Outfit of the Day: One Special Thing.

Often my outfits revolve around one specific item that I've decided to wear, in this case my awesome Madewell leopard boots that I don't wear nearly enough. I build my outfit around them with the idea that the boots are star and the rest should work with them without competing. And truth: I literally only wore this for a quick trip to the drugstore but I still felt real cute for those five minutes. 

A few details! My sweatshirt is from Daydreamer and it's old but there are some other cute options out there that I linked below. Also, my bag is the Lo & Sons Pearl (with a snake charm!) which has been an absolute workhorse. It's very on sale and the silver version is under $100 right now! 

My gold horn necklace is Madewell (part of one of their cute layered sets) and it's sold out but I linked a similar option below. 

A closer look at my Madewell boots which I love because they are just crazy enough that everything else I wear can be pretty simple.  Shop the whole look below - the links are my usual combo of actual items and things that are similar!

BUY THIS (Because I am TEMPTED): Cute Gifty Things from Anthro

One of my favorite things to do before the holidays is to wander around Anthropologie and touch every. single. thing. Obviously I'm not going to do that this year so instead I stalked the website pretty hard to find a collection of things that might make very nice gifts for the people in your life (which includes yourself, of course.) Here's what I found:

 

Outfit of the Day - Marianne's WFH Style.

Trying something new with outfit posts! Marianne sent me this cute work-from-home look - she said she absolutely gets fully dressed everyday in an outfit as if she were going into work because it gets her into business mode. (I mostly do the same thing. Mostly.) 

Marianne's cute sweater is from Old Navy and it's sold out in this color but still (barely) available in leopard print! I've linked a few similar options below. 

Her cute shoes are Sanuk Kat Fringe slip-ons that aren't available anymore (WHY), but there are lots to be found on eBay or Poshmark.  Shop the whole look below (links are a mix of exact items and similar styles):

Monday Mood: Some Seasonal Cheer.

 Listen, this is a hard time of year made even harder under a pandemic but I'm doing my very best to appreciate what I can about the season even if it's a fake-it-til-you-make-it situation. Whatever works! Today I'm going to talk about a few things we've been enjoying lately, the first one from Marianne: 

This Despair-Reducing Light Marianne Recommends.

I have toyed with the idea of buying some kind of SAD light for years now, but turns out the combination of less sunlight, never leaving the house, and COVID was the thing that tipped me over. After doing a cursory amount of research I landed on this light by Verilux. It’s small (between a Kindle and iPad), bright af, and I think has decreased my despair by 10%. Yay?

This Weird Swan Book That Stuck With Me. 
I've been trying to read a lot of easy, cozy stories of late but I've completely run out of Jenny Colgan options so I blindly chose a library book online that sounded vaguely promising (or completely terrible): Laura is startled when a handsome swan boy with only one wing lands on her roof.  I know! A Wild Winter Swan It's a coming of age story set in 1960s New York at Christmas time and I do love a bit of modern day fairytale. AIt's written by Gregory Maguire who wrote Wicked, so you're in good hands. It's not a super happy story (fairy tales rarely are) but it does have a satisfying ending, is dryly funny in parts, and also just beautifully written. Give it a try. 

PS. If this doesn't sound like your thing, or even if it does, Marianne recommends The Twelve Dates of Christmas which sounds exactly like the kind of cozy small British town Christmas romance novel we both enjoy. (I have purchased it but haven't read it yet!) 

This Podcast I Keep Banging On About.
When I've had too much of the real world and just want to listen to a cozy, intelligent conversation, I turn to the Penguin Podcast. It's just delightful - both the guests and the hosts! It's also very British so I'm not always familiar with either one. This recent episode was a lovely surprise: Dolly Alderton (author, journalist and co-host of The High Low podcast) chats to Sue Perkins (From The Great British Bake Off!) about her first novel, Ghosts! I am still waiting for Ghosts to be released in a Kindle version but it sounds like exactly my kind of thing. Their conversation revolved around that time in your 30s when your friendships start changing and I related to it a lot. Anyway, it's a good one. 

