Search Results for: notable purchases

• Sezane ‘Lauren’ sweater – This sweater has already become one of my favorites for autumn. I was a little concerned about yak wool being too itchy, but it’s softer than anticipated. And, it hasn’t pilled yet! The shape of the sweater is a bit oversized and fits similar to how it does in this image with the hem falling right above the hip and slight bracelet sleeves. If you want it to fit like it does in the photo above, then you’ll need to go up a size. I love it so much that I’m likely to purchase the other two colors before the season ends.
• M&S ridged small hoop earrings – I’ve been into sculptural silver jewelry this season and bought these while I was in London. They remind me of this pair by Jennifer Zeuner.
• Amazon chunky hoop earrings – These are a great way to dabble in the silver trend if you’re on the fence about moving away from gold jewelry this season. I bought the 25mm size. They look great in person and are lightweight for all-day wear.
• Madewell sling crossbody bag – You may recall that I bought this bag in straw earlier this year. It’s such a great size to hold all of your essentials (including a case for sunglasses and a backup phone charger). I wore the straw one in Barcelona when I didn’t have my DSLR in tow. Given how much use I got out of it, I bought the all-leather version in advance of our trip to London and have been using it every day since.
• Adidas ‘Samba’ sneakers – I bought these in the “wonder taupe” colorway. It’s a fantastic neutral color. I find that Adidas runs true to size.
• Gap ‘CashSoft’ crewneck sweater – While red isn’t my favorite color, I can appreciate the “unexpected red” theory for home and wardrobe. Plus, now I work at the University of Wisconsin with its red-and-white brand colors, so it’s basically workwear. The sweater runs true to size.
• Leather Hole Puncher (not pictured) – My beloved Paravel travel backpack always hung down too low on my back and I finally bought a leather hole puncher to fix that. This set has multiple hole sizes to choose from. It punched through cleanly and it looks more professional than just using an awl.

Find previous “Notable Purchases” here and click here to see what I’ve added to my wardrobe this year.

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Working at a university on the cusp of fall is kind of invigorating. There’s a buzz in the air with students moving back to campus, and the thrum of excitement as events and large-scale meetings ramp up for the semester. Plus, it definitely puts a girl in the mood for back-to-school shopping — even if lecture hall days are long forgotten!

Here are this month’s most noteworthy purchases:

• Sezane “Nicia” dress in black – Over the summer, I wore my black linen shift just about every week. It was just a matter of time before I found its cold-weather counterpart. This is such a beautiful dress and it’s really made me want every item in my wardrobe to be as pretty and well made as this. The wool is substantial and, while hard to see in the stock photos, there are darts near the bust to give it some shape.
• Sezane “Freja” sweater dress in charcoal – This dress is so cute and cozy with a pair of tights and flats — and since my office is on the casual side, I’ll be able to wear this sweater dress to work (which is how I’m justifying the cost). Joking aside, I’m really happy with the quality of this Sezane piece and I expect it to get a lot of love this fall. I’m considering the green one, too.
• Madewell “Greta” flats in studded ecru – I don’t buy a lot of trendy pieces. It’s not that I don’t enjoy them; it’s just that I feel like it was a waste of money when the trend fades away. When I do indulge, I try to make sure it’s a piece that’s versatile enough to wear with other items and has a core feature that I tend to gravitate toward regardless of trends. In the case of these Madewell shoes, the Mary Jane strap and studs caught my eye, but the flat sole kept me enamored enough to buy a pair. What can I say? I love my flats.
• J.Crew mid-rise cropped kickout jean in super-stretch – I can’t begin to express how happy I am that J.Crew brought these back. I had a pair in a nearly identical wash that I had to retire because they ripped in the thigh. This Madewell pair was close, but not as good as the O.G. I genuinely might need to buy another pair to keep on reserve.
• Better Homes & Gardens vintage-inspired fan (more styles here) – I have to give it to targeted ads because minutes after seeing these affordable fans, I went over to Walmart of all places to buy not one, but two! Most of the fan is metal, with exception of the knobs and it’s a shame they overlooked that detail, but they made up for it with a fabric-wrapped cord.
• Athleta seasoft mid-rise straight crop pants in black – I wanted a new pair of pants for neighborhood walks or long-haul plane rides that weren’t yoga pants. I like a legging as much as the next person, but sometimes you just don’t want something digging in, you know? These are surprisingly flattering and feel lightweight and soft. However, do be aware that these are more of a charcoal grey than a true black. They run a little on the large side, but not enough that I had to size down.
• Paravel “Main Line” duffle – Without exaggerating, this duffle bag was on my wish list for years. A recent sale was enough for me to take the plunge and add it to my ever-expanding Paravel collection. It’s so beautiful! And it’s a lot lighter than my leather duffle bag. Now we just need to book a weekend away!

