Search Results for: garnet hill

Lovely Linen

May 8, 2017 by jessica 7 Comments

It’s no surprise that summer is my favorite season, and every spring day that has even a hint of something warmer in the forecast has me reaching for summer staples to debut, like this breezy linen tunic from Garnet Hill. I’ve had the opportunity to work with Garnet Hill on a couple of posts over the past few months (here and here) and I’m always delighted with the brand’s classic cuts and high quality pieces. This particular piece is crafted from flax grown and handpicked in France, and promises to get softer with every wash. It’s such a classic piece that pairs well with other closet mainstays, like denim shorts, but will look just as chic over a swimsuit when the weather really heats up!

Also, can we take a moment to admire just how fantastic and on-trend this little bag is?! I picked it up at Target after seeing it on Cathy’s Instagram Story. It’s really soft for being faux leather, and I can’t get enough of the oversize ring handle. (The cross-body strap is removable.)

*Use code lovejessica to save 20% on any order at Welly Merck!

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Linking Up: Pink Sole

Budget Update: April 2017

April 27, 2017 by jessica 10 Comments

This month started with the best intentions and I went about halfway only having purchased a DVF clutch and a pair of inexpensive earrings, plus I snagged a pair of patent pink loafers entirely on a gift card. At $140 spent, I was feeling awfully smug with my self control. And then the Shopbop sale happened where I picked up the slides I was crushing on, and it all kind of went down hill from there. All in all, though, I hadn’t spent much on accessories this year or last so it was nice to add a few pairs of earrings to my collection that should get plenty of love this summer, and I’m already getting a lot of use out of the clutch and sandals.

A couple of months ago, Kristen asked how I set my quarterly budget because it seemed to be on the high side and, well, it is high. I thought I’d recap my response to her in case others were wondering about this, too. And, I know this is going to be a somewhat vague answer without going into my entire financial situation because while I think there’s value is sharing what items bloggers actually purchased with their own money and what were complimentary samples, it does need to be balanced with financial privacy. Overall, though, the large high dollar amount is due to incorporating blog income into my budget (although, trust me, it’s not that much!) and a freelance project that I had worked on with eBay. Last year’s freelance project offset all of my clothing spending, plus padded my savings account. Since the income I make from that is outside of my 9-to-5 job, I treat it as “fun” money to supplement what would be a more modest budget. I also don’t spend a lot right now on other areas of my life, which allows me to spend more on clothing. That’s definitely going to change once we buy a house, though!

BUDGET
Second Quarter Budget: $685 ($850 with a $165 deficit from last quarter)
Spent in April: $298
Amount Remaining: $387

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

Ann Taylor Raffia Statement Earrings ($25; seen here): These are such a surprise to find at Ann Taylor. As much as I love the retailer for work clothing, they’re not on my list of must-visits when I’m looking for jewelry. These earrings are wonderfully oversize and I found them to be lightweight.
Diane von Furstenberg Bullseye Nubuck-Leather Clutch ($115; worn here): I was crushing on this clutch ever since I included it in this post. I thought it would be the perfect pint-sized piece to carry my essentials when I don’t want to bring a larger purse, and it turned out to be so much better than that. The leather is soft and buttery, and the snake chain wrist strip is elegant. It fits more than you’d expect, too. I can fit my iPhone, card case, lipstick, keys, and a small mirror.
G.H. Bass & Co. Brice Patent Penny Loafer in Pink ($0; worn here): I kept going back and forth on these at Nordstrom where they were still full price at $110. I randomly did a search for them on the Bass website and came across the pair for $70. I saved an extra 20% by signing up for store emails. (Granted, I didn’t pay anything out of pocket, since I put this on a Visa gift card that I’ve been holding on to since Christmas.) They run true to size, but if you’re typically on the cusp of two sizes, opt for the smaller one.
Soludos Knotted Slide Sandals ($80; worn here): I’ve gone on and on about my love of these a couple of times now. They’re really comfortable and the leather is soft enough that there were no blisters from their maiden voyage. The leather is a little squeaky at first, but it goes away with wear. You can also try some leather conditioner to ease the friction. They’re true to size.
H&M Palm Earrings ($8): They’re big and heavy, and I love them anyway! It’s the best cheap thrill I’ve purchased in awhile, even if the cheap metal will irritate my skin. (What a ringing endorsement, huh?)
J.Crew Circle Earrings ($0; worn here): The only thing better than the aforementioned $8 earrings are free earrings. I used a gift card I received from taking a survey. I found these to be lightweight and comfortable enough to wear all day and well into the evening.
Cooperative Tie-Front Striped Mini Dress ($70): The colors are more muted in person and the “white” is really beige. The dress is lined, which was a nice surprise at that price point. The fabric of the bodice is doubled up, which allows ladies with small chests to go sans bra. I went up one size to a 10.

