purchases that take up valuable closet real estate. I hate parting with any piece of clothing, so throwing out an altogether too trendy item that was purchased with Black Friday Sales Goggles is no good.

I'm no saint, and I did buy some things this past weekend. My big mission was shoes. I'm coming around to the idea that something you walk in everyday should cost more than $23, so I picked out some timeless pairs of shoes I hope will last for years and work with all different outfits:

• A classic pair of black leather boots. I bought a non-leather pair at DSW last year in what felt like a good buy, but the heels are already worn out. Not such a 'deal' after all. 
• A pair of black smoking slipper-style flats that may be just a bit too trendy. But they may work.
• And a pair of metallic loafers with a cool turquoise blue sole. These may seem whacky and impulsey, but hear me out. Flats are a must for my sporty, casual workplace. Loafers are one of the most classic forms of flats, with the perfect hint of menswear. The metallic color and blue sole are the risky parts, but those details feel like a perfect injection of personality and fun into an otherwise very practical pair. 

Sure, I could have bought a sequined sweater for every day of the week from Forever 21 at that price. But these feel like the smarter buys. I'll let you know how they work out.

I'll leave you with this YouTube video.

What's your sale shopping philosophy? Are you an impulse shopper? Get anything good from it? Or are you more of the planning type?

I'm Blueeeeee

[Blouse: Forever 21 (similar); Jeans; 7 for All Mankind (similar); Shoes: DSW (a pretty similar pair); Ring: Forever 21; Neckalce: Joyo]

Remember that annoying song? That's all I could think of when reviewing this outfit.

Happy Black Friday all. Let's keep the impulse shopping to a minimum.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Closet Remix: Layers on Layers

[Blazer: Forever 21 (this Theory one would be a good investment); Blouse: J.Crew factory; Sweater: Banana Republic outlet (similar); Jeans: Seven for All Mankind (similar); Boots; Salvatore Ferragamo (vintage & thrifted, a similar super dreamy modern version is here); Ring: Forever 21; Beanie: ??? (similar)]

I've said before that one of the best things about reading style blogs is getting inspired to look at your closet in a whole new way. In this case, My Style Pill's mix of blazer/sweater/blouse here and here pushed me to recreate my own version. This blazer has been a great staple, and the blouse and sweater are oldies. Throw it all together and it felt brand new without having to spend a single dime! Talk about wallet friendly.

All photos by Mikhail Glabets

Red, White, & Layers

[Dress: Forever 21; Sweater (old) and Tights: J.Crew Factory; Boots: J.Crew (old and hand me downs; similar); Snood: Asos; Bracelet: SoWa Vintage; Earrings: Old Navy; Nails: OPI 'Dating a Royal']

I've developed a recipe for creating summer in winter.  Take summer dress, put it over tights and boots, top it off with a thick sweater and scarf, and boom! Winterized.

And I'm prepared to repeat it.

Happy Friday all!

All photos by Mikhail Glabets