Dearly Loved

 Sometimes it's hard to determine between "holiday" wear and "seasonal" wear. I think this cute dear sweater is perfect for January and February because of Winter and Valentine's Day! I bought it right after Christmas as it was marked down pretty good. Yes, there is snow on the ground but if driveways, parking lots, and walk ways are dry and clear I am still trying to get away with slip on shoes.

 Also, when I wear my hair like this (used my waving iron) I feel like Alexis from Schitt's Creek. I had a conversation with my friend about how Alexis has the same dark/light hair that I have. I know it is a purposeful style for many - perhaps blended better rather than just growing out - but for the show I wonder if they are trying to portray that she can't afford to get her hair done anymore? Or if there are no good stylists in Schitt's Creek? Or is it a purposeful style since that is very trendy right now? Whatever it is, it makes me feel a bit better about this transition!

Reindeer Sweater - Loft

High Rise Power Straight Jeans - Old Navy

Universal Thread Wenda Booties - Target

Feathered Layers

 LuLaRoe is a brand I follow because they consistently come out with peacock prints. In taking a quick look of my blog history, I count about 20 pieces over the last 4 years. Now, some of those pieces have been weeded out in closet purges due to either being too similar to something else (I might have found the same print in colors that work better for me) or not the greatest fit. But overall, I reach for these items time and time again. It's been interesting to see the evolution of LLR as well. I remember going to physical pop up shops quite a bit in my area when it first became popular. Realizing how much work that is for the consultant (hauling your inventory and setting up somewhere), I don't really see those anymore. And I can see why consultants can get overwhelmed with how quickly they launch new styles. I honestly can't even keep track and in my case I am usually only looking for a very specific item so I'm probably not the best customer. Case in point, when I am looking for something I usually don't have time to wait until a certain day/time for parties or photos to be loaded. Or to then look through hundreds of photos in hopes my size is there to purchase. Sometimes, the stars align and that works but usually I am off to eBay or Poshmark to search (which luckily, I am usually supporting a consultant there too).

The cardigan shown here is the "Caroline" style. It's very soft/cozy and has pockets. Keeping with my tried and true formula, I am wearing skinny jeans, a sleeveless shell, and a long necklace. I am probably going to jinx myself by saying this, but I've been able to get away with no sock footwear options quite a bit this season. It's been a dry and mild Winter so far.



Caroline Cardigan - LuLaRoe

Sonoma Shell - Kohl's

Mossimo Jeans, Sunglasses, Universal Thread Shoes - Target

Necklace - Anthropologie

Moody Maxi

 I recently picked up this Anthro maxi from a few years ago on a Buy, Sell, Trade site. The brand is Maeve, and I feel like it's the cool weather version of the Noetzie dress (shown here) that I adore. It's got a statement print, same material, pockets, same waist ruching, same low cut (IMO) - it just has sleeves! I love the chevron pattern, and the moody grey/pink/purple colors. I love when Anthro repeats a good thing.

 We are currently in a weird storm situation here...…. It's been raining for about 24 hours but we are waiting to see if the temps drop for it to turn to snow/ice. So this outfit, and my air dried/no styled hair, is perfect for the dreariness. I mentioned the low cut so I wore a black tank under it. But thinking of how I tried a chambray shirt over the Noetzie dress has me thinking of doing the same here with a grey chambray shirt I have. I decided on 2 necklaces here, but for a different accessory scenario I was thinking of a black belt.

Maeve Novela Dress - Anthropologie (check eBay or Poshmark)

Purple Necklace - Express (years ago)

Pink Fringe Necklace - Anthropologie via TJ Maxx

Boots - Meijer

New Years Tiers

 This top checks so many boxes for me...…. tiered style, tunic length, velvet, floral AND able to style in different ways (classic denim here but I will also pair it with olive and maroon jeans). Anthropologie had so many good pre and post holiday sales, which is when I picked this up!!!

 Reverie Tiered Velvet Tunic - Anthropologie

Mossimo Jeans - Target

Sonoma Booties - Kohl's

December Reads

Let's dive into what I read in December!

 

The Family Upstairs, by: Lisa Jewell

I kept reading rave reviews about this book, from people who have the same taste as me, so I had to give it a try. I remembered enjoying the other Lisa Jewell book I read this year. The main character, Libby, never knew her birth parents as she was found abandoned at the scene of a crime. Now, on her 25th birthday, she inherits the abandoned mansion she was found in which leads her to investigate the truth about her past. Spoiler warning: her birth family became involved in a cult, and there are others who've been waiting 25 years for this day to come too. What I liked most about this book is the plot was unique (at least to me for a thriller). I would recommend it if you like this genre.

 

A Hundred Suns, by: Karin Tanabe

This book hits the shelves on April 7, 2020 - thank you to St. Martin's Press for the advance reader copy. This book was a bit slow for me, but still had interesting aspects. The main character, Jessie, is an American turned Parisian who married into the Michelin family. When her husband is appointed to oversee the rubber plantations in Vietnam, Jessie is excited about the experience to live there since it means putting further distance from her troubled past. But, not all of her new friends are as they seem, as some have a bad history with the powerful family and the working conditions in their country. What I enjoyed most about this book was the colorful description of expat life in the 1930's in such an exotic place.

 

Our House, by: Louise Candish

A friend passed this book onto me, and it caught my eye because of the unique plot. It's about a couple who separate because of infidelity, but the wife decides she does not want to upset the lives of their 2 boys so they keep the house and take turns living there, rather than shuffle the kids back and forth. Not to mention, the value of their home has gone up quite a bit since they bought it. This book had a lot of twists and turns as the husband continues to dig himself deeper and deeper into lies - so much so that the wife comes back from a weekend away to find a new family moving into the beloved home! It also left a cliffhanger at the end.

 

The Girls, by: Emma Cline

A much hyped book, I couldn't help but pick this up for 50 cents at a thrift store! Since I was already in a cult frame of mind from The Family Upstairs, I decided to read this right away. Loosely based on the Manson cult in the late 60's, the story follows 14 year old Evie as she becomes wrapped up in their crazy lifestyle. It's easy to understand how Evie is drawn to the group as she is being shuttled between divorced parents, and during that pivotal coming of age time. She always seems to stay enough on the outskirts though, but is haunted/affected throughout her entire life by these people as she watches them go to jail for grisly murders and become such an example in society. The writing was oddly descriptive at times - almost overcompensating - but I feel Emma did a good job in depicting what it is like for a girl that age, especially the insecurities. What was most interesting to me in this book and in The Family Upstairs, is how much people are willing to give up when they get involved in a cult. I just can't imagine what would change a persons mind so much that they would give up proper nutrition, personal hygiene, decent living conditions, etc...… Very shocking and unsettling.