Adrien: A Worthy Purchase.

As much as we talk about shopping around here, I don't actually purchase/keep a ton of stuff. I tend to obsess, to consider, to order and return. I want my clothes to be perfect but I don't have the budget for perfect. But every now and then I really get it right and this tuxedo jacket is the proof:

I already talked about it in this post but I am happy to report that I've worn it out in the world a few times and I absolutely love it. I love how sleek it is, the slightly oversized fit, and that it can dress up jeans or be worn over a dress and vastly improves both. My jacket was purchased from TJ Maxx (regrettably sold out) but it's still available on the Halston website, final sale. If that's too much of a risk there's also a nice looking version at Talbots and, if you're a size 8/M, this one at The RealReal is well-priced. I also really like this one from Anthropologie and oooh, check out this velvet tuxedo jacket! So great for winter.

I kept everything else really simple with my grey LOFT dress and Spanx tights, which I swear by. Here's my dumb dress: 

It's fine but now LOFT has a few that are way cuter (and seem to have escaped Wacky Sleeve Syndrome) so now I want new, different plain-ass swing dresses. I mean, this one is basically what I have but isn't this one way better? And the color on this one! Autumnal af. And Lou & Grey have a cute one even though the name is awful. I don't know what's wrong with me. Let's check out the details:  

I'm wearing my BR sale necklace that's sold out but this one at Off Fifth is somewhat similar and probably nicer, tbh. My bracelet is Lisa Freede and is sorta like this one but I love this Vita Fede version better. Of course. 

My ankle boots are from Madewell (still some on eBay) but this updated pair is gorgeous. My bag is a vintage LV speedy but listen, don't be like me. You do need a red bag but this one is a much better deal. (Talbots is killing it this fall! Yes, I said that.) I also love this one at TJ Maxx A LOT. Like, a lot a lot. Ugh.

BUY THIS (So We Don't Have To): Obsessed With Plaid Shirts.

You guys, I'm suddenly obsessed with plaid shirts. They're everywhere and I cannot STOP THINKING ABOUT THEM. Here are a few good plaids that have haunted me lately (and one I actually bought):

I met a girl last week in California who was wearing this Anthropologie top with coated black skinny jeans and wingtip chelsea boots. I wanted the entire outfit, but especially the blouse.

This Soft Joie blouse has been on the TJ Maxx site for weeks, quietly torturing me. I should just buy it, maybe. (It's also at Off Fifth for slightly more money.)

Old Navy has a boyfriend shirt in a bunch of different plaids but I really like this more feminine split-neck plaid top.

This Lucky Brand shirt is a fashionable plus option with cute overlay detail in the back. It also comes in a darker plaid. 

LOFT is still a total ruffletastrophy this season but I do quite like this more subtle take on a plaid top. This one is pretty cute too.

There are any number of Current/Elliott plaid shirts hurting my feelings. This is one of them and also this cute number at TJ Maxx. Ugh, stop being so cute.

And finally, I bought this LL Bean flannel on a shopping trip with Kate because she put it on and it looked so cozy and comfortable! (Yes, we both bought it. Yes, I am that friend.)

Weekend Window Shopping: Labradorite!

Back when I had a small business making jewelry I discovered Labradorite - an amazing grey stone with flashes of blue and green fire. It's not terribly expensive and I loved pairing it with other gemstones because it's subtle and neutral but also colorful. Anyway, it's my favorite and I'm always looking for good Labradorite jewelry:

         

       

Adrien: Is that the tIme??

Hello! Today I bring you a startlingly pedestrian outfit. Surprise! But listen, this is an outfit from one of those Monday mornings where you linger slightly too long over a second cup of coffee and you want to wear clothes that will not bind or annoy and, sure, you want to look cute but also don't want to iron anything and jesus is that the time I AM SO LATE. So, this is what you get: 

Oh yeah! The old shirt and pants outfit. Groundbreaking. But listen, these are the Everlane ponte pants that I bought recently and I wear them at least twice a week. They're really good. I now regret sending back the cropped pair and might eventually buy them in grey. I'm sure there are similar things that cost less money, like this JCrew Factory pair and this pair from Lou and Grey, but I'm really happy with this pair.

