Style

The Coveted

December 11, 2018 by jessica Leave a Comment

Hello! We got back from our trip to New York last Tuesday and while I hoped to get back into blogging shortly after, there were too many to-dos keeping me occupied between Christmas decorating, shopping, and early celebrations. It’s nice to be back in the swing of things, though, even if putting together these covetable finds leave me adding more things to my wish list — specifically the cocktail glasses and the purse. I also adore the sleep mask, which would make for a lovely gift this season.

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What I Bought in November

November 27, 2018 by jessica Leave a Comment

Earlier this year, I toyed with the idea of adding only one clothing item and one accessory to my closet each month. I don’t have that kind of self restraint just yet, but I’m getting there and I have to admit that I’m happier with this approach than I am when I reflect back on a hoard of new items. I’m beyond happy with the items I purchased this month and I think I’m going to get a lot of wear out of everything — even that ultra-trendy bag! I did purchase one more thing on Black Friday and I’ll add it to next month’s roundup if it makes the cut!

PURCHASED
See all of this year’s sartorial additions here.

Madewell ‘Lilyblossom’ button-front dress – I have a Madewell dress in a similar cut that I bought last year and absolutely adore, so it’s probably not a surprise that I added this to my wardrobe. The color and print are so pretty and I loved the nipped-in waist.
Staud ‘Shirley’ bag in white – I haven’t been able to get this bag out of my head since I ordered the small brown faux-croc version earlier this fall. While I didn’t like the color or texture of that one, I realized that my heart was really aching for the white one I fell for last year. Do I think it’s best use of my money? No. But I am crazy about it and happily took money out of my “splurge” savings account to cover the cost, so it’s a wash for my budget. As far as practicality is concerned, the zipped pouch holds a decent amount, including a sunglasses case, so I think I’ll actually get a decent amount of mileage out of it. I just hope that transparent accessories aren’t totally passé next year!
Ugg waterproof insulated wedge booth – I had been looking for a cute pair of winter-ready wedge ankle boots for years and these are it! Plus, they’re easy to pull on and off, which is not always a given with boots that don’t have a side zip. I think these will be a great option for going to and from work this winter and for jaunts around the city. I went up a half size to allow room for a pair of thick socks.

DIDN’T WORK OUT
Things I tried and didn’t love.

Gap mid-rise skinny jeans in black – These are the absolute worst. I wanted a pair of black jeans earlier this year and ordered these, but they didn’t fit in my regular size. I found myself thinking about black denim again and ordered a variety of sizes in these to see if I could find one that worked. Nope. The most obnoxious part is that they’re a magnet for dust and pet dander.

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Casual Elegance for the Holidays

November 26, 2018 by jessica Leave a Comment

My family isn’t one for glitz and glam, and while I love dressing up for the holidays, I’ve spent many years being the overdressed one at those occasions. I’ve begun to embrace a more casual approach to holiday dressing that still feels special, which is why I’m in love with this Garnet Hill cashmere sweater that the brand sent over in preparation for the holidays.

Cashmere is an inherently luxe fiber, so you’ll feel festive even when pairing it with jeans and ballet flats like I did here, especially if you add an oversize accessory. (My Lele Sadoughi earrings are my absolute favorite pair when I want something eye-catching.) This particular sweater is even better for the holidays because of its generous, swingy shape that allows you to indulge in all of the holiday sweets! Just half-tuck it into your waistband to give it some shape. It can easily be dressed up with a pair of lace pants and heels or given an edge with faux leather leggings. There’s also a very good chance that it’ll become your favorite lounge piece with a pair of sweats. One word of warning, though, it runs large due to the a-line shape. I’m typically a size 8 and I’m wearing a small here, but I probably should have sized down to an XS.

This is actually my third cashmere piece from Garnet Hill and just like the others, the fabric is supple, incredibly soft, and densely woven. I think their cashmere pieces are some of the best you can get for the price point, especially today during the brand’s cashmere flash sale where you’ll save 40% on select items. I love this beautiful turtleneck sweater, and I use this cashmere wrap on all of our international plane rides. If you need a gift for the guy on your list, I’ve purchased these cashmere socks for Dave for the last two years and he loves them. (They won’t be as durable as your run-of-the-mill pairs, but they’re an affordable luxury gift. We line dry Dave’s pairs to extend their wear.)