Outfit of the Day: That Dress.

If I were a more organized person with less hobbies I'd have planned out a week's worth of posts to have ready to go for my vacation week. Oops. Yeah, that didn't happen. Instead, I give you only this outfit from last week which features the awesome Juno Printed dress by Maeve that I won't shut up about: 

At the time of writing the dress is sold out in the leopard print but y'all, the snake print is SO FUN. I wasn't sure it would work on me but it's great - bold and soft at the same time? I just love a crazy print and I think the neutral colors keep it from being over-the-top. Plus, it's exactly the kind of loose, easy dress you can wear well into summer. Oh, and it does run a bit big - I took a small in this. (Edited to add: It says machine wash but mine shrunk quite a bit when I washed it! I would dry clean this one.) 

I went looking for other snake-y dresses and found this beauty from Joie and this (much less expensive) little dress from ASOS. I also love this mock neck minidress at Nordstrom and don't forget this little shift dress at TJ Maxx! So good. I think the key to animal print is too keep it loose and floaty or very structured. (No to body-con!) And Maeve, in general is great for easy-to-wear dresses, though of course I want the expensive one that's nearly sold out. Always the way. 

I mean, duh. Of course I immediately threw on my AllSaints jacket to see how it looked. Perfect, that's how. I love this jacket so much, you guys. It's kind of gross. Also, if you are looking for a good leather jacket, there are quite a few over at TJ Maxx, just saying. On to details:

I'm wearing my favorite Argento Vivo labradorite necklace (this one is similar and this one too!) with a new addition that was a birthday gift from a good friend. I've had my eye on the Monogram necklace for a while so I was really delighted! Both are great for layering, especially if you like untangling things. (I'm kidding, sort of.)

Same old Madewell boots and my Cambridge twist lock satchel. The exact style isn't made anymore but how freaking cute is this bag? Same color and everything. The large pushlock style is also pretty great. 

Weekend Window Shopping: My Travel Uniform.

It turns out that the key to packing (for me) is to just pack the stuff you wear all the time. No reinventing the wheel, just keep it simple. Here's my ideal travel outfit (which I will shortly be wearing in Paris):
         
       

         
       
     
       

We Discuss: Another Average Week

A: GUESS WHO’S IN PARIS

M: Lololol

A: IMMA FIND HIM AND STAND NEXT TO HIM

M: You’ll block the sun

A: Whatever it takes

M: 

A: 

A: 

M: Baby gap has a closeout sale I guess

A: 

M: Heh

****

A: I just saw your IG story and I’m confused about why you’re calling my room “the guest room” tbh

M: Typo

A: We just ordered a plaque for The Marianne Suite so...

M: I am having your portrait painted on one wall Andy Warhol style

M: Too much?

A: 

M: I just spilled an entire la Croix trying to take a boomerang

A: rookie

****

M: I’m watching Killing Eve this weekend and it’s so good!

A: DUH

A: I HAVE BEEN TELLING YOU

M: I knew it would be! I just wanted to give it my full attention

A: Seriously my favorite show in a long time

M: Okay I really like this show but they whole secret team of people with NO FIELD TRAINING out hunting assassins is a little 🤷🏻‍♀️

A: Well, yeah. Just suspend that disbelief, Marianne.

M: Poor, poor Bill

A: OMG I KNOW

A: I need to watch it again

M: I really love Aunt Petunia tho

A: There were some one-off lines that I just love

M: Villanelle is the best part

A: Of course

M: I just like looking at her so much

A: And now you get the wardrobe thing

A: She’s just amazing

M: Yes!

A: I tried to explain and you were like lol

A:

M: Haha

A:

M: I loved that whole dinner

A: I know! It’s the best show.

Adrien: Sometimes I Go Out, I Swear.

I feel like my outfits have slipped into winter boring-ness so I thought I'd post something I wore out to an actual party. Lest you think I'm dressing up - haha. Not really. I am just employing Kim France's Party In A Top method of dressing up. But it's good - really all you need is a fun party top and the rest can be whatever. (GOD I AM SO LAZY.) Behold: 

I bought this top in December (I posted about trying it on here) but I never actually posted the outfit I'd described wearing if I bought it, so here it is! I don't generally spend so much (even with a discount) on a single blouse but I've worn this one for several occasions and it always makes me feel fancy. I'm wearing it with my Madewell coated jeans which are a staple in my closet. Madewell isn't carrying them right now but this pair of Joe's looks really good and this pair by Blank NYC is very on sale. Also, H&M has a pair suuuuper cheap. (I won't tell.) 