This Candle That Is A Departure.
I love a fancy candle but they can be ridiculously expensive, so when Marianne suggested Bath & Body Works three wick candles I was very sure they'd not be for me but I was willing to give it a shot. I bought Sweater Weather  (sage, juniper berry, eucalyptus, fresh woods) which is very popular, apparently, because it's completely sold out. Ugh. It's a good cosy scent that's not super sweet or spiced, just very natural and perfect for cool weather. It is available on Amazon but B&BW does restock and they run good sales, so I wouldn't pay full price. Also, it's seasonal but not particularly Christmasy, so if you want a truly seasonal candle, I'm still gonna recommend Illume Balsam & Cedar, my #1 favorite. 

Weekend Window Shopping: Gifty Things from Nordstrom Rack.

I love Nordstrom Rack for gifty things so I went on over there to find things that would make nice gifts, but logically they should all just be things for you, right? Or for me?  I don't make the rules, so you do what you want. Your secret is safe with me. (I mean, that candle, am I right?) Anyway, here's what I like:

Outfit of the Day: Problem Solving.

 Y'all. I AM HAVING A DAY. It started with me burning my breakfast croissant beyond recognition followed by waiting too long into the morning to take outfit photos so I am sharing the stage with a rapidly approaching sunbeam that was all, OMG HERE I AM THE SUNBEAM WHO IS YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND. WE ARE FRIENDS RIGHT?? I WILL COME CLOSER NOW.

Help.

Anyway, I managed to take some of the worst-lit photos of all time (including one in which I legit looked like a zombie) but here are a few that I salvaged:

That sun beam is aggressive. ANYWAY, for some seasonal cheer, I pulled out my favorite sweater from last year, the Lena funnelneck by French Connection. It's still available as long as you don't want red,  sorry! But, it's super comfy and great to wear with leggings or skinny jeans and boots. For something similar in red, there's this very nice cashmere version here, or a good cheap 'n cheerful version here. To split the difference, I think this specked version is REAL cute. 

I've been trying to switch out my jackets (I have a lot of good ones) and give everyone a turn. Lately I've become re-enamored with this leather jacket - my Veda Jayne. It's hard to find something similar in pale grey but this moto jacket comes in some fun colors and AllSaints has a beautiful jacket in off-white. Anyway, I bought it secondhand and don't wear it enough. It's seriously the NICEST leather and it's lined with flannel so it's actually pretty warm. However, there is a problem. When I bought it the buckle was broken, which I should have just left alone. Instead I found a replacement and got it fixed, but the replacement is heavy af. Lesson: Do not put anything labeled "heavy duty" on a jacket because this happens:

The weight of the buckle literally pulls the jacket into accordion folds. It also clangs around and drives me crazy. The belt is sewn in and not removable but I was actually going to ask you guys if I should just cut it off. However! It occurred to me that maybe a lighter 2" buckle existed in the world and I went a-searching and I think I found one. Phew. I am going to get this jacket fixed AGAIN but then it will be perfect. Thank you for helping me solve that problem. On to details: 

I'm wearing my crystal pendant necklace from Twist Style and it feels like the kind of thing you can wear over a funnel neck without it looking weird, right? 

And yay, my Dr. Marten Leonore boots (more sizes here)! It's finally been cold enough to wear them and they are so far pleasing me a lot. They're stompy and un-delicate but I think I need the visual balance. Plus, so warm! I'm glad I bought them. That's it for today! I'm off to hang out with my new aggressive sun beam friend I guess. 

We Discuss: Gift Ideas. (Not really.)

M:  Add this to your Christmas list:

A: I...don’t understand what I’m looking at

M:  It’s a lot to take in

M:  The reviews

A:  THE REVIEWS

M:  😂

A: I was like, people bought $700 lobster glove shrugs?

M: Someone did

A: Nobody

A: Literally never

M:  Someone had to!

A: It’s not even the terrible dress! Just the glove/bolero thing

M:  Bless it

A: Also. Wut

M:  I feel like this is all designed by Moira Rose

A: Um, still haven’t watched Schitt's Creek

M:  Well

M:  You’ll have to believe me

A: I do. Of course I do.