What I Wore Wednesday 5/15/13

Here are some looks for the transition to spring.

This was for our first trip to the wineries for the season. It rained the day before, so I sported my wellies for the muddy parking  lots.

Sweater: Tommy Hillfiger

Jacket: Jcrew Factory

Jeans: Hollister, thrifted

Wellies: Sperry's, Marshalls

Necklace: Jcrew

Belt: Target

Ah, one of my favorite skirts came out of hibernation!

Top: Jcrew, thrifted

Skirt: Jcrew Factory

Jacket: Loft (very very very old)

Shoes: Bandolino

Necklace: Jcrew

Belt: Jcrew

 Heading to a birthday party.

Top: Jcrew, thrifted

Jeans: Jcrew, thrifted

Jacket: Banana Republic

Shoes: Bandolino

Clutch: Kaori Color, Etsy

Scarf: Tommy Hillfiger

I love getting to wear fun patterns and lighter fabrics (and colors too). I am so anxious to get out the open-toed shoes too. I've started wearing more nude flats to transition, but the toes are getting antsy :)

I'm linking up!

What I Wore Wednesday 4/24/13

I'm a little late to the party this week, but I actually do have a couple of outfits to share!

I hunted for a nice navy dress for quite a while. This one s a nice wool blend and has  a lovely cowl neck that makes it slightly unique and different from a traditional sheath dress.

Dress: Banana Republic Factory Store

Cardigan: Talbots

Belt: Brooks Brothers Outlet ($13 sale!!)

Shoes: Bandolino, Nordstrom Rack

Necklace: Jcrew Factory

This was pretty much my Easter outfit with long pants.

Top: Banana Republic

Jacket: Talbots, thrifted

Pants: Old Navy

Shoes: Clavin Klein

Necklace: Kate Spade

This was the outfit I wore to the rehersal dinner for the wedding I was in a few weeks ago. The wedding colors were lavender, purple and silver, so when I found this dress in June at the thrift store, I knew it would be a go. The tough part was resisting the temptation to buy something else!

Dress: Banana Republic, thrifted

Cardigan: The Limited, thrifted

Belt: Michael Kors

Shoes: Aerosoles

Necklace: TJ Maxx

Here I am all set for the wedding (this was just before we walked down the aisle). It was such a comfortable dress and flattered everyone. And those flowers were stunning!!

I actually have no clue what brand the dress is. 

I do know the bracelet is Swarovski though.

Dinner with friends.  A simple, yet quite Jcrew-y outfit that I didn't know if I could pull off, but I was happy with the color combo.

Top, jacket and necklace: Jcrew Factory

Jeans: Marshalls

Shoes: Ivanka Trump, Marshalls

Belt: Target

Linking up with lots of blog friends over at the pleated poppy

Face Forward - April 2013

A beauty regiment is important to me. I get one skin for the rest of my life, so I try to take care of it best I can.

 I find makeup and skincare fun and one thing I've learned recently is that I don't need to spend a crazy fortune to keep my skin in decent shape. I wrote about why I rely on Paula's Choice Beautypedia reviews here. Now Beautypedia is free (I think you register, but you don't pay for a subscription anymore). Prior to buying any skincare products or makeup, I check the product review. If I even consider buying the new IT product, I check Beatypedia first. Often I am in the store double checking the review or pulling up my list of fave products 

This is my collection of skin care products. Everything is a 'best product' as reviewed on Beautypedia.

 Only two of the items cost over 20 bucks (coupons, sales, etc). For drugstore items, I now only go to Harmon or drugstore.com. I've found their regular prices are cheaper than any sales I've come across in CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, etc. Plus, at Harmon you can use Bed Bath and Beyond coupons, so the prices can be even lower at times. The only time I'll buy from CVS now is if I have a 30% discount (which usually brings the price to Harmon's) or if I have lots of Extra Care Bucks.

These are my cleansers. It took me a very long time to find ones I am happy with year-round. 

I use CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser in the winter when my skin tends to be more dry or in the mornings only in the summer. When my skin is a little more oily (some evenings and summer) I use CeraVe Foaming Cleanser. These are large pump bottles and last quite some time. They are fragrance-free (a big plus in my book) and work beautifully. I also use philosophy's microdelivery exfoliating wash once or twice a week. This is one of the pricier products and is not used as often as others, so it lasts me about a year.

