Solitaire

Solitaire is a brand that Anthropologie carries sometimes, and lately I have been seeing the same faux suede floral jackets at TJ Maxx (retail for $160 at Anthropologie, and around $30-$40 at TJ Maxx). This is the first time I've seen a vest though, so not only was that intriguing but also this print looks like embroidery (and you know I love prints like that)! It was too pretty to pass up, so here it is.

I also found these Sole Society velvet loafers (retail $89.95, TJ Maxx price $12.99) that I also decided to get for a few reasons. First, I love velvet (duh). Second, they match perfectly with the burgundy velvet joggers I bought a few days prior. Third, they will go with a ton of other things like this outfit today. The different shades of reds and pinks in the flowers made it perfectly okay to wear different tones in my top and shoes.

Solitaire Vest - TJ Maxx

Sole Society Flats - TJ Maxx

Tiered Top - Loft

Lauren Conrad Jeans - Kohl's

Necklace - Anthropologie

Sunglasses - Target

 

Moody Florals

I love a good moody floral, and this dress is amazing! Several years ago, I discovered BURU which is a woman owned fashion site. When I first shopped there, it was a collection of several mainstream designers. Since then, Morgan is now the sole designer of all of the clothes under their own label, all manufactured in the USA! She buys fabric in small quantities, so pieces are often limited editions. Being a Mom to three, all items are very friendly to "mom life" - comfortable, don't wrinkle, machine washable, nursing friendly (this dress buttons down the front) all while being super stylish. She is also very transparent on social media about her own mental health issues and bringing awareness/normalizing them. This is the kind of small business I love supporting!

Matching one of the many murals near me was just an added bonus on this gorgeous day! This dress is a pretty straight silhouette with a big ruffle on the bottom, so I opted for a belt. The black and white striped sleeves are a fun detail that you could match accessories to.

Magestic Maxi

Even though this dress feels more Summery to me, it was another amazing TJ Maxx find I couldn't wait to wear! Brand is America & Beyond, retails for $99, and I found it in the swimsuit coverup section of TJ Maxx for $19.99. It does not feel like a traditional coverup to me - definitely more like a dress. The vibrant floral print has elephants and I love the ribbon trim for the straps that also go down the front. A few years ago, my boys picked out a delicate elephant pendant with an amethyst in it as a gift for me so I am wearing that today. When it gets hotter though and I don't have the collar of a jacket or sweater hiding the neckline, I will definitely wear a colorful statement necklace with this (and of course trade out my flats for sandals). Already dreaming of wandering the Zoo in this!

 

Welcome Spring!

The official start of Spring is here, and even though there is rain in the forecast this week, the temperatures are exciting! Of course I am going to bust out all of the clothes I've been anxious to wear. This Farm Rio dress (yes, it's tiered) is in my favorite color palette of pink and green. I also love prints that "look" like something - for instance, the leaves and flowers look like they are all embroidered, beaded, sequined - but since it is printed on there is no worry of a high maintenance clothing item as we all know details like that can get worn off, caught on things, and need special laundering. I explored a new to me parking garage rooftop this morning, and it was gorgeous to look over the city before the usual hustle and bustle started.

 

Young, Fabulous & Broke

Young? 43 and young at heart.

Fabulous? Of course!

Broke? Not if you're shopping at TJ Maxx!

The brand of this dress is "Young, Fabulous & Broke" which is another higher end boho label. I have been having the most amazing luck at TJ Maxx lately, which reminds me that I had very similar luck around this time last year. I'll have to see if this early Spring luck continues in future years. As I've always said about TJ Maxx (or any store like it) you have to go often and go to multiple locations if you can (since they rarely all carry the same things). I am thankful that I have one West of me in Jackson, and a few locations (and Marshalls, Sierra) East of me in Ann Arbor. They are all close to other errands I have, so it's easy for me to pop in during my lunch hour or before grocery shopping. I find two extremes - either I go for a long time finding nothing, or else this current state of deal after deal after deal. This "Dawn Dress" comes in multiple tie dye color options - retails for $172 - and I got it for $39.99. Out of the two color palettes my store had, I picked this purple/blue/mustard combo. Yes, it's a tiered flowy dress (my fave) and I know I say this all the time, but the fabric is heavenly!

