Christmas Truck

Couldn't resist trying to get a picture with this vintage truck that an auto repair shop in downtown Jackson put out! For some last minute errands yesterday (stop in the office and a few local businesses) I threw on jeans and a sweater. I got this sweater a few years ago and I wouldn't categorize it as a Christmas sweater because it is a rose pattern. But since it is red, white and green I do tend to think of it as a Holiday season sweater. When I posted about it a few years ago, I wore it with black jeans and olive booties.

 

Clothes Mentor

This year, I found a "new to me" consignment shop chain called Clothes Mentor. I don't get there that often, but a found a few good pieces last week at the one near me. And then I found out you could shop ALL of their locations online! Each store location selects the pieces they want to put online, so I was thrilled to find yet another secondhand site to search my favorite brands across the US. Of course I selected "Anthropologie" as a brand to search on the site, and up popped this Eva Franco skirt! I actually owned the dress version of this cool shoe print in 2014. You can read the post about that dress HERE....... about how I saw it on The Carrie Diaries, found it on Amazon for under $100, and then a few weeks later Anthro carried it for $348 which cemented my thoughts that I can predict the future and should be a buyer for Anthro (I kid.... sort of). I loved that dress, but as I got deeper into motherhood I realized a mini dress with a bustier top and a wild print wasn't getting worn much. Knowing it was a rare piece, I sold it. So when I saw the skirt again on the Clothes Mentor site - and for $12!!!!!!! - I knew it was meant to come back to me. I definitely want to play with color combos again, but for some quick photos during this busy holiday week I did what was quickest for me - black tights and top. The necklace is one I wore with the dress back in 2014 (a rhinestone necklace I DIY'ed with nailpolish).

 

Love It, Couldn't Wear It

Has anyone seen and become obsessed with the latest TicTok going around, about dogs showcasing outfits they couldn't wear in 2020? Check out "Tika the Iggy" and "Honey the Iggy" if you want a laugh. I've still been wearing what I want in 2020 for the most part, so this phrase more applies to not being able to wear something because of packages being held hostage at sorting facilities. A few weeks ago, I fell in love with some gem print pieces at Ann Taylor. Out of all of the styles, I decided on this blouse and ordered the matching skirt. I was looking forward to wearing the pieces together, as well as showing several outfit ideas with them on their own. Well, the skirt is sitting in Indianapolis right now and has been for 2 weeks. It is no longer on the website, so I can't even reorder it, so I just have to hope it shows up eventually. I know, it's happening to everyone and there are bigger problems at hand, so I shouldn't complain. So I figured while I wait I would go ahead and show the top, with simple black jeans and shoes, if anyone is looking for a festive piece while all the good sales are going on. This print also comes in a cami and turtleneck. I loved having an excuse to wear my pink blingy sunglasses (Gucci dupes via Target), and I've also since found the most incredible matching necklace at a secondhand shop that is making me even more anxious to get the skirt!

Garland Ruffle Tie Neck Blouse - Ann Taylor

 

Epic Sales

 For a fashion lover like myself, sales around the holidays are exciting. I mean, of course I am shopping for others, but I really don't have anyone to buy clothes for. To me, clothes are pretty personal not only because of style but also because of size. The last thing you want to do is "gift" someone an errand if they have to return something that doesn't fit, and then by that time everything is picked over and they can't find the correct size. Anyway, I'm getting off track here..... one of the silver linings of Covid is the sales this year are..... EPIC!!! They change daily, and it certainly can put the pressure on to buy because it is such a good deal and/or you don't know if something is going to sell out and/or if the sale will be as good the next day. All of that aside, I am still trying really hard to ONLY select items I truly love and that are unique. Case in point...... Anthro has had some AMAZING sales this season. And I haven't bought a thing! At one point, all clothing was 40% off which is something I have never seen. Currently, the entire site is 30% off. I refresh their new arrivals daily in hopes of something I love enough to buy, and no luck yet. There are things I like of course, but not enough to buy I guess. Murphy's Law though is that as soon as the sale is over, there will be like 10 things I want! Another point I want to make is that even though we have seen a lot of big retailers go out of business recently, it's the small businesses that are really hurting. I've made it a point more than ever this year to shop small.