 For daytime moisture, I always always always use something with sunscreen. Usually the products I use are by Paula's Choice. When my skin is slightly oily I use the Moisture Boost Daily Replenishing Complex, for the dry winter I use the Skin Recovery Lotion. The site has sales often for a percentage off and free shipping and I order these products twice a year. Recently I've been using Olay Regenerist DNA Superstructure Cream with SPF30. This is a thick formula so it might not be for everyone, but my skin has been in need of extra moisture lately and this seems to do the trick.

 Evening creams are:

Skin Recovery for dry nights

Moisture Boost for the summer

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti Wrinkle Cream (with Retinol) - I use this every other night under one of the Paula's Choice products. I don't use it daily because the retinol is a tad bit tingly on my skin.

Clinique Super Rescue Antioxidant Night Moisturizer - for when I am very dry. I bought this in December when my face was flaking off (I don't know what the heck happened, but I think it was due to trying a new cleanser that obviously not for me) and this stuff was incredible. At 45 bucks it is the most expensive product in my arsenal, but it does work wonders. I have used it in the past and it lasts me a year. It has formulations for all skin types, but I have used the dry/very dry one only and only use it as needed.

I also use Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum morning and night. 

In the evening it's under my moisturizer when I am not using the Neutrogena cream and I use it over my moisturizer for day. It is so silky smooth and I think of it as a makeup primer. I buy the fragrance free version.

Finally, I use Paula's Choice Lip and Body Treatment Balm and Lip Exfoliant to keep my smile smooth. 

The exfoliant lasts a looooong time since I use that weekly. I buy the balm a few times a year and it keeps my dry lips from being chapped. I love this product.

So there you have it, my current face products. At some point I'll pull out the makeup bag and go through that too!

Right Now - April

Celebrating lots of good things. My birthday (30 - eek) was in March and my husband threw a perfect party for me. Our favorite people, favorite food, favorite china pattern, favorite colors. He seriously out-did himself to make the day so special.

Embracing being 30. I'm ok with it, trying not to live with regrets about the past 29 years and instead think about the wonderful things in the here and now. And of course, to be realistic about life. There will be calm times, there will be hectic times. I hope to gracefully get through it all.

Preparing  for the big day for my friend! 

Her wedding is tomorrow (perhaps I should be showering instead of blogging, but oh well) and this shot is from last night's rehearsal. This is my first matron of honor duty (actually my first bridal party ever) and there's been lots of prep the past few days. Long Island weddings are in a word, very over the top, so there are many many many little details. Today it is pouring rain and freezing (reminiscent of my own wedding day) but tomorrow calls for sunshine and spring temps. It will be a wonderful day.

Tracking all the food I eat. Trying to figure out exactly what's triggering my allergies. And the pollen has started popping here, so that's making this difficult.

Breathing a sigh of relief. Our second-largest work event was last weekend and was  a huge success.

Yup, that's what I look like all pro. 

So, that's a quick look at life here!

What I Wore Wednesday 4/3/13

Here are some outfit photos from the past couple of weeks. It's been a slooooow transition to spring, but you can feel it heading our way.

#1

Probably (hopefully) one of the last times wearing a wool sweater this season!

Sweater: Jcrew, thrifted

Jeans: Hollister, thrifted

Shoes: Born

Belt: Target

Necklace: Jcrew (the outlet now sells this at a decent price)

#2

Enjoyed a little spring break. It was lovely having a few days off.

Long-sleeve tee: Lands End

Sweater: Jcrew outlet

Jeans: Gap, thrifted

Shoes: Toms (finally broke down and got a pair. I am quite pleased with the comfort and cuteness)

Necklace: Ann Taylor

#3

Loving yellow again this season.

Top and cardigan: Banana Republic

Jeans: Gap outlet

Belt: Marshalls

Shoes: Ivanka Trump (found at Marshalls)

Necklace: Group Dealz

#4

This was my Easter outfit. All the cropped pants I own are flared, which I know is not very in right now. The hunt was on for a pair of ankle pants. I found these at Sears. For 20 bucks I was happy. I wanted a pair from H&M but one size was too snug, the size up was too big.

Top: Banana Republic

Jacket: Talbots, thrifted

Pants: Sears

Shoes: Calvin Klein

Necklace: Kate Spade

#5

I have wanted this bauble necklace for at least a year. Anthro has one (but it's ginormous and lots of colors) and I decided to stroll down to Francesca's to see if they had something. Welp, this is exactly the necklace I've wanted for quite a while. The mint color is just lovely and it's not heavy at all. 