GIFTED
As always, I want to be transparent about what I’ve received from companies for review or as part of a collaboration.

Welly Merck Classic Chicago Watch in Gold (worn here)
Garnet Hill Essential Linen Shirt in White (on the blog soon!)

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

Express Ruffle Surplice Dress: The shape of this dress is adorable, and the low neckline and cinched waist are flattering. However, the quality is pretty poor for the price. It’s not lined and even though I had tried the dress in black, it was still slightly sheer in the sunlight. It arrived as a wrinkled mess from shipping. I can’t imagine how difficult it would be to keep it relatively wrinkle-free during the day.

DAYDREAMING ABOUT
The items I just might add to my wardrobe next month.

I can’t tell if this dress is going to feel cheap, but it’s worth at least ordering to see it in person since it’s just $49. It’s not lined, which typically bothers me when it comes to flimsy summer dresses because I hate wearing a slip underneath when it’s sweltering. That aside, I keep thinking of how cute it will be with my beloved Soludos slides and a woven bag for trips to the farmers’ market and brunch.
I’m not really a t-shirt type of girl, but I can’t get over how much I love this one. I want to throw it on with jeans and sneakers for weekend errands. I want to wear it with denim shorts at summer beer festivals. I even want to snag a denim skirt and wear it with that. I don’t understand the fixation I have with it, but it’s real. And I need it. (Yes, I realize that what I consider a “need” is likely different than that of non-fashion-preoccupied people.)
I don’t think I’ll actually buy this bamboo-handled bag, but it’s so cute, right?! I’ve actually been scouring eBay for a vintage alternative that’s a bit more wallet-friendly.

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I’ll be linking up with Fran!

Budget Update: February 2017

February 27, 2017 by jessica 16 Comments

After a year of casually looking for a flattering trench coat, I finally purchased one from Banana Republic this month. I’m not sure how I managed to go without this wardrobe staple for so long, especially since I’ve worn it every warm day we’ve had recently. Aside from that, I’ve been all about print and color again this month. I’ve gone far too long with only purchasing versatile classics that I feel like my closet is overdue for a refresh with playful, eye-catching pieces. I’ll admit, though, that’s it making my annual Pinterest board of sartorial purchases look a little disjointed! It’s easy to overlook quality when enamored with a pretty print, so I’m diligently selecting only items that have expensive-looking prints (so many wallet-friendly prints look cheap) and are made well.

BUDGET
First Quarter Budget: $850
Spent in January: $358 (decreased thanks to a Nordstrom price adjustment)
Spent in February: $256
Amount Remaining: $236