I've been pulled back into the Loft and it's sister store, Ann Taylor recently. I've been really into the gradient/space dyed sweater trend, and the pastel rainbow palette is popping up all over. Ruffle details are also all over the place, but honestly I could do without them. This sweater just made me happy - it's like Rainbow Brite/80's - and happy is definitely what I need as we go into these long Winter months (as you can see, we have a dusting of snow and I go without socks as long as I can because I am in denial). When I bought this sweater, it was 70% off!!! It is currently 50% off. I've also seen it on sale for a flat $25. Another example of a great sale at the Loft is yesterday I ordered a velvet puffer vest that was something like 50% off and then an additional 40% off!?!?! Crazy!

 

Spacedye Ruffle Sleeve Sweater - Loft

Another thing I will add to talking about clothes being a personal gift...... I feel like I am a hard person for my husband to buy for. He knows that the entire year I know what I want, know what the best deals are, and purchase accordingly. He of course thinks I have too many clothes, jewelry, etc.... (I could argue the same about his hobby). I am not really into fine jewelry - I prefer costume jewelry. I still put links to clothes/jewelry on my list but then as I watch the sales daily, I wonder if or when he might purchase something. I can't very well ask him if he bought something because of course I still want to be surprised. And as I mentioned earlier about sizing, I then feel like I am hurting his feelings if something doesn't work out and I end up returning it. So, I try to come up with practical items for my list that I very much need but don't buy myself. But then he argues those things are boring. Any other ladies out there feel like they just can't win??? I know my close friends and I talk a lot about feeling like we create the Christmas magic for everyone in the family, but no one does the same for us. I will say that earlier in our relationship, he was great at coming up with unique ideas on his own. But I guess after almost 20 years, this is what happens. Sigh.....

November Reads

 

Here's a look, and quick review, of the 5 books I read in November!

Educated, by: Tara Westover

Born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho, Tara Westover was seventeen the first time she set foot in a classroom. Her family was so isolated from mainstream society that there was no one to ensure the children received an education, and no one to intervene when one of Tara’s older brothers became violent. When another brother got himself into college, Tara decided to try a new kind of life. Her quest for knowledge transformed her, taking her over oceans and across continents, to Harvard and to Cambridge University. Only then would she wonder if she’d traveled too far, if there was still a way home.

I bought this at my local thrift shop, and was glad to finally read this much hyped memoir. It was really interesting to learn about the challenges a person might have based on their upbringing. A life so very different from my own really helps to open my mind.

Troubles in Paradise, by: Elin Hilderbrand

I rented this from the library, and was anxious to read the third and final book in the Paradise series. This trilogy was set in on the island of St. John, and per usual Elin makes her readers fall in love with the location and characters. I enjoyed the wrap up of the lives/relationships, complete with misunderstandings, secrets revealed, and a hurricane.

Nine Perfect Strangers, by: Liane Moriarty

Nine people gather at a remote health resort. Some are here to lose weight, some are here to get a reboot on life, some are here for reasons they can’t even admit to themselves. Amidst all of the luxury and pampering, the mindfulness and meditation, they know these ten days might involve some real work. But none of them could imagine just how challenging the next ten days are going to be.

I always enjoy Liane's books, and this was no exception. It started out a little slow but then took some surprising turns. I am happy to see this is set to be made into a TV show (just like her Big Little Lies book AND also starring Nicole Kidman again)!

The Paris Model, by: Alexandra Joel

I received a copy of this book from the publisher - Harper Perennial - thank you! This story follows Grace who was born and raised on a sheep farm in Australia. She sets out post war to become a model for Christian Dior in Paris, and adapts well into her new lifestyle. As she lets herself fall in love, she is haunted by the abusive husband she left behind, and in a unique twist even gets involved in some spy activity. I knew I would like this book based on the fashion aspect alone, but loved all of the other themes within it.

Of Women and Salt, by: Gabriela Garcia

In present-day Miami, Jeanette is battling addiction. Daughter of Carmen, a Cuban immigrant, she is determined to learn more about her family history from her reticent mother and makes the snap decision to take in the daughter of a neighbor detained by ICE. Carmen, still wrestling with the trauma of displacement, must process her difficult relationship with her own mother while trying to raise a wayward Jeanette. Steadfast in her quest for understanding, Jeanette travels to Cuba to see her grandmother and reckon with secrets from the past destined to erupt.

This book is set to release April 6, 2021. Thank you to Flatiron Books for an advance copy. I loved the complexity of the different generations of women here, and an insight to the mysterious Cuba.