Top: Banana Republic

Jeans: Jcrew, thrifted

Cardigan: Gilly Hicks, thrifted

Shoes: Ivanka Trump

Linking up with

What I Wore Wednesday 3/20/12

Finally - I am back sharing some outfit shots. I really haven't been taking them every day anymore, but these are some new combinations I tried over the past month. And I tried some new photo spots! Shockingly I do have more than a white door in our apartment. Oh, and the lighting seems to work better with my camera.

A casual outfit for running errands:

Top: thrifted

Jeans: Hollister, thrifted

Cardigan: Target

Scarf: Calvin Klein via Marshalls

Posy Pin: The Pleated Poppy

Shoes: Born

An outfit I haven't worn since fall but loving the color combo:

Top: American Eagle

Cardigan: Marshalls

Jeans: Marshalls

Boots: Clarks

My new favorite dress - a $20 find at Talbots. It's wrinkle-free, a nice length and has short sleeves, so I can be comfortable without the sweater on. Animal print is something I never ever would have worn pre-WIWW. I started incorporating it first with shoes, then moved to scarves and now an actual clothing item. Crazy how style choices change!

Cardigan: Jcrew

Dress: Talbots

Belt: Steve Madden, TJ Maxx

Necklace: Basil the Cat, Etsy

Shoes: Easy Spirit

This was a dress I wore for a bachelorette party in New York City. I wanted to be a little fun but still warm (it snowed that night) so I layered with a shrug and leggings. The dress is shorter than I would normally try, but again, the leggings made me feel ok.

Dress: Marshalls (a steal at 15 bucks)

Shrug: Express, thrifted

Leggings: Leggs

Shoes: Born

Linking up over at the Pleated Poppy:

Right Now - March 2013

Can't believe spring is just around the corner! I'm looking forward to wearing flats without socks, sporting more cardigans instead of jackets, and bringing little hints of the season into our space.

Soaking up moments with two of our favorite people Lauren and Fritz.

We adore them. Like, hey wanna just come over and eat food with us for no reason? And then we'll talk about deep stuff and silly stuff and dream about annual Zeitsmate (a combo of all our last names) vacations. Even though we only met about a year ago I cannot imagine them not being in our lives. They're just that special.

Taking less What I Wore Wednesday photos. I'm sure that's been noticed. I have a few reasons for that. 1. My old camera (which used to have a great timer and a flip screen to take my accessory shots) has gone to techie heaven. It's done. My new camera doesn't quite know how to react to the artificial lighting in our apartment (I can't blame it either). Therefore, taking daily photos was taking way too much time in the morning. 2. We are leading a community group on Tuesday nights and the time it takes to prepare the posts really needed to be dedicated to that group. 3. I found that the outfit obsession became an idol in my life. There was too much thinking about what I would wear, how I would wear it, what I would buy next. I still dress up everyday, but I've been more intentional about the time I put into that process. Plus, I've been shopping less (darn that Dave Ramsey!) so I've been recycling outfits that you've all seen a bajillion times before. I did wear a cute outfit this week so I do think there will be a small post coming up!

Cleaning our apartment - a lot! We start spring cleaning in February. We find that the place has been closed up and dust makes itself at home. Both Freddy and I are allergy sufferers and if we do a little each day, neither of us are sneezing like crazy during a marathon cleaning session. Instead of spending entire weekends cleaning everything top to bottom, these little intervals let us enjoy our weekends and spend less time sprucing up the place for last minute visitors. We feel more comfortable in the space and can breathe happily.

Feeling the effects of the time change. I want to stay up later than I should.

Taking a big sigh of relief. Freddy and I were faced with making a huge decision involving inheriting a home (well, we would have been paying for it, so not really an inheritance). After lots of discussion and stress, we decided against it. It's not the house for us and we know that others will come our way. Truthfully, we aren't ready for a house, so we are back to being patient and trying to be content.

Spending our tax return paying off three whole credit cards. Wooohooo!!

Grateful for our families. We spent lots of time together (especially checking out the house) this weekend and their solid advice was very much appreciated.

Dancing like crazy at a 30th birthday party with elementary school friends. 

Enduring a busy work week and what will likely be a hectic weekend. Lots of things to celebrate with friends, though, so it is all good stuff.

Bringing a little taste of spring inside. We enjoyed hosting dinner with friends and admiring fresh flowers from Trader Joe's (for 4 bucks, how could I leave them in the store?).

