Taking a Sick Day

I'll start by saying, I don't get sick a lot (knock on all the wood). But one day this week I woke up and just felt...off. I didn't want to get out of bed and when I finally did, I realized I felt nauseous and dizzy. It ended up being a strange 24-hour bug of some sort, and luckily I was able take (most) of the day off to recover.

When I'm sick, I like to pull on some of my comfiest, coziest clothes -- the perfect pieces to wear for naps and marathons of The Real Housewives of Beverly HIlls (so trashy, but kind of good). Here's what I'd wear to make myself feel a little better when I'm home sick:

Top Row: A favorite sweater and a pair of leggings is a perfect sick day outfit. Everything is stretchy enough for lounging, and you are still ready if you need to venture out to walk the dog or pick up some ginger ale. I love this graphic J. Crew intarsia sweater, particularly because I need all black/white everything right now. This cashmere sweater is sweet and cheery -- it never hurts to keep a positive attitude, even if you're feeling crummy. And I really adore this fun stars and stripes crewneck, though the price makes me a different kind of ill.

Middle Row: I don't have too many pajama sets, but I would definitely wear this tank and shorts set. These slippers are perfect for any lazy day. And these classic piped PJs are great to throw on if your BF or BFF is coming over to take care of you. You want to look sweet and helpless but feel just a little pulled together.

Bottom Row: When I'm sick, I tend to swing violently between boiling hot and freezing cold -- a robe is the perfect thing to snuggle into or toss off accordingly. This pink fuzzy sweater will make you feel a bit like a Muppet, in a good way. This delicate robe adds a little glamour, even when you're feeling decidedly unglamorous. And I love this oatmeal belted cardi -- also great to keep at your desk during drafty winter months.

Wednesday Wishlist: A Litte More Sparkle

I don't know what happened to earrings. Once upon a time, they were generally found in -- or perhaps dangling from -- the earlobe. Today when I look at earrings, I see all kinds of weird shapes and sizes that are meant to adorn the non-lobe parts of your ear. Where do these strange things go? The curved part...the straight part...maybe inside the ear? Honestly, I have no idea.

This week, I'm looking at some good old-fashioned danglers that add a little more sparkle to your look.

1. Kenneth Jay Lane Dark Blue Tassel Drop Earrings ($69) -- this cobalt blue is bright but works almost like a neutral. I'd love these with a great little black dress, but they'd also be amazing with shades of green, pink, and gray (and orange, if you're a Mets fan).

2. Oscar de la Renta Starburst Drop Earrings ($250) -- I'm a sucker for a good retro star shape -- these are an investment but you'll wear them forever. I'm pretty sure my grandmother had a light fixture that looked just these.

3. BaubleBar Iridescent Nebula Drops ($32) -- who doesn't love a good sparkly door-knocker earring, right? They're almost too much, so I'd try to dress them down -- jeans and a simple tank would be perfect.

4. Lulu Frost for J. Crew Stone Crystal Disc Earrings ($125) -- my favorite of the bunch. I hope they go on super sale so I can buy a pair for myself and then maybe stash away a few for Christmas presents (because these would seriously look great on everyone!).

5. Forever 21 Filigree Tassel Earrings ($6) -- perfectly on trend, and you really can't beat the price.

6. Forever 21 Rhinestone Spike Earrings ($6) -- I love these because I feel like my mom would have worn the same style in the 80s. She wore hers with shiny fabric and big shoulders, I'll wear mine with a great blazer and boyfriend jeans.

7. BaubleBar Chanterelle Tassel Drop Earrings ($32) -- the mini tassel gives just a hint of flirtiness. They're not too much for the office and just enough for after work dinner and drinks.

Wednesday Wishlist: Blush and Bashful

I'm not sure exactly what color bashful is, but I am definitely loving all of the blush shades I'm seeing everywhere.

1. How great are these heels? I love the metallic accents and cutouts -- a great variation on a classic nude pump.

2. Pale pink is kind of an unexpected color for a leather jacket, but a nice breath of fresh air for spring. It will go with more than you might think -- definitely neutrals like black, white, gray, and camel, but also bolder colors like grass green, tomato red, and navy blue.