 

End of Season Velvet - Denim & Sneakers

For my last velvet jogger look, I did the classic denim jacket and sneakers. This pink pair is different from the other two, as they have a gorgeous embroidery down the front in oatmeal and gold. I grabbed an oatmeal tank to match the embroidery, and then my shoes have various neutral tones with gold accents. When I bought my first pair of joggers last Fall (the peacock feather printed ones) I complained about having a hard time finding something other than my Birkenstocks to go with them for colder temps, as I have not been able to get into the fashion sneaker trend. Believe me, I bought several that I thought I liked in the store but then once I got home I decided to return them. Since they have pretty flat bottoms for the most part, and little to no padding around the foot, they were just not comfortable for me (rubbing on the back of my heel even with socks, and my toes feeling numb from no arch support). Then I found this slip on pair at TJ Maxx that felt great! If this star design looks familiar to you, it has trickled its way down to knockoffs the last few years from the popular Golden Goose brand which has a ridiculous average price of about $500! I got these for $29.99 and the brand is Vintage Havana. In doing a quick search for these online (as I usually do to find out the retail price) these are $125 at full price! Crazy! Here's the link to the joggers:

Rosie Embroidered Velvet Joggers - Anthropologie

 

 

End of Season Velvet - Satin & Slides

Here's the blue pair of velvet joggers I got, which I paired with a Johnny Was satin/embroidered butterfly top I got on super sale around this time last year and my fun patterned slides from Target. Here's links to what is available:

Gloria Velvet Joggers - Anthropologie

Universal Thread Slides - Target

 

End of Season Velvet - Burgundy & Birks

The other day I met a good friend for lunch which included a few shopping stops, one of which was Anthropologie. In the sale room, I saw some velvet joggers that were originally $128 to $188, marked down to $29.95 and $39.95 plus an additional 25% off. Of course I couldn't resist and bought the 3 colors they had, figuring my friend thought I was nuts and we joked about George Costanza's velvet obsession. So, my next few posts will be about how I am wearing these before they are "unseasonable", but you know me I rarely follow fashion rules and would totally wear these in the Summer with a cute tee or tank.

First up, I paired the burgundy ones with a brown tank, patterned wrap (Kohl's from a few years ago), and brown Birks. You can dress these up or down as much as you like, and for the price they can certainly serve as just lounge wear if you like. I usually wear leggings to yoga, but think I might try these next time. Here's the link to purchase them if you are interested:

Gloria Velvet Joggers - Anthropologie

 

Come Together

I bought these wide leg peacock pants by Aratta at the end of last season, but it was already too cold to wear them. I had my typical plan in mind to wear them with a solid tank and denim jacket (which I did below), but then I saw how perfect they matched with this sweater I got in January since it was hanging right in front of me. You might remember this sweater retailed for $270, but I got it for $29.99 at Sierra. I sort of obsessed with finding the perfect shade of pink or green to go under it with jeans (see original post here) so it makes me really happy to see that I had something that went with it that was not planned! Since there is white in the pants, I wore a white tank, further proving that I don't have to worry about being so matchy matchy with the colors in the sweater. It helps break up the look too. Usually, my rule with a flowy bottom is something fitted on top, but breaking that mindset here and I think it just works for this particular outfit. When it gets hotter, I would ditch the sweater and/or denim jacket and just wear these pants with a tank or tee. And swap out the flats for sandals.

 

 

 

Work of Art

I'm sure I don't need to tell you how wonderful it feels to get these surprise 60 to 70 degree days this early in Spring, knowing that there for sure will be one last snow or ice storm in March or April (perhaps even May)! Of course I am taking full advantage by busting out all of the dresses I've wanted to wear. When I saw this dress in an ad while scrolling social media, it certainly caught my eye, so I ordered it. The nature themed patchwork print looks like illustrations from a beautiful book! Gorgeous flowers and birds that are even more vibrant in person. You know I love TJ Maxx, but one thing about them is their store and website rarely have the same items. Meaning, if I buy something in person I can rarely link it. And trying to see something in person that is online is probably not going to happen.

This dress has billowy sleeves, an elasticized empire waist, and a button up neckline. It came with a matching sash to tie around the waist, but with the peak in front I did not care for that look and chose to let it be flowy! I will say though, this dress is sheer and does not come with a lining or slip, so you have to use your own. It is from Canadian designer Dalia MacPhee.

I layered some delicate necklaces with this, and am wearing my usual big sunglasses and favorite flats, both from Target (the perfect transitional shoe between booties and sandals)!

