BUY THIS (So We Don't Have To): Madewell Again. I Know.

Look, I’m sorry, okay? I know I’ve been posting a lot of Madewell but it’s the only store that’s catching my interest and this latest collection is making me actually look forward to cooler weather. They're offering 25% off Fall Essentials with code PUMPKINSPICE (really, Madewell?) and here's what's catching my eye: 

This poet blouse is not quite my style but I love the color enough to forgive the ruffles. 

Oooh, navy blue suede handbag? How could anyone not want this beauty? 

I do actually need a new striped shirt and I love that the stripes on this one are olive green. 

Here are my favorite Madewell skinny jeans in blackest black. You cannot go wrong with these. 

My friend Kate bought these last year and every time she wears them, I want them too. 

This is a staple, y'all. If you don't have an olive jacket yet do you even go here? 

I have two pairs of the Reid flat and they are really good (and less expensive than Rothys.)

Awwww, yeah. The Whisper Tee in an autumnal purple. You really get me, Madewell.

I'm Back! My Packing Report: California.

Hello! I'm back from vacation and I feel like I'm dying. It's cool, though. Totally. Never mind that four hour time difference that made getting up this morning feel like 6am was 2am. It's FINE. *quiet weeping*

As per usual, I over-packed for this trip but mostly because we were going to several places (mountains, countryside, city!) with a crazy temperature range (32°-98°!) so my solution was to bring...everything. We went to Yosemite and also spend a few days in Sacramento, with a stop in South Lake Tahoe. I had to bring workout/hiking stuff and summer clothes and cold weather gear for a week's trip. As it turns out, I only brought three tops (all short-sleeved), one jacket (denim) and one swimsuit that I didn't actually wear. Progress? I guess? Here are a few hero items that got a lot of wear and really saved me:

Here I am with my new bff - the World Famous Talking Bear

I am wearing my Dixxon flannel shirt in almost every photo because it's one of only two long-sleeved tops I packed. I wore it over whatever t-shirt I had on and it was perfect - warm and comfortable and cute!  My particular shirt was a collaboration with Bell Helmets and was a gift (thanks, Kendell!) but I think there are one or two on Poshmark. They are GREAT flannel shirts but very fitted, so size up!

After viewing the low temps at Yosemite I also packed my Uniqlo Ultra Light Down Jacket:

It felt like overkill for September but I am SO glad I brought it because shit gets cold in the mountains.  Plus, it packs down into a tiny bag so it doesn't take up much room. It was a really good purchase and I reviewed it briefly here if you want to see what it looks like on an actual person.

Now, a hearty shout-out to my Athleta gear - I packed my Zephyr tee and shell, my Chelsea cargo pants and my Victory hoodie. Aside from the hoodie, everything packed down to nothing and stayed pretty much wrinkle-free. The Chelsea cargo pants are always my airplane pants, but are also great in hot weather when you don't want to wear shorts. The hoodie kept me warm (and layered under my down jacket like a champ) and was also great on the airplane. (Note: today is the last day of the Athleta F&F 20% off sale! They're doing individual codes, so check your email if you're on the mailing list.) 

For shoes, I only brought three pairs: my Nike sneakers, my white Birkenstocks and my recently purchased (and, um, untested) Vince Newlyn sneaker boots. All three were useful and all three got a lot of use. My Nikes got filthy from hiking dusty trails so it was nice to have a dressier (and warm) option in my Vince sneakers, which thankfully proved to be comfortable. I pretty much wore my Birkenstocks the rest of the time.

One final shoutout to my beloved Lo & Sons Hanover backpack! Its super light, fits a ton and I love the suitcase handle sleeve. The version I have is still available in a few colors on sale but they recently released a new, updated version! Eep. I want that tooooo.

Out of the Office.

Hey all! I'm on vacation this week but follow along on Instagram for some (possibly lame) updates.

Weekend Window Shopping: Stop It, Madewell.

Madewell is offering another Insider discount! 15% off in stores and online. This one works on leather jackets! Eep. I am not buying A SINGLE THING this go round but here is my most desperate, heartfelt wishlist:

         

       

         

       

     

        

Stuff I Like: Supplementing, Coifing, Listening, Reading

That title just rolls off the tongue, doesn't it? I am maybe taking this too far but whatever. Hello! Welcome to another edition of Stuff I Like! I have finally found more stuff to like and now I'm going to tell you all about it:

These Internet Vitamins I Really Love.
Ugh, you guys. In an effort to be a healthier person with less migraine headaches, I fell for the hype of Care/of vitamin packs. You take an online quiz and they make suggestions based on your answers. You pick what you want and they individually package them in (compostable) little packets with your NAME on them. (I am such a sucker.) I'm almost through my first month's box and you know what? I really like them. I haven't had a single migraine! I feel pretty good! ALSO, yesterday I was like, "when did my eyelashes start getting so long?" I have always had stubby little eye lashes but apparently the B-Complex vitamin I'm taking has actually been doing something. If you're tempted to try Care/of, you can use my code* AATKQC to get your first month free (up to $40, not including shipping.)