Anyway, since buying this top I am now a FIRM believer in the "party top." I almost bought this one from Anthro because the color is so amazing and something like this fun top would also totally work. Marianne mentioned that she really likes Loft's lace tops for dressing up. Something like this black lace top or this wrap top. I also like the idea of a simple blousy top in a great color working well in this capacity, like this one at BR. On to details:

My giant tassel necklace is from Ann Taylor from a million years ago but it still gets some love now and then. I love a tassel! This is the one I'm currently dying to own (my friend Nina has it and it's beautiful) but something like this Sole Society necklace is much easier on the budget. But of course, the best tassel is always Lulu Frost. Always. 

I wear these Madewell Lucien boots too much but they're comfortable and go with everything. I mean, what am I supposed to do? They're long sold out but the Regan style is pretty similar. My bag is a recent Poshmark purchase - a J.Crew Signet bag with the snakeskin key tag. It fits a surprising amount and is an easy little crossbody. They seem to be gone from the site right now, but there are lots available secondhand. 

Finally, because I am dumb I threw my AllSaints leather jacket over everything just to see what it looked like. Too much shiny, that's what it looked like. Hmmph. 

Shopping Report: An Update.

Y'all are probably real sick of hearing about this dress but THERE IS MORE SORRY/NOT SORRY. Because I am an obsessive weirdo I went back to Anthro yesterday hoping they'd magically have the leopard dress in my size. Alas, they did not, but while wandering around I noticed a sales assistant steaming the snakeskin version behind the counter. They hadn't even put them out yet but yes, I will take the small, please:

Turns out? It's great and the colorway works fine on me. I obviously bought the damn dress and also picked up the leopard for Marianne. (She has promised an outfit selfie!) I rarely buy anything full price at Anthro  but I think this dress is worth checking out because it's great and it's going to fly out of there. I'm wearing it today with tights and boots and will definitely be wearing it in a few months with bare legs and clog sandals!

Sort of related, I've been noticing a LOT of leopard and snakeskin on the Anthro site and thought I'd share a few of my favorites:

This blouse is SO FOR ME. I am going to keep a close eye on it for spring! (It needs to go on sale.) 

If you're leery about wearing A LOT of snake, maybe what you need is these ultra cool Supergas? 

I haven't bought a belt in ages but how f'ing great would this look with a plain black dress? 

There is a ton of leopard on the site (leopard 4Evr!) so I had to work hard to narrow things down:

This is more Marianne's jam than mine, but it's very 80s safari in a good way. 

(Hey, remember when we did this? Good times.) 

These are straight up adorable and the print is just right - neither too big nor too small. 

This top is riiiight on the edge of being maybe too much for me which means I should go try it on and know for sure because it might be just the right amount of too much. 

BONUS ADORABLE LEOPARD-PRINT CARD CASE WHICH I DO NOT NEED. (BUT OMG.) 

Weekend Shopping Report: Anthropologie Disappoints Me.

This past weekend I went to Anthropologie in search of the mythical Juno Printed Dress that keeps eluding me. I never generally want anything from Anthro badly enough to pay full price and now that I'm like, TAKE ALL MY MONEY ANTHRO the dress has gone *poof*

This is the dress I'm talking about (which, if you follow us on IG, you might already know about):

You can't have me. 

Currently it's sold out in the leopard print version but I don't take no for an answer. It's popped back online a few times but never in the size I need. So, off I went to the store and I found two of them at my local Anthro! Unfortunately one was a M and the other an XL. Dammit. I tried on the medium because I'm no quitter:

I absolutely love it but it's definitely too big. And yes, I am wearing it over my Madewell jeans and Dr Martens. Also, because I have narrow shoulders, it felt pretty low-cut in the medium as well:

They did have a small in the green floral version so I tried that on just to confirm sizing:

The green floral is...not for me, but the fit is perfect. A new snakeskin version of the dress just got added and, while I really like it,  I worry the pinky-beige color won't look great on me. So, for now, I am holding out for the leopard dress in size small. (Holla if you find one and I will be your best friend forever!) 

I also tried on the leopard print cardigan which I loved so much in theory but on me it was a little more boxy than I like:

So cozy, though! It's on sale and appears to be sold out online (I'm sure it'll pop back) but there were lots in my store. I pretty much fled after that because I was trying to keep my eyes on the prize and not be tempted to buy things I don't need. HOWEVER, there is a good sale going on at Anthro right now - an extra 40% off sale items and it ends tonight!

Weekend Window Shopping: Madewell Sale on Sale.