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

Vero Moda drop-waist floral dress ($58; worn here): I’m all kinds of obsessed with this cute little dress for spring. The shirt-dress detailing makes it appropriate for work and the gathered skirt skims over hips with ease. The skirt portion is lined, but the top a little sheer, so you’ll need a nude bra that matches your skin color almost exactly if you don’t want to wear a cami. I first ordered a size large, assuming that the European brand would run small. Nope. If anything it runs a hair larger than true to size. I opted for a medium and there’s still plenty of room.
Banana Republic belted cotton trench ($120; worn here): I’ve been looking for a khaki-colored spring coat for the last two years and decided to give this one a whirl. I like that it has a single row of buttons rather than the double-breasted look of a traditional trench coat. There’s a removable quilted lining inside, which is a nice touch. It runs true to size. Mine arrived pretty wrinkly, but nothing a steamer couldn’t fix.
J.Crew Factory tissue tunic ($31): I love the vibrant colors in this tunic. I went up a size to give me more room around my hips, especially when throwing it over a wet bathing suit this summer. I’m hopeful that I can also half-tuck it into a pair of shorts and wear it during the day.
Neiman Marcus ruffled popover striped dress ($47): Madison Magazine reached out to me to see if I’d like to be part of an upcoming story on “stylish Madisonians.” I’m flattered and a little nervous about the whole ordeal. (I realize the irony of having a public blog and yet still being shy when it comes to stuff like this.) However, I needed something to wear for the photo shoot next month. Obviously. I found this cute striped formal dress at Neiman Marcus Last Call and love that it highlights my shoulders and collarbone, adds oomph to my chest, and accentuates my waist. I’m probably going to pair it with the Cult Gaia bag I’m obsessed with (above) and possibly these earrings. I need to find a good cuff bracelet and shoes, though. Suggestions?

GIFTED
As always, I want to be transparent about what I’ve received from companies for review or as part of a collaboration.

Karen Walker “Number One” sunglasses in black (worn here): I had credits from my partnership with DITTO and put it toward these sunglasses. I bought the tortoise shell version a couple of years ago and love them so much. After borrowing the black pair for a month, I knew I’d wear them just as often.
Garnet Hill cashmere wrap in grey (worn here)
Helen Ficalora “XOX” disk charm necklace in sterling silver (worn here)
Make Me Chic bell-sleeve coat (in an outfit post later this week)

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

Sam Edelman “Yaro” suede sandals in black: I wrestled with whether or not to return these. They’re really cute and I loved how my legs looked with the extra height. However, I just wasn’t convinced that I’d wear them all that often when I typically reach for flats. At $120, I figured that money was better spent on something I’d wear more often. I’ll consider them again if they go on sale.

DAYDREAMING ABOUT
The items I just might add to my wardrobe next month.

Playful black-and-white earrings
Loafers (if I can decide between patent pink and matte white)
A couple of sundresses for our mid-March trip to New Orleans
Red shorts to wear with the J.Crew Factory tunic so it gets some mileage away from the pool, or possibly this pair which is a similar print.
This one-shoulder top that I just ordered.

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I’ll be linking up with Fran!

Spring Wardrobe Refresh

February 24, 2017 by jessica 4 Comments

Much to my dismay, we’re back to seasonably cold temperatures and the threat of snow, but the flirtation of warmer weather earlier this week was all the inspiration I needed to do a bit of sartorial spring cleaning! My wardrobe is bursting at the seams right now with a veritable mountain of wool, silk, cotton, and various poly-blends that threaten to spill out whenever I open the door! To say a wardrobe refresh is needed would be a bit of an understatement! It’s an absolute must-do that’s at the top of my weekend plans. Below, you’ll find the steps I’m taking to tackle this project and some of my tips for your own closet clean out.

Pull Everything Out of Your Closet

It may be a daunting task, but the first step to reorganizing your wardrobe for the year ahead is to pull everything out of your closet. Seriously, everything. I’m talking clothing, shoes, and accessories. Take your time with each item and consider whether or not you should keep it. Anything that immediately pulls at your heartstrings and you can’t bear to part with goes back in your closet, along with anything that you wear frequently. Some questions to guide the process include:

Does it flatter your figure? Give the heave-ho to anything that doesn’t fit correctly and alterations won’t fix.
Does it fit your lifestyle? If it’s not something you ever see yourself wearing, it’s time to part ways or at least put it in storage if it has sentimental value.
Have you worn it within the last year? Your closet shouldn’t be filled with items that you don’t get excited about wearing.
Does it make you happy? As silly as it sounds, sometimes an infrequently worn item still makes you happy. It’s worth holding on to when that’s the case. After all, the sequin dresses that we all seem to own aren’t the most often worn pieces, but they definitely elicit a grin and the promise of wearing it again in the future.
Does it make you feel beautiful? The ideal wardrobe is filled with pieces that not only make you feel happy, but also make you feel beautiful whenever you get dressed.

