Weekend Window Shopping: Lace Up Boots!

 Hello! Perhaps you didn't know it but the boots of your youth are back in a big way. Lace-up and combat boot styles are everywhere and there are some really good ones out there. I don't always love it when the styles I wore in the 90s swing back around but I'm very much okay with this. Here we go:

Outfit of the Day: Full Autumn Assimilation.

Hello! Autumn in Oregon has fully set in - the trees are beautiful but it has been raining nearly every day, which is not beautiful. I'm adjusting and I will say it's nice for the weather to be consistent, I guess. I am fully trying to lean in with sweaters and jackets and boots! Glorious boots:

 

Here's my first outfit featuring my Danner Jack boots which I'll talk about in a minute. I'm wearing an Everlane cashmere v-neck sweater from a few seasons back (reviewed here) and it's still a favorite of mine. I don't shop at Everlane anymore so I was happy to see that Quince now has a v-neck sweater in their cashmere line-up! (I've ordered one and will report back when it arrives.) I'm also wearing my Madewell skinny jeans in Oakwood wash which I am not going to stop wearing, I don't care what the kids say. I also have my eye on this excellent pair because I've realized that a skinny jean will always have a place in my wardrobe during the colder months.

My Hammitt VIP is still the bag I've been carrying the most lately. It's just a really good all-around bag and I love how it just kind of molds itself to my hip. I did buy the thicker strap which I think works much better with the large size. I bought mine secondhand but I definitely think it's a quality bag and worth the price. I can see myself eventually getting it in another color, like this dreamy olive version. Ugh. Why did I even look at that?

Oh hey, remember last year when I bought six utility jackets for blog science? This J.Crew Lightweight Utility jacket is one that I kept. I pulled it out again recently and fell in love with it all over again. It's fully lined (so not particularly "lightweight") and just a comfy, rugged shape. Big pockets and a hood make it basically perfect. They have a new, slightly less rugged, version that looks very promising but my version is sold out. I hope they'll bring it back! 

Quick necklace details: I'm wearing a Theia Gemstone Necklace from Three Flames Silverworks based in Seattle, and my silver wings necklace from My Precious Studio based in Richmond. A little East Coast a little West Coast! I'm trying not to play favorites. 

Another look at my Hammitt VIP bag for size. The VIP comes in three sizes and this is the large one. The large is what you want if you need an everyday bag. The medium is very nice small bag option. I haven't seen the small in person but dang, it looks wee. And, finally, my new boooooots:

They spark so much joy, y'all. These are serious boots though and do have a break-in process. I've been trying to wear them as much as I can to get them to a super-comfy point. Danner also makes a really excellent-looking Chelsea boot that I have my eye on for the future! My pair are available on the Danner site and there are also a few sizes available on Amazon. For something similar without (I would imagine) a long break-in period, this pair at Madewell look quite good and they have a zip up the back! I also love this Dolce Vita pull-on style that a friend of mine mentioned recently in the comments. 

That's it for today! As usual, too many words about boots. Heh.

BUY THIS (So We Don't Have To): New Arrivals at Madewell.

I literally NEED NO THINGS AT ALL but somehow when Madewell sends me an email full of new arrivals, I have to take a look. I DO IT FOR THE BLOG OKAY?? (Why am I so shouty today?) Anyway, Madewell has a whole new bunch of crap I want and maybe you do too, so here's what I like:

I probably actually could use a cozy new sweater and...NO. NO! 

(Isn't it good, though? That blue/green color...) 

These are Marianne's new Perfect Vintage jeans and they are GREAT. (but definitely size down.)

This little crossbody is giving me vintage Coach vibes and how excellent is it in forest green?

Ooh, a fleece button down shirt! Though I'd probably get the black version because I'm boring.

These are the Griff tapered pants but in a very plush corduroy. Winter Griff! 

I know this color generally doesn't work on me but isn't it CUTE. I do love a fashion puffer jacket. 

HERE FOR THIS. A beautiful blurry plaid shirt jacket is everything I need for full PNW assimilation.

Finally, if Chelsea boots and UGGs had a baby, it would be these adorable boots, right? 

Monday Mood: PNW Weekend Shopping Report.