Find previous “Notable Purchases” here and click here to see what I’ve added to my wardrobe this year.

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A few more recent purchases that are worth keeping on your radar:

• Boden ribbed striped long-sleeve t-shirts (also available with a v-neck) – I bought one of these Boden long-sleeve tees on sale back in November and loved it so much that I refreshed the page almost daily to see if other colors would come back in stock. They never did, so you can imagine my delight to see this style part of the new pre-fall arrivals! I immediately ordered it in navy and yellow, along the the v-neck version. I go up a size so it’s not too snug across my midsection. I’ll likely buy another navy one to replace an old J.Crew tee that I’m not too keen on.
• Undo Hairware claw clips – These are the prettiest claw clips that I’ve come across and they’re comfortable for all-day wear. (I hate when you can feel claw clips poke the back of your scalp!) They come in a variety of beautiful shades and are handmade in Italy. Yes, they’re pricey for what they are, but I’m over the moon with them. The 2″ clip is my favorite for securing a low bun. I’m planning to order the espresso one for autumn.
• Monica Vinader turquoise pendant necklace (also available here) – This necklace was the only thing that tempted me into making a purchase at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. It’s dainty, but the turquoise shade is so bright that it’s still eye-catching.
• H&M printed dress – This is such a great dress for late-summer and early-fall when you’re eager for fall colors, but the temperature doesn’t support wearing heavier materials. Plus, this is such a unique color combination that you don’t find often.
• metal slat platform bed (also available here) – As I shared in a recent post, we’re working on our guest room and bought a bed! This was tricky because I wanted a platform bed that felt sturdy, was a combination of traditional and modern, and didn’t cost an arm and a leg — and would arrive before my parents stayed with us recently. Enter this bed. We bought it over the Fourth of July weekend when it was on sale for $520, which is about what I’d recommend paying for this. I will say that the quality is better than expected, and it doesn’t creak or otherwise make noise when you’re lying on it. I’m really happy with this purchase and appreciate that it goes with a more classic aesthetic without feeling old-fashioned.
• Cocofloss – I realize that floss is such an odd thing to add to a roundup of notable purchases, but hear me out. I first heard of this brand from a dental hygienist and since I’m one of those odd people who actually likes to floss their teeth, I was intrigued. It’s thicker than your standard floss, but unlike most drugstore brands, it’s not overly waxed and slick. I wouldn’t say it’s gritty, but you can feel and see the fibers in the strands. This helps to remove plaque more efficiently. I’m on my fourth refill.

Find previous “Notable Purchases” here and click here to see what I’ve added to my wardrobe this year.

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Last month’s greatest hits included:

• Sweater Storage Bins – While my closet is large, it’s not very well laid out and the only shelving I’m using for sweaters is an old Ikea bookshelf. Revamping that space is not high on our priority list, so I’m always on the lookout for storage solutions to rotate my clothes seasonally to create room for the pieces I’m actually reaching for. I found these bins on Amazon and purchased two sets of two to store my sweaters. I love that they have a clear panel so you can see what’s inside. And, you can access your items from the top or via the side zip. If you don’t overstuff the bins, they stack nicely, too.
• J.Crew linen dress – This has been a summer staple for me at work. I love it so much that I’m considering buying another dress to have on backup when this one is in the laundry pile. It has a flattering A-line shape and can easily be dressed up or down. It stretches out a bit as the day goes on, which is to be expected with linen.
• Lizzie Fortunato aventurine and enamel earrings – Knowing that I have a, well, “robust” jewelry collection has led me to seek out unique pieces that are truly different than items I already own. I bought this pair for myself as a birthday gift at the end of May. The color combinations are beautiful and I like that they’re made of real aventurine stones rather than glass or plastic.
• Madewell maxi dress – I bought this dress in green last year and it quickly became one of my most-often worn pieces on those sweltering days. At the beginning of this summer season, I told Dave that I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another one if Madewell ever offered in blue. Lo and behold, they did. And it’s lovely. Go down a size since the only thing you’re measuring is the elasticized band across the top of your chest.
• Madewell linen sweater – One of my favorite summer sweaters is a linen-blend one from Garnet Hill that now looks a bit worn. (I still love it, though.) I tried this one from Madewell and it’s a lovely alternative. It’s a classic cut that hits me at the top of my hips. It’s a bit sheer, so you’ll need to wear a skin-tone bra or layer it over another shirt.
• OXO Good Grips fridge organization bins – I don’t know about you, but the top shelf of our refrigerator is for miscellaneous condiments and sauces that don’t fit in the door — and they tend to get shuffled around and items go missing in the very back corners. I bought a couple of these trays to put those items in so now I can pull the entire tray out when I’m looking for something. It’s a small upgrade but has given me a ridiculous amount of joy.

Find previous “Notable Purchases” here and click here to see what I’ve added to my wardrobe this year.

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Thanks for visiting! As a reminder, I may earn an affiliate commission if you buy an item through my links. This is at no cost to you. I appreciate your continued support!

Instead of recapping every new purchase each month, I’m going to take a different approach and whittle it down to a shorter roundup of the “greatest hits.” These are the standouts of the month that will eventually run the gamut from clothing to décor to beauty to household necessities — anything that I bought, loved, and thought you might want to know about, too!

Here are this month’s most notable items:

• J.Crew popover shirt and matching shorts – After buying this set in red earlier this year, I knew I needed to add the black version to my wardrobe before it sold out. Wearing the pieces together is such a breezy, pulled together look for summer, and black is a wonderful backdrop for statement jewelry. The top is long like a tunic, so it gives the illusion of being a dress without worry that the wind will kick up the hem and it’s easy to bike in. I went with a medium on top and a large on bottom. I’d say that the top is more generously sized than the bottom. I likely could have gone with a small on top without it making much difference.
• Jenni Kayne ‘Everyday’ sweater (also available at Shopbop) – I’ve had this sweater on my wish list for what feels like ages and finally decided to see what all of the fuss was about over Jenni Kayne sweaters. It’s really quite lovely in person! It’s cut well and the fabric has a heavier hand feel rather than feeling cheap. I’m really happy with it and maybe a little bummed (just a little) that cooler weather is on its way out! I tried both a medium and large. I preferred a more classic cut that the medium offered, but you could absolutely go up a size without it looking sloppy.
• Amazon mesh beach tote – I’m sure you’ve seen this tote or one like it making its rounds on social media — and for good reason, as it turns out. I picked this up for our recent trip to Barcelona and it was the perfect travel piece. I only brought a small crossbody bag for everyday wear and used this as a shopping bag and a carryall for the umbrella, beach towels, and whatever else we picked up throughout the day. The bag itself is lightweight and packs virtually flat so it doesn’t take up much space in your suitcase. I also really liked the mesh so sand could sift out before we left the beach.
• Gacimy gold-plated hoop earrings – If you’re in the market for a costume, lightweight, mid-size hoop earring, this is it. I don’t like to bring nice jewelry with me on vacation — with exception of the gold bracelet that doesn’t leave my wrist — so these versatile hoops were great and worked well with my summery items.
• Target marble tray – This marble tray is such a steal at $30. The ribbed texture on the outside makes it more interesting than typical tray. I’ve been using it on our coffee for Instax prints.

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Thanks for visiting! As a reminder, I may earn an affiliate commission if you buy an item through my links. This is at no cost to you. I appreciate your continued support!