Alter, Store, Donate

Now that you’ve added your must-haves back to your wardrobe, it’s time to carefully consider the pieces that didn’t pass muster and identify why they’re laying listlessly in the “meh” pile. Some pieces might simply need a nip and tuck at the tailor. Round up everything that you still like, but never quite fit correctly and head to a local tailor to see what kind of magic he can perform. Things like shortening dress straps or bringing in the waist are easy (and usually inexpensive) fixes that can make a huge difference. For the items that still fit, but you’re on the fence about, box them up to store in the basement or under your bed. Revisit them in a few months and see if there’s anything that you’d like to reintroduce into your wardrobe or part ways with. And, finally, donate the items you no longer want to wear or no longer fit your lifestyle. Dropping off a bag of clothing at Goodwill is definitely the easiest route, but consider alternatives like Dress for Success for your professional clothing and accessories. Many cities also have opportunities to donate special occasion pieces so that underprivileged girls can find a beautiful dress for prom. (I actually volunteered for one of our local groups a few years ago and it was incredibly fun to help girls pick out their dresses. In addition to dresses — both cocktail and gowns — they desperately need shoes, handbags, and jewelry. Those were picked over quickly.)

Reorganize Everything

After the very best pieces are nestled back in your closet, you’ll want to keep things neat and tidy to ease your morning routine. Opt for matching hangers to make your closet appear streamlined. I like using slim flocked hangers that keep flimsy dresses from slipping off. I use satin padded hangers for blouses and dresses with sleeves that might show puckering from a rigid hanger. Store accessories like scarves and clutches in clear plastic bins. This will keep them visible and dust-free. Fold all of your sweaters with a folding board (a magazine works, too) so the stacks are neat and organized and be sure to buy a few shelf dividers to keep them corralled.

Identify “Missing Links”

With a critical eye, take a look over the pieces you decided to keep. Do they match your style aesthetic? Pay attention to the items that just seem a little “off” with the rest of your wardrobe. What are they missing? If you decided that your style is full of bright colors and embellishments, yet you kept a black turtleneck sweater, think about what it needs. Is it a statement-making pendant necklace? Is it to be worn under a unique wrap dress in the winter? Do you need a candy-colored taffeta skirt? At the same time, consider the foundation garments you’ll need to make your wardrobe functional. Do you need black high heels for your classic collection of little black dresses? Do you have enough tights to make it through the winter? Keep a list of these “missing links” and use it as your shopping list.

Shop for the Classics

The thing I love most about spring style is the opportunity for a fresh start — and that means thoughtfully shopping for (and investing in) the classics. These are the versatile items likely on your “missing links” list that you’ll reach for throughout the season and for years to come. For me, well, this outfit sums up my spring must-haves: great-fitting jeans, a striped sweater (although not shown), a khaki-colored trench, oversized sunglasses, and a plush cashmere scarf. (The latter is large enough to double as a travel wrap, plus it’s on sale!) It’s virtually impossible to experience a “I have nothing to wear!” moment when you have these classic foundation items in your wardrobe. When you’re scouting out classic accessories, do spend as much as you can reasonably afford and pay attention to quality. Pieces like a cashmere scarf or Ferragamo flats are items that will always fit and will always be in style.

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A special thanks to Garnet Hill for partnering on this post and motivating me to start this project!