Somehow it's already Monday and I don't understand. I hope you all had a good weekend and did something fun. It was mostly a rainy, blustery weekend here so instead of riding my bike, we did some shopping. Here's what I got:

Danner Women's Jack III Boots
Danner is a Portland, OR based boot company known for amazing hiking boots but they also make lifestyle boots. Last weekend my boyfriend and I went to the Danner store so he could get some new boots and you can probably guess what happened. I was just along for the ride until I saw the Jack III boots (Amazon link - limited sizing here) and made the mistake of trying them on. Y'all. Y'ALL. These are some beautiful boots and once I put them on my feet I was sunk. I mean:

Lumberjack chic, amirite? And now they are mine! My boyfriend saw how much I loved them and bought them for me. True love. I will post an outfit this week!

Mountain Hardwear Kor Cirrus Hybrid 
I still do not feel fully prepared for the PNW fall weather so yesterday took a trip to the Columbia outlet. I bought a Columbia fleece (very cozy but pretty basic) and also found this Mountain Hardwear hybrid hoodie on the clearance rack. It's SO GOOD -  basically a very lightweight jacket that wears like a hoodie. It weighs nothing but is somehow warm, has an excellent hood, deep zip pockets, thin enough to wear as an extra layer under a coat, and best of all, packs down into one of the pockets so it's great for travel. I wore it yesterday on a chilly, windy, long walk and was completely comfortable. Highly recommend. It's not fashion but it is just a great layer for in-between weather. (I bought a medium - it's generously sized, so keep that in mind.)

Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner in Mushroom
I've written about my love for the UD 24/7 eyeliner before and I was convinced that my favorite color had been discontinued. Well, it turns out it's just that Sephora doesn't seem to carry it anymore. It's still on the UD website and also on the Target website! I just ordered a new one so I can throw away the sad nub of my old one. This is a really unusual color - it's a silvery taupe that's not too dark and it looks amazing on brown eyes. Yay! 

And, a future purchase...

Bombas  Performance Running Calf Sock
I love the Performance Ankle sock so much that I get mad when both pairs I own are in the wash. They are the best - they don't slide around or bunch up ever and they are super comfortable. Looking ahead to colder weather, I thought the calf height version might be perfect for outdoor activities but also, they'd be ideal to wear with boots! I just want a boot sock that fits well, has no toe seam and stays put. I have a few pairs waiting in my shopping cart, so I'll report back after I get them. If you've never tried Bombas, now is the time! Use my link to get 25% off your first order! (Full disclosure: I also get a credit.) 

That's it for my weekend purchases - now please tell me if you bought anything good!

Weekend Window Shopping: All The Cozy Sherpa.

My latest obsession is the very common sherpa/fleece top. How do I not have one? I want something super cozy with a high neck but I also want it to be cute, you know? Here are some promising options I found, along with a few other fuzzy things:

Outfit and Review: Varley Cleon Sweat.

 Last week I posted about a shopping trip I took to Evereve and I was really into the Varley top I tried on. Well, I bought it:

The Varley Cleon is billed as a sweatshirt but it's really not. It's comfy and oversized like a sweatshirt but this is a NICE top - it's expensive but the quality is there. The material is weighty and has a ribbed texture and you could certainly layer it over a tank or tee but I am just wearing it by itself. The details are what take it above a sweatshirt: Thick cuffs and trim and a crew neck that's almost a little funnel neck. The side zips and a slightly cropped straight profile make it hang just right. 

The sleeves are extra long and it has a drop shoulder so I had to size down in this (I'm wearing a small.) Am I scared I'm going to spill coffee on it? Absolutely I am, but I just loved the cream color and don't have anything else like it. It comes in a few other colors as well - all of them good. (I really love the grey!) 

I'm wearing it with my Athleta Headland Hybrid Cargo tights which are the leggings you want when you don't want just leggings. They have front zip pockets and a double layer on the front but stretchy material on the back. I can't recommend them enough. They also have a new Headlands Hybrid jogger, which I'm dying to try. I added my Clare V Midi Sac which is just the right amount of color. Ooh, there's a grey snakeskin Midi Sac on sale at Nordstrom right now! Someone snap that up.

