tory burch plaid coat

Checkmate

March 19, 2018 by jessica 3 Comments

I didn’t intend to go on a week-long hiatus from the blog, but the last few days seemed to get away from me! I was incredibly sleepy in the morning thanks to the time change and still too tired after work to put any thought into worthwhile posts. That paired with my unhealthy obsession with watching the NCAA tournament led to an awfully unproductive week!

That said, let’s talk about this outfit, shall we? I feel like I’m finally settling into my personal style groove and this outfit is such a testament to that. I consistently fall back into to a modern classic aesthetic and I’m working to streamline my closet to fit with that vision and to bring some of my old favorites to the forefront again. I’ve had the dress for eight or nine years now, the coat is a favorite from a few years back, and while the bag and loafers are new, they’re such versatile pieces. I’m also rediscovering my first sartorial passion: vintage jewelry. I’m a costume jewelry die hard in all of its forms, but nothing is better than finding a special vintage piece. It feels really good to have a streamlined vision for my closet again and while I’ll dapple in the occasional trend, I’d much rather keep my focus (and spending) on the pieces that will get the most mileage year after year. Granted, this will lead to a lot of repeat performances of individual pieces on the blog, so I hope remixing items is just as inspirational as coveting new arrivals!

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Tee for Two

January 16, 2017 by jessica 9 Comments

If it’s not already obvious, I am not a jeans and a tee kind of girl. In fact, it’s so rare for me to don a pair of jeans and a tee that one of my friends finds it so shocking when I do that he insists I “look like a real person!” :: eye roll :: It’s not that I necessarily hate jeans and tee shirts, I just feel more like myself in a dress. Plus, no matter what anyone says, a dress is way more comfortable than jeans. (There are no waistbands on a-line shift dresses!)

However, I will admit that there are few things as effortless as a tee shirt for weekend errands — and I just may be coming around to them thanks to Banana Republic’s new Signature Tee Collection. Banana Republic launched the collection earlier this month and it’s filled with tee shirts that are both ultra-flattering and ultra-soft in a range of beautiful colors. I’m wearing the long-sleeve modal tee in Shiraz and I wish there was a way for you to pop through the screen and feel how soft the fabric is for yourself. It’s breathable, a little slinky, and the drape is perfection. Not only does it look great with jeans for a relaxed weekend, you can tuck it into a skirt for work thanks to the pretty scoop neckline. Although, you may want to size down if you’re going to dress it up. Mine is a medium and while I’m usually between a small and medium, this is definitely on the large side. But that’s actually part of why I’m so smitten with it it. It’s unbelievably comfortable, so much so that I’ve also been wearing it around the house with pajama shorts. I basically don’t want to take it off. You can snag the tee for $39.50 for one or $20 each if you buy two or more.

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Linking Up: Still Being Molly, Pink Sole, More Pieces of Me, Fizz and Frosting, Style Nudge, Claire Justine

Plus, a huge thanks to Banana Republic for sponsoring this post!

Through the Fog

December 14, 2015 by jessica 11 Comments

To say it’s been unseasonably warm in southern Wisconsin would be a bit of an understatement. It feels like spring with 60-degree temperatures, almost-constant rain, and foggy evenings. I know I’ll regret wishing for snow the moment flakes start to fall, but I really want a white Christmas this year … just a half inch that melts on Dec. 26. On the bright side, it has given me the chance to bring lightweight jackets out for another spin and wear shoes without worrying about snow and salt damage!

This grey wool shift has been a perennial favorite ever since I purchased it back in 2009 or 2010. I can’t think of another piece in my closet that has had such longevity. It’s a classic shape, has pretty brass buttons on the back, a flirty little ruffled hem, and makes for the perfect backdrop to new jewelry, like these gorgeous pieces from Ben-Amun. They’re from designer Isaac Manevitz’s “Roman Coin” collection. The collection is marked by pewter coins set in brass, reminiscent of treasured archaeological finds. You’ll learn more about the designer in this week’s “Behind the Baubles.”

Gridlock

November 16, 2015 by jessica 21 Comments

It was 60 degrees in Madison yesterday, which is unheard of for the middle of November. It was likely the last time I could go sans tights this year and I fully embraced it with a windowpane-print mini. (I wasn’t kidding when I admitted to being obsessed with windowpane this year. You can find another outfit with the print here and here.)

We’re heading to Chicago later this week for the opening weekend of the Christkindlmarket. It’s becoming our annual tradition to overspend on Christmas ornaments and mulled wine in the Windy City before the holiday season is fully underway. Honestly, I take trips to Chicago for granted. It only takes about three hours to get there from Madison, so I don’t always consider it a special getaway. That’s changing this time with a full itinerary, which includes the Lincoln Park Zoo to see the baby red pandas (squee!), the Willis Tower Skydeck (I haven’t been to the building since it was named the Sears Tower and there weren’t glass-bottom observation decks), the Museum of Contemporary Art, The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, and plenty of beer-related stops at bars and breweries. Dave also came across a jewelry exhibit at The Driehaus Museum that I’m obviously very excited to visit. I’ll be Snapchatting my way through the city at bedknobsbaubles.

In other news, there’s only one week left to enter to win a sterling silver necklace from the Maps by A.Jaffe collection. A meaningful location personalizes the piece and a tiny diamond marks the sentimental spot.