Standard work week uniform

One of the first things you should know about me is that I'm a creature of habit. More often than not, change scares me.

So this week (when I guess you could say) I transfered offices (and even though it's only 2 blocks away from the old one) I feel as though my entire morning and evening routine has changed. I don't have to cross streets anymore - I can walk all the way down on one side of the street. The same Starbucks I used to visit isn't the most convenient anymore. And don't get me started on the new floor button I have to press - I've been pushing 8 for more than 2 years and now 13 seems so foreign.

Regardless, something that has always remained constant is my love of blazers, dark jeans, and flats. I recently picked up this red merino turtleneck during the J Crew sale for about 15 and love it. This morning when I noticed the high wasn't supposed to hit 60 I just felt like something warm, cozy, and familiar.

Also, not gonna lie, I also picked up the same turtleneck but in grey. 

Tomorrow is Wednesday which marks half the work week already done - hurrah! And hopefully tomorrow I remember to push the right button on the elevator....

What are some of your cures for when you have to break a routine of yours?

Blazer: Gift, similar here

Turtleneck: J Crew merino turtleneck (check stores, mine had plenty)

Jeans: Gap skinnies

Necklace: H&M, similar here

Of tweed and jewels

In case I haven't already mentioned to you before, I'm pretty much addicted to blazers. More often than not I'm wearing one at the office and they can be such classic pieces that can take an ordinary outfit to something that's a bit more... grown up.

So when I spied this in J Crew the other day (and it happened to be in my size..) I tried it on.  And of course, it fit. So I decided to be good and place it on hold to think about it... and realized with the 50% off sale promotion I'd be dumb to pass it up.

Introducing the newest blazer to closet - the J Crew Collection Jeweled Collar blazer.

 

 

Blazer - J Crew, Button down - Old Navy, Jeans - 7 For all mankind

I took my normal J Crew size - a size 8 in this. The blazer is made of wool and definitely thick and warm. It even has a hidden inside pocket. I don't think that I would've paid 325.00 for this ... but for what I'm paid I'm happy I did. The buttons also have anchors on them... love anchors!

And so sorry for the awkward last photo but I wanted to try and show a close up of the collars. It also came with jewel reinforcements in case any of them happen to have the misfortune of falling off.

So I'm fairly sure I'm done buying blazers for awhile.. unless I find one in plaid. Or houndstooth. And that's it I swear (pinky swear, too!).

Do you have an item in your closet that you can't seem to stop from buying in different colors/patters/fabrics?

Floral lately

January... already almost over? Holy cow. Life has been increasingly busy but finally a three day weekend is upon us to sleep, watch football, and sleep some more. 

Tonight we are heading out to a German restaurant that reminds DH and I of Oktoberfest...lots of lively people and boots of beer. And spazel. I love spazel.

This is probably one of my more favorite sale buys from J Crew over the past few months. The fact that it's Liberty of London makes me like it even more. And I've paired it with different color sweaters and it works well, too.

I also have to admit that I bought this cardigan in another color too. I believe I got them both for about 20, or the pink one slightly under that. Major score. I keep looking to see if any of the pink/purple liberty shirts pop up in my local J Crew but alas, I haven't seen any.

Another major score? This bag for 69.99. I almost felt guilty for buying it at that price. I used some holiday money to pay for it so I'm not feeling too bad. It could use a bit of a leather conditioner on the front but for the price I paid I'm not too worried.

Has there been anything lately that you've gotten as a really good deal (almost too good to be true but not)?

Liberty perfect shirt in Wiltshire

J Crew classic merino long cardigan in vibrant purple

Necklace as a gift, similar here

Edie grand, exact here

Living in mustard

I always thought mustard was one of those colors that I could never wear, or even get close to wearing. But when I unwrapped this under the Christmas tree from my parents I was excited to try again. I decided to not overdo my accessories on this one and let the jacket speak for itself.

Jeans: Gap, Bluse & jacket: J Crew

I paired this with my french hen shirt and dark jeans to offset the brightness of the jacket.

Work has been intense lately, hence my lack of posts (my outfits have been pretty dull because its been work sleep repeat lately) but with the weekend finally in sight I'm hoping to snuggle up in some warm sweaters as a cold snap comes our way.

And.. I finally decided what to get with my J Crew giftcard! Stay tuned.. I will do a proper reveal of the item soon. :)

Are there any new fashion items that you've recently tried and now love?

2013 Financial Goal - 52 Week Challenge

Since a new year is upon us I'm always trying to think of a goal that I can set for myself concerning my finances. I was fortunate enough in 2012 to hit my big financial goal for the year a week before 2013 (thanks mom and dad) and when I saw this one pop up on a forum I frequent I knew immediately that I wanted to participate.