Details! I'm wearing my Gorjana Parker chain and my little bird skull from Paxton Gate. I am into the layering but wanted to keep things a bit more minimal for this outfit. (Related: I am not actually sure how to minimal.)

Oh, right, shoes! I thrifted these Vince Zeta loafers right before the pandemic started and only wore them a few times. Aren't they good though? I really should wear them more - the leather is so soft and I love the platform. They're still available in a few sizes on NR but I also love these Vince Brenden slip-ons, which very similar but a bit sportier.

I hope this was helpful! The Varley Cleon Sweat is available at Varley (all colors), Nordstrom, Zappos, and EverEve. 

Tuesday Window Shopping: Leather Jackets on the Brain

I was out of town for a few days visiting family and totally missed my weekend post (and, uh, my Monday post) but I'm making up for lost time with some excellent leather (and faux leather) options:

Review: Madewell Washed Leather Jacket.

This is not the review I was hoping to write but I am not the kind of person to recommend something I don't think is up to par. After weeks of being backordered, I finally got my Madewell Washed Leather Jacket in the mail and I was SO excited about it. I'd recently started wearing my black AllSaints Dalby jacket and falling in love with it all over again and was looking forward to having another great leather jacket in another color. Y'all this ain't it. First, a quick outfit shot because I look pretty cute:

I'm wearing my old pair of H&M straight leg jeans that Marianne gave me. They're kind of patch-worky which is fun. There's not much similar but this pair of Citizens has a similar vibe. My top is thrifted! It's a silk blouse by Amour Vert and it's got little flecks of purple which aren't showing up in the photos. It's sold out, but how cool is this Amour Vert leopard top? I also love this dreamy split neck blouse. 

I'm wearing my new little Gorjana lapis bead necklace along with my Parker wrap necklace. Now, on to the main event:

This is the Madewell Washed Leather Jacket in forest green and the color is stunning. Stunning! I do kind of wish the hardware wasn't silver but that's a small thing. Mainly, this jacket is just too big on me. I went with the large because so many of the reviews said it runs super small and it fits in the body, but the sleeves are really wide and long it throws the whole thing off. 

I was also struck by the thinnest of the leather. It's soft but somehow feels almost brittle? I would be really worried about how this jacket holds up. Also, and I don't know if this is just the green leather, its got a strong chemical smell. It should have that dreamy leather jacket smell but it definitely does not. The chemical smell will probably fade but still. No.

I do think it fits me fine through the body and I don't think I could zip up a medium but you can see how big the sleeves are here. It would be good if I wanted to layer a thick sweater under it, but it's such a cropped jacket that I don't think I'd do that. 

Here's a close-up of the washed texture. It's really good and I love the crinkly, washed look of it but it just doesn't fit or feel like a $498 jacket. If this was a $200, I'd think it was a fair price but at nearly $500 retail, no way. For that kind of money I would 100% buy another AllSaints jacket. They even have a forest green suede Balfern and a sage green leather version. I also found this bottle green Walter Baker motorcycle jacket that's half the price. I still want a dark green leather jacket, but this one isn't it. Save your money and buy an AllSaints. 

Killing Blog Time: A Few Rando Purchases.

If I buy something and don't tell you guys, did it actually happen? Haha. But wait, MOSTLY I AM MAD BECAUSE MY LEATHER JACKET WAS SUPPOSED TO COME YESTERDAY AND DID NOT. I was planning on reviewing it today but right now it's still on a delivery truck. Stop messing with my serotonin, UPS!* Anyway, I have a few purchases lately that I've been pleased with so you get to read about those things instead:

I went to Nordstrom Rack last weekend (ten minutes away! Such a novelty!) hoping to find jeans but they only had really weird stuff - like silver metallic jeans and patent leather leggings. Fun, but not what I'm looking for. I wandered over to the jewelry and found this:

So cute! And a compass! And half price. Sadly it's not on the NR site but they do have some other really nice Gorjana pieces. I'm a little bummed they didn't have this necklace in-store! I totally would've bought that. Gorjana necklaces stack well together so I was happy to find this little lapis baby to add to my collection.