Happy Friday! This has been the longest damn week, hasn't it? I barely had the energy to dig through this Madewell sale  (an extra 30% off sale styles with code BRAVO) which seems to be mostly bits and pieces. Also, it wouldn't give me image links of any of the bags and I really loved this canvas tote and this little crossbody bag, both of which are part of the sale! Here's what else I liked:  
         
       

         
       
     
       

Stuff I Like: Eating, Hibernating, Learning, Watching

I haven't done one of these in a while! Here are a few of the things that have been making my life better lately: 

This Salmon Salad I Eat For Lunch Every Week
It's that time of year when my weight is creeping up and austerity measures must be made. I pack my lunch every day and try really hard to pack food that's nutritious and also tasty. My latest obsession is this salmon salad recipe that I've been making every week. It really simple, makes two decent portions and tastes really good. You can put it in a collard wrap if you must but I prefer it on a toasted wheat pita with a handful of salad greens shoved in. Definitely get the good canned salmon with skin and bones included (I know, but they mix right in and you won't even notice and that's where the nutrition lives.) Because I'm bougie I like to use this fancy-ass mayo but Dukes is just fine too and I also add salt to the recipe because I'm not a monster.

This Comforter I Can't Live Without
I moved in with my boyfriend back in the summer and we have this great little 1960s ranch house that I adore. But y'all, I am freezing to death. This cute house of ours is drafty and I decided we needed a super cozy bed set-up so that I wasn't always a shivering poodle. On some dumb podcast I listen to (okay, it was Forever 35) a guest mentioned she had a silk-filled comforter that was great because it's weighty but also regulates body heat well.  I was like, THAT SOUNDS PERFECT. I scoured Amazon, bought the LilySilk All Season Luxury Silk Comforter and never looked back. I love it, my boyfriend loves it, the cats really love it. It's not super thick but it's deliciously heavy without being suffocating. It's not inexpensive but I've been so happy with it. Worth every penny.

This Audiobook That's Teaching Me French
Long story, but I never took a foreign language in high school. So, when we planned our trip last fall to Paris, I was pretty worried about the language thing and started listening to the Coffee Break French podcast. It's an excellent place to start and helped me to learn a few important words and phrases. Now, with our upcoming return trip to Paris (next week!) I wanted to go a little deeper. I researched the various programs and eventually bought Learn French With Paul Noble. This audiobook is an immersive method and within the first hour you're speaking full sentences, which feels like magic. It's not super helpful for just learning traveler's French (I think Coffee Break French does a better job of that) but it's still quite good, even if I tend to get snappy with Paul, who is smug. We get it Paul, you're a GD genius.

This Amazing Show You're Probably Already Watching
OMG are you watching Russian Doll? Marianne told me about it (she's watched it twice through) and I am currently obsessed. Also, Natasha Lyonne is just amazing and has the best hair. The basic premise is that the main character Nadia gets caught in a loop in which she repeatedly attends her birthday party and dies at the end of the night each time. It's dark and funny and kind of weird, just how I like it. I won't say more because I don't want to spoil it, just watch it.

We Discuss: Vitamin SEEEE

M: I broke down and bought some The Ordinary stuff to try

M: Because I am about to be very broke and it would be amazing if this worked

A: What’d you get? I’ve tried a couple of things.

M: Vitamin C, Rosehip oil, and the caffeine serum for under eye

A: I’ve tried the Rosehip oil and liked it. Let me know how the other two work out!

M: I will!

***

M: Two days into the Ordinary and so far I’m into it

M: The vitamin C is strong as fuck and I feel like it’s burning off my skin in a good way

A: I have such feelings about Vitamin C

M: What are your feelings? Do you not like the Kiehls stuff

A: I do! I like the Kiehls and the Sunday Riley which I rotate

M: IDK I definitely see a difference, Very similar to my prescription retinol

A: But I think they’re limited and eventually I'll need something stronger. However,  stronger serums tend to break me out so I am leery about trying something burn-y.

A: Also, Retinol makes my face flaky af

A: I don’t feel like anything is a super miracle for me

M: For me (obvi everyone is different) I had to get through the flaky period with retinol. It was not fun.

M: But I think it made my skin bombproof

A: I need to try again

M: Do it before summer!

A: Yeah, I can't really use retinol in the summer

M: Yeah it’s hard in the summer and also in the dead of winter

M: I remember wind made my face hurt

A: I’m just outside in the sun too much

M: I sound like a crazy person

A: Ha! No, I know what you mean.

M: Speaking of, this morning I accidentally used bronzer instead of setting powder

M: which is so fun

A: hahahaha

M: Like, under my eyes

A: Oops

M: Cool cool super coolll

A: That’s a do-over for me, dog

M: It wasn’t a ton so I just blended it with some powder and kept moving but I feel like I look a lil tan

A: That doesn’t sound like a bad thing.