This shirt is, of course, my Old Navy chambray shirt. It's a bargain and I wear it a lot. I am contemplating buying the dark wash version but then someone posted that this JCrew chambray shirt is perfect and amazing and now I want that. Dang it. Details: 

I'm wearing a duo of star-themed necklaces. The big one is my House of Harlow mini sunburst necklace and the tiny one is from Madewell. The tiny one is sold out but they have this tiny blue topaz necklace that I find just as appealing and I love this delicate Gorjana star necklace. 

It's the shoes that are keeping me from looking super basic. I am so happy with these UGG leopard flats! Unfortunately they're an older style that's sold out but I love these UGG zebra flats and there are other good leopard print loafers in the world, like this Tahari pair that's on sale! My bag is the same old MBMJ hobo that I carry daily. So boring, so sorry. 

And, it's jacket weather. This is my Madewell et Sézane Beckett jacket that I scoured eBay for and it's still a solid favorite. Madewell currently has an amazing collaboration olive jacket right now and also this cute cropped version! But, I think you could also do just as well with this hooded anorak at Target. (We're all about the Target clothes lately, if you hadn't noticed.) 

Marianne: I'm still not finished talking about Target.

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Okay, so I went on at length about what I think is cute at Target (mostly focusing on their A New Day line) but what did I actually BUY. And what about the SHOES?

This striped chambray shirt is Mossimo and it's just good. It's super soft, the faded stripes are cute, it's a good length and looks good buttoned up or open over a t-shirt.

Not satisfied by just one denim shirt, I also picked up this one. This shirt runs TTS (I found a lot of the stuff at Target runs a size small) and it's sooo cute.

I impulse-bought this t-shirt because it was so appealing soft and drapey and shiny. Looks very J. Crew.

I also impulse bought this t-shirt because it's a dead ringer for a The Great tee and really this is not a flattering look on me so $14.99 seems like the most I should spend. It's really soft?

A striped shirt. I don't know either. I certainly don't need it, and yet.

I didn't buy this shirt but I will probably go back for it. It's so soft and has a tiny star print.

THIS SWEATER. It was already sold out in a ton of sizes because it's just perfectly cozy and long enough to wear with leggings. I got this pumpkin-y color.

WHAT ABOUT SHOES. Okay, I don't really do cheap shoes. My feet are tender and really narrow and I baby them. Plus I really need clothes more than shoes. But I would be remiss if I didn't point out three standouts:

These silver oxfords! I really might have to buy these because just LOOK at them. I tried them on in black (also super cute) and if you wear socks you'll definitely need to size up at least a half size.

These leopard booties! I also tried these on and they are CUTE. A great shape and they seemed comfortable.

These weird sneakers! I don't know, I just dig them.

Target, man. They are really killing it. By it, I mean my bank account.

Weekend Window Shopping: Traveling.

I don't do a ton of traveling but I've done enough in the last year that I've got my airplane outfit figured out - good leggings, a comfy warm top, light sneakers, and a big lightweight scarf. I carry a nylon tote and make sure I have all my favorite products in tiny sizes. Also, I always pack my Amika mini hair dryer because those hotel jobbies are terrible. What about you?

         

       

Stuff I Like: Reading, Listening, Wearing, Visiting.

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I'm back with a few recommendations and a request for some recs from you guys. Here we go:

This Book That's Super Creepy.
I FINALLY FINISHED 1Q84 and oh my god never again. I like a long book but, damn. Nope. So now I'm reading See What I Have Done, a weird re-imagining of the Lizzie Borden murders which were never solved. Creepy old timey true crime! It's a really weird story if you don't know much about it and this book, which is gorgeously written, is Sarah Schmidt's debut novel. Also, if you like this kind of thing I highly recommend Asta's Book by Barbara Vine.

This New Beck Album That's Refreshingly Cheerful.
On a whim I downloaded the new Beck album Colors and you guyyyyyys. He's happy again! I did enjoy some of his gloomy/dreamy music but the Beck I really enjoy is more of the Odelay and Midnite Vultures era. Colors is pure pop and exactly what I needed to clear my brain. I've mostly been listening to podcasts for the past few months and I suddenly hit a wall where I just wanted music. Has anyone heard the new St. Vincent? I want that too.

