V neck – free from work, H+M cardigan & scarf, Uniglo Jeans, Steve Madden Boots

This winter has been so cold! And my job requires me to be out and about most of the day, so heels are sort of out of the question. Thus I have literally been living in outfits that are some amalgamation of the above photo.

The formula goes a little something like this:

Layer 1 camisole or tank under a soft jersey Vneck tee (using contrasting colors if possible).

Add an oversized cardigan for warmth and layering (expect to take this off when working in an over-heated office).

Add a pair of skinny jeans, any color will do. I rotate between dark wash, stone wash, black, and grey.

Shove on flat knee-high boots.

Add scarf, hat, or statement necklace.

It’s really very boring. I have honestly become a very bad broken record of myself, wearing the same thing every day in some shade of black, grey, navy, and oatmeal.

What can I say? It’s cozy and it’s easy. My fashion budget has been frozen for a few weeks now, and I don’t have much of the time or energy to put thought into a creative outfit…hey, I have work to do! Also, every day I wake up craving heels, a skirt, and colorful tights… it’s just too cold, or the outfit of my dreams doesn’t match the reality of my duties for the day.

I’m working on it. I am certainly re-assessing my personal style, and hoping the warmer seasons will allow for more room, creativity, and variance in my outfits.

In the meantime I have simply chosen to spare you all from the monogamy of my wardrobe recently. Perhaps this means I also need to reassess my blogging style and the type of content I want to share with you all on here.

In the meantime, this is what you get. Just me and my reality.

When:
December 20, 2009

What
Vintage Shawl/Capelet: The Garment Room
T-Neck: French Connection
Necklaces: F21 & Vintage
Jeans: Uniglo
Boots: Calvin Klein
Belt: Simply Vera

Where:

Rockefeller Center and the movies with my man

Why:

Jake and I finally got out of the house and wandered through the wintry wonderland to Rockefeller Center.

The plan was to see the tree, ice skate, and maybe grab a hot cocoa or cupcake afterward. But that didn’t happen.

Midtown was flooded with tourists. And between the lines of foreigners pushing and shoving, the frigid temperature, and the increasing wait to pay $30+ to go ice skating… we decided to call it quits.

Instead we ran to the nearest movie theater and took in an early afternoon showing of Avatar…which I didn’t think I would like, but I did!

I wanted to dress up a bit, and put on some of the great winter vintage pieces I haven’t had a chance to wear yet.

I don’t know if this is a cape or a shawl, or whatever you would call it. But it’s mohair. It’s plaid. It’s comfortable. And it is beautiful!

I paired it with a simple turtleneck, a few chains, skinny jeans, and basic booties. A great outfit for a wintry adventure. Happy Sunday!

When:
December 19, 2009

What
Coat: Via Spiga
Sweatshirt: Red by Marc Ecko vis Marshalls
Pashmina: Terra Cotta, Savannah, GA
Hat: H&M
Bag: Sabina

Where:

Work, yes on a Saturday

Why:

We’re prepping for Summer at work. This means working even longer hours, and weekends if necessary.

I had a few things to do in the office, so Jake escorted me up to midtown, and we stopped in Bryant Park for a little window shopping and some hot cocoa.

This photo was taking by a frozen fountain just before the big snow storm. (You can see a few flakes starting to fall).

It was an uneventful day, and I dressed for comfort and warmth. I never really wear sweatshirts, but this cute, designer hoodie works just right for me! What do you wear to the office on the weekends?

When:
December 15, 2009

What
Coat: Market Publique
Wrap Blouse: Banana Republic
Jeans: Uniglo
Belt: Urban Outfitters
Boots: Ralph Lauren
Necklace: F21

Where:

Work

Why:

I LOVE this coat. I love anything vintage in general, but this piece is just too beautiful. And in such amazing condition!

It’s Japanese silk, with the most beautiful black and gold buttons, I just can resist smiling when I wear it. I am still on the hunt for the perfect belt to go with it (I was just playing around with this one today). But I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! (this is NOT a sponsored post)

This is a little dressier than your “everyday” winter coat. It’s certainly more of an evening “theatre” coat. I feel so glamourous when I wear it, I’m going to have to invent more reasons and events to wear it to!

I kept the rest of the outfit pretty simple and lightweight since it wasn’t too cold today. Can’t get away with short sleeves for much longer!

When:
December 10, 2009

What
Dress: Anthropologie
Cardigan: Zara
Vintage Belt: The Garment Room
Tights: Free People
Boots: Steve Madden
Coat: Via Spiga
Scarf: Vintage
Hat: H&M

Where:

Work

Why:

It’s getting so cold out, you have no choice by to bundle up.

The outfit itself is a bit of a re-mixed “repeat”. I’m just playing around with easy ways to wear this very simple Little Black Day Dress.

To make the photo more interesting, and to keep from freezing while I took the photos, I wore my full outer-wear look.

I spend a greater part of the work day out and about in the “field” (aka 7th avenue). So keeping warm is key. Looking professional is important. And as always in the industry, looking cute and fashionable is the only thing you really need to care about.

For outerwear in general, I lean towards classic pieces and colors. This way your jackets and accessories can be worn on a multitude of events, and accessorized for any occasion. This is just a simple, day to day, take on the concept.

When:
December 8, 2009

What
Sweater: Banana Republic
Cardigan: Zara
Vintage Necklace: Happy Hill Vintage
Jeans: Uniglo
Sunnies: Urban Outfitters
Boots: Ralph Lauren
Scarf: Souvenir from Venice

Where:

A Work Filled Day of Work

Why:

I’m here. I haven’t left you… I promise.