I mentioned this yesterday, but Anthropologie has restocked my favorite winter candle - Balsam & Cedarwood. It's green, woodsy and a little spicy. And the container is so pretty! Its the perfect candle for those of us who can't handle the cloying pumpkin/vanilla scented stuff. It smells like fir trees and fall and is seasonal without being too obvious. I bought the little guy but I'll most likely go back for a bigger version when this one is done. 

When my friend Kate came to visit we wandered into the Aesop store and tried a fancy liquid hand soap - like, they seriously have a sink in the store and encourage you to try the soap! It was really wonderful but too spendy for me. Kate texted me yesterday to tell me about this suspiciously similar hand soap at Target. I'm suggestible so I bought it immediately. It's a bit masculine but does smell expensive and complex. We shall see! While I was there, I also picked up my favorite Method body wash which had been out of stock for ages. Whew.

Finally, listen. I know I'm super fickle but I have a new favorite underwear brand. I'm still wearing my Eleanor & Bobbie stuff but it's starting to stretch out a bit and they haven't restocked in ages. So, I finally decided to give EBY a try. They have amazing fun prints and a soft flocked edge so they don't move or ride up AT ALL. It's kind of amazing. I've tried the seamless bikini style and the briefs and really like both, though I didn't care for the high waisted style - total granny panties and not in a cool way. And yes, I bought the tiger striped underwear and the leopard print because of course I did. If you want to try EBY, use my link for $10 off your first order. (Full disclosure: I get points towards purchases). I promise you won't hate them. (Okay, you might hate them but I'll bet you won't.) 

*Thanks Katie! 

Monday Mood: Weekend Shopping Report.

I haven't been out to try things on in actual stores in a while, so over the weekend I ventured out to see what I could find. Madewell was mobbed so I didn't stay long enough to try things on. Anthro was basically empty but nothing really caught my eye. I did buy my favorite seasonal candle, though. My final stop was the danger zone: EVEREVE. I tried on a bunch of things including a couple of pairs of jeans:

The jeans on the left are Agolde Riley (I think?) and they were not for me - too rigid and too high rise. I forgot to take a photo of me wearing them because I'm the worst blogger. The jeans on the right, which I'm wearing in all the photos, are Kut From The Kloth High Rise Reese Ankle Straight and I really liked them:

They do run a whole size big, though. I'm wearing my usual size and they were definitely too big on me and they didn't have the next size down in-store. I might order a pair because they were comfy and had a nice mid-rise. The Reese cut comes in a bunch of colors and fabrics and they're under $100, which is refreshing. Now, on to the rest:

This is the Chaser hoodie I posted not long ago and I LOVED IT. I didn't buy it because I don't really need another striped top but it's soft and cozy and very, very cute on. I'm going to keep an eye on this one. 

I loved the snakey print of this Allison Joy Harper blouse but it was very blouse-y with a lot of sleeve. Like, a LOT of sleeve. Very cute and I should've tucked it in because it requires tucking, but it wasn't really for me. 

I immediately grabbed this John And Jenn Wes Camo Pullover because it looks like me, you know? I really liked it in theory but it was oversized and kind of boxy, so I couldn't decide if it was good on me. I have narrow shoulders so sometimes this cut just doesn't work. I probably should've tried a size down but it might not have mattered.

See? Such a good print. Camopard! Leocamo? I don't know. I dig it. 

This one by Roan + Ryan I shouldn't even show you because for some reason it's not on the website. I'm guessing it's out of stock. I'm hoping they'll restock because it was SO pretty. I love the two prints but it also had major sleeves which I wasn't sure about. (This one was being held for someone but they let me try it on.)

This top isn't in the photo above but it was a nice surprise - it's the Cleon Sweat by Varley, an athleisure brand I'd never tried before. This is technically a sweatshirt but it's got size zippers and a really sophisticated cut that doesn't feel sweatshirt-casual. I also never usually try on white/cream so it was a bit of a surprise that it looked nice on me: 

My crappy pics aren't really doing this top justice but I can't stop thinking about it! It's unlike anything I own, so I might end up buying it. It comes in some interesting colors too and also comes in a tunic-length version, which looked cozy.

That's it for me! Did you find anything great this weekend? 

Weekend Window Shopping: Live Every Week Like It's Jeans Week.

