Outfit of the Day: Springtime Stripes.

The weather has taken a springtime turn so I've been digging around in my off-season clothing bins for something to wear. My favorite thing that I bought last summer is definitely my Alex Mill boatneck tee:

They currently only have this tee in solid colors and I'll probably buy another one because it's the BEST - I just love how slouchy and easy it is to wear and the quality is excellent. I also love the look of their long sleeved striped tees - this one is pretty traditional and this one has cute puffed sleeves! 

Here's a weird closeup of my pants which are, of course, Athleta. These are the Brooklyn Ankle Pant and I wear them an embarrassing amount. I'm not crazy about the colors they're offering this spring but I do really like this navy windowpane print. These are the kind of pants that are great for work/work from home and for travel - they are comfy, they don't wrinkle and they dry super fast. Oh, and I'm wearing my thrifted Sanita clogs that are not particularly cool, but they are really comfortable and clompy. 

I tried on my Universal Thread denim jacket with trepidation but, oh thank God, it still magically fits. I bought it several years ago and Target still has it (or one just like it) and it's such a deal, you guys. Just so classic and not too cropped. And under $30! You can't beat it. I'm not going to lie, I've always been tempted by Madewell's denim jacket because I love the copper buttons, but so far my Target version has served me well. 

I'm wearing double the necklaces for double the intimidation. (Thanks, Tika!) My Dean Davidson tassel, which is sold out but check out this gorgeous labradorite lariat necklace! Eep. I'm also wearing half of my layering set from Madewell which is also sold out but they have this set which is so pretty. That's it for today! Now back to obsessing over raincoats. 

We Discuss: Raincoats and Deli Ham.

M: These model shots are KILLING ME

M: Each is funnier than the last

A: It’s a cute raincoat even if the models want to murder it and us

M: Truly miserable

M: I like the Sea Salt one you linked

M: And the Barbour one

M: Oh here you go

A: WHAT EVEN ARE THOSE PANTS

M: The pink set looks like deli ham

M: Or some kind of fleshy fruit roll up

A: Nothing says rainwear like a ham slice roll up

A: Or, you can go with the black set aka Cheap Garbage Bag

M: Yet somehow actually expensive!

A: Is Fashion. 

PS. Just because I know you're all on the edge of your seat with anticipation, I panic-ordered two Helly Hansen raincoats from Amazon that I'm 90% sure won't fit me:

Cute right? I'll review them when they arrive. No worries that I'm between sizes for HH and they definitely will be too big. All part of the service. Fashion! 

Weekend Window Shopping: Digging Into Nordstrom Rack.

 Every now and then I like to spend an unhealthy amount of time digging around the Nordstrom Rack site because you just never know what you will find. Here's my virtual NR spring shopping list:

Review: I Need A Raincoat.

Update: We got a house! I'm not going to live in a van down by the Willamette River. But, I still desperately need a PNW-approved raincoat. I have my Helly Hansen (which, if we're being honest, is a tidge tight right now) but I want something that's not insulated - just a raincoat. I also want it in a color that isn't black or olive green. In a fit of optimism, I ordered that cute Madewell raincoat but it's going back:

It runs big. Really big. This is a medium and I am swimming in it! It's also not quite my color. Hmph, here are a few other contenders:

This one is Athleta and I've been waiting impatiently for it to show up online (it was in the catalog months ago!) I think the color is an interesting neutral but it's really expensive and it's sherpa-lined, which is not really what I need right now. Still, I might keep my eye on it.

This J.Crew raincoat is super cute, a classic shape, and also comes in bright yellow and navy. But, it's a little bit too perky-preppy for me in these colors. If it came in camel or gray I'd probably be all over it. 

This is by Seasalt (thanks for the rec, Make!Do!) and I love the easy shape and the interesting color. I'd never heard of this brand out of Cornwall, but it's definitely on my radar now. 

This is a less-fashion-more-function option from The North Face. I do like that it's a classic trench coat color but is also fully waterproof. 

Finally, my dark horse option, I am pretty into this Babour rain jacket I found on Nordstrom Rack. Something about that very British plaid lining! Navy isn't usually my jam but something about this is very appealing. It also comes in a soft gray, just FYI.

What do you guys think? Any suggestions? 