Budget Update: December 2016

December 27, 2016 by jessica 9 Comments

If I were to stay with my quarterly budget for the upcoming year, this would have been the month that kicked off my winter spending. However, I haven’t quite settled on my approach to budgeting for 2017. On one hand, the quarterly budget was nice in that it allowed me the flexibility to allocate more to months when stores were overflowing with treasures. On the other hand, I don’t think a budget actually reins in my spending. I can rationalize just about any purchase and, if I’m being honest, I can afford to go over my monthly allotment. So, the jury’s still out on how this series will unfold in 2017, but I’ll keep some iteration of it for three reasons:

I think it’s important to be transparent about the items I accrue, especially when it comes to the freebies from partnerships.
I’m super nosy and I love reading these types of posts from other people.
I hope that the mini reviews of the items I kept or returned help guide your purchasing decisions if these are also on your radar.

In December, I went a little overboard and spent a whopping $354. Holy moly. This is mostly due to the mirrored Rebecca Minkoff purse I’m crazy about. I had kept looking at it (read: obsessing over) the bag all November and finally bit the bullet over the Black Friday weekend. It’s definitely a statement maker, but the silver keeps it versatile and I love that it’s paired with gold hardware.

As far as Christmas goodies are concerned, I received two striped sweaters for my ever-growing collection of stripes (this one from my parents and this one from Dave in the ivory and black colorway). Dave also gave me these gorgeous Jenny Bird earrings. They’re such a unique, sculptural piece. The front hoop lays flat against your earlobe and the back hoop dangles from the earring backing. I’ve mentioned it before, but Jenny Bird is by far my favorite jeweler of the moment and there’s a “Behind the Baubles” interview in the works!

PURCHASED
See all of the year’s wardrobe additions here.

Rebecca Minkoff small “Love” crossbody in metallic silver ($146; worn here): I could wax poetic about this bag, but I won’t. Just know that I’m smitten with it. The only drawback is that it doesn’t hold a lot. It takes some creativity to tuck my daily essentials inside: an iPhone, a tube of lipstick, a small mirror, a mini hairbrush, a credit card case, and my inhaler (#winter).
Rebecca Minkoff mini trifold wallet ($0): This was the gift with purchase for any purchase over $100 on Cyber Monday. While I had originally ordered the purse above on Thanksgiving, the Cyber Monday deal was enough motivation to place a second order and return the first. What can I say? I’m a sucker for free things especially when they’re adorable.
Gap true skinny ankle-length jeans ($33; worn here): This is the first pair of jeans that I’ve ever truly loved. They miraculously don’t get baggy during the day! I might just turn into a denim girl yet! (Unlikely…)
Rachel Roy sequin swing dress ($60): This is the best dress to have on hand for special occasions! The champagne color is gorgeous in person and I love that the shimmery side of the sequins lays down, but you’ll get a peek of the glimmer when they’re brushed up. (Fair warning: people really want to feel your dress when you wear it. So many people at Dave’s office holiday party insisted on brushing the sequins up and down!) It does run small in the chest, so pick a size to fit that area comfortably. The a-line shape skims over curves.
Sanctuary lace-up printed dress ($48, also available here and here): This dress runs large, so be sure to size down even if you don’t think you’ll need to. I reached for a medium first, but ended up selecting the small.
Banana Republic striped turtleneck sweater ($38): I don’t think I would have ever ordered this online, but I fell in love with it in the store. It’s just a really pretty, sophisticated sweater. It fits true to size.
J.Crew crystal drop earrings in pink ($17): The color of these earrings is more vibrant in person. They’re not terribly heavy, making them comfortable for all-day wear.
Gorjana “Petra” cuff ($12): I actually just ordered this today, so I have no idea how it’ll be in person. I’m usually happy with Gorjana purchases and the sale price was too good to pass up. (Browse the rest of the sale here.)

GIFTED
As always, I want to be transparent about what I’ve received from companies for review or as part of a collaboration.

Garnet Hill belted faux fur collar coat (worn here)
Make Me Chic lace-up sweater: Coming to an outfit post soon!
eShakti star-print dress: The great thing about eShakti is that you can fully customize your dress. I went sleeveless with a crew neck to give it a much younger vibe. I’ll wear it on the blog soon!

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

H&M sequined skirt: The color is gorgeous, but the length is just too long to be flattering on me.

SHOP IT

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I’m linking up with Fran!