3. For when you just want to look at life through rose-colored glasses. Sometimes I have a hard time wearing aviators (big head, don't care), so I like these larger frames.

4. This blouse is just so pretty -- the subtle color and the intricate lace around the neckline are really flattering, and perfect for showing off a great pair of earrings (love, love, love these).

5. I've had this tassel necklace on my radar for a while, not sure why I haven't pulled the trigger. It is fairly substantial, so it is a nice way to make a statement without going the traditional bib necklace route.

6. Who would guess these classic and sophisticated quilted ballet flats are from Payless? This is a great neutral shoe when you're sick of your basic black flats.

7. I love the shape of this jacket, particularly the fact that it has short sleeves (professional dressing in Florida can be tricky, and occasionally you need to emerge from the air conditioned cocoon). This is from The Limited's Scandal collection -- wear it when you need a bit of Olivia Pope badass-ery.

8. I've seen a number of blush colored handbags and honestly, I didn't love any of them. Inexpensive bags tended to look too chalky, and the pricier ones seemed impractical. I do love this great weekend bag -- it is super chic and has great reviews. It is almost time to start planning those long weekends at the beach...

9. I like a touch of pink in my tech accessories. I've never spent more than twenty bucks on headphones, but if I felt like splurging I would definitely go with these (and you know about the major ShopBop sale happening now, so this would be a good time to pull the trigger). And I love the combo of blush and neon pinks in this iPhone case -- I'm ordering this one for myself.

10. I placed an order for these Sam and Libby slides in this color (Fawn) and also metallic gold (Target has a nice buy 1, get 1 half off sale right now). The heel height is perfect -- completely walkable with a little lift. It is surprisingly hard to find this happy medium between flats and 4" wedges -- why is that?

Weekend To-Do List

1. Late last week I realized a very rare event was upon me: a completely unscheduled Friday night. Usually on Fridays I make plans with friends to celebrate the end of the week or I spend time volunteering at the best organization in the world, but this week I had nada on the calendar. As a bonus, I also had a clear Saturday morning (I almost always have an early yoga class or long run planned). So it dawned on me: I could stay in and veg! And stay up super late if I wanted! No one is the boss of me!

As luck would have it, Friday was also the release day for season three of House of Cards. Can you guess where this is going? Me + Netflix + the best ice cream (the salted caramel is just everything) + my couch = bliss. I burned through 3 episodes (which is a lot for me, I'm really terrible at binge watching) and enjoyed a super chill evening.

I know this is such a cliche thing to say, but making time for relaxing and unwinding is SO important. I love being busy - there is so much I want to do with my life and I hate wasting even a minute -- but the constant go, go, go can take a toll on you. When I say this unscheduled Friday night/Saturday morning is rare, I'm talking it has been at least a year or so. And it was nice, nicer than when I try to squeeze in relaxation around all of the busy-ness (OK, I have a window today from 3-3:50 where I don't have to be anywhere. Ready, set, RELAX! Do I feel relaxed yet? Am I relaxing enough? How much relaxation time do I have left?).

2. I got to enjoy a few rainy hours in the Magic Kingdom -- I never get tired of the magic (even if I am quite grown up).

3. I went on a long run and tried to work through some big life questions. I do some of my best thinking when I run. Lots up in the air right now -- I have to make some big decisions soon and while I think any of the options would make me happy in the short term, it is less clear what is best for my long term goals. Anyone have a crystal ball I can borrow?

4. I used this great mask while doing a bit of spring cleaning. This post made me laugh and also gave me a nice kick in the rear to get my makeup bag in order. I was able to purge my collection of some clutter and give everything a good cleaning.

And a mini-review of the mask: I'm using a sample I got from Sephora (the Beauty Insiders reward program is the best ever -- I may make VIB Rouge this year, which is exciting and somewhat horrifying!). I was curious to test out this product that's earned a fairly cult-like following -- it is just fine and made my skin quite soft. I don't see myself buying a full size version, but I'd be happy to see another sample come along.

5. I added a few products to my "must-try" list. This Clarins balm is some kind of miracle product if the testimonies here are to be believed. The Coveteur did a round up of beauty editors' favorite drugstore buys and it is a treasure trove of goodness. This L'Oreal mascara got several mentions -- I've used the classic Voluminous for years, I can't wait to see what all of the fuss is about here. It seems like everyone and their mother loves this Maybelline concealer. I'm always on the hunt for a wearable red lipstick, and this one looked so fresh and unfussy on one of my favorite bloggers.