Mixed Print Maxi Dress - TJ Maxx

 

Year of Tiers

I can't believe it's coming up on a year since I started finding TONS of tiered dresses on the cheap. They truly are my go-to basic dress because there are so many ways to accessorize them (belts, jackets, footwear, jewelry). I have one in just about every color and style - short sleeve, sleeveless, midi length, maxi length. I truly didn't NEED another, but when I kept seeing this Target one on other bloggers I decided to check it out - especially at $30. I didn't have a long sleeve one yet, so this is perfect for that Spring and Fall transition time. Trust me when I tell you this fabric is about the comfiest thing possible! Feels like a dream! Dress, shoes and sunglasses are all Target.

 

This or That

Getting the most wear out of pieces is what it's all about for me, so I've been playing around with this statement skirt that I scored last Summer ($270 marked down to $40). Often when I first wear a piece, I go pretty simple (I first paired this skirt with a black tee) but then I want to get a little more daring. One of my favorite things to do with an elastic waist maxi skirt is to pull it up over the bust to make a strapless dress! I had a couple of jacket options to layer over it...... an Express denim number from almost 20 years ago that is deep purple with metallic accents, 2 things the skirt has..... and then a floral embroidered moto jacket whose flowers looked great with the floral print in the skirt. I can't decide which I like better.

I also like this metallic tank with it in skirt form, and am showing it untucked (since it has tiers that just flow into the ruffles of the skirt) and tucked.

And here's all the ways (that I can remember showing) wearing all of these different pieces. The moto jacket and jean jacket go great with a plain black maxi dress, or over a simple jean and tank combo. The ruffle skirt with a black tee for it's first wear. The metallic tank under dusters/kimonos that have gold details.

 

February Reads

 Spider Lake, by: Jeff Nania

This is the second book written by this author about my beloved Hayward, WI area so I read it right after reading the first one. The story continues with all of the same characters. The first book ended with you thinking the crimes were wrapped up, but this digs deeper into an even bigger and more dangerous puzzle!

Save The Date, by: Mary Kay Andrews

This month we did a road trip to Florida, so I knew I wanted some "vacation" like reads. I am starting to read more and more of Mary's books after getting an ARC of hers last year. Very similar to Elin Hilderbrand books when you are craving a fun, easy read that you know you will love. Mary focuses on the southern States as her location, and this book took place in Savannah, GA. The main character is a divorced floral designer whose business (and above apartment) are in a historic building. She inherited the business after working there, but needed a loan from her Dad to keep it going. She can never get her head above water with something seeming to go wrong every day - for example a broken cooler that kills all of her flowers. A well known designer moving into town who she's sure is out to put her out of business. Her landlord selling the building without telling her. Through all of this, she becomes connected to the family of the most expensive wedding she's been hired to do yet. A love interest also emerges but due to her failed marriage she has trouble believing she can be happy. Really enjoyed this one!

Summer Rental, by: Mary Kay Andrews

Best friends since Catholic grade school, three friends find themselves at the crossroads of their lives in their 30's. Ellis has recently been downsized from her job, leaving her drifting and wondering if the last 10 years were really worth it. She becomes distracted by the man who lives in the apartment above their rental garage (little does she know he's also the landlord). Julia is afraid to commit to her longtime love and the hard reality of slowing down after modeling around the world. Dorie finds out her husband is in love with someone else JUST as she becomes pregnant. They decide to rent a house on the outer banks of North Carolina for the month of August. Soon, they encounter Maryn - a woman on the run from her abusive husband after finding out he's been involved in criminal activity. Under one roof they all try to help each other through their problems. Really enjoyed this one too!

Vera, by: Carol Edgarian

This book comes out tomorrow (March 2) - thank you Scribner for the copy. 

An astonishing feat of imagination, a grand adventure set in 1906 San Francisco—a city leveled by quake and fire—featuring an indomitable heroine coming of age in the aftermath of catastrophe and her quest for love and reinvention. Meet Vera Johnson, the uncommonly resourceful fifteen-year-old illegitimate daughter of Rose, notorious proprietor of San Francisco’s most legendary bordello and ally to the city’s corrupt politicians. Vera has grown up straddling two worlds—the madam’s alluring sphere, replete with tickets to the opera, surly henchmen, and scant morality, and the violent, debt ridden domestic life of the family paid to raise her. On the morning of the great quake, Vera’s worlds collide. As the shattered city burns and looters vie with the injured, orphaned, and starving, Vera and her guileless sister, Pie, are cast adrift. Vera disregards societal norms and prejudices and begins to imagine a new kind of life. She collaborates with Tan, her former rival, and forges an unlikely family of survivors. Together they navigate their way beyond disaster.

This reminded me a bit of "City of Girls" as well as books I've read about Chicago during this time period. I didn't know much about this event in time, so it was interesting to learn about and I am always in awe of the people who have survived.