I didn't set out to do a theme this week, it just happened. But Jeans Week, like Shark Week, is every week around here. Here are a few excellent denim options (not just jeans!) to take you through the weekend:

Outfit of the Day: Still Jeans Week!

I pulled my gray skinny jeans out this week because I don't care what the youths say, I still love them. Now, I am also relieved to have lots of updated non-skinny options but I still really love this kind of legs-for-days look:

Wheee, look at those legs. As I mentioned yesterday, these are the Madewell 10" High-Rise Skinny Jeans in Oakwood Wash which I bought last winter. I love the wash and the fit and I'm definitely considering another pair in a blue wash or a pair with the 9" rise in a lighter blue wash. So many jeans, so little time. 

I wish I'd gotten a better photo of my blouse - it's Veronica Beard and it's from the same line as the RTR dress Marianne and I both loved. (She's wearing it in the first photo here.) This line is long sold out but I tracked the top down on Poshmark and figured it would have to do until I can find the dress. For another option, this VB leopard top is gorgeous and ooh, this Top Shop version is so similar! I also love this one with the crazy sleeves. 

I thought this outfit needed a jacket so I pulled out my AllSaints Dalby which is still my best classic black leather jacket. AllSaints, y'all. It's a dangerous store. Also, the Dalby is on sale in a few sizes here! 

Here's a giant close-up with skin courtesy of Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint. I bought it and love it - the finish is beautiful. Glowy! My lariat necklace is an old one from Luv AJ but I am really into this one from Madewell and this one at Nordstrom Rack.

I'm carrying my old Cambridge Satchel crossbody (this one is the most similar) and wearing my old Madewell Lucian boots. I wish they'd bring this style back but the new Greer boot is quite similar. 

That's it! Join me again tomorrow for a denim-themed Weekend Window Shopping.

My Denim Wardrobe. (Spoiler: It's mostly Madewell.)

I wasn't kidding about it being jeans week! Today I'm going to tell you about all my jeans (the pics are clickable if you want to see the outfit post): 

First up are my Madewell Cali Demi-Boot and I LOVE THEM. I bought them back in the spring and they're just so fun. The denim for this particular pair is pretty lightweight which makes them a perfect spring/summer option and I've worn them a lot. The demi-boot is definitely a trendy style but it's also kicky and fresh and will look very current. 

Ah, my Madewell Boyjeans. These are the best boyfriend jeans I've tried - they're nicely slouchy but still pretty slim/straight through the leg. I'm wearing the regular version but they also have a high-rise version. Also they run BIG. I am wearing my regular size here and they definitely slip down through the day. I have another really cute pair but they're currently listed on Poshmark because shame pants have no place in my closet. Anyway, boyfriend jeans are great if you want a truly comfy pair of jeans that are still fashion.

These are my Madewell Perfect Vintage jeans and aside from the rise being an inch too much, I still really love the style. This was a pre-pandemic photo shoot, obviously, and here's my most recent (and def more dirtbag) styling. These are a great way to wean yourself off of skinny jeans. 

Ooh, a wildcard! These are a pair of H&M jeans that Marianne gave me and they are super cute and just a leetle bit tight right now. They're old so I can't link them but aren't they fun? Kinda patchwork and weird. Here's a better pic:

The only downside - no back pockets, just the shadow of pockets. I think it's good to have a quirky pair of jeans - something distressed or patchworked or embroidered. 

And these, my Madewell 10" High-Rise Skinny Jeans in Oakwood wash. I'm wearing them right this second! A 10" rise is about as high as I can go and still feel comfortable. These are nice because they're skinny all the way down and look great with short boots. I also love having dark gray jeans but wouldn't mind having another pair of these in a blue wash. 

That's it! I certainly feel like there are some holes in this wardrobe - I'd love to have a second pair of skinny jeans in blue and, as I mentioned yesterday, I really want a pair of cropped straight leg jeans in a mid-rise. I also think there's room for a wide-leg style? Something like these Pilcro jeans would be so cute! Or, maybe a true pair of bootcut jeans? I kind of miss them, tbh.

PS. I also own a pair of black coated jeans from Madewell that just barely fit me but they don't make them anymore so I am holding on to them. #shamepants