So I have a few things on my list for future drugstore/Sephora visits. And hey, I suddenly seem to have some extra room in my makeup bag...

Falling in love with Zara again...

I discovered Zara when I moved to New York more than 10 years ago. At the time, it was one of a handful of European chains that had an outpost or two in the city (like Mango, Uniqlo -- anyone remember Mexx?). Back then only some retailers were doing the online thing, so shopping at Zara seemed kind of exotic.

It was a gorgeous Chanel-ish tweed coat that first caught my eye. I was looking for something fabulous to wear to a wedding and I loved the idea of topping off my look with this amazing coat. For some reason, I didn't buy it. It is one of those shopping mistakes that haunts me. I can't find an image online, but it was something like this (there were subtle hints of gold woven throughout -- basically the prettiest little coat ever):

At some point Zara fell off of my list of regular shopping haunts. Suddenly the European stores were popping up everywhere (seriously, there's a Mango outpost in my airport), so Zara didn't feel like my secret little source.

And of course now online shopping is easy, but I never spend more than a few minutes browsing Zara's site. Truth: I really don't like their online store. It's a little unwieldy (so much stuff...scrolling for days). But more than that, I kind of hate the way they style their clothes. The proportions are always weird, the poses are so exaggerated, the models look so miserable. It has a high fashion vibe, but it just makes their clothes feel a bit unrelatable.

On a whim, I popped into my local store last week and was kind of blown away. The experience in the store is SO different. The minimal vibe is in full effect, but you have the chance to see each piece in isolation. I found myself noticing things that I probably zipped right past online, and I could immediately see how I'd work them in with the rest of my wardrobe.

Here are some of the things that made me fall in love with Zara all over again:

As I was browsing the store, the first thing that caught my eye was this great buttery soft yellow bag (dead center, above). This is a GREAT bag -- roomy, slouchy, easy to carry. I did a double take at the price, just $40 - I've seen some pretty cheesy looking bags at Target for the same price. This one isn't real leather, but you'd never guess it. It also comes in basic black and a nice pale tan color.

Other great options include this simple clutch, a great basic if you don't have a good evening bag (very similar to this DvF bag at teeny fraction of the price). I am really considering this cobalt blue satchel -- I love the shape and feel like it would be really versatile. This colorblock shopper has a convertible shape...and since it works with both black and brown, it is kind of like getting two bags for the price of one. (It is! I'm not just trying to justify an unnecessary purchase!)

I really love this ombre tote -- so pretty, right? And I don't have a particular need for a white bag, but I like this bucket style. A year or two from now people will be stashing their overpriced Mansur Gavriel bucket bags for looking too dated, but this one will still be going strong. And sometimes it is fun to treat yourself to something silly, like this pouch. It could work on its own as a clutch, or as a place to stash your makeup or other mini essentials in your giant black hole of a tote bag.

Why you should fall in love: on trend bags you won't be sick of after one season; so cheap you can buy two!

As I was walking through the store, I found myself spending a lot of time looking at the details. I would see a blouse or a dress and immediately want to get closer to examine some delicate beading, a bit of lacework, an unusual hemline. Zara does simple pieces that are still interesting because of lovely details.

This blouse with a lace yolk and sleeves is so, so pretty -- I can't decided between the black, which is a little dramatic, and the sweeter pale pink. I love the unabashed girly-ness of this ruffled blouse, and the neckline seems super flattering. This tunic is the best version of a windowpane pattern I've seen so far (but honestly, I didn't really like any of the photos online -- you really should see it in person!). It is apparently my life's work to collect all of the striped tees, and I'm digging this one with beading on the shoulders. You definitely don't own anything like this sleeveless pleated blouse -- the shape and color are amazing. I would stand around all day looking vaguely pissed to make sure everyone saw the buttons on the sleeves of this pretty sweater.