Life has been rather busy lately, I am taking on a lot of new work responcibilities, trying to stick to a regular exercise schedule, trying to cook / eat healthy, trying to make time for my relationship, friends, and family, and trying to sleep.

Somewhere in that mess, blogging took the backseat for a week.

I took last week as an opportunity to repeat outfits, be lazy, and ignore “normal” rules of fashion. Plus, even when I do take photos in the morning, the blogging aspect doesn’t get done when I crawl home from the office around midnight.

Right now I’m focusing on my career. I’m working on my professional self. And as much as I love this blog, the people I have met through blogging, and the personal growth I have experienced… it sometimes doesn’t make it on to my list of priorities. You understand, I know. I just feel like I need to explain my sporadic posting.

Anyways… today was a battle for comfort, warmth, neutrality, and professionalism.With a pop of fun color, of course.

I spent the day running around, kicking butt, taking names, and getting things done.  A very productive day indeed.

I even randomly ran into my best friend in the entire world, along with an old professor of mine and a group of students in NYC on a fabric sourcing trip, preparing for their senior collections. I obviously knew my BFF was in town, but our schedules haven’t coincided all week, so we haven’t seen each other.

A pleasant surprise indeed to receive a hug from behind on the streets of New York and turn around to realize it’s your best friend!

I feel really good about today, and today’s outfit. It goes down in the books as a success!

When:
November 29, 2009

What
Tee: JCrew
Wrap Sweater: Victoria’s Secret, previously worn here
Jeans: Uniglo
Boots: Steve Madden
Sunnies: Urban Outfitters
Coat: Via Spiga
Bag: Sabina

Where:

Harvard Square in Cambridge, MA

Why:

Another double date into Cambridge to window shop, peruse Hoilday fairs, ship some of the most amazing hot cocoa, and pretend we attend Harvard University.

The weather this weekend was absolutely amazing, so we took advantage and played outside! We headed to Harvard Square to walk around and see the sites (Jake has never been).

Inside one of the Harvard science labs, I spotted this giant magnifying glass, and couldn’t resist taking an outfit photo.

After our jaunt around the square we headed over to Newbury Street for more window shopping, and once again ended the day with a drink. This time we ventured to the Top of the Hub for a beautiful view of the sunset.

It was the perfect end to our extra long weekend vacation in Boston.

When:
November 28, 2009

What
Tunic: Zara
Tank: Hanes
Jeans: Uniglo
Necklace: Vintage
Belt: Target
Boots: Steve Madden
Coat: Via Spiga

Where:

Wayside Inn and Grist Mill

Why:

My parent’s, Jake, and I went on a double date out into the Massachusetts countryside to visit the Wayside Inn. Wayside is a historic Inn that boast many famous visitors.

We roamed the grounds around the old grist mill, saw corn meal being ground, visited the adorable little white chapel, the little red school house, and ended the trip with a delightful Irish coffee back inside the Inn.

We just had so much fun running and jumping around in the woods (can you tell?). Jake took too many pictures to share.

We even got to visit with a horse before it was hooked up to it’s carriage and prepared for an afternoon wedding at the chapel!

After our little Happy Hour we made our way down the street to the old country store, complete with penny candy store. We loaded up on chocolates and sweets, played with the old arcade games, and even picked up a Christmas tree on our way home.

It was a full day. It’s such a treat to get out of the city and be able to run around in the fresh air.

When:
November 27, 2009

What
Cardigan: Old Navy
Tee: Old Navy
Jeans: Uniglo
Bowling Shoes: borrowed from the bowling alley

Where:

Lounging around the house, then billiards and bowling with the family

Why:

After sleeping off the turkey, and lounging around the house a bit, my whole family rounded up and headed downtown for a few games of billards and bowling.

I have to say it got a bit competitive, but I am proud of how many strikes I bowled. I didn’t pack for an extremely fashionable weekend, so I wore a tee and jeans, along with one of my favorite over-sized cardigans.

Once upon a time I had acquired my own pair neon glow-in-the-dark bowling shoes, which have since disappeared. I’m sure at one point in my post-college move from Georgia to New York I took one look at the shoes and decided I would never need them again… today I wished I had them, if nothing but for sentimental value.

Do you have your own bowling shoes? Are you afraid of borrowing bowling shoes, or other rented sporting equipment/clothing (i.e. ski boots, wet suits, etc.)?

When:
November 26, 2009

What
Dress: The Nantucket Dress, Shabby Apple
Shoes: Marc Jacobs via Buffalo Exchange
Necklace: F21

Where:

Thanksgiving at my parent’s house in Boston!

Why:

I have been dying to wear this dress for MONTHS, and I am so excited I finally had a good reason/event to wear it to.

I love this dress, for it’s LBD qualities, AND for the vintage feel of the silhouette. I paired it with my favorite thrift find ever, a pair of barely worn velvet yellow Marc Jacobs pumps!

We had a lovely dinner at my parent’s house with my boyfriend and extended family. The food was amazing, and I think we all had an amazing time. Everything from my mom’s bourbon slushies, to our annual family game of pig, it was all perfect. This whole weekend has been a great time to relax, take a break from the craziness of life, and really think about all the things in my life I have been blessed with this year.

Everything from this blog, to all of my friends and family and their constant support, to my wonderful boyfriend and his loving family, to my new job, beautiful apartment, and the countless blessings and challenges I receive everyday. I am very blessed and very thankful. Thinking about it all makes me very excited for new year!