This Pomade That Is Amazing.
When I was searching for a product to make my new haircut all piece-y someone suggested a Davines pomade and I was like, of course! I love Davines! They have five different kinds of pomade and I finally settled on the This is a Forming Pomade. You guys, it's a dream product. It holds like gangbusters but never makes my hair look greasy. It also smells really nice! Davines is just the best. If you've never tried any of it, I personally love the Minu line for colored treated hair and the Oi line for it's amazing scent.

This Great Podcast Series About Clothing.
I can't remember how I found this series but it's so well-done. The 99% Invisible podcast created Articles of Interest, a six part series about all the different aspects of clothing. My favorite episodes are Pockets (a feminist issue!) and Punk Style. Just a really good series about the history and meaning of clothing. If you know of any similar Podcasts, please send them my way! I should've been a fashion historian. Next life, for sure.

This Book That Is Pure Comfort Reading.
I know we've talked about Jenny Colgan on the blog before but I just read her latest and it was SO needed. As Marianne said, her books are very cozy and unchallenging. I wanted to read something comforting that would also make me want to move to the Scottish Highlands and take up baking. I don't know, Anyway, if you are looking for a cozy read, The Bookshop on the Shore will definitely fit the bill. It's kind of a sequel to The Bookshop on the Corner, but works fine as a stand-alone story. It's not my favorite of Colgan's books and it won't change your life, but it doesn't pretend to be anything it's not, which I appreciate.

*full disclosure: if you buy vitamins with my code I get a credit towards future purchases

BUY THIS (So We Don't Have To): Nordstrom Rack Bags & Shoes

Fall clothes can be frustrating but you know what is always there for you? Bags and shoes. Bags always fit and shoes rarely make you feel bad about yourself. They're good that way. Here are my fall picks for bags and shoes via Nordstrom Rack because you know I like a bargain:

Hello Frye satchel. I surprised myself by loving this rich, chocolate brown more than the greige.

Hear me out: When the weather turns gloomy, this bag will be cheerful AF. Plus, Longchamp leather!

This is not the MOST exciting but it will be the best for travel and weekend running around. Trust.

Oooh. This leather tote also comes in black but how dreamy is this natural color? 

Do you have leopard flats yet? I love the big, graphic print on these. 

Yas. Fun sneakers in a very fall-friendly suede with metallic stripes. I love. 

The sharp-ass almond toe on these Cole Haan ankle boots give them a little edginess. 

I am not big on heels but this looks like a very wearable pump in a super cool snakeskin print. 

Review: Helly Hansen Welsey II Trench Coat

Lately I've been obsessed with getting a raincoat - a real raincoat that's actually waterproof but that doesn't look like a raincoat.  I am going to Ireland in November and part of this obsession is to have the right coat for that trip but also for life. I do have this cute thing from Costco which is good but it doesn't allow much layering underneath and I've never tested it for true waterproofness. (It's also got really shallow pockets which is such a pet peeve.)

Helly Hansen was a brand suggested to me for Real Raincoat action and I immediately fell for the Belfast Jacket. However, I want it in the ivy green which is sold out completely in my size. Of course. It's also insulated, which might be more than I really need. I'd rather have a regular raincoat that I can wear layers under because it seems like it would be more versatile. I checked out the other green Helly Hansen raincoat options and immediately fell for the Welsey II Trench. I love that it doesn't really look like a raincoat and, damn, those copper accents are SO GOOD. I found it on sale at Moosejaw so I ordered it for blog science:

It showed up crazy-fast because Moosejaw offers free 2-day shipping on items over $49. So nice! Also nice: this damn raincoat. It's looks and feels expensive and is really well-made. I LOVE the shiny copper zippers and snaps and that it has a good, deep hood that tucks into the collar when you don't need it. The zippy pockets are also deep and big enough to hold my giant cell phone securely. 

Now, the negatives. The sleeves are a little too long so I have to fold the cuffs, which is annoying. Also, as much as I love a double-breasted trench, it looks like a mess if you leave it hanging open: 

That is a lot of coat right there. A note on sizing: I went with a medium because I wanted enough room to wear a few layers underneath. In these photos it looks a little big on me, but I'm wearing it over a short sleeved blouse. (Also, no way would the small fit my hips.) Did I mention the copper zippers? 

And here's a little spin for you so you can see the rest of it: 

I am about 90% sure I'm going to keep it, though Helly Hansen has a few other nice looking raincoats that are also under consideration. The Kirkwall II Raincoat looks appealing and the Lyness II Coat also has potential. All three are on sale at Moosejaw with free 2-day shipping (though the Helly Hansen site offers free shipping on orders over $100 and free 90 day returns.) What do y'all think?