Why you should fall in love: simple pieces with great details that you'll reach for over and over again

I fell in love with a great pair of Zara heels last month and I was thrilled to see lots of fun footwear options in store. The strap on these pretty, office-appropriate shoes is interesting and also really flattering. You'd never guess these ombre glittery flats are only $20. These retro platform heels are perfect with the wide leg jeans I am obsessed with. These are the best option I've seen if you're trying to find a dupe for those great Loeffler Randall sneakers -- the price is right, though I'm missing the bold colorblock look. There are still a few weeks of boot-wearing weather -- these are a lot sexier than your crusty old Uggs. These remind me of the shower shoes I wore in college (but so fancy) - buy them to celebrate the fact that you aren't using a communal bathroom anymore.

Why you should fall in love: you want a lower-priced version of the hottest of-the-moment shoes that won't fall apart after a few wearings.

February Budget (Oops)

This whole sticking to a budget thing gets easier, right?

So I'm in month two of putting my budget into action (you can read about month one here, when I stuck to my goal of not shopping at all) and again, I learned a lot. I'm a glass half full girl, so in some ways it was a total success: I made some of the best purchases I've made in a long time. I love these pieces, I can't wait to wear them, and I think they fit in really well with the rest of my wardrobe.

But on the other hand, I totally blew my budget. No bueno. I've thought about returning some things or pulling from my March budget, but I've decided to just chalk this up to a learning experience. Next month will be better.

Now for the fun part! Here's what I bought this month:

Starting Budget: 

$240 ($200 monthly budget + $40 for clothes sold on eBay)

Purchases:

F21 Peasant Top -- $25
Old Navy Plaid Shirt -- $17
F21 Mandarin Collar Popover Dolman -- $20

H&M Pattern-Knit Cardigans (black and white) -- $25 each

J. Crew Factory Striped Tee -- $26
Old Navy Short-sleeved Jumpsuit -- $35
H&M Wrap-Style Dress -- $23.00 (after gift card)
Loft Outlet Tweed Pants -- $42 (not online; similar pictured)
F21 Loop Knit Jacket -- $28
Olivia + Joy Hobo -- $30 (love you, Marshalls!)
F21 Colorblock Tote -- $30
F21 Faux Gem Cutout Bib Necklace -- $8.90
H&M Bangle -- $15

Not pictured:
F21 Leather Contrast Trim Blouse -- $25
Target Linen T-shirt -- gift (mom picked up the tab)
F21 Wide Leg Denim Pants -- $16 (not online, sadly)
Ann Taylor Lurex Stripe Tee -- $3 (thrifted)
Isaac Mizrahi x Target Beaded Shift Dress -- $5 (thrifted)


Total: $399
Amount over budget: $159

A few thoughts...

I love black and white. LOVE. Can't get enough! (But, I kind of have enough.)

It's kind of amazing how quickly the little purchases add up. I didn't splurge on any one item or buy anything even a little pricey...but a few tops here, a pair of pants there, and suddenly you've spent 400 bucks.

You should all buy this amazingly cozy Forever 21 cardigan, my favorite purchase this month! It is so chic and cozy (very Chanel), I can't wait to pull it on with jeans, my favorite work pants, dresses, everything. The cashier left to go buy one for herself after ringing me up and my best friend tried to steal it an hour later when I met her for lunch. That's a good sweater.

I bought a number of things that I thought might end up being returned (but weren't), so I wasn't really keeping track of the total number throughout the month. I'm making a note to keep a running list on my phone so I know how much I'm spending.

I saw these H&M sweaters in store last month and have been thinking about them since (also, the white one is identical to the ON toddler sweater I was lusting after; got my own so suck on that, 2-year-olds!). I almost never buy the same item in multiple colors, but each has a unique subtle textured pattern so they don't really feel like duplicates.

I wasn't able to break my habit of overbuying certain favorite categories -- I already have plenty of blouses, so I didn't really need the three that I bought this month (even though I love them!). I couldn't resist another pair of super dark, wide-leg jeans even though I have several pair. It's a bit of a hoarding tendency, so I need to curb it unless I want to be buried alive under a tower of trouser jeans.

As mentioned previously, I'm not a handbag girl -- I could go a year without buying one and not care. It is a bit of a fluke that I ended up with two this month. My black and white obsession contributed to one purchase, and the pink hobo was just such fun find at Marshalls. They both make me super happy.