The 52 week money challenge is easy - for each week of the year you put away the dollar amount corresponding with the number of the week. Since this is the first week of the year I'm putting away 1.00, and next week will be 2.00, and so forth. And the awesome thing? At the end of the year you have almost 1400.00 socked away to use for whatever you'd like.

I'm thinking of starting a separate small checking account for this so I can easily transfer funds over each week from our main account. I think weeks 40-52 will be a bit of a challenge... but I'm always good for a fight!

If anyone else is interested in joining I'd love company!

Have you set any financial goals for 2013?

Goodbye 2012

2012… where do I even begin with you. For a year that seemed feared by so many (ahem, end of the world naysayers I’m speaking to you) the year was definitely amazing.

From the beginning of the year and starting a new position at work that’s no longer just a job but turning into a career and dealing with the massive growth of my company that is keeping me on my toes I’m grateful to have been given this experience for yet a second year in a row.

 

I witnessed the weddings of friends and family members and travelled all across the 50 states to do so (Honolulu, Denver, and Philly you treated us so well for those short weekend trips). I visited favorite cities that I hadn't seen in years as well as destinations that I hadn’t been to before, and stepped foot on Italian soil less than 3 km from where my grandfather was born.

 

In April and September I lost two amazing family members who I carry in my heart every day. My nonno, my dad’s father passed away at the age of 89 after battling a degenerative lung disease just 5 days after the last time I saw him for dinner and he helped me pick out a pair of new red shoes. Whenever I wear them I think of him and the last time I saw him. I remember his thick laugh and his gentle way of speaking along with how he always called me Loretta. My grandmother passed in September unexpectedly, and she has been the only person that I was given a chance to say goodbye to. It was without a doubt the hardest thing that I have ever done to profess your heart to someone who you know will not pull through. I take from her my devotion to my husband and my family, the happy memories of sharing meals around their tables and have to come to accept that now she is with my grandpa that she will be allright. I stood and spoke at both of their wakes, the only grandchild from either side to do so and I still hope that what I said was enough for both of them.

In August I married my best friend on a sunny day in san Francisco surrounded by 200 guests. The day was fantastic and reigns supreme as the best day of my life.  While it went by in a happy blur I won’t ever forget how incredibly happy I was that day, how my parents and sister were just so estatic on that day, and how lucky I am to have an amazing set of inlaws who value family, food, and laughter just the same as mine does. I cherish the wedding photos from that day and still can’t believe that I managed to plan the entire thing.

I'd like to say that my fashion sense has evolved – and will continue to do so through 2013. I think part of it is coming to terms with the fact that I know I will never be a size 2, and as a result certain things just don’t look good on me (peplum, you are one of them). But that also means that I’m learning to dress me for me. I want to start investing in better pieces for the long term – no more fad pieces that are only worn for a season.  My diehard addiction to j crew isn’t waining any time soon, though.  And starting in January I will have a 300 a month fashion budget.

We celebrated highs, cried with the lows, danced like crazy at weddings and snapped photobooth photos whenever present, leaving happy mementos of a memory forever trapped on a piece of film will always remind me of 2012.

So, to those of you that read here thank you so much for being on this ride with me through 2012 and im excited and eager to see what 2013 has in store. I want to hone in more on blogging and up the ante with the photos. I want to continue to develop my style while still watching my budget. Eat better, travel more (hello London and Paris!) and continue to develop my career.

Bring it on 2013. Bring it on.

Santa Cruz

Today DH and I decided to be spontaneous and head down to Santa Cruz for the day. Home of our alma mater UC Santa Cruz, the Beach Boardwalk, and a major stop on the monarch butterfly migration along the western United States, Santa Cruz has always held a special place in my heart.

We drove down the coast and finally had some nice weather (meaning, it didn't rain for the first time in days) and just enjoyed being able to do something like this together on a Monday that we were both off from work.

Ducks at the state park

Enjoying DH's favorite sandwich at Joes

Santa Cruz Pier in the sun

Santa Cruz Pier

Some of our favorite places in town:
Swanton Berry farm - amazing jams and pies all organically made and locally grown off the highway 1. Dave's favorite is the olallaberry jam.
Pacific Cookie Company - home to the yummiest home made cookies in SC. We love the mint condition, and during the summer the sugar cookie with cherries is my all time favorite.
99 Bottles - 99+ varieties of beer and hopefully you might find something new here.
Natural Bridges State Park - home to thousands of monarchs who stop here on their migration, as well as a lovely beach.
West Cliff Drive - amazing place to park your car and go for a walk and watch all of the surfers riding waves.
Beach Boardwalk - Always worth a visit, even if its just to stroll the boardwalk, ride the wooden roller coaster, or indulge in some classic video games (tetris, anyone?)

And that's about it for now... I hope where ever you are that you are having the happiest of holidays :) Merry Christmas to those out there that celebrate it!