Cooking potato leek soup for our Irish-themed dinner on Sunday. 

March and April are going to be quite busy for me. A wedding, several major work events, birthdays, and Easter. Lots of great things to look forward to for sure.

Right Now. February 2013

Planning a bridal shower and bachelorette party – both surprises – for a childhood friend. This is the first time I am a maid of honor (and first time I am in a bridal party) and I am not a meticulous planner. It’s something I happily let anyone else do in my life. I will gladly show up anywhere and set up/break things down, but working with crazy schedules and putting the logistics together are not my strong points. Things are falling into place though, and now I am looking forward to both events.

The shower theme is rainbow, so here are the wrapped gifts and the card - very colorful indeed!

 Shoveling the nearly 30 inches of snow that was dumped on our area. We finally got plowed a little on Monday night - the storm started Friday. It took my husband an hour and a half to drive home from work that day (it usually takes him about 10 minutes).

 My husband is clearing out a car that we already cleaned the night before...

 And here are the steps to our apartment. Snowed in for sure!

Creating lots of fun crafts. I’m back to knitting and made several warm and wonderful scarves. Thinking a nice blanket is in the works for the next couple of months. It must be warm and must be machine washable. I also finished knotting a fabric wreath (thanks snow days!). Took a bit longer than expected, but very fun.

Donating lots of clothes and housewares to Goodwill this weekend. I remember watching Nate Berkus years ago and he remarked that Americans have all their treasures displayed all over at the same time and suggested that we instead: 1-only keep things we love and cherish and 2-rotate what is displayed for special seasons. I’m trying to do that now. Plus, it means less dusting trinkets.

Preparing to turn 30 next month. We’ve been attending 30^th parties for the past couple of months as many of my friends hit this milestone along with me and they’ve been lovely celebrations. With the bridal shower, bachelorette, and wedding for my friend looming ever so near, I’ve kinda forgotten about celebrating my own day, which falls in the middle somewhere. I want to buy myself something special that I can say “this was for my 30^th birthday” (thinking another Hermes scarf, with my parents and in-laws chipping in, but it’s still a pretty luxe purchase) and wear it for the rest of my life. Maybe simple earrings or a necklace from the jeweler who designed our wedding bands? Not sure, I just know I want a special keepsake. My husband went skydiving for his 30^th, and he loves watching his DVD and remembering that day. He loved it! Me, I’m not an adventurous nor experience-loving kind of gal. I always stress about the prep, travel, etc. Much easier to walk in a store and buy something.

Ordering contacts again. It’s been fun wearing the glasses. Really it has. But I have missed being able to see my face and hair when I get ready in the morning. I’ll still wear my glasses and change into them when I get home from work, but for parties and dressy events, it’s nice to have contacts. Plus, my husband would always slam into them when he would kiss me goodbye.

Sipping English Breakfast tea from Adagio. I usually drink their Ceylon blends, but this baby is yummy with scoops of sugar and a splash of milk.

Replacing my windshield for the second time in eight months.

Happy February. I have a feeling this month is going to just fly by!

What I Wore Wednesday 1/30/13

Hi fashion friends!

It was c-c-c-cold so that meant warm sweaters, jackets, and camis.

#1

This Jcrew turtleneck is one of the warmest sweaters I own. I paired it with a Elie Tahari jacket and Banana Republic pants (one of two pairs of lined pants I have).

It needed something extra, hence the fun earrings from Paige and the bright Gypsy Affairs necklace.

 #2

Another frigid day.

Old Navy turtleneck with a very old Ann Taylor jacket and thrifted pants from the Limited.

 Jcrew necklace and simple gold hoops to make the outfit a little more interesting.

#3

Garnet Hill cardigan with Michael Kors top and Calvin Klein pants.

 This earrings are from Rhonda Jewelry. They never photograph right.

We had a grown up cocktail party to attend. Found this Cynthia Rowley dress at Marshalls and also got the Born animal print flats. Added a thrifted shrug from Express and leggings (Hanes I think from Kohls) and a big belt from White House Black Market.

The sapphire earrings kinda match my Vera Wang from Kohl's necklace that I got a few years ago.

 It was just warm enough for a skirt and tights. The skirt is Style and Co, jacket is very old Ann Taylor and the top is Jcrew (thrifted).

 Ike and Co earrings with a Judith Ripka for QVC necklace.

Linking up!