A: Today it’s pouring rain and 36 degrees so I basically want to crawl back into my lair

M: It’s not even noticeable which makes me wonder if my bronzer actually does anything

M: I have forgotten what the sun feels like:

A: You look flawless

M: Well my computer monitor is huge and blows my skin out

M: Like, people mention it in video calls

M: Someone asked if I have a ring light at my desk

A: Whatever works!

M: Hahaha

A: I love a ring light

A: I just want to walk around with one

***

M: I am pretty gd pleased with this vitamin C business I have to say. Weirdly gritty and kind of burny. But I feel GLOWY

M: I am low on my Kiehls so this was an experiment

A: Well, it’s certainly well-priced so if it works…

M: And the rosehip oil is really nice even though it has an...earthiness

A: It does, yeah

A: But I use Sunday Riley oils that smell like dirt and herbs

M: haha

M: I am really hoping I continue to like it because I really can’t justify spending so much

M: The caffeine under eye stuff is interesting. I am not sure yet if it’s doing anything but you use SO LITTLE that a bottle will seriously last a year

A: I need to revisit The Ordinary. I just got so overwhelmed on the website trying to figure out what I needed

M: Yeah I know, I literally just ordered what my friend Jenny uses because her skin is amazing

M: They are out of the glycolic toner at Sephora, that’s the other thing she likes

A: Well, that’s really the way to do it, I’d say

M: Yup

A: Now I want all of those things (except the oil, which I already have!)

A: 

BUY THIS: Anthropologie Flash Sale.

Why you gotta be like this, Anthro? We are all sick of sweaters and coats and boots...right? Yes. YES WE ARE. And yet, there are some really nice things included in this 40% off flash sale that would work well into spring. Ugh, let's take a look:

This breezy camo sweater is TOTALLY for spring and would go with nearly everything. 

NOW YOU'RE JUST BEING MEAN, ANTHRO. I want this cardigan A LOT. 

This is the same brand as the great draped jacket Marianne and I bought last fall and comes in two great colors. I prefer the gray because that's all I know anymore. 

This leather jacket is Frye and it's an investment but omg, what a jacket. The color is really unusual and I love the stud collar. Dang. 

I kept coming back to this faux suede trench and surprised myself by liking the lavender color the best. It's just so pretty and soft but still kinda retro and badass. 

These look tan but are actually a blush color. Definitely springtime boots. 

These you could wear year-round - metallic gold with a chunky heel? Basically perfect. 

I love an airy perforated boot as a not-quite-sandal-weather option and this color is a perfect neutral. 

Outfit of the Day: New Favorites.

Finally, I have an outfit post to share! I've bought a few things recently that I've been really happy with, so I thought I'd put them together and see what happened. (I mean, nothing happened but it was a fine outfit for work or whatever.) Here were go:

So, I realllllly wanted that striped cashmere sweater from Everlane but they sold out of my size while I was still waffling about it. Of course. So I gave up on my striped cashmere dream completely. Then,  oops, I found the one I'm wearing at TJ Maxx!

It's C&C California 2-ply cashmere and it's SO GOOD. Soft as a kitten, not too sheer and really warm. It also comes in a pale grey stripe and I had a hard time deciding between the two. It's not online but TJM does have this fun version and there are a few listed on Poshmark as well. It's a really good sweater and I am tempted to go back for the other color. For similar styles I found this on by Rebecca Minkoff and this CK version. (But seriously, go to TJM and look for it! Under $40, y'all.) Now for the other half:

These are the Athleta Chelsea Cargo pant and I literally wore them three days in a row last week. It was unseasonably warm last week and they were so light and easy! The cargo pocket detail is pretty subtle, which I appreciate and I can see myself wearing these well into summer. They get great reviews for good reason and I'm sold. I bought them for travel but I can see them becoming a staple for work and play. Athleta pants can be hit or miss for me (see my review from last fall) but I love the Chelsea Cargo and have my eye on the Sutton Jogger. On to details:

Keeping it boring with my Giles & Brother fish hook pendant. I bought it more than two years ago and still wear it every week! A newer version is available in silver but I personally would go for this G&B anchor pendant. 

I really need to switch up my bag once in a while. My MBMJ hobo has really served me well, though! This gorgeous MJ Empire City Hobo is really similar and comes in grey if you want to be boring like me. Finally, my flats are Rothys which I have really been enjoying. I did a full review of these last fall if you're curious and recently gave Marianne a pair, so I'll post her thoughts soon. And don’t forget, you can shop through my link for $20 off your first purchase! (Full disclosure: I will also get a $20 credit.)

That's it for today. Have you bought anything good recently? Do tell.