Outfit of the Day: But Make It Fashion.

 Hello! I am currently very tired, having just done a whirlwind long weekend trip to the west coast to try and find a house. (So far: unsuccessful.) However, upon my return another pair of new-to-me Madewell jeans were waiting for me:

Whee! Finally, I have a pair of the Cali Demi Boot style. I've wanted these but just wasn't sure if I could truly pull them off but ya'll, I LOVE THEM. I really think these are the kind of jeans that make the most of your shape and they're kicky and very current. So cute with flats or sandals! Probably also really cute with boots, but I haven't tried that yet. My pair is an older version but these with the raw hem are probably the most similar or maybe these. Here's a closer look: 

They just feel fresh after so many skinny styles (which I still love, don't get me wrong.) My top is from Quince and it's the super soft fleece crew. I have the matching lounge pants (reviewed here) and they're my current favorite comfy-wear set. It's a sweatshirt, yes, but it's lightweight and soft and fits me nicely enough that it can function as out-of-the-house wear without looking sloppy. 

I'm accessorizing with a super-old locket from J.Crew which is still one of my favorite things. You can probably find it on Poshmark or eBay but if I were to buy another one, it would be this one from Lulu Frost. Now, let's make jeans and a sweatshirt fashion, yes? 

YAY. Can you believe I've had this coat for months and forgot about it? I bought it from Nina last summer- it's from that one really good season Talbots had in 2010. She held onto it and then passed it on to me and I put it away in a closet for fall except I never remembered to pull it back out. Now here it is spring and I'm like, fuck it, I am WEARING THAT VELVET LEOPARD COAT (...to the grocery store.) You might be able to find one secondhand, but J.Crew has this cute sherpa version and how cool is this one? You could also just get my cute leopard moto jacket and be done with it.

Here's the whole thing. I am wearing this amazing coat with my red Everlane flats (similar style here at Madewell) and my Lo & Sons Pearl crossbody with it's original strap. I am definitely wearing this to Trader Joes later because it's good, right? Errands, but make it fashion. 

Weekend Window Shopping: Anthropologie for spring!

Anthropologie has a bunch of good new stuff in for spring and they're offering 20% off for Insiders (it's free to sign up!) Here's what I would really love to fill my closet with:

Outfit of the Day: New Jeans and a New Life.

That title is pretty intense, eh? It's not my new jeans that are life-changing it's my news: I am moving to the Portland, OR area next month! My boyfriend's job is transferring him there and I'm going with him. I have only ever lived in Richmond, VA, so this is pretty huge for me. I'll be taking some time off from the blog while all of this is happening but then I'll be back with some fresh PNW content. (And if you're from the area, I need your recs, please! For, like, everything.)

Now, on to more mundane things, like having a pair of jeans that fits. Like a lot of folks, I have gained an unexpected amount of weight in the last year, so a really good chunk of my wardrobe doesn't fit right now. Rather than continue to feel bad about it, I'm just trying to live in my current situation and that situation needed a pair of cute, straight leg blue jeans that actually fit me comfortably. Crazy, I know. Marianne recently found a pair of the Madewell Slim Straight on Poshmark and loved them, so I immediately tracked down a pair too. (Ever the creeper, right?) Here you go:

They don't actually make the slim straight anymore but this current style is really similar (and is actually what I wanted to buy...when they go on sale) and I also love this style but they're out of my size. My t-shirt is another Quince purchase and it's fine. The style is a bit slimmer of a cut than I was hoping for but it's a decent gray tee - nothing to complain about, just not magical. 

This is my Gap utility jacket back from when I bought a bunch to review. It's a great lightweight layer and so comfortable! The old link to mine claims it's sold out so I linked to the newer version which looks like the same exact jacket? Who can say. There's also this cute quilted utility jacket which is a bit more fashion. On to details:

I'm wearing a tiny compass pendant similar to this one and also my beloved labradorite tassel necklace by Dean Davidson. There's nothing even remotely similar, but I thought this tassel necklace was striking. 

Finally, I'm carrying my Miu Miu bag (reviewed here) which is probably my favorite thing I own. This Cole Haan turnlock bag is probably the most similar! My leopard flats are Madewell from last year, but this pair is pretty cute and these loafers are the same print as mine.