This Scarf I'm Obsessed With.
I got a beautiful Barbour scarf as a gift last year and it's still my favorite scarf, ever. Barbour is one of those brands that seems to deliver the kind of stiff upper lip classic English quality I enjoy. (Just go with it.) I am all about having good winter scarves to cheer up my bleakness and cheap-and-cheerful is fine, but there's something about a good-quality scarf! My Union Jack scarf is still available (but definitely wait for a sale.) In the meantime, there are some beautiful tartan men's Barbour scarves on Farfetch that are quite reasonably priced and they are also popping up at TJ Maxx pretty often. Because I'm suddenly obsessed with plaid, I bought this flannel shirt at LL Bean because who am I anymore? I don't even care - I'll be warm and draped in tartan.

This City I'm Visiting.
Hey! I'm going to be on vacation next week and I'll be in San Francisco for a few days. I've been there before but it's been a long time so if y'all have any good eating, shopping or site-seeing recommendations, please leave a comment!

Marianne: TARGET PART TWO.

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I'm going to try and keep this intro short and get right into more stuff I'm loving at Target, this time tackling shirts, sweaters, and maybe a dress or two. Onward!

I know I already posted a poncho but I like this one even MORE:

I'LL TAKE ONE IN EVERY COLOR: 

How cute it this? Makes me almost excited about fall. 

Perfect gin sweater: 

Belted sweaters don't really look great on me but that's not stopping me from liking this: 

Pretty sure this would be awful on me but I want it on my body anyway: 

Looks soft AF: 

Deeply on clearance and cute under a cardigan:

Teeny tiny star print! 

A good plaid and butt-covering: 

Kind of Mandy Moore in This is Us in a way I enjoy: 

This long fleece bomber is kind of amazing and looks expensive: 

I can't justify another anorak but maybe you can? 

Oh my god, someone stop me! In my next post I'll tell you what I actually bought. 

Adrien: Basically My Dream Outfit.

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YOU GUYS. I have found my perfect casual outfit and I want to wear it every single day until spring:

I KNOW RIGHT. Thanks to Marianne, I immediately went to Target to check out these Mossimo camo jeggings which are so ridiculously good. They are suuuuper stretchy which could get annoying but so far they're really comfortable and super cute and under $30. Can't beat that. If you can't do Target clothes or don't have access, this pair at JC Penney is also cute and really inexpensive. If you want something a bit less Jeanz for Teenz, I'd go with this pair at Nordstrom. 

Okay, let's talk about this Daydreamer sweatshirt. I originally found it when I was linking up this entry. At the time I thought it was a bit on the nose but it still made me happy, because Bowie. It popped up again and again. It got marked down. It got marked down more. Finally I just freaking bought it. And you guys? I LOVE IT. So ridiculously soft, perfectly slouchy, stupidly direct. It's still available in size small (I'm wearing a medium) and I highly recommend it at the sale price. Daydreamer also makes a Def Leppard sweatshirt and a lot of really cute tees. I mean, ugh. They have my number and keep calling me. 

I'm going all city with this look so any excuse to wear my new Everlane boots, which I'll talk about in a minute. First, details:

I bought this little pendant from Banana on clearance because it reminded me of one that Francesca wore on Master of None. The two little gold bars are delicate but still make a statement. Unfortunately it's sold out but this one by Freida Rothman is really good and this one is a bit more spendy but looks like a dead ringer for Francesca's necklace. I'm also wearing my Alexis Bittar cocktail ring because why not. This one is pretty similar but it's no snake ring. Bless that weirdo. 

Same ole MBMJ hobo bag because that's the way I roll. I do occasionally look at other bags, I promise. I love the stud detail on this Minkoff hobo and this woven leather Cole Haan bag is really striking, though the sleek plain version is more my speed. My boots are, as I mentioned, my new Everlane Street Ankle boots. They're breaking in well and I'm really happy I bought them!

One more view of the camo print and boots. I love this combo a lot. Have you checked out the Mossimo jeggings yet? Part two of Marianne's Target recommendations is coming tomorrow...