Returned/Considered and Rejected:

Since I was shopping up a storm all month, it's not surprising I found ended up returning or rejecting a few things:

Boden Eyelet Dress -- $63.20
Target Espadrille -- $25
Old Navy Skater Dress -- $23
Anthropologie Woodland Walk Blouse -- $30
Ikat Maxi Dress -- $23
Anthropologie Shimmered Monarch Skirt -- $60


The Old Navy dress just seemed too costume-y on me. It was also kind of limp and wilted -- I just felt like it would hang in my closet untouched and end up on eBay in a few months.

Loved these Target slip-ons, but they did not love my feet.

I was SO disappointed by the Boden dress -- the color was not as vibrant in person and the proportions were weird. It just looked so WIDE on the hanger, and the skirt and bodice were the same length (in the photo, the skirt is clearly longer). But in a way, I was glad it was such a miss so I didn't hesitate to send it back.

This Anthro top is interesting. I loved it when it was first introduced but knew I didn't want to pay full price. I watched it go through several rounds of price cuts, but by the time it was down to a price I would pay, the luster had worn off. It has just been hanging on the sale rack for too long, you know?

I love the idea of this breezy F21 dress but the top was so unstructured. It is a wardrobe malfunction waiting to happen.

Sadly, I waited too long on the Shimmered Monarch skirt and it sold out. Maybe one will find its way to eBay soon.


I'm hoping for a lighter shopping month in March (though I do have another Forever 21 order on the way...). I'm eager to see what else pops up in stores for spring, but there's not a lot that I need right now. And maybe this would be a time to focus on quality instead of quantity -- maybe one of those budget busters wants to come home with me...

I'm linking up with Franish and the Budgeting Bloggers -- be sure to check them out for inspiration/temptation!

Wednesday Wishlist: Black and White and Chic All Over

I am having a serious obsession with black and white lately (just wait until you see this month's purchases).

And I can't stop thinking about this great little Zara blouse I spotted at a local consignment store -- a flowy tunic with thin stripes and a little gold detail.  I didn't buy it, but now I find myself drawn to black and white pieces that have that same chic vibe:

1. Stiped drapey tee ($14) -- I don't know this company so I'm not sure that about ordering this one, but I like the idea of this draped tunic-y version of a striped tee. It would be fine with skinny jeans but interesting with the wide leg pants that are everywhere -- a bright tomato red would be amazing.

2. Mango Wool Blend Coat ($130) -- this coat is so stunning, I want it even though there is no earthly chance that I could keep it clean. It would be a nice balance to all of the florals and bright colors we'll be wearing this spring.

3. Charles David 'Ama' Sandal ($79) -- It's sandal season pretty much year-round in Florida, but you might need to tuck these away for a few more months. Still, these are so simple and versatile they'll work with just about everything in your warm-weather wardrobe and they'll let you show off your cute pedicure.

4. Atterly Road Window Pane Dress ($35) -- the window pane pattern is so hot right now, but the silhouette and black and white palette make this a really classic and versatile dress. And it has pockets! At this price, this would be a great piece to snap up so you're ready for all of your spring events -- get out your Easter bonnet!

5. Fiorelli Black and White Enamel Bracelet ($61) -- sleek and perfect.

6. H&M V-neck Blouse ($14.95, on sale) -- this is very similar to the Zara blouse that's been on my mind. A great all-season blouse that you'll wear a million ways. I'm thinking about it with white jeans and lots of chunky gold jewelry.

7. Loeffler Randall Rio Sneaker ($295) -- everyone wants these sneakers, so they'll probably sell out before they go on sale and that's a damn shame.

8. Kate Spade Cayli Crossbody ($198) -- I have a couple of crossbody bags that have become absolutely indispensable in my wardrobe -- this is a great go-with-everything option that is more fun than basic black or brown.

9. Urban Outfitters Brushed Plaid Blanket Scarf ($20, on sale) -- I'd like a good neutral version of a blanket scarf. I'm bummed that I missed out on this great Dorothy Perkins scarf, but maybe this could ease my pain.

10. Clare Vivier Flat Clutch ($235) -- I've seen these pouches everywhere, but this camel version with black and white stripes is the first one to really make me swoon. A lovely piece you might actually use forever.